DeWITT — When Mike Mowins, president of Vetted Tech, Inc., recently learned that several local first responders were short of critically needed personal protective equipment (PPE), he sprang into action to make and supply face shields.

Vetted Tech, established in 2019, is an additive manufacturing company specializing in advanced 3D-printed parts created in metal or high-strength polymer for the medical, automotive, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and aerospace markets. The name Vetted stands for veteran-enabled transition technology-enabled design. 

Using fiber-reinforced polymers, Vetted Tech created face shields for the Baldwinsville Ambulance Corps and Manlius Fire Department. With help from another additive manufacturing partner, it also supplied face shields to Upstate Medical University. A high point for Vetted Tech was the ability to provide shields to the nonprofit Clear Path for Veterans in Chittenango. These shields are produced on a Markforged Mark Two printer, a continuous carbon-fiber printer and one of several 3D-printing devices in the Vetted Tech facility, located at 6085 Court Street Road in DeWitt. Vetted Tech has the capacity to provide PPE for local first responders and nonprofits on a limited basis.

Mowins, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, first came to the Onondaga Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in mid-2019 to develop an additive-manufacturing business in the Syracuse area. He had retired from a 30-year career with Phillips Screw Company, where he was president of global licensing — developing and deploying advanced technologies. Mowins holds several patents related to technical development in the fastener industry, and he has significant experience in advanced manufacturing for the aerospace and unmanned aircraft systems (or UAS) markets.

Mowins, a Baldwinsville native, had lived in both Massachusetts and California during his career and spent a great deal of time travelling globally. In visiting the SBDC, he first sought information on startup funding and requirements, as well as connections to local industry players to assess the marketplace. I assisted Mowins by providing guidance on funding opportunities and connecting him to local economic-development leaders. SBDC assisted in reviewing his business plan and financial projections and provided market-research information from the SBDC Research Network.

“SBDC helped me greatly by providing encouragement, connections, and solid business advice for my startup venture” said Mowins. “Additionally, they were able to assist in the finalization of our financing package to enable us to open the business. I knew that SBDC provided quality business assistance and that’s why I selected them in the first place.” 

Although off to a solid start in the additive-manufacturing market, Vetted Tech has experienced the same slowdown as most businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. Mowins is using that time to renew industry connections and solidify working relationships with new and existing customers.

The opportunity to provide PPE for first responders was part of Mowins’ business philosophy centered on giving back. As a veteran-owned business that hires only veterans as employees, he realizes that being part of a business community has its obligations —and one of the most important is collaboration. That cooperation is not only community awareness and action, but attention to business opportunities that will provide win-win results for both parties. That outlook fostered through years of business experience, and nurtured initially at the Naval Academy, figures to stand Vetted Tech in good stead. It is a model that startup businesses would do well to emulate. 

I recognized immediately that Mike had the passion and drive that is characteristic of a successful entrepreneur. I knew he would be a pleasure to work with and that we would be able to bring our SBDC resources into play to assist his venture. For more information on the company, visit: www.vetted3d.com.

Business Advisor’s Tips: New businesses need focus. Make sure to research your intended market and focus on the portion of the market that reflects the potential for highest customer acceptance. In other words, do your homework.                        

Paul Brooks is a certified senior business advisor at the Onondaga SBDC’s Tech Garden satellite office in downtown Syracuse. Contact him at p.c.brooks@sunyocc.edu