Manufacturing Consulting FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost?

Cost depends on the scope of the work. We discuss it on the free 30-minute call, once we understand the products, data, people and decision involved, and we agree the scope with you in writing before work begins.

Do you work only with large manufacturers?

No. We right-size the work around a product family, line, facility area, supplier set or project, so smaller teams can start with a useful question. We work with US small and mid-size manufacturers and growing businesses.

What should we bring to the first call?

The problem statement, who owns the decision, any current reports, drawings or supplier lists, and what you already know. A perfect data set is not required.

How long does an engagement take?

Focused engagements typically run two to five weeks once the scope and core inputs are confirmed. We state assumptions and timing up front.

What does a typical engagement include?

Discovery, document and data review, interviews or observation, working sessions, a practical artifact (such as a risk map, flow view, planning cadence or dashboard prototype), and a review of priorities and next actions.

Can services be combined?

Yes. Many operating questions cross planning, flow, sourcing and data. We keep the first scope clear and sequence related work afterward.

Do you guarantee savings or supplier outcomes?

No. We provide analysis, working tools and a practical roadmap. Outcomes depend on your data, choices, implementation and outside decisions.

Who is not a good fit?

Teams seeking generic decks, vendor-led equipment sales, or guaranteed outcomes without operating data.

Can you provide legal or customs advice?

No. We organize operational information and questions for review with your customs broker or counsel. Specialist advice stays with them.

What information helps with a tariff exposure assessment?

Supplier and country lists, product or part identifiers, bills of material, spend or volume data and existing classification notes. We can start with what is available. See Supply Chain.

Will you recommend a supplier?

We can frame supplier and dependency trade-offs and qualification criteria, but your team makes the commercial and technical selection.

Is reshoring always the answer?

No. The right move may be a regional source, a second source or keeping a current supplier with better visibility. We build a fact-based roadmap rather than promising a blanket reshoring outcome.

Can you help if our forecast and inventory numbers do not reconcile?

That is a common starting point for inventory optimization and S&OP: aligning forecast, backlog, purchasing and production plans into a shared cadence with clear owners.

What is the difference between plant flow work and Lean/OEE work?

Flow work looks at how material, people and information move through the space and layout. Lean/OEE work looks at availability, performance and quality losses on equipment and lines, and the daily routine that responds to them. Many plants need both, in sequence. See Operations.

Do you create construction-ready drawings?

No. We create practical concepts and decision support. Licensed engineering, code, fire and construction drawings remain with the appropriate professionals.

Can you work in a live facility?

Yes, with an agreed observation plan and safety requirements. We can also begin with drawings, photos and team interviews.

Do we need new software to get a better dashboard?

Not necessarily. We start with the decisions, KPI definitions and the data you already have in ERP exports and spreadsheets, then recommend tools only if needed. See AI Support.

Is AI part of every engagement?

No. We consider AI only where it solves a defined problem and can be governed, with a clear process, data, risk and human owner. A simpler report or workflow may be the better choice.

Do you replace our ERP or BI platform?

No. We start with decisions and data reality, then help define the smallest useful improvement and platform requirements if a change is justified.