Projects Funded by SPIR Program Credited with Saving More Than 900 Jobs, Revenue Increases of $24 Million

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The local branch of the Strategic Partnership for Industrial Insurgence (SPIR), an economic stimulus program based in the University at Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, provided an estimated $160,000 in project support to Western New York companies during its 2001-2002 fiscal year.

Participating companies have credited SPIR support during the period with helping to retain more than 900 jobs, create 96 new jobs and increase revenues by more than $24 million.

The SPIR program is designed to help create and retain manufacturing jobs at small and medium-sized companies in New York State.

Funded by New York State, the SPIR grants cover up to 50 percent of a project's cost for hiring faculty members, students and other technically trained personnel and fees for using sophisticated research facilities, such as those available at UB.

Qualifying projects include those focusing on new product development, product redesign and/or enhancement, and process improvement activities. Projects are coordinated through The Center for Industrial Effectiveness, part of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

SPIR funds can subsidize up to half the cost of projects for small to mid-sized local companies that seek improved operational efficiencies or product development assistance.

Eligible SPIR projects must include engineering school faculty and/or graduate students and embrace one or more of the following objectives: job retention, job creation, or revenue increase.

Awards during the period from July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002 ranged from a few thousand dollars for operational assessments to up to about $20,000 for product development support.

The year's projects included:

-- For Ford Gum and Machine of Akron, Michael Ryan, professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, conducted a project to reformulate the base gum used in the production of chewing gum. The project is credited with helping to retain 120 jobs.

-- Rakesh Nagi, associate professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering, directed a faculty/student team to identify product movement and layout optimization improvements for the Galvanized Products Division of Bethlehem Steel of Lackawanna that will help reduce material handling costs and will help to retain approximately 400 jobs through improved competitiveness.

-- Abani Patra, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, is working with the New York State Center for Engineering Design and Industrial Innovation on a project for Gaymar Industries of Orchard Park. The work will provide finite element analysis for a pressure-reducing mattress, and is expected to create several new jobs and revenue increases of $1 million dollars.

-- For Biophan Technologies of West Henrietta, Deborah D. Chung, Niagara Mohawk Chair Professor of Materials Research in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, is developing a special sheathing to protect biomedical products from electromagnetic interference. The creation of 10 jobs is anticipated.

-- Dale Taulbee, professor and chair in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, is working with Carleton Technologies of Orchard Park on development of improved aspirators used to inflate rubber life rafts. The project is expected to help create three jobs and revenue increases of $1.5 million.

-- Bina Ramamurthy, teaching assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, directed the development of a Web-enabled order management system for Cooper Turbocompressor of Cheektowaga. The project will help to leverage increased sales of $600,000 and retention of 10 jobs.