California Manufacturing Technology Consulting is a nonprofit firm that provides consulting services that help manufacturers and distributors increase their competitive advantage by improving manufacturing processes and business strategies. Established in 1992, the company's business concept is: “To exceed our clients' expectations. Period.”
The Carlsbad Business Journal interviewed Account Specialist Joanne Abbott about the consulting firm and what makes it unique.
Carlsbad Business Journal: Who is CMTC's chief executive officer?
Abbott: David Braunstein is the president and chief executive officer. He's a nationally recognized expert on changing company cultures to improve quality, productivity and competitiveness. Before joining CMTC in 1995, Braunstein was a director of the 10,000-person aircraft division at McDonnell Douglas Corporation.
CBJ: What is the company's background and history?
Abbott: CMTC is an affiliate of the United States Department of Commerce Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which is a nationwide network of more than 70 nonprofit centers whose sole purpose is to provide small- and medium-sized manufacturers with the help they need to succeed (www.mep.nist.gov). If the manufacturing base is strong, the economy also is strengthened. The business pays taxes and provides jobs and good salaries with career paths for advancement.
CBJ: What is unique about the company?
Abbott: CMTC is a nonprofit consulting firm. Because we receive federal funding, all of our clients are surveyed to insure high customer satisfaction and positive results from the services we've delivered. If we don't do good work, we risk losing our charter with the MEP program. The additional oversight makes us very unique and distinguishes us from other consultants.
CBJ: What does CMTC offer to North County businesses?
Abbott: In addition to providing consulting services for manufacturers and distributors of all sizes, CMTC created the Small Manufacturers Advantage program in 2004. The program is focused on small manufacturers, distributors, assemblers and job shops with annual sales between $50,000 and $14 million. Our consultants meet with the business and will deliver a written assessment, a plan for improvement, resource materials and support services, all to help the business be strong and grow. There is no cost to participate in this program as it is already paid for through the federal funding.
CBJ: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
Abbott: Convincing people there is no cost to the program. Last year, we met with 450 businesses and nearly all of them participated in the basic no-cost program. If a business needs more time and assistance beyond what the basic program offers, they can be referred to a partner or have access to low-fee services. But the core mission of our team is to find 450 companies a year to take advantage of the no-cost program.
CBJ: What do you enjoy most about your position?
Abbott: I get a lot of satisfaction out of helping businesses grow. Our program provides concrete assistance and often when I see a client months later – after we've been able to help them with one or more issues, they thank me for bringing them into the program. It's a great feeling.
CBJ: What other information would you like to share about the company?
Abbott: We are building partnerships with many local cities, colleges and other nonprofits, like the Small Business Development Center, and various economic development organizations to offer even greater value to our clients. We truly want to help manufacturers stay in business.
For more information, call (760) 944-1573 or visit www.cmtc.com/sma.html.
The Carlsbad Business Journal interviewed Account Specialist Joanne Abbott about the consulting firm and what makes it unique.
Carlsbad Business Journal: Who is CMTC's chief executive officer?
Abbott: David Braunstein is the president and chief executive officer. He's a nationally recognized expert on changing company cultures to improve quality, productivity and competitiveness. Before joining CMTC in 1995, Braunstein was a director of the 10,000-person aircraft division at McDonnell Douglas Corporation.
CBJ: What is the company's background and history?
Abbott: CMTC is an affiliate of the United States Department of Commerce Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which is a nationwide network of more than 70 nonprofit centers whose sole purpose is to provide small- and medium-sized manufacturers with the help they need to succeed (www.mep.nist.gov). If the manufacturing base is strong, the economy also is strengthened. The business pays taxes and provides jobs and good salaries with career paths for advancement.
CBJ: What is unique about the company?
Abbott: CMTC is a nonprofit consulting firm. Because we receive federal funding, all of our clients are surveyed to insure high customer satisfaction and positive results from the services we've delivered. If we don't do good work, we risk losing our charter with the MEP program. The additional oversight makes us very unique and distinguishes us from other consultants.
CBJ: What does CMTC offer to North County businesses?
Abbott: In addition to providing consulting services for manufacturers and distributors of all sizes, CMTC created the Small Manufacturers Advantage program in 2004. The program is focused on small manufacturers, distributors, assemblers and job shops with annual sales between $50,000 and $14 million. Our consultants meet with the business and will deliver a written assessment, a plan for improvement, resource materials and support services, all to help the business be strong and grow. There is no cost to participate in this program as it is already paid for through the federal funding.
CBJ: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
Abbott: Convincing people there is no cost to the program. Last year, we met with 450 businesses and nearly all of them participated in the basic no-cost program. If a business needs more time and assistance beyond what the basic program offers, they can be referred to a partner or have access to low-fee services. But the core mission of our team is to find 450 companies a year to take advantage of the no-cost program.
CBJ: What do you enjoy most about your position?
Abbott: I get a lot of satisfaction out of helping businesses grow. Our program provides concrete assistance and often when I see a client months later – after we've been able to help them with one or more issues, they thank me for bringing them into the program. It's a great feeling.
CBJ: What other information would you like to share about the company?
Abbott: We are building partnerships with many local cities, colleges and other nonprofits, like the Small Business Development Center, and various economic development organizations to offer even greater value to our clients. We truly want to help manufacturers stay in business.
For more information, call (760) 944-1573 or visit www.cmtc.com/sma.html.