Innovation and agility – essential in the new economic reality
More than ever, manufacturing must be flexible and fast changing. Shifting global economic patterns mean that cost advantages which existed last year may no longer be there this year. Technological developments constantly change the name of the game – sometimes almost overnight.

The recent global recession has hit nearly all manufacturers. Recovery gradually arrived, but the resulting changes are unlikely to go away with the dawn of a new economic reality. In most industries potential supply is noticeably greater than actual demand, leading to predatory pricing and a buyer’s market. ‘Niche’ and ‘premium’ suppliers may avoid the price cutting game through differentiation, but customers’ may no longer be so ready or willing to ‘pay more for more’.

Regardless of all the challenges there are always those who continue to prosper. Carefully targeted product design, effective quality assurance, dynamic supply chain management and focused sales and marketing are all factors which separate the innovators in manufacturing.

Key challenges in manufacturing
All of these challenges have one thing in common. They rely almost exclusively on effective implementation which takes communication, competence and commitment on the part of you and your people.
• Cost management remains an eternal mantra in all successful manufacturers – in both good times and bad.
• Targeted marketing means fighting the battles you are likely to win – and not diverting resources into tackling market segments where competition has the advantage.
• Differentiation by ‘high perceived value’ to your customers can lift you out of the price warzone. Strong branding and provable high ‘value-in-use’ is a proven strategy.
• Business model changes can have dramatic and rapid benefits if the right decisions are made at the right time and at the right price. Outsourcing, mergers and acquisitions all have advantages and challenges.
 

The human factor
Manufacturing involves a broader range of activities than most other types of business. That’s why it also takes a wider range of skills and competencies to succeed. Highly significant competencies are:
• Negotiation skills in procurement; if you can reduce the buying price of all your inputs it can have the same effect as achieving a price increase (with less customer resistance)
• Supervisory and leadership skills in all areas and particularly in production – to increase productivity while maintaining safety and motivation levels requires top quality people management
• Cost analysis in financial management; there are many potential cost leakages in the whole ‘start to finish’ operation and keen and accurate pricing are essential, combined with rigorous cost management

A special focus on manufacturing
Having worked with manufacturing clients worldwide, we have developed significant experience and expertise in blending softer skill areas with key areas of manufacturing such as Lean, Six Sigma and even behavioural health and safety.

By working with TACK you’ll be in great company
We offer you highly specialised development solutions, specifically designed and fine-tuned to meet the needs and requirements of the manufacturing industry. Other manufacturing clients we have worked with include:
• David Brown Textron
• Fellowes
• Firmenich
• Ericsson
• Hollister (and Dansac)
• Howden
• Sauer Danfoss
• Tyco Electronics