Manufacturing is a fast-moving industry. Leaders of manufacturing businesses often juggle full inboxes, workforce challenges and compliance requirements, all while fighting to stay on schedule. This is one reason why South Florida Manufacturers Association (SFMA) offers a wide breadth of services. It is also why some member benefits are often underused. We understand that teams are busy, and taking the time to slow down and understand everything we have to offer can be overwhelming. So, in this blog, we’re breaking it down:
Manufacturer of the Year Assessment
Every year at SFMA’s Recognition of Excellence Ceremony, we highlight some of South Florida’s most effective manufacturers in an award category called Manufacturer of the Year. To qualify for this award, businesses must undergo a detailed week-long assessment of their operations that results in a detailed report that underscores the company’s productivity, going far beyond profitability.
This process includes a 90-minute debrief with the judges identifying strengths, gaps and specific opportunities to improve. From there, the company has a detailed road map on how to improve and what to continue doing to be successful. And the best part? It is not only free and open to all members, whether or not they want to compete for an award. It’s also available to nonmembers. SFMA is here to serve manufacturers, even those who have not yet joined our organization.
“That’s what sets us apart as an organization,” Eve Crowley, SFMA Member Relations & Experience Manager, said. “We live and breathe manufacturing. Day in, day out, we’re supporting manufacturers.”
Environmental Health and Safety Assessment
SFMA’s free Environmental Health and Safety assessment helps manufacturers identify risks in their facilities before those risks harm employees, disrupt operations or lead to financial penalties. An assessor walks the facility and notes both best practices and areas needing attention. This review helps clarify OSHA expectations and highlights conditions that could result in citations or fines. Findings give leaders a proactive way to strengthen safety rather than waiting for an incident or inspection. This is a major benefit to manufacturing companies, as safer workplaces protect employees while reducing avoidable financial and operational risks.
Business Assessment
Manufacturers that are not ready for the depth of the MOTY process can use the business assessment to gain a broad, objective view of their operation with a much smaller time commitment. The process requires approximately two hours rather than a week of leadership input. It provides an overall view of the business and facility, revealing priorities and potential improvement areas. A business assessment can serve as a practical first step before a more comprehensive assessment. Even with limited time, manufacturers have the opportunity to gain an outside perspective.
Connection with Manufacturing Resources
One of SFMA’s most underused benefits is direct access to a team that can listen, connect the dots and facilitate a solution, even when SFMA is not the final service provider. We encourage members to contact us before spending hours searching independently or waiting until a challenge becomes urgent. SFMA can connect manufacturers with relevant members, value-add partners, community organizations, and other manufacturing resources.
This support can begin with a phone call, virtual conversation or facility visit. For our fiercely independent members, we recently updated our resource navigator to allow manufacturers to identify and contact helpful organizations more easily. Remember, if we cannot answer the question ourselves, we can help you find the person or organization that can.
“Rather than thinking of SFMA as a last instance, think of us as a first instance,” Crowley said. “Think of us like Google. Try asking us first before trying to do everything on your own.”
Why These Benefits Go Underused
In a perfect world, every SFMA member would utilize the resources that benefit their organizations the most. However, we understand that being a busy manufacturer often gets in the way. Here are some of the most common reasons why some of our benefits go underused:
- Lack of awareness: SFMA offers many resources, and members may not know which ones fit their needs. A call, a virtual meeting or a site visit can help bridge this gap.
- Information overload: Busy professionals can miss useful announcements in crowded inboxes. This can be solved by assigning multiple team members as points of contact.
- Limited internal reach: Opportunities stop with one company contact rather than reaching the team that would benefit most. This can be solved by assigning one leader per department as a point of contact for SFMA.
- A last-resort mindset: Manufacturers are smart people, and smart people often have trouble asking for help. Some members contact SFMA only after trying to solve everything alone.
Remember, you don’t have to do this alone. SFMA exists to serve manufacturers throughout South Florida. That means bringing the people behind manufacturing, from the interns to soon-to-be-retirees, together. Let SFMA be your first call, not your last resort. Tell us what your company needs.
