Legislators to Host Manufacturing Roundtable - Oct 12

As part of Manufacturing Month in Massachusetts, Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) is hosting a Manufacturing Roundtable at the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin, Massachusetts on Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 9:00am. Some thirty-five manufacturers, legislators, state officials and advocates are slated to attend.

The Tri-County Manufacturing Roundtable will be an opportunity for manufacturing companies to discuss partnering with manufacturing leaders and local schools to ensure that their companies have the right tools and highly trained workforce they need to grow. Manufacturing of today involves employees that are highly trained in technology, programming and innovation.

The discussions will be led by Ira Moskowitz, Director of Advanced Manufacturing Programs at the Innovation Institute at MassTech, which manages the Commonwealth’s investments in the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2) program, and John Killam, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP). 

M2I2 aims to help Massachusetts manufacturers adopt innovative new technologies and promotes job growth through cross-collaboration among companies, universities, national labs, government, incubators, accelerators and other academic and training institutions. Under Killam’s direction, MassMEP has played a key role in securing training grants for manufacturers, as well as preparing potential employees for careers in the field of manufacturing.

“Manufacturing is vitally important to the Massachusetts economy,” said Representative Roy. “It is the sixth largest employment sector here, and we are constantly looking to innovative solutions that can help our economy grow. We know the area provides competitive salaries for workers and advances the development of revolutionary products. Collaboration between manufacturers, community colleges, technical high schools and regional workforce boards is a way we can continue to develop talent and increase production.”

According to the recently launched Manufacturing in Massachusetts website (http://www.mamanufacturing.com/), 10.1% of the Commonwealth’s total economic output is tied to manufacturing and $26 billion in manufactured goods were exported from the Commonwealth in 2016 alone. Roughly 250,000 employees work in the manufacturing sector in Massachusetts, comprising 7.8% of the total workforce in the state.

Rep. Louis Kafka (D-Sharon), Rep. Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham), Sen. Richard Ross (R-Wrentham), Rep. Elizabeth Poirier (R-North Attleborough), and Rep. Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk) are also expected to participate.

These efforts are supported by the Legislature’s bipartisan Manufacturing Caucus which serves as a link for legislators cutting across issues that affect the manufacturing industry. Formed in August 2014, the Caucus includes more than 60 legislators from around the Commonwealth. Lawmakers focus on training for manufacturing employees, encouraging innovation by helping start-ups access resources, and expanding apprenticeship opportunities in key manufacturing sectors. The Caucus is co-chaired by Rep. Roy and Sen. Eric Lesser (D-Springfield).

October is MA's Manufacturing Month

QinetiQ North America expands to Franklin

From the business radar, QinetiQ North America expands to Franklin.

"Transwestern Consulting Group (TCG) brokered the $6.4 million sale of 130 Constitution Blvd. in Franklin, Ma, on behalf of Novaya Real Estate Ventures. 

The 59,970-square-foot industrial building was purchased by Albert Milstein, Barry Kirschenbaum and Sanford Bokor. TCG Partners John Lashar and Chris Skeffington, along with Vice President Roy Sandeman, represented the seller and assisted in sourcing the buyer. 

Novaya purchased the building in 2013 as part of a two-building portfolio in a transaction also brokered by TCG and has since launched a significant capital improvement campaign. Novaya completed a full “vacancy preparation” repositioning of the building, which included painting the warehouse, a floor strip and seal, installing new lighting, and upgrading the dock doors with new levelers. In addition, a new roof and upgraded HVAC units were installed as part of the overall improvement campaign. 

“Novaya did an outstanding job repositioning 130 Constitution Blvd. into a first-class flex/manufacturing facility that really stands out in one of Greater Boston’s strongest submarkets,” said Skeffington. “The new ownership is purchasing a well-located asset that is 100 percent leased to a long-term, well-capitalized tenant.”

Continue reading the full article online
http://bostonrealestatetimes.com/transwestern-consulting-group-brokers-building-sale-on-behalf-of-novaya-real-estate-ventures/

The "well-capitalized tenant" is QinetiQ North America. From the company webpage:

"QinetiQ North America (QNA) shapes the future with innovative products, advanced engineering and research and development for government, civilian, utility and commercial customers worldwide. We pride ourselves on developing, delivering and supporting a portfolio of industry-leading products that have been used and tested for decades. 

We are the world leaders in unmanned systems with proven innovations in military protection technology including ground and aircraft armor, RPG protection, and soldier protection systems. We also offer innovative technologies and products for the maritime, utility and commercial safety market. Together, our products aid in situational awareness, protect customer assets, increase mission effectiveness, reduce operational costs and save lives."

Find out more about their products  https://www.qinetiq-na.com/products/

Visit their YouTube channel  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1ZtYN59WSfHOPKCy5y1exg

https://twitter.com/QinetiQNorthAm

In the News: Math update to School Committee; Tri-County shows off robotics progress

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Math educators from the town's schools said instruction in the district has shifted to encourage activity and problem solving, but School Committee members expressed concern about communication with parents and the standards set. 

Math specialists and instructors spoke at the committee meeting Tuesday night as part of a general overview on the curriculum and instruction in the district. 

Assistant Superintendent Joyce Edwards said the district's curriculum has been changed to align with state standards. 

"It involves the construction of knowledge - not just passively sitting and being talked at," she said.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161025/franklin-school-committee-reviews-math-instruction

one of the elementary math specialists updating the School Committee during the Tuesday meeting

"It may have looked like play, but the robotic arm demonstration was really a glimpse at manufacturing's present and future. 

Students Andrew Plante and Candis Brodeur were showcasing the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School's new robotic arm, using it to build a tower with assorted blocks Tuesday. 

"We're just starting now on this - trying to play around with it and learn how it works," Plante said, adding that the arm had just arrived last week. 

Brodeur said the school already had a smaller robotic arm, which introduced students to the basic concepts of programming robotics.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161025/franklins-tri-county-showcases-manufacturing