Indiana moves to boost industries

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 30 (UPI)

An industry-led forum to help Indiana companies gain more defense and homeland security work has been formed.

The new Indiana Aerospace & Defense Council is organized by the Indiana Economic Development Council and Conexus Indiana.

"We can be proud that Indiana-based companies are working together to bolster national security and support the military in our overseas commitments," said Mitch Roob, Indiana secretary of commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. "As these firms help make our country safer, they're also making our economy stronger."

Four major defense contractors have operations in Indiana that collectively accounted for more than $2.6 billion in Department of Defense contracts in 2010 -- AM General, Rolls-Royce, Raytheon and ITT.

The IADC will focus on broadening the state's contractor base, helping smaller companies enter the market and compete for more contracts.

"For smaller contractors and suppliers to prime contractors, networking and knowledge are critical," said Pete Bitar, president of Xtreme Alternative Defense Systems, a company that has pioneered "directed energy" laser technologies with several military applications. "We need venues to build relationships with potential partners and customers, and help navigating the procurement and contracting processes that exist with federal agencies.

"If the IADC can provide these sorts of resources, it will quickly become a catalyst to diversify and grow Indiana's defense and aerospace industries."

The Indiana Aerospace and Defense Council is modeled after the successful Logistics Council created in 2008 by Conexus Indiana, which has brought together industry leaders and solicited their input on a comprehensive strategic plan to strengthen the sector.

The first meeting of the IADC included participants from AM General, Rolls Royce, Raytheon, ITT Communications, BAE Systems, Allison Transmission, Northrop Grumman, SAIC Inc., Tri Star Engineering, Ultra Electronics-USSI, Aero Engine Controls, Stimulus Engineering, Sherry Laboratories, Xtreme Alternative Defense Systems, Riverside Manufacturing, Praxair Surface Technologies and Purdue University, along with representatives from the IEDC.

Conexus Indiana is the state's advanced manufacturing and logistics initiative, dedicated to making Indiana a global leader in high-growth, high-tech industries.