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EDC Introduces Umicore to Albany NanoTech
EDC recently set up a day of meetings and facility tours at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering at the University of Albany for Umicore Technical Materials. Umicore is the local Glens Falls branch of a Belgium-based company that has expanded its operations rapidly since taking occupancy of its Pruyn Island facility in early 2007.
“EDC frequently acts as a 
facilitator for companies in Warren County who are interested in making business contacts in Tech Valley and beyond,” notes John Wheatley, EDC’s economic development specialist who has been working with Umicore officials. “In this instance, we were able to set up a meeting between Umicore’s General Manager in Glens Falls, Tom Strain, and the Technical Director, Dr. Jens-Uwe Heitsch, as well as Umicore’s leading scientist who was visiting from Europe, with CNSE’s Economic Outreach Director, Michael Fancher. They explored possibilities for future joint R&D initiatives, while gaining a better understanding of the capabilities each player can contribute.”
Umicore manufactures silver-based contact materials and brazing alloys. These products are not well-known end products to consumers; rather, they are components employed by other manufacturers. The company’s worldwide customer list includes companies in the automotive, electrical engineering/electronics, and refrigerating and cooling industries as well as in tool making and plant and equipment construction.
Over the past year and a half, Umicore has expanded its local employment from 45 to 80.
For more information about EDC’s connections with Albany NanoTech, contact John Wheatley, Economic Development Specialist, at 761.6007 ext. 307 or jwheatley@edcwc.org. |
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