Revisiting the cap production as well as needlework operations of Texas-based American Made Cap Co
. In the March 2013 issue of Impressions (" Made in the USA: A Case Study, Part 1 of 2"), I discussed a pair of close friends, Greg Bednarik as well as Rickey Eavenson, who made a decision to sustain their regional west Texas economic climate by purchasing American Made Cap Co., a battling cap manufacturer that had actually gone through a number of adjustments in possession during the past 3 decades, with numerous workers standing firm with the company's unstable times.
With the brand-new CUSTOM VELCRO PATCHES company owner came new expect the business, which I had collaborated with during the "gimmee-cap" boom of the 1970s. Throughout my initial go to previously this year, I determined numerous locations for enhancement, however the greatest difficulty stayed finding adequate consumers ready to pay a bit more for a high-grade, American-made cap. Recognizing a complementary product the business might produce or embellish to produce extra profits was a second obstacle.
Bednarik divulged that some essential employees changes literally have actually altered the complexion of their organization. At the time of my previous see to American Made Cap Co., brand-new Production Manager David Stutts had simply begun collaborating with the firm. Stutts was experienced with manufacturing in a different industry, and was familiarizing himself with the procedure of production as well as decorating headwear.
I could distinguish his concerns that Stutts is an extremely quick study and also, since press time, has gotten a firm understanding of all stages of manufacturing. One of the explorations he made is that during a previous proprietor's period, the needlework maker string trimmers had been turned off to boost stitch outcome. This benefitted equipment drivers, who were on an incentive program. Unfamiliar with the embroidery process as well as maker capabilities, this issue was only uncovered after the firm paid hundreds of hours of overtime to workers carrying out cutting obligations.
In addition, a number of other brand-new employees are truly making an effect. One has visuals arts abilities and also screen printing experience, and also is being trained to give back up to digitizer Wanda Eavenson. Another new worker is making contributions in the location of information technology as well as also is being cross-trained for other duties. Both new team members also act on brand-new business leads.
Progression at the top of the workers chain also aided to make changes that improved the staffing in other means. One of the lessons learned by the possession is that particular employees are not necessarily important. It's a typical fear amongst company owner and also management that every little thing will stop if several vital workers leave the business. In my experience, nonetheless, this is seldom the situation. American Made Cap Co. discovered that regardless of losing a couple of team members-- consisting of a supervisor-- that manufacturing was sustained without avoiding a beat.
NEW PROCEDURES, BUSINESS
By simply observing as well as making changes to service techniques, Eavenson and Bednarik have reduced their daily operation costs by $500-$ 600 daily. This has considerably boosted cash flow as well as can be credited to a number of key adjustments.
A large modification is streamlined documentation, which was accomplished by taking a close look at paper circulation within the company and making changes that helped boost efficiency. Administration likewise placed focus on credit card payments for clients, which minimized the management costs connected with invoicing and collection.
In the new company arena, 4 fascinating as well as substantial cap manufacturing chances have actually been presented to American Made Cap Co. from firms in Colorado, New York, California and Texas. At press time, some new accounts were still in the process of being expanded, yet the brand-new company is providing the capital required to create a healthy and balanced business account. Among the brand-new accounts sends its very own patterns as well as materials to American Made Cap Co., which gives cut-and-sew plus needlework solutions. Keeping the needlework makers humming contributes to paying the overall overhead prices for the plant.
One more contribution to the firm's success is its organization with the Go Texan program, where it has gained significant advantages. Through affiliation with this program, funded by the Texas Department of Agriculture, a company's name is linked not only with American-made items, yet additionally Texas-made items. It was a special day in July when Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples went to the business. He recognized American Made Cap Co. for its use of material made from American Cotton Growers (based in close-by Littlefield, Texas) in the business's caps, aprons and tote bags.
The greatest and also most promising advancement the firm has actually experienced throughout the past couple of months is the enhancement of a complementary product. The product-- lightweight, flame-resistant clothing-- is used thoroughly by business with employees in oil as well as gas fields. These firms additionally use lots of headwear, making sales calls twice as effective.
" It's a bonus that the United State federal government calls for workers in particular markets, including seismic workers, to put on flame-resistant garments," Bednarik claims.
As part of the apparel program, the business consists of approximately 10,000 stitches of needlework in its rates. The firm even makes headwear from the special fabric. Stutts found that the team can stitch it utilizing regular production techniques, providing more orders to keep the embroidery devices running continually. The business even started a brand-new web site, americanfrc.com, that includes the product.
WHAT'S NEXT
Renewed by the incredible development the company has actually made in current months, Bednarik and also Eavenson anticipate applying prepare for more growth. First, they intend to enhance its online existence and also maybe initiate a line of themed caps. American Made Cap Co. still takes part in a give program that can assist supply funds to raise its Internet visibility and also marketing as a whole. They also would love to produce a program with a major account to produce caps for inventory throughout slow times.

Bednarik intends to load the plant's manufacturing capacity and also begin a brand-new, better incentive program for staff members. "I 'd rather pass even more money to the employees if I can jam this place with volume," he says.