Standard random work job shop doing all the typical things with our machine, cabs, closets, small amounts of 3D and sign work, large slab flattening on occasion, we do a bit of very short run (single piece or two) reproduction moulding. Occasionally we will get some non-ferrous work in aluminum and brass but its rare.

Understood many are likely churning out cabs non stop and dont have the time, nor the desire, to entertain the odd stuff (which is where we like to be) and its most definitely difficult to come across the customer wanting something that involves a few hours of time and is willing to pay, but always thinking of the other markets in our area we may be missing to call on. Architects, designers, of course commercial contractors. But we have started to network with some branding and marketing companies and wondering if anyone has come across any other unique markets in their area to feed their CNC?

Our market is never going to support a shop grinding out cabs all day and the variety in the work is somewhat nice.

Thanks for any input.

Hello.
I am running a similar sounding operation.
My customer base is very widespread, so it is kinda hard to give pointers on which way to go.
1 obvious place is carpenter shops. Many dont have their own cnc machinery, yet are familiar of the benefits. A simple marketing email targeting nearby operations worked out pretty good for me.

This year i have done for example: Tv production work, restaurant stuff, work for upholsterers, furniture parts, signs, art pieces, molds of many kinds and the list goes on. Just saying if you get some ideas out of these.

Many have found me on google ads, and many are word of mouth.

Thanks Arto,
How do you brand yourself on Google? We have tried to cover every tag we can think of but I came up with a few more reading your reply. Sadly we have only one local shop within 50+ miles that we are already cutting for but I'm sure there are a few small shops we are missing.

We would really enjoy doing odd stuff more often (of course if it pays) but it's rare here it seems.

We also do lots of odd work. We do the manufacturing for several companies that run impressive web sites claiming to make their products, but don't. About once a week we flatten a few big slabs on the router. Big aluminum parts for machine shops. Plastic parts once in a while. I leave the kitchens to guys that can deal with Ms. house wife.

Best market for you is overflow from the shops that are too busy. Doing the same kind of work they do. All the shops do that because that is where the money is. Talking to a customer about a 3 hour job, can take 3 hours as they want to watch the robot do it's dance. Custom one off has always been a hard road. Whether you do it with a Unisaw and hand tools, or a CNC.

Cutting for other shops during your downtime can be a good thing but make sure you hit your promised delivery times.

I pick up a lot of clients who have dealt with shops like yours but get bumped when the CNC owner unexpectedly needs the machine time.

Rich/Dropout,
As I mentioned in a previous response there unfortunately are no other shops in the area other than the one that we are already processing all their sheets for them. We are in rural-ish area and in a state that even in the city regions simply doesnt accommodate custom cabs anymore. Eve the high end builders are not interested in locally made cabinetry. High end homes here have factory/home-center cabs (while they may be at the top of their line). Nearly all the kitchen shops in a 50 mile radius are simply distributors of various grades of factory cabinetry. In the past 3-4 years nearly every small shop has closed up and the couple that are left are doing commercial case goods (melamine and laminate) and not busy at any level to be looking at outsourcing work.

I agree that the three hour jaw jacker is not a profitable endeavour, those are not the customers we chase which is why the doors to the shop are locked and there is no social hour in here especially from the locals.

I find the odd stuff doesn't pay very well.

I once did a full size Ferrari buck that was way cool, but pounding out several thousand plywood furniture parts per ways pays better.

What about MDF doors for the refacing business?

We do/have done artwork for hotel chains, precast concrete forms, picture and mirror frames, arched molding, speaker cabinets and other stuff.

Mark B., You also stated " but I'm sure there are a few small shops we are missing." Why not find them and cut for them?