FCX Systems and the Innovation Adoption Program
TechConnect West Virginia’s Innovation Adoption Program (IAP) is helping West Virginia’s small and mid-sized manufacturers gain a competitive advantage in today’s global marketplace.
Working in partnership with the state’s centers of excellence, the IAP supports new product development, product redesign, new tooling design and development, process improvements, and other innovation-based needs.
Anne Barth, TechConnect’s executive director, said the Innovation Adoption Program is making a difference in how the state’s manufacturers look at opportunities to grow their businesses.
“For many small and mid-sized manufacturers, developing ideas for new products typically isn’t a challenge,” Barth said. “The real obstacle is in finding the time and expertise that can help move an idea forward. The IAP is specifically designed to connect innovation-minded companies with the people and resources that can help make them more competitive and, ultimately, hire more West Virginia workers.”
FCX Systems in Morgantown, which designs and manufactures a broad line of solid-state Ground Support Equipment for the commercial, military, industrial and ship-shore markets around the world, took part in the IAP.
Boeing 787-10, the “Dreamliner”
The WVU Industrial Extension Service’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership provided the C Software code expertise FCX Systems needed to update its 90KVA power frequency converter to a 180KVA model for the commercial airport market as it accepts the new Boeing 787-10 aircraft, known as the “Dreamliner.”
The project’s overarching goals were to help further position FCX Systems as a key supplier in the Ground Support Equipment market, to increase orders for the company’s power frequency converters, and, ultimately, add new, full-time positions over the next few years.
The project resulted in an updated product that allows FCX Systems to keep pace with changes in its markets and to build on its reputation for quality and innovation. If market conditions hold as expected, the company anticipates adding employees to meet production demands.
For more information on the Innovation Adoption Program, visit TechConnect West Virignia’s Innovation Adoption Program information sheet or call IAP director John Golden on 304-545-6963.