Lockheed Martin officially opened a three-day small business conference yesterday to identify potential suppliers within the state of Massachusetts.

Lockheed Martin is hosting the conference at Clarke University in Worcester, MA, along with U.S. Rep. Marty Meehan (D-MA). Lockheed Martin procurement, engineering and manufacturing teams are accessing the suppliers for fulfilling future materials requirements. Approximately 20 small businesses are represented at the conference.

"Small businesses are the backbone of our economy," said U.S. Rep. Marty Meehan (D-MA). "They helped sustain us through the recession, and they will be the key to a strong recovery. Smaller firms have the skills and ingenuity to produce the components necessary for our defense supply chain, but they don't always have the visibility or connections to be able to compete for the big jobs. This forum will be a great opportunity to open doors to new business relationships, build our local economy and strengthen the nation's defenses."

The conference will include sessions on optics, machining, composites and emerging technologies, as well as supplier plant tours throughout the state of Massachusetts.

"Lockheed Martin has made and will continue to make a commitment of resources to Massachusetts," said Joel Naidus, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Chelmsford. "The reason Lockheed Martin located an important engineering and manufacturing facility here is that the talent and infrastructure available from the universities and suppliers in the area enable us to support the research, design and development of products and strategic initiatives planned. Lockheed Martin hopes to light the way for growth in revenues and good jobs in Massachusetts."

Lockheed Martin's Chelmsford Operations has grown from 88 to over 300 people since September 2000, and could eventually grow to as many as 500. The company is planning a 35,000-square-foot expansion to occur in late 2004 and 2005.

"Lockheed Martin is committed to developing successful relationships with small businesses," said Bob Morin, director of materials acquisition and management for Tactical Missiles at Lockheed Martin. "Massachusetts is of interest to us because of the diverse technologies and manufacturing capabilities offered by its small businesses. We join Congressman Meehan and the Massachusetts Procurement Technical Assistance Center in their continued commitment to maximize opportunities for small businesses located in this great state."

The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) Network established a formal working relationship with Lockheed Martin in September 2002 to help the state's business community identify and capture federal and state contractual opportunities. The partnership is manifested through the MSBDC's Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Amherst, MA.

Lockheed Martin supports local communities as critical stakeholders in its success. The company is involved with the local elementary school with its Big Brother-Big Sister program and the local high school in the First Robotics program, as well as providing financial support to their math and science departments for computers and software. The company also has a charity committee that disperses money donated by its employees to deserving non- profits in the area, such as Meals On Wheels and The United Way.

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services.

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin