Client Successes

 Strategic Research For Niche Market

THE CHALLENGE

Flame Boss had marketing challenges related to their niche product. Finding the resources necessary to reach consumers in that market was a challenge. Senior management needed to better understand the market, including competitors and potential customers.

FLORIDAMAKES ROLE

As part of GrowFL’s work to support manufacturers through FloridaMakes, part of the MEP National NetworkTM, GrowFL provided Flame Boss with information pertaining to market size, competition, potential customers and leads. The market data justified further investment, which resulted in increased sales. Credible growth projections, based on the research provided, were used to secure an SBA loan.

RESULTS

• $334,000 in New Investment
• $800,000 in Increased or Retained Sales
• 10 New or Retained Jobs

TESTIMONIAL

Everyone was very professional and capable and were careful to understand our unique market. We certainly got more information than we'd be able to gather on our own."The FloridaMakes Team was extremely thorough, skilled, and deadline focused. The project allowed us to utilize a large building investment ($100k plus annually) and increase our efficiency and revenue.

— Michael Collins, Owner and CEO

 Awards Assessment Leads to Increased Sales and Jobs

THE CHALLENGE

Amerikooler has been seeing year-over-year growth, leading to increased market share for their products. The company faces challenges with the rising cost of raw materials and some supply chain disruption. The management team at Amerikooler reached out to the South Florida Manufacturers Association (SFMA), part of the FloridaMakes Network and the MEP National NetworkTM, to help identify areas of opportunity for improvement.

FLORIDAMAKES ROLE

Amerikooler is a member of the South Florida Manufacturers’ Association and was nominated to participate in the SFMA’s Manufacturer of the Year Awards process. The company received a written feedback assessment that detailed areas of opportunity, which included recommendations on improvements to their operations that would result in cost savings and increased revenues.

First, the FloridaMakes Business Advisor recommended Amerikooler purchase new processing equipment. Amerikooler’s investment improved the company’s operational efficiency, retaining sales that would have otherwise been at risk due to extended lead times created by supply chain issues and allowing the company to increase sales.The gained efficiencies led to cost savings, which offset some of the increases in raw materials and improved the company’s profit margin.

RESULTS

• 80 new jobs and 76 jobs retained
• 50% increase in new sales and 15% retained sales

TESTIMONIAL

We have been working with the SFMA organization for the last three years and participating in the Manufacturer of the Year award process. Our team here at Amerikooler has truly enjoyed working with Micah and the different auditors that have participated in our reviews, and we have embraced the challenge that comes along with the review process and presenting our processes and metric for the different categories of the audit. Most important however is what we as a team learn every time that we go through the process, it forces us to look at and scrutinize our processes to improve them and modify them. Equally important is the feedback provided by the auditors. This year we took advantage of the provided feedback and changed several processes that helped us in several areas of the business. We are looking forward again to next year and once again going through the process, we are sure that we will improve again! Also, continue with the different training to enhance our workforce skill set.
Thanks very much for all of the help."

— Juan Madariaga, Chief Operating Officer

 Factory Redesign Increases Sales and Decreases Costs

Mayhew Steel Products is the oldest punch and chisel manufacturer in the United States.  While the company has grown from being a small tool house to the industry leader, they have never lost their dedication to quality, reliability, and craftsmanship. This dedication has enabled them to become the tool of choice for certified technicians, professional mechanics, and do-it-yourselfers across the country. During Mayhew’s more than 160-year history, they have expanded both their physical size and breadth of products without losing sight of their heritage with headquarters in Western Massachusetts. The acquisition of Bestway Tools in Ormond Beach, Florida in 2019 allowed them to extend their high-quality product lines.

THE CHALLENGE

With the site acquisition, there were numerous opportunities to improve capacity and reduce quality errors, thus resulting in additional sales to the facility. Mayhew required assistance in reviewing their current state to propose the necessary changes to set them up for increased throughput in their production operations.

Mayhew Tools recently rented an expansion facility alongside their existing facility in Ormond Beach, Florida. With a shifting product revenue portfolio and newly available space, Mayhew Tools sought support to develop a plan for future production within this combined facility. The facility includes three primary activities: machining, assembly, and warehousing.

FLORIDAMAKES ROLE

Mayhew Tools reached out FloridaMakes for assistance. FloridaMakes and its team of specialists conducted a complete facility layout assessment. The assessment evaluated the current state of the entire operations, which included the machining, assembly, and warehouse areas. The deliverables from the assessment produced a future state plan for the facility with detailed analysis. Process mapping was completed for the material flow from receiving, warehouse, productions through shipping. Time-based evaluation was conducted, yielding the potential capacity of the operations. The completion of the project resulted in a plan for a new facility layout, which included improvements of the material storage, and increased efficiency in the assembly and machining areas.

RESULTS

• $75,000 Cost Savings in Labor and Investment
• 10 New or Retained Jobs:
• Over $100K in New Investment

TESTIMONIAL

The FloridaMakes Team was extremely thorough, skilled, and deadline focused. The project allowed us to utilize a large building investment ($100k plus annually) and increase our efficiency and revenue.

— Hayley Cox, General Manager

Automation Drives Continued Sales Growth and Job Increases

Core Ingredients and Packaging Inc. is a minority owned manufacturing company for the pharmaceutical, sports nutritional, and dietary supplement industries. With more than fifteen years’ experience within this industry, they now employ approximately 50 skilled team members. They are focused on providing nutraceutical companies with high-quality ingredients (raw materials) for use in the manufacture of finished goods. The Company has recently invested heavily in automation to provide packaging services to their existing and expanding product and customer base. They also provide blister packaging for tablets, capsules and soft-gels as well as other packing needs including blow molded bottles and tops.

THE CHALLENGE

Driven by greater than 30% growth for 4 consecutive years, Core Ingredients and Packaging rationalized that their successes were due to an aggressive expansion of products and services to their existing clients. They wanted to capitalize on this winning formula and acquire a larger customer base, and turned to the South Florida Manufacturers Association, part of the FloridaMakes Network for assistance. The FloridaMakes Business Advisor assisted Core Ingredients and Packaging by reviewing their existing plan of initiatives. With a variety of initiatives on the table for consideration, the team quickly rationalized the long list of goals and established a proforma return for each initiative.

FLORIDAMAKES ROLE

To accomplish this, strategic investments were made in down-stream processes which were established as difficult for both their existing and desired customers to capitalize and implement. With financial strength and boundless energy, the Team began investing in considerable automation aligned with the established and rationalized initiatives. With documented priorities established and measurements in place, as well as a capital investment in excess of $400K of production equipment secured, the next requirement was implementation. FloridaMakes drafted a detailed implementation and training plan which matched the rationalized goals and proforma ROI. The training plan included all employees and utilized five OEM equipment vendors as providers for much of the training and implementation. The OEM trainers were brought in from as far away as Asia and coordinated with the start-up processes of the new automation. During the implementation, an internal training and sustainability process was established, ensuring the continuity and realization of value after the project closed. The project from start to finish was 13 months long and was completed on time, despite the onset of the Covid-19 Virus disruption.

RESULTS

• Increased (New) Sales: $5M in (new) customer sales have been realized
• Increased / Retained Jobs: Since the beginning of the project employment has increased by 21 employees
• New Investments: Over $800K in total was invested in the realization of growth

TESTIMONIAL

Working with FloridaMakes has made, and will continue to make, a significant positive impact in the growth and operations of Core Ingredients Inc. We will continue to utilize FloridaMakes, and the South Florida Manufacturers Association as our “go-to” trusted experts.

— Dr. Rachana Arora, Director Core Ingredients Inc.

New Management System Improves Net Margin 100 Percent Year Over Year

Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, EES Design provides design support and manufacturing conversions for internationally celebrated sculpture artists. The company combines old-school metal fabrication with modern design and fabrication technologies, leading to the creation of some of the world’s most magnificent art sculptures. While very successful and talented at converting raw materials into amazing artwork, EES Design did not have the visibility or management tools necessary to operate effectively and ensure long-term sustainability. EES Design called on FloridaMakes, part of the MEP National Network, to conduct an assessment of the business. FloridaMakes helped EES Design to establish job-based management tools to ensure reporting and accountability through each step of the business process, from job estimate to job delivery. The company retired its traditional accounting system in favor of a new Lean accounting system, boosting front office efficiency. The system continues to facilitate effective management on a daily basis, helping the company retain sales and jobs and realize cost savings. Meanwhile, the job-based profitability system doubled net income for EES Design.

RESULTS

• 100% increase in net income year over year
• $700,000 in retained sales
• Cost savings of $24,000
• Added/retained 4 jobs

Charting the Future

Founded in 1958, ADI Metal in Fort Lauderdale Florida (www.adimetal.com) continues the long-standing tradition of solution-based metals distribution boasting an impressive product line and successful track record and employs 12 people. In 199, Betsy McGee (President of ADI Metal) took over the company and guided its growth from humble beginnings to now supporting domestic and international metal fabrication and manufacturing with the supply of quality raw materials and value-added services for industries including commercial and private shipbuilding and repair, oil and gas, heavy and light industry, military, government agencies and prime contracting.

THE CHALLENGE

ADI Metal has the opportunity to capitalize on growth and further diversify the business. The challenge is breaking many traditions which have served the company well, that moving forward, will limiting the growth and value of the company.

FLORIDAMAKES ROLE

Partnering with FloridaMakes, ADI Metal has charted a new course for the future. Beginning with an enterprise assessment of the business performed by FloridaMakes, ADI has been able to realize over $75,000 of value within the first 6 months of the engagement.

Results

• Cost Savings: $41,000
• New Investment: $27,000 investment in plant, workforce, and process
• Increased/retained Sales: 2.5% incremental sales
• Other: 5% margin improvements

TESTIMONIAL

This is just the beginning as we strategically enable ADI Metal’s growth and continued profitability. Future plans include the implementation of new business systems and applied cost accounting tools to reduce overhead and effectively manage inventory value, rotation, and pricing policies which today are accomplished manually.

— Betsy McGee, President

There are plans to expand the business with additional locations capturing additional market share in the near future. We have strategically aligned ourselves with the FloridaMakes team and have been challenged by the depth and experience they represent, and their valuable contributions to our company so far.

— Mark Tortora, Chief Operating Officer

Process Improvements Increase Company’s Life-Saving Capacities

ACR Electronics, Inc., for over 60 years, has had the honor of designing and manufacturing lifesaving equipment for military forces, aviation, and space programs, as well as for maritime and outdoor enthusiasts. Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with around two hundred trusted employees, ACR Electronics capitalizes on technology expertise in the marine, aviation, outdoor, and military markets, and has become the leading manufacturing and development center for emergency beacons designed with one purpose in mind: saving lives. Following a series of ownership changes that disrupted growth plans, the company recently began acquiring other similar businesses. Company leaders decided to evaluate the Florida manufacturing facility, specifically its layout and manufacturing process flow, with the intent to consolidate manufacturing operations across existing and acquired product lines. Working with FloridaMakes, part of the MEP National Network, ACR Electronics completed a business assessment that focused on the physical conversion of raw materials within the Florida factory. Although the business was successful, manufacturing extension agents from FloridaMakes noted the potential for improvements in the company’s strategic direction, workflows and material handling, and quality and traceability processes. They also saw opportunities to improve the company’s cost recognition and cost reduction efforts, shop floor management, and documentation practices. FloridaMakes supported ACR Electronics in implementing a new layout and production flow, applying new tools, systems, and processes that reduced labor overtime by 50 percent. The enhancements positioned the company to further capitalize on manufacturing efficiencies, reducing direct costs and allowing additional manufacturing conversion from the acquired assets. With improved factory absorption, ACR Electronics is retaining sales and jobs and continuing to thrive.

Workforce Training for a Newly Merged Company Creates a Team that Increases its Competitive Edge

RND Automation & Engineering, LLC is Florida's premier custom machine builder. RND, with its 40 employees, engineers, designs, manufactures, and retrofits horizontal form, fill, and seal machines and provides custom automation and material handing machinery for industries and products as diverse as hydraulic valves, automotive sensors, and contact lenses. Their projects range from fully- automatic, high-speed robotic work cells to operator-assisted, semi-automatic workstations. With over 20 years of experience in industrial machinery design, they provide their clients with production-ready automated equipment that cuts labor costs and improves quality and production rates of their customers.

THE CHALLENGE

RND had purchased another machine builder and moved both companies into a new facility. As a result of the issues that arise from combining two separate cultures and processes into one operation, on-time delivery rates had dropped significantly, jeopardizing the stellar relationships they had developed over the years with their customers. The management team had determined that training would be necessary to help develop the two workforces into one cohesive team that would be able to meet the strategic objectives of the company. The training would help the company develop a culture and standard processes that would combine both companies into one, holistic company that would operate more efficiently and be more productive in order to meet and exceed the demands of its customers and not only maintain but increase the company’s competitive advantage.

FLORIDAMAKES ROLE

RND turned to David Ferguson, a FloridaMakes Business Advisor at the Sarasota Manatee Manufacturing Association (SAMA) for assistance. David conducted both a Lean Diagnostics Assessment and a Business Continuity Assessment with the management team. The discoveries from these assessments helped to solidify what the management team had already suspected but more importantly, helped the team to laser focus much of the training on the opportunities identified in the assessments. A FloridaMakes Business Advisor worked with RND Automation Senior Management to help develop a 12-month training program, source training providers, and project manage many of the training programs. FloridaMakes Business Advisors also helped RND obtain a training grant that reimbursed the company for 75% of most of the training costs.

RESULTS

• Increased/Retained Sales: $800,000
• Cost Savings: Nearly a quarter of a million dollars
• New Investments: Approximately $180,000
• Increased/Retained Jobs: 5

TESTIMONIAL

RND Automation is extremely grateful for FloridaMakes. Although we all know the value of training, it’s always difficult to justify the significant cost in both dollars and time that additional training requires. FloridaMakes has been instrumental in assisting RND in justifying those costs, by introducing us to available state grants and highly skilled trainers.

We’ve increased our training budget overall, but more importantly, the value of the training we’re receiving relative to our spend is well over our spend. For every dollar we spend, this year, we’re receiving four dollars of training (due in part to the grants and negotiated discounts). I can’t recommend FloridaMakes enough. We were already competitive in our market but elevating our entire staff in this way is building us into a powerhouse.

— Aaron Laine, Director of Operations

Market Reorganization Leads to Profound Growth

Karins Engineering Group, Inc. is a Sarasota-based structural engineering consulting firm with approximately 55 employees offering structural engineering design, existing buildings consulting and forensic engineering services to private and public sector clients from six offices throughout Florida.The firm had a growth challenge in the South Florida market as the Ft. Lauderdale office was undergoing a leadership change. As it was planning for the growth of the office given the talents of the employees in the office, the firm needed to understand the potential client base better.

Implementation of New Business Operating System Improves Top and Bottom Lines

Eric Rosenthal is the CEO of Florikan ESA, a Sarasota, Florida based manufacturer and distributor of control release fertilizers. The family owned business employs 66 workers in two branches. Its key products are Nutricote, a high-end fertilizer specifically for the ornamental market, and Gal-Xe, which is sold into broader markets including turf, agriculture, and ornamentals.The company’s challenge was strategic direction. Leadership had some opinions on the topic and wanted assistance clarifying and solidifying it. CEO Eric Rosenthal worked with GrowFL to implement the firm’s first strategic planning endeavor.

As part of GrowFL’s work to support manufacturers through FloridaMakes (a NIST MEP affiliate), Rosenthal participated in GrowFL’s CEO Roundtable and worked with the moderator to complete a comprehensive strategic plan. GrowFL introduced him to the business operating system described in the book Traction, which he implemented in its entirety with GrowFL’s guidance and counsel. Creating goals and accountability has improved both top and bottom lines.

RESULTS

• 16 jobs created or retained
• $300,000 in increased/retained sales
• Cost savings of $250,000

New Strategic Direction Leads to Increased Productivity

Quality Enclosures, located in Sarasota, Florida, is a family owned and operated manufacturer of shower doors. They employ more than 200 workers with branches in Jacksonville, Florida; Marietta, Georgia; Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Central Islip and Ronkonkoma, New York; and Port Orange, Florida. Their key products are heavy glass enclosures with key markets being new construction and remodeling. Quality Enclosures was encountering some uncertainty regarding options for a new strategic direction. Company leadership asked GrowFL to assist with providing data and consulting expertise to clarify and solidify their thinking.

ISO Compliant Corrective Action Training Leads to Increased Sales

Founded in 1978, Mullet’s Aluminum Products, Inc. is an award-winning industry leader providing quality products and superior installation services to the Condominium, Residential, Commercial and Transportation markets. The company has over 240 full-time employees working in five divisions: Windows & Doors Division, Metal Roofing Division; Railing, Gates & Misc. Metals Division; Walkway Canopy & Carports Division; and Screen Enclosures Division. The company provides “fabrication and supply only” or “fabrication and installation” services throughout Florida and beyond.

THE CHALLENGE

A large government customer sent all their suppliers notification that they must meet specific compliance requirements with their new standards which were nearly identical to ISO 9001:2015 standards. Though the processes and procedures Mullet’s Aluminum developed over the years complied with the many of the newly required standards, there were some documentation requirements that the company did not have in place. Failure to pass an upcoming compliance audit would cause Mullet’s Aluminum to lose certification renewal and potential business with this customer.

FLORIDAMAKES ROLE

Mullet’s contracted with FloridaMakes, a NIST MEP affiliate and member of the MEP National Network, to provide training on components of ISO 9001:2015 specific to the customer’s requirements. The process of documenting processes per the standard not only enabled the company to pass the audit and maintain certification, it also resulted in improved operating processes and procedures, increasing quality and efficiency moving forward. Due to the success of the training program, Mullet’s Aluminum has further contracted with FloridaMakes to help them become fully ISO 9001:2015 compliant and certified.

RESULTS

• Approximately increase or retained sales over 3 years: $500,000
• Cost Savings: $1,400
• Created or Retained Jobs: 3

TESTIMONIAL

We recently needed assistance with a program review and training project, so we contacted FloridaMakes for assistance—and within a brief period of time—were provided the necessary resources and expertise. FloridaMakes also assisted our company in obtaining a state training grant. It was incredibly beneficial for our team and company. FloridaMakes provided an invaluable resource to our company and we would highly recommend to any other manufacturer seeking expertise and/or assistance.

— Nathan Yoder, Director of Marketing

Growth Advice Leads to New Business and New Location

Cruise Car, Inc., is the premier General Service Administration (GSA) and National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA) approved Need-Specific-Vehicle vendor for 50,000+ government agencies, universities, resorts, and non-profits worldwide. Headquartered in Sarasota, FL, Cruise Car, Inc. was founded in 2005, and is owned by Nathan Kalin and Adam Sulimirski. They employ 20 people who provide key products that include light-duty utility vehicles, heavy-duty utility vehicles, custom golf carts, handicap carts, two to four passenger ambulance vehicles, as well as trams and trailers.

As a result of a 100% rate of growth, Adam Sulimirski, President, was faced with a need for working capital to maintain growth. The situation was shared through the GrowFL CEO Roundtables. These roundtables are part of GrowFL’s work to support manufacturers through FloridaMakes, a program that has continued to make meaningful differences. The group of CEOs advised against equity exchange and steered Sulimirski to private financing.

Results

• $1 million line of credit
• Move to 18,000 square foot location, tripling size
• Increase in sales beyond prior year

I really appreciate the GrowFL CEO Roundtables available through FloridaMakes. One quickly realizes that we share the same stresses. We may talk about how to deal with a certain employee, logistics issues, market challenges, pay incentives, or how a certain book made an impact. I go in with a notebook and even if a problem being discussed is not currently a concern of mine, I take note knowing that as I grow, the I might face the same issue eventually. It's a great place to let your guard down and share your victories and challenges. People get emotional and really open up.

— Adam Sulimirski, President, Cruise Car, Inc.

Partnership Helps Company Meet EPA Requirements

Artistic Stoneworks is a full service Kitchen and Bath Company serving Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Okaloosa County, Walton County, and the entire 30-A corridor since 2003. FloridaMakes partnered with the University of West Florida’s (UWF's) engineering department to support Artistic Stone Works with planning and implementing a slurry biodegradation system to capture and eliminate water contamination. In a slurry biodegradation system, an aqueous slurry is created by combining soil or sludge with water. This slurry is then biodegraded aerobically using a self-contained reactor or in a lined lagoon. A three-step precipitation process was developed to reduce the stone slurry discharge of the company’s wastewater. The first 2 precipitation steps eliminate 90% of the stone slurry from the wastewater and the final treatment is a biodegradation process. This eliminated the potential issue with the contaminated water run-off hazard to meet EPA requirements.

RESULTS

• $400,000 in new investments
• $225,000 in increased/retained sales
• $150,000 in cost savings
• 20 increased/retained jobs

Product Specification and Training by Industry Expert Keeps Company on Track for New Product Introduction

AVALEX Technologies is a leading design and manufacturer of rugged avionics and electronics for the defense, law enforcement, search and rescue, and commercial operators. Located in Gulf Breeze, Florida, AVALEX has been in business since 1992. They design and build communication management units, smart displays, tablets, digital mapping systems, digital video recorders, mission computers, and cockpit pressure oxygen warning systems.

THE CHALLENGE

AVALEX needed to comply with a very proprietary standard per their customer’s specification for a new product, and they had a very tight time schedule to meet. AVALEX was not able to find an experienced resource in this requirement that could provide them with the knowledge and training to help prepare for their new product roll out and customer audits.

FLORIDAMAKES ROLE

With the help of the local FloridaMakes Business Advisor, Mary Nuital, who reached out to the MEP network across the state, an industry expert for this proprietary customer specification was located. The expert resource was quickly retained and brought in to he