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Features and Benefits

Industry Membership in the CCEFP

The corporate members of the CCEFP enjoy many benefits in return for their financial contributions. All share in opportunities to meet Center researchers and their students and receive regular updates on the progress of the work that is being done through the CCEFP’s research, education and outreach projects. All have royalty-free licenses to non-patented discoveries and inventions. All have the opportunity to directly benefit from the patented inventions based on each company's pledge level:  Supporter (Silver), Principal (Gold) and Sustaining (Platinum).

Early awareness of new developments in fluid power technology

Industry Members receive regular updates on CCEFP activities and accomplishments through electronic newsletters, direct communications (e-mails, telephone calls and mailings), bi-weekly webcasts conducted by Center researchers and staff, the Members Only section of this website, and the Center’s annual meeting. These events not only provide an excellent opportunity to raise industry awareness of the research advancements, but also allow for networking with students, professors and other industry members.

Preferential status regarding CCEFP intellectual property

Industry Members are granted preferential terms when patents evolve from Center research projects. They receive special notifications regarding invention disclosures, patent filings and new technology breakthroughs and have opportunities to directly hear from and question a principal researcher about his/her invention as they weigh the opportunity to join in pursuing any given patent process.

Industry Advisory Board

Companies at the CCEFP’s Principal and Sustaining levels are invited to participate in the Industrial Advisory Board.  IAB members meet 3-4 times each year on the campuses of the Center’s seven universities, hold discussions at other times during the year via telephone conference calls, and participate in the CCEFP’s annual meeting and site visit. Members play a vital role in the CCEFP by identifying and addressing key issues facing the Center and in making recommendations concerning research projects and resource apportionment.

Additional opportunities for the CCEFP’s industry members:

  • Industry members have opportunities to volunteer as champions for research projects that are of particular interest. This collaborative win-win environment provides a chance for industry to enlighten and guide the researchers with their real life work experiences, while staying abreast of the latest research results.
  • Industry members are valued partners in the CCEFP’s Fluid Power Scholars Program. Here members select which of the many outstanding applicants, from undergraduate engineering programs across the country, to sponsor for a summer internship in their respective companies. Selected scholars attend an intensive orientation to fluid power at the outset of their internship experience at the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Fluid Power Institute. 
  • With the help of CCEFP staff, industry members can directly notify the Center’s pool of undergraduate and graduate students about entry level positions, coop opportunities and additional internship openings in their companies.
  • CCEFP member companies can also directly engage with the Center’s students and faculty through sponsorship of a Capstone Design project.   
  • Member companies are welcomed as sponsors of affiliated research projects at the Center’s seven universities.

For inquiries regarding CCEFP industry membership, please contact Dewey Tinderholm, the CCEFP’s Industrial Liaison Officer at 612-624-4956 or via e-mail.