|
|
MATAAC Success Stories
Medical Device Manufacturer
Eastern Pennsylvania
Since 1972, manufactures anesthetic, respiratory care, and blood transfusion medical devices used during and after surgical procedures
Situation
Several products were beginning to enter stages of maturity and competition from foreign imports was stiffening.
- Demand diminished
- Sales declined 3.4%
- Employee levels decreased
Solution
The company was awarded $92,500 in technical assistance, 50% of which was paid out directly to the consultants by MATAAC. Funds were allocated for a number of projects, including:
- MIS upgrades in MRP, materials management, scheduling and costing to streamline operations and improve productivity and competitiveness
- Marketing Plan development, focused on increasing short- and long-term sales
- New product development
- Financial controls and cost reduction methodologies
- Proposal development for a Small Business Innovative Research Grant to expand product offerings and reduce maturing-products pressures
- Two quality ISO audits to ensure continued compliance with quality commitments and enhance industry reputation
Results Since Certification
- Sales increased 67% between 2000 when this manufacturer entered the MATAAC program and 2004
- Employee level rose 7%
- Continues to implement projects with 25% of its remaining funding
Shipping Container Manufacturer
Maryland
Maker of shipping container systems used to move and store items ranging from satellite-sensitive electronics, to MREs and silicon wafers for the shipping industry, U.S. Army, and U.S. Secret Service
Situation
Firm was in its second year of declining sales, profits and employment.
- Sales declined 29.3%
- Profits plummeted more than 53%
- Employment decreased by 20%
Solution
The firm implemented a variety of projects, including:
- ISO 9000 Certification
- Financial systems upgrades
- MIS upgrades to track costs by product, shift, customer, department, and order
- Market research and development of systems to penetrate NATO procurement protocols
- Management/supervisory skill-set upgrades
Results Since Certification
- Sales increased 1,031%
- Sales per employee improved 85%
- Employment up 204%
- Small Businessperson of the Year Award given to firm's President by Maryland's SBA, March 2003
- Silver Medal awarded by Senators Mikulski and Sarbanes at the U.S. Senate Productivity Awards ceremony, Johns Hopkins University, March 2004
Printed Circuit Board Maker
Western Pennsylvania
Established in 1979, first manufactured PCBs, then populated them with electronic components, and now serves as a single point of contact for all of a customer's circuit design and engineering, PCB fabrication, electronic fabrication, testing and integration needs
Situation
From 2002 to 2003, experienced lingering effects of the U.S. economic recession and increased competition from imported PCBs from Taiwan and China.
- Sales declined a devastating 23%
- Profitability diminished
- Laid off 20% of workforce
Solution
With MATAAC's assistance, the firm embarked on two ambitious projects:
- Implementation of a new $90,000 Enterprise Resource Planning system
- Shop-floor software upgrades to gather, analyze, and monitor manufacturing production data more efficiently
Results Since Certification
- Cost controls and operations efficiencies improved by leveraging the new ERP system
- Sales and marketing efforts increased with resources freed up by TAA funds
- Sales rebounded 28% in just over a year, matching levels prior to joining the program
- Workforce increased 7.5%
Commercial Printing Technology Manufacturer
Pennsylvania
Manufactures a variety of products that integrate with commercial printing technologies
Situation
- Customers increased purchases from China and Southeast Asia
- More environmental laws and other regulatory issues that foreign competitors did not have to face, increased compliance costs
- Labor and healthcare costs rose
- Sales and profitability declined
- Employment reduced 19%
Solution
MATAAC funds were applied to several projects, including:
- Implementation of a sustained marketing initiative to improve sales in existing markets and outreach to untapped markets
- Employee training in lean manufacturing techniques
- MIS upgrades
Results Since Certification
- Effectiveness improved in generating sales
- Shop-floor output increased, while costs decreased
- MIS upgrades improved financial monitoring capabilities
- Competitiveness in the global economy enhanced
|
Contact us today to start the process.
What our clients are saying:
Materials Packaging Manufacturer
Maryland
"My company has gone from 47 employees in 2001, to 33 employees in 2003. Our sales went from $11,000,000 to $7,000,000 -- a result of foreign competition. Italian and German companies had taken an additional 14% of the U.S. packaging machinery business. Major U.S. companies were and are actively pursuing suppliers in China, India and Brazil.
We see Italian and German manufacturers financially supported when they exhibit in foreign machinery shows; we see tax credits to make the German and Italian manufacturers more competitive.
2004, MATAAC stepped up to provide assistance in the form of marketing assistance, training support for lean manufacturing and strategic planning. We have come back from 33 employees to 44 employees, we have developed new software for machine design and our sales are at $12,000,000."
~ ~ ~
Wire Spring Manufacturer
Pennsylvania
"By using the MATAAC's funding we have worked on the following projects:
1. Web site development
2. Market Research and Analysis project
3. Development and Execution of Tactical Marketing Program project
We have been able to leverage the MATAAC support to realize the following financial and employee benefits:
A. Sales increased by $500k
B. 7 new jobs created
C. $750k sales retained
D. $800k investment in new equipment
E. Improved workforce skills, better understanding of the sales process and customers, more competitive.
We owe a great deal to MATAAC, its people, support and knowledge. It has made us a better and stronger company."
~ ~ ~
"Nothing is perfect, but the help we have received was close to that level. We had $9,000 of internet sales last month. 1% of the total, but it will grow. We have shipped a $29,000 container to Brazil and have another planned for Germany in June. These are areas we normally could not have pursued."
-Crystal Giftware
"Personnel are friendly, accessible, and helpful."
-Reaction Injection Molding
"The staff @ MidAtlantic are very helpful. They always respond quickly to any questions."
-Occasional Wood Tables
"Made the process of qualifying easy by gathering information from our customers. MATAAC did the legwork and did it well."
-Metal Heat Treating
"Helped drive changes in our management outlook and ultimately in how our sales team is held accountable."
-Locking Security Bags
"Our consultant has changed the way we look at our true financial numbers. This will help to keep us on the grow for the future."
-Tooling and Machine Components
"Everything moved along fine, no problems."
-Tool & Die for Automotive & Fire Arms Industries
"Generally satisfied. We would recommend to others."
-Packaging Solutions
"Our consultant was invaluable. She was instrumental in putting systems in place to support new business and helping to expand our Contract Packaging business unit. MATAAC made this possible."
-Transportation-Industry Amenity, Cleaning, and Packaging Products
Click here to learn about the TAA Program's 3 steps.
|
