Each time documents were faxed from Shanghai, he and a team of UB graduate students translated them into English, then translated Birdair's responses into Chinese and prepared them on computers at UB that print Chinese characters. The ability TCIE gave us to communicate helped us secure the contract. We are tremendously grateful for their assistance. Using a Chinese translator to quickly respond in overseas negotiations is just one example of how TCIE individualizes its approach to helping companies be more competitive. While just a few years ago 90 percent of TCIE's funding came from state grants, the center now receives 60-70 percent of its support as fees for service from companies it assists.
Every project is tailored to what a company needs.
Landy noted that other centers often bid only on aspects of a project in which their home institutions have expertise. The center also makes companies aware of community and government resources. According to Landy, TCIE's success may be attributed in part to its interdisciplinary nature, unique among economic assistance centers. With roots in engineering and management, the center calls on faculty and graduate students, usually with industry experience, who can address problems ranging from plant layout, manufacturing systems and processes, to a host of engineering and scientific specialty areas, technical writing, product and market research and employee training. It is an effective mechanism with which to support economic development in Western New York by leveraging the university's human resources and expertise.