Workshop for Defense Companies, Manufacturers, and Makers:

As a part of Cambria County’s Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment initiatives to help diversify the regional economy, Creator Square is hosting a 1-day Manufacturing Diversification and Maker-related workshop with Dr. Peter Allen, a highly experienced business strategic and consultant with 30 years experience and a PhD in Solid State Physics. Dr. Allan currently works at Bally Design, a long established cutting-edge design firm in downtown Pittsburgh. His full biography is further below.

Donald Bonk, Director of Entrepreneurial Alchemy, another DOD-related county project, and a consultant to Carnegie Mellon, will co-host the discussion with Peter. Donald has a Master’s in Economic Development from Carnegie Mellon and served previously as the Director of Strategic Business Connections there, after 30 years in business and government.

The workshop is a part of the Creator Square project that is being funded in part through the DOD OEA, and has received grants from the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies.

WHAT: Manufacturing Diversity Workshop
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 25th from 8am – 4pm
WHERE: Central Park Complex, 110 Franklin Street, Johnstown, Second Floor Training/Conference Room

Please RSVP to Donald Bonk: bonk@cmu.edu
Please call Donald Bonk at (814) 244-7888 with any questions.

Manufacturing Diversification and Maker Workshop Schedule:

8 AM – 12 Noon

Looking at local manufacturing, with a particular focus on defense product manufacturing for the purpose of determining the answer to 3 general questions further below.

What does the thought process look like in order to do so profitably and in a timely way.

A. Can existing defense and or other manufactured products made in the Johnstown/Cambria County area be adapted, changed, modified profitably?
for the civilian market by the company and or with Makers.

B. Can new entirely products be made with existing production tools and or by Makers, using new or existing supply chain products?

C. Can production waste streams be monetized by making new products by companies and or Makers?

LUNCH 12 Noon – 1 PM

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Discussion Topics:

1. What is the general outline for profitably operationalizing the 3 paths to diversifying product lines by creating new profitable products

2. What are specific, successful examples of companies and or Makers doing this?

3. Who, why, where, and how can this be done; walking through the process and timeline with an potential product you might consider or with an example.