Defense Alliance of Minnesota - Making Connections, Growing Jobs

Previous Features

FIRST ANNUAL “ARCHITECTS OF DEFENSE” AWARD PRESENTED AT HGA

Third Wave Systems’ President & CEO Kerry Marusich receives the first annual “Architect of Defense” award from Defense Alliance Director Chip Laingen, March 6.

Minneapolis, 06 March 2008 – The Defense Alliance held its quarterly meeting Thursday evening at HGA, Inc. in Minneapolis. 110 people representing more than 75 defense-oriented businesses and organizations attended the event which was hosted by HGA, one of the nation’s leading architectural and engineering firms. Members of Senator Norm Coleman’s staff were also present; the senator was instrumental in encouraging the creation of the Defense Alliance during 2004 as a way to promote job growth in the region.

8 Tips for 2008 - Embracing the Defense Market

Industry Overview: The new fiscal year for the Department of Defense (DoD) is well underway, with over $515 billion targeted for defense spending, and an additional $70 billion in funding for ongoing war operations. The presidential campaign is heating up, the economy appears increasingly imbalanced, and the Global War on Terror is continuing unabated. As a result, the rhetoric surrounding the future of defense spending will become heated, and projections regarding future business will be increasingly difficult to make.

State Surveys the Defense Industry

State of Minnesota The Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development, in cooperation with the Defense Alliance of Minnesota, recently surveyed businesses in the state with regard to defense contracting. More than 600 businesses were contacted across a spectrum of industries. Preliminary results indicate that companies that have had success in the defense sector have used the business as a portion of their portfolio, to diversify their sales, or to expand their capabilities and product lines.

Go HERE to see a brief summary of the survey… (.ppt file)

Small Business Opportunities In Defense Seminar Held At University Of Minnesota

St. Paul, 10 September, 2007 – The Defense Alliance held its quarterly meeting today at the University of Minnesota’s Continuing Education Conference Center on the St. Paul campus. 75 people representing more than 50 defense businesses and organizations attended the event which was co-hosted by the University’s Center for Continuing Education (CCE).

Following an overview of the Defense Alliance and the new Midwest Center for Defense Sustainment, the meeting featured various opportunities for small businesses to participate in defense contracting work presented by representatives of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) from the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane, Indiana. The Crane Depot employs more than 3,500 people who contribute to a myriad of technology and service needs for the nation’s warfighters of all services. Two technology assistance programs of the Department of Defense (DoD) were also presented during the morning session, the TechLink and MilTech programs.

Quarterly Event: Small Business Opportunities in Defense
September 10th, 2007, 0800-1200

An overview of small business opportunities at Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane, Indiana

- TechLink, a program sponsored by the Department of Defense, reporting to the Office of Technology Transition, which provides free professional assistance and small grants to assist qualified companies in more effectively competing for DoD SBIR/STTR contracts, focusing on eventual transition of the technology to support the warfighter

- The new Midwest Center for Defense Sustainment

- High Technology management training opportunities from the U of M’s Center for Continuing Education

Click Here to Find Out More, and to Register

NAVSEA

Defense Alliance Holds “Signature Event”

Minneapolis—6/01/2007-- The Defense Alliance of Minnesota and the Centre for Applied Leadership co-hosted a first-of-its kind “Signature Event” on May 31st. The evening seminar, “A Military Perspective on Leadership Development,” was attended by 75 business leaders from the region, and was sponsored by SMI, Inc. of Washington, D.C.

Defense Alliance of Minnesota Selected as Center of Excellence

St. Paul, MN, 05/23/07 – The Defense Alliance of Minnesota, the state’s defense industry network begun by Minnesota Wire & Cable Co. in 2004, announced today that it has been selected as a center of excellence for the Defense Sustainment Consortium (DSC). The DSC is a national effort by the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to better connect Department of Defense (DoD) technology requirements for sustainment of the armed forces with the businesses that can support those requirements.

Defense Industry Roundtable Held at University of Minnesota with Senators Coleman and Klobuchar.

Minneapolis, April 2, 2007 – Minnesota’s Defense Industry Roundtable was held today with Minnesota Senators Norm Coleman (R-MN) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). 150 people representing more than 100 defense and homeland security businesses and organizations attended the Defense Alliance of Minnesota’s morning event at the McNamara Alumni Center at the University of Minnesota. The event was co-hosted by the University’s Center for the Development of Technological Leadership (CDTL) and the Institute of Technology (IT).

Click here to read more...

"Heartland Security" Conference To Be Held July 9-11 in the Twin Cities

Homeland Security Conference Poster The Defense Alliance will co-host a 2-day conference with the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) at the Hyatt Regency, Minneapolis. To learn more, click here: http://www.ndia.org/.

Click here for the “Call for Papers.”

The conference is calling for papers, presentations, exhibits and promotional partnerships, and will cover an overview of homeland security topics including food protection and defense, medical and bio-defense technologies, and disaster preparedness and response.

State “Defines” its Defense Industry

Minnesota's state seal

A new analysis of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) contracting suggests that despite the billions of dollars spent annually in prim contracting in Minnesota, federal defense spending remains largely unknown to most Minnesotans. The report, Under the Radar: Minnesota’s Defense Industry, was released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)... Read more…

Defense Alliance Interview with Richard Busch
of Lindquist & Vennum
Lindquist & Vennum, PLLP

The Legal Side of Doing Business with the Government

While some of the largest defense companies and government contractors are headquartered in Minnesota or have divisions located in the state, the majority of existing defense contracting and research and development opportunities remain untapped by Minnesota businesses. Slowly, the doors are opening, particularly in the area of defense contract work. Minnesota businesses, as well as the state legislature, are realizing the vast potential that awaits in the government marketplace. In that regard, the Defense Alliance of Minnesota has been the primary force in advancing the technical, manufacturing, research and development capabilities of Minnesota companies in the Federal Government marketplace.

7 Tips for 2007 - Embracing the Defense Market

The new fiscal year for the Department of Defense (DoD) is already underway, with well over $500 billion targeted for defense spending. While Minnesota made modest gains during 2006 across the board in terms of industry contributions to our warfighters, we continue to lag behind states and regions with similar capacity and potential. What can your business do to help reverse that trend, and win more defense-related business? Here are 7 tips for 2007…

Defense Alliance Member Hosts Kaizen Event – others welcome

TBM Consulting Group, Inc. will bring our Kaizen Breakthrough Experience (KBE) Workshop to Minneapolis MN on November 6 – 10, 2006. This event will be hosted by Mid-Continent Engineering at their facility.

New “Resource Page” Available

The Alliance has a new "Resource Page" available online for large media – including presentations from past events and other files. Go to "defensealliance.wiki.com."

“Urgent Needs On The Battlefield”

St. Paul, September 13, 2006 – 120 people representing more than 100 defense and homeland security businesses and organizations today attended the Defense Alliance of Minnesota’s quarterly Defense Industry Roundtable at the Eagan Community Center. The event’s theme, “Urgent Technology Needs on the Battlefield,” was intended to showcase current hi-profile needs for the nation’s armed forces, and the evolving processes being used by the Department of Defense (DoD) to acquire technology in answering those needs.

DEFENSE ALLIANCE EVENT:

Practical Applications For Packaging, Labeling,
RFID and Transportation
St. Paul, August 22, 2006 -- The Defense Alliance of Minnesota today co-hosted a Practical Applications for Packaging, Labeling, RFID & Transportation Seminar. The half-day event was held at the federal building on Fort Snelling, Minnesota, and was the first ever event co-hosted by the Defense Alliance of Minnesota and the Minnesota Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). Click here to read more.

Packaging Seminar PowerPoint Presentation (6.9MB pdf)

Air Force Research Lab Requests Defense Alliance Assistance for Helicopter Brownout Problem

Click here to download the PDF Call for White Papers

Minnesota Defense Companies Receive Senate Approval for “Earmark” Funding During Tough Year

July 20, 2006: Minnesota’s Senators Mark Dayton and Norm Coleman announced that they both helped to secure funding for various defense and defense-related firms in the state. The Senate Appropriations Committee last week passed the fiscal year 2007 (FY 07) Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations Bill, as well as the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Spending Bills. Minnesota’s share of the bill totals $47.7 million for defense projects, and $35 million for Minnesota military and Veteran projects. Click here to read more.

Defense Alliance of Minnesota and Shield Technologies co-host Defense Industry Roundtable

St. Paul, June 1st, 2006 -- The Defense Alliance of Minnesota and Shield Technologies co-hosted the Defense Industry Roundtable on Thursday. “Minnesota’s Role in the Nation’s Defense: A View From Capitol Hill” was a half-day event held at the Eagan Community Center, Eagan Minnesota, and was attended by more than 80 people representing Minnesota’s defense and homeland security industry. Click here to read more.

Defense Alliance hosts Business Resource Seminar for Veterans.

March 20, 2006 -- The Defense Alliance of Minnesota today hosted a Business Resources for Veterans Seminar. The half-day event was held at the federal building on Fort Snelling, Minnesota...

Click here to read more.

Veteran Business Resources Click to learn more.

EDAK Announces Expansion in Minnesota

Melbourne, FL 01.30.06 - EDAK, a globally active company offering engineered aluminum solutions recently reached an agreement with Minnesota Manufacturers Representatives (MMR) to represent the company in Minnesota. With key defense contractors located in and around the state, plus the growing biomedical industry, this is viewed as an important territory.

To learn more, click here.

The Minnesota PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Center) presents: "Selling to the Federal Government - Successful Strategies & GSA Schedules, and More - A Business Perspective."

To learn more, click here.

Department Of Homeland Security (DHS) Awards Essential Systems Integration, Inc. Research Grant For Secure Carton System

Essential Systems Integration, Inc. is one of five awarded in the United States

To read the press release, click here.

Technomics, LLC Develops New and Innovative Process for Solution Heat - Treatment Cycle

6 January, 2006 - Technomics, a Plymouth based company, has developed an automated process to reduce the cost and efficiency of solution heat-treatment of aluminum castings and forgings, traditionally the most expensive process in aluminum manufacturing. For more information on this new process by Technomics contact Chuck Bergman at (763) 383-4720 or send an email to info@rapidheattreat.com.

To read more about Technomics innovative process click here.

NEW RESUME AND JOB POSTING SERVICE AVAILABLE for the Defense & Homeland Security Industry!

December 20, 2005

- Position Seekers: Click “JOBS,” and select “Post Your Resume”
- Human Resource Professionals: Click “JOBS,” and select “Companies Hiring In The State”

Mid-Continent Engineering a Lead DoD Supplier

December 2005,

Located in Northeast Minneapolis, Mid-Continent Engineering Inc. is a veteran owned certified small business. Mid-Continent is truly unique in that it is vertically integrated and can perform heat treat, paint , chem. film, prototyping, assembly and machining in its 130,000 square foot facility.

(Read Feature Article Here)

Defense Alliance and BAE Systems Host Defense Industry Roundtable with Minnesota Senators Dayton and Coleman

St. Paul, MN, 10/17/05 – the Defense Alliance of Minnesota and BAE Systems hosted the state’s Defense Industry Roundtable on Monday, 17 October. Minnesota ’s senators, Mark Dayton and Norm Coleman participated in the morning session at BAE Systems’ plant on East River Road in Minneapolis , along with more than 150 people from business, industry and the Army Guard and Reserve.

(Read Feature Article Here)

Free Money: How to get federal grants to research and develop ideas

by Margaret Owen Thorpe
UpsizeMag.com

Three minnesota companies share a lucrative body of knowledge.

• Hitchcock Industries, in Bloomington, makes critical aircraft parts, specializing in large aluminum sand castings. If you have flown in a Boeing plane, you have flown with Hitchcock’s parts.

(Read Feature Article here)

Riverside Mfg. Inc. a "Prime Favorite"

Located in Elk River, Riverside Mfg. Inc. is a certified small, disadvantaged business that is Veteran and minority-owned. When president Sheldon Mayer founded the company in 1997, after 4 years in the U.S. Navy, he probably didn’t envision that in just 8 years he would be selling precision machined parts into most of the major defense prime contractors – and would be recognized as "Supplier of the Year" for Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics, and nominated for the same distinction by Northrup Grumman this year.

(Read Feature Article here)

STATE LEGISLATURE HOLDS SUMMER RECESS HEARING ON DEFENSE INDUSTRY

August 10, 2005 - St. Paul, MN: The unusually warm Minnesota summer didn’t stop the state legislature from holding a recess hearing on defense industry issues. The hearing was called by the Technology, Bioscience and Medical Products Division of the Commerce Committee following interest sparked by the Defense Alliance’s Governor’s Roundtable in January.

(Read Feature Article here)

FlowSense awarded contract to supply air purification equipment to the Marine Corps

FlowSense, LLC, Maple Grove, MN - August 25, 2005. FlowSense announced today that its industrial services team has been awarded a contract from the United States Marine Corps to provide a state-of-the-art self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) recharging system.

(Read Feature Article here)

Minnesota's Military Appreciation Fund (MMAF) Underway

(Read Feature Article here)

(Download info on the MMAF Family Walk, September 10, Here)

(Download info on the MMAF initiative here)

FlowSense awarded turnkey contract for equipment and services on Navy Submarine Tender

FlowSense, LLC, Maple Grove, MN - July 8, 2005. FlowSense announced today that it has been awarded a turnkey contract from the Navy for equipment supply and installation on a Navy Submarine Tender.
To Read Full Article Click here

Military maneuvers
Minnesota has slipped a bit in the ranks of defense contractors, but companies find ways to compete.
BY JOHN WELBES
Pioneer Press

Just blocks from the Mall of America, General Dynamics engineers test the ruggedness of specially designed computers by putting them in paint-shaker-like machines. They put them underwater and expose them to subzero temperatures. They want to make sure they work the entire time.
To Read Full Article Click here.

Developing a Successful Congressional Funding Initiative
By Glen Mandigo and Damian Kunko from SMI, Inc

Each year Congress and the President work out a federal budget for the upcoming government fiscal year that starts on 1 October. To participate in the development of a given fiscal year budget, companies and organizations need to communicate their interests and priorities to their elected Senators and Representatives (a.k.a. Lobby).
To Read Full Article Click here.

Defense Alliance of Minnesota Holds
"Medical-Defense Roundtable"

St. Paul, MN, 05/24/05 -- The Defense Alliance of Minnesota conducted a "Medical-Defense" Roundtable on May 24th. The event was held at the McNamara Alumni Center at the University of Minnesota, and was attended by 100 people, primarily medical researchers and device manufacturers. To Read Full Article Click here.

Meggitt Defense Systems Caswell

Meggitt Defense Systems Caswell (formerly Caswell International), based in Northeast Minneapolis, has an 80 year history of forward-looking innovations in military and law enforcement live fire training. MDS Caswell is the oldest defense contractor in Minnesota and has played a significant role in establishing this state as a primary resource for global defense technology. To read the full article Click here.

Why a Medical-Defense Roundtable?

The Defense Alliance of Minnesota continues to be a unique organization in its approach to the marketplace. We are driven by our respective companies’ bottom lines, but we are equally driven by the solutions and the value that we can bring to our men and women in uniform. That premise is especially true regarding the Alliance’s next event, the Medical-Defense Roundtable at the University of Minnesota McNamara Alumni Center on May 24th. The event is intended to expose the state’s vast array of medically-oriented companies to Department of Defense (DoD) medical needs for acquisition, and research and development (R&D). To read the full article click here.

Congressman Mark Kennedy Visits the Defense Alliance of Minnesota

St. Paul, MN, 02/23/05 – Congressman Mark Kennedy (R-MN), the U.S. Representative from Minnesota’s 6th District, visited the Defense Alliance of Minnesota at Minnesota Wire & Cable Co. on Wednesday.