Strategic Industries
Industry Focus: Advanced Manufacturing and Materials
North Carolina is home to a strong, robust manufacturing industry accounting for 20.85% of the total output in the state and employing 10.7% of the workforce (source: National Association of Manufacturers). The manufacturing industry in the state ranges from small machine shops to large multinational corporations within several manufacturing sectors.
Industry Contact.
Rick Gilmore, gilmorer@ncmbc.us
Industry Focus:
Aerospace Systems
North Carolina is home to a vibrant and diverse military, commercial and general aviation aerospace industry. CNBC ranked North Carolina as 2022 America’s #1 State for Business; North Carolina has the second fastest-growing aerospace product and parts manufacturing sector in the U.S. and PricewaterhouseCoopers ranks North Carolina #6 in the U.S. for aerospace attractiveness. Many Department of Defense and federal government agencies procure and use aerospace and unmanned systems products and services manufactured and supplied by North Carolina businesses.
Industry Contact.
Joe Tew, tewj@ncmbc.us
Industry Focus:
Textiles & Tactical Equipment
Dating back to the early 1800s, the textile industry has played a fundamental role in North Carolina’s history, economy and the employment of thousands of individuals. North Carolina’s textile manufacturers produce a wide variety of products within several different categories: fiber type (natural fibers – cotton, wool and synthetic fibers like nylon); fabric production process (woven or nonwoven); fabric finishing process (unfinished products, coated fabrics, etc.); and end product use (including apparel, parachutes, medical products, etc.).
Industry Contacts:
Lee Moritz, moritzl@ncmbc.us
TJ Gilroy, gilroyt@ncmbc.us
Industry Focus:
Construction & Infrastructure
Home to thousands of general and specialty contractors, construction suppliers, architectural, engineering and sustainable energy firms and environmental engineering and service providers, NC businesses are capable of performing new, O&M or SRM federal construction contracts on military bases and facilities worldwide. Annually, there is $200 million in new construction at Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune. SRM existing infrastructure will be a primary strategy for the DoD for addressing facility needs for the foreseeable future. While, O&M funding provides new opportunities for North Carolina construction-related businesses that are capable to support sustainment, restoration and modernization projects.
Industry Contacts:
Sue Kranes, kraness@ncmbc.us
Heather Port, porth@ncmbc.us
Donna Walton, waltond@ncmbc.us
Industry Focus: Energy & Environmental
DoD consumes more energy than any other federal agency— 77 percent of the entire federal government’s energy consumption. Energy management is integral to DOD operations. From running military bases and training facilities to powering ships, DoD relies on energy to maintain readiness and resiliency for mission operations. DoD categorizes energy into two types—installation energy and operational energy. DOD’s installation energy (i.e., energy for fixed installations and non-tactical vehicles) is subject to federal energy management requirements. DoD’s operational energy (e.g., energy required for sustaining military forces and weapons platforms for military operations) is not subject to federal energy management requirements and represents around 70 percent of total DOD energy use. Operational energy consists largely of petroleum products purchased on the open market by the Defense Logistics Agency. The annual National Defense Authorization Act includes provisions related to DoD energy management and authorities every fiscal year.
The Department of Defense’s strides toward the use of renewable energy and its statements about the impacts of climate change will make big strides toward mitigating any environmental degradation.
Industry Contact:
Diane Cherry, cherryd@ncmbc.us
Industry Focus: Training, Simulation & Human Factors
Industry Contact:
Fran Perez-Wilhite, perezf@ncmbc.us
Industry Focus:
Ground Vehicles & Automotive
North Carolina’s world-class motorsports industry is well-positioned to meet the military’s existing and emerging requirements. Specifically, the motorsports industry’s capabilities in research and development, automotive engineering, rapid prototyping and new product development make it uniquely suited to meet the requirements of the United States military to sustain and modernize its tactical vehicle fleet. Businesses in North Carolina that are engaged in any aspect of motorsports or the automotive industry should contact the North Carolina Military Business Center for connection to military-related vehicle and other equipment opportunities.
Industry Contact:
Rick Gilmore, gilmorer@ncmbc.us
Industry Focus: Medical & Human Performance
North Carolina is home to world-renowned universities, research and development institutes and medical practices leading the way for the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. North Carolina is leading the way among advanced research, development, and production clusters for biotechnology.
With more than 60,000 North Carolinians working in the industry, biotechnology is a core component of our state’s economy. North Carolina is home to four (4) of the worlds leading medical schools, 18 university partnered life science laboratories and the BioNetwork of North Carolina Community Colleges there is no better place to operate a biotechnology and life science company.
Industry Contact:
Fran Perez-Wilhite, perezf@ncmbc.us
Industry Focus: Food
The NCMBC is teaming with the NC Department of Agriculture to assist NC growers and food producers to sell more products to DoD. This includes:
- stocking products at DoD Commissaries (base grocery stores) in NC and worldwide
- foodstuffs for troop dining facilities at bases in NC and neighboring states
- prepared foods for sale at recreation and military exchange (retail) facilities
- foodstuffs for tactical rations
Industry Contact:
Randy Chandler, chandlerr@ncmbc.us
Industry Focus: Innovation, Technology Transition
The NCMBC established the North Carolina Defense Technology Transition Office (DEFTECH) to enable North Carolina’s innovation ecosystem to address complex national security problems, and increase economic opportunities for businesses in the state. DEFTECH serves military commands and federal agencies worldwide, connecting their requirements with the North Carolina innovation ecosystem.
Industry Contacts:
Denny Lewis, lewisd@ncmbc.us
Bob Burton, burtonr@ncmbc.us
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