The Composite Prototyping Center, an organization dedicated to providing workforce development, prototype manufacturing and hands-on technical training in advanced composites manufacturing, announced today that Abaris Training Resources, the world leader in advanced composite training, will be relocating its Griffin, Georgia operation to CPC’s 25,000 square foot facility on Long Island. The decision by Abaris to base its East Coast operations at CPC was prompted by its goal to expand beyond its current curriculum to incorporate the application of the sophisticated equipment that CPC houses. Also factoring in Abaris’ decision was CPC’s status as the designated Northeast center for the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) in which both organizations are members.
According to CPC Executive Director Leonard Poveromo, “CPC has the advanced technology required in manufacturing using composites such as our Automated Fiber Placement Robot, large autoclaves, RTM/VARTM Resin Injection/Infusion System and CNC Router with five-axis alignment verification system for cutting, milling and machining. We’re confident our resources will be extremely beneficial to Abaris in meeting its goal to broaden its course offerings.”
Abaris President Michael J. Hoke noted that a mutual contact had suggested Abaris look at CPC. That prompted Hoke along with Abaris’ Chief Technical Instructor Dave Castellar to visit CPC in January. After meeting with Poveromo and his team and viewing the scope of the CPC facility and its equipment, Hoke made the decision to locate the company’s East Coast operations at CPC.
“We have been conducting our training at Atlanta Aerospace Composite in Griffin for almost 20 years and enjoyed an excellent relationship,” said Hoke. “The sole reason for bringing our operation to CPC is to support our growth objectives in offering new courses that continue to meet the needs of the advanced composite manufacturing and repair communities.”
To prepare for Abaris, Poveromo stated that CPC will be setting up ten workstations for Abaris’ repair training classes. Hoke noted that the aerospace industry is one of Abaris’ major markets. The company provides training both offsite and onsite for airlines such as Jet Blue for which it has provided training at LaGuardia Airport. Additionally, Abaris provides its advanced composite training to the DoD/ armed forces and various government agencies including the FAA, NTSB and NASA. Its market reach also extends to the commercial space industry, providing training to all of the major players.
Abaris will initially be using its current instructors, but Hoke projected that, “With the addition of new courses over the next year or two, we will be hiring instructors from the Long Island region with strong backgrounds in advanced composite materials, as well as the right teaching skills and personality to engage students in both the classroom instruction and hands-on workshop environments.”
Both CPC and Abaris anticipate their alliance will be mutually beneficial. While Abaris gains access to CPC’s leading-edge equipment and the ability to offer new courses, CPC will have a global leader to provide training to its future employees. Joint initiatives are also likely although no specifics have been discussed at this early stage.
“Just as Abaris has its core offerings, CPC will continue to independently provide its Composite Technician Certification program,” said Poveromo. “We expect our symbiotic relationship to grow and evolve which, ultimately, will accrue benefit to our customers.”
The Long Island region too is expected to benefit from the economic and workforce development advantages stemming from Abaris’ presence at CPC. Local manufacturers will gain easy access to more advanced materials training programs, which will enable them to build a more proficient, skilled workforce able to work with composite materials. This in turn will help position these manufacturers for greater subcontractor opportunities awarded by larger manufacturers.
IACMI Workforce Manager Joannie Harmon Heath, MPA added, “IACMI members, Abaris and the Composites Prototyping (CPC) Center both play important roles in the continued growth of workforce development in the composites field. The CPC is home to the research of several IACMI projects and being in the Northeast corridor is also close to many IACMI members. Abaris’ proximity to the CPC will increase the opportunity for hands-on learning experiences and workforce development initiatives.”
Abaris will be setting up its operations at CPC in June with its first course, the five-day Advanced Composite Structures: Fabrication & Damage Repair – Phase I, scheduled for August 20-24, 2018.
