SCRA CEO Bill Mahoney Presents Knowledge Economist Award to BMW
April 13, 2012
Award Given at SCRA-Sponsored BMW Supplier Matchmaking Event
CHARLESTON,SC – April 13, 2012 – SCRA today announced the presentation of aKnowledge Economist Award to BMW Manufacturing Co., acknowledging theircommitment to South Carolina’s innovation economy. The award waspresented during the BMW Supplier Diversity Tier I MatchmakerConference, sponsored by SCRA and BMW Manufacturing Co. and hosted atthe Clemson University- ICAR campus. The event, which was designed toencourage and enable diversity among BMW’s supplier-base, attractednearly 600 attendees.
During a luncheon, SCRA CEO Bill Mahoneydetailed BMW’s significant impacts to South Carolina’s economy throughquality job creation, business opportunities and implementation oftechnology innovations, including a partnership with SCRA. In 2010, BMWinstalled a hydrogen storage and distribution area within their SouthCarolina manufacturing plant to provide the fueling infrastructure for afleet of fuel cell – powered material handling equipment. SCRA,together with BMW and the US Department of Energy, is currently engagedin a pilot program that will convert landfill gas to hydrogen and, ifsuccessful, could provide an on-site hydrogen production capability forthe company to use in its fuel cell – powered equipment.
The Knowledge Economist Award, presented by SCRA to leaders whoseefforts have supported and strengthened the knowledge-based economy ofSouth Carolina, was given to BMW Manufacturing Co. and was accepted byAnnmarie Higgins. Higgins, Vice President of Human Resources at BMWManufacturing Co., has been at the Spartanburg facility for three yearsand is a leading community advocate, both internally and externally. Sheis a graduate of the Riley Diversity Institute and is responsible forchampioning the diversity initiatives at BMW Manufacturing Co.
SCRA is committed to the continued growth of South Carolina’sKnowledge Economy and we are delighted to support this important eventand recognize Ms. Higgins, said SCRA CEO Bill Mahoney. BMW continuesto offer opportunities to South Carolinians and implement innovationsthat will improve their manufacturing capabilities. SCRA is honored topartner with BMW and share in these unique innovation accomplishments.
About SCRA
http://www.scra.org
SCRA is an applied research corporation with over 29 years ofexperience in delivering technology solutions with high returns oninvestment to federal and corporate clients. Our Applied R&Daffiliate manages over 100 national and international programs worthover $1.5B in contract value, and our technology-based economicdevelopment affiliate helps early-stage companies to commercializeinnovations and create jobs. In support of our mission, SCRA builds andmanages research facilities that include wet labs, secure rooms forsensitive work and advanced high-tech manufacturing shops.
