The Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) was founded in 1988 as a state Industrial Resource Center (IRC) to assist small and mid-sized manufacturers in Pennsylvania's five county area (Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Schuylkill, Carbon) to grow and remain competitive utilizing state-of-the-art technologies and current business practices.

The statewide system of IRCs connects MRC with the two major markets of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Legislative efforts with funding from the Department of Community and Economic Development support the growth of manufacturing with a range of state products and assistance.

In 1994, we became one of over 60 centers nationwide that comprise the National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP). Through this network of centers, we gain national expertise in every area of manufacturing and can call on the national labs and centers for advice and know-how to solve manufacturing challenges. Nationally, we have the ear of the U.S. Department of Commerce as an advocate for manufacturing success and global competitiveness.

Since 2003, we added an e-Learning Institute and developed partnerships for online courses with iStudySmart, Elert & Associates and Tooling U to offer a curriculum of over 500 classes.

Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles are keys for a company to transform work and become world-class and, in the process, enhance profits through the elimination of unnecessary wastes. In 2004 we added Six Sigma Green and Black Belt Certifications, a Lean6^® Transformation, and Lean Certifications to our existing Lean Manufacturing training options. A Lean6 Transformation is a journey that a company takes centered on a fundamental philosophical change and systematic shift in the organization‘s culture, expectations, measures, performance and long-term goals. The power of the transformation occurs when Lean6 becomes a core aspect of the company‘s long-term business strategy resulting in an improved bottom line, reduced waste, and increased customer satisfaction. We added Lean6 Certifications at three levels to assist companies with this challenge of implementing and maintaining these improvements.

Today, we are pushing the manufacturing window even further by helping our regional manufacturers think innovatively and grow strategically. We added Professional Business Advisors (PBAs) to our team to help companies develop new products, expand their markets, and improve their sales development. Strategizing how to grow, where to gain customers and new markets and what those markets and customers want is critical to business success long-term. That‘s where the Manufacturers Resource Center assistance is critical!

In addition to strategizing, we are committed to assisting in the actual implementation of these innovative ideas to help our regional manufacturers grow. A key cornerstone to such growth is training to improve idea generation, competitive processes for survival and growth, and the human capital which is the knowledge base of your workforce.

Today‘s marketplace is complex. Sustaining growth with global competition, escalating costs, and customer pricing pressures is always a challenge. However, through this website, we offer the appropriate resources to stimulate innovative thinking, undertake strategic marketing and product development, and develop executive leadership to craft and implement your strategies successfully.

Wishing you continued success,

Jack Pfunder
Executive Director