County Business Consulting Program helps manufacturer reduce pricing, cut costs and remain competitive

Colton, CA  – The County of San Bernardino Workforce Investment Board’s partnership with California Manufacturing Technology Consulting® (CMTC) helped a local manufacturer, Microdyne Plastics, create a more competitive pricing structure and identify cost savings to maintain profitability.

Judy Lopez, Director of Business Development at Microdyne has witnessed many changes since she joined the company in 1975. The recent recession demonstrated the need for a major cultural shift in order to succeed in this new climate.

“As competition grew, we didn’t want to lose jobs because we bid half a cent more than the company down the street,” she said. “We needed to reevaluate our suppliers and our pricing structure, cut costs if possible and look at ways to aggressively market ourselves rather than rely entirely on word-of-mouth.”

Lopez learned about the County’s Business Consulting Program after attending a marketing seminar hosted by the San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board. This program provides local employers an opportunity to receive consulting services in cost cutting and marketing at no cost. In May 2011, Microdyne began an intensive process audit performed by California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC®) and began designing a new website with Ron Stark of Voice Marketing.

“Businesses that struggled most in this recession shared a common trait in that they could not easily shift production into different market segments,” said Michael Goblowsky, Account Manager for CMTC. “We showed Microdyne not only where they could cut costs and streamline operations, but also how they could expand and diversify to create new market opportunities.”

Microdyne completed the program in September 2011 and recently launched their new website at www.MicrodynePlastics.com.

“We are leaner and feel ready to take on new opportunities as well as create them with our new marketing plan and our website,” Lopez said proudly.

In 2010, the San Bernardino County’s Workforce Investment Board’s Business Consulting Program helped employers retain 902 jobs and create 204 new jobs.

“Our County Workforce Investment Board’s business consulting program is one of the few offered in the nation that streamlines and empowers regional employers,” said Chair Josie Gonzales, County of San Bernardino Fifth District Supervisor. “This is another example of why San Bernardino County is a great place to do business.”

“We are very proud of the results from the Business Consulting Program,” said Sandy Harmsen, Executive Director of the San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board. “Our partners have given employers the tools they need to grow and have provided our workforce with new opportunities for long-term stability.”

Employers and job seekers can find out more information about the business consulting program and services offeredthrough their local San Bernardino County One-Stop Employment Resource Centers located in Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino and Hesperia.  Please visit: http://www.sbcounty.gov/csb-win/wia.htm.

About the Workforce Investment Board of San Bernardino County

The Workforce Investment Board of San Bernardino County is comprised of private business representatives and public partners appointed by the County of San Bernardino Board of Supervisors.  The Board strives to strengthen the skills of the County’s workforce through partnerships with business, education and community-based organizations. The County of San Bernardino Board of Supervisors is committed to providing county resources which generate jobs and investment.

The Workforce Investment Board, through the County of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency and Workforce Development Department, operates the County of San Bernardino Employment Resource Centers (ERCs) and Business Resource Centers (BRCs). The ERCs provide individuals with job training, placement and the tools to strengthen their skills to achieve a higher quality of life, and the BRCs support and provide services to the County’s businesses including employee recruitment.