News & HighlightsE.A. Fischione Instruments, Inc. Receives Pilot Grant for Project That Will Double JobsOctober 18, 2004 - Pittsburgh, PA - Innovation Works announces today the launch of the Technology Adoption Grant (TAG) Fund at a 10 a.m. press conference with regional, political, and economic development officials gathering at the site of a pilot grant recipient, E. A. Fischione Instruments, Inc. 9003 Corporate Circle, Export, PA. Congresswoman Melissa Hart, State Representative John Pallone, Westmoreland County Commissioner Chair Tom Balya and Paul Fischione, president of Fischione Instruments, will join Florri Mendelson, president & CEO of Innovation Works, and John Skiavo, president of the Economic Growth Connection, for brief comments about the new assistance program. Innovation Work's TAG Fund makes grant of up to $50,000 for established manufacturing companies to work with regional universities and other centers of excellence to apply new technology that directly relates to bottom-line improvement and job growth. The program offers greater access to the region' world-class resources that assist in product development, improved engineering processes, prototyping, advanced fabrication techniques and other technologies that help industry bring new products to market and effectively compete. The program was developed in collaboration with SPEDA, the Southwest PA Economic Development Association, and has been in a pilot phase for the past year. Fischione Instruments was selected in July as a pilot grant recipient. The Westmoreland County company has been making instruments for electron microscopy sample preparation for nearly 40 years. The emerging applications of nanotechnology have created a growing demand for these instruments. Fischione identified a potential product to conduct three-dimensional experimentation with the electron microscope. This product, having global demand, could double or triple the company's revenue within 5 years and add another 25 positions, doubling the number of staff. The company is working on product development with the University of Pittsburgh's John A. Swanson Center for Product Innovation, a laboratory that enables teams of engineering faculty, students and technical staff to build prototypes and perform small-scale production of innovative new products. The TAG Fund grant will cover half the cost of the first phase of this project; the other half is covered by Fischione Instruments. "There is a real need and opportunity for manufacturers to harness technology as a means of competitive advantage," says Florri Mendelson. "The state's landmark study of manufacturing conducted earlier this year by Deloitte - "Manufacturing Pennsylvania's Future" - confirms manufacturers' best chance for competing in today's markets is through process and product innovation. This is an area Innovation Works knows well. And we can take our knowledge and resources that help start-up companies commercialize innovative products and translate that to the manufacturing sector, which is still the largest driver of Pennsylvania's economy." John Skiavo agrees with the importance of helping manufacturers improve their competitive edge in order to grow businesses and jobs. Mr. Skiavo says, "The local economic developers in Southwestern PEnnsylvania are excited about this new TAG Fund because we believe it will add an important resource for economic development efforts." |
HighlightsNews
SITE Stats
|
Benedum Hall
Dedicated in 1971, Benedum Hall is home to exploration and discovery.
You are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Although this site is viewable in all browsers, it will look much better in a browser that supports web standards.