Delegate Kirk Cox Honored at Meeting of CCALS/CCAM Boards; New Research Project with Port of Virginia Announced

The boards of directors of the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Logistics Systems (CCALS) and the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) today recognized Virginia Delegate Kirk Cox for his support of workforce training programs in Central Virginia. CCALS also announced that it would begin a new research project with the Port of Virginia this fall.

CCALS and CCAM are research collaborations between businesses and Virginia universities. Their members work together to solve advanced manufacturing and logistics challenges.

Barry Johnson, current chairman of CCALS and past chairman of CCAM, spoke to the importance of organizations like CCAM and CCALS to the region. To thank Delegate Cox for his leadership and commitment to the advanced manufacturing and logistics industries in Virginia, Johnson presented Delegate Cox with an encased sample turbine blade made on a 3D printer. The keepsake, given on behalf of CCAM and CCALS, was produced using the same additive manufacturing process used at CCAM.

Cox last year successfully secured a $25 million budget amendment that committed initial funds for an Apprentice Academy in Prince George County. The Academy is designed to help Virginians obtain the skills advanced manufacturers and their logistics systems need to stay competitive in the global marketplace.

“To fully capitalize on Virginia’s geographic, infrastructure and pro-business climate, advanced manufacturers require workers with advanced training,” said Delegate Cox. “Industry-led training in manufacturing processes, data analytics, logistics, biosciences and information technology will ensure access to talent for businesses and high-paying jobs for Virginians.”

“Delegate Cox’s unwavering support of workforce development initiatives makes the Commonwealth’s future even brighter,” said Joseph Moody, president and executive director of CCAM. “A confident, capable workforce will accelerate the region’s emergence as an advanced manufacturing and logistics leader and attract more jobs and more investment in the years to come.”

Another key to the commonwealth’s continued success in advanced manufacturing and logistics is the Port of Virginia. In remarks to the meeting, Delegate Cox announced that CCALS and the Port of Virginia have agreed to review operations and identify opportunities for greater efficiencies. Under the agreement, a CCALS researcher will be located at the Port this fall and will focus initially on vessel berthing and scheduling processes. Additional projects with the Port are expected.

“The Port of Virginia is one of the few East Coast ports ready today to handle larger vessels expected to utilize the newly expanded Panama Canal,” said John F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director for the Virginia Port Authority. “As such, we expect a significant increase in traffic and volume. In order to meet these demands now and in the future, we have to pursue every avenue to operate our terminals as efficiently, effectively, and as safely as possible. Connecting with the knowledge-base and experience at CCALS is an innovative solution that will help steer our efforts to further refine our berthing and scheduling processes.”

The Port project follows other successful CCALS’ initiatives, including a renewable energy security evaluation with LMI, and an aviation biofuel supply chain study for the Center for Innovative Technology.

“Advanced manufacturing and logistics will play an increasingly larger role in Virginia’s economy,” said Mark Manasco, president and executive director of CCALS. “Workforce development improvements, new project wins, continued research and steadfast supporters – such as Delegate Cox – are building the momentum.”

About CCALS
CCALS is a collaboration between business, government and Virginia universities, including the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia State University and Longwood University. It is focused on a singular mission: transform industry by improving the complex system of technological, mechanical and human factors that enable logistics. With multiple perspectives at the table and favorable intellectual property policies, CCALS ensures that promising discoveries become effective business solutions fast. For more information, visit www.ccals.com.

About CCAM
CCAM delivers innovative solutions for manufacturing better products. An applied research center, CCAM provides production-ready advanced manufacturing solutions to member companies across the globe. Members guide the research, leveraging talent and resources within CCAM and at Virginia’s top universities, through a collaborative model that enables them to pool R&D efforts to increase efficiencies. Results can then be applied directly to the factory floor, turning ideas into profit faster and more affordably than ever before. CCAM is located in a state-of-the-art research facility in Prince George County, Virginia. For more information, visit www.ccam-va.com.