When Jeff Erickson thinks about why his company has stayed at the Northeast Indiana Innovation Community for more than a decade, he points to two words that matter in advanced engineering: capability and credibility.

“We came here in about 2012,” said Erickson, owner of Erickson Motors. “We had a four-person unit in the other main NIIC building. We were on a contract where we might need 25 or 30 people on site for a couple days of engineering design work, and we did it in their big conference rooms. They have all the equipment so we can hook up video and computers. That kind of got us started.”

A year later, the company expanded into roughly 3,600 square feet plus a shop bay. The lab and machining space became the backbone for research and development on small, quiet fuel engines for unmanned aircraft and other applications.

“The shop is really critical,” Erickson said. “We keep lab equipment and machining equipment there. The big overhead doors are critical too. You cannot bring those machines in without them.”

Erickson Motors uses the NIIC’s shared resources on a weekly basis. Conference rooms for customer reviews. Reception support for deliveries. Facilities management for repairs. The effect, Erickson said, is that the team can focus on engineering rather than building upkeep.

“Any little problem, we just call the facilities manager, and it is off my list,” Erickson said. “They always get right on it and fix it. We do not have to deal with that.”

Erickson credits the NIIC’s staff with practical help and mentorship. He cited long-time leaders and program staff who advised on pitches and investor communication.

“We got help with pitch decks,” he said. “Engineers tend to put too much in. They knew what an investor or a partner is looking for. Not every detail. The key things you need to cover.” He also praised current team members.

The center’s environment has fueled steady networking that shows up in Erickson Motors’ operations. The firm met its phone and network provider on campus.

“We met Bob from ITG here. He does our phones and network,” Erickson said. “If we have a problem, we call him and he takes care of it.”

On-site catering has elevated customer visits. “Jay Vardaman with Gratitude Catering is phenomenal,” he said. “We always have them bring in food when we have a customer here. It makes us look more professional and it is good for the customer.”

Connections at the NIIC have also extended Erickson Motors’ technical bench. “Sean Ryan at Purdue University Fort Wayne has been great,” Erickson said. “Almost all our work lately has been SBIRs,” he added, referring to federal Small Business Innovation Research contracts. “We bid knowing we will subcontract some work to Purdue or other companies. They fill a void where we do not have that skill.”

The company has translated that community support into wins. “We have won eight SBIR Phase Ones and five or six Phase Twos,” Erickson said. “Those are hard to win. Very competitive. You need every bit of support you can get. The NIIC always gives letters of support and helps get the word out.”

Erickson Motors has used the campus for demonstrations and design reviews as it advances its engine technology. A recent project focused on acoustic performance for a fuel-powered propulsion system on a drone platform.

“Our competition was electric,” Erickson said. “We wanted to show we could do it with fuel and fly longer, but still be quiet. Their noise level was up in the 60 range. We were in the 40s. We showed we are basically at least equivalent to electric.”

The ability to build, test and iterate in one place is central to the company’s model. “We take a design and figure out how to make a certain engine at a certain size, power and weight,” Erickson said. “We machine it in the shop and we test it ourselves, to the point where we can go to flight test. It is neat to have the full life cycle of engineering that we do here. Mainly because we have the facility, the staff and outside support like Purdue Fort Wayne.”

Security and compliance are part of the equation. Defense work requires controlled access and monitoring. “We have to meet strict cybersecurity rules,” Erickson said. “Physical security is part of that with locked doors and cameras. The NIIC’s security helps protect our intellectual property and government work.”

Erickson describes Erickson Motors as a family company with a clear goal.

“I want to see innovation turn into jobs,” he said. “My brother and I and my sister own most of the company. My nephew Andrew is a mechanical R&D engineer. We were able to hire Brandon Lewis, a software engineer from Purdue Fort Wayne, part time. Growth that creates jobs is what we want.”

The location and amenities play a role in recruiting and retention. “It is a pretty facility,” Erickson said. “They take good care of it. Clean bathrooms, a workout room, kitchen access, and the temperature is always comfortable. It gives us a more professional image when we bring customers here.”

Asked what he would tell other companies considering the NIIC, Erickson did not hesitate.

“I would look at them first in Fort Wayne,” he said. “They are competitively priced and very helpful. You tell them what you need, and they will help figure out what they can do. If it is not the right fit, they will tell you where to go. They solve problems. They do not give excuses.”

The through line, he said, is simple. The NIIC lets Erickson Motors concentrate on engineering and customers while standing on a professional platform.

“It takes away our distractions,” Erickson said. “We can focus on what we do.”

To learn more about Erickson Motors, visit https://ericksonmotors.com/