Manufacturers: Innovate or Evaporate; DVIRC Promotes Innovation

PHILADELPHIA--May 2, 20053, 2005--The Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (DVIRC) will present "Driving Growth through Innovation," June 1. The presentation by Robert B. Tucker, an internationally recognized leader in the field of innovation, will be the first in a series of workshops developed by DVIRC to help address the challenges facing manufacturers in the Delaware Valley.

Blake W. Thompson, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain for Tasty Baking Company will also be on hand to talk about how well Tasty Baking's strategic initiative project with DVIRC is working. Additional leading edge local manufacturers will be present to speak of the urgent need to innovate including senior executives from ESCO/EMAS, David Michael Company, and A-Loc.

"After the recent U.S. Department of Labor's report on the continuing decline in employment in manufacturing, this program couldn't be more timely or more necessary," said Joe Houldin, CEO, DVIRC.

The content of the DVIRC workshop series was driven by key findings from a Deloitte study, commissioned by the statewide network of IRCs, and released last year. According to the study, small and medium-sized manufacturers provide more than half of the industrial output nationwide, and more than two-thirds of manufacturing employment. The study suggested that small and medium-sized firms would benefit from well-informed strategies that give them distinctive positions in the marketplace, based on product innovation and continuous improvement of enterprise performance.

"Innovation is a vital factor in determining American manufacturers' future success," said Barry Miller, President, DVIRC. "As a result, we work with local manufacturers to help increase their competitive advantage and top line growth through our Business Growth Services. Greater Philadelphia manufacturers will find great value in Robert Tucker's powerful presentation using real world examples of successful companies that have embedded innovation into their business processes. We are equally pleased to showcase several successful DVIRC clients and hear directly from their senior executives about the importance of innovation. Blake Thompson will share Tasty Baking's new innovative business approach. After their strong first quarter results, we are all interested in what Blake has to say."

Tucker, the president of The Innovation Resource, is an internationally recognized leader in the field of innovation. Formerly an adjunct professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, Tucker has been studying and writing about innovative companies since 1981.

"Driving Growth Through Innovation" will be held Wednesday, June 1, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the DVIRC facility 2905 Southampton Road. To register call please visit www.dvirc.org or call Cari Reilly at 215-464-8550.

About the DVIRC

Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (DVIRC) is an economic development organization dedicated to helping manufacturers in Southeastern Pennsylvania compete and grow. For over 15 years, DVIRC has served regional manufacturers through applied education and training services, consulting services, governmental affairs, workforce development, economic development partnerships, executive networking, regional initiative leadership and world-class best practices. The DVIRC is endorsed by Pennsylvania's Industrial Resource Center Network, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership.