eBook

“We have clearly benefited from
our alignment with DVIRC.”
Kip Anthony, President, EFE Labs
DVIRC Executive Interview Series
More small and mid-sized
manufacturing businesses
in the Delaware Valley
trust DVIRC than any other
professional services group.
For 25 years, DVIRC has delivered the
absolute best in training, operational
excellence and business growth services.
Our results have equated to well over
1 Billion Dollars in valued-added impact
and countless satisfied clients.
The following interview is the first in a series
of business owner profiles that showcase
how small businesses like yours have begun
transforming themselves. For most the
struggle is figuring out where they want to
go. All are committed to increasing the value
of their business. As you read, remember, it
takes just one step to start a new journey.
Q
A
What problem initially brought you
to work with DVIRC?
My interest in Lean Manufacturing is what brought me to DVIRC.
I worked with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
Center in North Carolina and was impressed with the level of
expertise available through this national network.
When I relocated to Southeastern Pennsylvania it only
seemed natural to turn to DVIRC first.
Their Lean Manufacturing expertise came highly recommended.
DVIRC is an economic development, business consulting firm
focused on assisting small and mid-sized manufacturers grow
the value of their business. We accomplish this through Business
Growth Services, Continuous Improvement Services, Training
and Education and Executive Network Group membership.
DVIRC is an economic development, business consulting firm focused on assisting small and
mid-sized manufacturers grow the value of their business. Working with EFE Labs in areas of
Strategy, Innovation, Market Research, Branding, Web Marketing, Lead Generation and Public
Relations, DVIRC’s experts helped extend EFE beyond its existing resources to enable a new
level of growth.
Q
A
Upon your first meeting with DVIRC,
what did you find most appealing ?
How was the organization different
from its rivals?
When I first met with DVIRC it was clear their staff
understood manufacturing and its unique challenges
as well as just about anyone out there. What really
impressed me, however, was their responsiveness
to small businesses.
It was clear DVIRC was able to right-size best
practices and put them to work at businesses like
ours. Having access to a resource like this seemed
very attractive to us.
“Our Lead Generation effort put EFE in front of literally hundreds of
prospects. They were able to secure new business from many of them,
and those relationships will add to EFE’s profitability for years to come. The
Lead Generation service is a key component in growing the value of many
small and medium manufacturers.”
SYLVIA WOWER
DVIRC LEAD RESEARCHER
RESEARCH
Q
A
I see that you have done a number of projects: Strategy,
Market Research, Branding, Web Marketing, Sales Support, PR,
Innovation, and you’re a member of the Manufacturer’s Council
Network Group… Could you tell us about some of those projects
and their impact?
We have clearly benefited from our alignment with DVIRC. The
connections we made and the services we engaged in have certainly
contributed to EFE’s success.
As a trusted resource in our strategic planning process, DVIRC has kept us
focused and unified toward a common set of goals. Their lead generation
program has supported our business development efforts in new and existing
markets, and working together to build our brand and online presence has
helped us appeal to a much wider base.
Beyond that, as we have looked to grow and create broader awareness, the
work we have done on the PR side has been instrumental. It has given us a lot
of visibility in the region and helped us get recognition in the Philadelphia 100.
DVIRC has built service offerings that appeal to the needs of
small businesses.
They bring together a synergy through other manufacturers. Their
training programs, Manufacturers Council and Executive Forum, and
connections are invaluable and educational for anyone looking to
improve their organization.
“I think DVIRC was substantially successful helping Kip and his team
identify their long-term goals and get moving in that direction … I found
it very rewarding to identify—very specifically—what EFE wanted to be in
three to four years, and set that vision in place with specific metrics around
what they hoped to accomplish. This was an effort that engaged the whole
EFE leadership team, and it was something they all bought into.”
STRATEGY
HAROLD FLOYD
BUSINESS SOLUTION ADVISOR
Q
A
Where do you see your relationship
with DVIRC going in the future?
I see them as in integrated support apparatus for
us—from a strategic and training perspective, and as
a surrogate for our marketing efforts. I call Chris Scafario
my surrogate VP of marketing. He represents me
effectively and helps me effectively utilize my
marketing dollars.
“The work we’ve done with EFE Labs has been incredibly rewarding for me.
Working side by side with Kip, I feel like our team has helped to transform
how EFE positions itself for growth. I am truly excited about being an
instrument in their continued success.”
CHRIS SCAFARIO
DIRECTOR, MARKETING SERVICES
BRANDING
Q
A
What would you tell a friend or
someone who owned a business
about DVIRC?
They’re the kind of people you want on your team –
talented, with positive attitudes, dedicated to having
an impact and moving your organization in the right
direction. It’s all about team selection and picking the
right people for your team, and they [DVIRC] have the
right attributes, the right knowledge, and a proven
ability to execute.
VOICE OF CUSTOMER SURVEYS
Have you ever wondered what your best, middle of the road and former customers have to say
about key aspects of your business? Would you like to uncover new business opportunities, improve
service, or better support new product development? Don’t wait another minute to get started!
VOICE OF
CUSTOMER
Q
A
Can you describe the benefits
you have received from working
with DVIRC?
They’ve taken us from a company with almost no
marketing wherewithal to one that’s very competent
in terms of marketing—especially when you consider
our size. From top line to bottom line, they have a
positive impact.
DVIRC has had a definite impact on us, helping
to support the evolution of the company to have
stronger systems and procedures, as well as a
better quality of performance.
We’re seeing sufficient top and bottom-line impact that
moving forward is an easy decision.
WEB
Manufacturers in Greater Philadelphia have hundreds of options to pursue with regards to web
marketing but there is only one source for a marketing team that focuses exclusively on the
positioning of small and mid-sized manufacturers for top-line growth. DVIRC is the region’s first
choice for manufacturers looking to uniquely position themselves on the web and get found!
WEB MARKETING
Q
A
Final Thoughts?
My involvement with DVIRC showed me that an
empowered consultant can make a difference in
your business.
I’ve seen a lot of businesses that worked with
consultants who didn’t have much of an impact,
but if you empower them properly, they can truly
move you forward.
RESEARCH
Our manufacturing and industrial expertise make DVIRC the best resource for real-time business
intelligence needs. 100% of the research work that we deliver is backed by our exclusive SMART
research guarantee; meaning our research is guaranteed to deliver Structured, Measurable, Accurate,
Relevant and Timely intelligence. This is just part of what makes us the region’s most trusted resource
for manufacturers looking to grow their top line.
RESEARCH
KIP ANTHONY
President of EFE Labs
Kip Anthony is the President of EFE
Laboratories, Inc. and a veteran with more
than 12 years at the helm of the organization.
As an established, solutions-based contract
manufacturer, EFE collaborates with its
customers to provide superior product design,
development, and contract manufacturing
services. With industry-leading engineering
and manufacturing expertise and a proven
commitment to quality, EFE provides
specialized electromechanical assembly and
associated services to startups and Fortune
500 alike. EFE specializes in serving the
aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical,
chemical, and other demanding industries.
EFE Labs
420 Babylon Road Horsham, PA 19044
p: 215-672-2400 f: 215-672-4977
www.efelabs.com
DVIRC is an economic development, business consulting firm
focused exclusively on assisting small – mid-sized manufacturers
compete and grow profitably. This is achieved through consulting
services, training and education, and network groups.
We believe all business leaders should be constantly vigilant
on improving the value of their business. We are committed
to assisting leaders identify and capitalize on their strengths,
improve weaknesses and seize business opportunities.
For more information contact:
DVIRC
2905 Southampton Road
Philadelphia, PA 19154
215-552-3800
www.dvirc.org
The Navy Yard
Building 100 Innovation Center
4801 South Broad Street
Suite 100
Philadelphia, PA 19112
Growing Business Value