June 14th, 2017
Suppliers and service providers that are part of the defense supply chain will be required to protect certain unclassified information by the end of year, as part of the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation System.
To assist New Hampshire businesses meet that requirement, the New Hampshire Government Contracting Assistance Center and the New Hampshire Manufacturing Extension Partnership will host the DFARS Cybersecurity Conference from 8:30 am to noon, June 29 at Nashua Community College.
“These requirements have been on the books for several years, but the implementation deadline is Dec. 31,” said Dave Pease, program manager of NH GovCon. “There are clauses in your contracts and subcontracts that will require you, your subcontractors and suppliers to protect controlled unclassified information.”
Companies at any tier in the defense and homeland security supply chain should plan to attend. The seminar will cover information on the rule and the NIST standard; challenges discovered and solutions developed by large prime contractors; insights on the flowdown requirement and commercially available services and solutions.
For more information and to register, visit http://nhptap.ecenterdirect.com/ or call 271-7581.
Tags: Cybersecurity, NH Government Contracting Assistance Center, NH MEP
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June 8th, 2017
 Brian Ward Brian Ward, director of business development at Jewell Instruments in Manchester, is the vice chairman of the New Hampshire Aerospace and Defense Export Consortium.
Now in its fourth year, NHADEC is unique – it’s one of the only export consortia in the country. Members, from the large primes to the smallest specialized shops, work together, offering advice and leveraging experience that raises New Hampshire’s aerospace and defense profile around the world.
Its 3rd annual networking event is happening June 15 and Ward talks about NHADEC and the importance of bringing this industry together.
What is the New Hampshire Aerospace and Defense Export Consortium?
NHADEC is a consortium of businesses and organizations working in the aerospace and defense sector. It is the first industry-specific export consortium in the US and it supports of one of the fastest growing sectors not only in New Hampshire, but in the world. NHADEC provides a forum for the industry to strengthen the local supply-chain and to increase global market access. It is focused on fostering the most opportune foreign markets through collaborative efforts and global brand messaging.
It was created in 2013 in partnership with the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development and quickly signed 35 members. Today, there are nearly 100 members from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Ohio and Utah and corporate sponsorship from BAE Systems, GE Aviation and Pratt & Whitney. Since its creation, NHADEC has provided programs and resources for its membership, such as trade shows, marketing forums, media coverage, market intelligence, networking opportunities, training, compliance assistance, mentoring, research and development and new market development assistance.
In 2015, the consortium received non-profit organization status and held the first New Hampshire Aerospace and Defense conference to bring together the local supply-chain. Last year, NHADEC was recognized as a ‘state initiative that really took off’ by NH Business Review and held its first NHADEC Showcase at BAE Systems in Nashua.
 NHAD 2016 Why Is NHAD now a member networking event and not a
After the first two NHAD conferences in 2015 and 2016, members said they wanted to have more face time with each other, so this year’s occasion is touted as the NHAD 2017 Networking Event, which is being sponsored by The Provident
It is going to include trade representatives from Canada, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland, India and we expect a few more. Resource organizations on hand will include IHS Markit/Jane’s and the New Hampshire World Affairs
Roger Zakheim, a visiting fellow of the American Enterprise Institute and partner of Covington & Burling LLP, will be the keynote speaker, assessing President Trump’s military rebuild and its impact on the defense industrial complex. Zakheim is a former deputy staff director/general counsel, Armed Services Committee, U.S. House of Representatives and a former deputy assistant secretary, U.S. Department of Defense.
Can I come to NHAD ‘17?
If you have an interest in the aerospace and defense industry, then yes, you are very welcome to join us. Most of the companies registered are aerospace and defense enterprises that develop products and technologies for the industry. We also expect various service providers supporting these companies, such as insurance providers, legal services and marketing developers.
Why is the aerospace/defense industry relevant to New Hampshire?
This sector is among the fastest growing industries in both the U.S. and New Hampshire. Here in New Hampshire, there are close to 350 aerospace and defense companies, like BAE Systems, L-3, Elbit and smaller tier businesses, which employ about 60,000 people, whose average salary is about $90,000. This industry also contributes 9.5 percent to New Hampshire’s manufacturing GDP and 2.6 percent of its total GDP.
Since the aerospace and defense sector is so vital to the state’s economy, events such as NHAD 2017 help forge new partnerships, growth and opportunities.
What are the details I need to know to
This free event will be held from 5:30 – 8 pm, June 15, at the Manchester Country Club in Bedford. You can register here or contact Dawn Wivell.
Tags: aerospace and defense, NHADEC
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June 7th, 2017
 Groundbreaking on Woodmont Commons~ 6/6/2017 New Hampshire may not be bigger than the average, but it’s never been afraid of big projects. And so it is with Woodmont Commons in Londonderry, which broke ground yesterday (6/6/17).
This project is the first-of-its-kind in New Hampshire. Located on 600 acres, when completed, the planned unit development will have nearly 1 million square feet of retail; 700,000 square feet of office space; 550 hotel rooms; nearly 1,500 residential units, and much more.
Think of it as a community within a community.
Gov. Chris Sununu, civic leaders from Londonderry and across southern New Hampshire, and partners in this project attended the ground-breaking. Sununu noted the benefits this project will have, for not just in Londonderry or the immediate area, but for the entire state. He also cited this as a tool for the state to use to sell outside interests to New Hampshire.
Ari Pollack from Gallagher, Callahan, and Gartrell, emceed the groundbreaking. He discussed the multitude of uses to be derived from Woodmont Commons and said this will be “a true stay, work, play, environment.” This is a concept the state actively markets to promote itself and projects like this only affirm this belief.
The first phase was approved in late-2016; it is expected for this portion of the project to be completed sometime after 2020.
Congratulations to Londonderry on its new development.
Tags: Mark Laliberte, Woodmont, Woodmont Acres
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May 31st, 2017
The spotlight this month has been on New Hampshire’s life science climate. The short version is that the climate is hot for this sector.
Longer versions can be read in these publications:
New Hampshire – The Next Medical Manufacturing Hub?
Engineering.com
Live Free or Die: A Look at New Hampshire’s Medical Technology Sector
Medgadget.com
Business Development Manager Cindy Harrington visited with New Hampshire companies last month attending the BIOMEDevice trade show in Boston. She heads out to MD&M East later this month and we’re please she is part of the New Hampshire High Tech Council’s new BioTech/MedTech committee.
Tags: Life sciences, medical manufacturing, NH High Tech Council
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May 18th, 2017
 Dawn Wivell, Chris Way ~ NH Business Matters ~ WTPL-FM Since it’s inception four years ago, the New Hampshire Aerospace and Defense Export Consortium has, well, taken off.
Developed as a way to help the more than 300 Granite State companies and manufacturers involved in these industries diversify their customer base, NHADEC is growing its membership outside of New Hampshire.
With partnerships established with AeroMontreal and the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium, NHADEC is fast becoming an international resource for companies looking for partnerships and other relationships with those here in New Hampshire.
Join NHADEC for its annual networking event on June 15. Meet others in the industry and hear about industry trends. Register today!
Aero/defense is one of the fastest growing industries in the state and NHADEC is taking it to new heights. On our monthly radio show yesterday on WTPL-FM, acting Director Chris Way and NHADEC executive Director Dawn Wivell talked about what’s new and what’s happening.
Tune in here.
Lorna Colquhoun
Communications Director
Division of Economic Development
Tags: Chris Way, Dawn Wivell, NH Aerospace and Defense Export Consortium, NH Business Matters, radio show, WTPL-FM
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May 15th, 2017
 Quebec-based Deflex Composite expanding to Berlin A Quebec-based composites manufacturer, with a contract to produce parts for Volvo, is expanding to northern New Hampshire, according to the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development.
Deflex Composite, located in Saint-Victor, Quebec, has signed a lease to occupy 9,600 square feet at 22 Jericho Rd. in Berlin. This is its first U.S. operation and the manufacturer plans to hire three people initially, and seven more by the end of the year, to manufacture front and rear bumpers for Volvo buses.
The company was first introduced to New Hampshire in 2009 at a state presentation in Drummondville, Quebec. Since then, Michael Bergeron and Benoit Lamontagne of the Division of Economic Development have kept in touch with the company. Representatives of Deflex Composite took part in a webinar hosted by Gov. Chris Sununu last month about doing business in New Hampshire.
“New Hampshire welcomes Deflex Composite to Berlin,” Gov. Sununu said. “We are committed to doing everything possible to reach out and promote what New Hampshire has to offer.”
Choose New Hampshire to expand *your* business!
“We are pleased to welcome Deflex Composite to New Hampshire for its first U.S. expansion,” Department of Resources and Economic Development Commissioner Jeffrey Rose said. “Berlin, with its deep French-Canadian roots, is a great location for this company to grow its presence on this side of the border.”
“The Buy America Act is one of the reasons that we have seen a strong interest from Quebec manufacturers recently,” Lamontagne said. “This law requires companies under federal contracts to make their end product in the U.S. and more than 50 percent of the cost of the parts must be made here.”
Deflex Composite was founded in 1990 by brothers Serge and Bruno Jacques; the company employs 50 people at the Quebec plant.
Deflex plans to hire employees in the next month and begin production this July.
Lorna Colquhoun
Communications Director
Division of Economic Development
Tags: advanced composites, business expansion, Deflex Composite, Quebec business
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May 8th, 2017
 Some of the New Hampshire companies attending the BIOMEDevice trade show in Boston last week included New England Catheter; New England Wire Technologies; J-Pac Medical; Sunrise Labs, Vaupell; Cirtronics; MedeFab; Resonetics Life sciences is one of New Hampshire’s key industries and it’s growing. About 6,800 people are employed in this sector, 10 percent above the national average and the average annual earnings are over $100,000.
That is great data, but behind the data are the companies that are fueling our economy and making our lives easier and safer with the products they make. Last week at the BIOMEDevice trade show in Boston, I was pleased to see and talk to so many New Hampshire companies at this event and I am sure to see them again next month.
That’s when one of the industry’s biggest medtech trade shows, MD&M East (booth 1156), gets underway in New York City June 13-15 and we’ll be there to promote the strengths of our life sciences sector and why New Hampshire is great place for companies considering expansion or relocation.
With such a strong and growing sector now, the New Hampshire High Technology Council established a BioTech/MedTech cluster to bring together these companies to ensure the industry continues its robust growth.
Register today for the inaugural BioTech/Medtech event May 18 in Portsmouth.
It kicks off its first networking event in Portsmouth at Medtronic on May 18 with guest panelists:
• Suzanne Foster, vice president and general manager of the Advanced Energy Business Unit at Medtronic, a global leader in medical device technology.
• Herve Berdou, site head of Lonza, a global supplier to the pharmaceutical, biotech and specialty ingredients markets.
• Tom Burns, CEO of Resonetics, a leader in laser micro manufacturing for life sciences.
• Christina Ferrari, attorney for Bernstein Shur, a Manchester-based law firm that specializes in regulatory, privacy and cybersecurity.
Please register on the link above; I hope to see you at this inaugural event.
Cynthia Harrington
Business Development Manager
Tags: business development, Cynthia Harrington, life sciences sector, MD&M East
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May 4th, 2017
 Jane Brezosky ~ NH Government Contracting Assistance Center The government marketplace presents contracting opportunities to all kinds of businesses because it buys more than just ball bearings, weapons systems and engineering services. In fact, there is great variety in the products and services federal, state and local governments need.
We recently assisted a small New Hampshire business respond to a RFP from the National Park Service for a replica of a 21-foot long braided woolen rug for the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in Lincoln City, Ind.
How unique – and how interesting – that a small New Hampshire company is able and well-qualified to bid on such an unusual contract.
Luckily, the business heard about this opportunity by word of mouth, but small businesses can’t count on luck to grow.
This is why you need to take a few moments and connect with us. You never know what the government is looking to buy and you may well be eminently qualified to do the job or provide the service.
Connect with the New Hampshire Government Contracting Assistance Center.
When you sign up for our client services, you will receive notifications of bid opportunities. You don’t go it alone after that. My colleagues and I provide free assistance to you to help you bid on, and win, a contract.
Our clients sell an array of products to federal, state and local governments, from firewood to flooring to furniture and much more.
I’ll bet your product or service would fit into a government market. Give us a call today.
Jane Brezosky
NH Government Contracting Assistance Center
Tags: government contracting, NH Government Contracting Assistance Center
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on If You Think You Don’t, You Probably Do … Have a Product the Government Wants to Buy
May 1st, 2017
Happy Small Business Week! We’re celebrating because small businesses – all 132,432 of them in New Hampshire, according to the Small Business Administration – are the fuel that drives our economy.
The success of businesses, both large and small, drives our team here at New Hampshire Economic Development as well, and in honor of Small Business Week, we offer the best business advice to keep you fired up.
Chris Way
Deputy Director
Stay focused on the reason you started the business and don’t be tempted to pursue too much, too quickly.
Carol Miller
Director of Broadband Technology
There are two ways to be in the broadband business, proactive or catching up. Proactive makes it the best business experience.
Lorna Colquhoun
Communications Director
The most valuable commodity you have as a business owner is your story – the story behind your business. Who inspired you to start? What drives you? What is your mission? Your story is unique to you. It will make you stand out from your competitors and relatable to your customers and clients. Make the time to tell it.
Bridget Beckwith
Tax Credit Administrator
Your work doesn’t stop when you open your business, especially if you offer a service like accounting. It is important to stay on top of best practices, regulations and any training that pertains to what you do. This keeps you competitive.
Business Retention – Connect with our business retention team for help and advice on keeping your small business growing and thriving.
Deborah Avery
Business Resource Specialist
Excellent customer service is a must! Keep in touch with your banker on a regular basis and make sure that you retain an outstanding insurance broker, accountant and attorney.
Mollie Kaylor
Business Resource Specialist
Don’t be afraid to seek help when you need it – there are many great programs and resources available to help your business succeed and grow! Take advantage of them.
Mark Laliberte
Business Resource Specialist
Make sure all of the preliminary work is done before taking that step. Issues like whether you have the financial ability to do this; can you commit the time necessary; and do you have an idea on what your business plan will look like. A great resource to address this preliminary work is to check out the SCORE website and then reach out to a counselor.
New Hampshire Government Contracting Assistance Center – Connect with the team that can help you identify, bid on, and win government contracts.
Dave Pease
Program Manager
Government Contracting Assistance Center
On a per capita basis, New Hampshire small businesses are government contracting powerhouses. With over $679 million in small business sales to the federal government in FY 2016 ($511.88 per capita), New Hampshire ranks #7 in the US and #1 in the Northeast!
Amanda Duquette
Contracting Assistance Specialist
When starting to sell to the government, start small – choose one agency you know will benefit from your product/service. You don’t want to take too broad of an approach in the beginning because you can lose focus and end up feeling overwhelmed and even defeated.
Jane Brezosky
Contracting Assistance Specialist
The government marketplace presents contracting opportunities to all kinds of businesses. There is great variety in the products and services that are sold to the government. Your product or services might have a government market, too.
Business Development – Connect with the team that helps businesses looking to expand or relocate to the Granite State.
Cindy Harrington
Business Development Manager
For start-ups, make sure there is a strong market for the product or service. Develop a short term and long term plan. Working with Small Business Development Center or SCORE can assist with strategic planning and preparing for financing. Networking is important.
Michael Bergeron
Business Development Manager
Stick with what you know best and don’t pretend to be someone you are not. If you are a software expert, don’t pretend to be an accountant – hire a good one.
Office of International Commerce – Connect with the team that helps your business connect with global markets.
Tina Kasim
Program Manager
Don’t be afraid to look at international markets; they can offer incredible opportunities for your business, but you need to plan properly.
Nathaniel Nelson
International Trade Officer
Never feel that you have to navigate the world of business alone. There are plenty of resources out there to help you map out your success.
Rachel Adams
International Trade Officer
International trade is a valuable way to support your overall strategy. It does not happen overnight – it takes time and patience, but it will be worth it in the end.
Tags: business development, business retention, government contracting, international trade, small business advice, Small Business Week
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April 28th, 2017
 The OIC/US Commercial Service team, our Provident Bank sponsor and some of the NH businesses* taking part in the Bureau of Industry and Security’s export controls training in Portsmouth. Our team at the Office of International Commerce (joined by our partners at US Commercial Service) wrapped up an intensive three day training that drew more than 100 attendees – not only 23 from New Hampshire, but from as far away as Vancouver, Canada.
The Bureau of Industry and Security’s export controls training made its only stop in the northeast this year in Portsmouth and it was a sellout.
This is gratifying for several reasons.
If you make a product here in New Hampshire that you sell to customers around the country, it is more than likely there is untapped potential in markets overseas. Exporting is a great way to diversify (and increase!) your bottom line.
But there are a lot of ins and outs to shipping your products to international customers and this kind of training helps you to navigate the process.
Don’t miss another export training event! Sign up today for our newsletter.
OIC and our many partners are dedicated to helping New Hampshire companies find success around the globe, no matter how big or how small they are. To see over 20 Granite State companies represented at this important training event shows us that they are finding success beyond the border and are committed to growing those markets.
Tina Kasim
Program Manager
Office of International Commerce
- Clockwise from top: Dayou USA Trade Co.; New England Wire Technologies; Biteharder; Provident Bank; OIC/USCS team; Albany International; Titeflex; Kazakis Consultants International
Tags: Export training, international markets, New Hampshire Office of International Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on That’s a Wrap! Export Controls Training Event Sells Out in Portsmouth
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