How to Structure Your Engineering Department: For Companies with $15M - $30M Revenue
Introduction
Your millwork engineering department is the backbone of your business. It's not just about producing submittal drawings that mirror the client's design intent. It's about detailing the materials, fabrication, and assembly methods you'll employ. Beyond these primary tasks, they generate detailed cutlists, CNC machine programming, and other pivotal documents to streamline production. Yet, in many millwork organizations, these departments often shoulder additional roles like IT support, material takeoffs, and project management tasks.
Having managed engineering departments ranging from 3 to 85 engineers, I've garnered insights and strategies. In this four-part series, I'll share my blueprint for structuring an engineering department, catering to businesses of all sizes.
To read the previous post in the series, visit "How to Structure Your Engineering Department: For Companies with $5M - $15M Revenue."
For Companies with $15M - $30M Revenue:
Welcome to Part 3 of our 4-part blog series, where we dive into strategies for millwork engineering departments operating in the $15M - $30M annual revenue bracket. If you've been following along, you're already familiar with the foundational and growth strategies we discussed in Parts 1 and 2. Now, it's time to focus on sustaining and scaling the success you've achieved.
Sustaining Success through Talent Pipelines and System Enhancements
At this stage, your primary goal is to maintain the momentum of your engineering department. This involves ensuring robust talent pipelines and upgrading systems to support your company's ongoing needs and growth.
1. Developing Talent Pipelines
Given the unpredictable nature of staffing needs at this scale, it's crucial to have a proactive approach to talent management. Here’s how you can build a resilient talent pipeline:
Hire Entry-Level Drafters:
Aim to consistently have 1-2 entry-level drafters in your team. These individuals, possibly recent university graduates with CAD or drafting experience, can integrate into your team, contributing to submittals and low-risk tasks while learning the nuances of your industry.
Identify Internal Talent:
Often, the best engineers emerge from within your ranks. Promoting from the shop floor or production line to the engineering team can be highly beneficial. These individuals understand the expected output, are familiar with your processes and people, and can bridge the gap between production and engineering. This not only eases the learning curve but also fosters a culture of growth and opportunity, enhancing employee retention.
Continuous Recruitment:
Engineering talent acquisition can be time-consuming. Maintain active job listings on your website and platforms like LinkedIn to attract continual interest. This approach not only helps in immediate hiring needs but also builds a candidate database for future requirements.
2. Leveling Up Your Systems
Audit Your Software Stack:
Review your existing engineering software (like Microvellum, Homag iX, Cabinetvision) for any lingering issues or updates needed. Consider upgrading libraries or moving to the latest versions for enhanced efficiency.
Integrate and Automate:
If you're using an ERP system like Innergy, ensure it's fully integrated with your engineering software. Automate processes like material takeoffs to save time and increase accuracy.
Process Optimization:
Conduct a thorough audit of all systems and processes. Small improvements in areas like software utilization or process automation can lead to significant savings and efficiency gains at your scale.
As you navigate the $15M - $30M revenue landscape, remember that the key to sustained success lies in continuously developing your talent and refining your systems. These strategies are not just about maintaining the status quo but about positioning your engineering department for future growth and efficiency.
Stay tuned for the final part of our series, where we'll explore strategies for engineering departments surpassing the $30M mark.
For a deeper dive into these steps, refer to my blog series, "A Simple Blueprint to Successfully Manage a Millwork Design Team."
Ready to solve the talent shortage and elevate your millwork business? Contact DuckWorks today to discover how our outstaffing services can revolutionize your drafting resources and drive success.
