Hydrogen detector and sensor manufacturer H2Scan Corp. hired an experienced oil and gas industry executive as its new vice president of sales and business development. Michael Nofal is tasked with helping the Valencia-based company with its ambitious growth plans to provide equipment to manufacturers of transformers. Transformers are used by utilities, refineries and other energy facilities where hydrogen detection is necessary for safety. Since starting his new assignment in early July, Nofal has been analyzing how H2Scan has built its foundation with patented technology. “Now it’s just a matter of taking that foundation to grow sales and getting wider acceptance in the market,” Nofal said. Nofal oversees an internal sales staff and an outside distributor network serving clients in 50 countries. H2Scan was founded in 2002 by CEO Dennis Reid from the assets of a failed company, DCH Technology. In anticipation of growth, H2Scan moved to a new building almost a year ago. The company’s goal is to boost the current production rate of 400 units a month to 1,000 units or more. Nofal has started mapping out the company’s future with a five-year plan and plans to make a sales presentation to the board of directors at its August meeting. He claims that the company’s hydrogen detectors and sensors are more cost effective than competitors. Hydrogen is a flammable gas present inside power transformers and it is used in the refining process to break down petroleum. With transformers, hydrogen level testing is done manually in a time consuming process, Nofal said. “Our (testing) is automated on an ongoing basis,” Nofal said. “You will know sooner if you have a problem. It is a more efficient way of detection.” Before coming to H2Scan, Nofal, a Burbank native, was a private consultant for about two years. He worked for 18 years at DynaPump Inc. in Los Angeles where he was senior vice president of sales, business development and operations and chief financial officer. “His expertise and established trust in these sectors will significantly enhance our sales, customer relationships and business development efforts helping to further build upon H2scan’s success,” Reid said in a prepared statement. Manufacturing Show The Westec manufacturing trade show will return to the Los Angeles Convention Center in October 2013. The show historically has been a springtime event, but organizers decided to host the show in the fall in response to requests by attendees and customers. “We know (attendees) have to maximize their outreach and marketing budgets, and moving Westec to the fall beginning in 2013 is the direct result of us responding to that feedback,” said Westec Event Manager Christine Longroy, in a prepared statement. The spring 2012 show drew an attendance of more than 14,000 people and 500 exhibiting companies. More than 20 of the exhibitors were from the San Fernando, Conejo, and Santa Clarita valleys, and east Ventura County. Westec is produced by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, a Michigan-based trade organization for the manufacturing industry. Development Corp. Report Southern California remains an important hub for the manufacturing industry, even after a decade of job losses that included some companies sending their manufacturing overseas. A 2011 report from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. called the six counties of Southern California “a national powerhouse” in manufacturing. Los Angeles County alone was responsible for 3.3 percent of the nation’s manufacturing jobs in 2009, according to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is more jobs in one county than 40 U.S. states altogether. “We are at a very important time in manufacturing,” said Longroy. “The continued growth of the industry and the advancements that are happening at a quick rate make events like WESTEC more important than ever.” Radio System Contract A subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies Inc. has received a multi-year contract to produce a software-based radio system. Teledyne Defence Ltd., based in the United Kingdom, will provide the radios to the PA Consulting Group, a global management and IT consulting firm headquartered in London. The value of the contract was not disclosed. “The award of this contract is recognition of Teledyne’s success in supporting the development of a world-leading capability, and working with our partners in implementing very challenging client specifications in demanding timescales,” Teledyne Technologies Chairman, President and CEO Robert Mehrabian said in a prepared statement. Teledyne Defence develops and manufacturers receivers, filters and other electronic sub-assemblies for the defense, homeland security and communications industries. Staff Reporter Mark R. Madler can be reached at (818) 316-3126 or by e-mail at [email protected].