CU-ICAR’s unique automotive community is comprised of 20 campus partners that represent a wide range of public and private organizations from around the world. We are focused on the broad spectrum of companies that make up the automotive sector, including research, development, personnel recruiting, and total vehicle recycling, to name a few.
Economic Development
Clemson University is among 12 universities nationwide that have been cited for helping drive economic growth at a time when more states are looking to their higher-education institutions to create jobs and investment. The CU-ICAR campus is an automotive ecosystem that helps companies make connections and build relationships. We have created a community where industry literally meets academia. With the addition of the Center for Emerging Technologies in 2012, CU-ICAR currently has 20 Campus Partners from around the world. These on-site residents work in close quarters with our students and faculty and share the many amenities of the Millennium Campus. State Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt said investment distinguishes South Carolina and helps attract new industry and jobs. “By investing in programs that apply academic research to industry needs, we’re positioning South Carolina to better compete in the global economy.”
Creating a Community of Collaboration and Innovation
new campus partners
This year, we welcomed six new companies to the Center for Emerging Technologies. This incubation environment helps foster ideas and innovation that can more broadly impact the automotive sector, in South Carolina and beyond.
We are pleased to establish our North America headquarters in South Carolina’s Upstate, and are particularly excited to be locating here in Greenville County at CU-ICAR. This strategic expansion will help us meet accelerating demand for our innovative carbon fiber technologies and manufacturing capabilities sought by automotive, aerospace and marine industry customers. Greenville County provides us with an excellent business environment, a top notch workforce and exceptional market access. We are proud to become a growing part of the Palmetto State business community.
We are very excited to join the CU-ICAR partnership. CU-ICAR has created a very powerful and innovative way for OEM's, suppliers, research and education to collaborate in mutually beneficial ways. Along with the strong State/County support, training programs and technical workforce, it became clear that there is a very strategic advantage for us to expand into the Greenville area. This expansion will allow Esys to enhance support to our existing customers and provide a solid foundation to grow our business in the southeast region
We have visited the CUICAR facility and witnessed the innovative and dedicated people from all over the world who are working on testing and designing the cars of the future. We are assisting them in seeing the environmental effects of these designs… With our partnership with Clemson we can plan for all the changes coming in the composition of the automobiles of the future.
The cutting-edge research and world-class education that is helping South
Carolina play a leading role in the nation’s manufacturing revival
took center stage March 28, 2014 when U.S. Secretary of Commerce
Penny Pritzker visited CU-ICAR.
Carolina play a leading role in the nation’s manufacturing revival
took center stage March 28, 2014 when U.S. Secretary of Commerce
Penny Pritzker visited CU-ICAR.
Her visit included a private roundtable discussion about developing a qualified workforce and came as expanding automotive and tire companies heighten the state’s importance in manufacturing.
CU-ICAR is a tremendous example of an educational institution conducting the type of leading-edge research that will keep America competitive in the 21st Century and also working directly with industry to train workers for in-demand, high-skilled jobs. These industry-driven models are exactly what we need to replicate nationwide to promote economic growth. The Department of Commerce is committed to partnering with businesses and other federal agencies to help facilitate similar research and training programs around the country.Penny Pritzker U.S. Secretary of Commerce View full press release
Clemson & Greenville Tech create
Center for Manufacturing Innovation
Greenville Technical College and Clemson University announced an agreement to educate the advanced manufacturing workforce to serve the automotive, transportation and other high-tech sectors.
According to a memorandum of understanding signed by Greenville Tech President Keith Miller and Clemson University President James F. Barker, the vision is for collaboration between a leading research university, an innovative technical college and advanced manufacturers to create a center that enhances the development and implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies.
The Center for Manufacturing Innovation (CMI), to be located at the Millennium Campus adjacent to the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) Technology Neighborhood 1, will offer education designed to meet industry needs. It will include dual-credit programs in partnership with Greenville County Schools, bridge programs that allow a student to move from associate’s degree to bachelor’s degree and workforce training and certificate programs that increase the qualifications of manufacturing employees.
Research for innovation in advanced manufacturing and future technologies related to advanced manufacturing will be incorporated into instruction.
This will allow students to gain practical experience working alongside experienced engineers, faculty and staff.
The center will engage K-12 students and show them the possibilities that exist in advanced manufacturing careers through dual enrollment programs, tours, camps and open houses.
From an economic development perspective, Upstate leaders have said that the economic development race will be won by communities that offer the services manufacturers need. To help companies compete globally, employers need a flexible, highly-skilled workforce equipped to maximize new technologies, adapt to evolving production processes and work organization models and solve problems rapidly.
“Our intent as we have worked toward the creation of this Center for Manufacturing Innovation has been to better meet the needs of manufacturers in our area, so that those companies can continue to move our economy forward,” said Miller. “By collaborating with Clemson University as we also work closely with Greenville County Schools, we have education in the Upstate serving as a powerful and united force for workforce development.”
