CMTC Manufacturing Blog

Posted by Steven Brand

California’s manufacturing industry has traditionally been vibrant, with the state having the largest manufacturing output in the U.S. It is host to giant firms such as Apple, McKesson, Chevron, Alphabet, Intel, Hewlett-Packard, and Cisco Systems, but it is also home to tens of thousands of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies.

Posted by Steven Brand

As a small or medium-sized manufacturer, you always have to work to your full potential to stay competitive. There are quotas to meet and deliveries to be made to satisfy existing customers and uphold a good reputation. Failing to be effective in throughput can lead to slow or delayed orders which in turn can lead to customers turning to your competition.

Posted by Marjorie Dunn

Low productivity can be an insidious problem. For line workers, performing repetitive tasks day-to-day, everyday, year after year, can sometimes have a lulling effect. After all, it is human nature to get used to a certain way of doing things.

Posted by Marjorie Dunn

Every year, U.S companies generate over 7 billion tons of solid industrial waste. In light of rising disposal costs, regulatory pressures, and changing consumer preferences, companies in the manufacturing industry have begun seeking new ways of reducing production wastes. Luckily, there are numerous tools and methods available to assist manufacturers in these efforts. These include:

Posted by Ellen McKewen

Imagine a workplace where productivity was constantly optimized, innovation was always pursued, and new opportunities were frequently discovered! A continuous improvement approach can assist manufacturers to operate on a higher level.

Posted by Ellen McKewen

As a company that takes pride in optimizing the way manufacturers do business across our beautiful state, we also understand the importance of the workforce that makes it all possible. Every employee deserves the right to fair, compliant and peaceful workplace and to help keep everybody in check, employee handbooks serve as the guide to ensuring a positive work environment. Having a road map that details all the need-to-know policies is beneficial to both you (the employer) and your team.

Posted by Ellen McKewen

As a professional in the manufacturing industry, the idea of integrating online marketing strategies with your current framework may seem foreign or even unnecessary. That’s understandable. However, when the proper components are implemented, the possibilities of improved customer service and increased number of clients soon become crystal clear.

Some manufacturers enjoy staying the course by only focusing on what has been working for them marketing-wise. And although this may be working, it may be time to try something that will take your firm to the next level with new age marketing techniques.

In this post, we’ll go over some of the crucial online marketing tactics that could change for the better the way your manufacturing company works.

Posted by Ellen McKewen

As a business, it’s common to hear three-word mantras like “Sell, Sell, Sell!” or “Location, Location, Location!” But what about the quality of your team? Shouldn’t their production and output also be taken into account?

That’s why here at CMTC, we put “location” and “selling” to the side, and hone in on what’s truly significant: improvment, improvement, improvement. Whether it’s individual performance or company growth, improvement is at the cornerstone of every thriving business.

Posted by Ellen McKewen

The business philosophy of lean manufacturing is all about optimizing a company’s workflow in order to maximize productivity. In the same way losing weight is all about exercising and cutting calorie intake, lean manufacturing focuses on reducing waste and  innovating the way your team works.

Now, since the lean system is geared more towards hardcore production, it’s important to note that the system truly has no bounds. It can be applied to both your sales and marketing efforts.

The only “catch” lies in how your company is structured and your team’s willingness to be empowered. A well-established, top-down leadership is crucial to rearrange the work patten to which your team is accustomed. Having a manager that is well-respected, energetic and eager to apply a lean approach to business is the perfect combination that will make employees less apprehensive and more interested.

In the spirit of lean production, these managers can facilitate brainstorming sessions that can lead to game-changing suggestions and solutions. The more open a discussion becomes, the wider the window of opportunity grows.

Posted by Ellen McKewen

In a series that showcases the "innovation, determination and work of U.S. manufacturers," one of our clients has caught the eye of NIST's Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP).