Top 5 Mistakes in Panel Building (and How to Avoid Them)

Even the best engineering teams can make mistakes in building a panel that could have been avoided. 

Introduction

The panel building market is fiercely competitive.  Hard labor and connections are the key sources of survival for many firms, yet profitability varies and growth is frequently gradual.  The cause is that instead of carefully selecting possibilities, the majority of panel builders concentrate on fulfilling every request.

In this blog, we discuss common mistakes made by panel builders and how careful planning may change your company.

The Problem is saying “Yes” to everything

Many panel builders take all inquiries at the beginning of their careers. The idea is straightforward: more orders translate into more money.

However, this strategy actually presents difficulties:

• Price is the main factor in competition.
• Minimal profit margins
• Overburdened teams
• Wasting time on projects that don’t add value

Qualifying opportunities by knowing which orders play to your strengths and which do not is essential to long-term growth.

Step 1: Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses

You must be aware of your strengths before deciding which possibilities to pursue:

• Strengths: What distinguishes your company? Strong client relationships, speed, specialist services, or electrical system expertise.
• Weaknesses: Things like a tiny workforce, old technology, or a limited geographic reach that could slow you down or lower quality.

You can concentrate on tasks where you can add the most value if you are aware of these aspects.

Step 2: Classify Your Customers

Not every customer is worth the same amount. You can concentrate your efforts where they are most important by classifying your customer base:

• Awesome Clients: High-value customers who value your knowledge and produce outstanding returns on investment.
• B-Breadwinning Customers: Consistent customers that provide the majority of your income, albeit with modest profit margins.
• C-Convenient Customers: Infrequent customers who occasionally place orders but are unreliable.
• D-Dangerous Customers: It’s recommended to stay away from clients who use a lot of time and resources for little return.

You may efficiently prioritize by identifying the 20% of clients who account for 80% of your revenue with just a six-month assessment.

Step 3: Focus on Your Core Strengths

Both mechanical and electrical work are involved in panel building, however not every operation merits your internal focus. 

Concentrate on your primary area of expertise:

• Focus on system design and electrical engineering.
• Contract out fabrication or mechanical tasks to trustworthy partners.
• Establish long-term relationships with suppliers of switchgear and enclosures to guarantee uniformity and minimize inventory problems.

This strategy improves profitability, promotes efficiency, and streamlines operations.

Step 4: Build Strategic Partnerships

In order to scale profitably, partnerships are essential:

• For dependable quality, align with reputable switchgear brands.
• Work together with experts in substations, automation, or power factor correction.
• Interact with suppliers to share information and use their experience to help clients.

Successful collaborations save time, cut down on mistakes, and establish your company as a trustworthy supplier of solutions.

Step 5: Work Smarter, Not Harder

Working intelligently is more important for success than putting in more hours.

• Pay attention to high-value customers
• Projects should play to your skills.
• Choose your sources carefully.
• Continue to improve your procedure

Panel builders may lower operational stress, boost earnings, and expand sustainably by adopting a methodical approach.

Conclusion

Many panel builders get into the trap of putting forth a lot of effort but lacking intelligence. 

Clarity, concentration, and strategy are the keys to growth:

• Recognize your advantages
• Make sure your clients are qualified
• Create solid alliances
• Pay attention to high-value opportunities

Recall that scaling a business is about climbing the ladder against the correct wall, not about speed. Panel builders can attain long-term success, efficiency, and profitability with the correct approach.