04/23/2026
At a recent Manufacturers Alliance peer group, one of our Co-CEOs, Steve Hanson, had the opportunity to share how we’re striving for manufacturing excellence—and where we’re finding the biggest opportunities for growth.
The main subject of the discussion was the “𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲.”
Even high-performing manufacturers carry unseen inefficiencies—reworks, manual workarounds, and inefficient processes—that quietly consume capacity and margin. On paper, things look “on plan.” In reality, there is often more potential for growth sitting beneath the surface. This is the "Hidden Factory."
A few key ideas Steve discussed:
• The biggest gains don’t come from doing more variety—they come from focusing on the few vital parts and processes that drive the most impact.
• Small, consistent improvements (1% at a time) compound into meaningful operational change.
• Productivity isn’t just about cost reduction—it enables growth without adding complexity.
It was an excellent discussion with peers across industries and a good reminder that continuous improvement is less about big breakthroughs and more about disciplined, repeatable progress.
