The Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (DVIRC), a key player in boosting American manufacturing competitiveness, has officially relocated its headquarters to the Philadelphia Navy Yard. This move not only underscores its commitment to advancing maritime and high-tech manufacturing but also heralds the launch of its Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence for Manufacturing (AiCE), an initiative geared towards transforming the industry.
A Historic Move for Innovation and Growth
DVIRC's new home is in Building M4, a historic Admiral's Quarters overlooking the mothball fleet. This relocation to the 1,200-acre Navy Yard, which hosts more than 150 companies and 16,500 workers, strategically places DVIRC at the heart of the Northeast's industrial ecosystem. The five-year lease, signed in August, includes space for future expansion, positioning the organisation to lead the next phase of manufacturing development.
The building is undergoing extensive renovations to preserve its historical significance while outfitting it with modern facilities to serve as a hub for research, training, and consulting. In the coming weeks, DVIRC will host senior Navy leadership and dignitaries to celebrate the Navy Yard’s legacy and its role in modernising the U.S. naval fleet. This event coincides with the Navy and Marines' 250th anniversary, which will be commemorated in October.
Driving Manufacturing Excellence with AI
At the centre of DVIRC’s new vision is its Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence for Manufacturing (AiCE). The AiCE is set to invest a seven-figure sum by 2027 to advance AI training, awareness, and service development for small and mid-size manufacturers. This initiative, integrated within the NIST MEP National Network, has already equipped hundreds of regional workers with transformative technologies, fostering innovation and growth across Greater Philadelphia's manufacturing sector.
Chris Scafario, DVIRC President and CEO, emphasised the importance of this move, saying, With this move, we are rooting ourselves to a place where shipbuilders once forged America’s arsenal of democracy. Today, DVIRC will work to forge a new arsenal of prosperity. Here, we will advance small and mid-sized manufacturers, turning them into national assets, fueling growth, rebuilding supply chains, and advancing the technologies that secure our future.
The AiCE aims to provide manufacturers with cutting-edge AI tools, ranging from predictive maintenance to supply chain optimisation. The AiCE represents a game-changing investment in our region’s future, equipping small and mid-sized manufacturers with cutting-edge AI tools to boost efficiency, enhance safety, and drive innovation
, Scafario added. By integrating AI into everyday operations - from predictive maintenance to supply chain optimisation - we’re not only transforming businesses but also building a skilled workforce ready to lead the next wave of American manufacturing excellence.
Supporting Regional Manufacturing and Beyond
The Philadelphia Navy Yard has become a focal point for innovation in maritime and defence manufacturing, and DVIRC’s new headquarters aligns perfectly with this vision. The organisation’s efforts to support Greater Philadelphia’s 5,600 manufacturers, employing nearly 190,000 people, reflect its broader mission to strengthen communities and bolster the nation's industrial base.
Founded in 1988, DVIRC’s work has long focused on advancing manufacturing competitiveness, talent development, and defence supply chain readiness across Southeastern Pennsylvania and beyond. As part of the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership National Network, DVIRC remains a leader in empowering small and mid-sized manufacturers with tailored solutions.
With its new location and the establishment of AiCE, DVIRC is poised to play a critical role in shaping the future of American manufacturing, ensuring a prosperous and sustainable industrial sector for decades to come.