If you’ve followed along with our previous case studies, you’ll notice we tend to highlight manufacturing businesses that have been members for a long time. It’s inspiring to see individuals continue to gain value from NTMA after years and decades of involvement.
But this time, we’re doing something different by highlighting a shop that joined NTMA earlier this year. KCSP Machine in Kansas City, MO, has been around for over 75 years but officially became a member in January of this year. What prompted the business to pursue NTMA membership? A transfer of ownership.
Join us as we discuss KCSP Machine’s journey with NTMA (so far!) with owner and CEO Brandon Worrell.
First Steps: Building Relationships Inside and Outside the Company
When Brandon took over the business in June 2023, he transitioned from one fast-paced industry to another – the software and technology space to manufacturing. While he had significant experience in business management, he was new to the manufacturing sector. That’s why, just a few months after taking over KCSP Machine, Brandon looked into opportunities that could expand his knowledge base and immerse him in the regional and national manufacturing community.
His first priority upon acquiring KCSP Machine was getting to know his knowledgeable team and understanding their specific roles and capabilities. Next, Brandon turned his attention to KCSP Machine’s customers, aiming to reassure them that the business would maintain the high standards of quality and on-time delivery they were accustomed to. He also prioritized meeting with KCSP’s vendors to establish strong working relationships from the get-go.
A Warm Welcome and a Wealth of Knowledge
At his first NTMA meeting, Brandon felt immediately welcomed. Despite being new to the industry, he found the NTMA community friendly, supportive, and eager to help. He met numerous professionals, including vendors and fellow shop owners.
One area where Brandon found immense value in his NTMA community was when he was in the market for a Swiss machine. Thanks to his local connections, he had the opportunity to visit other shops that operated Swiss machines, giving him firsthand insights into the key considerations for purchasing one. He learned what to look for, what it takes to run a part for the first time on this equipment, and the intricacies of tooling and material handling. These personal interactions and hands-on experiences were invaluable in helping him make a well-informed decision on the right make, model, and implementation plan for KCSP Machine.
Brandon also met up with members outside of NTMA-organized events as he gained his footing in the industry. “They offered me a piece of advice: You have to market,” Brandon says. He knew he would need to maintain clear communication with current and prospective customers via content marketing initiatives to grow his business. In addition, this group advised Brandon to focus on the basics: delivering quality work on time and addressing challenges head-on.
Collaboration, Not Competition
From his initial introduction to his manufacturing peer network, Brandon found that fellow NTMA members shared his philosophy that there’s plenty of work to go around. In this market, there’s more value in cooperation than in competition. This attitude of mutual support has allowed Brandon to make referrals and even receive referrals in return when KCSP Machine’s capabilities aren’t the perfect match for a project.
Learning, Connecting, and Growing
Today, Brandon is an active participant in his local chapter. In fact, earlier this month, Brandon was officially announced to the board of Kansas City’s NTMA chapter!
Brandon sees a lot of value in events and shop tours and hopes to bring his shop manager to gain insight that can be used on the shop floor. What kinds of events offer Brandon the most value? Shop tours! “Anytime you get out and see somebody else’s facility and how they do things, you always get a few ‘aha’ moments,” Brandon explains.
Beyond in-person events, Brandon utilizes NTMA Connect to stay engaged with the broader NTMA community. He follows discussions on various topics, from recommended suppliers to specific operational challenges. Additionally, he has contributed his insights a handful of times on topics that call back to his rich expertise in software and technology.
He has also found NTMA’s benchmarking reports particularly valuable in understanding cost ratios and industry standards, which were blind spots coming from a tech background. “In tech, the costs spent on goods are extremely low because almost everything is digital.” Brandon adds, “[In manufacturing] it’s flip-flopped. There’s a huge cost of goods and big capital expenses, so it’s a completely different business profile.” These benchmarking reports offer data specific to shops of similar size and capabilities, helping Brandon ensure that KCSP Machine is spending wisely.
Leverage NTMA’s Powerful Manufacturing Community
KCSP Machine’s journey with NTMA is a powerful example of how the right community can help a new business owner thrive in an industry that was previously unfamiliar to him. By prioritizing relationships, continuously learning, and leveraging NTMA’s extensive resources, Brandon Worrell has positioned KCSP Machine for ongoing growth and success.
Does KCSP Machine’s story resonate with you? Consider joining NTMA to gain connections and expertise!
