The problems shop owners bring us

  • Quoting work that keeps the machines running and does not make money.
  • Machines, floor space, or a second shift sitting idle.
  • Late deliveries, and a schedule only one person understands.
  • Cash tied up in inventory and material nobody is tracking.
  • Every question on the floor ends up at the owner's desk.
  • A company you bought that still runs like a separate business.

What the work looks like

Pricing and quoting

Real cost per job, including setup, scrap, and overhead, so you know which customers and which parts pay for the building.

Putting idle capacity to work

In his own company, Roger built a contract metal fabrication line out of machine capacity that was sitting idle. Equipment you have already paid for is often the cheapest growth available.

Purchasing and inventory

What you buy, when, and how much sits on the shelf. In a small manufacturer this is where the cash goes missing.

Scheduling and on-time delivery

A schedule the floor can see and a short weekly meeting that keeps it honest.

Folding in an acquisition

Roger bought a competitor and brought its manufacturing in-house. Read Should You Buy a Competitor? before you sign anything.

What we are not

We are not an engineering firm, and we do not sell software or certifications. If you need a new ERP system or an ISO audit, we will tell you so and help you pick who to call. Our work is how the company runs and whether it makes money.

Who does the work

Roger Johnson. In 2009 he bought a distressed manufacturer in Statesville, North Carolina with his own capital. It was losing money. He had it profitable within twelve months, bought a competitor the following year, ran the company for fourteen years with a workforce of 35, and sold it in December 2023. Read how that went.

For ongoing help, see Fractional COO. Thinking about selling? Start with the business valuation calculator. Contractors should see construction and trades.

How it starts

With a conversation, by phone or in person. Every business is different in what it needs and what it can spend, so pricing is quoted after we talk. Roger works on site across North and South Carolina and by phone and video with owners anywhere in the United States.

Common questions

Do you work with machine shops and fabricators?

Yes. Job shops, machine shops, metal fabricators, and small manufacturers with their own product line. Roger ran manufacturing, distribution, and contract metal fabrication under one roof.

How big does my company need to be?

Most of the owners we work with run companies between roughly $1 million and $20 million in revenue, usually with 10 to 100 people.

Do I have to be near Charlotte?

No. Roger works on site across North and South Carolina and by phone and video with owners anywhere in the United States. Shop work goes better with at least one visit to the floor.

What does it cost?

It depends on the size of the company and how much help you need, so it is quoted after a conversation. The first call is free.