Updates from the North American Center of Excellence for Transportation Equipment
NAmTrans Update: Strategic Plan Progress
Last month, the North American Center of Excellence for Transportation Equipment released its Strategic Plan & Implementation Strategy that outlined the mission, vision, strategic goals, and 36 key implementation strategies that will guide our organization in support of the North Country's growing Transportation Equipment & Aerospace Cluster.
In case you missed it, the full plan can be accessed here.
Since its release, our team has been busy at work, implementing the 36 key strategies outlined in the plan. A sampling of some of our activities over the past month are below.
  • Key Strategy #1: Resumed visits to cluster companies - with proper COVID safety measures in place; more visits planned in the coming weeks.

  • Key Strategy #2: Provided direct assistance to a cluster company - by subsidizing the cost for their employee to attend a CITEC virtual management training program.
  • Key Strategy #3: Assisted the North Country Chamber of Commerce with Ongoing Workforce Development & Training Programs - ensured both Virtual Management Training Series and Resource Series were promoted to, and reflected the needs of, the cluster.
  • Click here to view upcoming classes and to register.

  • Key Strategy #6: Issued a quarterly survey to determine cluster needs - the results of our COVID-19 Needs Assessment are available here.
  • The results of this survey were incorporated into our Strategic Plan and have been used to assist cluster companies.

  • Key Strategy #15: Continued our successful NAmTrans Workforce Recruitment Ad Campaign - driving traffic to our website where we maintain, and update once a week, a list of open positions at cluster companies.
  • Have open positions you'd like to feature on our site? Let Us Know!

  • Key Strategy #17: Began planning for our 2nd Bi-Annual Quebec-NY Transportation Rendezvous & B2B event.
  • Key Strategy #19: Created additional bilingual promotional materials (French and English) - received our bilingual pull-up banners for use at future expos, conferences, and events.
  • Key Strategy #26: Created a new page on NAmTrans website featuring our Advisory Board - click here to meet the full board.

  • Key Strategies #29 & 31: Participated in, and represented the cluster at, events such as -
  • FuzeHub's Machining & Fabrication Virtual Solutions Forum
  • First planning meeting for 2020 North Country Manufacturing Day
  • Clinton Community College's Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (IAM) Advisory Board
Cluster News
"It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's a Bombardier Train"
Plattsburgh is now officially a place where trains can fly!

On August 20th, an Antonov-124-100 (An-124), one of the largest commercial transport aircraft in the world with a maximum load of 120 tons, landed at Plattsburgh International Airport.

Its' job, to transfer four railcars manufactured at Bombardier's Plattsburgh facility to Malaysia.
Photo of the Bombardier railcar being loaded onto the An-124 at Plattsburgh International Airport
These four railcars are part of the driverless BOMBARDIER INNOVIA Metro 300 train order for the Kelana Jaya Light Rail Transit (LRT) line in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.
Photo provided in press-release
According to the Bombardier press-release, "These high-performance, four-car metro trains with enhanced features are being manufactured in Plattsburgh, NY with the final assembly and interior fit-out works being carries out in Malaysia..."
To read more about the AN-124 arrival in Plattsburgh, click here.

To read more about Bombardier's INNOVIA metro train order, click here.
IEC Holden's Plattsburgh Operation Celebrates 10th Anniversary
Please join us in congratulating IEC Holden, a valued NAmTrans Cluster Company, as they recently celebrated 10 years since starting their operation in Plattsburgh, NY.
IEC Holden launched their greenfield operation here to be close to customers and support the rail transit industry. The traction motors and gear boxes built here move people daily in Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, Miami, Honolulu, London, and more!

IEC Holden would like to give a special thanks to their employees, customers, suppliers, and the greater Plattsburgh community for all of the support.

IEC Holden is North America's leading contract manufacturer of electrical rotating equipment and components with IRIS and ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and South Africa.
Photo of IEC Holden's Plattsburgh Team (photo provided)
Upcoming Events & Save the Dates!
Child Care Crisis: Recommendations to Keep the North Country Working

When: Wednesday, September 16th at 10:00am
Where: Zoom Meeting

A child care round table discussion and recommendations with Senator Betty Little, Assemblyman Billy Jones, and Assemblyman Dan Stec. This event will serve as a follow-up to the 2019 North Country Business & Education Forum.

To Register: Email Gabrielle Galy by Wednesday, September 9th to reserve your virtual seat. After registering, a link to join the Zoom call will be provided.
Clean Transportation: the Adirondack ON-RAMP

When: Five Days from September 29th to October 5th
Where: Virtual

This event, hosted by ANCA, will convene the organizers of the 2023 World University Games with community stakeholders, policymakers, financial institutions and others with the goal of ensuring a low-carbon transportation system for the Games and beyond.

Participants will work together to develop an EV implementation roadmap for the region, informed by the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and other State programs.

NAmTrans Director Joel Wood has been invited to moderate a panel on the morning of Wednesday, September 30th on the diverse vehicle needs for the games - including the future of zero-emission public transit. More information coming soon!
CAMP 2020 Technical Symposium

When: Tuesday, October 20th
Where: Virtual

The CAMP 2020 Technical Symposium will showcase Clarkson's world-renowned faculty and their research on materials and materials processing, and illustrate how they can put their expertise to work for industrial technical challenges.
In Case You Missed It!
  • Bombardier was recently featured in FuzeHub's Summer 2020 Empire State Manufacturing & Innovation publication. The article focuses heavily on Bombardier's designation of their Plattsburgh facility as its lead rolling stock manufacturing site for the U.S. and the great work being done here. Click here to read the full article.
  • The New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF) recently introduced a new COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Premium Credit Program. Under this initiative, current workers' comp policy holders can earn a 5% credit on their annual premium for the purchase of PPE, with a maximum reimbursement of $500. For more information, click here.
Center for Advanced Materials Processing (CAMP)
at Clarkson University
The Center for Advanced Materials Processing (CAMP), a part of Clarkson University, connects industry with Clarkson University's highly reputable institutes, centers, and faculty.
CAMP works with New York State companies as well as national and international companies who are interested in understanding and utilizing state-of-the-art advanced, tailor-designed materials and processes to improve their products, solve manufacturing challenges, increase yield, lower costs, and/or establish new or novel products.

CAMP is a designated New York State Center of Advanced Technology (CAT), and is supported by NYSTAR, a division of Empire State Development.

Interested in learning how CAMP can help your operation? Companies are encouraged to contact Elisabeth Cain, CAMP Business Development Manager, at (315) 268-2336, or by emailing ecain@clarkson.edu.
Social Media
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