Creating New Business Service for Metalworking Industry

Desired outcome

We're converting abrasive belts for metal working industry, catering to companies that create stainless steel products. Beyond manufacturing abrasive belts, we bridge the knowledge gap in metal grinding through free, expert consultation services, calibrating customers machine settings and grinding techniques for optimal outcomes. The companies that use our abrasives are turning to us for advice, consultation or education services on how to correctly use the abrasives.

We would like to create a business service/product that packages this technical support and problem-solving into a valuable service, that we can offer to our customers and expand our business model.

Initial Problem Description

This challenge is about more than just advice—it's about packaging our knowledge into a comprehensive service that could be delivered via phone, in-person, or through hands-on training.

Your goal is to design this service, determining its format (online training platform, training centers, direct team visits, or something else) and developing a pricing model. You'll explore how to make our expertise accessible and valuable, whether through digital means or face-to-face interaction, and how to best meet the needs of our clients in the metalworking industry. The team needs to figure out how the service is going to be marketed to the target audience. The team needs to keep in mind that this knowledge is technical and most of the knowledge is probably best given trough practice rather than theory.

Help us set a new standard for expert consultation in metalworking, contributing to a service that becomes as essential as our products.

Context

Our company, faces a growing demand for our expert consultation, often from clients who lack the in-depth knowledge to tackle new or complex grinding challenges. This demand highlights a significant gap within the industry: companies struggle to keep up with evolving practices, especially when experienced workers leave or when they encounter new problems that require specialized solutions.

This scenario has prompted us to consider expanding our business model to include paid consultative services. Our aim is to offer comprehensive support, from machine setup and parameter optimization to worker training in best practices. This move not only addresses a critical market need but also ensures that our valuable expertise directly contributes to our clients' operational success.

Connection to cross-cutting areas

Our challenge embraces Industry 4.0, focusing on robotic grinding—an area where we're set to lead with expert consultations. This initiative places us at the intersection of automation, smart manufacturing, and the digital transformation of the metalworking industry. By advancing robotic grinding applications, we aim to enhance efficiency, precision, and sustainability in manufacturing processes.

We invite innovative minds to help us expand our consultancy, empowering clients to harness the full potential of robotic grinding. Your contributions will not only solidify our standing as industry pioneers but also drive the metalworking sector toward a smarter, more sustainable future.

Input

We currently offer two types of invaluable support: answering calls for problem-solving and providing on-site education on new abrasive technologies. This challenge is to develop a scalable, profitable service model that still offers basic consultation for free to entice new customers, with a premium option for in-depth, on-site services including testing, solution development, and training.

The task is to create a service model that is compelling and easy to market, particularly to new clients. It should highlight the cost savings and efficiency improvements our expertise brings, making it clear why investing in our services is not just beneficial but essential. The service must be packaged as an attractive, straightforward solution that addresses key customer challenges: choosing the right abrasives, optimizing their use, and ultimately, cutting long-term costs.

Expectations

We're seeking teams ready to tackle the metalworking industry's challenges by not just proposing, but demonstrating innovative solutions. Your task is to design and present a practical solution, showcasing its functionality and potential impact.

Beyond the proposal, standout solutions with real promise will be considered for further development, including a marketing strategy to highlight their industry value. Exceptional teams may find opportunities to join us, leading their project from concept through to market launch.

This is your chance to not only showcase your innovative ideas but also to potentially lead their realization within our company.

Desired Team Profile

Diversity in skills and perspectives is crucial, as we believe it drives creativity and leads to groundbreaking outcomes.

Your task will involve navigating the nuances of our target market to propose cost-effective, impactful solutions. We value practical knowledge and an understanding of our basic business model as much as academic achievements. The ability to brainstorm, prototype, and test ideas efficiently and affordably is key.

Additional Information

Our company stands out in the abrasive industry by actively engaging with customers, providing solutions beyond mere product sales. We're pioneering a service-as-a-product approach, a concept yet to be explored by our competitors. This challenge invites you to break new ground, designing a service that caters specifically to our industry's seasoned professionals, predominantly aged 35 and above.

You have the creative freedom to envision and develop a service that resonates with this experienced demographic, considering their unique needs and preferences. This is an opportunity to redefine industry standards, offering a solution that marries traditional knowledge with innovative service delivery.

Related Keywords

• Industrial Technologies
• Industrial Products
• Other Industrial Products (not elsewhere classified)
• Industrial Services