What:
MGA Research Corporation: Tour & Presentation
When:
Tuesday, February 18th; 4:00-8:00 PM
Where:
MGA Research Corporation
5000 Warren Road
Burlington, WI 53105
Cost:
- $40 (NON-MEMBER)
- $35 (MEMBER)
- $25 (RETIREE)
- $10 (STUDENTS)
Registration:
- REGISTER ON OUR EVENTS WEBSITE
- CONTACT GARRETT HERNING @ (856) 313-0581
- Email SAE@C2CINTEGRATION.COM
Deadline:
February 13th AT NOON – MAX ATTENDANCE 100
Event Agenda:
- Registration: 4:00-5:00pm
- Social Hour: 4:00-5:00pm
- Tours: 5:00-6:30pm
- Dinner: 6:30-7:15pm
- Presentation Q&A: 7:15-8:00pm
About the Event:
MGA Research Corporation Background:
At MGA, our mission is to advance safety and innovation through world-class testing services and cutting-edge equipment solutions. We envision a future where our expertise helps create safer, more reliable products across the automotive, aerospace, and defense industries. This commitment drives us to continuously innovate, adapt, and exceed expectations in every aspect of our work.
Our state-of-the-art facilities and specialized equipment enable comprehensive testing across multiple industries. MGA’s expertise ensures that vehicles and components meet the highest safety standards, such as FMVSS and SAE regulations, helping manufacturers achieve top safety ratings while complying with stringent regulatory requirements. With decades of experience and an innovative approach to testing, MGA is a trusted partner in product development and safety enhancement.
MGA’s story began in 1977, when three engineers from Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory—Patrick Miller, Jim Greene, and Rudy Arendt—combined their resources and talents to establish MGA Research Corporation in Buffalo, NY. From the outset, MGA’s leadership focused on growth and reinvesting in the company, which has fueled numerous expansions over the years. By the end of the 1980s, MGA had earned a strong reputation in transportation safety and is now recognized as a world leader in independent automotive and aerospace testing.
MGA – Wisconsin:
MGA Wisconsin’s history traces back to 1944 when the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation purchased land in Burlington, WI, to establish a vehicle proving grounds. In 1957, Nash merged with Hudson to form American Motors Corporation (AMC), one of the largest American mergers of its time. AMC continued to operate the Burlington Proving Grounds until 1987, when Renault sold its controlling interest in AMC to Chrysler, leading to AMC’s dissolution. Although Chrysler acquired the proving grounds, it primarily used the facility for rentals to component suppliers rather than full-scale operations. In 1988, MGA Research Corporation purchased the site.
Crash testing operations began at the Burlington facility in 1989, followed by the addition of an accelerator sled in 1991. Over the years, MGA – WI expanded its capabilities to support a broad range of testing services, including motorcycle durability and military vehicle corrosion testing. The location’s greatest success came through its independent crash-testing services, culminating in 2014 with the completion of its third full-scale crash facility. True to its adaptive approach, MGA – WI has continuously evolved to meet the needs of emerging technologies. Today, in addition to traditional sled and crash testing, the facility also plays a role in testing for EV batteries, large commercial vehicles, and space applications.
Tour Overview:
The tour will cover three key areas:
- South Crash Hall
- Sled Hall
- Environmental Lab
Crash Testing:
MGA offers comprehensive vehicle crash testing services, with over 35 years of experience supporting automotive safety engineers from early prototypes to final regulatory compliance and consumer ratings. The tour will provide an in-depth look at the equipment and procedures used to safely conduct crash tests, highlighting MGA’s role in advancing vehicle safety.
Sled Testing:
Sled testing simulates the acceleration forces of a crash without requiring a complete vehicle, offering a cost-effective solution for development teams. This method provides accurate and repeatable results for components such as child restraint systems, fuel tanks, and vehicle accessories like roof racks and cargo systems. During the tour, visitors will learn about MGA’s rail sled system and its critical role in pre-crash test development.
Environmental Testing:
MGA has extensive expertise in environmental testing, initially established at our Troy, MI facility and later expanded to sister locations, including MGA-WI. Our Wisconsin facility now provides a broad range of testing services, including temperature and humidity chambers (from reach-in to drive-in), corrosion testing, vibration testing, and battery lifecycle evaluation. These capabilities support manufacturers in ensuring product durability and performance under extreme conditions.
Technical Presenter:
Robert Schnorenberg: MGA – Engineering Manager
Presenter Background:
Robert Schnorenberg is a seasoned professional with a distinguished career spanning business operations, strategy, and leadership. Known for his expertise in driving organizational growth, he has held pivotal roles where he successfully implemented innovative solutions and optimized processes to achieve outstanding results. Schnorenberg excels in managing complex projects, fostering collaboration, and guiding teams through strategic transformations. With a keen focus on operational efficiency and long-term value creation, he has consistently delivered measurable success across industries. Respected for his analytical mindset and ability to navigate challenges, Schnorenberg remains a trusted leader dedicated to achieving excellence in every professional endeavor.
Presentation Topic:
This presentation will focus on the Future of EV Testing and highlight key developments in the industry. We will discuss the unique safety challenges associated with electric vehicles, including the complexities of high-voltage systems, thermal management, and battery integrity during crashes. A detailed look at FMVSS 305a requirements will be included, covering compliance protocols for mitigating electrical shock risk during and after crashes. Additionally, we will review innovations we have observed in EV technology and testing methodologies, emphasizing how these advancements contribute to safer, more efficient vehicles. This overview will help attendees understand the evolving landscape of EV safety testing and MGA’s role in advancing industry standards.
