CERM is growing like crazy. Find out why!

Ever since my good friend, Esteban Garcia took a job with CERM , I have been following this company and watching them grow! Esteban has been amazing with TLMI just digging in and sharing value and insights wherever he can.

Then he started introducing me to all his Belgium friends like Steffen Haaga and I realized why he loves CERM as much as we all love Esteban...they are smart, funny, and are making a serious push as one of the fastest growing MIS companies in the label industry!

You can listen to the full episode on Apple, Spotify, or here on Substack

And, if you don't really care to, that's fine also, here's an article that deciphr.ai wrote about what we talked about! Enjoy and make sure you connect up with these guys!

Innovative Solutions in Label Packaging: Insights from Label Expo 2024

Key Takeaways:

• AI Integration in Label Packaging: The rise of AI tools in optimizing manufacturing processes, specifically MIS systems like CERM's automated scheduling and the Lumi chatbot.
• Labor Efficiency: Addressing labor shortages and efficient scaling through technology, thereby driving growth without proportionally increasing workforce.
• Customer-Centric Solutions: The importance of understanding and fulfilling customers' unique needs, rather than merely selling products.

Transforming Label Packaging with AI Integration

The dynamic world of label packaging is being revolutionized by the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI). At this year's Label Expo, a striking theme was the implementation of AI to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within label packaging processes.

Automated Scheduling to Optimize Production:

One of the standout innovations discussed during the expo was CERM new automated scheduling tool. This AI-powered assistant aims to alleviate the intensive task of scheduling by enabling quicker, more efficient organization of production schedules.

"We launched two products here. One was our automated scheduling, which is really like an assistant to your scheduler, helping to do a lot of tasks and moving tasks, grouping, sorting, and optimizing just within minutes."

In practical terms, this means tasks that traditionally took hours for schedulers can now be completed in minutes. This optimization reduces errors and allows for more flexibility in managing manufacturing timelines. Adam Peek humorously noted how these innovations contribute to less stress, even suggesting that it’s why CERM team members still have their hair – a light-hearted reminder of the pressures associated with manual scheduling.

Lumi Chatbot for Instant Assistance:

Moreover, CERM introduced Lumi, their AI-powered chatbot designed to streamline help and support processes.

"We feeded the new chatbot, which is called Lumi, with about two and a half thousand pages out of our help."

Lumi can process inquiries and provide answers across multiple languages, promising real-time assistance that can significantly reduce downtime and support time. Esteban Garcia emphasized the importance of Lumi in aiding customers and internal staff, highlighting its potential to transform how companies access information and learn about new systems.

Enhancing Labor Efficiency and Scalability

Labor shortages and the rising costs associated with hiring are significant challenges in the label packaging industry. Solutions that effectively address these issues are critical for growth and sustainability.

Reducing Manual Processes Through Integration:

By integrating various aspects of their production processes, companies can reduce the reliance on manual labor, thus enhancing efficiency. Steffen Haaga underscored the role of integration with premium partners, which bypasses many manual touchpoints in the production process.

"With all the integration and removing manual touch points for our customers, integrating to our premium grading partners, like Infeego, like hybrid, like escort, like ABG, like all the press manufacturers, it's a game changer."

This level of integration ensures that companies can drive more revenue without a proportional increase in workforce, a crucial aspect for businesses aiming to scale efficiently.

Meeting Market Demands Despite Labor Issues:

Garcia explained how CERM helps companies stay competitive by making their operations as efficient and cost-effective as possible, particularly important in a landscape where skilled labor is increasingly scarce.

"Understanding the capability, the capacity that CERM can handle, and how it handles it… It's not about we're better. It's what are your needs? What are your pain points? Or what are you not getting that you don't know that you're not getting?"

The message is clear: technology like that offered by CERM doesn’t just promise efficiency but provides a strategic advantage in meeting today’s labor market challenges.

Focusing on Customer-Centric Solutions

A recurring theme in successful business strategies is putting the customer's needs at the forefront. This approach was reiterated by the CERM team during the expo.

Tailored Solutions for Unique Needs:

Rather than simply selling a product, CERM focuses on thoroughly understanding and addressing the specific challenges faced by their customers. This approach ensures that their solutions provide real value, as highlighted by Garcia:

"We need to give them the tools and the information to be able for them to make that decision. It’s painful. It's not easy. But once you do it, it's going to be mind blowing."

Their commitment to making life easier for their clients extends to detailed product demonstrations, elucidating how their MIS can transform operations.

Commitment to Education and Transparency:

Education plays a crucial role. Esteban Garcia emphasized the importance of educating potential customers about the full capabilities and benefits of CERM's systems. By demystifying their products and offering clear advantages, they empower customers to make informed choices:

"Our job is not to convince people to change. It's not our job to sell them anything, but rather to provide the information, to ask the right questions, and then to see if it's something that we can really actually help them out with."

This philosophy showcases a commitment to transparency and genuine improvement in their clients' operations, fostering long-term relationships built on trust and shared success.

Bringing It All Together

The innovations and strategies showcased by CERM at Label Expo 2024 underscore the transformative power of technology in the label packaging industry. By leveraging AI for process optimization and real-time assistance, addressing labor challenges through efficiency and integration, and adhering to a customer-centric approach, CERM demonstrates a robust model for growth and leadership.

Steffen Haaga’s and Esteban Garcia’s insights reflect a deep understanding of the industry's challenges and opportunities, reaffirming the notion that effective solutions arise from a combination of technological innovation and genuine customer engagement. As businesses in this sector navigate the complexities of modern manufacturing, the strategies discussed at Label Expo offer a compelling roadmap for future success.