Author: Dan Leonard, Director of Economic Development, Buffalo Niagara Partnership
It has been more than eight months since SolarCity broke ground on a new solar panel manufacturing facility at Riverbend. Steel is rapidly rising once again on the site of what for many years was home to the Republic Steel plant. This new wave of advanced manufacturing coming to Riverbend represents an important piece in the renewal of the Western New York economy. While the expansive SolarCity campus quickly rises, work is also underway to help meet the new facility’s material supply chain and service needs.
SolarCity’s manufacturing facilities at Riverbend will be a major catalyst for the region’s economy, not only due to direct employment at the plant, but also the spin-off effect for supply chain providers. From raw materials and component parts to professional services, SolarCity will require partners in many aspects of its local operations. The supply chain is a pivotal part of operations for almost any manufacturer. As supply chain providers, many Western New York businesses can help play an important role in ensuring the success of SolarCity’s facility in Buffalo.
To provide our region’s businesses with an opportunity to learn more about the SolarCity project and its supply chain needs, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership will be hosting a State of Logistics event at 9 a.m. on June 18 at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo. The State of Logistics will not only provide insight into SolarCity’s operations, but will also offer Western New York businesses the chance to learn about connecting with SolarCity to potentially provide supply chain solutions.
The State of Logistics event will feature presentations by Vinayak Gupta, VP of Supply Chain at SolarCity and Jack Ampuja, President of Supply Chain Optimizers and co-chair of the Partnership’s Logistics & Transportation Council.
Gupta will provide a glimpse into SolarCity’s planned operations in Western New York. He will also discuss how SolarCity is looking to build its Buffalo supply chain, and the economic impact of this on the region. Ampuja will provide attendees with his insight on the importance of constructing the ideal supply chain, as well as trends and forecasts in the logistics industry.
Sign up for the event by clicking here.
What: Buffalo Niagara Partnership State of Logistics
Date/Time: Thursday, June 18, 8:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Hyatt Regency Buffalo, 2 Fountain Plaza Buffalo, NY 14202
Cost: $50 for BNP/BN360 members; $100 non-members