GSA Technology Council

If you were at the GSATC Learning Lunch yesterday then you had an opportunity to visit the Greenville Rotary Club’s table for the 2013 Reedy River Duck Derby (if you weren’t there then you missed a super event). The Reedy River Duck Derby is fast approaching, as is your chance to win ONE MILLION DOLLARS in addition to other prizes. Visit their website and buy a duck, or increase your chances with a “Quack Pack”. If you need a little more convincing to attend this great, family friendly event, check out this epic video.

via Rotary Club of Greenville Evening

Carbures LLC, a maker of carbon fiber composite structures, today announced plans to establish its first American facility at the South Carolina Technology & Aviation Center (SCTAC) in Greenville County. The $6.5 million investment is expected to generate at least 50 new jobs in the next five years.

“We are pleased to establish our first U.S. facility in South Carolina’s Upstate, and are particularly excited to be locating here in Greenville County at the South Carolina Technology & Aviation Center,” said Angel Vallejo, vice president of Carbures Europe-USA. “This new facility will help us meet significantly accelerating demand for carbon fiber structures, and Greenville County provides us with an excellent business environment, a top-notch workforce and exceptional market access. We look forward to becoming a part of the Palmetto State’s business community.”

The company will locate its new design and manufacturing facility in Greenville County on Perimeter Road, located within the South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center (SCTAC). Construction on the 40,000-square-foot facility will begin shortly, and Carbures plans to have the facility online in the second quarter of 2012.

“Companies from across the globe continue to choose to set up shop in South Carolina. We’re excited Carbures has decided to put its first North American presence in the Palmetto State and create 50 new jobs,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.

The new company, the first U.S.-based spinoff from Spain-based Carbures, will design, engineer and manufacture carbon fiber structures for the defense, aerospace and automotive industries, as well as for civil infrastructure providers.

“This announcement brings yet another manufacturing company and builds on South Carolina’s international ties. Foreign-affiliated companies play an important role in our state’s economy, and we look forward to Carbures’ contribution,” said Bobby Hitt, South Carolina Secretary of Commerce.

So far this year, Commerce has recruited more than $800 million in new capital investment and more than 1,400 jobs from foreign-affiliated companies.

“The Carbures selection of SCTAC for their first U.S. facility demonstrates our competitive edge on an international level,” said Jody Bryson, SCTAC President and CEO. “Carbures is the fourth company to expand to SCTAC in the last year. The new jobs and capital investment will add to our $1.4 billion state-wide economic impact, and is further evidence that our new economic development strategy is positioning us to win in today’s global economy.”

“Carbures’ decision to establish operations in Greenville County is great news,” said H. G. “Butch” Kirven, chairman of Greenville County Council and director of the Greenville Area Development Corporation. “Together with our economic development partners, GADC assisted the company in making this announcement possible. This venture will create good paying jobs and offer good opportunities for local citizens, and also affirms that Greenville County is a great area for specialty manufacturing. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with this fine company in the years ahead.”

“We offer congratulations to Carbures, GADC and our other partners on this great announcement,” said SCRA CEO Bill Mahoney. “Carbures is a client company of our commercialization and development program, SC Launch. The program, in conjunction with SCRA’s Advanced Materials group, has provided introductions, business support and investment to support Carbures’ location in South Carolina.”

“This physical expansion into North America is a vital first step in our global growth and expansion plans. We are now prepared to begin design and calculation services in composite structures at our temporary office. We have both the knowledge and the work force to service large OEMs, such as Boeing,” said Ivan Contreras, CEO of Carbures USA.

The new operations will have the ability to design and engineer custom products in carbon fibers, utilizing such advanced technologies as hand layup, resin transfer molding (RTM) and automated tape layup (ATL), Contreras added. The location at SCTAC was critical to the organization’s decision to establish operations here in South Carolina, in part due to its proximity to Lockheed, Boeing, Proterra, BMW and others.

“The reputation of Upstate South Carolina as a hub for manufacturing excellence makes it an ideal home for Carbures. We literally considered locations for our first operations from other states to the Carolinas,” stated Contreras. “We found the right blend of talented workforce, business opportunity, proximity to customers and quality of life right here in South Carolina.”

“We’re happy to be here, and grateful to the state of South Carolina, Greenville Area Development Corporation and others for helping us in this process,” concluded Vallejo.

The state of South Carolina agreed to provide pre-employment training for new employees and the company was approved for job development credits, which will be available when hiring targets are met.

The company is currently recruiting to fill several key management and engineering positions, and will announce further hiring for intentions in early Fall.

via South Carolina Department of Commerce

Life Cycle Engineering, Inc., and Clemson University’s Center for Corporate Learning, today announced the new Reliability Engineering and Reliability Excellence Certificate programs. The new certificate programs respond to a rising demand for professionals in the manufacturing sector to be formally trained and certified on reliability-based manufacturing competencies through an accredited academic institution.

“We are honored to partner with Clemson University in producing these unique, innovative certificate programs,” said Bill Wilder, director of the Life Cycle Institute. “The certificate programs will enable manufacturers to remain competitive in a global market by increasing employee competency in reliability best practices and standards. Clemson is an ideal partner with its strong engineering program and dedication to serving the manufacturing sector.”

The Reliability Excellence Certificate program provides an understanding of reliability principles and the essential tools and processes required to develop, implement and sustain a reliability program for a world-class manufacturing operation. The program is designed for executive-level participants such as chief operating officers, vice presidents of operations, general managers, as well as reliability managers, plant managers and others engaged in continuous improvement initiatives such as Lean, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and Six Sigma.

The Reliability Engineering Certificate program is designed to educate participants on the development and implementation of a strategic, holistic reliability engineering program that will reduce organizational risk and improve operational performance. The program teaches effective asset management best practices, preventive and predictive maintenance and root cause analysis techniques. The Reliability Engineering Certificate program has an additional component which offers candidates the opportunity to gain a Reliability Engineer Certification (REC) upon completion and approval of a work product.

“Clemson University’s Center for Corporate Learning is pleased to partner with Life Cycle Engineering to deliver a program that responds to the growing need for professional certifications
in manufacturing environments,” said the center’s director, Tanya Thompson. “Life Cycle Engineering’s expertise, combined with Clemson University’s resources, creates the perfect team to deliver what manufacturing and engineering professionals need.”

“Our programs are developed and delivered by industry practitioners and subject matter experts who work in the field and on the manufacturing floor,” stated Wilder. “Participants will learn through high-impact learning methodologies that optimize adult learning retention through an interactive, inclusive style of delivery.”

Scheduled courses in each certification program begin in May 2013 and will be delivered at Clemson’s Greenville, South Carolina training facility. Candidates for either certificate program will register through Clemson University’s Center for Corporate Learning.

via Life Cycle Engineering

A seasoned auto industry executive with more than three decades of experience will lead one of the world’s foremost automotive research campuses into an exciting new era of research and collaboration.

Frederick M. Cartwright, who spent 30 years in the automotive industry with General Motors, has been appointed executive director of the award-winning Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research. His appointment is effective April 1.

Cartwright’s extensive experience includes design and development of advanced powertrains for commercial and military vehicles, management of GM’s hybrid bus program and numerous new business-development initiatives involving other auto manufacturers.

Among other executive positions, he previously was vice president for alliances and new business development for General Motors Europe in Rüsselsheim, Germany. Most recently he was director of new business initiatives based in Detroit.

In this role, he was responsible for development of new technology and product-based initiatives, including establishment of multiple alliances. He has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration degree from Butler University.

Cartwright’s industry-centric experience will help steer CU-ICAR to a new chapter of growth and excellence, said John Kelly, Clemson University vice president for economic development. He will prove an exciting and valuable member of the team, he said.

“Since opening five years ago, CU-ICAR has become an international model for economic development,” Kelly said. “The campus has an enviable list of transport-related industry partners. With Fred at the helm, those relationships will only strengthen and more are sure to join.

“Fred’s appointment will not only further CU-ICAR’s mission, but help enhance the reputation of Upstate South Carolina as the go-to place for business,” Kelly said.

The campus has garnered more than $250 million in public and private investments and created more than 700 jobs. CU-ICAR boasts 19 campus partners and every year hosts hundreds of guests from around the world.

Cartwright said his focus will be to maintain momentum.

“CU-ICAR has a talented and dedicated team that has positioned the campus as a world leader in transportation research,” Cartwright said. “Its reputation for economic development and automotive research is known far beyond South Carolina’s Upstate.

“Its list of partners, from BMW Manufacturing Co. and Michelin North America Inc. to Sage Automotive Interiors and, most recently, EcoDual Inc., speak to the high regard CU-ICAR’s students, faculty and staff are held. I am eager to start work and excited to become part of such an energetic business community.”

Interim CU-ICAR director John Boyette said Cartwright will make Greenville his home and he quickly will become an asset to the community. The region enjoys a vibrant business climate, which is vital to its success, he said.

“Fred can draw on a wealth of experience from working relationships around the world,” Boyette said. “What he brings to the table will benefit us all.”

via CU-ICAR

Mike Pfohl has joined A.T. LOCKE, an Upstate business providing accounting services, business analysis and financial and strategic guidance to emerging and mid-sized organizations, as a financial analyst on the firm’s rapidly-growing team.

A native of Camden, South Carolina, Mr. Pfohl holds a B.S. degree in Financial Management as well as an MBA, both from Clemson University.  Prior to joining A.T. LOCKE, he served as chief financial officer for Perceptis, LLC, a help-desk and IT consulting provider to higher education, and as vice president of finance for Level One, a strategic support solutions provider to the multi-family industry.  He also has served in leadership roles with Avery Dennison, NewSouth Communications and Electric Power Board of Chattanooga during his professional career.

Mr. Pfohl’s experience has included a range of operations, accounting, financial reporting, risk management, payroll, tax, treasury and key account management roles.  He will work with a range of A.T. LOCKE clients across the Upstate from the firm’s Greenville headquarters.  Married with three children, he currently resides in Greenville.

“Mike brings exceptional strategic and analytical abilities, along with broad industry experience and outstanding customer service skills, to benefit A.T. LOCKE clients,” said Anna Locke, President of A.T. LOCKE.  “We are committed to providing timely, accurate, and relevant financial insight and information, along with quality service and insight, to every client.  We expect Mike to be a wonderful addition to our team.”

via A.T. LOCKE

The Greenville Area Development Corporation, charged with promoting and enhancing quality of life in Greenville County by facilitating job growth and investment, has named Peter Waldschmidt, CEO of software developer Gnoso Inc., as Greenville County’s Economic Development Ambassador for 2013.

The formal announcement was made at the State House in Columbia on March 19 during ceremonies as South Carolina celebrated Industry Appreciation Week. Governor Nikki Haley individually recognized Mr. Waldschmidt and 45 other Ambassadors, one from each county in the state, who have made exceptional contributions to community and state economic development in the past year. Industry Appreciation Week is celebrated to express thanks to companies for their contributions to local communities, to honor economic development leaders, and to build awareness that existing business is a fundamental driver of both local and state economies.

GADC President & CEO Jerry Howard commended Mr. Waldschmidt’s “efforts and commitment to building a diverse and sustainable economic development structure in Greenville County,” noting that he had spent countless hours meeting and traveling in support of such key technology-driven and knowledge-economy-focused initiatives as TEDxGreenville, NEXT, UCAN, the NEXT Innovation Center and InternGreenville.com.

“Mr. Waldschmidt’s passionate leadership in advancing the technology and entrepreneurial ecosystems of GreenvilleCounty has brought together many economic development allies — the Greenville Area Development Corporation, the City of Greenville, the Greenville Chamber, and our legislative delegation among them – to focus on the contributions of emerging businesses to our community,” said Howard. “In addition, he has made major, positive contributions to this community’s economic prosperity and quality of life by serving on numerous local, state and national boards for the benefit of citizens of GreenvilleCounty, and certainly deserves this recognition and honor.”

Mr. Waldschmidt is founder and CEO of Gnoso Inc., a company that researches and commercializes software products. Gnoso’s flagship product NCover helps software teams improve code quality by reporting the effectiveness of their automated tests and is used by thousands of companies globally in banking, insurance, healthcare and other industries. Previously, Mr. Waldschmidt served as co-founder and chief technology officer of TetraData Corporation, an educational analytics company that was sold to Follett Software Corporation in 2006. He also has worked as a software developer for Geerdes International and Carolina Motion Controls.

He holds a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from BobJonesUniversity with a focus on Math and Computer Science. Peter also studied for an MBA at Clemson University.

“With dedicated leaders like Peter Waldschmidt, coupled with the efforts of all of the organizations who help to advance economic development in this community, the Greenville Area Development Corporation’s ability to help produce jobs and capital investment for the people of GreenvilleCounty looks very bright,” said Howard. “We all owe Peter a debt of gratitude for his many contributions.”

via Greenville Area Development Corporation

Green Cloud Technologies, a Cloud technology solutions provider headquartered in Greenville, SC, announced the relocation of its corporate headquarters to the Next Innovation Center located at 411 University Ridge, Suite 201, Greenville, SC 29601 on March 22nd, 2013.

The new facility will accommodate the company’s current and future needs, a necessity due to its rapid growth and success. Green Cloud has hired 22 employees in the past year and plans to add 25 more positions over the next 12 months.

“Green Cloud has grown dramatically over the last year and this new location will help us better serve our customers and partners,” said Shay Houser, CEO of Green Cloud Technologies. “We’re excited about moving to a facility built for growth and collaboration of innovative companies like Green Cloud.”

The company plans to utilize the open concept space to allow for even more growth, internal collaboration and an enhanced customer experience.

via GreenCloud Technologies

On March 20, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley joined Bosch Rexroth Americas President Berend Bracht and executives from Robert Bosch LLC to formally mark the start of production at the company’s newly expanded hydraulics manufacturing campus in Fountain Inn.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Bosch Rexroth is investing $80 million over five years to expand production in the new campus and convert an existing 260,000-square-foot industrial warehouse into a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that will initially produce the industry-leading Rexroth A10VO hydraulic pump. The pump is used in a variety of applications, including mobile construction and agricultural machinery, mining, materials handling, and heavy industries, such as steel and automotive production.

With the addition of the new building, “Building 103,” Bosch Rexroth has doubled its production capabilities at the location, making the Fountain Inn campus its largest hydraulics manufacturing site in the Americas.

“The Bosch investment for expanded production in Fountain Inn increases our ability to serve the needs of our local and regional customers,” said Bracht. “In turn, this enhances their opportunity to participate in industrial and mobile equipment markets on a global basis, drawing on the support of a partner like Bosch Rexroth that is recognized around the world for superior technology, reliability, applications expertise and service.”

Governor Haley praised the company for its decision to invest in South Carolina. “We truly value the commitment Bosch has made to be a part of our state’s business community, and we are excited to see them invest in South Carolina,” she said. “We celebrate the 160 new jobs the company will create with this campus and look forward to its continued success.”

Building 103 is just the latest example of Bosch Rexroth’s strategy to invest locally to serve global customers in key markets, and also to increase its market share in the Americas. Both strategies are seen as critical to long-term global growth for the company. Other recent programs contributing to The Drive & Control Company’s growth include the expansion of its Charlotte, N.C., linear motion and assembly products facility; a new Houston Service Center dedicated to serving Gulf of Mexico oil and gas exploration; and the GoTo Focused Delivery Program, which provides industry-best lead times for delivery of more than 3,500 in-demand Rexroth drive, control and motion products.

Fountain Inn Building 103 is the largest investment by Bosch Rexroth in North America. To date, five assembly lines and multiple state-of-the-art machining centers have been installed for the production of the A10VO, along with one line for vane motor assembly. The entire facility operates utilizing a lean manufacturing and continuous quality improvement system called the Bosch Production System, which is used by Bosch production operations worldwide to ensure the highest levels of product quality.

The Fountain Inn project showcases Bosch Rexroth’s desire to work cooperatively with local and state governments to improve U.S. manufacturing infrastructure.

Rexroth’s commitment to local economic and workforce development was also highlighted through a $420,000 monetary and equipment donation from Bosch Rexroth together with the Bosch Community Fund to the Greenville Technical College to support the school’s hands-on training program.

via Bosch Rexroth

Recent attacks at the SCDOR have introduced the need for IT professionals to be trained in Systems Security. NetWest Consulting will be offering two training sessions to these professionals, and is offering GSATC members a 30% discount. The classes are being taught by West Goewey who is a national trainer. Classes have included the White House and DoD IT pros and managers. The CISSP is the top certification for the security field and the CEH is needed for every IT professional.

During the five day EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker Certification (CEH v7) training course students will learn to look for the vulnerabilities and weaknesses in different target systems using the same knowledge and tools as a hacker. Students will begin to understand how perimeter defenses work and will be monitoring and attacking a network specifically designed for this class. Students will then learn what steps to take to properly secure a system and how intruders escalate privileges. In addition, students will learn about policy creation, intrusion detection, virus creation, DDoS attacks, buffer overflows, and social engineering. At the end of the CEH training class, students will walk out the door with hacking skills that are highly in demand as well as the internationally recognized Certified Ethical Hacker certification.

The certification exam voucher is included and the student has the option of taking the exam on the last day of the class. The United States Department of Defense has listed CEH as an “approved” certification for its “Information Assurance Workforce Improvement Program.

The five day CISSP course prepares you to pass the premier security certification, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). This course focuses on ten areas of discipline determined by (ISC)². Professionals who complete this course will have a good working knowledge of the ten domains of knowledge of CISSP.

CISSP Ten Domains:

Access control
Telecommunications and network security
Information security governance and risk management
Software development security
Cryptography
Security architecture and design
Operations security
Business continuity and disaster recovery planning
Legal, regulations, investigations and compliance
Physical (environmental) security

The United States Department of Defense has listed CISSP as an approved certification for its “Information Assurance Workforce Improvement Program.

Learn more and register here.

via NetWest Consulting

With this partnership, Dreamweaver will be able to leverage Glatfelter’s state-of-the art inclined wire capabilities and expertise in making advanced fiber-based engineered materials. Glatfelter continues to optimize the use of its eight inclined-wire machines to produce a diverse range of products, including, non-woven energy storage materials for the capacitor and lead-acid battery markets. These new fiber-based materials possess superior porosity and excellent web uniformity in low basis weight and thickness.

DreamWeaver battery separators combine microfibers and nanofibers in a porous substrate, which is ideal for battery separation application. Dreamweaver Silver™ is a general purpose product with excellent power capability and Dreamweaver Gold™ has very high temperature stability (up to 300 C) without significant thermal shrinkage. The partnership will focus on developing and manufacturing the current generation of Dreamweaver products and jointly developing future generations.

Glatfelter is a world leader and global supplier of fiber-based engineered materials for consumer and industrial applications. “Dreamweaver’s technology is a natural fit, allowing us to extend our presence in the growing energy storage market with innovative and proprietary technology,” said Martin Rapp, Vice President and General Manager of Glatfelter’s Composite Fiber Business Unit.

“Glatfelter offers over a century of experience in manufacturing advanced web materials. This collaboration aims at developing and producing the next generation of high quality, competitively priced material demanded by the energy storage market,” said Dr. Brian Morin, Dreamweaver’s President & COO. “We believe Glatfelter has the capability needed to serve our customers, with the right mix of technological expertise, manufacturing capability and foresight to help us become a leading supplier of battery separators worldwide.”

via Dreamweaver International