Tripwire Trailblazer

Ed Clark

The Valley's Cutting Edge in Manufacturing

Specialty Blades, Inc. is a shining example of a modern, technology-driven manufacturing company that is experiencing growing success in a niche market. However, company president, Peter Harris, is not one to take success for granted.

Speaking to a group of business, government and education leaders at the Shenandoah Valley Partnership annual Advisory Council meeting, Harris explained economic imbalances contributing to the migration of manufacturing to lower cost countries.

"U.S. businesses that are in or serve declining manufacturing industries will no longer be able to survive on a U.S. only customer base," said Harris, president of Specialty Blades, Inc., a Staunton, Virginia company producing blades for industrial and medical applications."In order to survive, industry will need to find ways to follow business as it migrates," he said.

Harris stressed the importance of product differentiation and branding to achieve a competitive edge in manufacturing.Using technology to develop superior manufacturing processes and innovative products will reduce competitive pressure.However, "technology superiority with no customers still yields no sales," Harris said.Product and service differentiation and expanding the customer base to international markets will be necessary for U.S. companies to grow sales.

As U.S. manufacturers re-evaluate processes, consolidate operations and seek innovative solutions to remain competitive, Shenandoah Valley manufacturers have a combination of resources available to manufacturers to help them adapt to changing conditions in the manufacturing environment. More.

• The Integrated Learning Factory. This "factory" is envisioned to be a modern production facility which will demonstrate to both students and industry partners how computer-based automation and integration technologies can be deployed to help Virginia manufacturers maintain competitiveness in the 21^st Century. 
• Biomanufacturing Training Facility. The state-of-the-art facility will focus on workforce skills required for the design and management of present and future biopharmaceutical manufacturing. 
• Microfabrication Laboratory. This clean-room facility will enable the fabrication of integrated microelectronic device, sensor, and micro-electromechanical systems. 
• Manufacturing Management Laboratory. This laboratory will provide a hands-on learning experience on the dynamic and integrative nature of managing production operations. 

American Hotel to Be Rehabilitated

STAUNTON--The historic American Hotel on South Augusta Street is being redeveloped into new office and retail space in a $2.4 million project. The 27,000 square-foot, brick building will house office space on two upper floors and retail and restaurant space on the ground and basement levels.

The Staunton Industrial Development Authority and Staunton City Council approved an agreement with Emerald City L.P. to assist with the downtown project. The developer plans office space equipped with state-of-the-art communications and room for two full-service restaurants. The project includes a parking deck in the back of the property. For the full story click here.

---

Fairfield Goes Far Afield

Fairfield Language Technologies, Harrisonburg-based developers of the Rosetta Stone language-learning software, is collaborating with the Mohawk community of Kahnawake, near Montreal, to develop language-learning software in Kanienkeha, the Mohawk language. (Press release, April 20, 2004) More

---

Artist Focus: Todd Broadbent

"Hay Bales"

Todd Broadbent, a partner in local Internet-marketing company Loafin' Tree, knew he wanted to be an artist at a very early age. An aptitude for science led him to the engineering field as a mechanical designer, but he continued to draw and paint in his spare time and also taught himself graphic design, turning to computer tools as soon as they became available.

Eventually, Todd returned to school to pursue the career he had always wanted, attending Temple University-Tyler School of Art. While there, he accompanied several doctoral students on an archeological dig in southern France to enhance his love of art history. Since then, he started his own design business, took commissions to do several paintings and photo shoots and helped organize Mossy Creek Trail to get the many talented artists of the Shenandoah Valley the recognition they deserve.

Although Todd enjoys all mediums of Fine Art, his photography was noticed by professional Fine Art photographers on the Tyler staff as well as others. It was also a form he developed a passion for that remains today. Moving near his family in the Shenandoah Valley gave him a perfect opportunity to mesh his art form with his love of the outdoors. His work can now be seen at various galleries around the valley and online on certain photography websites. (From the Mossy Brook Trails website). See Todd's portfolio.