Taking another look at the cap manufacturing and also embroidery operations of Texas-based American Made Cap Co
. In the March 2013 problem of Impressions (" Made in the USA: A Case Study, Part 1 of 2"), I blogged about a set of pals, Greg Bednarik as well as Rickey Eavenson, that decided to support their neighborhood west Texas economic climate by purchasing American Made Cap Co., a struggling cap supplier that had gone through a number of modifications in possession throughout the past three decades, with numerous workers persisting via the company's rough times.
With the new CUSTOM VELCRO PATCHES company owner came new hope for the company, which I had actually done business with during the "gimmee-cap" boom of the 1970s. During my first visit previously this year, I identified numerous locations for renovation, however the biggest difficulty stayed discovering enough clients willing to pay a bit more for a high-quality, American-made cap. Identifying a corresponding item the firm could produce or decorate to create added profits was a secondary difficulty.
Bednarik revealed that some vital employees modifications actually have actually altered the skin of their business. At the time of my previous visit to American Made Cap Co., brand-new Production Manager David Stutts had just begun collaborating with the company. Stutts was experienced with manufacturing in a various industry, as well as was acquainting himself with the procedure of production and also embellishing headwear.
I could tell from his concerns that Stutts is a very quick study and, since press time, has obtained a strong grip of all phases of manufacturing. Among the explorations he made is that throughout a previous proprietor's tenure, the embroidery maker thread trimmers had been shut off to improve stitch output. This profited equipment operators, who got on a reward program. Not familiar with the needlework procedure as well as maker capabilities, this concern was just exposed after the firm paid numerous hrs of overtime to workers carrying out cutting tasks.
Additionally, a number of other new staff members are truly making an impact. One has visuals arts skills as well as screen printing experience, and also is being educated to give back up to digitizer Wanda Eavenson. Another brand-new staff member is making contributions in the location of information technology as well as likewise is being cross-trained for various other responsibilities. Both new team members additionally follow up on brand-new service leads.
Progression on top of the personnel chain additionally aided to make changes that boosted the staffing in various other ways. One of the lessons discovered by the possession is that particular workers are not necessarily important. It's an usual fear amongst company owner and also administration that whatever will stop if one or more essential workers leave the company. In my experience, nevertheless, this is hardly ever the case. American Made Cap Co. discovered that despite shedding a number of team members-- consisting of a manager-- that production was sustained without missing a beat.
NEW PROCEDURES, BUSINESS
By simply observing and making adjustments to organization methods, Eavenson and Bednarik have decreased their day-to-day operation expenses by $500-$ 600 per day. This has actually dramatically boosted capital and can be attributed to several vital modifications.
A huge modification is streamlined documents, which was achieved by taking a close look at paper circulation within the firm and making changes that aided boost performance. Monitoring likewise put focus on charge card payments for customers, which minimized the administration costs connected with invoicing as well as collection.
In the new service arena, four interesting and also significant cap production possibilities have been introduced to American Made Cap Co. from firms in Colorado, New York, California as well as Texas. At press time, some brand-new accounts were still in the process of being expanded, but the brand-new company is offering the capital needed to produce a healthy company profile. Among the brand-new accounts sends its very own patterns and also products to American Made Cap Co., which offers cut-and-sew plus needlework solutions. Keeping the embroidery makers humming contributes to paying the overall overhead expenses for the plant.
An additional contribution to the firm's success is its association with the Go Texan program, from which it has actually reaped significant benefits. With affiliation with this program, funded by the Texas Department of Agriculture, a business's name is linked not just with American-made products, yet likewise Texas-made products. It was a red-letter day in July when Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples went to the company. He identified American Made Cap Co. for its use of textile made from American Cotton Growers (based in close-by Littlefield, Texas) in the company's caps, aprons as well as shoulder bag.
The biggest and also most promising development the company has experienced throughout the past few months is the enhancement of a corresponding line of product. The product-- lightweight, flame-resistant clothing-- is used thoroughly by business with employees in oil as well as gas fields. These business also utilize great deals of headwear, making sales calls twice as efficient.
" It's a perk that the United State government needs workers in particular sectors, including seismic workers, to put on flame-resistant garments," Bednarik states.
As part of the clothing program, the company includes up to 10,000 stitches of needlework in its rates. The company also makes headwear from the unique material. Stutts discovered that the team can stitch it using normal manufacturing approaches, giving more orders to maintain the needlework makers running regularly. The firm even started a brand-new internet site, americanfrc.com, that includes the item.
WHAT'S NEXT
Revitalized by the remarkable progress the firm has made in current months, Bednarik and also Eavenson look forward to applying prepare for further growth. Initially, they want to boost its on the internet presence as well as probably initiate a line of themed caps. American Made Cap Co. still takes part in a grant program that can help offer funds to enhance its Internet presence and also marketing generally. They additionally wish to create a program with a major account to generate caps for stock during slow-moving times.
Bednarik intends to fill up the plant's manufacturing ability and begin a new, enhanced incentive program for staff members. "I would certainly rather pass even more money to the staff members if I can jam this area with volume," he says.