Competive edge in business

I work with a few local businesses as part of my consulting actvities on the side. One company that I work with is Gavco Plastics in tulsa, Oklahoma. Manufactucturing industry in USA has been facing stiff competition for years from their overseas counterparts. Businesses are losing long-term contracts to get-done-cheaper competitors overseas. Gavco Plastics, a plastic molding company is no different. They have seen tough times, they have survived bad times. They have learnt from all those years and now they stay competitive with innovative approach.
What are they doing different to survive and possibly grow?

Throughout my business classes in school I read books and listened to lectures on what businesses can do to get that competitive edge, that X factor so to speak putting them ahead of their peers. Now, working with Gavco among other few companies, I am getting my first hand look at how a maufacturing company with solid foundation can not only meet their customers' changing needs but also stay ahead of their competition here in the USA and overseas.

Here are 4 biggest things I see in Gavco that are making Gavco competitive

1. Ongoing effort to increase ability: Gavco has ability to serve multiple industries and they continue to grow their capacity. Gavco's potenetial to acquire newer and larger customers gives this Plastic molding company in Oklahoma the edge it seeks. I never thought a plastic molding company can serve this many industries. Coffee pot, tote bin, surgical swab stick, car hop tray, belt pulley, and so many different products are under their belt showed me their abity to serve food service, medical, military, automotive, aerospace, and the list goes on.


2. Achieve industry certifications: Gavco continues to get industry standard certications. their effort to maintain these through all the changes of rules and standards keeps their facilties not only compliant but also qualified to serve major industries.


3. Automation and upgrades: Overseas companies employ a lots of labor to keep producing parts and products fast. Gavco works dilligently and continuously to upgrade machines, computers and software to keep automating and improving their processes. More automation keeps the time to produce shorter. Larger volume orders can be completed faster than others.


4. It's all about the people: Smiling faces are abundant every time I go to Gavco for my bi-weekly friday meeting with the team. Experienced folks with high morale led by a solid management team can do miracle for any business like Gavco through good and bad times. Gavco has seen their fair share of challenging times like many others in their industry. When I see these long times continue to work hard and smart for all these years, it gives me the reason for GAVCO to be doing survive and thrive for almost 35 years. Strong workforce is an X-factor for any successful business.

Dollar for dollar, order by order, a manufacturing company may not meet a cheap overseas manufacturer. But one order, one part, or one fast shipment is just one story in today's world of large businesses need to find long-term reliable partners. We've seen what one lead-filled toy shipment from chinese manufacturers can do to Tyco, the toy making giant. Can a company afford to have millions of products recalled? What will that do to their short-term profitability and long-term growth potential? It is a hooror story no company should have to live through.

This is where USA based, certified and able manufacturing companies like GAVCO can make big defferences. Like many USA manufacturer, GAVCO beats their competitors with ability, quality, credentials, high-standards and overall excellent customer satisfaction and service.
I am simply amazed at Gavco's ongoing innovative approach to stay competitive.