This Manufacturer Makes Millions Machining Parts But His Favorite Project? Making This Can Opener.10/24/2019 Describing the manufacturing life of John J. Steuby is like opening a can of beans – if the can is opened with a manual hand-held can opener. Steuby is 92 years old and has been in the manufacturing business for 57 years. He is the owner and CEO of John J. Steuby Company, a family-owned and operated manufacturing facility that specializes in producing precision machined products for everything from the automotive to the defense industries. His company specializes in contract work for other manufacturers and retailers except for the EZ-DUZ-IT hand-held can opener. That’s his baby. “It started out as the EZ-DUZ-IT can opener in 1962,” said the feisty manufacturing veteran. “We make component parts for large and small companies. The only product we make of our own is the can opener. That’s year-round.” The Steuby Co. profits are generated from all the contract work he supplies for other manufacturers and the U.S. government. He takes pride in the thousands of parts his company has supplied creating these products but closest to his heart is his Made in USA E-DUZ-IT can opener. It is the foundation for his company and may just be what keeps him going at 92 making important American-made parts for a bevy of industries. {media_1} Located in Hazelwood, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, the company uses hundreds of precision manufacturing machines to produce top-quality parts in vital American industries which also include aerospace, appliance, medical, ordinance, oil and gas, energy, hydraulics, plumbing, hardware and commercial fitting industries. “I started working in my father’s small machine shop in high school,” said Steuby. “When I graduated from high school I could not get into college because I wasn’t a veteran, so I joined the Marine Corps just in time to get the GI Bill of Rights.” After completing his duty in the Marine Corps, Steuby enrolled and graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. “I went to a great engineering school, IIT,” said Steuby. “You’ve heard of MIT. Well, we’re IIT on the south side of Chicago. I’m a graduate mechanical engineer and you need that type of information to run this type of business.” After college, he was employed at Caterpillar in East Peoria and eventually went back to work for his father. “I ran his business, the screw machine shop business, for nine years,” said Steuby. “My brother came into the business and I was kind of pushed out so I left and started my own business which included the Made in USA can opener. “I’ve had five different locations, restarted the business five times with each time getting bigger. We are doing about $15 million in business.” John J. Steuby Co. is involved in so much of what America makes it is one of the largest and most diversified plants in the Midwestern United States that receives raw material and ships finished products to every major area of the country. More than 125 employees, running two shifts in a 144,000-square-foot facility, gives John J. Steuby Co. the capacity to produce nearly any machined product you require at a competitive price. But as time goes by and engineering and manufacturing improve, there generally is that one successful product that remains close to your heart and soul. It’s that successful part or product that kickstarts your business and makes it sustainable. {media_2} At John J. Steuby Co., amid thousands of feet of precision products at the Hazelwood facility, it is the simple hand-powered can opener that certainly has removed the lid off of thousands of tin cans. After use, you just clean the opener and stick it in the kitchen drawer. It does not clutter extra counter space like an electric can opener does. “Other than the can opener, everything else is shipped to somebody and they put it in their product. We’re known as a job shop, a screw machine job shop. We do everything. We do everything on a bid basis. “They show us a blueprint, we quote it, we get it, we run it and we may get repeat orders, or we may not.” The John J. Steuby factory is located adjacent to the St. Louis Airport (Lambert International) which allows for quick distribution. The company does build thousands of small parts for jet aircraft, but it is not in the business of manufacturing the latest innovations that keep Americans flying the friendly skies. “No, that is a whole different field,” said Steuby. As for the stalwart can opener, it is regarded as the best on the market, competing with many poorly made products from China. “We buy our steel for the can opener from a company that operates in Granite City named Custom Steel,” he said. “Everything we buy that we use in our manufacturing, we make here locally or get steel from U.S. Steel.” The EZ-DUZ-IT can openers come with a choice of four different colored handles – black and, of course, red, white and blue to celebrate manufacturing that is Made in the USA. It retails for $9 to $13 depending on place of purchase. It is available at most major retail stores and online through Amazon. Editor’s Note: Blogs like this one are intended to highlight companies that support American jobs and that make great products in the United States. We rely on companies we feature to provide accurate information regarding their domestic operations and their products. Each company is individually responsible for labeling and advertising their products according to applicable standards, such as the Federal Trade Commission’s “Made in USA” standard or California’s “Made in USA” labeling law. We do not review individual products for compliance or claim that company products comply with specific labeling or advertising standards. Our focus is on supporting companies that create American jobs. This Manufacturer Makes Millions Machining Parts, But His Favorite Project? Making This Can Opener. syndicated from https://petrotekb.wordpress.com/ via Tumblr This Manufacturer Makes Millions Machining Parts, But His Favorite Project? Making This Can Opener.
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Steel industry associations in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia are urging their governments to intensify efforts to confront and solve the issue of excess capacity in the global steel sector. Apparently, current methods just don’t seem to be working effectively! The 19 associations involved released a statement, urging their various governments into action including implementing “strong rules and remedies that reduce excess capacity, its impact and causes.” Just get some strong rules going! Sounds like a simple fix, right? The solution becomes more complicated as the unexpected growth of new steelmaking facilities have contributed to trade tensions and have aroused some concern. Wherever could those be? The steel industries concurrently agree that the systems in place aren’t working and that “efforts by the governments to eliminate practices that lead to excess capacity should be doubled.” And they also praised a September statement from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development that expressed concern over the recent capacity expansions. In the statement the associations said they’re “hopeful that the diligent efforts of Japan, the current G20 Chair, are successful in extending the G20 Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity beyond 2019.” That means these industries want these global organizations to keep talking about fixes to the overcapacity problem. But let’s be clear about where the overcapacity problem starts and stops: In China. Global Steel Industry Groups Unite for Action on Steel Excess Capacity Crisis syndicated from https://petrotekb.wordpress.com/ via Tumblr Global Steel Industry Groups Unite for Action on Steel Excess Capacity Crisis Deciding what you want to do with your life can be overwhelming, especially when that decision is made early in your career. In fact, an astounding majority of people don’t find their calling right away and trends are showing people are no longer working for one company their whole career — the average person changes jobs an average of 12 times during his or her career. But making that switch can be daunting and confusing. There are so many options, and the wrong move can set you back in your career and in your finances. However, switching to supply chain can be a great option. The field is broad enough to be a fit for people with a variety of technical and soft skills. It’s also a growing industry, with millions of new employees being added to the workforce. If you need a little inspiration for your transition, look no further than our 30 Under 30 Rising Supply Chain Stars. Some of these young professionals shifted to supply chain from other industries, and they’ve already established themselves as leaders in the field. We spoke with a few of these professionals to get their advice. Here’s who we chatted with:
Inspiration For A Career Switch Might Be Closer Than You ThinkSR: I originally worked at an accounting firm and I really enjoyed the analytical and client interface side of being an accountant, but I was looking for a change. I began researching for a job that had an analytical background but also had client interaction. It wasn’t until I spoke with my mother-in-law who worked in supply chain that I got some clarity in my career path. She wasn’t a supply chain major but was able to transition into a supply chain career when she was around my age. She mentioned how her career was able to grow and told me that there were many different career paths that stemmed from supply chain. That’s when I knew I wanted to focus on finding a supply chain job. TK: To tell you the truth, I fell into supply chain while I was working in sales at my current company. I went into a marketing career after college and I didn’t love it as much as I thought I would. I liked working with people so I thought I should try sales. That’s when I saw an opportunity to work at Zipline Logistics. Luckily they had a great training program at the company so I was able to learn about logistics along the way. Then I ended up going away from sales and started working on the operation side of things the further I got into my career. I loved it so much because I’m able to work with people on a day-to-day basis. It was 100% what I was looking for. Skills From Previous Jobs Can Pave The Way To A Supply Chain CareerSR: I always joke that accounting “haunts” me, but in a beneficial way. Working in accounting was very analytical, detail-oriented and client-facing, and it’s helped me in my sourcing role. When it comes to sourcing, it’s important to understand how the company works financially and operationally, and my analytical and detail-oriented skills from accounting were able to help me. Working with clients in accounting also helped me with my communication skills, which help me excel in my current role. PL: My previous job was on a political campaign in New Jersey, and I was tasked to build coalitions and organize voter blocs for a U.S. Senate campaign. This involved both relationship building and data analysis. In order to succeed, I had to understand and empathize with diverse personality types while sorting and analyzing vast voter databases quickly and efficiently. These experiences carried over into my current role as a Strategic Sourcing Consultant, where I partner with internal stakeholders and vendors and utilize the vast spend data and trends at hand. What products and services were surging in demand last quarter?The Switch From Engineering To Supply Chain As A Natural FitAD: I was originally focused on engineering, and the striking similarities between supply chain and engineering really interested me. Engineering and supply chain are very similar in their basics and approach. Both fields try to optimize systems to remove redundancies, improve performance and save time, which requires problem solving. The mere difference lies in the scope, scale and systems used. The aptitude and the problem solving skills were essential. As a computer science, engineering graduate, I could correlate and use the aptitude and problem solving skills I gained in my engineering job in my new supply chain job. SS: As an engineer, transitioning into supply chain was natural. I didn’t even realize I was making a move while I was working. Being an engineer, I can understand and pick up certain supply chain skills faster, such as data analytics and my math and computer science skills helped me stay ahead of the game. Education And A Strong Professional Support System Can Help You Overcome The Learning CurveTK: My company, Zipline Logistics, was able to help me make the switch from sales to logistics. My skill set allowed me to thrive on the logistics aspects of my sales job such as retaining and growing my clients. My company noticed these skill sets in me and they were eager to help me make that move towards a logistics role through their in-house training program. Know of a colleague born between 1981 and 1996 who is driving success within your organization and the industrial sector overall? Nominate them for our NextGen For Industry award!PL: Prior to my supply chain career, I worked on a political campaign in New Jersey. There was an initial learning curve around the technical aspects of the job since I had no previous training or experience in supply chain. There were certain technical terms and acronyms such as RFP, SOW, MSA, BATNA that were new to me. Thankfully, I had a lot of support from my manager and team that allowed me to learn the technical aspects of the industry and I was brought up to speed quickly. Choosing A Supply Chain Career Path Will Prepare You To Work With Your Whole OrganizationSR: The most surprising aspect of working in supply chain is how interconnected the role is to so many different departments. In my current role, I have the opportunity to work with our technical, operational teams (completions, drilling, production), IT, accounting, treasury, etc. SS: If I stayed in engineering, I would not have interacted with as many people. There is so much interaction you get to have in supply chain and people skills are extremely important. It was surprising to learn how important communication skills were in my role. You have to be very communicative and influential to succeed in the field. Not just communicating with people within my company but with partners, suppliers and customers. PL: Working in supply chain gives you a unique bird’s-eye view that I have of the entire business operation. Understanding the current state of the company’s primary suppliers and their functions, allows you a basic, big picture view of the business strategy, requirements and areas of improvement. Advice To Future Supply Chain ProfessionalsAD: To succeed in supply chain, you must have patience, humility, and respect. Patience to accept that you do not always have the right answer. Humility to learn something from everyone and respect for the difference in cultures and people around the world. Mentorship is key when making the career switch. The biggest mistake I made and I am sure many of my co-millennials would have too in their early career, is assuming that we know it all. Related Info: Why Your Liberal Arts Degree Could Make You A Great Fit For A STEM Career SR: Do a lot of research before you make a career switch. Supply chain is definitely a career that most people don’t understand and it’s looked at in a very traditional manner but I was able to do my own research on the field to get a better understanding of it. TK: My advice is to not doubt yourself if you don’t have a supply chain degree. People get caught up in the degree and where you go from there. They think they need to go to grad school or pick traditional roles, but that isn’t always the case. I think it would be helpful to discover different industries they can apply their major to, including supply chain. It’s a little different, but that’s what makes it more fun. Every month, Thomas recognizes a young professional (born between 1981 and 1996) who is making a difference in the industry with the NextGen for Industry Award. Manufacturing awards are a great way to get your company and loyal employees industry recognition. If any of the above professionals reminded you of someone you’d like to nominate, let us know here!
via Tumblr How To Successfully Make A Career Change Into Supply Chain Marketing to millennial engineers requires a deep understanding of the age differences among the engineering workforce. I have talked about this in the past and it was also a key talking point of my presentation at the Industrial Marketing Summit, Content Marketing World 2019. Yes there are many key differences in how you market to … Read more The post Marketing to Millennial Engineers by Achinta Mitra appeared first on Industrial Marketing Today. Marketing to Millennial Engineers syndicated from https://petrotekb.wordpress.com/ via Tumblr Marketing to Millennial Engineers Fall is here! The weather is finally cooling down, at least in most parts of the country. People are drinking pumpkin spice lattes and beer and everything else. Folks big and small are getting their costumes ready for Halloween. But if you’ve stepped into one of the big box stores in the past week, you surely have seen it. The green and red lights. The fake snow. Perhaps even an artificial tree or two. The holiday season is right around the corner, and here at Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) headquarters that means we’re hard at work putting together the 2019 Made in America Holiday Gift Guide. The annual guide is one of the most popular things we do all year (click here to check out the 2018 edition, which also links to past guides). The 2019 guide is set to be unveiled on Nov. 25, just a few days before Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday shopping season. The annual guide shines a spotlight on some amazing American makers, featuring more than 100 gift ideas from every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Everything on the list is made by companies that support U.S. jobs and have a manufacturing presence in the United States. But we can’t do it alone! Every year, we aim to highlight companies and products that have not made past editions of the guide. We also try to include a mix of gift ideas at a variety of price points, so readers can find something for everyone on their list. And I’ll be honest — it gets tougher every year to put the guide together. That’s where you come in. Do you have a favorite American-made company? Do you have a great Made in America gift idea? Is there a Made in USA product you can’t leave without? Send us an email to [email protected] — your gift pick might make our final list! Seriously, please do not hesitate to drop us a line. Over the years, some of the best gift ideas have come from people just like you. Plus, we are always thrilled to learn about American-made products we haven’t heard about! Please email us at [email protected] with your ideas, and stay tuned to this space on Nov. 25 for the official unveiling of the 2019 Made in America Holiday Gift Guide. {media_1} We’re Putting Together Our Made in America Holiday Gift Guide, But We Need Your Help! syndicated from https://petrotekb.wordpress.com/ via Tumblr We’re Putting Together Our Made in America Holiday Gift Guide, But We Need Your Help! Amid an enormous trade war between the U.S. and Chinese governments, China’s trying to get $2.4 billion from the United States for its non-compliance with a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling over the legitimacy of tariffs from the Obama era. Yes, that’s right: In 2012 China disputed the application of a bunch of tariffs on solar panels, wind turbines, and certain steel and aluminum products, and a WTO appeals court agreed that some of the U.S. tariffs were unfair. From Reuters:
Without having read the text of the WTO ruling, that ruling seems kinda odd … despite being in a vein similar to previous WTO rulings against the U.S. It’s well documented that China has for years subsidized the friggin’ heck out of these industries, saturating some of them so much that they caused global overcapacity problems. And accepting Chinese prices to measure subsidies would seem to fly in the face of the fact that China remains a non-market economy. {media_1} The lawyers are gonna wrestle this one out, and we’ll keep an eye on it. This case is illustrative, though, of a larger point: The trade policies pushed by the Chinese government were a problem before Donald Trump became president. And although negotiations toward a comprehensive deal continue, and although it’s a good thing that this guy has (however ham-handedly) squared off with China over its unfair trade practices, these problems are almost guaranteed to continue after him. This is a long game. Whatever deal the USTR is able to reach with his Chinese counterparts needs to be a comprehensive as possible. No settling for soybeans! China Wants $2.4 Billion from the U.S. Over an Old WTO Tariff Dispute syndicated from https://petrotekb.wordpress.com/ via Tumblr China Wants $2.4 Billion from the U.S. Over an Old WTO Tariff Dispute When it comes to branding, the major players probably come to mind first — Amazon, Coca-Cola®, Disney, and so on. The strength of their name recognition is immense. When these names come up, you immediately see their logo, and even if the logo doesn’t bully its way into your brain, you at least know what they’re selling. It doesn’t matter whether you consume their products or not; you know them. They’ve seared your mind with a branding iron. (See what we did there?) Many manufacturing and industrial companies, however, don’t think that they need to worry about branding. They prefer to rely on word of mouth and referrals to attract new business, and they feel that branding isn’t important in their space. But there’s a better way to grow your business. The fact is that the manufacturing and industrial marketplace is extremely crowded, with different companies offering many of the same services and capabilities. A solid, recognizable and memorable brand can help you stand out from the crowd and put you in position to win more business. Here’s why you should build your manufacturing brand. People Will Know Who You Are And What You DoLet’s get the obvious out of the way: effective branding will give you name recognition. That’s great. But there’s another, not-so-obvious benefit of branding: it will also give you capabilities recognition. You see, with really great branding, you become what you offer. Think about it. When we say chocolate, you think Hershey. When we say tissue, you picture Kleenex. Building your brand can make your company name synonymous with your product or service. That’s powerful stuff. Related Resource: What Can B2B Industrial Marketers Learn From B2C Companies? Effective Brand Marketing Establishes An Emotional ConnectionSuccessful branding helps to foster an emotional connection to your company. Once you establish what your brand is and what it stands for, you can then focus on creating messaging that speaks to people’s needs and desires on a subtly emotional level. Think about Apple, for example. The level of anticipation that awaits every new product launch is not rational, and the loyalty that people feel for their iPhones is incredible. Apple hones in on and reinforces this emotional loyalty through their advertising and messaging. A Strong Brand Will Make It Easier To Build TrustStrong B2B marketing also establishes credibility and keeps you from seeming like a fly-by-night outfit. Engaging, sophisticated branding helps illustrate that you’re a legitimate company with consistent product or service offerings. Think of it this way: Good branding is like having a credit card that loans out client trust until you get the opportunity to prove yourself firsthand. You Differentiate Your Brand In B2B MarketingBranding can be hugely helpful in distinguishing yourself from competitors. You may offer the same kind of product or service as a competitor, but you aren’t a clone. Don’t let yourself look like one. Make sure your organization’s colors, logos, mission statement, and overall personality are unique, well thought out, and distinct from other manufacturing brands. As you’re working on your branding strategy, remember to be your biggest advocate. Be true to your brand, but don’t be afraid to brag. In B2B marketing, it’s critical to differentiate yourself. This is where you need your branding to create a story that sets you apart from your competitors. Your story doesn’t need to be complex, but it does need to be unique and attention-grabbing to help you stand out from the noise of competing brand messages, so don’t forget your unique selling proposition. With enough research, you’ll have a better idea of the particular audiences you’re targeting and the space in which you can connect with them. Aim to keep your message simple and easily relatable, but provide enough detail that your audience can connect to your offering on a human level. Learn more about How To Differentiate Yourself From The Competition3 Steps To Build Your Manufacturing BrandWhile your company may not become a household name, you can leverage branding to create a stronger association between who you are and what you offer, giving you an advantage over your competition. Here are three ways to kickstart your manufacturing brand strategy. ![]() 1. Research Your CompetitionWhile building a brand isn’t rocket science, it does take some research and planning. One of the first things you need to understand is who you are competing against. Research these companies and study their marketing messages. By understanding how your business relates to the competition, you can develop a strategy to distinguish yourself. Then, use this information to write your mission statement, which helps you identify the value you offer to your customers. 2. Identify Your Target AudienceThe research doesn’t stop there. Next, you’ll want to make sure you’ve identified your target audience. It’s impossible to appeal to everyone, so knowing who your consumers are will help you create branding they can relate to as you form your brand voice. The voice you use in your marketing gives your brand its personality; brand voice serves to differentiate you from the competition while engaging with your target audience. 3. Give Your Company An IdentityOnce you’ve determined the personality of your brand, it’s time to give your brand an identity. To do this, you’ll need to update (or create!) a logo and tagline that will appear throughout your marketing materials. These identifying characteristics of your brand are a simple representation of the qualities and benefits your brand offers. Your brand message, which should be one or two short sentences, will give a more detailed explanation of your value proposition, inspire your target audience, and motivate them to choose you over the competition. How Strong Is Your Brand?Before you can convey who you are to others, you have to know for yourself. Try crafting a concise, succinct statement that explains what your company is and what you stand for. What are you? What are you not? What do you stand for? If you mass-produce widgets to be sold at rock-bottom prices, then say so. If you’re all about superior, handcrafted whatnots, make that known. Leave no ambiguity. Finally, what is it that you do well? Make certain that those who encounter your brand know without a doubt what you provide and what they can expect from you. And be real. If you’re all about quality, make good stuff and stand behind your products. If your edge is quick delivery, follow through on shipping demands. Consultative? Continue to show up in your buyer’s world, adding value after the transaction is complete. Solid branding can go a long way in establishing your presence in the marketplace. If you’re looking for some inspiration, watch the video below to see how Thomas rebranded itself in the past. ![]() Or, if you’re having trouble getting started and need help from an industrial marketing expert, reach out to our team today. We’ll help you build an engaging marketing strategy that will set you apart from the competition.
via Tumblr Why Manufacturing Brand Marketing Is So Important Louis Vuitton officially opened a new 100,000-square-foot factory in Johnson County, Texas, on Thursday. Presiding over the formal opening ceremony? None other than the arbiter of haute couture and all things tasteful, President Donald Trump (whose own businesses have long manufactured offshore). Anyway… Other than that, it looks like Louis Vuitton’s factory is off to a strong start. The new facility currently employs 150 workers, the company has promised to ultimately employ 1,000 local workers over the next five years in exchange for a bevy of tax breaks. French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, which owns Louis Vuitton and a multitude of other iconic luxury brands such as Dior and Marc Jacobs, is already well entrenched in America. The company employs 33,000 workers in the U.S., and the new facility in Texas joins two other factories, located in California, that are already operated by Louis Vuitton. It’s worth noting that while Louis Vuitton is supporting local jobs through its new Lone Star State plant, all the materials and equipment used in production are reportedly imported from Europe — especially interesting given all those ranches down in Texas. To the company’s credit, it does appear Louis Vuitton is looking into local suppliers, according to the Wall Street Journal:
In any case, the Louis Vuitton handbags manufactured at the Texas facility, which include its popular Neverfull model, will be labeled “Made in USA.” You can watch the full opening ceremony with remarks from Trump and LVMH’s founder and Chairman Bernard Arnault below, or just enjoy some classic Donald Trump campaign music hits such as “Macho Man”. {media_1} Louis Vuitton Opened a Factory in Texas, Y’all! syndicated from https://petrotekb.wordpress.com/ via Tumblr Louis Vuitton Opened a Factory in Texas, Y’all! Did you know that the Department of Defense (DoD) spends more than 60 percent of the federal procurement budget eligible for small businesses? In fiscal year 2017, DoD awarded more than $60 billion in prime contracts to small businesses. According to Deloitte last year in the defense sector, heightened global tensions and geopolitical risks, recovery in the US defense budget, and higher defense spending by other major regional powers such as China, India, and Japan were expected to drive global defense sector growth into 2019 and beyond. Continued military spending growth is a sign for suppliers to secure ongoing business and tap into new market opportunities. Checklist For Doing Business With The Department Of DefenseIf you’re planning on targeting more businesses from the defense industry, then you are most likely very familiar with requirements for ISO certifications, ITAR, and First Article Inspection (FAI). After all, you must comply with these to even be considered as a supplier. Let’s go through other must-haves the DoD lists as checklist items for getting into the defense industry space and doing business with the DoD: 1. As a small business, explore programs with the Small Business Administration (SBA).If you’re a small business, consider seeking advice from the Small Business Offices. The DoD’s Procurement Technical Assistance Program was created especially to help small businesses compete for and execute contracts with DoD and other federal agencies. Most of their services are free and help you prepare for meetings with contracting officers and program managers. 2. Identify your product or service.Review the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to make sure you have the right codes for your products or services — Federal Supply Class or Service (FSC/SVC) codes, the Product Service Codes (PSCs) and North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. 3. Obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and register in the System for Award Management (SAM).A DUNS number and SAM registration are must-haves to do business with the Federal Government — there’s no cost to register. SAM registration gives you the opportunity for fast electronic payment of your invoices. 4. Obtain a Contractor and Government Entity Code (CAGE) or NATO Contractor and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code.When you register in SAM system for the first time, you will obtain a CAGE Code if you’re a U.S. vendor or an NCAGE Code if you’re a foreign vendor. 5. Identify current DoD procurement opportunities.Did you know the DoD updates their website with contract opportunities valued at $7 million or more every day? Check out DoD’s contracts here to stay updated on what’s coming down the pipeline. 6. Familiarize yourself with DoD contracting regulations and procedures.Browse the Federal Acquisition Regulation website and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) page for procedures, guidance, and information. 7. Investigate Federal Supply Schedules (FSS).According to the General Services Administration (GSA), Federal Supply Schedules (FSS) are long-term government-wide contracts with commercial firms providing federal, state, and local government buyers access to more than 11 million commercial supplies, products, and services at volume discount pricing. It is one of the largest procurement programs and the most preferred for commercial products and services. For buyers, the Schedules saves time and money. For prospective contractors, the Schedules are a direct link to the government procurement community. Check out the Federal Supply Schedules here. 8. Explore FedMall Contracts.FedMall is an eCommerce ordering system for the DOD, Federal, State, and authorized local agencies. Check out FedMall’s requirements to see how you can become a supplier. At a minimum, you will need a valid authentication certificate, a valid CAGE code and an active SAM registration (steps 3 and 4 above). 9. Seek additional assistance, as needed, in the DoD marketplace.In addition to the Office Small Business Programs, there are other important resources to help you become a defense supplier, including Defense Pricing and Contracting (DPC) and Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation. The more you research about defense and aerospace industry challenges, the better you’ll be at identifying potential opportunities, marketing to them, developing proposals, and winning contracts. 10. Look for subcontracting opportunities.Some government contracts require large companies to subcontract with a small business. The DoD encourages suppliers to consider subcontracting opportunities to create a pathway into federal contracting. Check out SBA’s website for more info on prime and subcontracting opportunities. 11. Investigate other DoD programs.Research other opportunities to get into the defense supplier space such as the DoD Mentor-Protégé Program and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Institutions Program. More on those programs can be found on the U.S. Department of Defense’s website. 12. Familiarize yourself with the DoD’s electronic invoicing capabilities.Wide Area Workflow is the only acceptable electronic system for submitting requests for payment (invoices and receiving reports) under DoD contracts. 13. Market your product or service well.The DoD recommends to find your niche — don’t be everything to everybody. Refer back to your unique selling proposition and identify your differentiators. What separates you from other great performers? For example, The Boeing Company buys cables, switches, fasteners, sheet metal, non-production services, and more to build complicated parts and components — the defense industry has products and services like no other. See if there’s a need you can fill, but only market to potential customers that buy what you sell. What Small Businesses Need To Know About Becoming A Defense SupplierResearch is key. See if there’s a need your company can fill in the defense industry by searching the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), which contains detailed information about federal government contract awards. FPDS identifies who bought what, from whom, for how much, when and where. You can also search USAspending.gov for previously awarded contracts for more DoD procurement data. Thomas is an additional resource and provides a free in-market active buyer report to show which buyers are interested in your services or products. Get your buyer report here. Doing your homework will help you be prepared during proposal time where your goal will be to discuss a real requirement and not your generic capabilities. To succeed in marketing your product or service well to the defense industry, you must understand their mission, pain points, and priorities. Do not lead with your company history, your socioeconomic status or your organizational chart. Lead with your specific capabilities and how they meet your target customer’s mission. Learn more about targeting your most desired audience by downloading the free eBook on “How To Meet The Needs Of Your Buyers.”A prerequisite for any manufacturing and industrial company breaking into a new industry is an updated, responsive website. It is the center of your online presence and the foundation for all your marketing and sales efforts. Make sure your inbound marketing campaigns and website address the must-haves the defense industry is looking for. In addition to their contract requirements, what other initiatives do they care about? Is your manufacturing business sustainable? Is your company a Veteran-Owned Small Business? DoD awards specific recipients in other programs like the following:
Highlight these other efforts and classifications on your website and make sure it’s showcased on your Thomasnet.com listing too. Four Common Concerns In The Defense Supply ChainAs a defense supplier, keep in mind that you must adhere to the needs of a very strict and demanding supply chain. Although the aerospace and defense industry has aggressive programs, they still experience delays in deliveries. To help you understand the defense industry market more and how you can solve their problems, let’s discuss four other common concerns that DoD project-focused program managers and buyers have when sourcing a new supplier. 1. Counterfeit PartsWhile FAI is designed to set the baseline for acceptable product quality and performance, it is all too common that a batch of counterfeit parts finds its way into the supply chain — even from the biggest and most trusted of resources. Uncovering counterfeit parts in an assembly immediately triggers a massive research project to uncover their origin. While this effort is underway, all progress on the DoD project grinds to a halt. A large defense contractor cannot afford these types of delays. As a prospective new supplier, it is advisable to make your procedures and training known for deterring counterfeit parts.c 2. AnonymityAt times, Tier 1 and 2 defense contractor suppliers will be called upon to maintain the anonymity of a project. This allows the defense contractor to source additional products through a single supplier and maintains the security of the project. Having staff with security clearance that are capable of acting in this capacity is a huge benefit in these situations. Setting up these areas of the supply chain is crucial for complex projects with high-security requirements. 3. Incomplete QuotesNothing is more frustrating for defense contractors than selecting a supplier and then finding out that the quote that was provided for the work is not complete. The biggest culprit in these situations is Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) charges — which refers to the one-time cost to research, design, develop and test a new product or product update. Include the total investment for the project and line out the NRE to set yourself apart from the competition. 4. Inaccurate DataDefense contractors will take your data sheets as the gospel truth for the performance of your products. Frequently, they will look for a commercial product and push it to the functional limits in their use cases only to find out the part is not capable of the desired functionality. Check your data for accuracy and provide an original publish date with the latest revision date. Be proactive in communicating updates on product performance and capabilities. Open lines of communication and resiliency are effective ways to overcome supply chain disruption. ![]() Are You On The Right Path To Becoming A Defense Supplier?The manufacturing industry can be unpredictable and one of the best ways to guard you against risk is to diversify your business and tap into new markets. But as you position yourself to become a part of the defense supply chain and win a portion of this business, you must remember that this is a very different sector. There are multiple paths to becoming a defense supplier and there are many resources to help get you there, but standard presentations and a lack of investment in the right technologies will not separate you from competitors. Quality management driving continuous improvements in cost and compliance are vital to the supply chain in the defense industry. Becoming a defense supplier requires patience — you may have only 30 days to put together a top-notch technical proposal, and it typically takes at least 18 months of planning before a contractor wins its first contract. So make sure you’ve set your foundation right with a Thomasnet.com listing, browsed current DoD procurement data at USAspending.gov, and invested in technologies that will help them deliver what their customers demand. There are strict rules to follow and the process can be complicated, but if you have questions about how to get your dream defense contract, send us a message.
via Tumblr How To Become A Defense Supplier Neal Goulet didn’t start out in the apparel business. Goulet spent many years as a reporter and eventually became the owner of his own namesake communications firm. But in 2014, Goulet posted a blog centered around highlighting American-made products, and frequently began highlighting Made in USA goods on his website. Inspiration struck. In fall 2016, Goulet began selling an American-made felt pennant and a knit hat branded for his hometown of Hershey, Pa. After receiving a strong response to the items, Goulet began fine-tuning business plans and product lineups — and Stay Apparel Co. was born. The company officially launched in fall 2017 with a line-up built around graphic T-shirts that featured designs with vintage and retro vibes — and celebrated the Keystone State. Stay Apparel’s product line-up now includes canvas bags, felt pennants and banners, pint glasses, hats, and T-shirts, with sizes ranging from S-2XL. Goulet describes Stay Apparel as “an authentic American brand of place.” The company is “authentic in that everything we sell is original to us and Made in the USA, not imported with an American flag printed on it,” he says. “And ‘of place,’ meaning that we highlight Hershey, Harrisburg, York, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA in our designs.” {media_2} When deciding where to manufacture Stay Apparel’s products, “there was never any other option as far as I was concerned,” Goulet says. In order to differentiate themselves in the highly competitive graphic T-shirt business, Made in the USA was the company’s calling. It’s also a personal issue for Goulet, who makes an effort to buy American-made goods. “Only 3 percent of apparel sold in the U.S. is made here,” Goulet says. “It’s devastating to jobs and communities, and I would go as far to say that it’s a national security risk when you rely on other countries to make everything for you.” But while Neal is an advocate for Made in America, he also believes no one should be compelled to buy American-made products if they aren’t more than that — those products must be “high quality and compelling.” Stay Apparel aims to do both. With its retro style, the company’s T-shirts tell stories and celebrate Pennsylvania’s distinctions and history. Take the Pennsylvania Polka Tee, which celebrates Northeast Pennsylvania’s rich tradition of polka music and dancing. The use of polka dots also harkens back to a spotted fabric that first appeared in an 1857 edition of a Philadelphia-based women’s magazine. Then there’s the Pennsylvania Craft Beer Tee. “This design plays off a Pennsylvania license plate of yore and celebrates the Keystone State’s distinction — three years running — of being the No. 1 producer (by number of barrels) of craft beer in the United States,” Goulet says. {media_1} And it would be silly not to mention the company’s USA Tee. The retro design is “inspired by an old U.S. Olympic hockey jersey crest. It’s also our first ringer shirt, made from 3.8-ounce fabric that’s 50 percent polyester, 37 percent cotton, 13 percent rayon,” Goulet says. Along with its unique designs, Stay Apparel is committed to providing top-notch customer service, quickly resolving any hiccups and processing orders fast. “Our record is 20 minutes from an online order arriving to it being ready for postal service pickup,” Goulet says. Although manufacturing locally does provide advantages, even a true believer like Goulet admits there are some hurdles. “The biggest challenge is that there just aren’t many options when it comes to American-made apparel,” Goulet says. “We have used the same T-shirt vendor since the beginning because it produces a broad line of high-quality products, but we’d like to have alternatives, too. We haven’t produced a women’s tank because we just didn’t like what our vendor offered… We’ll keep looking.” Overcoming what Goulet calls “American consumer indifference” is also a challenge — although Goulet remains committed to keeping his company Made in America. “Polls suggest that Americans want to buy U.S-made when given the opportunity, but it doesn’t always translate into action. You’ll see plenty of people wearing patriotic tees and hats that you know weren’t Made in America,” he says. “We have to get to a place where American consumers at least ask whether there’s an American option. Personally, I like the challenge of finding U.S.-made products, and I really like the discipline it instills. For many products, if I can’t find an option that’s Made in the USA, then I can live without it.” Check out Stay Apparel Co. online. Made in USA Brand Stay Apparel Co. Celebrates Pennsylvania With a Retro Style syndicated from https://petrotekb.wordpress.com/ via Tumblr Made in USA Brand Stay Apparel Co. Celebrates Pennsylvania With a Retro Style |
About USI am aspiring Internet Marketer, It had started out as a hobby but I soon realized that what I am learning has to be done in action so that he can show others.
I have started writing reviews on products that I have personally brought and used. My goal is to have the time and freedom to earn an income passively and online, while being able to spend more time with my family as well as help others achieve the same success. My Other Social Links |