Keeping You Safe Since 1970

1-888-326-9244

Favorites

Contact

Graphic Products
  • My Account
    No Account? Sign up
    Forgot password?
  • Cart ()
  • Printers & Supplies Printers
    Toro Max

    Toro Max

    NEW! portable all-in-one
    • Learn More
    • Toro Max Supplies
    Bronco Max

    Bronco Max

    NEW! reliable workhorse
    • Learn More
    • Bronco Max Supplies
    DuraLabel Kodiak

    DuraLabel Kodiak

    Multi-color, large format
    • Learn More
    • Kodiak Supplies
    DuraLabel Lobo

    DuraLabel Lobo

    Grab n' go labeler
    • Learn More
    • Lobo Supplies
    DuraLabel Toro

    DURALABEL TORO

    Mobile, stand-alone
    • Support
    • Toro Supplies
    DuraLabel Bronco

    DuraLabel Bronco

    Industrial, efficient
    • Support
    • Bronco Supplies
    DuraLabel Pro Series

    DuraLabel PRO 300

    Simple and reliable
    • Learn More
    • Pro Series Supplies
    Legacy Printers

    Legacy Printers

    Support and Supplies
    • Learn More
    • Shop All Supplies

    Quick Links

    All Printers

    Printer Kits

    Printer Supplies

    Printer Ribbons

    Accessories

    Printer Support

    Labeling Software

  • Safety Signs

    Compliance Signs

    • Chemical Signage
    • Confined Space Signs
    • Electrical Hazard Signs
    • Fire Signage
    • PPE Safety Signs
    • All Compliance Signs

    Facility Signs

    • Restricted Area Signs
    • Smoking Signs
    • Machinery Signs
    • Bathroom Signs
    • Clearance Signs
    • All Facility Signs

    Traffic Signs

    • Directional Signs
    • Exit Signs
    • Forklift Signs
    • Emergency Signs
    • All Traffic Signs

    Floor Signs

    • Blank Floor Signs
    • Exit Floor Signs
    • Fire Safety Floor Signs
    • First Aid Floor Signs
    • LOTO Floor Signs
    • All Floor Signs

    Related Resources

    PDF Icon EHS Manager's Guide
    PDF Icon OSHA Safety Signs Guide
    PDF Icon Labeling Your Facility for Safety
    PDF Icon Safety Labels vs. Signs
    SEE MORE
    Signs and Labels Banner
  • Floor Tape

    Floor Tape

    • 5S Floor Tape
    • Aisle Tape
    • Glow in the Dark Tape
    • Reflective Tape
    • Anti-Slip Tape
    • All Floor Tape

    Floor Signs

    • Blank Floor Signs
    • Exit Floor Signs
    • Fire Safety Floor Signs
    • First Aid Floor Signs
    • LOTO Floor Signs
    • All Floor Signs

    Floor Marking Shapes

    • Floor Marking Corners
    • Floor Marking T's
    • Floor Marking Footprints
    • Floor Marking Circles
    • Floor Marking Arrows
    • All Floor Marking Shapes

    Other

    • Discount Bundles
    • Floor Marking Accessories
    • Floor Laminate

    Related Resources

    PDF Icon Floor Marking Best Practices
    PDF Icon Floor Marking Color Chart
    PDF Icon What is Floor Marking?
    PDF Icon Floor Tape vs. Paint
    SEE MORE
    Floor Marking Banner
  • Pipe Markers

    Shop By Standard

    • ANSI A13.1 Pipe Markers
    • Ammonia (IIAR) Pipe Markers
    • Medical (NFPA 99) Pipe Markers
    • Marine (ISO 14726) Pipe Markers
    • European Pipe Markers
    • All Pipe Markers

    ANSI Pipe Markers

    • Fire Quenching
    • Flammable/Oxidizing
    • Toxic or Corrosive
    • Compressed Air
    • Various Water
    • All ANSI Pipe Markers

    Other

    • Pipe Marking Accessories
    • Valve Tags
    • Arrow Banding Tape

    Related Resources

    PDF Icon Pipe Marking Best Practices
    PDF Icon Facility Pipe Marking Guide
    PDF Icon Pipe Marking Basics
    PDF Icon Getting Started with Pipe Marking
    SEE MORE
    Pipe Marking Banner
  • COVID-19

    COVID-19 Solutions

    • Safety Signs
    • Printer Kits
    • Awareness Posters
    • A-Frame Signs
    • Sneeze Guards
    • All COVID-19 Solutions

    Social Distancing

    • Social Distancing Signs
    • Social Distancing Floor Signs
    • Social Distancing Floor Tape
    • All Social Distancing

    COVID-19 By Industry

    • Grocery & Retail
    • Medical & Healthcare
    • Office Settings
    • Restaurants & Food Service
    • Food Manufacturing
    • Construction
    • Manufacturing
    • Finance
    • Transportation
    • Education

    Related Resources

    Video Icon COVID-19 Safety At Work Webinar
    PDF Icon Social Distancing Reference Chart
    SEE MORE
    COVID Banner
  • Resources
  • Help
  • Free Samples
  • Quick Order
    Enter item SKU# and quantity
Graphic Products
  • My Account
  • Printers & Supplies
  • Safety Signs
  • Floor Tape
  • Pipe Markers
  • COVID-19
  • Resources
  • Help
  • Free Samples
  • Quick Order
  • Favorites
  • Contact Us
  • Back
  • MY ACCOUNT
  • Account
  • Orders
  • Track My Order
  • Addresses
  • Login & Security
  • Payment Methods
  • Carrier Accounts
  • Favorites Lists
  • Sign Out
  • Back
  • SIGN IN
  • No Account? Sign up
    Forgot password?
  • Back
  • Quick Order
Enter item SKU# and quantity
  • Back
  • Printers & Supplies
  • DuraLabel Toro Max
  • DuraLabel Bronco Max
  • DuraLabel Toro
  • DuraLabel Bronco
  • DuraLabel Kodiak
  • DuraLabel Lobo
  • DuraLabel PRO 300
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • DuraLabel Toro Max
  • Toro Max Printer
  • Toro Max Supplies
  • Toro Max Ribbon
  • Toro Max Accessories
  • Toro Max Bundles and Kits
  • Toro Max Support
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • DuraLabel Bronco Max
  • Bronco Max Printer
  • Bronco Max Supplies
  • Bronco Max Ribbon
  • Bronco Max Accessories
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • DuraLabel Toro
  • Toro Supplies
  • Toro Ribbon
  • Toro Accessories
  • Toro Support
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • DuraLabel Bronco
  • Bronco Supplies
  • Bronco Ribbon
  • Bronco Accessories
  • Bronco Support
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • DuraLabel Kodiak
  • Kodiak Printer
  • Kodiak Supplies
  • Kodiak Ribbon
  • Kodiak Accessories
  • Kodiak Bundles and Kits
  • Kodiak Support
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • DuraLabel Lobo
  • Lobo Printer
  • Lobo Supplies
  • Lobo Ribbon
  • Lobo Accessories
  • Lobo Support
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • DuraLabel PRO 300
  • DLP 300 Printer
  • DLP 300 Supplies
  • DLP 300 Ribbon
  • DLP 300 Accessories
  • DLP 300 Bundles and Kits
  • DLP 300 Support
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • Safety Signs
  • Compliance Signs
  • Facility Signs
  • Traffic Signs
  • Floor Signs
  • Shop All Safety Signs
  • Back
  • Compliance Signs
  • Chemical Signage
  • Confined Space Signs
  • Electrical Hazard Signs
  • Fire Signage
  • PPE Safety Signs
  • All Compliance Signs
  • Back
  • Facility Signs
  • Restricted Area Signs
  • Smoking Signs
  • Machinery Signs
  • Bathroom Signs
  • All Facility Signs
  • Back
  • Traffic Signs
  • Directional Signs
  • Exit Signs
  • Emergency Signs
  • Forklift Signs
  • All Traffic Signs
  • Back
  • Floor Signs
  • Blank Floor Signs
  • Exit Floor Signs
  • Fire Safety Floor Signs
  • First Aid Floor Signs
  • LOTO Floor Signs
  • All Floor Signs
  • Back
  • Floor Tape
  • General Floor Tape
  • Floor Signs
  • Floor Marking Shapes
  • Other
  • Shop All Floor Tape
  • Back
  • Floor Tape
  • 5S Floor Tape
  • Aisle Tape
  • Glow in the Dark Tape
  • Reflective Tape
  • Anti-Slip Tape
  • All Floor Tape
  • Back
  • Floor Signs
  • Blank Floor Signs
  • Exit Floor Signs
  • Fire Safety Floor Signs
  • First Aid Floor Signs
  • LOTO Floor Signs
  • All Floor Signs
  • All Floor Signs
  • Back
  • Floor Marking Shapes
  • Floor Marking Corners
  • Floor Marking T's
  • Floor Marking Footprints
  • Floor Marking Circles
  • Floor Marking Arrows
  • All Floor Marking Shapes
  • Back
  • Other
  • Discount Bundles
  • Floor Marking Accessories
  • Floor Laminate
  • Back
  • Pipe Markers
  • Shop By Standard
  • ANSI Pipe Markers
  • Other
  • Shop All Pipe Markers
  • Back
  • Shop By Standard
  • Standard (ANSI A13.1) Pipe Markers
  • Ammonia (IIAR) Pipe Markers
  • Medical (NFPA 99) Pipe Markers
  • Marine (ISO 14726) Pipe Markers
  • European Pipe Markers
  • All Pipe Markers
  • Back
  • ANSI Pipe Markers
  • Fire Quenching
  • Flammable/Oxidizing
  • Toxic or Corrosive
  • Compressed Air
  • Various Water
  • All ANSI Pipe Markers
  • Back
  • Other
  • Pipe Marking Accessories
  • Valve Tags
  • Arrow Banding Tape
  • Back
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Solutions
  • Social Distancing
  • COVID-19 By Industry
  • Shop All COVID-19 Solutions
  • Back
  • COVID-19 Solutions
  • Safety Signs
  • Printer Kits
  • Awareness Posters
  • A-Frame Signs
  • Sneeze Guards
  • All COVID-19 Solutions
  • Back
  • Social Distancing
  • Social Distancing Signs
  • Social Distancing Floor Signs
  • Social Distancing Floor Tape
  • All Social Distancing
  • Back
  • COVID-19 By Industry
  • Grocery & Retail
  • Medical & Healthcare
  • Office Settings
  • Restaurants & Food Service
  • Food Manufacturing
  • Construction
  • Manufacturing
  • Finance
  • Transportation
  • Education
  • Home
  • Safety Blog
  • Simple Brand Management for Manufacturers

Simple Brand Management for Manufacturers

BY CHRISTINE TORRES

Published July 23, 2020

minute read
Brand management doesn't happen overnight. With a consistent, steady nurturing, manufacturers can effectively build brands, learn, and grow. Marketing expert Rebecca Hart and other manufacturers share their tips.

If someone were to ask you what your company does, could you answer succinctly? Does your company actively command its brand presence or is it more of a gentle whisper? Brand management identifies a company’s core message and values for its customers. For this week’s #USAMfgHour chat on Twitter, Rebecca Hart, marketing manager at Dynamatic, manufacturer of eddy current drives, brakes and controls, shares tips to help manufacturers, and those that support manufacturing, break away from the struggles of navigating brand asset management.

Customer Recognition

Brand management can be tricky but not hard for manufacturers to improve, change, or grow. It takes diligent effort and time. However, it only takes a few impressions for people to remember a manufacturing brand, and building an audience is important, according to Hart. Start by knowing what your company does.

“When you do a lot, it can be a complicated answer,” she said. Manufacturers “keep the world in motion, at variable speeds.”

“This has presented to be a business challenge for us as we cater to both our B2C and B2B markets (consumer & wholesale businesses),” said Ideaman Magnets, manufacturer of 3-D molded rubber magnets. “We often struggle with the BEST way to convey that. For promotional purposes, we say, ‘Your Custom 3D Magnet Supplier.’”

Hart said an answer to knowing more about what direction a company can go with its brand management is based upon who makes up the audience. We’re living in a digital world, so manufacturing needs to step up its digital game. Social media involvement, heavy or light, is important, she said.

“I am a one-person business, and it’s tough sometimes to keep up with the social media,” said Marie Moser of East Pointe Search Group, a manufacturing direct-hire solution.

“We would like to be more active, but without sales, all else fails,” said Dan Bigger of Chenango Valley Technologies. “We do not have someone managing just social or marketing. I do both along with sales. I post and engage as much as I am able.”

“We have been using all of our platforms more actively and are proud to see we have been seeing consistent growth, even if it's small,” said Ideaman. “The most challenging thing so far is utilizing target market insights.”

Get Insightful

However, those insights can be some of the most crucial bits of info that can inform a business of what works and what needs to change, according to Hart and Ruby Rusine, a social media professional at Social Success Marketing. With multiple platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, it can be quite a bit to keep track of for the bustling manufacturing industry, Hart said.

“It's tough, but it's also important to keep a strong online presence - especially in social media - despite the current atmosphere,” Hart said.

Part of being active and engaging a manufacturing brand on social media requires innovative ways to express a brand that appeals to the audience there. For example, Cleveland Deburring, a leader in deburring, chamfering, and powdered metal deburring, is active on several social channels and maintains a blog to help educate potential customers and customers alike.

“My activity revolves around information, sharing, educating, and pose questions for the purpose of interacting with others,” said Felix Nater, a security consultant for Nater Associates. Oftentimes, it is that bit of thought leadership that gets people to inquire a bit more about workplace violence prevention strategies. “Users I engage with are talking about how little of a focus on #workplaceviolenceprevention at their workplaces. That surprises me,” Nater said.

“We have changed our strategy due to COVID-19, from visiting customers the conventional way to eCommerce and Social Media involvement,” said SCTools, a cutting tool solutions provider. This strategy change has thrown the company into the social realm and it’s more active than ever. This activity gets social chats and real-life conversations going about a manufacturer and its brand.

“My focus was obviously to drive awareness, but I had been zoned in on engagement and it was improving,” said Jennifer Wegman, a marketing professional, and social influencer. “Our rates were up, as were our inquiries and orders. So, engagement is always a goal for me no matter what.”

Community Development

“We've found that electrical engineering and electrical safety are big in our industry,” said Zero Surge, an electrical and electronics manufacturer. “Although, we've found success in curating interesting content in the fields of renewable energy, electric vehicles, and generator tips.”

“From keeping our name out here we've been able to get a few write-ups in industry mags that we wouldn't have received otherwise,” said Cleveland Deburring.

“We get a lot of "info" questions and respond quickly,” said Nick Rivers of Obsidian Manufacturing, an OEM manufacturer.

#USAMfgHour is a Twitter chat on Thursdays for manufacturing.“We are working to get more user-generated content (UGC), from our end-user customers (EUC), in exchange, we will feature them in SM, and provide an incentive on their next purchase via discounts,” said SCTools.  

When manufacturers get feedback via social media platforms, it's generally not about products specifically, but any feedback is a chance to let people know what products a company is selling, Hart said. “How are you utilizing the feedback you receive on social media to shape your business or product?”

“For the most part, social media serves as a promotional platform for our brands,” said Ed Miller, president of ProTapes, a tape manufacturer. “But we do get the occasional suggestion from our customers for a new size or color, which we always welcome.” 

“Using negative feedback to help you improve and grow is a very healthy and smart,” said Paul Kiesche, president of Aviate Creative, a manufacturing marketing agency. “It's also a great way to know what to speak to in your marketing.”

“I was shocked by how successful (Instagram and Facebook) were for the company,” said Wegman. “You wouldn't think that would be the case, but I was pleasantly surprised. But, yes you need to be where your audience is.”

About #USAMfgHour

Anyone who champions U.S. manufacturing can join in on a new conversation each week on Twitter using the hashtag #USAMfgHour. The chat starts at 11 a.m. Pacific Standard Time/2 p.m. Eastern. Share positive blog posts, helpful articles, news, important information, accomplishments, events, and more with other manufacturers and supporters from throughout the country.

Are you interested in hosting a #USAMfgHour chat? Contact organizers @CVTPlastics, @DCSCinc, and @SocialSMktg. 

 

Best Practice Guide for EHS Managers
This free guide offers practical safety and compliance advice for EHS managers.

Related Resources

Emotional Relevance Benefits Manufacturing

Emotional Relevance Benefits Manufacturing

Read
Improve Quality Management for Global Demands

Improve Quality Management for Global Demands

Read
10 Health & Safety Tips for Safety Managers

10 Health & Safety Tips for Safety Managers

Get 10 tips for improving safety in your facility using training tactics, procedures, and industry standards.

View
  • This free guide offers practical safety and compliance advice for EHS managers.
Get the latest deals straight to your inbox
Trusted by These Companies
Starbucks
GM
Du Pont
Amazon
Disney
3M
Pepsi
NASA
Chevron
AT&T
Toyota
Coca-Cola
UPS
Target
  • Graphic Products, Inc.
    9825 SW Sunshine Ct
    Beaverton, OR
    97005 USA

  • Business Hours:
    Monday - Friday
    5:30am - 5pm Pacific

  • 1-888-326-9244 (U.S./Canada)
  • +1-503-644-5572 (International)
  • Products
  • Printers
  • Printer Supplies
  • Safety Signs
  • Safety Labels
  • Floor Marking
  • Pipe Markers & Tags
  • Catalog
  • Support
  • Shipping & Returns
  • Manage Account
  • Printer Support
  • Warranties
  • Content Usage Guidelines
  • Resources
  • Resource Center
  • Guides
  • Articles
  • Video Library
  • Safety Blog
  • Infographics
  • Webinars
  • Company
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Become a Dealer
  • Find a Dealer
  • Press Room

Need Help?

Give us a call at 1-888-326-9244 and speak with an expert.

Customer Reviews
  • Copyright © 2023
  • All Rights Reserved
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Shipping and Returns
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Data