LINEAR MOLD: Successful Product Diversity Using 3D Printing
Our first customer visit was a huge success! Plans for future classes with MMTC are in store, and we are looking forward to it!
-- Kristen Eisiminger, Marketing & Sales Coordinator-Linear Mold
Linear Mold (linearmold.com) is a manufacturer of tooling for molds, and 3D-printed of metal prototype and production parts. Linear has proved to be an industry leader in 3D metal printing, incorporating services from product design to low-volume manufacturing in customer offerings. Linear’s customers come from a variety of sectors, including automotive, aerospace, and medical device. Based on this diversity in service provision and client base, Linear joined the InnoState program.
Challenge
Linear looked to InnoState for assistance in achieving better sales performance. Linear’s leadership had identified a lack of clear processes for prioritizing bid opportunities and lack of a sustained sales approach – across all product lines -- to any one customer.
Solution
With Linear’s Sales Team, the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC) identified high priority “Enterprise Customers” – those current customers with the potential to grow into multi-million dollar accounts. MMTC helped Linear to implement regular, structured communications between Sales and Management, and delivered training on how to conduct sales “Road Shows”, targeting the Enterprise Clients and creating case studies as marketing materials.
Results
- $200,000 in New Orders Achieved During Their First Enterprise Customer Road Show
- New $1.5 Million in RFQs From Their First Enterprise Customer Road Show
- 1 New 3D Printing Machine Purchased
- In partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) program, Linear met with purchasers at the Detroit Three Matchmaking Summit. Linear also presented on advances in additive manufacturing in the Michigan Company Profile segment. PMBC provided InnoState members, including Linear, free exhibition space at this event. The Detroit Regional Chamber included Linear in exhibition space at the AmCon Contract Manufacturing & Design Expo 2014. All these opportunities to win new business were provided by the Detroit Regional Chamber and PMBC through the InnoState program.