Centre Reaches 100 Project Milestone 
After recently celebrating its 3rd anniversary, the Composites Innovation Centre (CIC) processed its 100th project submission.
Recent Highlights
Recent highlights: -$6.6 million (Cdn.) received from Provincial and Federal government agencies -$750,000 in funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to support bio-material research and commercialization at the Winnipeg-based Composites Innovation Centre (CIC). -CIC participated in an information exchange with other education and training providers including the U of M, Red River College, Manitoba Aerospace Human Resource Coordinating Committee and vocational high schools. -CIC has over 27 industrial partners, has projects in process and completion with 8 Government agencies, and 5 educational establishments. -Revenues consist of 42% industry contribution for fiscal 2006 -Staff currently at 15, mostly technical (engineers/technologists) -CIC supported 4 engineering students and a post doctorate fellow over the past year -Cross training with industry: 3 CIC engineers resident with local aerospace companies, 2 engineers loaned to the CIC from another industrial partner -Planning for a combined composite research and technology centre with the University of Manitoba and others -Memorandum of Understanding signed with the National Composite Center (US) and CRC-ACS (Australia) to promote technology transfer and business development; two collaborative projects commenced
Buses Turning Green
The CIC was recently awarded a contract from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for $750,000 for developing reinforcements for composite parts using natural fibres such as hemp and flax. Their inclusion in plastic parts currently used on vehicles produced by Motor Coach Industries will be used as a starting point in this development activity. This endeavour is expected to spurn a new Canadian industry sector. More information can be obtained in the News Release section of our website at compositesinnovation.ca
CIC Launches Membership Campaign
The CIC is launching a membership campaign coinciding with the new fiscal year commencing April, 2007. Since June 2006 we have already attracted 14 members to the program who have taken advantage of high quality opportunities to further expand upon the success of their own businesses. Benefits include preferential access to resources, facilities, company directories, member profiles, databases, training materials, referrals, free consultations and a wide range of other advantages. For more information about our membership program and access to our online application please visit compositesinnovation.ca