Illuminating Success: Justice Design Group’s Journey to Efficiency and Growth with CMTC
For over 40 years, Justice Design Group (JDG) has been manufacturing lighting solutions uniquely designed and crafted with specialty materials. As the company has grown, operations have become more complex, prompting leadership to seek outside support to scale the business and meet growing demand. CMTC stepped in to analyze Justice Design Group’s business and train staff on workflow and inventory optimization. CMTC’s expert consultants also trained JDG factory personnel in Lean and 5S workplace organization techniques. In addition, CMTC helped Justice Design Group to reorganize their warehouse to enhance efficiency, leading to a higher On-Time Shipping (OTS) rate. The customized training provided by CMTC has improved JDG employee leadership skills, performance, and morale. CMTC’s long-term partnership with Justice Design Group has fostered trust between employees and CMTC advisors and resulted in a significant increase in sales and reduction in costs, helping Justice Design Group to drive sustained growth. Click here to learn more about Justice Design Group's journey!
Providing employees with a safe workplace is one of the core responsibilities of any employer. But building a hazard-free workplace is easier said than done, especially in the manufacturing industry. In this eBook, we explore the basics of workplace safety for manufacturers and provide actionable tips for creating an effective safety plan.
California State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant Application Training
Brought to you by the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)
Date: November 21, 2024 Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT
Learn about the California State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant administered by the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). During this webinar, attendees will gain valuable insights into eligibility criteria, permissible expenses, and the application process. This event is highly recommended for individuals who are entering the export market or expanding their existing export activities.
Build America Buy America: Strategies for Success In Compliance Brought to you by Iowa State University CIRAS
Date: January 23, 2025 Time: 9:00 - 10:30 AM PT
Join attorney Cara Wulf, partner at McCarter & English, LLP, for a webinar on the Build America Buy America Act (BABA). Discover BABA requirements, implementation guidance, and best practices for compliance as a prime contractor or subcontractor. Learn about BABA compliance certifications, pitfalls to avoid, and how BABA differs from existing Buy American requirements.
Our new Webinar Library is a one-stop-shop for all CMTC webinar content — old and new. Including helpful filters like Upcoming, On Demand, Trending, and Most Viewed, you can easily find and view our webinars with the touch of a button!
From Vision to Action: 6 Steps to a Successful Strategic Plan
In today's rapidly changing business landscape, having a well-defined strategic plan is more than just a good idea — it’s essential for long-term success and resilience. When done well, strategic planning fosters cohesion, focuses resources on the most impactful areas, and keeps teams motivated with a clear sense of purpose and direction. Moreover, it allows organizations to anticipate challenges and pivot when necessary, ensuring they are not only prepared for the future but also positioned to thrive. In this blog, we’ll outline the six steps to creating an effective strategic plan...
The Future of Reshoring: Building a Stronger & More Resilient Manufacturing Base
The process of bringing production back home is gaining momentum as companies reconsider many of the previous benefits of offshoring. For years, offshoring was seen as a strategy to cut costs, but today, in light of geopolitical risks and troubled shipping lanes, reshoring offers more than just financial incentives. It presents an opportunity to strengthen local economies, improve supply chain resilience, and enhance long-term competitiveness. However, the path to successful reshoring is not without its challenges. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most critical factors to bringing business back to the States...
MANEX, a CMTC Partner located in the Bay Area, recently stepped in to help Santa-Rosa based manufacturer 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. 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 also 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.
Sourcing suppliers online has become a fundamental part of the procurement process, especially for small and medium-sized manufacturers seeking efficient and reliable options. Traditionally, manufacturers have relied on directories, which offer extensive lists of suppliers but often lack dynamic features like real-time pricing or communication tools. Marketplaces, on the other hand, provide an interactive experience with added transparency, enabling manufacturers to communicate with suppliers directly to gather intelligence. However, these platforms often come with transaction fees or restrictive terms that may not align with every manufacturer’s needs. Finding the right balance between comprehensive supplier data and interactive functionality can be challenging.
Fortunately, there is a powerful new tool that combines the best of directories and marketplaces: California’s Sourcing & Procurement Platform (CSPP), led by CMTC and powered by Sustainment. This free platform is designed specifically for California’s manufacturing ecosystem, making it easier than ever to find vetted suppliers within the state as well as across the country. With CSPP, California manufacturers can streamline sourcing, reduce costs, and foster local and national partnerships, strengthening their supply chain. To join California's Sourcing & Procurement Platform, visit cmtc.com/cspptoday!
Open Supplier Scouting Opportunities
Looking to expand your supply chain and grow your sales? The MEP National Network has several exciting supplier scouting opportunities available right now!
Click here to explore the current openings and find your next customer. To apply or to receive more information on any of the open opportunities, contact CMTC Supply Chain Consultant Barbara Weg at bweg@cmtc.com.
Made in California Showcase
Today’s customers are looking for American-made products because they associate them with quality. In fact, research studies have revealed that 60% of Americans are willing to pay more for products made here at home. There’s no cost to join the other 1,500-plus Made in CA members, just click here to sign up.
This Month's Featured Manufacturers
GEORGE-DAVID CO., INC. | DRINKME BEVERAGE COMPANY
EB DESIGN | METRON OPTICS
Every month, CMTC is proud to showcase manufacturers participating in the Made in CA Program. Featured companies appear in order from when they qualified for and joined the Program. Each week, one of this month's featured manufacturers is promoted on the Made in CA social media sites, giving each company more visibility.
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