NSWC Crane forum at Purdue@Westgate highlights partnership opportunities for businesses

ODON, Ind. – Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division will hold a collaborative forum at Purdue@Westgate to let businesses know how industry, academia and NSWC Crane can collaborate to build thriving partnerships.

NSWC Crane will host its sixth Advanced Planning Briefings for Industry (APBI) meeting 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 10 at WestGate Academy Conferencing & Training Center in Odon, Indiana. This year’s theme is “Partnering to Expand the Advantage.” There is no cost to attend.

The purpose of the APBI meeting is to provide a collaborative forum for industry and academia to engage with Crane leaders on future technology efforts, requirements, potential contract opportunities, as well as how to do business with NSWC Crane.

“Industry is going to learn about how we do business and new ways to get involved,” said Matt Burkett, deputy for small business at NSWC Crane. “This event should be used as a way to gather information and network. APBI is a way to foster new relationships with the government and private sector to make themselves more valuable as potential partners.”

Burkett said APBI is important to NSWC Crane and the state of Indiana.

“For Crane, APBI is a platform for us to speak directly to industry and academia so they know exactly what's coming, our pain points, and how to get involved,” Burkett said. “It's also a chance for us to get feedback from the business community so we can determine what is or isn’t working. It's great for the state as we'll attract hundreds of businesses from Indiana and around the country. As Crane grows, events like APBI can be a magnet that continues to draw attention to our region and state.”

Purdue@Westgate, a collaboration among Westgate Authority, NSWC Crane, Purdue University and Purdue Research Foundation, launched in 2017 to connect industry, academia, and government and enhance workforce, entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives.

As a partnering venue host for each APBI, Purdue@WestGate’s mission aligns with the goal of APBI to connect businesses opportunities, promote networking, and foster an environment that bolsters industry.

“Purdue@WestGate serves as a partner, both as a venue host and as an advocate for connecting tech startups, industry, and academia to Crane,” said Jason Salstrom, director of Purdue@WestGate. “Our dedication to growing business opportunities in the state of Indiana aligns with what APBI is all about.”

The meeting will include presentations from senior leadership covering NSWC Crane’s three mission focus areas: Electronic Warfare, Expeditionary Warfare, and Strategic Missions. The event is free, but participants must register in advance here. This event is closed to the media.

About Purdue@WestGate

Purdue@WestGate is an innovation and technology hub connecting communities, universities, organizations and local government entities to support workforce, entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives. Formed through the partnership of WestGate Authority, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division (NSWC Crane), Purdue University and Purdue Research Foundation, the initiative combines institutional strengths to advance educational, research and development and technology commercialization across Indiana and beyond. For more information about the resources available to businesses, visit WestGate website.

About NSWC Crane

NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with mission areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions and Electronic Warfare. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi- spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today's Warfighter. 

Writer: Sarah K. Miller, Writer for Peerless Technologies at NSWC Crane Corporate Communications, sarah.k.miller.ctr@navy.mil

Sources: Jason Salstrom, JDSalstrom@prf.org

Jeff Johnson, NSWC Crane, Jeffrey.d.johnson@navy.mil

Brett Day, NSWC Crane Corporate Communications, brett.day@navy.mil