Tony Vernaci, President, AIAM (Aerospace Industry Association Michigan) speaks with Jeffrey Mosher about the busy month they've had, upcoming Aerospace Technology Expo, and Michigan's relevance in the world of the aerospace industry on this segment of Michigan Business Beat. 
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ANN ARBOR, MI, October 22, 2019— The state’s best aerospace technology will be on display at the University of Michigan during an Aerospace Technology Expo taking place on Thursday, October 31st from 12:00-7:00PM in the Michigan League Building of the University of Michigan, (911 N University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104). The expo is hosted by the Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan (AIAM) and the University of Michigan College of Aerospace Engineering. The expo will feature an exhibit hall with nearly 30 aerospace technology vendors from 12:00-4:30PM and a premium networking reception from 5:00-7:00PM.
“Michigan’s dominate aerospace industry has a strong foundation of technology, talent, and supply chain,” said Tony Vernaci, president and founder of AIAM. “This technology expo will serve as a catalyst to advance the aerospace ecosystem, increase awareness of the industry, and further sustain Michigan’s economy.”
The expo will feature keynote speaker Dr. Anthony Waas, Department Chair of the University of Michigan College of Aerospace Engineering.
“Michigan is a leader in technology, especially as it relates to the aerospace industry,” said Dr. Waas. “We are a proud partner of this expo to elevate Michigan’s foundation in the aerospace industry and connect today’s companies with tomorrow’s innovators.”
Executives representing businesses advancing Michigan’s aerospace industry will deliver remarks during the expo to discuss the unprecedented growth taking place in the aerospace industry, the developing supply chain, and innovation opportunities. These speakers include Norman Baker from Airbus, Devindran Rajakrishna from GE Aviation, Tyler Ford from Eaton Aerospace, and Kevin Aretha from Rockwell Automation.
The technology expo will focus on three pillars: technology, talent and supply chain:
Technology: Companies in Michigan support the aerospace industry in advanced engineering, 3D printing, robotics, automation, embedded software, controls, industry 4.0 data collection/management, state of the art manufacturing technology, protype and pre-production testing, non-destructive testing, thermo analytics, wireless telemetry, cyber-security.
Talent: Aerospace engineering started at the University of Michigan in 1914, just 3 years after the Wright Brothers historic flight at Kitty Hawk. Today, over 18 educational institutions in Michigan (high school – 4-year university) offer aerospace and aviation related curriculum, minors and degrees. Supply Chain: Nearly 1,000 companies in Michigan provide products and services to the aerospace industry. 477 of these companies are manufacturing components going directly into the industry OEM’s, and Tier 1’s valued at $6.4 billion annually and provide approximately 30,000 highly skilled jobs in the state.
The aerospace supply chain consists of engines, critical engine components, avionics, landing gear, structural components, fuel systems, electrical systems & components, fluids & hydraulics, interiors , flight controls, precision machining, surface and treatment, tooling (large structural assembly and manufacturing support), manufacturing equipment. Top aerospace companies have invested $639,000,000 and created 1,600 new jobs in their existing Michigan operations over the last 18-24 months.
To register for the aerospace technology expo, please click here.
The Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan is a non-profit, member-driven industry organization. It is a platform for aerospace leaders in the state to work together on a common set of priorities to strengthen and support the continued growth in the industry through talent attraction and new investment in Michigan. Learn more about AIAM by visiting their website.
