The Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center is an economic development organization dedicated to providing help and support to manufacturers (and organizations in their supply chain) in the Philadelphia region. We have three main program areas...education and training, consulting services, and regional initiatives, such as workforce development and government affairs. We serve the five counties immediately surrounding the city of Philadelphia: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Philadelphia and Montgomery.

The DVIRC is part of Pennsylvania's Industrial Resource Network, a program funded by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). The Centers are private, not-for-profit economic development corporations supported by the Commonwealth and managed by private industry. DCED has also been instrumental in helping the IRC Network compete for, and win, federal MEP awards, which are part of The National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership program.

 


    We receive about one-third of our funding from these organizations, and depend on our consulting and training services for additional revenue. We seek to establish long-term relationships with our customers, and are measured on the value-added dollars our customers achieve by working with us. In 2002 alone, our customers documented over $50 million in cost savings or productivity improvements.


    Our Regional Initiatives include efforts like Team PA. At the regional level, the DVIRC manages the Team PA Business Calling Program - and the 'Stay Invent the Future' initiative, plus industry-leading activities such as one of the first four-year dual-degree, dual enrollment programs for Advanced Manufacturing in the country! The Regional Initiatives department is working with educational institutions across the region to promote and increase enrollment in high-tech education programs.

The DVIRC employs over 50 professionals with various manufacturing and business related experience, located at our headquarters in Northeast Philadelphia. There are also DVIRC Representatives located in each of the five counties at local Industrial Development Corporation Offices for close proximity to customers. (see Contacts)

History

The DVIRC was established in 1988 by the Pennsylvania Department of Commerce as part of a statewide network of organizations dedicated to helping the Commonwealth's small and medium-sized manufacturers (SME's). Its founding sponsors were the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation and the University City Science Center. In 1995, the DVIRC became part of the national MEP network, and the center doubled in size.

In the early years, service delivery was focused on Total Quality, MIS and CAD projects. As the Center matured, internal management and technical expertise was refined, and a world-class manufacturing philosophy was adopted.

The DVIRC is governed by a Board of Directors made up of executives from SME's and representatives from banking, economic development, and the academic community.

Mission

To improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized manufacturers through World Class strategies, operational innovations and regional economic and workforce development initiatives.

Vision

To see our region become an internationally recognized leader in manufacturing excellence, competitiveness and productivity.


The DVIRC Brand

A brand lives in the mind of the customer.

"The DVIRC is an important partner in driving economic development in this region. They worked with us to help develop advanced manufacturing education capability. They provided expertise to smaller companies that are our suppliers, and enabled them to be competitive on a broader geographic scale. This has reduced our costs and helped ensure that the best technology goes into our production process"
Michael F. Dunleavy, VP Business Development, Crown Cork and Seal.

At the DVIRC, our customers define our brand. We are dedicated to being senior-level advisors in all areas of manufacturing, striving to bring the absolute best, world-class, business and operational excellence and innovation to the manufacturers in our region. We work hard to connect to local, state and national resources that provide information, services or programs important to the manufactures in our region. We strive to be the 'voice' of the manufacturer in the Philadelphia region.

The DVIRC brand identity reflects our position: people working with people in manufacturing to achieve world-class results.

"After the last down-turn in the economy, our company really struggled to keep going. We contacted the DVIRC for help and they literally saved this company. We had the desire, energy and opportunity to succeed, but we didn't have the knowledge. They assisted and are still assisting us in modern manufacturing techniques such as Lean Manufacturing, cellular manufacturing, strategic planning, financial analysis, 5S+1 training and so much more."
Steven D. Landis, President/CEO Merrill Y. Landis, Ltd.

How We Work

Our business model is simple; we help you determine your business goals, develop a plan to achieve them, implement and measure the results. A DVIRC Representative (see Contacts) resides in each of the five counties we serve. Consider them a personal resource to assist you with any of your business or operational needs. They will meet with you to learn about your business, goals and immediate needs. They can help you solve problems now, and plan for growth. All of our Business Development Directors are highly experienced in manufacturing. There's no cost to meet with our Representatives to learn about the services we offer.

    What We Offer

    The DVIRC focuses its efforts in three main areas: consulting services, education and training, and regional initiatives. Following are just some of the programs and services offered. For more detailed information about each, see the main menu. (Home)

    Consulting Services
    • Total Business Solutions
    • Business and marketing, strategic planning and growth programs
    • Lean Manufacturing
    • Quality management programs
    • Financial analysis
    • Human resources
    • E-business, web solutions
    • Information Technology, systems and software
    • Sales and customer service
      •

    Education and Training
    • Institute for World Class Manufacturing®
    • Custom training programs
    • Public workshops
    • Plant tours
    • Current Issues seminars
    • Guest Speaker events
      •


    Regional Initiatives
    • Workforce development and education
    • Government affairs, state and federal communications
    • Regional education and training programs and partnerships
      •


    Why We're Different

    The DVIRC is manufacturing-dedicated. Everything we do is focused on improving the manufacturing community in our region, whether helping companies improve productivity, compete and grow, or working with educational institutions to help deliver skilled workers through workforce development activities.

Affiliates


    IRC
    In 1988 The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recognized the need to support small and medium-sized manufacturers (SME's). While these companies may be smaller in size, they represent the majority of employers in manufacturing in our region and are a major force in our regional economy. The DVIRC is one of seven Industrial Resource Centers, sponsored by The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).


    Team PA
    The DVIRC represents Team PA and serves as the Regional Coordinator for the Business Calling Program. Team PA was formed in 1997 when business leaders and senior government officials created a forum to coordinate efforts with other economic development and civic organizations. The Business Calling Program is a proactive strategy that motivates economic development professionals to build upon relationships with businesses in respective regions throughout the Commonwealth. Since 1997, Team PA has conducted interview with over 28,000 businesses across the Commonwealth. These interviews are constructed to assist in identifying a wide range of business needs and concerns. The information gathered from this process is used to develop industry and geographical trends, which in turn help to determine future policy decisions with respect to industry in Pennsylvania. For more information about Team PA, visit www.teampa.com.

    You can also view the most recent Business Calling Program Report: (PDF)  


    NIST-MEP
    The DVIRC is one of 60 Centers around the country that are part of The National Institute of Standards and Technology's Manufacturing Extension Partnership. The MEP was created to help small and medium-sized manufacturers in the US. For more information, visit their website at www.mep.nist.gov.

Location & Directions

Main Office:

DVIRC
2905 Southampton Road
Philadelphia, PA 19154
215-464-8550
Fax: 215-464-8570
www.dvirc.org
info@dvirc.org

(Click for map)

Driving Directions to the DVIRC

From the Philadelphia Airport
Allow approximately forty-five minutes of travel time in moderate traffic. Distance approximately 25 miles.

I-95 North to Woodhaven Road West. Follow to Thornton Road exit. Turn right onto Thornton Road and proceed to traffic light (dead end). Turn left onto Byberry-Southampton Road and go to the first traffic light, which is Townsend Road, turn right onto Townsend then left into the first driveway. Parking is in the rear of the building. Follow the blue awning along the walkway to the entrance, which is located on Townsend Road.

From Roosevelt Boulevard (Route 1)
Roosevelt Boulevard (North or South) to Southampton Road (at Armory). Turn East on Southampton Road (which becomes Byberry-Southampton). At the second light, Townsend Road, turn left and then left into the first driveway. Parking is in the rear of the building. Follow the blue awning along the walkway to the entrance, which is located on Townsend Road.

From PA Turnpike
Exit 351 (old exit 28), Philadelphia, to Route 1 South. Stay to the left on Route 1 to Southampton Road, which is approximately 1.5 miles (3 lights). Turn left onto Southampton Road (which becomes Byberry-Southampton). At the second light, Townsend Road, turn left and then left into the first driveway. Parking is in the rear of the building. Follow the blue awning along the walkway to the entrance, which is located on Townsend Road.

Contacts

To discuss any of our services or programs, call the DVIRC Representative in your county. You can reach them either by calling the DVIRC main office at 215-464-8550, or their local offices listed below.

Regional Director:Keith Ashlockkashlock@dvirc.org
215-464-8550
Bucks County:Mike Renner, Jr.
Director, Business Development		mrenner@dvirc.org
215-489-9949
Chester CountyBill Lauer
Director, Business Development		wlauer@dvirc.org
610-458-5700 ext. 215
Delaware CountyBill Lauer
Director, Business Development		wlauer@dvirc.org
610-458-5700 ext. 215
Philadelphia CountyMike Delpha
Director, Business Development		mdelpha@dvirc.org
215-464-8550
Montgomery CountyJeff Gossner
Director, Business Development		jgossner@dvirc.org
215-464-8550

For career information or job openings, see Careers.