FPInnovations conducted a series of surveys of B.C. small and medium-sized manufacturers to assess business and operational needs. The top three insights from key survey questions include:

“What market and business intelligence topics would help your business succeed?”

• Marketing
• Business development – business finance
• Exporting to new markets

“What manufacturing knowledge topics would help your business succeed?”

• Continuous improvement techniques
• Employee engagement practices
• Production flow optimization

“What specific equipment best practices operation topics would help your business succeed?”

• Finishing techniques and spray equipment
• CNC optimization
• Packaging

Pursuing a consultative approach to program design and delivery, market research such as this facilitates the development of company-specific projects that lead to improved manufacturing capabilities.