Drucker/QBC’s Equation for Success? Innovation + Evolution
Consistent innovation and planned product evolution–two key factors in ensuring that a company stays relevant in a sagging economy. In the case of Drucker/QBC, these traits have also resulted in steady–even stellar–growth in the last 15 years. No small feat for a company started in 1983.
The QBC STAR Centrifugal Hematology System enables CBC testing in a variety of settings, including office labs and even remote locations
Drucker/QBC is now the largest manufacturer of laboratory centrifuges, by volume, in the United States. LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics, both Clinical Lab giants, purchase Laboratory centrifuges from Drucker in high volumes. The company also offers the only dry hematology systems for the point-of-care environment. Starting with two systems in 2005, they will add four additional models in 2011-2012 to meet both the US and world markets. In 2006 they introduced the first microscope attachment that makes affordable fluorescent microscopy possible. With this technology they now produce the world’s most sensitive malaria diagnostic test and have recently introduced a patented slide based TB diagnostic test, both in high demand in the Malaria and TB endemic third world countries.
This kind of technology leadership, honed over years of research and product development, can be attributed in no small part to the company’s involvement with the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania (BFTP/CNP).
Help When It’s Needed Most
“When we started working with BFTP/CNP in 1996, we had six employees,” said Jan Moscone, Human Resources Manager of Drucker/QBC. “When you’re a growing company, you can’t afford everything you really need. That’s where BFTP stepped in for us—providing what we needed to expand.” Today, 15 years later, the company employs 105 people in Pennsylvania, split between the new 16,000-square-foot Port Matilda Corporate Offices and the 62,000 square foot manufacturing complex in Phillipsburg.
In addition to business guidance and networking opportunities, BFTP/CNP has invested $540,000 in Drucker/QBC since the relationship began. Early assistance included updating and refining the company’s sales, marketing and HR processes, as well as finding a manufacturing space.
“Ben Franklin Technology Partners provided invaluable counsel to us,” said Moscone. “Today we are still very close with the team at BFTP/CNP and see them every couple of weeks. The sounding board they provide for us continues to help immeasurably.”
Perfecting and Evolving the Product
When you’re a growing company, you can’t afford everything you really need. That’s where BFTP stepped in for us—providing what we needed to expand.
—Jan Moscone, Human Resources Manager, Drucker/QBC
Already looking ahead, Drucker/QBC plans to modify and upgrade its centrifuges and hematology testing systems. A Fortune 500 company has expressed keen interest in the company’s newest hematology technology which is lower cost, more reliable, and offers all technological features expected from a state of the art medical device. The company has also recently formed an entirely new Infectious Disease Department housing all Fluorescent Microscopy and Rapid tests that will complement its hematology and centrifuge offerings.
“What we do is simple: manufacture laboratory centrifuges with a variety of models for various markets,” said Moscone. “What has made us so successful is the people in our company and the people around us. Having help when we need it, whether it’s the technology side, marketing, finance or just general guidance—that’s immeasurable. For that we thank Ben Franklin Technology Partners.”
Tags: medical technology, filed under Central & Northern PA, Client & Alumni News, News 