5 Ways to Save on Factory Manufacturing Costs

[This article was written by Lizzie Weakley.]

Manufacturers are always looking for ways to cut down costs, which is often necessary but must be approached carefully. If you cut back too far or in the wrong ways, you could significantly hurt your business. The following five suggestions will help you save on manufacturing costs if implemented properly.

Pursue Energy-Efficiency

Looking for more ways to be energy-efficient is one of the best approaches to save on manufacturing costs because it saves money and results in good PR. Ideas include placing solar panels where possible, reducing the use of the thermostat or using it more efficiently, putting in natural light instead of artificial lights, using a portable steam unit with fuel-saving features and more. Energy-efficient products might cost more upfront, but they will save your manufacturing plant considerable amounts of money in energy usage over time.

Use Automation

As controversial as it might be to replace human workers with machines, the fact remains that using machines often costs less. They can also reduce worker injury risk. It is important to implement the usage of these machines correctly, however, to ensure they actually improve efficiency rather than hinder it. You must also have knowledgeable employees to operate them effectively.

Use Less Packaging

Packaging is a significant expense for a manufacturing business. If you can pack, store or ship your products with less packaging, you should do so. The savings will add up considerably over time. You can also switch to using cheaper packaging options. If they are more environmentally sustainable options, such as using paper or recycled materials instead of fresh plastic, that is even better.

Avoid Overproduction

Overproduction is a significant way manufacturing costs can be higher than necessary. When too much of a product is produced, it either goes unsold and must be stored or must be sold at a lower price, which affects the manufacturer’s bottom line. Be acutely aware of demand and how it changes throughout a typical year. Pay attention to market changes that may foretell a change in demand, for better or worse.

Reduce Labor Costs by Improving Efficiency

This is often seen as a better alternative to cutting down on employees or hiring unskilled workers. Skilled laborers are more efficient and will be able to produce more with fewer mistakes. Provide training programs so employees can master new skills and assume more roles. Minimizing the number of steps, it takes to make each product, as well as reducing the amount of time those steps take, lowers costs and improves revenue.

Manufacturers occasionally need to cut costs in order to remain competitive, raise their profits and provide more affordable products to customers. However, it is important to not cut back on necessities, as this can cause more damage in multiple ways in the long run. Be smart about the changes you make and the improvements you see can be significant.

Author Bio:

Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball.