In the bustling manufacturing industry, where the constant hum of machinery takes centre stage, there is a looming threat in the background, something that can put a swift end to all of your hard work — ballooning costs. Recent years have seen the price of virtually everything increase and the world of manufacturing is not immune to this.
No matter how impressive your business’s manufacturing is, how well-built your product is, rising overhead costs will silently chip away at your profitability until it is so small you are forced to close the doors.
Read on to find out more about reducing costs in manufacturing, how it can benefit you, and some key measures you should consider if you want to save some money:
Primary Benefits of Reducing Overhead Costs in Manufacturing
There are a number of key benefits of reducing costs in manufacturing, from boosting your profit margins and improving cash flow, to potentially even boosting team morale and productivity. The ability to optimise your operational efficiency can be vital to ensuring sustainable long-term success and avoiding financial insecurity down the line.
Here are some primary benefits you can reap by reducing costs in manufacturing:
- Boost Profitability: The identification and elimination of any and all unnecessary expenses can significantly improve a company’s bottom line. Additionally, the better a businesses profit-margins, the greater financial flexibility they will be able to show, the more they can reinvest in vital areas of the business, and the better a foundation they will have for future growth.
- Increase Competitiveness: Sometimes in business, having the edge on your competitor(s) can be all you need to survive and succeed. A company that is able to successfully reduce overhead costs will be capable of offering more competitive pricing or even invest in innovations in their field — making them more attractive to customers, potential investors, partners, etc.
- Better Cash Flow: The more streamlined you can get your overhead costs, the more capital you can free up. This can be excellent to ensure a smoother operation and much improved operational flexibility to help navigate any potential economic fluctuation.
- Increased Agility: If you can make your business leaner, you will be able to make quicker, more agile decisions without being bogged down in red-tape and moving money around. This means you will be much better placed to react quickly to any changes to the market, capitalise on emerging opportunities, and mitigate risks effectively.
- Supercharge Your Team: Efforts to reduce costs should not just be cut jobs and call it a day. Reducing costs in manufacturing can also be a way to optimise your workflow and eliminate inefficiencies and areas where money is wasted. This can make for a more engaged and motivated team, boosting both morale and productivity.
How to Reduce Costs in a Manufacturing Company
Implementing an effective strategy for reducing costs in manufacturing will require a comprehensive approach that addresses a number of key areas of the business. From conducting a thorough cost analysis and negotiating with suppliers and landlords, to investing in training and technology/automation, there are a number of methods you can adopt.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to reduce costs in a manufacturing company. By focussing on the following, manufacturing companies will be able to not only weather economic storms, but also better position themselves for sustained growth and success:
Step One: Conduct a Comprehensive Analysis of Costs
The first step to reducing costs in manufacturing should always be to thoroughly assess your existing cost structure. At this stage, you should look to identify which areas of your business are taking up the largest amounts of money.
You should then cross-reference this information with how important these areas of the business are, how much money they bring in, and what level of positive impact they have on other aspects of the company.
Some common costs you might expect to incur during the usual manufacturing process include:
- Materials: The tangible goods that play a crucial role in the ultimate production of your product. For effective book-keeping, you should track each core material separately to help make your accounting as clear as possible.
- Utilities: Utilities that come into play during manufacturing include the costs of power, water, heating, and any other overhead expenses necessary to facilitate the production process.
- Inventory: Inventory costs refer to the price to procure and maintain your stock as part of the act of creating a completed product.
- Direct Labour: Direct labour refers to any labour that directly contributes to the act of manufacturing. An example of a direct labour cost would be the cost of the wages of the team making the product.
- Indirect Labour: A slightly more difficult cost to get your head around. Indirect labour in the context of manufacturing refers to individuals who, while they may not directly make the product, do play an important role. Indirect labour includes roles such as supervisors, managers, production managers, etc.
Step Two: Consider How to Make Manufacturing Leaner
Once you have analysed your costs and spent the time determining which should be cut or trimmed, you must then take the necessary steps to make these reductions.
If these reductions/costs can be expected to take time to fully implement, you must make sure to develop and put in place a clear plan highlighting your intention to make the necessary changes within the next quarter, fiscal year, etc.
Other ways you can make your manufacturing leaner include minimising waste, optimising your production, and ensuring that your resources are used as efficiently as possible.
Step Three: Negotiate, Negotiate, Negotiate
One of the simplest ways of reducing costs in manufacturing is keeping consistent and open lines of communication with key parties like your landlord and your landlord.
You should look to engage in transparent negotiations with all relevant parties in order to attempt to secure more favourable terms for goods and services. A huge part of business is people — building a good relationship with the right people can put you in great stead when it comes to cost-cutting down the line.
Step Four: Invest to Save
While it might seem wholly counterproductive to pay money out if your end goal is to reduce outgoings, the right investments can have a significant knock-on effect, saving you far more than you put in.
Things you can invest in to help reduce costs in manufacturing include:
- Technology
- Automation
- Training
It is always up to you to keep abreast of the latest innovations in the industry in order to discover any opportunities you can to leverage technology and automation however you can to help streamline your manufacturing process. While the initial investment may put you off, the long-term savings due to minimising labour costs and increasing efficiency can be a huge boost.
Additionally, investing in the continued training and development of your team can be vital to ensuring your workforce operates as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Step Five: Implement Energy-Efficient Practices
A place where many businesses fail when looking at reducing costs is the money pit that is energy consumption. Implementing energy-efficient practices and equipment can both reduce your utility bills and your impact on the environment.
Financial Instability Requires an Expert Hand: Contact Inquesta Today
As the winds of economic change continue to shift and change, businesses must look to tread the delicate path between growth and financial prudence. Rising costs, particularly those that are out of your hands, can lead you down a path of serious financial insecurity.
Failing to rein in these excessive costs can lead you into the tricky waters of liquidation or insolvency. In such challenging times, it’s vital that you consult with an expert you can trust who can help you turn your situation around and recover your business.
The team at Inquesta have years of experience offering specialist guidance and tailored solutions designed to help businesses emerge from financial turbulence.
If you find yourself in a position where you can’t cut costs fast enough to pay off debts, get in touch today to find out more about how our team can help you or to learn more about our other services.