Growth is easy to measure. Efficiency is harder to see, but it is what defines long-term success.
In this episode of The Common Chord, Carlton sits down with Greg Whitt, a seasoned leader in component manufacturing, to explore what it takes to grow a business without simply adding more people. The discussion dives into operational efficiency and workforce development, offering a practical look at how the industry is evolving under real pressure.
Rethinking Growth Through Efficiency
For many manufacturers, growth has traditionally meant adding labor. Greg challenges that mindset. His focus is clear. Increase sales and revenue without increasing headcount.
That shift requires a deeper look at workflows, production bottlenecks, and how teams spend their time. It also forces leaders to ask better questions about output versus effort. As Greg puts it, you can always add more bodies, but that often comes at the cost of efficiency.
For truss manufacturers, this is where better systems and smarter processes begin to separate top performers from the rest.
The Real Challenge of Training
Technology alone will not solve the industry’s biggest challenge. People still need to understand how to use it.
Greg points to training as one of the most persistent issues in the business. It is not just about onboarding new hires. It is about keeping experienced team members engaged and learning. Avoiding the mindset of “this is how we have always done it” is critical.
Leadership plays a central role here. When leaders are actively learning and investing in development, that mindset spreads through the organization. The result is a team that is more adaptable, more capable, and better prepared for change.
The Missing 20 Percent
Most software solutions deliver strong value. But Greg highlights a common gap. Many tools solve the standard problems well. The challenge is that every operation has unique edge cases. Those edge cases often live in the final 20% that software does not fully address. That is where flexibility, integration, and openness start to matter more. It is not about replacing systems.
It is about finding solutions that can adapt to the specific needs of a shop. Looking ahead, manufacturers who embrace both efficiency and adaptability will be better positioned to handle a competitive market. The path forward is not just faster production. It is smarter production.
