How to go from low to high production in your small countertop and stone shop
Running a small countertop and stone shop either alone or with just a couple of workers can be challenging. But, with the right steps and tools, you can increase your production, make more money, and save on costs.
Thinking about that, the SlabWare team has decided to write this blog with a few tips to help you how to get there.
Take pen and paper, and follow the steps below, thinking about your company, where you are now, and where you wanna be in a few months.
Step 1: Look at how you work now
Start by taking a good look at how things are done in your shop right now:
- Check your workflow: Write down every step you take from getting raw materials to delivering a finished countertop, and how much time you usually spend on each step. Doing this will help you see if there are any unnecessary steps or delays, or even if including more steps can make your workflow faster.
- Assess your equipment: Look at the machines and tools you use. Are they in good shape or do they often break down? Old or messy equipment can slow you down.
Another point to consider: can you escalate your production with your current machines? If you need to increase your production, will your current machines manage to do the job? If not, how much would it cost you to get the ones that can do that? Those are things you have to consider when setting up your budget for your future escalated shop;
- Evaluate your workers: If you have workers, watch how they are doing their jobs. Are they working efficiently, or are there tasks that take too long or seem confusing? Identifying their weaknesses is important so you can guide them to improve their skills and guide them to work how you want them to.
Understanding where you are now, and what are your strengths and weaknesses will help you see which areas need improvement. Verify your workflow and how you can make it more efficient.
Step 2: Get better technology
Investing in new technology can make a big difference in how much you can produce. Here are a few ideas:
- CNC machines: These machines can cut and shape stones automatically. This means you don’t need to do everything by hand, saving you time and reducing mistakes.
- Digital templating: Use digital tools to measure and design countertops accurately. Instead of using tape measures and drawing by hand, digital templating is faster and more precise.
- Production software: Use software to help manage your work. SlabWare is the partner you need!
Slabware can schedule jobs in your calendar, keep track of materials in stock, quickly create quotes and invoices, draw your projects online, follow up on orders and customers, and much more! It will keep your stone business organized and helps you avoid missing deadlines or running out of materials. And more than that: SlabWare will save you plenty of time and money that would be spent on people doing the types of work the software can do for you.
Check out this video about how a countertop can be created in less than 2min using SlabWare.
Get in contact with our team to learn more!
Investing in good technology can help you work faster and more efficiently, spending less time and resources on activities the software and other kinds of tech can do, and otherwise, would need paid employees – or yourself – doing it.
Step 3: Organize your shop
A well-organized shop can save you a lot of time. Sort out the documents you need for each order, and assemble your equipment in a way that promotes a good and fluid workflow. Here are other tips:
- Smart layout: Arrange your machines and workstations in a way that makes sense. For example, put the cutting machine close to the storage area for raw materials. This way, you don’t waste time moving materials back and forth.
- Keep it clean: A clean and tidy shop is more efficient. Make sure tools and materials are put away properly. Regularly clean your workspace to avoid clutter and accidents.
- Lean principles: Use simple methods to reduce waste and improve efficiency. For example, keep frequently used tools within easy reach, and store materials in an organized manner so you can find what you need quickly.
An organized shop helps you work more efficiently and safely.
And last but not least: get rid of the paper mess! With SlabWare, you will have all the documents related to projects, orders, purchase orders, materials in stock, customers, and more online, ready to be consulted without the risk of losing them – or having to spend time searching for them.
When you reach this point at your shop’s organization, try SlabWare for free and see how it will be an important aid in keeping your working environment clean and neat.
Step 4: Train your workers
Your workers are key to your success. Well-trained workers waste less time, take less time to produce more and save resources and materials to produce an equal amount of results. Invest in their training:
- Regular training: Keep your workers up to date with new equipment and techniques. Regular training helps them work more efficiently and reduces mistakes.
- Cross-training: Train your workers to handle multiple tasks. This way, if someone is absent or there’s a sudden rush of work, others can step in and help out.
- Motivate them: Keep your workers motivated by offering rewards for good performance. This could be bonuses, extra time off, or simple recognition for a job well done. At this point, it is good to notice what is important for them, because it is worth nothing if you just congratulate them, but they would appreciate more and work much harder for some extra time off, or some extra cash in their paycheck.
Know your employees and hit where it matters for them!
Skilled and motivated workers are more productive and make fewer mistakes.
Step 5: Focus on quality
Even as you increase production, you need to maintain the high quality of your products and your work. Here’s how:
- Check your work: Regularly inspect your products at different stages of production. This helps catch mistakes early before they become bigger problems.
- Listen to customers: Ask your customers for feedback on your products and services. Use their input to make improvements.
- Set standards: Have clear guidelines for what a quality product looks like. Make sure everyone in your shop knows and follows these standards.
High-quality products keep your customers happy and coming back for more. By keeping top-tier quality, you will be able to show your previous jobs as a portfolio for future customers and prospects.
SlabWare has the perfect tool for that: we offer you a complete website where you can provide your customers with your previous jobs, the materials you work with, and even tools to help them visualize in 3D how their house would look when made with the materials you work with.
Take a chance to meet SlabWare and see for yourself how you can impress your customers with a professional website previewing a professional job.
Step 6: Use software to save time and money
Software can be a game-changer for a small shop. It helps you do more with less in several ways:
- Automate tasks: Software can handle repetitive tasks like scheduling, inventory management, and order tracking. This frees up your time – and energy! – to focus on other important tasks.
- Reduce mistakes: Digital tools can help you measure and design accurately, reducing errors and material waste. For example, SlabWare has a digital templating system that automatically calculates your measurements. Another example, when you are creating a quote or invoice, the system will automatically sum the total due amount using the prices of your materials, taxes, shipping costs, and more.
- Monitor performance: Use software to keep track of how well your shop is doing. Look at key metrics like production rates and defect rates to see what you can improve.
By using software, you can cut down on the number of workers you need, save money on costs, and still increase your production.
SlabWare has a complete set of tools for your countertop and stone products shop: Draw, Job Tracker, inventory management system, accounting integration with Quickbooks, a complete website to showcase your portfolio and the materials you work on, and more!
Besides all of that, you also get SlabWare APP, to use your SlabWare easily on your smartphone or mobile device!
Get in touch with our team and schedule a DEMO now! It is the step you need to prepare your business to grow!
Conclusion
Boosting production in your small countertop and stone shop doesn’t have to be complicated. By looking at your current operations, investing in technology, organizing your shop, training your workers, focusing on quality, and using software, you can increase your output and save a lot of time and money. These steps will help your business grow and succeed.
SlabWare can play a key role in being the first step to escalate your business due to how simple it is to acquire it, implement it in your shop, and start using it as part of your procedures.
Try it now for free, and schedule a demo with our team to learn more about how it can fit into your workflow.
