Success Stories

MEP Member

South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Story Title

SCMEP Helps Company Diversify Its Market, Increase Monthly Sales by 200%

Client Profile

Columbia Tool & Die is a West Columbia, South Carolina tool and die shop that uses the latest technology and equipment to quickly perform general engineering, fabrication, supply and repair tasks. Starting with the engineering process, Columbia Tool & Die uses innovative software to produce precise drawings and specifications for highly technical projects. The company has extensive familiarity with injection modeling, die casting, metal stamping, and other tooling applications.

Situation

Columbia Tool & Die was losing ground because of the economic recession.   The company’s customer base was shrinking rapidly. Management was close to laying off several employees and the company faced serious problems.  Columbia Tool & Die needed to grow its customer base and develop new industries.

Solution

Columbia Tool & Die sought the support of the South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnerhsip (SCMEP), a NIST MEP affiliate, to help gain new customers in new industries and save jobs.  SCMEP conducted a competitiveness review and found that the company’s greatest challenge was overcoming its small customer base. SCMEP provided a thorough recommendation of how it could diversify its business model. First, Columbia Tool & Die underwent AS9100 and ISO 9001 certification, a pair of quality management systems that helped confirm the company’s commitment to industry excellence.  Next, SCMEP helped to recruit, hire, and train a new sales manager, acquired leads and set-up a lead and customer relationship management (CRM) software. To further optimize its business performance, SCMEP created new marketing messages and promotions for Columbia Tool & Die through a website overhaul and high-definition video production. SCMEP also performed industry research to identify and pursue new target customers and provided new and crafted presentations for target customers.

Results

• Added new customers and expanded into 5 new markets.
• Increased sales.
• Created 3 new jobs and saved 10.

Testimonial

SCMEP introduced us to great resources and has helped us grow significantly.  SCMEP has been a great partner and we look forward to their continued help growing our business.
Jake Brackett, General Manager