Manufacturing's Competitive Edge

Manufacturers today face many challenges operating in the global economy: more competition, increased technical competence of those competitors, cost pressures, market expectations and the availability of a skilled work force. The marketplace has evolved to expect high product quality, rapid introduction of enhanced product functions and quick delivery on orders. The challenge for regional manufacturers is to stay one step ahead, continue to innovate, become more productive and improve quality. These manufacturers understand that leadership in innovation and technology are crucial to their future competitiveness.

We at Innovation Works (IW) understand that as well, so we created the Innovation Adoption Program (IAP) to provide regional manufacturing companies up to $50,000 to help develop cutting-edge technologies that will accelerate their progress and enable them to gain a competitive advantage in local and global markets. The IAP links manufacturers in Southwestern Pennsylvania with the region's Centers of Excellence, giving the companies access to highly specialized scientists and engineers for R&D projects, including product engineering and design, robotic assembly, machinery design, rapid prototyping or even an industrial analysis and overhaul of existing manufacturing processes. Some of the Centers of Excellence that have worked on IAP projects include:

• Catalyst Connection
• Duquesne University's World-Class Industrial Network
• National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining
• Penn State University's
  • Materials Research Institute
  • Electro Optics Center
  • Plastics Technology Center
  • Plastics Manufacturing Center
• Robert Morris University's Center for Applied Research in Engineering and Science
• University of Pittsburgh's
  • Swanson Center for Product Innovation
  • Manufacturing Assistance Center

View IAP Fund Companies

IAP Program Brochure