2017 Issue

38 4. Help companies increase their business, especially through improved technologies and linkages to win contracts. Mapping Utah’s Composites Supply Chain With its deep history—and an ecosystem with over 60 compa- nies directly producing carbon fiber parts and the associated supply chain supporting these companies—the Utah supply chain is large, complex and poorly understood. In fact, Utah’s entire manufacturing industry is largely imprinted with advanced compos- ites, resulting in Utah companies either being created to leverage advanced composites in specific industries (e.g. ENVE, HyperComp, Conductive Composites, Orbital ATK, Hexcel, etc.) or existing companies moving large manufacturing op- erations to Utah to leverage Utah’s advanced composites workforce and supplier network (e.g. Boeing, Janicki, Harris, Goode, etc.) UAMMI aims to further strengthen and integrate Utah’s composites supplier network by focusing on three areas: 1) increasing intrastate utilization of supplier network capabili- ties and products; 2) creating a comprehensive understand- ing of Utah’s current supplier network capabilities and how those capabilities match current and future market condi- tions; and 3) creating a plan to fill gaps with the network. These three areas will form the basis of a web-based suppli- er database, which will include query-able entries cover- ing capabilities, available infrastructure and equipment, subject matter experts, etc. Although the intent of UAMMI is Utah’s economic development, there is no intention to restrict focus within Utah only. Improving the Workforce Supply Six colleges and universities from around the state offer training and specialized programs in the composites field and annually graduate hundreds of qualified workers at all levels of education and experience. Utah’s booming economy, however, demands even more robust workforce development programs focused on composite materials and advanced manufacturing. UAMMI’s workforce component will: 1) identify the skills companies need; 2) develop assessment tools for new employees; 3) improve hiring methods; 4) strengthen offerings from universities, community colleges, applied technology colleges, and high schools; and 5) coordinate in-house training for existing employees. Curricula for high school courses in both composites and manufacturing have been written and the labs established and, with the support of the SAMPE Foundation, a course to teach high school teachers about composites was held at the 2016 Compos- ites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX) in Anaheim, CA. Enriching the Networking Capability of Companies The supply chain mapping will extend to the personal relationship level between professionals that work at the various positions within the industry. The mapping tool will enable manufacturers to find local Utah companies with the expertise and equipment to supply their most demanding materials and manufacturing requirements. The expected result will be enhanced sharing of knowledge, expanded capacity of Utah companies, greater integration among businesses and increased competency. This will help Utah companies gain a stronger foothold in the global advanced materials market and help prepare the industry for future growth and further diversification resulting in a stronger and more resilient supply chain. Helping Companies Increase Their Business Technology advancements are being facilitated through the establishment of a "vir- tual" innovation center. Key equipment will be put in locations where all UAMMI members can access it at preferred rates (sometimes free). An example is an RF curing machine that was bought by UAMMI and placed at the Davis Applied Technology College, thus allowing students to use the machine for their projects but also allowing any UAMMI company that may want to investigate using this technique. A variety of other partner locations with specialized equipment have made their facilities available for all constituents to use at special rates, to include the Utah MEP’s access to equipment at the University of Utah. UAMMI Successes To-Date With the designation of UAMMI as an IMCP, a string of accomplishments have already occurred within the state to include: • UAMMI formation and start-up funding of $1.75M by the state legislature. UAMMI is the joint effort of industry, government, military and academic leaders, who are committed to strengthening the supply chain and ecosystem that supports this vital industry in Utah. • The University of Utah received a $4.2 million dollar grant from the Department of Defense (DoD) - Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) to assess and improve the complete supply chain for Utah’s DoD focused carbon composites and advanced materials industry. The overall objective of the grant is to make Utah’s advanced materials industry more competitive globally and capable of diversifying into new markets