Hopes To Bolster State's Struggling Manufacturer Base
Aero-News has learned
the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association (MAMA) was
recently formed as a strategic initiative to bridge Michigan's
manufacturing expertise, experience and capacity with an
accelerated parts demand within the global aerospace industry.
This announcement comes as the commercial, military and
corporate aerospace segments all face unprecedented parts
shortages. MAMA President Gavin Brown made the announcement.
"Michigan's manufacturing base possesses many of the most
sophisticated and technologically advanced facilities in the nation
and one of the deepest and most talented work forces in the world,"
said Brown. "These significant assets coupled with a substantial
manufacturing capacity, position Michigan effectively as the
'go-to' resource to meet this growing demand and address the
significant manufacturing challenges facing this industry."
MAMA already represents 17 diverse manufacturers across the
state. It serves as a unified voice for promoting Michigan's
manufacturing capabilities within the international aerospace
community and provides its members with training and certification
support. The Association provides a single-point of contact for
aerospace OEM's and suppliers providing a central gateway for
generating, reviewing and submitting RFQs.
"MAMA is getting great traction," said Brown. "We have been
meeting with many of the industry's players-large and small-over
the last several months and they are all lending credibility to our
consortium by endorsing our initiative and sourcing RFQ's, several
of which are already in process within MAMA."
Many of the state's leaders are also showing their support for
MAMA and the opportunities it affords the state of Michigan and its
manufacturing community. "Michigan needs new and creative
initiatives like the MAMA to help turn our manufacturing economy
around and diversify our manufacturing base," said Mark Jansen,
Chairman, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Economic
Development. "Michigan workers and Michigan manufacturers are the
best and the brightest in country and I am looking forward to
working with MAMA to help bring these jobs and opportunities to our
state."
Pontiac-based HydroDynamics Technologies, Inc. (HDT) is a member
of MAMA. "We are thrilled with the opportunity to leverage our
equipment and production capabilities to manufacture parts for
aerospace and military applications," said HDT Vice President Kevin
Webb. "Our advanced engineering and technologies will certainly
reduce costs and lead times for manufacturers and down-line
suppliers."
MAMA currently represents manufacturers in Belmont, Caledonia,
Comstock Park, Fraser, Grand Rapids, Hudsonville, Jackson,
Kentwood, Marcellus, Plainwell, Pontiac, Royal Oak, Taylor and
Traverse City.