Opportunity to influence the direction of research
The CBE consortium is a rare opportunity for industry partners to help plan and guide research in directions that maximize benefits to their companies. By identifying needs for information that are not being addressed elsewhere, industry partners can help define CBE research projects useful to both their short-term and long-term needs, while avoiding the costly investment for in-house research infrastructure.
Timely access to research results
Membership in CBE provides members with a window on current advances in science and technology that are relevant to their industry. This acceleration of information exchange reduces the time for new technology to be put into practice, and broadens the knowledge that partners can use to serve their customers and clients.
Access to trained personnel, tools, and research facilities
CBE industry partners often recruit our specially trained graduate students who have been working on Center projects with commercial applicability. Industry partners also have access to CBE staff for questions about immediate problems they may need answered throughout the year, and high priority in arranging contracts for proprietary research. Partners also have access to tools developed by CBE, such as the web-enabled Occupant IEQ Survey.
Cost-effectiveness
By pooling membership fees, a company's research investments will be increased 15-20 fold by leveraging other companies' investments and federal and university resources.
Association with diverse industries
CBE membership includes manufacturers, architectural and engineering firms, contractors, facility managers, governmental organizations, and building owners. The open exchange of information improves the partners' ability to solve problems, and to more effectively apply research in their decision making. The consortium also generates opportunities for industry partners to develop business connections within the group.
Staff training and recruiting opportunities
In a recent survey, our partners spoke highly of the technical knowledge they gained through CBE. They singled out the center's semi-annual meetings as a particularly important place to exchange ideas. Some partner firms send a large number of their staff to attend these meetings to advance their organizational knowledge base. Our partners have also recruited many CBE graduates, many of which now hold positions of significant responsibility in partner firms.
Corporate responsibility and community relations
Center membership represents a commitment to improving the quality of buildings from the perspective of the occupant, operator and owner. Partners receive recognition for this commitment in CBE's publications, publicity materials, presentations, and websites.
Credibility of university collaboration
The UC Berkeley and NSF connections give CBE research a high level of credibility in the industry, increasing its impact and acceptance in practice. Industry partners benefit from being associated with this research, and may use this association to influence clients and regulators important to their business.
