May 10, 2012
Contact: Karen Jarmon
Communications Advisor, CCAT
860-282-4211; kjarmon@ccat.us
Connecticut’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Industry Showcased at International Trade Show
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. – Connecticut’s hydrogen and fuel cell companies showcased the state’s resources and capabilities at Hannover Messe, touted as the world’s biggest industrial trade show, in Hannover, Germany from April 23-27, 2012. By focusing on the topic of “greentelligence,” the show demonstrated that green technologies are a viable business model with the power to drive growth around the world.
The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT) and members of the Connecticut Hydrogen-Fuel Cell Coalition, including UTC Power, Dexmet Corporation, Avalence LLC, and Precision Combustion, Inc., participated in the trade show, which provided a unique opportunity to increase sales and exports and support the state’s efforts to attract businesses to Connecticut.
This effort was made possible with support from the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program, DECD, and CCAT. The STEP program provides grants for eligible small businesses to support their participation in foreign trade missions and foreign market sales trips, trade show exhibitions, and other export initiatives.
“This was an excellent opportunity for Connecticut’s hydrogen and fuel cell supply chain to reach out to new markets,” said Laura Jaworski in the Office of International and Domestic Affairs at DECD. “Our goal is to increase exports. We want buyers throughout the world to purchase and use these Connecticut-made products.”
Connecticut is home to current world leaders in the research, design, and manufacturing of hydrogen and fuel cell technology. Connecticut’s supply chain includes approximately 600 companies involved in the manufacture, development and deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell products. The economic impact of Connecticut’s hydrogen and fuel cell supply chain is significant with a total contribution of approximately $500 million annually and more than 2,500 jobs.
“We made a lot of really good contacts at the Hannover show,” commented Anthony Anderson, manager of marketing and business development, Precision Combustion, Inc. “It would have been a challenge for our company to have exhibit space at a show like this without the support from the SBA, DECD and CCAT.”
Joel Rinebold, program director for the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology's energy programs, stated, “This was a great partnership. We worked with state and industry partners to pull this together. Connecticut was the only state to support the hydrogen and fuel cell industry through a coordinated exhibit. This effort will demonstrate that investment in this industry, which serves a global market, will produce local jobs.”
About CCAT
The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT), headquartered in East Hartford, Conn., is a unique economic development organization that combines expertise in cutting-edge manufacturing technology with specialized centers of excellence in STEM, education, workforce strategy and alternative energy solutions to help organizations increase efficiencies, improve workforce development and boost competitiveness. CCAT promotes partnerships between industry, academia and government to create a new collaborative framework for tackling 21st century economic challenges.
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