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EDSR INFORMATION #1 09-08-2003 TechTrends e-Newsletter I August/September 2003 Page 1 of 4 306 �F y ,� r 1i� inPrint Close \ O ' ill a publication of ! , ‘,„ TEC iii kfinties0 bolo**Inc,9 1 ' re n s Volume 4, Issue 6 August/September 2003 i 0 Cover Story The New Chapter Minnesota Technology, Inc. embarks on a new course, with new leadership. With this issue, we close a chapter and open a new one in the history of Minnesota Technology, Inc., the parent publisher of Tech Trends. The closing comes with the departure of Jacques Koppel, the organization's longtime president. Jacques, who joined Minnesota Technology in 1991, resigned in late July. The organization's board of directors has already named an interim president (more on that below) and is now in the midst of a search for a permanent replacement. While we expect to find a qualified replacement, he or she will have large footprints to fill. 7 I ;li0 During Jacques's tenure, he helped transform Minnesota Technology from its earlier incarnation as the Greater Minnesota Corp. into a nonprofit tightly focused on providing state companies with technology-related advice and information (a move 0 which also included the creation of this newsletter). Under his watch, the organization also greatly expanded its strategic business assessment services, and emerged as a leading provider of information on the state's manufacturing and technology sector. It also built and fostered productive connections between hundreds of state businesses and the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. The results have been remarkable. Since 1991, Minnesota Technology has served more than 5,600 manufacturing and a technology firms around the state, generating more than $700 million for Minnesota in the process. In short, Jacques leaves behind a tremendous legacy. 3 Now we look to the future. With our change in public funding status, it's time for y Minnesota Technology, Inc. to embark on a new course. And we've hit the ground w running. We have recruited Frank Starke, president emeritus of Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis to serve as our interim president for a few months. Frank's 10 years leading Alexandria Technical College and eight years as Dunwoody's president make him an ideal fit. In particular, our board noted how he managed the transition from a publicly funded technical college to a private nonprofit such as Dunwoody. Such experience that will help steer MTI in a new direction. As noted above, we have already begun a search for a new permanent president. This individual will have the opportunity to take Minnesota Technology, Inc. to new . i heights of contributing to the growth of the state's economy through technology. I'm honored to be a part of this future. I'd love to hear your feedback and suggestions; feel free to e-mail me at jbensenObemidjistate.edu. 3' http://www.minnesotatechnology.org/publications/techtrends/2003/August/printVersion.asp 9/4/2003 TechTrends e-Newsletter I August/September 2003 Page 2 of 4 Sincerely, Dr. M. James Bensen Chair, Minnesota Technology, Inc. Board [Tech Notes Technology business news from around Minnesota. Sj The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded Sage Electrochromics Inc. of Faribault a $1.2 million contract for biotechnology research. The grant will enable Sage to continue development of its electrochromic window technology, which regulates the flow of light and heat through windows. Alexandria Technical College's Center for Automation and Motion Control is partnering with German industrial automation firm Festo AG to provide instruction in mechatronics, a system that combines mechanical, electrical and computer study. The college currently has 20 mechatronics trainers. The University of Minnesota Duluth's Center for Economic Development and the Virginia-based Northeast Entrepreneur Fund recently announced their participation in project GATE (Growing America Through Entrepreneurship). The project is designed to provide future entrepreneurs with targeted training, consulting services, and technical assistance. The Mayo Foundation, based in Rochester, recently signed an agreement to provide ongoing medical care at Dubai Healthcare City, in the United Arab Emirates. The $1.8 billion project aims to transform the Persian Gulf city into a global health care hub. • The Minnesota Legislature has passed a bill that created a new economic development authority for the Alexandria, Garfield La Grande Township, and Alexandria Township area. This authority, called Lakes Area Economic Development Authority, will be a government entity that promotes business in the area. American Crystal Sugar Co., based in Moorhead, recently spent $2 million to renovate two wastewater holding ponds in its Moorhead and East Grand Forks plants. The covers stretch the size of three football fields and will cap the ponds to weaken the odors emitted from sugar and rotting beets. Chassis Liner Corp., an Alexandria-based manufacturer and distributor of automotive collision repair products, recently received ISO 9001:2000 certification for its quality management program. Duluth-based Sinex Aviation Technologies recently announced that Southwest Airlines has signed a multiyear agreement to license its FleetCycleTM Production Manager software application to automate its B-737 fleet maintenance processes. S)E-Rhombus, a Detroit Lakes-based provider of liquid level controls for water, wastewater, sump, and sewage systems, recently announced UL approval on its new Tank Alert AB indoor alarm. The device can sound an alarm when a potentially threatening liquid level condition occurs inside a building, even after primary power fails. Freeze.com, a Waite Park-based electronic marketing business, has acquired • ScreenSaver.com, a Web site that offers downloadable computer screensavers, from RI Soft Systems of Rhode Island. http://www.minnesotatechnology.org/publications/techtrends/2003/August/printVersion.asp 9/4/2003 TechTrends e-Newsletter I August/September 2003 Page 3 of 4 Richard Enochs has been appointed president of Winona-based Wenonah Canoe. K, Enochs will head manufacturing, sales and marketing for the company and its III Canadian subsidiary, Current Designs Kayak. H Expansion Management magazine recently named five Minnesota cities as among the nation's top places in which to locate a business. Out of 329 metropolitan areas that were evaluated, the Twin Cities ranked fourth; Fargo-Moorhead was eighth; Rochester, 21st; Duluth-Superior, 25th; and St. Cloud, 47th. Des Moines, Iowa, I came in first. HCalendar Sept. 12, 2003 Minnesota Technology, Inc. Technology Awareness Forum, Brooklyn Park Topic: Marketing/supplying to large companies (including government contracts www.minnesotatechnology.org/events/TechForums/forum.asp?forumId=58 Oct. 23, 2003 Tekne Awards Minnesota's technology industry's awards gala, Minneapolis Sponsored by Minnesota Technology, Inc. and the Minnesota High Tech Association www.tekneawards.org y Oct. 29, 2003 k' 4, Tekne Awards Minnesota Technology, Inc. Technology Awareness Forum, St. Paul Topic: Portable Power-Micro Fuel Cell Applications • www.minnesotatechnology.org/events/TechForums/index.asp Pre .ie Robot Wars The Triangle Series National Robots Championship, sponsored by the Robot Fighting League and Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association (MPMA), will take place t. at the Owatonna Armory in Plymouth, Minn. on September 20 and 21. More than 100 robot finalists from around the country will compete for the first national robot title and a grand prize of $10,000. Nine weight classes, ranging from 4 lb. "antweights" to 390 lb. super heavyweights, will be represented. The robots 0 will fight it out in a newly built 40- by 40-foot clear arena lined with 1-inch-thick i' polycarbonate walls. "This is the first event of its kind," says Melissa Debilzan, MPMA's communications coordinator. "It is the Super Bowl of robot competitions." But as Debilzan also adds, there's a more serious and practical side to the competition. Robot fighting also showcases high-tech machining, engineering, and electronics. What's more, the skills needed to make robots also translate into other aspects of manufacturing. In recent years, more than 25 Minnesota schools and colleges have added robot-building to their curriculums. In addition to hosting the event, the Plymouth arena will also serve as a place where schools can test out their 4 robots and hold competitions. b IIIOn September 18 and 19, an educational expo called Minnesota Battlebot IQ Expo will demonstrate the applications of student-manufactured robots and hold a mini s, competition. By doing so, MPMA hopes to bring awareness and interest to http://www.minnesotatechnology.org/publications/techtrends/2003/August/printVersion.asp 9/4/2003 TechTrends e-Newsletter I August/September 2003 Page 4 of 4 manufacturing, and want to show students the potentials of the field. 0 1 For ticket and event info call MPMA at 763-566-5696. a MST Network MEP Affiliate Home I Contact Us I Site Map I Privacy Policy I Terms of Use © 1994-2003, Minnesota Technology, Inc., All rights reserved I webmaster@mntech.org PHONE: 612-373-2900 FAX: 612-373-2901 • III http://www.minnesotatechnology.org/publications/techtrends/2003/August/printVersion.asp 9/4/2003