Nancy Loerch, the new president of Women in Defense, Michigan chapter, likes to relay a story when describing what her company does.
A truck hauling a horse trailer is traveling down a road in the South when one of the tires pops off the trailer, striking and injuring the 40-year-old driver.
It was all a matter of the bolts fastening the tire on, something Loerch’s company, Archetype Joint, tries to prevent with rigorous testing of the components that keep us driving.
But as the automotive industry lags, companies like Archetype, which Loerch runs with her husband, are turning to another industry–defense.
While making sure the bolts and ‘joints? of our own vehicles are well-tested, it’s even more crucial with tanks and other armored vehicles that end up in places like Iraq.
Loerch, an Orion native and resident, and her husband started the company four years ago. The company tests and helps design the bolts and other ‘joint? parts that hold vehicles together.
After working together at Munro and Associates, the two decided to strike out on their own. Orion was a natural choice to locate their business.
‘I grew up on the lake,? Loerch said. ‘It’s a great place to raise a family. It is also a good location because it’s close to a lot of the Tier I suppliers who work with Ford, GM and Chrysler.?
And while the automotive companies may have kept local business revving in the past, Loerch said it was time to work on other types of contracts.
‘We really wanted to generate some local defense business,? she said. ‘If you’re looking for growth in Michigan, you have to look at defense companies right now.?
Loerch, who graduated from Lake Orion High School in 1979, eventually earned her degree from Central Michigan University.
She was the president of the Marketing and Sales Executives of Detroit, so she has executive experience coming to Women in Defense, a national group that supports the career advancement of women in defense technology. The Michigan chapter is new within the last year, and Loerch won the first election held for the position in December.
‘On a technical track, females have always lagged behind,? she said, adding that the group’s main mission is to get females attuned to the traditionally male-dominated engineering world.
‘We need a good balance between men and women,? she said.
Which is why Women in Defense isn’t strictly for females only; males are not only welcome, but Loerch encourages them to join.The group is planning many events to start raising money for scholarships. For more information on Women in Defense, go to http://wid.ndia.org/.