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Rep. Dahlkemper, NIST Director Gallagher Tour Composiflex in Erie, Meet with Local Manufacturers
(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ERIE, Pa., Aug. 26 -- Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, D-Pa. (3rd CD), issued the following news release:
Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper (PA-3) and the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Director Dr. Patrick Gallagher today toured Erie manufacturing company Composiflex to highlight the impact of federally funded programs on local manufacturers.
Composiflex has been designing and manufacturing advanced, high-performance composites for more than 20 years. They recently expanded their factory in Erie by 20,000 square feet, a project completed with the assistance of the Northwest Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC). The NWIRC, part of the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, receives federal funding through NIST.
"Composiflex is an impressive business, and I'm pleased to see that their work with the Northwest Industrial Resource Center has led to strong growth and new jobs for workers in our area. We are fortunate to have Dr. Gallagher here to share his expertise and see first hand how programs that his agency operates are benefitting manufacturers in Western Pennsylvania. His visit is a great opportunity for local manufacturers to tell Washington what's working for them and what type of support they need," said Rep. Dahlkemper.
"Innovation by U.S. manufacturers that develop high-tech products is the engine that keeps our economy growing," Gallagher said. "We're pleased that Composiflex has been able to use the services of NIST's Manufacturing Extension Partnership to help grow its business and expand its operations."
Composiflex has grown significantly in the last year. Their labor force, which averaged 60 employees in 2009, has already added more than 20 positions in 2010, and is expected to increase to 90 employees by the end of September. The composites producer manufactures products that encompass national security and medical devices, including unmanned aerial vehicles, aircraft and vehicle armor, and mammography equipment.
"We're pleased to welcome Congresswoman Dahlkemper and Dr. Gallagher to our factory and appreciate their support. Composiflex has benefited greatly from our relationship with the Northwest Industrial Resource Center, which has helped us expand our business through multiple projects. Programs like the Manufacturing Extension Partnerships yield tangible results for businesses like ours, and I'm glad to see they have such strong support in Washington," said Mike Chesley, vice president and general manager of Composiflex.
After the tour, Rep. Dahlkemper and Dr. Gallagher hosted a Manufacturing Roundtable with local manufacturers and the NWIRC to discuss issues facing the manufacturing community. The roundtable included a presentation by Dr. Robert Mehalso, president of Microtech Associates, on the opportunities surrounding nanotechnology.
Strengthening American manufacturing has been a major focus for Rep. Dahlkemper and, more recently, has seen major action in Congress. The president recently signed legislation supported by Rep. Dahlkemper called the U.S. Manufacturing Enhancement Act, which makes it cheaper for American companies to obtain the materials they need to manufacture goods. In addition, the House has passed five more job-creating bills on the manufacturing agenda:
* The SECTORS Act forms partnerships between businesses, unions, and educators to train workers for some of the most needed 21st-century jobs.
* The National Manufacturing Strategy Act directs the president to work with industry and state leaders to build a manufacturing-boosting strategy every four years--the same kind of strategy that countries like China, India, the U.K. Germany, Brazil, and Canada already have in place.
* The Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act ensures that clean energy technology firms have the information and assistance they need to compete at home and abroad.
* The Emergency Trade Deficit Commission bill is intended to develop policies that will combat the trade imbalance and promote the export of American goods.
* The House also passed a bill providing additional resources for the Patent and Trademark Office to unclog its backlog of 1.2 million patent applications so innovative ideas can move to market more quickly.
TNS 23SQ-JF78- 100828-2976080 StaffFurigay
(c) 2010 Targeted News Service
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