Engineering : Innovation & Job News

Jobs, jobs and more jobs. That's what's promised with a $10 million investment by General Dynamics Land Systems, which makes armored vehicles for the U.S. military.

The Sterling Heights-based company plans to expand its operations in both Sterling Heights and Shelby Township, creating 500 jobs and 649 spin-off jobs over the next 12 years.

Michigan beat out competing states like Virginia and Florida and even the Canadian province of Ontario for the project. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation and local municipalities approved $44 million in tax breaks and incentives to make the deal happen.

"This project will result in the immediate creation of new jobs and laboratory facilities and the possibility exists for continued growth," says David K. Heebner, president of General Dynamics Land Systems. "After comparing Michigan's state tax credits both nationally and internationally, it made the most business sense for General Dynamics to continue our commitment in Michigan."

General Dynamics Land Systems formed in 1982 when Falls Church, Va.-based parent General Dynamics Corp. acquired Chrysler Corp.'s defense operations. General Dynamics Land Systems has 8,000 employees in 12 states. General Dynamics employs 83,500 worldwide and reported 2007 revenues of $27.2 billion. It is a leader in production of land and amphibious combat systems, mission-critical information systems and technologies, shipbuilding and marine systems and business aviation.

Source: Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Writer: Jon Zemke

Until the mid-90's, there wasn't much reason to redevelop contaminated property. That changed for two reasons: legislation was enacted that dealt with dangling liability issues and federal and state incentives were designed to entice developers to once-untouchable land and buildings.

Wisely, AKT Peerless began to examine ways to help developers... well... develop these types of properties and buildings.

With that in mind, the company decided to expand their focus which, at that time, was solely engaged in the assessment side of environmental services. Sensing the change a-coming, AKT started to hire experts in incentives from places like the MEDQ and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation.

AKT can now walk hand in hand with a client, whether it be a developer or a municipality, in locating and assessing properties, getting brownfield authorities off the ground and identifying and securing financial incentives towards property redevelopment.

Incentives that AKT works with include: brownfield tax increment financing and single business tax credits, the obsolete property rehabilitation act, fast track land bank authorities, MEDQ brownfield redevelopment grants and loans, Renaissance and Enterprise Zones, EPA brownfield assessment and cleanup grants and loans, New Market Tax Credits and historic tax credits.

"We look for where the financial gap on a project is coming from," says Corey Leon, the firm's director of incentives. "And we try to find a way of filling that gap."

Their approach has helped grow the firm from 20 people with $2 million in sales annually to one that employs nearly 50 and will reach $7.5 million in sales this year. It staffs offices in Detroit, Farmington, Lansing and Saginaw.

Tony Kashat, the firm's principal, says things have really changed at AKT in the last decade. "We're not just dealing with science," he says. He is aware that each project the company is involved with has the potential to change the landscape of a city or neighborhood. "We're helping create redevelopment, a tax base and jobs -- another anchor in an area that can then be built off of."

Sources: Tony Kashat, Corey Leon and Rebecca Savage, AKT Peerless
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

It’s a standard question in the metromode interview – are you hiring? Do you plan to hire anytime soon? (It’s not called the Innovation and Jobs News column for nothing.)  For Steve Frey of Universal Parametrics, Inc., the answer was simple: “We’re looking to fill six positions, immediately,” he says. “We are desperately seeking people.”

Ann Arbor-based Universal Parametrics, founded in 1999 to provide design and finite analysis services, has been on an upswing, growing exponentially over the years and recently moving into a new, 5,000-square-foot facility that Frey says gives the company room to work.

The new building, located on Highland Drive, includes a training center separate from the company offices, room for visiting companies to work and a shop where UP engineers can examine equipment.

Finding people to fill the space has been something of a challenge.

“Our biggest growth has been in sales staff,” he says. “When we started out in 1999, we did project work, where a company would hire us to work on a new design. Over the course of the last nine years, we expanded that, and we’re selling two different brands of software now."

Highly-qualified technical experts aren’t easy to come by, he says.

“Our customers look for very specific qualifications,” Frey says. The company is currently looking to fill six positions, five newly-created.

Source: Steve Frey, Universal Parametrics
Writer: Nancy Kaffer

As company growth goes, Creative Technology Services is on a stellar trajectory. Purchased from parent company MSX International just two years ago by the Creative Tech management team, the company is following a carefully-mapped growth plan obtaining new clients, launching a new company and adding 45 new positions in 2007 alone.

Canton-based Creative Tech is a contract assembler focused on the medical device marketplace primarily dealing with major players like the Johnson & Johnson companies, explains Vice-President of Sales and Customer Service Jim Smyth. For years, Creative Tech has done major assembly of the iBot, a smart wheelchair invented by Segway guru Dean Kamen that can climb stairs and master curbs.

Smyth says the company has recently obtained new contracts, such as life sciences corp MacuChek to assemble the MacuScope. The MacuScope is the first commercial instrument capable of accurately measuring and tracking macular protective pigment density (MPPD) in the center of the eye, according to the company’s Web site.

In the past, Smyth says, Creative Tech has only assembled such devices, but is expanding into another market sector.

“We’re also in the process of launching a new company, Next Mobility, which is basically a distribution company for mobility devices for the disabled,” Smyth says.

The company’s 45 new jobs, he says, have been added across the board – quality technicians, engineering staff, program managers, assembly techs, marketing support for Next Mobility, product developers, designers, and has added members to the customer service team and complaint-handling department, required for the company’s top-level Food and Drug Administration certification.

"We expect that we will continue to grow," Smyth says. "2008 is really a year for the execution of all the plans we’ve put in place - we’ve launched two new products in the last quarter, as well as a new company."

Source: Jim Smyth, Creative Technology Services
Writer: Nancy Kaffer

If you’re going to expand, why not go green? That’s the thinking at Farmington Hills-based diversified engineering technology company Dearborn Group Inc. The company recently announced plans for a $1.17 million green expansion.

Excerpt:

The company has recently begun offering a new line of high-speed FlexRay network products though a partnership with a German manufacturer and diagnostic tools currently installed standard on five different models of brands, including General Motors and Saab. It's now working on developing secure, WiFi Internet connections to allow users to communicate with their vehicles for diagnostic and other applications, including sending podcasts to the entertainment center or e-mail messages to unlock doors.

Read the entire article here.  

SmithGroup has learned that in today's economy sometimes it pays to think local.

A national architecture and engineering firm with 800 employees, 150 of them housed at their Detroit office, the company has bolstered its profile with work on a number of prominent local projects, including the MGM complex, the DIA expansion, the renovation of the Cranbrook Art Museum and the Boll Family YMCA in downtown Detroit.

In the green scene, the company designed the new Science and Media Building at Madonna University (pictured) and the Visteon Village corporate head-quarters. Both projects are seeking Silver LEED certification.

SmithGroup actively recruits talent from University of Detroit Mercy, Lawrence Technological University and the University of Michigan to meet its staffing needs. SmithGroup also sustains an active internship program that not only gives students real world experience, but exposes students to the social network of downtown Detroit. A full 50% of interns become full-time hires.

Even younger future architects and engineers are developed through Exploring Post, sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America. In this program, co-ed students are exposed to these careers through hands-on training activities.

Building Design+Construction named SmithGroup as one of the "Best AEC Firms to Work For." While the internship and mentoring programs surely contributed to the nod, the company mandates 8.5 hour workdays and 42.5 hour work weeks -- which adds up to 15 Fridays off a year.

Source: Camille Thompson, SmithGroup
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Toyota Boshoku celebrated the grand opening of its new research and development center in Novi where it plans to add 40 positions by 2008.


Excerpt:

"Toyota Boshoku America is a growing company and we know that Michigan has an experienced, talented and highly technical workforce with a deep understanding of the automotive industry," Kiyoshi "Nate" Furuta, chairman and CEO of Toyota Boshoku America said in a statement.

Read the entire article here.

You know how the scissors are always missing from the junk drawer when you need them most? Imagine managing tools or spare parts at a plant.

Yeah, "Who's got the wrench?" might become a common refrain.

Enter Advanced Research Company's Storage+, a "smart" storage cabinet that uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to keep track of what is in stock and what is missing -- and sometimes more importantly, who has checked out a particular part or supply.

ARC started out, back in 1984, as an engineering firm designing controlled, data collection and information systems for the automotive industry. About four years ago, due to the manufacturing downturn, the company began searching for products that would diversify their product line, and in turn, their client base.

The Orion-based company saw Walmart and the United States Department of Defense push the use of RFID in their supply chains as a solution for tracking assets. They asked, "How can we leverage that in a use for our manufacturing customers?" says ARC's William Sharp.

Storage+ works like this: an RFID label is put on every item that needs to be tracked which is then stored in the cabinet. Employees enter a PIN or swipe an ID to open the cabinet and take out whatever they need. Rather than sign a clipboard (how 20th century!). the cabinet scans its own contents and compares what is inside the cabinet before and after the latest access.

Contents can be tracked on the Internet and emails can be sent notifying need-to-know parties when stock is running low or when a critical item is checked out.

The cabinet clearly has uses on the plant and shop floor, but there's potential for it to infiltrate into other industries. One potent example is with consignment materials like equipment at a manufacturing plant or orthopedic surgical equipment at hospitals. "This way, the customer doesn't pay until they use the stock," says Sharp. The cabinet's tracking system can notify the supplier when they need to restock and can even be set up to help out with billing.

Other potential uses include tracking stuff like library AV equipment, laptop computers, gauges, regulated or hazardous substances and documents and software.

ARC houses its research, development and engineering teams at its Orion headquarters. Although it downsized to six employees, Sharp has high hopes that Storage+ will grow that number. The company is working with distributors familiar with industries that are outside their comfort zone and the cabinet is currently being tested by a large medical market reseller. "All the stars are lining up," says Sharp.

Source: William Sharp, ARC
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Azure Dynamics Corp. is investing $2.9 million and bringing 25 jobs to its new location in Oak Park. The Canadian company estimates the facility will employ 125 by 2012.

Excerpt:

"We're excited to set up shop in Michigan and we're going to have a lot of fun," said Azure spokesman Steven Glaser. "It's an exciting industry and there's a lot of potential for growth."

Azure chose Michigan over bids from Pennsylvania, Ohio and Ontario because of its engineering talent base and proximity to Ford Motor Co., a key strategic customer, Glaser said.

Read the entire article here.

The Great Lake IT Report's Fall Tech Tour traversed the state, then finished up at Wayne State University, where editor Matt Rousch was dazzled by the amount of innovation he saw coming out of the university.

Excerpt:

In Wayne State's 2006 fiscal year, the school took in $4 million in licensing revenue from 30 companies, an amount up 23 percent from the prior year. The number of patent applications rose 63 percent and patents granted doubled. The number of invention disclosures and license and option agreements dropped slightly but the university created two start-up companies developing therapeutic-diagnostic products. There are several start-ups in the pipeline and seeking investment from the venture or angel investor community.

Read the entire report here.

German-head-quartered Kolbenschmidt Pierburg (KSPG), which develops and manufactures powertrain components, is opening a new technical center in Auburn Hills that will employ 153 within five years. The $11 million investment was made possible by a $3.4 million state tax abatement coupled with a $167,000 local one, both over eight years.

The company had already been growing its local presence -- from 12 to 45 over the last few years, says Paul J. Klapproth, KSPG's director of marketing. Currently situated in Southfield, they will move to the Auburn Hills facility that is currently being built-out by December. Several of KSPG's divisions will share resources at the new facility. Citing CAD and machine shops as examples, the new center will "bring us all together so we can utilize all resources collectively," says Klapproth.

The facility will develop KSPG products for the global market. The company has one such center in Germany and another in Japan; the Auburn Hills location will serve as its North American product development head-quarters.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation estimates that the new technical center will add another 200 jobs indirectly which Klapproth believes will be in construction and with suppliers.

Source: Paul J. Klapproth, KSPG
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Southfield-based nCode International announced this month the that Michael Singer is the company’s new CEO and a member of its Board of Directors.

The engineering data management software and instrumentation company moved former CEO Brian Dabell to the newly created position of Executive Vice President – Business Development. 

Prior to joining nCode, Singer either lead and or was part of the executive management teams of several Michigan based technology companies including Entyre, StoneAge Corporation and MAVRICC Management Systems.

"nCode is looking forward to another successful year in 2007," said the company’s PR Manager, Dianne Bell, who added that 2006 saw the addition of numerous positions in support of its continued growth and success.

The company also announced the release of its ICE-flow 4.1 product family, which will enable customers to more easily manage, process and visualize ever-increasing channel counts of data, and better assess product life.

nCode is owned by Coller Capital and is managed by Nova Capital Management. For more information on the company, visit ncode.com.

Source: Dianne Bell, nCode

National Transportation Week is a big deal for Richard Marks, president and chief engineer of Grosse Pointe-based EnVironmental Transportation Solutions. Marks is shopping his EcoV Electric cars to potential investors and drivers at four events throughout the week.

The EcoV is a street-legal vehicle with a 25-40 mile range. Marks points out that, if the vehicle can be charged with solar energy, "There is the potential for absolutely zero environmental impact." With a base price of less than $10,000, Marks is also hoping to appeal to consumers' bottom lines.

On Monday, he participated in a media "ride and drive" sponsored by NextEnergy. All major auto manufacturers had their alternative fuel vehicles at the event which, says Marks, "was a good opportunity for the press to be able to contrast EcoV against a lot of up-and-coming future technologies."

On Tuesday, EcoV made an appearance at the Energy Conference and Exhibition (more here).

EcoV's big dance was Wednesday, when Marks presented his business plan to the Great Lakes Angels investment group. Marks says, "This was really our first formal presentation to any significant investor." He has found that many area venture capital groups are more focused on biotech, life sciences, health care and IT, but sees the Angels as a group with a broader focus.

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. qualified EcoV as a company from which investors are eligible to receive a significant tax break on their future earnings.

Thursday, EcoV showed up at the Michigan Clean Fleet Conference (link to that story). Marks notes the importance of local municipalities exploring options such as the EcoV for uses such as parking enforcement. "Detroit is one of 20 locations in Michigan that does not meet air quality standards set by the EPA. EcoV can help be a great solution for that."

Marks says that an important step in the potential adoption of alternative fuel technology by the American public is understanding the need to place limits on consumption. "The point we want to drive home is that once an individual or a fleet decide they don't need to buy everything they want, but can downsize their needs for a specific application, that it is so cost-effective to own and operate. Buying less because you need less will be a major change in the American attitude—people don't buy what they need, they buy what they want. We need to work on that learning process."

Learn more about the EcoV from metromode's previous coverage.

Source: Richard Marks, EnVironmental Transportation Solutions
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh