Press Release
Issued By Defense Metals Technology Center (DMTC)
August 10, 2007
For Immediate Release
Initial Briefing of the Defense Metals Technology Center Held at Stark State College of Technology
From Left to Right: Charlie Clark - DMTC, Senator Ron Amstutz (Ohio - 22nd District) and U. S. Congressman Ralph Regula (Ohio 16th District)
North Canton, Ohio — More than 50 representatives from the metals and manufacturing industries gathered recently at the Defense Metals Technology Center (DMTC), the recently created center designed to coordinate U.S. military and national security specialty metal needs with specific expertise from academia, industry and institutions.
Ohio Congressman Ralph Regula, R-Ohio, 16th district, and Charlie D. Clark, executive director of the DMTC briefed the assembly of business and civic leaders, outlining the vision and development of the new center, located at Stark State College. They shared roll out plans for making the DMTC a critical piece in supplying materials needed for the U.S. military.
"Our plan is to be the 'go to' knowledge base on specialized metals, initially titanium," said Clark, to the manufacturing representatives. "We want to create a database which captures and provides resources to third parties who have interest and ability to work with titanium, and other precious metals."
Regula, instrumental in the creation of the DMTC, echoed Clark's sentiments. "Ohio really is the bridge to new metals technology," Regula said. "The research conducted here will be applicable in a lot of ways, not just defense, but highways, providing a substantial benefit to the people and industries of Ohio and the nation."
The DMTC is modeled after several similar centers in other parts of the country, including the National Center for Defense Machining and Manufacturing, in Latrobe, Pa., and the Center for Commercialization of Advanced Technology, in San Diego., Calif. Centers in other parts of the country have shown savings of approximately $450 million in five years as a result of the center's ability to more closely align product development with the specific needs of the Army, Clark said.
The DMTC received more than $1 million in federal appropriation last year, combined with funding from the Ohio Development Fund. Officials say the center will have a demonstrated impact on economic growth. "We will be able to help companies specifically develop product, meeting the Army needs on a much tighter timeframe," Clark said.
"Our goal is to capitalize on the manufacturing strengths of this region, and meet the specific material development needs as outlined by the military," Clark added. "Our task is huge, but so is our resolve."
For more information, please contact:
Charlie Clark
330-305-6605
330-305-6622 (fax)
cclark@defensemetals.org