Magnetic to Host Special Event; Ex-Astronaut is Keynote Speaker

February, 2012

As a way of saying thank you to its customers, suppliers and local community for their support, Magnetic Automation Corp. of Rockledge, FL, will host its inaugural golf charity event and a dinner reception March 8-9 at the Sherwood Golf Club in Titusville, FL, and at the Kennedy Space Center’s NASA Rocket Garden, respectively. The two-day event will also include a training session, plant and space center tours, and a “jam session.”
Retired astronaut USMC Col. Robert “Bob” Springer will be the featured dinner speaker. A test pilot, Springer was a mission specialist aboard STS-29 Discovery and STS-38 Atlantis. As a Marine fighter pilot, he flew 550 combat missions in Southeast Asia. He retired from NASA and the USMC in December 1990.
Executives with Magnetic USA, part of Ireland-based CRH’s Magnetic AutoControl Group, said the company’s desire to innovate is a vital part of its culture and led to a relationship with Springer.
In support of the launch of its next generation of parking barriers, the MHTM MicroDrive, Magnetic invited its dealers to Rockledge. They attended training sessions on the commercial and technical aspects of the new barrier. They also were its guests at the space center. During one visit, Springer spoke to the group about his accomplishments and experiences as a Marine aviator and NASA astronaut.
In planning this year’s third annual “customer appreciation golf event,” the company decided to donate any proceeds to charity. And it learned that Springer had been named President of the Board of Directors of the Kennedy Space Center Education Foundation.
The foundation plans to assist elementary and middle school students, especially from underserved communities, in obtaining education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, including the fields of aviation and space exploration. Magnetic officials said the foundation seemed a perfect fit with its goals and chose to donate the golf event proceeds to it.
On March 8, the first afternoon of the two-day event, Magnetic will host a plant tour, which will let visitors see improvements made during the past year in manufacturing practices and to meet the staff. Also, an executive training session will continue the education of dealers on the range of Magnetic products, officials said.
That evening, the company will have a “meet and greet” at the nearby space center’s Rocket Garden, with the opportunity to see the actual rockets used during U.S. space explorations, to be followed by dinner.
“While we at Magnetic Automation love to innovate and deliver great products, we also like to have some fun,” said VP Hiram Rivera. “At previous training sessions, it became apparent that our customers are extremely talented. Not only are they great with parking and access equipment, quite a few are also musicians. [So, after dinner,] we are planning a ‘jam session,’ where our customers, suppliers and employees will join to entertain the audience with a repertoire of musical selections.”
On March 9, company guests will have the opportunity to play golf or tour the space center. Those who choose golf will be able to bid online in a silent auction to be part of the foursome that plays with former astronaut Springer. Those who prefer a more scientific experience will be able to tour Kennedy Space Center.
For more information, call Rivera at (321) 635-8585.