News

Ukraine Under Siege: Economic Humanitarian Crisis

March 18, 2022 - Philadelphia, (March 17, 2022) - The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia President Linda Conlin speaks with Dr. Kris Singh, Founder, President and CEO of Holtec International. Linda Conlin: Dr. Singh, when you founded Holtec International in Marlton, N.J. over three decades ago, you described yourself as having ‘small capital, but big ambitions.’ Since then, Holtec has experienced phenomenal growth and a far-reaching global presence with operations in 18 countries across five continents, including four world-class manufacturing plants. What was really the inspiration for you behind Holtec? Dr. Kris Singh: I started my career before I received my Ph.D., I was already consulting for companies that were serving the nuclear industry starting in 1970. And I could see that this technology had a huge future. Carbon pollution was not yet a public discourse topic, but... I could see from the energy generation projections that carbon dioxide would continue to increase. While we didn't know precisely what might happen, it wasn't going to be anything good...Technical papers were being published, and I was generally familiar with [the subject]. I looked at it at the time as a 23-year-old and I said, I should be working with nuclear energy to make it better... I also realized after Three Mile Island (TMI), which occurred in 1979, that these plants could be safer. They could be designed to be better, because if the public does not endorse it, if the public doesn't feel safe, then it does not have a future. And that is precisely what was happening. After TMI, public support for nuclear was dropping rapidly. And then seven years later came Chernobyl in 1986. And that was then the bottom for nuclear energy. After that, even though the nuclear reactor that blew up under Russian-controlled Chernobyl back in 1986 was a unique reactor designed to produce plutonium, it was being run to produce plutonium along with the generation of electricity... That doesn't happen in the west, but people don't differentiate. People looked at Chernobyl as another example of how dangerous nuclear power is. I founded Holtec that same year with the mission to make nuclear safer and take every area where nuclear energy was dealing with new problems and work on them and solve them. Ukraine at the time had the third largest number of nuclear reactors in Europe, and they were Russian reactors. And as I said, they could stand - I thought at the time - more improvement and safety updates. We went to Ukraine to see what we could do in their PAVER program and I found people to be so wonderful and the technology base in their country to be so fulfilling that I opened an office there. Linda Conlin: So, you were a visionary long before capturing carbon and carbon emissions became common language and recognized as an environmental concern. Some years later, you were there in Chernobyl with World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia Board Chairman, Gary Biehn whose law firm, White and Williams, assisted Holtec in negotiating the contract for the dry storage project. Mr. Biehn also shared with me a photo of you and then President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, signing that contract back in 2007. At that signing, Dr. Singh, you emphasized how Holtec's double-wall storage containers - manufactured right here in Pennsylvania - met the strict Ukrainian regulatory standards for the storage of spent nuclear fuel. Starting with Chernobyl and the company's long history in the country, can you share with us what it is like to do business in Ukraine? Dr. Kris Singh: Well, in any foreign country, of course you have to adjust to all the rules and regulations in the country, but Ukraine is a democracy… And in doing business in that country, you could rely on the rule of law. It is a country that values democracy and you see that in the way they conduct themselves. I saw that in Ukraine, that doing business in the country was not too different from doing business in the United States... I've found that their technical experts are great and they have a brain drain going because the country has not been able to give them remunerative employment. And I said that to President Zelensky, when I saw him a few months ago, that he's got to do things to grow the nuclear economy, particularly because it holds so much promise. The country has so much technical talent. I still kept the staff there and we are continuing to do work there. Ukrainian engineers are working for our U.S. plants through Holtec. Linda Conlin: I think what you are saying about your business relationship is also a reflection on the people, on their democracy and their fierce protection of it. Now, as Russian troops are encircling Kyiv, many people are saying the Ukrainian military was underestimated. And on the other hand, the ability of the Russian military and forces perhaps were overestimated. But you have people in Kyiv, Ukraine. What are these people saying to you right now? Dr. Kris Singh: Well, if you summarize, their attitude is one of defiance. They are going to stand up. Many of them are torn by the fact that their families are in Russia. They have family-to-family connections, and many of them are torn by the situation. But when it comes to uniting behind the cause to save Ukraine’s democracy, they're all united. You can see that in President Zelensky, who has been the face of the country’s resolve. And I think that you will see in the leadership of the country. Whether they are in power or they're out of power, they're all united in preserving their democracy. And a country that is as literate and educated as Ukraine, you cannot suppress by military force. I presume Mr. Putin understands that and if he understands it, he should reverse course before more damage is done... Ukrainians are fired up to be a democracy. They have given blood before. They're going to stand up for themselves and we should support them in every way we can. Linda Conlin: I'd like to turn now particularly to the Chernobyl nuclear plant. With your knowledge of the nuclear industry and the development of technology, would you share with us your perspective of what these Russian actions mean for the safe operation and fuel storage at these facilities and the possible ramifications, not only for people in Ukraine, but Western Europe? What are you most concerned about? Dr. Kris Singh: Well, my biggest concern is that the Russians haven't put those plants under supervision of their nuclear people right now. They seem to be run by the military and of course, the Russian soldiers don't know anything about nuclear. They don't know where the vulnerability is and the risk is that they will do something foolish that may lead to a serious accident. For example, the Chernobyl site had the world's largest concentration of used nuclear fuel in deep water pools. That's how it's kept cool. That fuel is supposed to be moved every week into dry storage that we have built, but it takes time. It's going to take eight to 10 years to get it all out of the pools and into dry storage. The Zaporizhzhia plant near Enerhodar is even more risky because it's got active fuel that's been recently discharged, meaning that it's still quite energetic. I hope that they don't mess with it. Linda Conlin: All the more reason, as you've often said, that having these facilities under civilian control is absolutely necessary. And hopefully those with the proper expertise are involved in this case… this leads me to another question. In your years of experience working closely with Ukraine, can you share your personal thoughts on the evolution of U.S./Ukraine relations? Dr. Kris Singh: Well, the U.S. regard for Ukraine and the country’s leadership has grown over time. Former President Yushchenko, for example, was widely regarded all over the world. The city of Philadelphia gave him the Freedom Medal, along with people like Nelson Mandela and others who have received that medal. President Zelensky, I must tell you, has somewhat surprised me. I did not expect him to be a modern-day Churchill, but better looking than Churchill. What he’s done is amazing. And his heroic standing up to Putin will go down in history as a great act of leadership. No question... He has the support of the political class in Ukraine, which is always bickering, like a proper democracy, but when it comes to their country, they're all united and that's heartwarming to see. Linda Conlin: Well, he has certainly not only rallied his own people, but he's rallied the world around him and around the people of Ukraine... We wanted to talk to you about the world economy, given the large global footprint that Holtec has. What challenges do you see that the current situation in Ukraine creates for the global economy, both in the short- and in the long-term? And, what does it mean for the future of nuclear energy? Dr. Kris Singh: Well, the global economy is going to be severely affected - no question. I think the days of free trade amongst countries is coming to an end. The world is going to be again, I'm afraid, back in ‘blocks.’ Russia is going to be ostracized unless Mr. Putin changes his direction and recognizes the value of his wager. Russia will be isolated. Russia is a supplier of important raw materials [like] petroleum products... The prices of materials are gyrating wildly... And it's happening of course at gasoline pumps. You see the price of gasoline going up. The world is in for a major economic disruption. And where the chips will fall at the end, I'm afraid will equate to increased inflation across economies and reduced economic growth everywhere in the world... The effect will be significant. I'm not an economist, but I am a businessman and I see how the economic forces work. It's not a good forecast for the world. Now for nuclear, I think that overall people will realize the value of clean energy. People will realize the lack of dependence on fossil fuels from a country under an autocracy is necessary to free ourselves from such dependence... Nuclear energy will benefit from world leaders recognizing that maybe their total faith in stable global trade was misplaced. But, I'll say it again for people who may not have the connection to Ukraine or with those who are the in the country, please understand, it's a humanitarian crisis. And what happens in Ukraine will reverberate for decades around the world. If democracy loses, if a dictator is able to suppress the will of the people, it will be catastrophic for all of us. So please help. Please help the beloved people of Ukraine. About The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP): A nonprofit, membership-based organization, the WTCGP accelerates global business growth for companies in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey by providing customized, one-on-one trade counseling, market research, educational programs, trade mission support, business networking events and powerful connections to customers and partners worldwide. Visit www.wtcphila.org. Read More

WTCGP Welcomes New Director of Communications

March 1, 2022 - On 2/22/22, WTCGP welcomed Michelle Boyles as its new Director of Communications. Michelle comes to the WTCGP with extensive print, online and events management experience. As Executive Managing Editor for Philly Biz and South Jersey Biz Magazines, she developed, assigned and managed all content for these monthly publications targeting executives in the Philadelphia and South Jersey Regions. Michelle also served as Regional Editor for Region’s Business and, more recently, as Communications Director for the non-profit Commonwealth Youthchoirs in Philadelphia and as Editor and Director of Events, for CEO Report. "Starting last week, Michelle has already approached her work with dedication, enthusiasm and energy," says WTCGP President Linda Conlin. As Director of Communications, Michelle will be responsible for developing and implementing the WTCGP’s strategic marketing and communications plan as the organization celebrates 20 years of service to businesses in the Greater Philadelphia area. Read More

Member Stephen Anderson Marquis Advisory

December 2, 2021 - By Graziella DiNuzzoI sat down with Stephen Anderson, Founder of Marquis Advisory Group and newest member of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, to learn more about his history and how Marquis came into existence. In October 1961, you were able to walk into The New York Times lobby on 43rd street in Manhattan and ask for directions to the Human Resources Department. And over the Christmas holiday, when you were at home in Jamestown, New York with your parents, you received a telegram asking you to report to work as a journalist in training. How did you manage that?"I am not sure. My journalism experience was limited to my college newspaper and The Chautauqua Daily, a paper of Chautauqua Institution in western New York State. Once at the Times my part was not important. What I could do now was on-the-job training that was semi-structured, informal, but with great mentors."So, what made you want to be a journalist?"My great uncle laid the idea in my mind. He was a lawyer, but never talked to me about law. His favorite recollections were about being a young journalist for the Jamestown Post Journal in Jamestown, New York, where we lived, and a free-lance journalist for the Canadian Pacific news. Great stories, including being sent to Panama to report on the unfinished Panama Canal. He was maybe 20 years old."It's certain that curiosity to find the truth and the courage to tell it are in Anderson's blood. ​"After working at the Times for three years, the Guild, the journalist's union, went on strike. McGraw-Hill, the publishing company on 42nd street at the time, was hiring. I landed a job there, assigned to covering emerging technologies, like Xerox, RCA, and others like TelePrompter. In one article I compared TelePrompter and Lear, who were competing in the reel-to-reel tape cartridge player for automobiles. Inadvertently my article suggested an alternative strategy for the auto display target. A few days later, TelePrompter asked if I would join their division responsible for the tape player. And my wife and I moved from Manhattan to Southern New Jersey. "Following his position at TelePrompter, Anderson held executive management positions which two Fortune 500 companies based in Philadelphia, (ESB Incorporated and Westmoreland Coal Company) both of whom have subsequently been acquired. His roles in both organizations were working with senior management on strategy and increasing share price. "ESB had global reach, manufacturing and recognized brands in Ray-O-Vac and Exide batteries. But in the 1970s batteries were not exciting to the investment community. We focused on the future. Developed battery powered cars and buses and tested them for two years. We got the attention of Polaroid and developed the battery imbedded in every Polaroid film pack. We focused on the application of batteries for the medical market, and it worked. ESB was purchased by a Canadian company for a price per share significantly greater than market." It was with Westmoreland where Anderson was most challenged. "I was asked to come in and help with their share price. But in order to do that I saw they needed a lot of changes internally. Fortunately, I had the backing of the Chairman. Traditional labor practices with the United Mine Workers were a problem. Changing the management tradition of an established industry gave resistance."Anderson also helped Westmoreland start a mobile book program with West Virginia's library to bring books to children and adults, and reading programs to isolated villages. He also helped facilitate Westmoreland grants to West Virginia colleges and universities for environmental research, and also sponsored morning children's TV shows in regions where Westmoreland had employees in Virginia, West Virginia, Colorado, and Montana. Stephen Anderson, Founder of Marquis Advisory Group And then a deadly explosion occurred. Five miners were killed in a Westmoreland mine in West Virginia.'I flew down to manage the press that were showing up at the scene of the explosion. We held updates every three hours for 48 hours until the bodies were recovered. Then, an NBC TV reporter asked," Who is responsible for the explosion?" I had anticipated this question and asked it very quickly saying that management is responsible. Well, all the camera lights went out and every newspaper and TV reporter ran to their offices and phones. When I returned to Philadelphia the next morning, our attorney stood at my office door and started reaming me for my statement. Behind him stood the Chairman, who tapped the attorney on the shoulder and said, "Steve did the right thing. If you cannot handle it. I will get someone who can."Subsequently, after attending a lecture by Edward Deming during an MBA course at University of Pennsylvania, Steve instituted Deming's principles, later branded as Six Sigma, at Westmoreland. Originally created by an American engineer, Bill Smith at Motorola, it basically, is a process in which 99.99966% of all opportunities to produce some feature of a part are statistically expected to be free of defects. Westmoreland trained all of its employees, including the miners. A major outcome, in addition to the miners and their bosses collaborating, was an independent contract negotiated by the President of Westmoreland, Chris Seglem. In 1993, Steve and his wife moved to San Francisco and established his consulting practice, originally branded as Six Sigma Group and later changed to Marquis Advisory Group. Drawing on his wealth of knowledge, Anderson understood that the key to a successful consulting company is to bring a highly specialized team of professionals together to provide companies customized, innovative, growth-oriented strategies for success. Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) was Anderson's first client. "Silicon Valley Bank was founded on the need for the investors in startups, the venture capitalists, to have a reliable bank that understood early-stage businesses. We were brought in to help the bank improve shareholder confidence, retain customers, and use the concepts of Six Sigma to make the bank's administration as close to 100% accurate and functionally perfection as possible."Marquis' first international client was an Australian cancer research laboratory that was publicly traded on both Australia's ASX and U.S. Nasdaq. Today, Marquis clients have included a Singapore manufacturer of miniature motors and controllers used to manufacture computer chips, medical equipment, a Silicon Valley pioneer in Internet consumer communications and an Indonesian seafood exporting company and a precious metals mining company based in South Africa. Since returning to Philadelphia in 2020, Anderson reconnected into a business region he had known but lost touch with while on the West Coast. In 2021 Peter Longstreth, President of the Consular Corps Association of Philadelphia, recommended to Wilfred Muskens to join Marquis. Muskens is the Honorary Consul in Philadelphia for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and U.S. Trade Representative for Kutch Region, State of Gujarat, India. Jerry Sorkin, Consulate of Tunisia in Philadelphia has also joined Marquis this year. When I asked Wilfred, a member of WTC, why he selected Marquis he responded, “I was looking for a professional environment where I would be able to work with a diverse group of experts on a project-by-project basis, while remaining independent. Marquis Advisory allows me to bring an exceptional set of skills to the table when meeting with potential clients.” Marquis has also entered a “partnership-affiliation” with the Philadelphia headquartered, internationally respected economic research firm, Econsult Solutions Inc. (ESI) and will close on a similar agreement with Mindhive Pty Ltd, a Brisbane, Australia firm that is considered a leading analytical software for crowd sourced, online platform research data development. “These partnership-affiliations provide our clients with the most advanced research service and the leading provider of information via cloud sourcing,” says Anderson. In addition to his responsibility to lead Marquis, Anderson serves as chairman of an IT AI company, Insight Systems Inc. that enables large organizations like the U.S. Department of Energy, to control contracts and manage budgets on a very timely basis. Read More

Member Connect Launches

November 16, 2021 - We are launching a new social media network, Member Connect, for all members of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP). Member Connect will allow members of WTCGP to connect with other members, share information/articles/resources, build an online community, stay up to date on local and virtual events through the WTCGP network, and meet every member of the WTCGP without stepping out of your home or office. With social media and the virtual world becoming more predominant, being able to connect with one another is becoming important more than ever. Our hope for Member Connect is to bridge the gap between our members that exists whether it's being on the other side of the state or world. Member Connect will allow our members to communicate with each other, post articles/resources/photos/videos, send each other messages, and stay up to date on the latest events and happenings within WTCGP from anywhere in the world. Before we launched our site, we went through a period of beta testing where we had 29 beta testers who spent 4 weeks using the platform to make sure it was ready to go for our wider audience. Our beta testers were tasked with setting up their profile, posting to the discussions, posting a resource in the library, and commenting on another user's post. We are bringing international business into your home and your hands. This new platform will take the trade business to the next level with our members being able to communicate with each other 24/7. It’ll give them the ability to share news and information in real-time, so they can make decisions about travel, supply-chain, logistics, covid-19, etc. If you are interested in becoming a member of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, please contact Susan MacDonald at smacdonald@wtcphila.org . If you are already a member and want to join Member Connect and/or have questions, please contact Leeannah McNew at lmcnew@wtcphila.org . Read More

Next Gen Devon Winter taking F.W. Winter & Company

November 8, 2021 - By Graziella DiNuzzo Fred Winter recalls living in tents and trailers in various South African countries like Angola, Congo, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and of course South Africa as the most developed and richest mining country with many other mining engineers from all over Europe. “I was recruited by the South African Bureau of Mines who did exploration work for the largest mining corporation in the world like Anglo-American, Anglo Vaal, BHP, Rio Tinto etc. After a number of years I was hired by Siemens AG to sell electro equipment to the various mining companies. I left my home in Germany as a young man to work alongside miners who excavated metal, minerals and concentrates from open pit and underground mines. We worked down in the mines for minerals about 2 miles underground. The most interesting mines were the platinum mines on the Highveld which are up to more than 1.5 miles underground. It was an interesting and volatile time, but I got along well with the miners from all over the world and the predominant local work force.” As a newly arrived immigrant in the U.S., Fred continued his career as a geologist and engineer and would one day stumble upon an opportunity. He attended an auction in 1983 and bought the assets of a metal processing company in Camden, New Jersey and started F.W. Winter Inc. & Co. Today, F.W Winter, Inc. & Co. is the leading industry supplier of metal and alloys in powder and lump form. I sat with Fred Winter and his daughter Devon, in the wood paneled conference room at their manufacturing facility, proudly tucked next to the Ben Franklin Bridge in Camden, NJ. What exactly does F.W. Winter produce and distribute? “Chromium Metal, Low Carbon Ferro Chrome, High Carbon Ferro Chrome and Special Alloy Powders,” Devon quickly answers. Okay, what do you do with them? Please answer like I am a fifth grader. “We crush them to specification to use for specific applications,” Devon says. We import raw materials and also develop customized methods for the processing of customer-supplied materials. All products are manufactured by utilizing one or more of the following processes: crushing, grinding/milling, screening, classifying, and blending.” The website outlines the following applications: Welding electrodes, Wire Manufacture, Hard-Faced Steel Plates, Chromium Aluminum Hardeners, Metal Injection Molding. Devon picks up her cell phone, “like the outside of your phone, any product which requires specific metal.” “Car engine chains, auto parts, welding bars, lots of uses in the aerospace industry.” How much international business do you do? “In 1983, we immediately began supplying to predominantly U.S. and South American customers because our main customer base were companies who produce welding electrodes,” explains Fred. “We currently do 70 percent domestic and 30 percent international business,” adds Devon. “We have a lot of business in the mid-west and have customers in Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia.” How did you get started in the family business? “I started working for my dad helping with logistics and sales while working on my M.S. in Television Management and M.B.A at Drexel University in 2014. I attended University of Vermont and majored in Communications and Entrepreneurship.” In 2018, Devon helped the company receive ISO 9001 certification, a globally recognized standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS). And in 2018 she worked to obtain F.W. Winter’s LEAN Manufacturer certification which reduces times within the production system and provides better response times from suppliers. All in the same year. In 2019, Fred appointed his daughter Devon to become Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “This is a non-traditional role for women, and Devon is very smart and capable. She also has a good relationship with the staff,” says Fred. "Ah but with some customers, it wasn’t that easy, and I wasn’t accepted right away," adds Devon. “This is a male-dominated field and some just wanted to speak with Fred. But I am grateful to those customers who have become mentors.” Devon currently sits on the Board of Women in Manufacturing. “People don’t understand the amount of technicality and artistry that goes into manufacturing. Manufacturing careers offer an immense opportunity for young people. At 30, I have seen so much, and it has taken me all over the world. Today manufacturing is more interesting than people think. It combines marketing, sales, global politics, supply chains, so much – not mundane at all.” According to the, US Department of Commerce women make up about 47% of the total workforce and only about 30% are employed in the manufacturing industries, and only 1 in 4 manufacturing leaders are women. We take a walk through the plant and meet Clark Davis who has been working in the plant for 39 years. “I’ve been here a long time; he yells over the loud sound of the mills currently in crushing mode. I’ll tell you anything you need to know, he says laughing. ” Devon stops to say hello to another plant worker, Wayne Howell, who has worked with the Winter family for 21 years. He shows us raw minerals he is working with. As an essential business, F.W. Winter remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. “We continued to pay our employees during COVID, even though we weren’t very busy,” says Fred. “It was the right thing to do.” “We are currently at 21 people and looking to hire. As some employees are beginning to retire," Devon explains, “Fred won’t say but over the years he also helped some staff with personal expenses such as funeral costs, etc. Fred always took care of the staff and worked alongside the plant operators. He never expected them to do anything he wouldn’t do.” In 2015, F.W. Winter received the Member Company of the Year award from the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia. “We provide the highest quality and service and have built a corporate culture and team where we strive to adopt existing advances in manufacturing,” Devon confirms. “We used to do everything by hand,” recalls Fred. As Fred begins to tell me a story, Devon politely interrupts and say she would like to one day document her father’s adventurous life in the metal industry. “Fred is ahead of the times to enable and promote a woman in the metal industry.” Read More

19th Annual World Trade Centers Day

October 13, 2021 - It wasn't an easy decision to host a live event - but we knew it was time. We followed the City of Philadelphia's COVID guidelines for an outdoor event and even went a step further by requiring proof of vaccination for attendees. What an evening! World Trade Centers Day is a day when all World Trade Centers around the world demonstrate their commitment to global trade by honoring individuals and organizations who work tirelessly to generate economic prosperity...and peace. It is also a day to remember the tragedy of 9/11 and why free trade must always continue. Beautiful Fairmount Waterworks was glowing with positive energy powered by the international business community, friends and family who gathered to pay tribute to our honorees. We couldn't have asked for a more spectacular event. Thank you to all who contributed to its success! Please take a moment to see for yourself. Read More

Pennoni hires DEI professional Erika L. White

April 20, 2021 - Ask Erika L. White about her work and she smiles brightly. She loves her job and has been recognized for her accomplishments. Recently, the National Diversity and Leadership Council named Erika 2021 DEI Champion, a well-deserved award for a woman who has spent the last 20 years in multi-cultural marketing, and the last six dedicated to DEI. It isn’t surprising that in February 2021, Pennoni hired Erika as its first DEI Program Officer. Pennoni has a proven history of working to advance DEI goals, and this past June 2020 Dave DeLizza, President and CEO of Pennoni, joined other Philadelphia business leaders to sign a “commitment to equity,” penned by The Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia. In a press release statement, DeLizza, reiterates, “We will rely on Erika’s expertise to guide Pennoni in creating a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program with measurable goals and outcomes that will attract diverse talent to our firm.” ​Pennoni is a 56-year old, multidisciplinary engineering firm, which serves markets from traditional, government and education to emerging energy and design-build. Pennoni proudly states that its success stems from the ability to approach engineering challenges from a wider spectrum of angles, and its combination of talent and experience generates unprecedented solutions for diverse and iconic projects around the globe. As a member of the WTCGP for over 20 years, WTCGP has witnessed Pennoni’s proactive approach to creating a collaborative work environment where every employee has a voice. Pennoni welcomes candidates, current employees, and clients to embrace differences and grow together. "I can tell that the culture of Pennoni is already one of inclusion and is committed to the advancement of diversity, equity and inclusion. We already have a long history of working with a variety of STEM outreach programs and we actively work with several diverse subcontractors to fulfill the needs of our clients,” explains Erika. Erika’s LinkedIn page, chronicles the almost weekly DEI zoom conversations she has been invited to attend as an expert. She serves as a Board of Trustee for the Shipley School as well as Board of Director for the Center City Proprietors Association, and is co-founder of The Philadelphia Diversity Professionals Consortium. But Erika is never too busy to volunteer as a mentor to young women, or act as a regular volunteer in her faith. Erika’s leadership in the DEI space began in 2007 as Director of the West Oak Lane Jazz and Arts Festival and the Director of Community and Government Affairs for the Ogontz Avenue Revitalization Corporation.​As Senior Diversity Coordinator for Ballard Spahr law firm, Erika helped contribute to the pipeline of diverse lawyers. Most recently, Erika worked as The Pennsylvania Convention Center’s Diversity & Inclusion Manager, “I was able to cultivate a strategy that had a focus of three key elements, supplier diversity, workforce development and supporting the diverse conventions and conferences.” Numerous written reports say the same thing, and 15Five.com sums it up, “when you make DEI a priority, every facet of your organization benefits, including the bottom line.” But there can be challenges. Erika warns that if you don’t do important initial first steps, corporations may find themselves spending unnecessary time and money on consultants and conducting trainings that don’t align with the overall strategic plan and organization’s culture. “The greatest challenge is the scale of their program and trying not to boil the ocean. A lot of times employers want to make a real impact and make it quickly and largely through making statements, conducting a lot of trainings, programs and initiatives. It may be hard for the company to manage all of those programs and have them feel organic to the culture of the organization. It’s like when you are trying to graft a plant or flower to make a hybrid, the process is very delicate and if done correctly, the process allows the two plants to work together to make something new and strong. It is the same concept with starting a successful diversity, equity and inclusion program. There must be an understanding or assessment of the existing structure and culture of the organization then you can begin to graft the elements of a DEI program into the DNA of the organization. You do this through a detailed assessment of the organization that can include a review of the policies and procedures, current programs, interviews of key stake holders, focus groups, surveys of the workforce, and then goal and strategy mapping.” For corporations looking to rollout a DEI plan, Erika advises hiring an experienced DEI officer who is well versed in the principles of the work such as bias and cultural competence but also understands the strategy and business case behind implementing a successful DEI program. “The support of senior leadership is a must, and the program must be routed in an established business element of the organization. For example, at Pennoni I am the first DEI officer and I report directly to our Vice President of Human Resources, Joyce Hess. I also have a dotted line to our Chief Operating Officer, David Pennoni and our Chief Executive Officer, David DeLizza with the full support of the Board of Directors. When the DEI officer is connected to a fundamental business element like Human Resources and the Operations Department, they have access to the necessary data and the overall operations of the organization.” What can we expect to see at Pennoni in the coming months? “Our next steps will be to add structure to our current activities and create a diversity, equity and inclusion strategic plan based on our overarching three pillars of Excellent Reputation, Profit and Growth and our values of Honesty, Integrity and Service,” Erika smiles. Congratulations Erika and Pennoni! Read More

Joint Marketing Program Announced

November 4, 2020 - Ameri-Business Partner Search Program (APS)™ assists international companies identify U.S. business partners and establish domestic business relations PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – November 4, 2020- The World Trade Center Greater Philadelphia and USA Strategic Ventures LLC jointly announced today the Ameri-Business Partner Search Program (APS)™ to assist international companies identify business partners and create partnership with companies in the Philadelphia region and the United States. “By combining forces with USA Strategic Ventures, the World Trade Center Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) is expanding its professional services to more readily assist international companies achieve their global business expansion objectives in the USA,” stated Linda Conlin, President of the World Trade Center Greater Philadelphia. “We provide a variety of marketing and business advisory services to international companies interested in establishing a presence in the USA and to domestic companies desiring global expansion.” ”International companies have become very aggressive in pursuing a global presence by taking advantage of the rebounding U.S. economy. To achieve their business expansion objectives and secure their future they must cultivate new foreign markets. The USA represents one of the best opportunities for success,” stated Alfred N. Basilicato, Managing Director and Founder of USA Strategic Ventures. “Formalizing our relationship with the WTCGP enhances our ability to develop market entry strategies and relationships with prospective business partners for our mutual clients throughout the world.” The Ameri-Business Partner Search Program™ was developed by USA Strategic Ventures based on 25 plus years of successful international trade experience including strategic industry research, developing market entry strategies, and establishing distribution channels resulting in repeatable incremental revenue. The APS™ approach provides a cost-effective unique process to identify, contact, and work with viable American business partners to penetrate the U.S. market. At every step of the journey, professional teams from both organizations will present actionable data and guidance to develop successful business relationships. USA Strategic Ventures is an award-winning experienced group of executive entrepreneurs with more than fifty years of combined diversified experience in sales and marketing, operations, manufacturing and finance. The firm assists clients develop and drive new revenue sources through international and domestic business development and by establishing strategic partnerships around the world. Learn more by contacting us at +1 215-717-9663 or by email at info@usastrategicventures.com. The World Trade Center Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) is a private-sector, non-profit organization that assists companies in the global marketplace. Their stellar global reputation provides members with legitimacy as they conduct business in new and existing international market. They work with importers, exporters, products and services. In addition to helping local companies overseas, they also help foreign companies to build their presence in the United States. To learn more please contact us at +1 215-586-4243 or info@wtcgp.com Read More

Successful Virtual World Trade Centers Day Awards

October 23, 2020 - We laughed, we learned, and we reminisced during our jam-packed, hour-long virtual show honoring Thomas Leonard of Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP, Philadelphia International Medicine, and SAP for their accomplishments in making the Greater Philadelphia region a world-class international business destination. Despite the pandemic, and because of great technology, over 300 viewers had an opportunity to toast our honorees and wish us well. Many thanks to the WTCAs who participated in a self-captured video salute to us, one of the highlights of our event. And despite the pandemic, our sponsors and donors came through once again to support us during our only fundraising event of the year. Special thanks to Independence Blue Cross for being our title sponsor. If you missed the original airing, no problem….you can watch the awards in its entirety on YouTube anytime! Read More

ASTM International: Helping the world work

June 18, 2020 - by Graziella DiNuzzo Over the years, we’ve heard the horror stories of housing construction material falling apart or children’s toys manufactured with toxic chemicals. Don’t these products have standards? ​Thankfully, many manufacturers around the world adhere to strict standard specification requirements, ensuring consumer safety and confidence. ASTM International is one of the world’s largest international standards development organizations, and “we support public health and safety by providing the specifications and test methods used for products that consumers routinely encounter, including for example, automotive fuel, construction materials, children’s toys and crayons, medical devices, drones, protective footwear and recyclable plastics,” explains Teresa Cendrowska, ASTM International Vice President, Global Cooperation. Dr. Charles Dudley, a scientist responsible for procuring the paint, steel and oil for the Pennsylvania Railroad is credited for creating the original movement to ensure that raw materials adhere to specific material specifications. In 1878 Dudley published a report entitled, “The Chemical Composition and Physical Properties of Steel Rails,” which concluded that a formula using mild steel produced a longer-lasting rail than hard steel. Since Dudley wielded purchasing power, his suppliers agreed to change a formula to meet his standards. “A good specification needs both the knowledge of the product’s behavior during manufacture and knowledge of those who know its behavior while in service,” Dudley said in defending the need for open dialog between buyers and suppliers – and ultimately the formation of the International Association for Testing Materials (IATM). In 1898, seventy members of the IATM met in Philadelphia to form the American section of the IATM, dedicated to “the development and unification of standard methods of testing; the examination of technically important properties of materials of construction and other materials of practical value, and also to the perfection of apparatus used for this purpose.” Today ASTM International has 262 staff located around the globe who support the development and delivery of ASTM’s 12,500 voluntary, consensus standards, and related services. Ms. Cendrowska explains, “ASTM International standards serve 90 industry sectors from petroleum, construction products and consumer products, to the environment, medical devices and new technologies such as additive manufacturing and unmanned aircraft systems (drones). Because standards are an effective way to transfer technology to the marketplace, support health and safety, underpin regulation and enable trade there’s a regular need for updated and new standards that are responsive.” So how does it work? ASTM has over 30,000 volunteer members from 150 countries who come together, and through science and engineering, work to find best performance in manufacturing and materials, products and processes, systems and services. Through technical committees, businesses, governments, and individuals collaborate openly to ensure the standards combine market relevance with the highest technical quality. Discussions can become very technical in the committees and subcommittees responsible for drafting the standards. For example, in a paper published for the airline industry, ASTM laid out a standard, which of course aircraft experts understand, “F34.06 standards include the following…… A specification for phenolic raw materials for use in bearing cages (F2953) covers basic characteristics for porous laminated phenolic materials intended for use as instrument and thin-section ….” As Vice President of Global Cooperation, Ms. Cendrowska leads a team which currently manages and sustains over 110 Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) partnerships on six continents.​“My team and I focus on encouraging and supporting the use and application of ASTM International standards and services in transitioning economies. These efforts are consistent with ASTM’s commitment to serving global societal needs and support the growing global interest in removing barriers to trade, advancing quality infrastructure and resilience and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals." The team also “provides training and technical assistance through virtual and on-site programs, and identifying and engaging public and private sector partners, both domestically and internationally, to collaborate with ASTM in supporting the uptake of US-based international standards, codes and regulatory practices.” With the help of technology, ASTM International has been able to respond to market needs and requirements – even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like almost every organization around the globe, “we’ve moved to a full on-line process. Our members have embraced the tools and continue to develop the standards that industry and the public sector need and use. Related services such as proficiency testing and training have also moved to a virtual environment.” The World Trade Organization endorses the use of international standards as defined by six principles: openness, transparency, impartiality and consensus, relevance, coherence, and development dimension, rather than by a standard’s label. “This modern definition of international standards is included in the standards chapter of the US Mexico Canada Trade Agreement . ,The more inclusive definition of international standards replaces the limiting text that had been part of the NAFTA,. It offers industry more options when deciding which standards to use. The change is beneficial for trade and commerce and ASTM.” says Ms. Cendrowska. ASTM International has also been able to encourage the use of its standards in niche markets where manufacturers, operators and owners are able to meet regulations, “for example unmanned aircraft systems (drones), where other standards don’t exist, regulators around the world, such as EASA, FAA, TCCA, IATA are calling out one set of standards - the ASTM standards. This consistency in cited standards is economical and efficient and helps designers, manufacturers, operators and regulators.” Ms. Cendrowska reminds me that ASTM International standards are voluntary and aren’t mandatory unless cited in a law or called out in a contract, “Users of the ASTM mark or logo can opt to meet ASTM standards and self-represent that their products or services comply with specific ASTM standards. The users may self-confirm or independently confirm compliance with the standard. ASTM does not endorse, approve, sponsor or certify compliance - unless the user is a participant in ASTM’s certification program operated through its affiliate SEI.” These four letters A S T M have been giving the world’s consumers peace of mind; you may want to look for them on your next product purchase. Read More

Annie Int. Providing over 4.5 million masks weekly

June 3, 2020 - Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Annie International’s website showed a beautiful model wearing lipstick, now the model wears a mask.​For the past 27 years, Annie International, with headquarters in North Wales, PA, has serviced the beauty industry providing hair, skin, nail and makeup products to 49 countries. In mid-March, when the United States was in the early weeks of the global pandemic, Annie knew it was time to switch production of their Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), primarily used by salon workers, to include surgical and medical grade products – especially masks. ​Annie created an official division – Annie Medical PPE But it wasn’t easy. Steven Miller, Executive Director of Sales and Operations explained the challenging process, “There were countless obstacles that we faced through the whole process. COVID-19 really showcased how unprepared the world is when it comes to each country being able to sustain itself with essential products.” ​Quality of Product “The first obstacle was securing quality production. Many factories, brokers and resellers were and still are marketing imposter products using fake certifications and test results. We have representatives from Annie International on the ground in China verifying product, cutting open masks, and then the Quality Control process happens again here in America. When it comes to face masks the key ingredient is a filtration material called meltblown. This textile became a major commodity. Having true meltblown and at the right thickness (grams) in each mask is essential.”Testing to meet National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Standards ​“We had to start the long process and invest 10s of thousands of dollars to have our products tested at Nelson Labs, a globally recognized lab. Many of our products have FDA, CE and ISO certifications among others but we quickly learned that many doctors and insurance companies require NIOSH certification, formed by the CDC. When the world is in crisis and needs immediate PPE there should be a process to streamline this testing. In the meantime doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers had to resort to not wearing PPE, wearing the same PPE or wearing a homemade PPE, while we have medical and surgical grade PPE’s ready and willing to donate and/or sell. Obtaining KN95 Approval in USA “The standard in the US is the N95 mask. The N95 is made in America, the KN95 is made in China and the KF94 is made in Korea. These three masks are the most common and widely used medical grade masks in the world. Because N95 masks were not readily available in America the last two options were the KF94 and KN95. Fortunately China still allowed KN95 masks and surgical masks to be exported to other countries, and they soon were allowed in America. Japan, Australia, Mexico, UK, Europe and America all started immediately getting supplies from China as there was/is no other source.”​Supply Chain Production Availability “Many countries closed their borders for exporting and American manufacturers were not permitted to export PPE out of the country. The problem is most countries did not have a large enough stock pile nor did they have large enough manufacturing capabilities to keep up with the demand. China was the one country remaining open to export PPE but that supply chain was fluid daily and sometimes changed by the hour. Our only option to keep our supply chain at Annie International going was through our partnership with our factories in China.” Labeling & Package Requirements and Certifications “Laws, required certifications, and labeling & packaging requirements changed daily and weekly in some cases. We had to repackage a shipment that went through customs at the airport and was ready to leave, due to packaging/labeling requirements that changed.”​Customs Delays “Shipments were being held in customs for long lengths of times due to the extreme high volume of PPE and because of changing regulations.” Missing Product from Shipment “When dealing with a healthcare system, national chain store, major distributor or union this shortage can be dealt with. When dealing with a government contract this shortage is an issue when you come up short.” High Demand, High Freight Costs, Not enough Planes “Standard air freight went from around $2/KG up to $26/KG. This is outrageous. The main freight carriers such as DHL, UPS and FedEx would only accept shipments up to a certain weight. Large shipments had to rely on airlines, which either stopped flying into and/or carrying freight from China. As the airlines dropped off one by one over the weeks companies were fighting for space on planes, driving up cost. At one point Amazon, being the largest airline customers, took all of the flights out of China for 1-3 weeks while our product sat waiting.” Cash Up Front ​ “Ten to twenty year relationships with factories didn’t matter. If you have/had terms with a factory those terms were not applicable when it came to PPE. The global supply chain for PPE’s became and still is cash based market. You must wire 50% of the cash at time of placing a PO and then the remaining 50% at completion of production before shipment. Some factories were requiring 100% upfront before production. Large National Retailers, Governments and militaries from countries all around the world, and major medical systems are and were not prepared. Despite the challenges, Annie Medical PPE division currently provides 4.5 million + masks to the world – weekly. A portion of every shipment sold is donated to local grocery stores, police departments, township employees and healthcare workers throughout Pennsylvania. ​While the United States maintains PPE export restrictions, Annie has been able to use its distribution centers around the world and leverage established relationships in 49 countries to direct ship PPE to its international customers. ​ ​“We have been providing the Mexican Government in Mexico City with millions of masks per shipment to support their healthcare system due to COVID-19. The Mexican Government had to also meet the new “playing rules” and wire the money in advance before receiving the product. When the product arrived police and military escort then took it to the social security procurement. We have done this with many countries such as Jamaica, Dominican Republic, South Africa, UK, and France.” “We have always been in the business of PPE products, just not to the level of what the country and world needs now,” Miller emphasized. And while Miller calls the global PPE market “the wild wild west,” he admits the challenges are worth it to save lives. Read More

Kibow Biotech open during COVID-19 pandemic

May 6, 2020 - The phone rang and I was startled to hear her voice. “Thank you for calling Kibow Biotech, how may I help you?” she asked. I couldn’t find words. After weeks of working remotely during COVID-19, I wasn’t used to the sound of a receptionist’s voice. I laughed and explained why and she patiently connected me with Mahesh. “Yes, I am at the office, we are open for business,” Mahesh replied when I asked. “We are busy.” Mahesh Ranganathan, International Product Manager leads the international sales for his family-owned company Kibow Biotech, Inc. located in Newtown Square Pennsylvania. “We have 20 employees here and currently 4 are in the office to field phone orders. We haven’t had any layoffs and in fact, we are looking to recruit additional marketing, sales and research associates.” Founded in 1997 by Mahesh’s father, Dr. Rangan, Kibow Biotech researches and develops scientifically-formulated and clinically-tested probiotic dietary supplements for maintaining kidney health and boosting the immunity of the geriatric population by restoring their intestinal microflora. The name Kibow was derived from KI – for Kidney and BOW – for bowels and the product line includes: Renadyl™, Kibow Fortis®, Kibow Flora™, and Azodyl™. “We currently sell online and through other online distributors via amazon and their respective website. Not in brick and mortar. We sell to a 65 percent mix of consumers direct and about 35 percent to HealthCare professionals direct.” During this COVID-19 pandemic, news reports repeatedly mention the need to maintain healthy immune systems to fight COVID-19. “We have seen renewed interest in our Kibow Flora and a slight increase in sales,” Mahesh confirms. “Gut Microflora are responsible for boosting immunity and overall well-being of a person.” Kibow’s website describes, Kibow Flora as providing a natural immune system boost. “Kibow Flora ™is a highly effective probiotic supplement that contains 30 billion live probiotic bacteria per capsule. Kibow Flora is 100% natural and is enteric coated to ensure that the probiotic bacteria are not destroyed by gastric or bile acids before they are released into the bowel.” “We have a 14-day window for shipping but then our products need to be refrigerated. Many probiotics you find in stores don’t have the same potency as ours.” Kibow’s highest selling product is Renadyl™, a natural supplement which helps to metabolize nitrogenous waste that has diffused from the bloodstream into the bowel. “We’ve developed our products to serve niche markets. Older populations with kidney health issues and diabetes don’t have a lot of treatment options.” Another Kibow product, Kibow Fortis® was developed as prebiotic to stimulate the growth of the “good” bacteria, namely, the lactobacilli and the bifidobacteria. Azodyl™ is a Kibow product developed specifically for cats and dogs to slow down uremic toxin buildup and helps prevent kidney damage. The supplement is also distributed and marketed by a French company, Vétoquinol. “The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia has been key with International Trade rep support and informational resources provided to help our international expansions efforts.” The top international markets for Kibow include Mexico, India, and the Philippines, “there are a large diabetic population in these regions.” “International sales via distribution average about 100,000 customers. We have about 25,000 US.” In January 2020, Mahesh attended Arab Health, one of the largest healthcare trade shows in Dubai, “ I had no idea, what was happening. Germs discriminate and affect populations unequally. The virus is a hidden epidemic of weakened immune systems. Public policy must focus on people’s ability to withstand infection.” Part of Kibow’s company vision statement, “is to advance the welfare of people globally by providing superior probiotic supplements.” Kibow offers a phone ordering option for older populations that prefer speaking with a knowledgeable customer service representative. And a friendly receptionist who answers the phone from an office during a pandemic. By Graziella DiNuzzo Read More