The Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development and Western Carolina University are teaming up to host a day trip to Cullowhee, NC to tour the University’s Center for Rapid Product Realization. The trip is scheduled for Tuesday, May 24, 2011 (8 a.m. – 2 p.m.) and is specifically tailored to members and allies of Henderson County’s manufacturing community. During the visit Dr. Bob McMahan, Dean of the Kimmel School of Engineering and Dr. Phil Sanger the Director of the Center for Rapid Product Realization will tour participants through the 28,000 square foot facility. Faculty will provide information on how best to engage the Center to meet private R&D initiatives. This trip will also allow manufacturing leadership to provide feedback regarding their current workforce needs and ways in which Western Carolina University can work to meet these demands.
The Kimmel School of Engineering’s, Center for Rapid Product Realization has been engaged in the business community in WNC for eight years. Since it’s creation the Center has been intimately involved in research and development initiatives for numerous Fortune 500 companies, as well as, start-up firms. As part of the Center’s core services faculty, staff and teams of engineering and business students work with private industries to facilitate the product development process, focusing specifically on engineering design, rapid prototyping systems, laser machining, precision metrology, optoelectronics, wireless communications systems and automation assembly.
While there is no fee associated with this event, manufacturing representatives and/or HCPED members planning to participate should RSVP by contacting Josh Hallingse at [email protected] or 828-692-6373. The Partnership has arranged transportation to and from the University and participants should plan to meet at Wingate University’s Hendersonville Campus located at 220 5th Avenue at 7:45am for departure to Cullowhee, NC. A tour agenda can be accessed here.