Federal Tibbetts Award Recognizes Mechanical Dynamics' Excellence
29 October 1999
Federal Tibbetts Award Recognizes Mechanical Dynamics' Excellence In Small Business High Technology Sector
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 27 -- Mechanical Dynamics, Inc.
, a Michigan-based provider of software and services for the
worldwide virtual prototyping market, has received a 1999 Tibbetts Award,
given annually by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to recognize
"models of excellence" in the small business high technology sector.
Co-founded by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael E. Korybalski
in 1977, Mechanical Dynamics is the creator of ADAMS(R), the world's most
widely used mechanical system simulation software. The company was selected
as a recipient of the award based on four criteria: the economic impact of its
technological innovation; business achievement and effective collaborations;
demonstrated state and regional impact; and participation in the SBA's Small
Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.
"I am very pleased to accept the Tibbetts Award on behalf of the
Mechanical Dynamics family," said Korybalski, who received the award at a
White House ceremony Tuesday. "We've worked hard to create innovative,
leading-edge software products that expand the capabilities of virtual
prototyping technology for the benefit of manufacturers in every industry.
This type of recognition validates those efforts, and encourages us to
continue creating value for our customers and shareholders."
"Mechanical Dynamics' accomplishments in high technology innovation make
it a superb candidate for the Tibbetts Award," said U.S. Senator Carl Levin
(D-Mich.), who nominated Mechanical Dynamics for the honor. "Through its
software products, the company has significantly impacted the product
development process in nearly every manufacturing industry, and the automotive
industry in particular. It serves as an excellent example of how the
government and industry, through the SBIR program, can partner for the benefit
of companies, customers, and communities."
During the mid-1980s, SBIR awards and state research funds were
instrumental in underwriting Mechanical Dynamics' research that led to
significant improvements in the dynamic solver technology at the core of the
ADAMS software. Today, the ADAMS solver is recognized as the best in the
industry, and ADAMS is considered the de facto standard for dynamic simulation
in automotive applications.
Some highlights of Mechanical Dynamics' nomination were:
Economic Impact of Technology: Using ADAMS as part of an overall design
automation strategy, automotive manufacturers have reduced the product
development cycle from 54-60 months to 24-30 months. Overall engineering and
manufacturing costs have been significantly reduced.
State and Regional Impact: In the area of community service, Mechanical
Dynamics participates in the Ann Arbor Schools Partnership for Excellence
program and has donated millions of dollars in software to colleges and
universities through the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education
Foundation Grant Program. With a 46% growth rate in just the last three
years, the company provides employment opportunities in 10 countries.
Export Leadership: Approximately two-thirds of Mechanical Dynamics'
business is outside the U.S., making the company a significant exporter. In
1998, 62.4% of the company's revenue was received from international
customers. This record of export excellence earned the company a 1991 "E"
Award and a 1997 Presidential "E Star" award from the U.S. Department of
Commerce.
Awards and Recognition: The company has received many honors in its 22-
year history, including being named to Business Week's 100 Best Small
Corporation list (1997); two placements on Software Magazine's Software 500
list (1997 and 1999); Design News' Best Products Award (1995) for ADAMS/Car;
and a 1999 FastTrack Award from the Washtenaw (County) Development Council,
honoring public and private companies which demonstrate consistently strong
revenue growth.
Collaborations/Partnerships: Mechanical Dynamics has partnered with other
leading engineering software companies to make the benefits of virtual
prototyping widely available. The company has a long-standing relationship
with the University of Michigan, and continues to work with other universities
on research and development projects.
Mechanical Dynamics pioneered the field of mechanical system simulation,
and has remained focused on this technology since its founding in 1977.
Thousands of engineering teams in nearly every manufacturing industry use the
company's ADAMS software to build and test virtual prototypes, realistically
simulating on their computers the full-motion behavior of complex mechanical
system designs. Using ADAMS can help manufacturers reduce the number of
costly physical prototypes, improve design quality, and significantly shorten
product development cycles.
Additional information about Mechanical Dynamics can be obtained by
writing to the company at 2301 Commonwealth Boulevard, Ann Arbor, Michigan
48105. Phone: 734-994-3800. Fax: 734-994-6418. E-mail: info@adams.com.
World Wide Web: http://www.adams.com.
ADAMS and the Mechanical Dynamics logo are registered trademarks of
Mechanical Dynamics, Inc. All other company, brand, or product names are or
may be trademarks of their respective holders.