What does it really take to help manufacturers grow? It’s not just about cutting costs or chasing margins. It’s about understanding how capital really moves through your business. In this episode, we’re sitting down with Erik Skie, Jon Hughes, and Aaron Traut from CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) for a roundtable chat over beers (in spirit, if not literally).
We talk about why profitability is a decision, how to tell your story through your financials, and what manufacturers can do to attract capital and fuel real growth.
We also discuss opportunities like bonus depreciation and the Made in America initiative, giving manufacturers timely insights they can act on right now.
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3 Quick Things from this Episode
- Manufacturers need to think differently about how they access capital. Profitability isn’t just about price or cost, it starts with understanding and managing capacity. Many shop owners leave profit on the table simply by not putting all their people and machines to work.
- Financial statements tell a story, but you need to understand what that story means. Being organized financially, closing your books regularly, and being able to explain your numbers builds confidence with lenders and investors.
- Capital isn’t just something you get from a bank. By managing cash flow, inventory, and customer payment terms more effectively, manufacturers can often uncover capital that’s already sitting inside their business.
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Tweetable Quotes
- “It’s not just about having the numbers, it’s about understanding the story behind them.” – Jon Hughes
- “Capital may come just because somebody loves what you’re doing and wants to help you do it for that next expansion.” – Aaron Traut
- “We don’t manage financial statements. We manage activities on the floor that create good financial results.” – Erik Skie
Please Scroll Down for Recommended Resources from this Episode
Do you want to connect with other leaders that are moving the needle in manufacturing everyday? Then make sure to join us in the Manufacturing Happy Hour Industry Community on LinkedIn.
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What We Discuss with Jon, Erik and Aaron
- Why most manufacturers focus on price and cost but overlook capacity, and how filling unused capacity can unlock new profit.
- How profitability is a decision, not just an outcome, and how daily choices around people, machines, and space shape your results.
- Why you don’t manage financial statements; you manage the shop floor activities that create strong financials.
- How staying financially organized builds lender confidence through accurate books and clear storytelling.
- Why looking inside your business before seeking outside funding can uncover hidden capital in cash flow and working capital.
- How telling a clear, confident financial story helps your company stand out to banks and investors.
- And why when you get the fundamentals right, opportunity finds you. Capital naturally flows to disciplined, efficient manufacturers.
Recommended Resources
- CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), a professional services firm delivering integrated wealth advisory, digital, audit, tax, outsourcing, and consulting services.
- Made in America (madeinamerica.gov), a U.S. government initiative led by the Office of Management and Budget that supports American manufacturing by promoting domestic production, strengthening supply chains, and ensuring federal investments prioritize U.S.-made goods.
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