FEV, Inc., locating within Clemson University’s Energy Systems Innovation Center in North Charleston

FEV, Inc., (FEV) a subsidiary of Germany-based, FEV GmbH, a leading developer of advanced powertrain and vehicle system technologies, is one of the first companies to establish operations within the Energy Systems Innovation Center at theClemson University Restoration Institute (CURI) in North Charleston. The undisclosed investment is expected to generate at least seven new jobs, which will support FEV’s traditional capabilities, including design, analysis, prototyping, and system development. FEV also plans to leverage its expertise in the development and testing of in-vehicle systems and vehicle connectivity technologies, including infotainment and telematics systems.

“The North Charleston facility will provide a great deal of exposure to a wide variety of industries,” said FEV, Inc.’s acting CEO Dr. Patrick Hupperich. “We believe this is a strategic location that creates an FEV engineering center of excellence in the Southeast to serve our customers in the region. It will also provide a launch point for business development and relationship building activities with both current and potential customers, including those beyond our traditional service areas, such as aerospace, manufacturing, and advanced materials.”

“FEV, Inc.’s decision to locate its operations in North Charleston proves once again that South Carolinians know how to make quality and advanced products that are used around the globe,” said Gov. Nikki Haley. “This research and development center not only provides a boost to the region’s innovation sector, but also solidifies South Carolina’s place in the nation’s manufacturing renaissance.”

“FEV’s state-of-the-art technology is being used by automotive leaders throughout the world. The company’s presence at Clemson University’s new innovation center is a great step toward growing South Carolina’s knowledge-based economy with high tech and high-paying jobs,” said Secretary Bobby Hitt.

FEV’s presence in the Charleston region will allow it to be in proximity to customers in South Carolina specifically, and in the Southeast generally, which is a rapidly expanding hub of automotive, energy, and defense-related companies that FEV has supported for many years. It also creates opportunities to explore partnerships with other technology companies that have located in the area. Operations are expected to commence in late November, following the dedication of the world’s most advanced wind turbine drivetrain testing facility and smart grid simulator at the Restoration Institute on November 21.

John Kelly, Clemson University vice president for economic development, said “FEV’s partnership with Clemson and the Energy Systems Innovation Center underscores the value of public-private partnerships, particularly those between higher education institutions and innovative technology firms. We both believe strongly in research and collaboration. This partnership has the potential to grow far beyond this initial commitment. It isn’t just about companies coming here, it’s also about ideas coming here. FEV will bring talented engineers to the Charleston region, and we hope this initial step is just the beginning.”

“I am honored to welcome FEV to the City of North Charleston,” said Mayor Keith Summey. “It is our pledge to maintain an environment that is business friendly to foster creativity and growth in the marketplace. FEV continues to push the envelope of technology and innovation in automotive and drivetrain research and fit perfectly within CURI’s Energy Systems Innovation Center. We look forward to FEV’s future developments and extension of their capabilities and applications into additional industry fields in the Charleston region.”

“Congratulations to FEV as they establish their new office in North Charleston,” said Teddie Pryor, chairman of Charleston County Council. “Our hats are also off to Clemson University for their hard work to bring their research partner FEV to the Energy Systems Innovation Center. The discoveries they make together in the coming years at this state-of-the-art facility will pave the way for energy systems advancements that will benefit a host of industries and other power users. Charleston County feels very privileged to host FEV, and will do everything possible to partner with them and with Clemson throughout the years to come.”

“This is an historic and exciting time for our region,” said Bob Whitten, Charleston Regional Development Alliance board chairman. “We’ve been talking with FEV for some time about the competitive advantages the Charleston region offers. The presence of the world’s most advanced drivetrain testing facility in our market, coupled with our educational assets, customized training programs, and our supply of highly-skilled workers were critical factors in FEV’s decision to be one of the first companies to locate on Clemson’s Energy Systems Campus. The company will be a tremendous asset to our community for many years to come.”

About FEV

The FEV Group is an internationally recognized powertrain and vehicle engineering company that supplies the global transportation industry. FEV offers a complete range of engineering services, providing support across the globe to customers in the design, analysis, prototyping, powertrain and transmission development, as well as vehicle integration, calibration and homologation for advanced internal combustion gasoline-, diesel-, and alternative-fueled powertrains. FEV also designs, develops and prototypes advanced vehicle / powertrain electronic control systems and hybrid-electric engine concepts that address future emission and fuel economy standards. The FEV Test Systems division is a global supplier of advanced test cell, instrumentation and test equipment. The FEV Group employs a staff of over 2,600 highly skilled specialists at advanced technical centers on three continents. FEV, Inc. employs over 450 personnel in its North American Technical Center in Auburn Hills, MI.

Zucker family to help build Clemson landmark, education in North Charleston

Anita Zucker talks to Clemson University President James F. Barker
image by: Craig Mahaffey/Clemson University

Standing at the site of what will be an iconic building named for her family, Anita Zucker, a champion for education in South Carolina, said a new wave of manufacturing will provide a wealth of opportunity for the state.

With a shared vision, Clemson University will build a state-of-the-art education center at the Clemson University Restoration Institute (CURI) on the former Navy base in North Charleston.

The Zucker Family Graduate Education Center, financed in part by a $5 million gift from the family, will foster collaboration and innovation in a place where students, university faculty and staff, and private industry will interact on a daily basis.

The latest industries, from composite materials and energy systems to advanced computing and microscopy, will engage in public-private partnerships to accelerate innovations to market.

The center will become a focal point in the drive to advance the state’s economy, Zucker said.

“South Carolina’s Lowcountry has been fortunate in recent years to have received some notable new residents,” Zucker said. “Clemson’s wind-turbine drivetrain testing facility and the Boeing Co.’s Dreamliner assembly plant are significant for the region.

“But we must not rest on our laurels. The benefits of these new neighbors are far-reaching," she said. “Creating a workforce with the right skills is fundamental to the state’s success and its economic vitality. Centers like this will help place South Carolina at the forefront of innovation.”

"Based on experiences gained at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) in Greenville, where the automotive industry collaborates on a daily basis, the Zucker Family Center at CURI will become the go-to place for innovation in advanced materials, the environment and sectors related to energy, power systems, logistics and transportation," said Clemson University President James F. Barker.

“What CU-ICAR has done to strengthen the automotive cluster in the Upstate, the Restoration Institute is doing in the Lowcountry for advanced materials, the environment and sectors related to energy, power systems, logistics and transportation,” Barker said.

“The Zucker Family Graduate Education Center will be the hub where all these initiatives meet,” he said.

Clemson is a leader in energy, power and systems engineering, and is recognized as one of the top 25 public research universities in the United States. In collaboration with industry, the university offers advanced-degree programs and research areas geared toward training and developing energy systems-related engineers.

The Restoration Institute already has garnered $100 million in investment for research and development, directly fueling the knowledge base critical to the future of South Carolina’s economy.

The Zucker center will further stimulate private-public partnerships through the creative exchange of ideas, said John Kelly, Clemson University vice president for economic development and executive director of the Restoration Institute.

The center will be built on a brownfield site at the closed Naval shipyard, and in itself become the essence of economic development, Kelly said.

“Thanks to the generosity of the Zucker family, this facility will support new technology and applied research in ‘living laboratories’ for a wide array of advanced research and development,” he said. “This center would not be possible without the generosity of the Zucker family and for that vision and willingness to see South Carolina excel, we are extremely grateful.”

The Zucker family gift is one of the largest in Clemson’s The Will to Lead capital campaign, which aims to raise $600 million to support Clemson students and faculty with scholarships, professorships, facilities, technology and enhanced opportunities for learning and research.

Clemson, ECPI donate computers for new workforce development lab

Clemson Extension and ECPI University have donated 18 computers to the city of North Charleston for a computer training lab in the city’s Midland Park neighborhood.

The Midland Park Community Center and Computer Lab will be used for workforce development skills to create opportunities for neighborhood residents.

Cable installation was provided by Teleco Communications and high-speed Internet access by Comcast Cable in Charleston. The building for the center was donated by the city of North Charleston.

Community leaders expressed a need to improve the technical capabilities of the local population, said Harry Crissy, Clemson regional community and economic development agent for Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties.

With a six-computer general use area and 12-seat classroom, the center will be used to help local residents of the community develop computer skills.

“This project will help residents of Midland Park learn word-processing skills, and day-to-day computer applications such as email and the Internet,” Crissy said. “Put simply, the basic computers skills they learn at the lab will help them find jobs.”

The center at 7349 Stall Rd. in North Charleston is the second computer lab Clemson and its partners have opened in the city. The first, at the Gussie Greene Community Center, opened in May 2009. The group plans to open additional centers in communities across the three-county region, Crissy said.

North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey said the computer lab provides many with the opportunity to establish and expand important skills that will enable them to gain meaningful employment.

“In an age where information prevails, becoming computer literate and technologically savvy is invaluable,” Summey said. “I am very grateful for the many contributors to this project, and I am confident that the entire community will benefit from their generous deeds.”

Collaborators in the project are:

• City of North Charleston
• Rhonda Jerome
• S.C. Linux Users Group, Charleston
• Clemson Extension
• SClabs, a non-profit outreach aimed at creating free labs for in-need communities
• Clemson University Restoration Institute
• Clemson University Institute for Economic and Community Development
• Teleco Communications
• Caminos Nuevos, a non-profit outreach and education group
• Comcast Cable
• ECPI University, North Charleston