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ITACNews FALL 2009

Energy HubEnergy Hub

Sarabeth's KitchenBlood Orange Marmelade

EnergyHub Creates Electricity Monitoring & Control Device

EnergyHub, a NYC energy tech firm and ITAC client, has developed an intriguing new device that allows consumers to monitor electricity usage and control their energy consumption remotely through computers and cell phones. Their product, also called EnergyHub, could provide consumers with a simple interface to the national Smart Grid. A starter kit consists of a touch screen dashboard and a temperature control unit that communicate with each other through a wireless link. This ground breaking device will be available soon through local utility companies who see it as instrumental in strengthening consumer relations and solving current and future energy problems. ITAC congratulates EnergyHub on its rapid growth and success. To learn more and to put your name on a waiting list for the product, visit EnergyHub at www.energyhub.net

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ITAC Launches NYSERDA-Funded Program to Help NYC Energy Tech Firms

ITAC is pleased to announce a new NYSERDA-funded program, NYC Energy Tech, to help high potential companies like EnergyHub (see article above) create viable products that reduce energy consumption. Run by ITAC, the program will help evolving NYC firms though various developmental stages from initial concept to product manufacture and delivery. EnergyHub exemplifies the type of success possible with committed assistance and support.

From humble beginnings at a FastTrac class in 2007, ITAC helped the EnergyHub apply for and win grant money to develop its technology from the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA). ITAC introduced EnergyHub to an important first partner (a major New York City power company) with whom it conducted advanced product development and testing and also helped EnergyHub obtain initial venture funding. Since 2007, EnergyHub has tripled in size, hired high-level talent, developed test batches of its product and finally executed beta testing in preparation for a national roll out. NYSERDA funding will help ITAC continue to help other NYC based energy tech firms to succeed with similar support. For more information, contact Sharanda Didier at 212-442-2990 or email sdidier@itac.org

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Company Kudos - ITAC Client Achievements

Crystal Window & Door Systems and the Stimulus Package
(excerpted from New York Times, June 10, 2009) When Vice President Joe Biden came to Manhattan’s Pace University this June for an economic revival meeting, he invited Steve Chen of Crystal Window & Door Systems to talk about how the stimulus package was working for his firm. Crystal is a College Point based door and window manufacturer that Chen explained was facing cutbacks of up to 100 employees, despite having rolled back hours. But when the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act gave tax credits to homeowners to upgrade to energy efficient windows and doors, Crystal’s business saw an immediate uptick. Chen, Executive Vice President at Crystal, was relieved that his firm was able to avert layoffs, which would have been the first in over 20 years. His company has been developing sustainable products for some time and the new tax credits on green products really helped them to start growing again. These incentives help consumers, manufacturers and the environment. Visit Crystal Window & Door at www.crystalwindows.com

Award-Winning Sarabeth’s Kitchen Bumps Up Its Retail
Sarabeth’s Kitchen, whose Blood Orange Marmalade won an award at the Annual Fancy Foods Show, is making a foray into the prepackaged frozen meal market with its much-loved tomato soup! The soup, a favorite of restaurant customers for years,will soon be available in the frozen food aisle of local markets. Sarabeth’s also plans 8 new eateries this year, its first at Lord & Taylor on 5th Avenue in November. In addition, they plansto roll out a line of chef’s clothing soon. ITAC is delighted to have assisted Sarabeth’s with numerous projects over the years, including website development, waste assessments, and relocation planning and congratulates the firm on its continued success. Visit Sarabeth’s Kitchen at www.sarabethskitchen.com.

LaCrasia Gloves Outfits the Stars
LaCrasia has been creating leather and fabric gloves used in NYC theater productions for three decades and their Manhattan business is still going strong. Makers of Michael Jackson’s signature white sequined glove, arguably the most famous accessory on the planet, the company is proof positive that the garment industry still kicks it in NYC. LaCrasia, an ITAC FastTrac alumnus, was also recently named manufacturer of the month by the New York Industrial retention Network (NYIRN). Visit LaCrasia Gloves at www.lacrasia.com.

Children’s Progress Achieves High Marks in Educational Software
A team of researchers, former teachers and child psychologists work at Children’s Progress to create smart and nimble computerized tools for young learners. Building upon decades of research at Columbia University and in collaboration with MIT the company aims to improve the quality of early education with software that is both engaging and user friendly. Recently named one of Inc Magazine’s 500 fastest growing companies nationally and 2008 recipient of the New York Enterprise Report (NYER) Small Business Award in the technology category, Children’s Progress is indeed a firm to watch. Its software is already used in 39 states, its revenues grew tenfold between 2005 and 2008, and the company continues to expand.

Upon receiving the NYER Small Business Award, Kevin Greaney, CEO of Children’s Progress, said, "At Children’ s Progress, we believe that doing what’ s best for our customers is best for our company. This award is a testament to the fact that our approach to business is paying off. We’re honored to receive this recognition for our ability to use a technology best practice to work more efficiently as a company so that we can continue to stay focused on delivering innovative, computer-based programs for teachers and students." ITAC was pleased to be able to help Children’s Progress apply for funding to support their product development and applauds the company’s for its success and for its contribution to education! Visit Children’s Progress at www.childrensprogress.com

Tri Component Products Corp. Receives ISO Certification
Tri Component, a leader in the design, engineering and manufacture of value added products for both automotive and commercial vehicles recently received an ISO 9001:2008 Certification.

ISO 9001 is a family of standards for quality management systems, maintained by the International Organization for Standardization or ISO. While the certification process is difficult and time consuming certification offers tremendous benefits. It shows a company’ s commitment to quality and often opens doors since commercial customers may require their suppliers be certified before buying from them. ISO standards change with time, so it is important to keep certifications updated. Some of the requirements in ISO 9001:2008 (which is one of the standards in the ISO 9000 family) include:

  • having a set of procedures that cover all key processes in the business;
  • monitoring processes to ensure they are effective;
  • keeping adequate records;
  • checking output for defects, with appropriate and corrective action where necessary;
  • regularly reviewing individual processes and the quality system itself for effectiveness; and
  • facilitating continual improvement.

Tri-Component restructured their quality control, manufacturing and engineering departments to comply with several international standards. ITAC was happy to assist and congratulates Tri Component Products on their success! Visit Tri Component Products at www.tricomponent.com.

For more information about ISO certification, please contact Sharanda Didier at 212-442-2990 or email her at sdidier@itac.org

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Survey of US Manufacturers Highlights Serious Shortcomings

The Manufacturing Performance Institute (MPI) and American Small Manufacturing Coalition(ASMC) has announced the results of a national survey of small manufacturing firms. The Next Generation Manufacturing National Survey 2009 was developed to clarify the strategies and actions necessary for world-class performance and success in the next generation of manufacturing. More than 2,500 manufacturers in 18 states responded to the Next Generation Manufacturing (NGM) Survey, which focused on six categories of performance, identified as most important to the success of NGMs. These categories are

  • Innovation
  • Workforce issues
  • Lean/ Superior Process/ Improvement Focus
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Green/ Sustainability
  • Global Engagement

Results were gauged against successful, established companies that excelled in one or more of the six areas. Many of these benchmark companies are larger, expertly run, considered “world-class” and seen as modeling the level of success to which smaller manufactuers aspire.

Based on Responses Survey Sees Trouble Ahead for American SMEs
Analysis of responses shows that many small and medium sized manufacturers are less likely than larger firms to be at or near world-class status in each of the next generation strategies. In a country where 282,000 small and mid-sized firms make up the backbone of the industry, it is very important to U.S. competitiveness and the viability of these companies that they actively seek out ways to improve. Click here for full report. A few of the findings follow.

  • Green/Sustainability: This ranks low among the priorities for U.S. manufacturers despite increasing government regulation, growing consumer demand, and new requirements from large downstream manufacturers in their supply chains. Only 16% of respondents rank sustainability as highly important to their continued success over the next five years. Surprisingly, another 16% said it was not important. However, the future of green products is very promising and in many cases greatly improves chances of success.
  • Global Engagement: Only 28% of respondents believe global engagement is highly important despite a near-term future in which markets, talent, competitors and partner opportunities are growing faster outside the U.S. than within its borders. According to the Small Business Administration, two-thirds of the world’s purchasing power is located outside of the United States and exports have been growing two or three times faster than the economy as a whole.
  • Workforce: Too many manufacturers are faced with the problem of high worker turnover rate and poor retention of quality workers. For example, the majority of respondents engaged less than half of their employees in their organizations’ continuous improvement initiatives. There are a number of measures to be explored that address quality of workforce issues.

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Ten Points Paint More Positive Picture of US Manufacturing

In this tough economic climate and period of political change, many U.S. manufacturers are experiencing difficulties articulating a clear and message about the health of their sector and how policy change might affect it. The Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI in Arlington, Virginia, put together 10 talking points intended to convey an accurate picture regarding the current state of U.S. manufacturing and some of its key issues. A few excerpts follow. To read the full article by Thomas J. Deusterberg, President and CEO of the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI, and discover more interesting facts about US manufacturing click here.

  • Despite perceptons, US manufacturing has kept pace with global economic growth for the past 90 years.
  • Between 1987 and 2008, manufacturing productivity grew by 103 percent, about double the total for all private business.
  • U.S. manufacturers do well in global competition.
  • U.S. manufacturing continues to be a source of innovation.
  • U.S. firms earn over 150 percent more in profits from their foreign affiliates than do U.S. affiliates of foreign firms.
  • U.S. manufacturing provides premium wages and benefits.

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More Great Results from NYC Council-Funded MoveSmart Program

ITAC’s New York City Council-funded MoveSmart/StayLean program concluded its 4th successful year and this year a new pilot component, called GrowFast, was added to help manufacturers take advantage of their increased capacity. Once again the program was very beneficial for NYC’s manufacturing companies:

  • 24 companies were able to go forward with project work.
  • 6 firms relocated but remained wthin NYC.
  • 14 companies consolidated space.
  • 5 companies avoided relocation upon seeing how their existing locations could support both current operations and planned growth.
  • One company saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in unnecessary construction costs.

Sometimes altering current space is not an option and companies simply have to move due to factors beyond their control. Often firms applying for the program have fewer than 50 employees because they have limited resources to plan a relocation or consolidation. MoveSmart is a tremendous help and this year’s program once again enabled many NYC manufacturers to save time, space, and money.

About GrowFast and MoveSmart 5
The new GrowFast pilot program launched successfully with four participants undergoing five projects. Three companies took part in a business growth group called Eureka!® Winning Ways, which culminated in two new product development projects. The Eureka!® methodology has been proven to be highly effective and helps companies establish the internal systems required to create and manage a pipeline of new initiatives. The GrowFast component will be included in the next round of funding, MoveSmart 5, and companies can use it to become more proactive about growth.

For more information about MoveSmart, contact Sharanda Didier at 212-442-2990 or email her at sdidier@itac.org

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Welcome Gerry Gorman, ITAC’s New “Manufacturer-In-Residence”

ITAC is pleased to announce the inauguration of its “Manufacturer-in -Residence” program, to help NYC manufacturing companies. The program offers access to a knowledgeable, skilled and experienced manufacturing professional who can provide assistance to companies wishing to strengthen their operations and grow. Our first Manufacturer in Residence is Gerry Gorman, who has over 25 years of executive-level business, sales and operational experience. Formerly President and CEO of Karp Associates, Inc. Gerry has also held several leadership positions at General Electric. He is extremely knowledgeable about many aspects of manufacturing with particular expertise in project management, engineering and manufacturing, strategy development, acquisitions and divestitures, sales and marketing, and human capital development. He has extensive international experience, as well. If you are interested in meeting with him, email him directly at ggorman@itac.org

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Tools You Can Use

  • Very Low Cost Materials Testing - Identify materials and process problems, access cutting edge research, use state-of-the-art testing facilities, and obtain additional matching funds through this innovative program from the Cornell Center for Materials Research! It’s easy to apply and costs will never exceed $5,000 in company cash. Qualified staff will help you through the process but act soon. Fall 2010 projects, application deadline is June 21 st at 5:00p. For more details, please visit www.ccmr.cornell.edu/industry/jumpstart. Spring programrecipients will be selected in November for spring semester projects beginning in January 2010.
  • NYC Business Express - Starting up? Start here! Check out the NYC Business Express online Wizard and get all the help you need with permits, licenses, legal and financial information as well as numeous business training programs—you’ll even find an incentive estimator to help you calculate the cost savings of many NYC benefits. For more information please visit www.nyc.gov/bizexpress
  • Move/Stay/Innovate - Applications for ITAC’s MoveSmart/StayLean/Grow Fast program are currently being accepted. To take advantage of this NYC Council sponsored program which will help you plan a manufacturing relocation, consolidation or growth spurt, contact Sharanda Didier at sdidier@itac.org
  • Export Food - Applications for this three-session program (in early 2010) are currently being accepted. Only six food companies will be able to attend. Let us help you create a viable export plan that lets you access global purchasing power. Contact Sharanda Didier at sdidier@itac.org

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ITAC is funded by: National Institute of Science and TechnologyNew York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation

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ITAC Events
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Nov 17th - FUNDamentals
Find out about resources to capitalize your tech or manufacturing startup & help it grow Next Session Scheduled for November 17th 2009

Other Events
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Oct 27 & 28 - Kosherfest
Food Show at the
Meadowlands, Seacaucus, NJ

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