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Laser Thermal Focuses on Commercialization Opportunities with Assistance From GENEDGE
With the help of: GENEDGE
About
The Challenge
During the pandemic, the GO Virginia Program for Retooling Virginia Manufacturers for Strategic Industries, a program managed by GENEDGE, part of the MEP National Network™, focusing statewide on helping participating manufacturers to shift their operations to emphasize personal protective equipment (PPE) production with the intent of growing their businesses to strengthen the supply chain in the United States and Virginia. Program participation involves two phases over a two-year period: phase 1 (first year) focuses focus entirely on PPE with the expectation that additional critical supply chain opportunities would be identified at the industrial sector, state, or federal level. Phase 2 includes custom services to help address commercialization planning gaps, regulatory requirements, prototype development, new process development, and other relevant offerings to advance Virginia’s position in critical industries such as healthcare, agriculture, defense, energy, information technology, semiconductors and transportation.
GENEDGE continues to be a broad and adaptable resource for small startups like us at Laser Thermal. For example, the opportunity to participate in their GO Virginia retooling program provided solutions to maximize our commercialization opportunities, manufacturing capabilities and identify key gaps for continued success.
MEP's Role
Having completed Phase 1, three different areas were identified as possibilities for Phase 2 focus per use of the Porter Business Model. Laser Thermal’s ability to test the thermal properties of semiconductor materials made them a perfect candidate for Phase 2. The resulting analysis allowed for discussion of the current structure and delivery capabilities of their business followed by developing a future state strategy.
At the time, management was considering expanding into the vacant adjacent business space. However, they were informed that the space may not be available. GENEDGE suggested a contiguous space might be better than splitting a space. Once their ‘space issue’ was solved, then other needs for layout services for the warehousing, manufacturing flow and quality assurance were addressed.
GENEDGE also assisted with capital planning over three stages. After identification of financing sources, GENEDGE assisted in narrowing the sources to the most optimal choice(s), given the company’s criteria and tolerance for schedule and scope.