Defense export session scheduled as part of STEAM Engine USA

A SPECIAL business development session for defense industry manufacturers will be held next week through STEAM Engine USA.
A SPECIAL business development session for defense industry manufacturers will be held next week through STEAM Engine USA.

SMITHFIELD – A special business-development session for defense industry manufacturers will be held next week through STEAM Engine USA, an initiative by the R.I. Commerce Corporation that’s working to enhance economic and workforce potential by bridging the gap between designers and manufacturers.
The session will be held on Tuesday at the John H. Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University.
STEAM Engine USA’s goal is to help companies realize the benefits of new manufacturing technologies such as additive manufacturing and 3-D printing, as well as spur new business development opportunities.
Thanks to a $1.57 million federal Department of Defense grant secured by the Commerce Corporation, the program is being piloted in the defense-related manufacturing industry.
Over the next few months, the initiative will work with state manufacturers that are part of the defense sector manufacturing supply chain in an effort to stimulate new product development, business diversification and advance skills training.
The May 19 session will discuss the potential for expanding exports from Rhode Island and the implications of this on the local defense industry.
Paul Grossman, manager of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, and a leader in Virginia’s defense industry exporting, will discuss how Virginia is supporting its defense manufacturers in exporting.
He will be joined in a panel discussion with John Riendeau, director of business development at Commerce R.I.; Chris Haran of Fourth Economy Consulting and project manager of STEAM Engine USA; and Kathy Therieau, director of Rhode Island International Trade programs.
“The event will also provide an excellent opportunity for manufacturing firm representatives with knowledge and understanding of current and future product processes, education and workforce training needs to find out how STEAM Engine USA can work for them, and to help guide how STEAM Engine USA is built out to ensure that it meets their business’ specific needs,” according to information about the event.

Registration for the free event begins at 2:30 p.m., with the program from 3 to 5 p.m. Following the program, attendees are invited to the V.I.P. Reception for World Trade Day from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Click here to register.

The business development session is sponsored by the John H. Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University, the R.I. Commerce Corporation, the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association and Polaris MEP, a division of the URI Research Foundation.

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