Challenge
Because EMG Pickups’ products are unlike typical guitar pickups, EMG spent their early years assembling everything by hand to ensure their unique products were built correctly. However, when EMG Pickups eventually decided to transition from manual to more automated assembly, the company faced challenges in effectively training and managing employees while maintaining their high standards of quality. EMG Pickups tried to address their challenges internally, but soon realized they needed external guidance to help them navigate their new automated process.
Solution
MANEX*, a CMTC Partner located in the Bay Area, stepped in to help EMG Pickups refine their quality control procedures by training their team during weekly workshops. MANEX guided EMG in assessing, documenting, and prioritizing product defects. In addition, MANEX assisted EMG Pickups in optimizing their manufacturing layout to minimize expansion costs by creating efficient space utilization and flow within existing constraints. The process involved strategically allocating space and arranging equipment and assets to reduce operations costs while maximizing process efficiency.
Impact
As a result of their work with MANEX, EMG Pickups’ quality awareness is now at an all-time high. With the guidance and support of MANEX, EMG Pickups has realized a $300,000 total sales impact, reduced their costs by $150,000, retained 16 jobs, and added 4 new jobs. EMG Pickups also made a total investment of $130,000 in their business, including $40,000 in new products/processes, $50,000 in equipment, $20,000 in IT, and $20,000 in workforce development/employee training.
*The Corporation for Manufacturing Excellence (MANEX), located in the Bay Area, is a non-profit CMTC Partner dedicated to supporting local manufacturers and providing programs focused on fostering growth, creating jobs, and building skills for long-term success. MANEX is a member of California’s Manufacturing Network, formed and led by CMTC.
“MANEX has really taken us to another level that we didn’t expect to get to. Having resources like CMTC and MANEX makes it that much easier to keep your business in California.”
— Rob Turner, Founder & President
