7 Quick Wins: Expenses that Manufacturing Companies Can Tackle in One Day

This 24-hour turnaround can release cash and make you more profitable (making you breathe with ease).

Manufacturing companies often think cost reduction requires sweeping changes, complex negotiations, or months of process redesign. While major initiatives do drive long-term savings, there are also quick wins hiding in plain sight. These overlooked expenses are the low-hanging fruit: areas where adjustments can be made in a day (or less) yet still free up meaningful cash.

Addressing these costs immediately improves the bottom line and creates momentum for larger operational changes. As a manufacturing leader, every dollar counts and quick action can make a noticeable difference.

Here are seven expenses manufacturing companies can reduce in less than 24 hours.

1. Utility Waste from Idle Equipment

Machines left powered on during breaks, lunch hours, or shift changes consume unnecessary energy. A simple shutdown protocol for idle equipment or programmable timers can cut electricity usage immediately. In some facilities, this translates to thousands of dollars annually with zero impact on production. Make sure to run the math to consider the restarting costs in your calculations, as some equipment require more energy to get turned on.

2. Excessive Overtime

Overtime often creeps in not because of demand but because of poor scheduling or small inefficiencies in workflow. Reviewing current schedules and redistributing workload can reduce reliance on expensive overtime within a single shift. This is a rapid adjustment with instant savings. Mind you: you might feel some resistance coming from the team that is used to getting that extra money. Make sure to tie this change to a culture shift towards efficiency.

3. Office and Facility Supplies

From paper usage to cleaning products, facilities often purchase more than they need. Standardizing ordering, limiting access to supply closets, or switching to bulk vendors can cut costs by 10% to 20% overnight. Digital-first documentation is another quick lever that reduces recurring supply orders (ink, paper, stamps, etc.).

4. Underutilized Subscriptions and Licenses

Many manufacturers carry unused software licenses, outdated ERP add-ons, or forgotten vendor subscriptions. A same-day audit of recurring payments can eliminate unnecessary costs instantly. Canceling or right-sizing licenses requires only a few phone calls or clicks but delivers immediate ROI. Make sure to validate with the team if the software can be cancelled. In many cases, automations or data flow from an underutilized software to a dashboard used by leadership. If that’s the case, check if there’s a way to replace the source data without depending on the software.

5. Waste Disposal and Recycling Fees

Waste contracts are often outdated or based on inflated volumes. A quick check with your waste vendor can uncover opportunities to renegotiate based on actual needs. Similarly, ensuring recyclables are separated correctly can reduce disposal costs within a day. Run a competitive bidding process to get the best price for these services. Make sure to adjust the scope of the service to reflect your business’ reality (e.g., removal every day might not be necessary for your business, evaluate removal every other day, twice a week, or weekly).

6. Freight and Shipping Inefficiencies

Many companies unknowingly overpay for expedited shipping or fail to consolidate loads. Reviewing current shipments and aligning them into fewer, fuller loads can be executed immediately. A single conversation with your logistics provider or your vendor’s shipping department can cut same-week expenses without sacrificing delivery performance. Make sure to perform an ABC analysis to avoid running out of stock if you are spacing out deliveries.

7. Insurance Coverage Overlaps

Manufacturers sometimes carry overlapping policies on equipment, facilities, or vehicles. A rapid audit of coverage with your broker can uncover redundancies. Eliminating duplicate coverage or outdated riders can generate quick premium savings while maintaining protection. While you are at it, ask your insurance provider if you could benefit from bundling.

Conclusion

Reducing expenses does not always require large-scale initiatives or multi-month projects. By targeting these seven low-hanging fruits (utilities, overtime, supplies, subscriptions, waste, freight, and insurance) manufacturing companies can unlock savings immediately.

The results may seem small at first, but together they create immediate breathing room in cash flow and set the stage for larger operational improvements. Manufacturing is an industry where margins are constantly under pressure, making these quick wins too valuable to ignore.