Manufacturing Client Stories:
Specialized industry, especially in a global market, can be difficult to navigate. In addition to the research and development that go into proprietary products, inventory and basic financial management take on a new level when dealing with those types of commodities.
One such company, that manufactures industrial marking systems, realized that the company’s growth was bringing up questions and situations that were new to the CEO and staff. The CEO realized that the business was ready to move to the next level in size, growth, diversity, and sophistication. Through professional networking, he came across Focus CFO, and found the right services at the right time. “I didn’t necessarily know what I needed,” the CEO remembers. “It was an evolutionary process-we became aware of our needs at the right time-and at the same time, Focus was introduced to us.”
The experience has been 100% positive. He had three objectives when he brought a Focus CFO on board for one day a week. First, he wanted to grow and develop the knowledge his current staff had, building on an already solid foundation. “Focus brings a new level of understanding and analytical skills to the organization from the outside,” says the CEO. Second, he needed Focus to be part of a team undertaking some very specific projects dealing with inventory, ordering, and management processes. Lastly, he was looking for a better grasp on the business, specifically what a significant improvement in cash flow meant for the company as a whole.
On all three objectives, the company has ongoing progress and success. “I have a good understanding and feel for cash flow. Focus is helping improve and simplify specific processes for more accurate and meaningful results. Our company—as a whole and as individuals— has a better understanding of how to manage the business and move forward.”
“Focus has become a very valued part of that networking and advisory group that every CEO has to have,” he concludes. “We are a successful business, so it wasn’t a case of something being broken, but rather a matter of growth and how to deal with that. Focus is a strong group of people who adds value to a company."