Automation Alley gets $1.5M for defense sector

More money is being thrown at diversifying Metro Detroit’s manufacturing base. The most recent shovel full is $1.58 million to help manufacturers find a niche in the defense sector.Automation Alley received the contract to help smooth that transition as part of the TACOM LCMC Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages program. The idea is to help the military industrial complex find manufacturers who can produce replacement parts for the U.S. Army’s 3,000-plus weapon systems.”It will really be beneficial for companies looking to diversify into defense contracting,” says Charles DeVries, director of government affairs for Automation Alley.Automotive suppliers who are hurting from the auto slump can thus find more work, and in turn preserve and create more jobs building everything from systems for hydraulics to air conditioning units.TACOM LCMC is based in Warren and brings together organizations that focus on military systems. It’s also connected to the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), a major national laboratory for advanced military automotive technology.Companies interested in taking part can send an email to info@automationalley.com. Source: Charles DeVries, director of government affairs for Automation AlleyWriter: Jon Zemke