With a manufacturing renaissance underway in the U.S., a new local agency wants to make sure the high-tech behind much of it benefits industry in Western New York.
Buffalo Manufacturing Works starts formally moving into its new home today, at Main and Virginia. That's the old Smart Pill building.
BMW is another piece of the Buffalo Billion, a relatively small staff working with local researchers like those at UB to help local companies benefit from the latest knowledge.
The agency has $30 million set aside for research and production equipment, with $3 million already spent.
President Michael Ulbrich says his agency will help local companies stay on the leading edge.
"Manufacturing in Western New York is still a life blood of the local economy. It's one of the largest employers. So, we want to help the manufacturers innovate and ultimately succeed and thrive. So, by bringing new technologies allows them to compete for the 21st Century and not only compete locally or nationally, but on an international stage."
Ulbrich says companies need to think innovatively and to think about how new technology will help, like the 3-D printer making parts for testing for new production. He says BMW will also work on training and educating workers to make the best use of the latest equipment.
