In today's environment civil engineering graduates are required to acquire extensive softer skills in addition to technical competency. The lab will support five basic teaching and research areas: material handling and integrated manufacturing; inventory control and warehouse management; electronics manufacturing, packaging and reliability testing; quality control and simulation; and factory control. Collectively, the lab will allow ISE to integrate courses with hands-on manufacturing systems experience. It will also act as the significant force in moving ISE research capabilities and activities forward to serve the manufacturing base of the Southeast and beyond.