Small Businesses Unite

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Small Businesses Unite

Custom Equipment Company is a certified distributor for material handling equipment and supplies to national manufacturers.  It is with great pride that we show our appreciation to our manufacturing partners during National Manufacturing Month, a special time of observance for their vital contributions not only to the economy, but also to our culture and society.

We Salute Manufacturing

 

We commemorate Manufacturing Month and the significance of American manufacturing innovation and inventiveness to our standard of life in October alongside the U.S. government and industry partners. Contributing $2.9 trillion to the U.S. economy, employing roughly 12.9 million Americans, and making up 11% of the country’s GDP, U.S. manufacturing is a long-lasting and constantly evolving industry.

Every year on the first Friday in October, Manufacturing Day encourages thousands of businesses and educational institutions across the country to open their doors to students, parents, teachers, and community leaders in order to highlight the realities of modern manufacturing and the careers available within. A new generation’s perception of the manufacturing sector is being enhanced by plant tours, practical exercises, career talks, classroom visits, and community events. In order to help their communities and future generations prosper, National Manufacturing Day encourages manufacturers to unite with the public at large and tackle their shared concerns.

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Key Dates

  • National Manufacturing Day, October 2, 2026 serving as the official kick-off for the month-long observance
  • Manufacturing Week, October 2 – 9, 2026
  • Manufacturing Month, October 1 – 31, 2026

 

Our world is rapidly changing due to the fourth industrial revolution. Completely new professions are made possible by new advanced manufacturing technologies, which call for a competent labor force eager to pursue them. Everyone can find a job in manufacturing, whether they are technicians, bioengineers, data analysts, robotics experts, warehouse personnel, dock workers or anyone in between!

Custom Equipment Company celebrates all manufacturers who make the products that keep us safe, enrich our lives, strengthen our economic and national security, and provide countless opportunities for our communities and workforce. We are truly grateful for our manufacturing customers, vendors, and partners!

Custom Equipment Company is dedicated to providing you with quality American-made material handling products.
We are here to HELP!

Call Custom Equipment Company Today At…

(800) 922-6120

We Salute Manucaturing

Custom Equipment Company isn’t a fortune 500 Company, and I would guess those of you reading this aren’t either. And most of us never will be. But, together, small businesses can certainly make an impact like that of the fortune 500’s, but only if we unite.

Why should Small Businesses Unite?

The question of ‘why’ is always at the top of the list for any small business group. When someone says, “We need this product.” The correct response is and should always be, “Why?” but more politely, like, “Could you explain what we need that for?” Often, the question ‘why’ is met with hostility as though you don’t trust an opinion or thought. When people question my motive behind asking ‘why’, I always say, “Convincing me is easy, but I have to convince others and they won’t be swayed without details backed by facts.”

But ultimately, the question ‘why’ shouldn’t be offensive because it means you’re giving someone the chance to convince you. So, why should we unite? Because we are stronger together. Check these facts…

  • In 2019, the Small Business Administration said there are nearly 31 million small businesses in the U.S.!!  This accounts for 99.9 percent of all U.S. businesses! That means when Big Business, that .01%, are in control, the other 99.9% has to just be quiet and fall into line…
  • When pulled together, Small Businesses make up almost 50% of the local and national workforce.
  • Small Business Administration said small businesses generate 44% of the United States’ economic activity as polled from 1998 to 2014
  • In 2000, 15% to 20% of small companies became medium or large companies every year. Today, that number is now closer to 6%

Big businesses can do so much on their own. Small businesses don’t have that luxury. That’s why we form Small Business Associations and Coalitions. We need to join together so that we can have the same sway as a large company without being large ourselves.

 

How does this look?

This could take form in numerous ways, including those I just mentioned. But one of the best ways for something like this to form is with partnerships.

I think the best representation of this is what a healthy friendship looks like. The ‘I rub your back, you rub mine,” approach. And in a business model, that can be tough, but it works out better for all of us as long as we are all in it for the whole. For example, Custom Equipment Company is always looking for new partners over new customers. A customer is just someone we sell to, but a partner is someone we serve and are, in return, served by.  Like one of our local manufacturers who we team with on a regular basis. Sure, the prices may be 6-8% higher than the price we can get from a larger company out of state. But this local company is also able to cut lead times and have face to face meetings (when Covid isn’t stalling that). They are also a part of the community. like we are, and together, we cover a wider area so when they get leads, they send them to us and in turn we keep our business with them.

It’s all about funneling that money through as many small businesses as possible and only using the larger manufacturers when we absolutely need to.  This is true with Insurance Companies,  Vendors, Marketing Teams and beyond. We are stronger together, so start building those relationships and see how wide the road opens for small businesses when they unite!

 

What are the Setbacks?

I would be dishonest if I pretended that there were no setbacks to joining with other small businesses in partnership with one another. These are wide ranging and could be mild or self-deprecating. But as long as someone is watching for the signs, they should be easily avoided.

  1. You have to be able to trust your partners.
  2. Your partners, in turn, have to be able to trust you

Trust in any partnership is the key to success. If one side or the other hurts or hinders that trust, both sides suffer. To be united means we focus on each others’ needs and work together towards a brighter tomorrow for all of us!

 

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