Siemens makes $440 million in-kind grant to YSU

by Youngstown State University (YSU), Ohio, USA

Siemens announced it is providing an in-kind grant for $440 million in state-of-the-art product lifecycle management (PLM) software and training to the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics at Youngstown State University (YSU) in Ohio.

The in-kind grant is a core component in the continuing efforts of the new National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (NAMII) in downtown Youngstown to prepare a modern workforce in the Cleveland-Pittsburgh TechBelt and throughout the United States.

The software will be used to educate students and prepare them for careers in fields ranging from robotics design to computer-aided engineering to additive manufacturing (AM) in a multitude of industries around the world, including aerospace, automotive, defense, energy, high-tech electronics, machinery and oil and gas.

“We are honored to be the recipient of such a significant grant, and we thank Siemens for its generosity,” YSU President Cynthia E. Anderson said. “With state-of-the-art software, a new Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering, and NAMII within walking distance of the campus, YSU becomes a destination university for students seeking advanced manufacturing, materials and engineering degrees.”

“When I left Youngstown in 1976 to go to college, the city was rapidly declining and the future looked bleak,” said Eric Spiegel, President & CEO, Siemens Corp., a Mahoning Valley native and graduate of Poland Seminary High School.  “Today, seeing the revitalization of Youngstown, including the construction of a new steel mill and the addition of the NAMII, it is clear that not only is Youngstown back, it’s once again at the forefront of innovation and technology, and I’m so proud that Siemens will contribute to its success.”

PLM software allows companies to manage the entire lifecycle of a product efficiently and cost-effectively, from ideation, design and manufacture, through service and disposal. Computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), computer-aided engineering (CAE), product data management (PDM) and digital manufacturing converge through PLM technology.  NASA used the software to develop the Mars rover Curiosity. Calloway uses it to design golf clubs.  And Space X, a private space exploration company in California, has used Siemens’ PLM software to develop its Falcon rocket and Dragon space capsule.

Tom Humphries, president and chief executive of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and coordinator of the in-kind grant opportunity, said Siemens could have a tremendous impact on the future of the Mahoning Valley. “The most sophisticated companies on earth want to locate where the pool of talent is world-class,” Humphries said. “Having our engineering students trained on this industry-leading PLM software gives us an advantage that will rival some of the great high-tech corridors in the U.S.”

“From a software perspective, this in-kind grant puts YSU at the leading edge of advanced manufacturing research and provides our students the opportunities that they can only obtain from the best engineering research institutions,” said Martin Abraham, YSU STEM dean.

With the addition of several new faculty throughout YSU’s STEM College, Abraham said he anticipates multiple opportunities to integrate the software throughout the curriculum.  One of the first initiatives will be to integrate PLM into YSU’s mission of developing NAMII’s workforce training.

Further Information:

Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of the Siemens Industry Automation Division, is a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services with seven million licensed seats and more than 71,000 customers worldwide. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, Siemens PLM Software works collaboratively with companies, delivering open solutions to help them make smarter decisions that result in better products. For more information on Siemens PLM Software products and services, visit www.siemens.com/plm.

Siemens Corporation is a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, operating in the industry, energy, healthcare, and infrastructure & cities sectors. For more than 165 years, Siemens has built a reputation for leading-edge innovation and the quality of its products, services and solutions.  With 370,000 employees in 190 countries, Siemens reported worldwide revenue of approximately $102 billion in fiscal 2012. Siemens in the USA reported revenue of $22 billion and employs approximately 60,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico.  For more information on Siemens in the United States, visit www.usa.siemens.com.  Siemens and the Siemens logo are registered trademarks of Siemens AG.

Youngstown State University is a comprehensive urban research university that offers nearly 14,000 students more than 135 undergraduate and graduate programs backed by a strong tradition of teaching, scholarship and public service. As a major educational and economic development resource in the region, YSU is known for its focus on academic research and creative programs that transform its students into successful professionals, scholars and leaders. Located in the heart of the Tech Belt between Cleveland and Pittsburgh, YSU provides opportunities for students to actively participate with accomplished faculty, often in one-on-one settings, on advanced research and creative collaborations. Visit Youngstown State University for more information.

Our sincere appreciation to Ron Cole and YSU for permission to publish information about this exciting development.

Media contacts:
Ron Cole
YSU director of University Communications
330-941-3285
[email protected]

Tony Paglia
Chamber Vice President of Government and Media Affairs
724-977-4378
[email protected]

Mendi Paschal
Siemens PLM Software
972-987-3210
[email protected]