The National Center for Coatings, Application, Research and Education (C-CARE) has solidified its partnership with Kawasaki Robotics by integrating a new 6-axis robot into the Riverstone facility, Doug Corrigan, executive director of the Riverstone Energy Center, announced Friday.

The partnership was formalized last week.

C-CARE represents a multi-million dollar investment by the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Communities Revitalization Commission, the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority (IDA), Halifax County and a host of industry partners.

The mission of C-CARE is to assist manufacturers with their process engineering, research and development and work-force training needs in the application of coatings to their final products.

The C-CARE lab in Riverstone Technology Park has been recognized by industry as a one-of-a-kind facility in North America and rounds out Halifax's capability in aiding manufacturers in all cycles of product development, including modeling and simulation, design, engineering and prototyping.

C-CARE is part of Halifax's economic development tool-kit that aims to provide assets and programs to support and attract industries that require advanced manufacturing technology and skill sets.

C-CARE is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies from a number of industrial partners, which include Superfici, Krautzburger, Graco, Kremlin and Kawasaki. The latest addition to the C-CARE lab, a 6-axis Kawasaki robot, enables manufacturers to use the latest technology for applying spray coatings to their parts on an automated hangline.

Kawasaki Robotics are used extensively in automotive manufacturing plants, and their market share in multiple industry sectors is projected to grow extensively over the next few years.

"Kawasaki has proven to be a dedicated partner to C-CARE and shares our vision for economic growth and attracting advanced industries to our region. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Kawasaki as we move forward with developing C-CARE into a resource for industry," Corrigan said.

C-CARE is transitioning and expanding its interaction with industry by issuing an International Request for Qualifications (RFQ). To date, AWFI, a small company out of New Jersey, has assisted with the start-up of C-CARE. As their current contract ends, the RFQ will assist C-CARE in identifying the most ideal organizations and partnerships to develop C-CARE into a driver for education, research and process engineering in the coatings sector.

"C-CARE ties directly into the IDA's strategy to attract and support industries in the aerospace, automotive, wood products and life science sectors. C-CARE truly differentiates our community as a progressive partner to advanced manufacturers and greatly assists us in attracting prospects to Halifax. Along with our C-CARE stakeholders, our invaluable partnership with the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, its Work Force Training Program and the R&D Center for Advanced Manufacturing, move Halifax significantly forward in its mission to increase employment and economic growth."