PONTIAC After five years in existence, Automation Alley has reached a major membership milestone by signing up its 500th member, Wave Dispersion Technologies, a homeland security company in Troy.
Since 2002, the Consortium has grown at a 22 percent clip to eight counties in Southeast Michigan, as well as the City of Detroit. Besides Oakland County, the group now has foundation members in Genesee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland County, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties.
“Starting with 44 members in 1999, we are now 500 strong and continuing to grow with government, education and business memberships,” said Ken Rogers, executive director of Automation Alley. “Our continued growth is the best way to show the nation that Southeast Michigan is a great home for advanced technology companies.”
Rogers said this membership growth has brought national and international recognition of Automation Alley, with articles running in publications from California to Florida and Italy reporting on the Alley’s growth and its successful business model. On the Alley Web site, potential job candidates from as far as the Virgin Islands post resumes for member company employment.
“We joined Automation Alley because it provides us with the technical and business expertise and connections that are necessary to succeed,” said Jonathan Smith, managing director of WDT. “We have already received counsel from the Technology Center in applying for grants and received connections to lobbying groups in Washington D.C. that can help us achieve our business goals.”
The Automation Alley Consortium provides various services to drive new opportunities and new business for members. By encouraging co-opetition and networking, members can identify and enter new markets and create partnerships with traditional competitors. Along with the Consortium, Automation Alley also provides the opportunity for businesses throughout Southeastern Michigan to access the Technology Center, the Export Center and the glima Network.
For more information, click on AutomationAlley.Com
