When this Australian manufacturer of retail products first came to us, they were in trouble. The financials showed a loss exceeding $300,000. Despite healthy sales activity, profit was nowhere to be found. They were carrying too much stock, locking up working capital and paying unnecessary storage and location costs.

Their factory lease was oversized, staffing was inefficient, and cashflow was unpredictable.
They were operating reactively - working hard but with no clear financial control or strategic direction. Like many manufacturers, they were stuck in the cycle of busyness without profitability.

In the first four months, we focused on stabilising the business - identifying the leaks, rebuilding financial visibility, and putting practical systems in place.

1. Diagnose the Leaks

We reviewed every line of their financials, drilling into where money was being made and lost.
This deep analysis revealed the hidden inefficiencies: overstocked inventory, unprofitable SKUs, high fixed overheads, and wasteful staff structures.

2. Reset the Foundations

We worked with the owners to make decisive operational changes:

• Cleared out old, slow-moving stock - releasing tens of thousands in trapped cash.
  
• Relocated to a smaller factory - reducing rent and utilities without sacrificing output.
  
• Restructured staffing - retaining productive, value-adding roles while streamlining inefficient ones.
  
• Implemented cashflow forecasting and reporting systems - giving real-time visibility and control.
  

By month four, the graph started to tell a different story: the line of loss flattened, then began to rise.

Fast-forward less than 12 months, and this business was operating at a consistent profit - with clarity, structure, and confidence.

But this wasn’t a one-off fix. We’ve continued to meet with them monthly - analysing performance, reviewing metrics, and refining systems.

Together, we’ve shifted from crisis management to sustainable growth. Every month, we assess:

• Which product lines deliver the best margins
  
• Where resources should be invested or pulled back
  
• How shifts in consumer demand should shape production and pricing
  

This ongoing partnership keeps the business agile in a changing market. The owners now make decisions driven by data, not assumptions. Every improvement is measured. Every adjustment is strategic.

What began as a turnaround has evolved into a structured growth partnership.
We continue to help the business fine-tune its financial model - because the key to sustainability isn’t a one-time fix, it’s continuous adaptation.

In manufacturing, markets move fast. The businesses that thrive are those that understand their metrics and know how to tune and refine them - dialling up what works, cutting back what doesn’t, and staying financially fit for the future.

• $300K turnaround in under 12 months
  
• Improved cashflow and inventory control
  
• Reduced overhead and staff costs
  
• Data-driven decision-making and growth confidence
  
• Ongoing advisory relationship ensuring continuous improvement