Do
you want to improve your company's profitability? Have you achieved
the level of prosperity that you want for your company... that
your competition is striving to achieve? You understand that
your company needs to make changes in order to remain competitive,
profitable and viable. CITEC can help you find and implement
those changes.
What
is it?
The
Competitive Assessment is an outside technical review
of a manufacturing company that does two things:
-
Evaluates
your current manufacturing operation, pinpointing both strengths
and weaknesses; and
-
Points
out opportunities for improvement - specific areas where your
company can apply new methods and technologies to improve its
performance.
How
is it done?
- First,
a detailed questionnaire is completed by your knowledgeable
staff.
- Then,
CITEC's experienced staff will conduct a thorough on-site visit
and interviews with key personnel.
- Using
your questionnaire responses, our on-site observations and
staff interviews, CITEC will compile a detailed report with
our recommendations.
What
does it deliver?
Your
Competitive Assessment will provide your company with a detailed
report that offers recommendations for improvement:
- Today:
Low cost do-it-now projects
- Tomorrow:
Assistance in prioritizing, justifying and designing
specific projects to meet your goals
And
it also sets you up for possible funding through Empire State
Development's Industrial Effectiveness Program.
How
does it benefit you?
- Identifies
changes that help you cut costs, shorten lead times, and improve
quality and customer satisfaction
- Opens
the door to new markets by increasing your productivity
- Capitalizes
on your strengths and corrects your weaknesses
- Introduces
new technology on the basis of your priorities
Who
participates in the assessment?
Your
management, supervisors, and employees in the following areas:
| General
Management |
Finance/Control |
| Sales/Marketing |
Production |
| Human
Resources |
Quality |
| Information
Systems |
Engineering |
CITEC's
Assessment team with experience in:
| Financial
Analysis |
Engineering |
| Industrial
Marketing |
Training |
| Production
Processes |
Safety |
What
is a company's investment for a Competitive Assessment?
Costs
range from $3500 to $4500 depending on the company's size and
complexity. In addition to paying the fee, the company
also invests time. This time commitment is important
because the assessment can only be as good as the data on which
it is based.
You should do a Competitive Assessment only if you have a serious
intention to implement the changes necessary to improve your
company's performance.
A
Sample of Competitive Assessment Recommendations:
- Establish
a company-wide business system
- Develop
a setup reduction program
- Computerize
the cost estimating function
- Investigate
CAD systems for design accuracy
- Conduct
competitive/marketing research
- Recycle
falloff material
- Initiate
a TQM program
- Develop
manufacturing cells
- Automate
assembly operations
- Develop
a customer service program
- Improve
plant layout based on long-term growth needs
- Input
shop floor data via computer terminals or bar-code scanners
- Establish
a preventive maintenance program
What
is the timeframe for the assessment?
Upon
your acceptance of the Competitive Assessment proposal, CITEC
will hold a kickoff meeting with your key personnel to provide
and review the Questionnaire.
Once your knowledgeable staff has completed the Questionnaire,
our Field Engineer will schedule the tour of your facility(ies)
and employee interviews. The final report will be completed 4
to 6 weeks following your submission of the completed Questionnaire.
Industrial
Effectiveness Program (IEP)
Funding
assistance to implement changes that will improve the competitiveness
of your company may be available through Empire State Development's
Industrial Effectiveness Program. To determine if your project
may qualify for such funding, contact CITEC to schedule your
free pre-qualification meeting. And find out more on our Grants & Loans page.
For
more information, contact anyone on CITEC's
staff.
