It is important that anyone that is considering entering the manufacturing industry is aware that this is not your typical business area and there are a handful of things that you need to know first. Manufacturing can certainly be a rewarding, secure and potentially lucrative industry to enter, but there are also a handful of unique challenges that you will find with this type of business and being aware of these first is key. So, if you are planning on setting up your own manufacturing business, or you are planning a move into this industry, read on for everything that you need to know.
It Is Always in Demand
One of the best things about manufacturing is that it is always in demand as there will always be a requirement for high-quality goods. Of course, there are several areas of manufacturing so you need to think about what area interests you and which would allow your business to thrive. A few of the main types of manufacturing include:
- Clothing and textiles
- Petroleum, chemicals and plastics
- Electronics and computers
- Transportation
- Food production
- Metal manufacturing
Reputation Is Everything
While manufacturing can be a secure industry to set up in, it is also important to understand that reputation is incredibly important here, which can make it challenging for new and small businesses. Customers need to know that they can rely on a manufacturing company to deliver to a high standard, so they will usually go with an established brand with a positive reputation. This means that you need to find ways to build your reputation, attract customers to your business and increase brand awareness.
You Need to Choose a Location Carefully
Choosing the location of a business is always an important step, but particularly when it comes to manufacturing. You need to choose somewhere that is large enough to house your operation but it must also be somewhere that is easily accessible and with enough parking. You will also want to be somewhere that has access to talent so that you can build a reliable workforce.
You Cannot Succeed Without a Hardworking Team
Equipment and tech are hugely important (more on this to come), but you must not overlook the importance of having a skilled and hardworking team for your business. It is the employees that power the operation, so it is very hard to succeed if they are not hardworking. This means that you need to take your time with the recruitment process and to focus on attitude and work ethic as you can always use training if people are not experienced (this is a good way to build your workforce as it can be hard to find experienced workers for a new business).
You Need to Look After Your Team
Leading on from this, every manufacturing business needs a good manager that knows how to look after their team. Manufacturing is a type of work that can be demanding, stressful and repetitive so issues can often arise among the workforce. This means that you need to be able to build good relationships, create a team-based mentality, know ways to keep morale high and be able to solve any issues that arise.
You Need to Invest in Quality Equipment
Following this point, you also need to make sure that you have high-quality equipment in place from the start in order to run an efficient operation. What you need will depend on the operation that you run, but it is likely to include high-quality conveyors that will allow you to easily move products and materials through your plant. You can get high-quality conveyor systems built for your specific operation from places like fluentconveyors.com, which will be a worthwhile investment and ensure that you are operating efficiently from the very start.
You Need to Stay Current With Technology
Technology and business always goes hand in hand, but particularly in today’s day and age and in the manufacturing industry. Technology can be used in all kinds of different ways here, including streamlining the operation, reducing costs and improving the quality of the product. A few of the main types of technology to familiarize yourself with include:
- Automation
- AI
- Augmented and virtual reality
- Wearable gadgets
- Internet of Things
- 3D printing
You Need a Strong Online Presence
As with any type of business in today’s digital age, you need to make sure that you have a strong online presence for your manufacturing business so that you are easy to find and research by your target customer. This should include:
- Having a professionally designed website
- Using digital marketing to boost visibility
- Being active on social media
- Creating high-quality content
- Using email to keep in touch with customers
Customer Service Needs to Be a Priority
Your mission will be to provide high-quality goods at competitive prices to your target customer, but you must not overlook the importance of providing excellent and rapid customer service. People will often have questions or concerns when it comes to manufacturing and your ability to respond will determine your success and play a big part in your reputation. You need to have a range of options in terms of customer service, including:
- Phone
- Social media
- Live chat/chatbot
You Need to Have Protection in Place
There are many threats to a manufacturing business, such as workplace accidents and injuries, crime and cybercrime and intellectual property theft. This means that you need to have protection in place from the very start, which might include:
- Adequate business insurance
- Physical security equipment
- Cybersecurity solutions
- Cybersecurity training and a policy
- Copyrights and trademarks
- Contracts for all agreements
These are the main things that you need to know about the manufacturing industry if you plan to set up a business or follow a career path here. There are certainly many benefits to this industry that will be appealing, but it does have its own unique challenges and it is quite different to any other type of industry – being aware of this beforehand is key.
