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By James T. Hammond
SCBIZ Daily Staff
GREENVILLE -- Innovate or die.
That?s the motto for Gary Savage, operations director of Honda Formula One Racing Team, who describes the high-tech, fast-paced world of one-of-a-kind racing cars as a metaphor for change in the world of business, medicine and science.
Savage addressed the InnoVision Technology Awards program Wednesday evening, hosted by the McNair Law Firm PA.
He urged Greenville?s creative class to adopt his motto as their own.
?I work in a business that thrives on technology innovation,? Savage said. ?If a car were to win the first race and not be upgraded, by the end of the season, it would not only be last, it would be lapped.?
Chris Przirembel, vice president for research and economic development at Clemson University, echoed the call for innovation, and said Greenville has a head start on many regions.
?It?s especially appropriate to celebrate in the Upstate in a period of global economic gloom and doom,? he said. ?In the Upstate, we have every reason to be optimistic about the future.
?I?m particularly committed to preserving a vibrant manufacturing environment,? Przirembel said. ?And innovation is critical.?
He cited the almost $200 million in state funds invested in endowed chairs at the three research universities and other state investments as evidence of South Carolina?s commitment to fostering innovation.
Walter Mueller, a scientist with 45 patents to his credit at Sealed Air Corp., was recognized as the winner of the Dr. Charles Townes Individual Achievement Award. This award recognizes an individual who exhibits the true spirit of innovation, excellence and leadership through hard work and a commitment to the Upstate community.
Mueller said in accepting the award that a culture of experimentation is vital to preserve a vibrant business environment.
?I believe every experiment that fails is a learning experience,? he said. ?And lessons learned from failed experiments can be filed away for later use.?
With 32 years in research, Mueller began his efforts in the field of multi-layer shrink films that would replace PVC. His continued progress in this product arena helped evolve the display shrink film product line into one of five global business units. These products are familiar to any who have purchased games, software, stationary or bundled products at warehouse stores.
The InnoVision Technology Awards program, founded in 1999 by Deloitte LLP, recognizes and honors Upstate businesses, individuals and organizations for advances in innovation and technology.
Furman University?s Classics Department was presented with the Hall of Fame Award. This award is designated for organizations that have won a current year award and have demonstrated consistent leadership in innovation and the development or application of technology. Christopher Blackwell, a professor in Furman University?s Classics department, was honored for making three ancient manuscripts of Homer?s Iliad available digitally for students and scholars to study online.
Below are the winners and finalists in the five award categories, as well as the description of the winning entry:
Technology Development
WINNER: Zipit Wireless Inc. This Greenville-based developer of consumer electronics launched its second wireless messaging product, the Zipit Wireless Messenger 2, in September 2007.
? Finalist: Flora and Associates LLC
? Finalist: Michelin Americas Research Co.
Technology Application
WINNER: Innegrity LLC. This four-year-old Upstate company, whose main product is a high-modulus, thermoplastic fiber, found that its fiber exceeded expectations when tested in ballistics applications, such as body armor.
WINNER: Sealed Air Corp. A global manufacturer of film and equipment for packaging fresh food and protecting fragile articles during shipment, developed a custom-designed radio-frequency identification system to monitor temperature in shipping containers.
? Finalist: Optek Systems Inc.
? Finalist: Techtronic Industries NA
Innovation in Education
WINNER: Furman University Chemistry Department. Students created a high-quality e-textbook with its Bio-organic Wiki Textbook project.
? Finalist: Carolina First Center for Excellence
? Finalist: Furman University Classics Department
Small Enterprise
WINNER: CreatiVasc Medical. A Greenville company founded in 2004, developed the CreatiVasc Fistula Finder, a device to improve vascular access for dialysis patients.
? Finalist: Gnoso Inc.
? Finalist: Invenca LLC
? Finalist: KeyMark Inc.
Community Service
WINNER: Enallage Communications LLC. Based in Easley, this company provides documentation, illustration and other technical services to Upstate clients.
? Finalist: Susan G. Komen for the Cure
? Finalist: Urban League of the Upstate |
