Rising Sun office head ready to rise and shine

Purdue University's Technical Assistance Program has opened a new office in Rising Sun, Ind.

Sean Furlow, the program's manufacturing services account manager, will help boost the global competitiveness of southeast Indiana manufacturers, including automotive suppliers for Honda Motor Corp. Furlow will connect companies with Purdue resources and assist them in implementing state-of-the-art technologies.

He also will work with the National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the Indiana Economic Development Corp., with which the Technical Assistance Program is a state partner. Through this network, companies will receive assistance in work force, energy, quality, productivity and other assessment, educational and implementation services.

"Smaller companies in southeast Indiana can especially benefit from these services because many don't have enough personnel to tackle certain projects," Furlow said. "The ultimate goal is to help manufacturers develop a highly skilled, proficient work force, decrease costs and boost sales."

Dave Snow, Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center director, said Furlow has the ability to assess and meet manufacturers' needs.

"Sean rose quickly to the top of the selection process because of a demonstrated knowledge about the competitive aspects of manufacturing and his ability to articulate a vision of how his experience will enhance regional success in manufacturing," Snow said.

Technical Assistance Program director Dave McKinnis said Purdue has taken another major step toward developing the university's regional economic development partnerships.

"Purdue offers a such extensive expertise in engineering, technology and business-related issues," McKinnis said. "We also have contacts through out Statewide Technology system, which offers technology-related courses in communities such as Columbus, Anderson and Greensburg. To put that knowledge to work by helping manufacturers in and around Rising Sun is very rewarding."

Furlow most recently worked at Teleflex Aerospace in Cincinnati, as well as Arvin Sango and Century Tube of Madison, Ind., for which he worked in industrial sales and marketing. He holds a bachelor's degree from Xavier University, where he also plans to complete his MBA in May.

The Rising Sun office is funded by grants from the Rising Sun Regional Foundation and the city of Rising Sun. The Technical Assistance Program also recently opened three new offices in Merrillville, Anderson and Fort Wayne and plans to establish an office at the Purdue Technology Center of Southern Indiana in New Albany and other industrial regions.