Available resources for small business manufacturers, small and mid-size case studies, and more are topics on this week’s free webinar when Doug Waterman, senior financial executive and SBDC manufacturing consultant joins SBDC director Kelly Bearden.

Doug specializes in operational improvement, strategic finance, and business growth planning. As a senior client advisor with California’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center, he directly assisted more than 100 San Joaquin Valley manufacturers over the last 11 years.

This marks the 370th episode of the “Webinar Wednesday” business series that provides news and information helpful to employers and business owners.

New and existing businesses can go to https://csubsbdc.com/ to sign up to meet with a business advisor.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:51 What’s up today February 4, 2026

03:05 Poll question #1: “If you’re aware of manufacturing friendly funding, which funding options have you explored or used?

05:53 Poll question #2: “What is your biggest manufacturing challenge?

08:14 Manufacturing Challenges & Possible Solutions

08:22 High interest rates — suggestion: alternative funding & review borrowing sources

09:14 Labor shortages & wage pressure — suggestions: targeted automation, software, workforce training

10:39 Input cost volatility — suggestions: supplier diversification, shorter pricing windows, inventory financing

11:46 Fragile supply chains — suggestions: nearshoring/local sourcing, inventory buffers, supply chain mapping

12:29 Softening demand & customer caution — suggestions: customer diversification, marketing, value-based selling, flexible scheduling

13:33 Cash flow timing & mismatches: use terms, deposits, progressive billing, 13-week rolling cash flow tied to production

14:45 Red tape, operating costs, compliance

Red Tape Hotline https://advocacy.sba.gov/resources/hotline/

15:29 — SBA resources for manufacturers

-Support for Small Business Manufacturing https://csubsbdc.com/support-for-small-business-manufacturing/

-Made in America initiative https://www.sba.gov/article/2025/03/10/sba-announces-made-america-manufacturing-initiative

-Waived loan fees (FY2026) https://www.sba.gov/article/2025/09/18/sba-waives-loan-fees-small-manufacturers-fiscal-year-2026

-Doubling 7(a) & 504 loan limits for manufacturing https://www.sba.gov/article/2025/12/01/administrator-loeffler-applauds-house-passage-made-america-manufacturing-finance-act

-Making onshoring great again portal https://www.sba.gov/priorities/american-manufacturers/make-onshoring-great-again-portal

16:44 MARC program – revolving credit/line of credit for manufacturers https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-appendix-13-7a-manufacturers-access-revolving-credit-marc

18:22 Feb. 12 SBA webinar – Cutting the Red Tape for Manufacturing https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cutting-the-red-tape-for-manufacturing-businesses-tickets-1980574195735

Feb. 26 SBA webinar – How to Start a Manufacturing Business https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-start-a-manufacturing-business-tickets-1980588448365

19:39 Subscribe to our CSUB SBDC YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@csubsbdc

20:33 Kelly introduces Doug Waterman, senior financial executive & manufacturing consultant & former advisor with California’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center

22:04 Doug Waterman begins his presentation

23:13 — CORE SERVICES: process improvement (Lean/Six Sigma), quality/compliance, automation, ERP/MRP, AI integration

24:54 — WORKFORCE: need for training/cross‑training; engage employees and capture retiring workforce knowledge

25:57 — MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS, and succession support; teaching owners accounting/financial presentation to banks

28:31 — TRAINING FUNDING: some workforce funds exist; county workforce boards can help subsidize training

29:39 — CYBERSECURITY: inevitable risk; NIST 800‑171 relevance for defense/aerospace suppliers; cost‑effective compliance options

31:12 — CASE STUDY: Large seasonal farm — fixed issues by improving communication, simplifying manuals (use pictures), color‑coding, daily 5–10 minute huddles

35:48 — CASE STUDY: Excessive meetings — solution: agendas, limit attendees, enforce preparedness — saved significant labor cost

https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/47976-death-by-meeting-a-leadership-fable-about-solving-the-most-painful-p

37:00 — CASE STUDY: Supply chain/production planning mismatch — shifted from stock‑based to order‑based planning; implementing ERP

38:07 — CASE STUDY: Promoted‑but‑untrained supervisors — created supervisory training; improved workplace culture and efficiency

39:44 — TAKEAWAY: many small manufacturers can benefit from Lean (eliminate waste), employee engagement, and process awareness

43:55 — ADVICE FOR STARTUPS VS. MATURE COMPANIES: startups should embed Lean and continuous improvement; mature firms should map processes, measure step times, use spaghetti diagrams to reduce waste and increase capacity

47:28 Questions and Answers with Attendees