Conference Alerts Manufacturers To Defense Opportunities

The NC Aerospace Alliance, NC Military Business Center and sourceNC sponsored the Second Annual sourceNC Supplier Conference on December 9 to enhance the ability of North Carolina companies to win more Department of Defense and commercial contracts. The event was held at the Partners in THINC facility of Okuma America in Charlotte.

This ?must attend? conference featured presentations from a variety of organizations ? all geared to help North Carolina companies grow their sales. Speakers included:

? General Dynamics Ordnance & Tactical Systems

? U.S. Department of Commerce (US DOC)

? U.S. small Business Administration (SBA)

? North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC)

? North Carolina Aerospace Alliance (NC AA)

? North Carolina Industrial Extension Services (NC IES)

? National Tooling & Machining Association (NTMA)

? Okuma America Partners in THINC

? AirPack, Inc.

? SourceNC.com

Because the downturn in commercial manufacturing has made many companies aware of the viable and lucrative alternative the Department of Defense represents for maintaining and growing their sales, more than 145 people attended this event, including representatives from North Carolina machine shops, contract manufacturers and other industry vendors.

In addition to the lectures, a special speed networking event introduced contract manufacturers directly to buyers from a variety of North Carolina aerospace and other companies. Buyers and suppliers engaged in 120 ten-minute interviews. Buyer companies included: General Dynamics ODTS, Atlantic Aero, Inc., Carver Machine Works, Commerce Overseas, VX Aerospace, New Phoenix Aerospace, Higher Source Aviation, and Okuma America.

Feedback from participants was very positive, with buyers indicating they had identified potential critical sources of supply that may help them reduce costs and improve their products. Machine shops indicated they were excited by access to new business opportunities and information that will enable them to become more responsive, efficient and profitable.

As one of the world?s largest machine tool builders, the Okuma facility provided attendees with the opportunity to view cutting edge machining technology and network with vendors that provide a wide range of products and services including robotics, tooling and inspection. Additional sponsors included Liberty Insurance, Fabricating & Metalworking, Industrial Machinery Digest and the National Tooling and Machining Association.

In 2010 sourceNC will hold a series of defense-related workshops across the state. Several regional venues are being considered to enable broad participation by North Carolina companies.

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