Hanahan - During this rough economic time some businesses are thriving while keeping soldiers alive overseas.

SPAWAR Systems Center Atlantic is hosting a two day conference trying to attract more business to the Lowcountry for government contracts.

Meanwhile, many companies are already thriving and growing thanks to those contracts. UEC is about nuts and bolts, providing building blocks that keep soldiers safe.

“Production for us can range from 5-10,000 and that’s done here…in Hanahan,” said UEC President, Rebecca Ufkes. “We are complete service. We can do the quick design, the prototype, and the production all here.”

It provides technology and equipment for commercial businesses as well, which at this time is slowing down, so UEC's SPAWAR contracts keep them alive.

“We've seen a trend over time that the defense industry usually does real well in any administration and any economic environment,” said Charleston Defense Contractors Association President, Mike Resler. 

UEC got a big break when SPAWAR gave them a contract, skyrocketing them into success, a power unit for the MRAP.

“We came up with a solution for a design, in two weeks, and they approved it we had a design reviews, they said go ahead, so we built 10 prototypes that they fielded in Iraq (web|news), came back and said ok go, and then we ramped up for production pretty quickly,” said Ufkes.

Since then, it’s been moving forward.

The small Hanahan business is still growing. They are now constructing a 20,000 square acre building right next door.

“Give us an opportunity to succeed and when they do, and we have success, then they come back, and that’s where I think were seeing some growth,” said Ufkes.

They are providing the pieces of a life line.

“We know that our systems have to be successful, that they can’t fail. They have to work or people could be in danger and it would be a crisis for all of us,” said Ufkes. 

They are keeping soldiers alive overseas, keeping this small business alive during an economic war at home.
 
The conference, attracting more businesses like UEC, continues tomorrow with speakers and workshops.