Quality Management

For all manufacturers, quality management is key to a successful business. Over the past 14 years, ISO quality and environmental management systems (QMS and EMS) are among the most important and widely adopted strategic initiatives in many industries. Continuous improvement of processes is heard consistently throughout manufacturing; whether it's business, operations or office. Traditional QMS, like ISO programs, are being joined by Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma Principles, and for many manufacturers a combination of the best of all may come into play. Visit our Lean Manufacturing section for more information about how Lean can transform your business, and watch for our new Six Sigma programs in 2005. Six Sigma training is available now through our Institute for World Class Manufacturing.

The DVIRC has been working with manufacturers to design and implement ISO programs for as long as ISO has been in play. What makes us different is our ability to offer a complete turnkey program, with set costs and set time schedules.

So many manufacturers try to take on an ISO program without the guidance needed, and the program seem to go on and on and take on a life of their own with no end in sight. It takes experience to provide the leadership and organization needed to get in, and through, an ISO program quickly and on budget.

The DVIRC offers ISO programs in all these areas:

• ISO 9000 Quality Management
• ISO 14000 Environmental Management
• ISO 17025 Competency of Testing and Calibration Laboratories
• TS 16949 Automotive Production and Service Part Organizations Quality Management
• New equationASP™ web-based solutions that help organizations implement and maintain their ISO/business processes.

For more information about ISO or Six Sigma, just contact your local DVIRC representative.

Financial Programs

One of the most important roles the DVIRC plays is to provide answers to your questions.

How do I put a value on my business?
How do I find capital investment money?
What loans are offered by the state, local or federal governments?
Where can I get low-interest real estate loans?
Which banks understand Lean Manufacturing?

In the realm of financial services, there are endless questions and resources - and it's often hard for manufacturers to not only know what options they have, but where to go to get the answers they need.

The DVIRC is in contact with dozens of other organizations - from the county economic development offices to state and federal offices that manage manufacturing programs, SBA, bankers, investment fund managers, counselors for exit and retirement strategies, specialists who can determine the marketable value for your business...even acquisition strategists.

All you really need to do is contact us and let us know what you need, and we can help determine who and what is out there to help you, and make the connections you need to get specific answers and help. This is a key part of the intermediation role of the DVIRC, identifying and connecting you to the resources you need to compete and grow.

Also, visit the new Daedalus Financial Group section of our website. Daedalus is a brand new financial services organization formed by the DVIRC to help manufacturers with investment banking, financial educational services and funding issues.

Office Depot

DVIRC, has created a strategic alliance with Office Depot, Inc.^®, (NYSE:ODP), the world's largest seller of office products. The partnership provides DVIRC's customers with savings on office supplies, a customized catalog for DVIRC's customers with guaranteed discounts, special promotions, and collaborative efforts for special events.

"Office Depot^® is pleased to partner with the DVIRC. By forming this alliance, we are helping small business customers save time and money in procuring office supplies needed to run their businesses. Our goal at Office Depot^® is to help small businesses become more productive and effective allowing them to focus on business growth and not administrative tasks," said Robert Cetina, Vice President, Northeast Region for Office Depot^®.

"The DVIRC is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to our customers' businesses to assist them in saving time and money, remain competitive and reach new levels of success," says Barry Miller, President and COO of the DVIRC. "Our partnership with Office Depot^®, a leading office supply superstore, will provide our customers with quality office supplies at a special DVIRC discount and with a 24-hour free delivery service from their Philadelphia area service center. Office Depot^® employs a workforce of 500 employees in the greater Philadelphia region."

The Office Depot^® Advantage:

As a valued DVIRC customer, you qualify for exclusive discounts on office supplies and business materials through our partnership with Office Depot^®:

• Up to 60% discounts
• FREE Next Day delivery
• Selection of over 13,000 office supply and furniture products
• Exclusive promotions for GPCC members
• Monthly reports to help monitor purchases
• Personalized Service with a local Account Representative
• Ordering options via the Internet, fax, telephone and retail

Take advantage of immediate savings. Sign up now and your $99 registration fee will be waived. Simply download the registration form, fill it out and fax to 215-464-8570 or call 215-464-8550 to speak with your DVIRC representative for more information.

The Daedalus Financial Group, LLC, is a subsidiary of the Daedalus Holding Company, which is owned by the Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center, and complements its mission and vision. Daedalus Financial Group was created to meet the significant demand for corporate financial services from small and medium-sized manufacturers in the Philadelphia region.

Daedalus further supports DVIRC's stated mission by providing corporate finance services to manufacturers in the Philadelphia region by

• leveraging synergistic expertise - DVIRC's operational and educational expertise with Daedalus' business growth and financing expertise
• providing organized financial advisory services to companies in the region

Daedalus Financial Group has three main functions:

Daedalus is being led by Lee Galtman, a well-known and respected financial and investment expert who is now turning his attentions to helping one of Pennsylvania's key economic drivers: manufacturing.

Lee Galtman Daedalus Financial Group

For more information about Daedalus, contact your DVIRC representative or Lee Galtman at: lgaltman@daedalusfinancial.com. Or, visit the Daedalus Financial website at www.daedalusfinancial.com.

Innovative Insurance, Inc.