Clemson Manufacturing Professor to Speak at Annual Salute

June 26, 2009

COLUMBIA, SC – June 26, 2009 –  The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Dr. Thomas R. Kurfess, the BMW Endowed Chair of Manufacturing at Clemson University, will provide the keynote address at the Salute to Manufacturing awards luncheon Tuesday, September 22. The event, which is co-hosted with the Silver Crescent Foundation, will take place in Florence at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology.

According to Dr. Kurfess, who also serves as Director of Automotive Engineering at the Clemson University – International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), manufacturing is a critical part of the United States and its economy.

“South Carolina is playing an ever-increasing role in manufacturing, and the outlook for high-tech and very profitable manufacturing here is quite positive,” Kurfess explained. “With a well-equipped workforce, we are poised to make great advances both technically and economically. It is a great time to be in manufacturing here in South Carolina.”

Dr. Kurfess’ research focuses on precision systems, controls, automation and robotics. The results of his work are helping U.S. companies compete in the global economy. As a director of Automotive Engineering, he also is preparing the next generation of engineers to work in the complex systems and global environment of today’s automotive industry.

“There are nearly 5,000 manufacturers in the state, and they are each vitally important for healthy economic growth. Dr. Kurfess’ experience provides great insight on how unique linkages of manufacturing to the rest of the economy create more innovation, productivity and good jobs than any other sector,” said Otis B. Rawl Jr., president and CEO of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

The Salute to Manufacturing is an annual recognition event in which members of the business and education community pause to celebrate the valuable contributions manufacturing provides the Palmetto State. The awards luncheon will honor the Silver Crescent Manufacturer of the Year in three categories: small, medium and large, and it will provide an opportunity for manufacturers and community leaders to recognize the accomplishments of South Carolina’s best and brightest companies.

“The South Carolina Chamber and the Silver Crescent Foundation have long supported manufacturing, and this joint celebration of manufacturing achievements is a natural progression,” said Rawl.

“The Salute is like the Oscars for our state’s manufacturing sector, and we take pride in showcasing these companies’ achievements and reminding the citizens of South Carolina what a powerful economic punch this sector packs for our state,” said Silver Crescent President Karen Owens. “Despite these economic times, manufacturing still makes substantial contributions to our quality of life, from creating higher paying jobs to developing innovative products that enhance our everyday lives. And as Dr. Kurfess suggests, we must continue to support our manufacturing companies by providing them with the highly-skilled and educated workforce they need to remain competitive in the global marketplace.”

Ogletree Deakins and Santee Cooper are platinum sponsors of the Salute, and additional sponsorship opportunities along with registration information are available online at http://www.scchamber.net/.

The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the nation’s first state chamber Accredited with Distinction by the U.S. Chamber, is the state’s largest statewide broad-based business and industry trade association representing more than 6,500 member companies and more than 600,000 member employees, with 90 percent of membership comprised of small businesses. As the unified voice for business and industry, the Chamber is a catalyst for increasing per capita income and enhancing the state’s global competitiveness in order to improve the quality of life for all South Carolinians.