One of the best ways to communicate what WMEP is and what we do is to share real-world testimonials. Direct quotes from those we’ve been privileged to work shoulder-to-shoulder with solving challenges unique to them but shared by many. Here are […]
Category Archives: Certification and Compliance
Get Ready for Department of Defense Cybersecurity Requirements
- Post Category Certification and Compliance
- June 05, 2018
- Author: WMEP
Conducting a cybersecurity assessment must be a top priority for manufacturers that are part of the Department of Defense supply chain.
Cybersecurity
- Post Category Certification and Compliance
- February 23, 2018
- Author: Benny Syverson
Remove the Weak Link – Ensure Cybersecurity Compliance The Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership works with manufacturers every day to help them accelerate their business growth and sustain success into the future. We help companies analyze new and existing technology to […]
An Unexpected Requirement: “Become ISO 9001:2015 Certified”
- Post Category Certification and Compliance
- February 01, 2018
- Author: Rich Rovito, Industry Reporter, WMEP
Industrial Nameplate faced a major dilemma when its largest customer, Oshkosh Corp., suddenly required all its suppliers to become ISO 9001:2015 certified. The small Fox Valley manufacturer of industrial signs and labels had to decide whether to invest the time […]
Lean Six Sigma Green and Black Belt Certification
- Post Category Certification and Compliance
- December 04, 2017
- Author: Benny Syverson
With WMEP’s Six Sigma Certification you can dramatically improve quality throughout your business. Benefits of WMEP’s Six Sigma Certification Series include: Results in an immediate and high ROI Uses a unique blended learning model featuring one-on-one mentoring from Master […]
Food and Beverage Services
- Post Category Certification and Compliance
- August 09, 2017
- Author: Benny Syverson
Thank you for participating in the February 14th webinar on Creating a Food Safety Culture & Competencies. You can find a copy of the slides used in the presentation here. A recording of the live presentation will be found here: WMEP […]
Crave Brothers benefit through being SQF Certified
- Post Category Certification and Compliance
- August 01, 2017
- Author: Rich Rovito, Industry Reporter, WMEP
Production employees at Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese in Waterloo follow meticulous daily cleaning routines throughout the plant to ensure the safety of the cheese that it produces and packages. The routines are part of Crave Brothers’ rigorous food safety program, […]
BEWARE: Allergens Major Source of Food Product Recalls
- Post Category Certification and Compliance
- June 13, 2017
- Author: Peg Dorn
Allergens create a variety of challenges and can be very costly for food manufacturers when not properly controlled. Although food recalls tied to illness outbreaks tend to garner the most attention, undeclared allergens in food are a leading cause of product recalls. Over a […]
Beware – Allergens Major Source of Food Product Recalls
- Post Category Certification and Compliance
- May 18, 2017
- Author: Tammy Schwarzbauer
Please click the following link to find out why food allergens are a major source of food product recalls: WMEP-Allergen-Info-Alert-Dorn
Featured Sidebar Content
Congratulations to WMEP ExporTech client
Lucigen Genomics wins the 2017Wisconsin Governor’s Export Award
Winner of the 2017 Wisconsin Governor’s Export Award!
A primary role of a top-level manufacturing executive is to protect the value of their enterprise.
Businesses are typically valued with a multiplier of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, commonly known as EBITDA. The multiplier is driven by the industries in which a manufacturing firm operates, its current and past levels of profitability and how well it manages the risks that could affect the future profitability of the business.
But EBITDA and other factors, such as gross profit, are lagging indicators, making it important to look behind the numbers to get a crystal-clear view of the factors that can affect the value of a business.
The Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership’s proprietary PRA™ (Profit Risk Assessment) defines the factors that drive profitability and valuation for an organization while helping to identify and proactively manage the risks. It also helps a company’s leadership team come to consensus on areas of greatest opportunity and risk while identifying specific actions that can be taken to improve profitability and value.
Best of all, the low-cost, high-value evaluation is quick and easy to complete.
Several external factors can affect an organization’s profitability and value, including how it matches up with its competitors and whether the competitive environment is becoming more intense.
It’s also important to examine the overall health of the market in which the business competes and defining its key players.
Is a business too concentrated? Is there too high of a stake in a single area?
It’s not uncommon for manufacturers to have a single customer account for 30 percent or more of their overall sales. That points to risk, in a big way. Markets can dry up and customers can change directions or shift their loyalties, potentially leaving your business in peril.
Assessing the value of a company’s brand is also crucial, as is determining whether its products are positioned as a commodity.
Looking behind the numbers at internal factors also figures into the equation. Is the leadership team engaged and do employees understand the company’s vision? Productivity and efficiency of manufacturing operations plays a significant role.
We often get so engrossed in the day-to-day aspects of our businesses that we don’t connect all the dots. It sometimes takes an “aha” moment for our vision to become clear.
The WMEP’s PRA™- Profit Risk Assessment tool is highly objective and examines one dimension at a time. We will probe and prod to get the truth about the factors affecting a company’s profitability and value and reach a consensus on a follow-up plan of action.
It’s vitally important to take a look at what drives the crucial numbers for your business.
For more information on how you can benefit from WMEP’s PRA™, contact George Bureau at [email protected] or 920-450-7185.
Feel free to download and share our info-sheets on PRA™ PLUS and PRA™.
Get to know George Bureau, Director of Growth & Certification Services, North Region
“What drew me to the WMEP is its excellent reputation, the opportunity to work with great people and most importantly the vision and commitment to make a real difference in growing Wisconsin manufacturing through a range of consulting services,” – George Bureau
