Things have been tough for small-scale manufacturers in 2022. A combination of rising input prices, lockdowns in the Far East, and economic uncertainties back home have all contributed to a general sense of impending doom.
Fortunately, though, we’re here to help. In this post, we cover some essential tips for small-scale producers looking to weather the storm and achieve lasting profitability by the end of the year.
Always Keep Your Capacity Below 100 Percent
You never know when you’ll get a spike in demand. Therefore, it’s wise to keep your capacity below 100 percent.
Emphasize Communication
Don’t leave your employees in the dark. Make communication between workers and managers an honest, two-way street. Let them know what’s going on at the company and what they can do personally to make it more successful.
Produce A Better Website
Manufacturers are famous for running shoddy websites that fail to convert. Even if your operations are B2B, your site is still your storefront, and it is primarily what customers use to judge whether they want to consume your services or not.
Get Better At Writing
How you write often determines the level of success your company will have. Try to make your business sound more professional and personable in all your branding materials. Hire a professional writer if you need to.
Improve Your Equipment Maintenance
Reducing the rate at which your equipment depreciates is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal to increase your bottom line. If you can cut your capital costs, your business will become more price competitive.
Start by laser cleaning your equipment instead of using conventional cleaning products. This approach eliminates the risk of damage to surfaces. Also, enact a maintenance schedule that exceeds the manufacturer’s requirements.
Get Professional Product Photography
The better your photography, the more professional your brand will appear. Don’t be afraid to invest significant sums of money in it. The rewards are often worth the initial investment.
Collect Customer Opinions
Getting feedback from your customers is vital. If you become out of touch, clients will switch to other providers, looking for a better service. Get creative with your customer service, and implement solutions that other brands simply don’t consider.
Become More Efficient In The Workshop
The best small-scale manufacturers are devilishly productive in the workshop. Most abide by the 5Ss, a lean inventory methodology first developed in Japan. For instance, they remove unused items to prevent employee rummaging, set everything in its proper place, and create a clean workshop, free from dirt and grime. They also standardize everything, making sure that it is clear and legitiable, and set clear policies to ensure worker compliance.
Invest In Inventory Minimally
While it might seem like a great idea to have plenty of inventory lying around (for a rainy day), it can actually come back to bite you. Too many materials cost you storage space and can directly impact productivity, depending on workshop layout. If you can’t use your inventory in production, sell it to someone who can.
