Traverse City's
Century Incorporated has been named the government contractor of the year by the Procurement Technical Assistance Center in Traverse City.
The nonprofit center helps local companies with landing government contracts, making contact with the right people in state and federal agencies and meeting government bidder requirements.
Century has two divisions; Century Specialties, which manufactures precision-machined metal components, and Century Sun, right next door, which has a range of heat treatment services. The combination of the two is what Century chief operating officer Jeff McMullen says is helping them win government contracts.
"Our core is products that require precision machining and a high degree of metallurgical knowledge," says Jeff McMullen, Century's Chief Operating Officer. "We've really decided to focus in on three industries. Defense, energy and aerospace. We are attempting currently to grow those industries and are getting some success from that now."
Century Incorporated has been snagging contracts with defense, aerospace and energy agencies with the PTAC's help. One such project is research and development work from Century's 3+ division, which has created a composite brake drum that's 45 percent lighter than the cast iron brake drums now used on military vehicles.
"What the PTAC has done for us is provide us with more of two things," McMullen says. "Consulting on how to weave in and out of the defense contracting world, but also specific names, specific contact information that we've needed."
Along with the PTAC contractor of the year award, Century also has been nominated for the Michigan Government Contractor of the Year Award.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Jeff McMullen, Century Incorporated
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