Once you decide to hire a manufacturing consulting firm to make your manufacturing operation more efficient, you should take the time to find out all the services your manufacturing business consultant has to offer. Both you and the manufacturing consultant should sit down and thoroughly discuss your options.

As you work with the manufacturing consulting firm, you are liable to find that you weren’t even aware of some of the services they provide. If your focus was on streamlining operations, you may also find that the manufacturing experts have good suggestions to help you train your workforce, operate and maintain equipment and a host of other ideas. The key to working with manufacturing consultants is to:

1. Clearly communicate your needs with your manufacturing consulting firm beginning with your initial contact.

2. Work collaboratively with your industrial production consultant. If they suggest something that you know doesn’t work, be sure to say so. But also listen to their ideas with an open mind.

3. Set realistic goals for your employees based on recommendations from the mfg consultant.

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Allow your manufacturing consulting firm to assess your needs

This extra step to setting up your factory efficiently can save you a lot of money in the long run. Generally this process only takes a short period of time. And with information from the assessment tool they use, the manufacturing consultants can target more specifically what you need to do.

I recommend: Competitive assessments performed by KDC & Associates can quickly target areas that need improvement. Without this manufacturing consulting tool, your business can quickly lose money and market share. Vitrom Manufacturing Consultants can work with you to assess your plant’s physical assets, your workload management systems and your maintenance programs. Each assessment by this industrial production consultant comes with recommendations for improvements.

Work with your manufacturing consulting firm to implement your goals

If possible, use any mentoring services offered by the team of manufacturing consultants you hire. If they offer training or seminars, participate. Some manufacturing consulting services even provide individual staff training sessions.

I recommend: Kevin Kennedy & Associates offers manufacturing consulting services that include organizational mentoring and coaching. Its team of manufacturing specialists can help you pinpoint trouble areas so you can get more value for your investment. Set up in-house workshops with the help of Gembutsu Consulting. As part of its industrial production consultancy services, Gembutsu works with your staff to help implement the changes necessary to improve production.

Monitor process management with the help of manufacturing consultants

It's tempting to take shortcuts that may not actually save money. With process management evaluations, it's easy to maintain consistent manufacturing techniques.

I recommend: Working with manufacturing consultants like the Computer Sciences Corporation includes incorporating business process management techniques into your business plan. With this organizational style, any changes in processes and productions are a seamless transition. Boston Industrial Consulting offers you a number of strategic planning options. This consultancy manufacturing firm offers manufacturing process management assessments and implementation process to improve your bottom line.

Manufacturing consultants provide important skills for industrial and manufacturing businesses seeking to streamline factories, systems and operations. Using industry expertise, manufacturing technology knowledge and management experience, a manufacturing business consultant uses customized solutions to improve business performance for clients. Manufacturing consulting companies focus on increasing client competitiveness by developing and implementing strategies to reduce production time, reduce costs, increase capacity, increase flexibility, reduce inventory and increase overall product quality.

Before beginning your search for manufacturing specialists, it is important to define your consulting needs. Clearly identify the goal of industrial production consultancy, including project scope, services needed, time frame and budget. This information will help you select the best manufacturing consultant to meet your specific needs.

When selecting manufacturing experts for your organization, research each consultancy for manufacturing and evaluate the following:

1. What kind of experience does each industrial production consultant have in accelerating performance for your business market?

2. What business consulting services, management training and manufacturing programs do the manufacturing consulting companies offer to empower a long-term competitive advantage for your business?

3. How much should your business invest in manufacturing consulting services and what is the anticipated return on revenue?

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Hire manufacturing consultants that specialize in your business sector

Select a manufacturing consultant who is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the individualized needs of your business sector, size and mission. Ask to see a list of past and present clients, and request references.

I recommend: Rockford Consulting Group provides an extensive list of its clients in the automotive, aerospace, chemical, durable consumer products, food and beverage, rubber, plastics, oil and refining, medical, electronics, off-road vehicles and distribution industries. AEC Engineering offers industrial systems integration consulting services for the industrial, water and wastewater, snowmaking, remediation and military industries. C&L Systems Group has extensive experience in the application of computer technology to real time manufacturing systems, and features an online client list.

Choose a manufacturing consulting firm with demonstrated skills

Review the services offered by each consultancy for manufacturing. Evaluate the firm's experience, qualifications and certifications, and request successful project examples of the specific skill sets you need. Assess the manufacturing consulting firm's ability to improve your manufacturing cost, quality, delivery and capabilities.

I recommend: Productivity offers customized manufacturing consulting services, including corporate diagnosis, strategic planning, implementation and project management, value stream management, operational assessments, lean sigma consulting and executive briefings. Boston Industrial Consulting is an independent manufacturing consulting firm offering a broad spectrum of services to improve efficiency, output and excellence. Manufacturing Management Associates features engineering, technology, manufacturing and management services designed to help manufacturing and distribution companies achieve their business goals.

Select manufacturing consultants that meet your budget

Many industrial production consultant firms operate on a project-based or hourly fee, while others utilize a retainer with reduced hourly rates for long-term relationship clients. Your manufacturing consultant cost will depend upon the scope of your services.

I recommend: Get a free assessment of your manufacturing operations at Technical Change Associates, a the leader in manufacturing consulting. Request a demo for specialized software engineering consulting services for the manufacturing industry at Mallett Technology.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When selecting a consultancy, manufacturing businesses should make sure that the manufacturing consulting firms are not involved in reciprocal vendor relationships. A manufacturing consulting firm without vendor tie-ins is focused purely on the client's interests, rather than on a product sales pitch.

Manufacturing consultants work with companies to improve systems and operations in order to increase efficiency and create a better product. They may work independently or for a manufacturing consulting firm, and they need expertise in manufacturing practices, management, and explaining and implementing new procedures. If they're independent, they also need training in finding new clients and billing. Because of their varied job responsibilities, they need a well-rounded education that covers everything from management to manufacturing methods to the basics of consulting.

If you're training to become a manufacturing consultant, you'll need a degree in manufacturing. If you already work in manufacturing consulting, you can strengthen your skills or add new ones through continuing education courses, seminars, or workshops. Manufacturing consultant education and training options include:

1. Training and / or certification in general manufacturing issues
2. Training in Lean Manufacturing
3. A college degree in manufacturing
   

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Receive training and / or certification in manufacturing consulting services

Receive in-depth training in specialized manufacturing topics through consultancy manufacturing training and certification programs.

I recommend: ASQ provides training in several issues you may encounter as a manufacturing consultant, including process and project management, quality management, reliability, social responsibility, and supplier quality. ASQ offers classroom training in several U.S. cities, including Phoenix, San Francisco, San Diego, Orlando, Atlanta, Minneapolis, St. Louis, and Milwaukee. J.H. Berk and Associates provides training in cost reduction, failure analysis, risk management, government regulatory compliance, and supervision.

Receive training and certification as a Lean Manufacturing business consultant

A growing number of companies are adopting Lean Manufacturing principles--and will probably need to hire a consultant to help them implement this method. Increase your job opportunities by receiving training in this popular subject.

I recommend: BPR offers online certification in Lean Manufacturing, covering both basic and advanced specialized topics, including management and roadblocks. The Society of Manufacturing Engineers offers certification in Lean Manufacturing, with a program designed for students, educators, engineers, corporate groups, and Lean practitioners. The program is designed not only for manufacturing companies, but also for consultants hired to help companies implement Lean Manufacturing principles.

Prepare for manufacturing consulting with a college degree

A degree in manufacturing can help you master both the management side and the technology side of the industry. You'll be more versatile as an industrial production consultant, and you will also be better able to address your clients' needs.

I recommend: Ferris State University, in Michigan, offers a bachelor of science degree in manufacturing engineering. Students learn how to: identify and select materials for projects, work with computer-aided design equipment, conduct time studies and cost estimates, use computer software to solve manufacturing problems, and design a manufacturing system. The University of Minnesota, Crookston, offers a bachelor's of manufacturing management degree. The BMM degree program, which was designed by employers and manufacturing professionals, is offered at the Crookston campus, online, and at three sites in the Twin Cities area. It includes a management component, a technology component, and a job-specific component that can be customized. Students can choose between two areas of emphasis: manufacturing management and quality management. The school also offers a manufacturing management certificate.

The main goal of any manufacturing consultant is to improve the speed and quality of production at a manufacturing business. Consultants take a careful look at the production practices to see where there is room for improvement. Manufacturing consultants will then suggest ways to implement improvements in the system. This can be small changes, but often consultants are called in to help manufacturing businesses to completely change the method in which the business produces products for consumers.

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Lean manufacturing

Lean manufacturing is a practice that strives to reduce or eliminate wasteful production practices. The goal of lean manufacturing systems is to achieve more value with less work.

I recommend: Lean Manufacturing Consulting provides a class with certification on lean manufacturing practices.

Six Sigma

Six Sigma is a type of business model that works to reduce or eliminate the amount of defects in the manufacturing process. Six Sigma strives for perfection in this area to provide the customer with a perfect product.

I recommend: iSix Sigma provides an overview of the Six Sigma process and the different ways of achieving perfection.

Just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing

Just-in-time manufacturing is similar to a lean manufacturing approach in that it strives to eliminate areas of waste. Just-in-time manufacturing is a process of delivering labor, equipment and supplies in enough time to complete the job. This reduces unnecessary costs associated with warehousing parts and labor not needed full time.

I recommend: The Department of Computer Engineering at the Curtin University of Technology provides information on just-in-time manufacturing processes.

Total quality management

Total quality management is a way to manage a business that puts the customer first. Total quality management uses a long-term approach to achieve customer satisfaction.

I recommend: Bain and Company's Management Tools and Trends 2009 Study provides an overview of total quality management, methodology and common uses of the concept.

Cost reduction

Most businesses that hire a manufacturing consultant are looking for ways to reduce overall costs to maximize profits. There are many techniques used to implement cost reduction practices in the workplace.

I recommend: Half Cost Products provides information on some of the areas where a manufacturing operation can implement cost reduction techniques.

Thruput improvement

Thruput improvement is a technique that manufacturing consultants offer to increase productivity in a manufacturing business. Productivity is increased by analyzing the current system and suggesting improvements at the weakest points in the production line.

I recommend: Thruput provides information on how to measure productivity and look for ways to improve thruput.