What Are CMTC's Clients Saying?
Contract Labeling Service
After meeting CMTC at a local college’s open house event and learning of the value they had provided to the students and companies in attendance, Contract Labeling Service invited CMTC to their facility. CMTC evaluated Contract Labeling’s manufacturing challenges and recommended solutions that included Lean and 5S. CMTC continued to work with Contract Labeling, providing marketing, finance, and strategic planning support. CMTC also helped Contract Labeling access available funding to help offset the service costs. As a result of implementing the new processes and training recommended by CMTC, Contract Labeling was able to boost their efficiency, increase sales, and add jobs.
Craftech Corporation
When Craftech Corporation re-engaged with CMTC for their second project, they were originally seeking assistance with long-term strategic planning. However, when COVID-19 hit, Craftech realized that they needed to pivot and instead focus on a new way to sell and maintain communication with their clients. CMTC worked with Craftech to help them redesign and optimize their website as well as develop targeted email marketing campaigns. With CMTC’s support, Craftech was able to gain a competitive edge and generate more business.
Dr. Squatch
Dr. Squatch experienced rapid growth within a three-year timeframe – going from 10 employees in an apartment to more than 300 employees spread out over headquarters and two manufacturing sites. During this time, Dr. Squatch became the largest cold-processed soap manufacturer in the United States. However, as customer demand increased, Dr. Squatch began experiencing operational challenges. The company needed assistance with plant operational efficiency, workforce training, leadership skills development, and hiring. CMTC assisted Dr. Squatch with business planning and culture building to attract and retain employees during the COVID pandemic. CMTC also conducted a Lean assessment and introduced recommendations for operational improvements and leadership development. In addition, CMTC helped Dr. Squatch access critical funding through the California Competes Tax Credit award, ensuring their continued growth in California.
Elite Robotics
Over a four-month period, CMTC aided Elite Robotics, a machinery and equipment manufacturer, to support the company’s exploration of target markets and product diversification. CMTC developed a marketing strategy that included comparative market analysis and email campaigns, and also provided the company with support in hiring a sales team. CMTC assisted in developing a lead generation initiative for Elite Robotics through the implementation of five BizBytesTM programs which included the creation of attention-getting graphics and digital email blasts. As a result of the B2B activities initiated through the CMTC project, Elite Robotics hired two salespeople and received a high number of warm leads. The company reported a $500,000 increase in sales, hiring a total of 20 new employees, and retaining two employees in the six months following their engagement with CMTC.
LGM Soil Amendments
In June 2020, LGM Soil Amendments sought to modernize their brand while still retaining linkages to their 1946 roots. In addition, they wanted to increase their organic search rankings, expand reseller opportunities, and improve their website in order to educate consumers and retailers. CMTC provided website design and development services, with the goal of creating one consistent layout, a user-friendly navigation structure, and a fully responsive design optimized for any device. CMTC also helped with marketing efforts, including social media and newsletters, and led a full rebranding, enabling LGM to obtain organic certification. As a result, LGM estimated a 10% to 15% increase in sales, leading to 2 jobs added. In addition, improved processes resulted in cost reductions of 5%. LGM invested approximately $50,000 in new products and $250,000 in new equipment.
Reborn Cabinets
Custom cabinetry manufacturer Reborn Cabinets' number one core value is to build a winning team. Over the years, Reborn has instituted a culture of training and support for their employees to work together and achieve more both in their personal and professional lives. However, Reborn recognized there were certain areas of training in which they could benefit from some outside expertise, so they engaged with CMTC to implement a formal leadership training program. Since then, Reborn and CMTC have worked together on numerous projects, forming a true partnership and helping to nurture Reborn's culture of training and advancement.
Resistor manufacturer Riedon’s existing ERP system lacked functionality and was slow and inflexible. As Riedon’s business expanded, the software’s limitations prevented the company from moving forward against the competition. To help Riedon address their long-term business system needs, CMTC provided resources and expertise to perform an enterprise software selection (ERP, MRP, and key modules). CMTC worked with Riedon to identify and qualify vendors and implementers; prepare vendor demos; and vet references—and ultimately provide Riedon’s management team with the tools they needed to evaluate and select viable enterprise systems. As a result, Riedon reports $40,000 in cost savings, $100,000 in capital investments, $100,000 invested in workforce practices, and $70,000 invested in information systems and software in the past 12 months. The company was also able to retain 1 to 2 jobs following the ERP implementation.
Sewing Incubator
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S. in March 2020, Sewing Incubator had just begun operations. Faced with product cancellations, Sewing Incubator quickly realized the need to diversify manufacturing and establish sound financial reporting systems in order to survive. CMTC partnered with Sewing Incubator to help them register with the System for Award Management (SAM), obtain a CAGE Code, connect with government PPE purchasers, create a formal accounting system for the company, and evaluate a comprehensive list of the company’s existing accounting practices to identify opportunities for process improvement. Sewing Incubator credits its survival through the pandemic to CMTC, and estimates $1,000,000 in sales revenue, cost savings of $50,000 in labor, and an investment of $100,000 in new products. In addition, the increased visibility due to increased financial reporting is expected to lead to $50,000 in avoided investments.
Streamline Avionics
When Justin Ryan bought Streamline Avionics in 2019, one of the conditions of the purchase from both the company’s lender and biggest client was that Streamline Avionics obtain a new AS9100D certification. Justin knew certification was something his company had to pursue — not just to meet the needs of Streamline Avionics' lender and client, but to establish a continuous improvement culture and ensure that the company would run smoothly. CMTC worked with Streamline Avionics to help implement process improvement and prepare for the ISO certification. CMTC also helped secure funding from state grants to offset some of the costs of the new program. As a result, Streamline Avionics reports $100,000 in new sales, $1,800,000 in retained sales, $14,500 in cost savings, and 15 retained jobs.
CA Manufacturing Stories
Dynamic Fabrication
When Dynamic Fabrication Inc. (DFI) needed a solution to improve their product quality and on-time delivery, they partnered with CMTC to create a training curriculum that would align with the company’s focus areas: customer requirements and continuous improvement. CMTC consultants delivered 40 hours of blueprint reading training to 17 employees and helped DFI access California Employment Training Panel (ETP) funds to offset the training costs. As a result, DFI estimates cost savings of $750,000 over a 12-month period, enabling investments of $100,000 in new products and processes and $15,000 in plant and equipment improvements. In addition, DFI designated another $24,000 of investment for employee learning and development.
Moore's Ideal Products
Moore's Ideal Products (MIP) has been designing and machining small precision parts for the RC Hobby industry since 1978. Several years ago, MIP’s Owner & Founder Eustace Moore made the decision to purchase and implement fully automated robotic equipment with the end goal of increasing MIP’s bottom line, flexibility, and overall capacity. In this video, Eustace describes MIP’s automation journey, explaining how his organization went from a manual production process to a fully automated lights-out operation. In the end, Eustace credits MIP’s existence to automation, stating that implementing robotics allowed MIP to maintain quality and consistency in their products and stay competitive in an international market.
U.S. Rubber Recycling
U.S. Rubber Recycling is a true triple-bottom-line business (People, Planet, & Prosperity) – they provide a second chance for people and a second life for materials, while growing rapidly to increase economic vitality in California’s Inland Empire. Using recycled crumb rubber from discarded truck tires, U.S. Rubber manufactures premium sports flooring, acoustical underlayment, and vegetation control matting. About half of U.S. Rubber’s workforce consists of formerly incarcerated people; and an increasing number are military veterans. U.S. Rubber believes that no matter what your business does, your narrative is going to transcend the service or product that you offer – and they believe sharing that narrative is important. By sharing their story on LinkedIn, U.S. Rubber increased awareness about their company and secured new business opportunities with Home Depot and other big-box and online retailers, proving the power of connection.
Women in Manufacturing
Kusum Kavia - President & CEO of Combustion Associates, Inc. (CAI)
Melanie Lang - Co-Founder & CEO of FormAlloy