Understanding customer needs has always been critical whenever manufacturers create solutions that support changing business structures and global contingency plans. With a surge in demand, procurement shortages, increased lead times, and the need to create high-quality products without error, streamlining the manufacturing process has become the solution for many.

Pearse Bertram+ Streamline Contract Manufacturing (Bloomfield, CT) is a company that has been able to meet the needs of its customers while improving manufacturing process. Becoming a force as a true end-to-end partner offering distribution and contract manufacturing.

Streamlining the Process and Why Is It Important

 Who doesn’t want to increase profits without sacrificing quality? Streamlining the manufacturing process enhances efficiency and reduces unnecessary tasks, delivering predictable business outcomes through continuous improvements and a simplified business process. Let’s look at some of the benefits:

·      Better time management

·      Improved communication and collaboration

·      Reduces waste

·      Increases Productivity

·      Process transparency

·      Lowers expenses with increased efficiency

·      Identifies improvement areas

Every organization has a system in place that has many moving parts used daily. Some of which may be efficient, while others may not. It is important to note an organization’s operational efficiency is essential to its success and longevity. If you are thinking about partnering with a contract manufacturer or looking to streamline your manufacturing process, these 5 tips are a great place to start.

1.    Improving team communications

A team that can effectively communicate with one another can work more efficiently with one another, the same can be said for a manufacturing partner. Integrating all business personnel into a centralized system keeps everyone informed and involved. Part of improving communication includes team meetings and utilizing technology to assist in consistent dialogue, such as computer software and wearable technology.

From a manufacturing partner perspective, observe and ask how they communicate tasks to their staff and clients. It’s important to know how production is going through each stage to plan for contingencies or potential roadblocks.

Pearse Bertram+ continues to strengthen the communication within their organization by implementing a solution that would reduce time and processing across the sales, engineering, and manufacturing divisions. Communicating through a customized customer relationship management (CRM)/Enterprise resource planning (ERP) system allowed each employee to be informed and active throughout each stage with correspondence on materials, lead times, production, and delivery statuses. Part of their success comes from building a healthy work environment through continued training, daily internal correspondence, and core values that have strengthened the comradery internally and built trust and reliability externally.

2.   Improve quality-Reduce cost

Product quality begins with dependable suppliers and raw materials. Having a solid system in place to inspect the materials assists in overall production quality at various stages. This includes checking for defects, validating the order, and making sure your team has the training to know what to look for. Carefully inspecting the materials and having a record of the materials received helps prevent false estimations of inventory and allows a company to accurately prepare and forecast depending on customer demand. Your manufacturing partner should have a solid list of suppliers that can handle scalability and maintain quality. General questions such as “what are the procedures for materials once received?” and “Does the material meet your required specifications?” are good questions to ask a prospecting manufacturer.

Pearse Bertram+ goes over and beyond to assure materials are carefully inspected and cleared for production use. With company protocols in place, high-quality engineering, limited waste, and safe packaging are easily maintained. Placing a huge emphasis on quality and processes allows Pearse Bertram+ to remain competitive and in many cases pass on savings to its customers.

3.   Reduce Waste, Time & Identify Improvements

Each organization will have different forms in which they need to reduce waste. It can range from wasted inventory, overproduction, defective materials, and one we can’t get back…Time! While analyzing where your organization needs to reduce waste, it is best to have an organized method in place that involves the whole organization. This keeps everyone focused on the same objectives and gives them peace of mind to make observations on their own, which can further the goal of reducing waste in their areas of work. Finding the areas in which your waste occurs also aids in the prevention of employees getting burnt out by removing unnecessary tasks and the ability to solve current and potential pain points.

Selecting a streamlined contract manufacturer can save you time and deliver with efficiency. A partner that can save you time and oversee all aspects of the production process can be very valuable to your supply chain.

Pearse Bertram+ has strict protocols in place that each team member is trained and well familiar with. The benefit of open communication and active training has improved the reduction in waste in all departments due to the organization buying into the system in place that they helped create to make their jobs easier, more efficient, and reduce time wasted. Communication and understanding of the areas in which their waste occurs and can be reduced, have been instrumental in performing and delivering at a high-level day in and day out.

4.   Increase Productivity & Improve Process Transparency

Access your current processes and be very critical about what you are currently doing. Include your staff in this process to increase the clarity of their pain points. If your staff's pain points are not addressed, expecting improvements from the changes in your organization’s processes will be a challenge. Each area of your organization has its own process but remember each area is an extension of the “overall” system that keeps the organization working together. Your contract manufacturing partner would also be an extension of your system. Take each process based on organizational priority and begin to analyze the results. Keep your staff involved throughout so they are prepared to make the adjustments when necessary. How your contract manufacturing partner functions internally will directly affect your productivity.

Pearse Bertram+ increased productivity with continuous evaluations of their performance across all departments. The increase in communication and willingness to keep each department informed with tasks, order statuses, and changes in inventory and lead times has allowed each department to work cohesively, significantly increasing overall productivity.

5.   Invest in Equipment

With no surprise, investing in the best machines for the job makes a difference but it can be costly. As technology continues to advance and materials become harder to procure, being precise throughout the production process is essential. Investing in automation and or upgrading to the latest models means investing in proper training, continued education, and certifications to assure safety and proper use. A plus to partnering with a streamlined contract manufacturer is the use of the latest technology and their skilled labor force.

There are several benefits of a streamlined manufacturing process, but here are a few added benefits when the opportunity to partner with a vetted contract manufacturer that has already streamlined their process.

·      Advanced technology

·      Skilled labor force

·      Saves space

·      Increased time for core competencies

·      Reduction in overall costs

·      Increased productivity and scalability

·      Track record of quality work

Whether the direction is to streamline your manufacturing process or partner with a streamlined contract manufacturer, the result is better quality, better time management, increased growth, and the ability to improve your bottom line. Visit www.Pearsebertram.com to learn how partnering with them can increase your production efficiency and improve your overall performance.