There’s Strength in Numbers: How Our Participation in Kansas City’s Manufacturing Community Serves Our Customers and Our Team
Contract manufacturing is a challenging industry, and we know we don’t have to do it alone! That’s why KCSP Machine is deeply involved in Kansas City’s manufacturing community. Our active participation in the Kansas City chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) and the Kansas City Manufacturing Network (KCMN) has given us a serious edge in thinking strategically about our business and responding to our customers’ needs.
Here’s how being part of these networks fuels our growth and empowers us to better serve our customers.
The Power of Being Part of Multiple Networks
A Bigger, Broader Reach
The more groups we’re a part of, the more opportunities we have to create connections and tap into the wealth of knowledge in our city. In addition, NTMA offers us both a local community through its Kansas City chapter and a national network so we can learn from industry peers across the country.
Access to Expertise and Best Practices
One of the biggest ways KCSP Machine has benefitted from our participation in these associations is the opportunity to learn and share best practices.
For instance, our team has found immense value in shop tours hosted by other members and local leaders. One of our most memorable moments was the shop tour we attended at Hallmark’s Lawrence, Kansas, production center, where the company produces its iconic greeting cards. Seeing how other manufacturers layout their facilities and optimize the flow of production can spark ideas and inspire improvements back at our shop.
Our network also came through for us last year when our team was shopping around for Swiss machining equipment. We toured shops with Swiss machines, asked the tough questions, and learned what it takes to run these precision powerhouses. That firsthand insight shaped our decision and implementation plan, and now our Swiss machining department is thriving!
Another game-changer: NTMA’s benchmarking reports. They provide laser-focused data specific to shops like ours, helping us refine cost ratios so we’re spending wisely and strategically.
Camaraderie and Community
Manufacturing can be tough, but we don't feel alone with the right people in our corner. Our participation in NTMA and KCMN has introduced us to peers who understand the challenges of this industry and who are open to collaboration.
Our office assistant, Sheryl, has gained value from a group spearheaded by Katherine O’Toole, the executive director of NTMA’s Kansas City chapter: “She Leads. Women Driving Manufacturing.” This initiative empowers local women in our industry, fosters camaraderie, and offers actionable advice to navigate challenges in a male-dominated field.
Sheryl and Brandon pictured at KCSP Machine
We’ve also been struck by the friendly, collaborative culture that exists in the local Kansas City manufacturing community. It's been a revelation; it's good to know in a pinch there's a community of support there for you, and we are very happy to do our best to contribute. For example, when a local shop needed access to a CNC saw, we welcomed them into our facilities to use ours. Similarly, when we’ve urgently needed tooling for our Swiss machine, peers in our network stepped up to help out. That unspoken spirit of collegiality strengthens our manufacturing ecosystem and comes in handy when individuals in our network find themselves in a pickle.
How Our Active Participation Benefits Our Customers
Being part of these networks doesn’t only benefit us—it also benefits our customers. By staying connected with other manufacturers, we can enhance our capabilities and solve challenges more efficiently.
Need a capability we don’t specialize in? No problem. Thanks to our robust network, we can recommend trusted companies that excel in exactly what you need.
The consistent exchange of ideas, resources, and expertise makes us more efficient, innovative, and prepared to tackle any challenge. Being part of Kansas City’s manufacturing community means we’re always sharpening our skills to deliver the best results possible.
The Bottom Line: Community Is Everything
Kansas City is a manufacturing powerhouse, and being part of NTMA and KCMN puts us at the heart of it. From workforce development events to leadership opportunities (such as KCSP’s Brandon Worrell earning a spot on the board!), our associations keep us on the cutting edge of what’s going on in our industry.
At KCSP Machine, we’re passionate about the power of connection. Belonging to multiple associations like NTMA and KCMN gives us the tools, insights, and relationships to grow, adapt, and serve our customers better than ever.
Because when manufacturers work together, we all win.
Request a quote from KCSP Machine to kick off our partnership.