Industrial Consultant
We work as industrial consultants for manufacturing companies. Our assignments usually begin on the shop floor: we analyse how production works in practice, identify where time and profit margins are being lost, and draw up proposals that can be implemented using the resources you already have.
We are based in Skillingaryd in the municipality of Vaggeryd, at the heart of Småland’s manufacturing industry, and undertake projects throughout Sweden.
What does an industrial consultant do?
An industrial consultant is brought in from outside to resolve technical and organisational problems in manufacturing operations. The work takes place close to the production line: at the machines, within the material flow and in the decision-making processes that guide investment.
The difference compared with a general management consultant is that the conclusions must be tradable into cycle times, set-up times, staffing levels and choice of machinery. The difference compared to a specialist technical consultant is that the assignment also covers profitability: what the change costs, what it yields in return and what the payback period will be.
Typical assignments:
- Map the production flow and identify bottlenecks
- Take into account investments in machinery, automation or peripheral equipment
- Prepare the basis for decision-making ahead of expansion or entry into new markets
- Assess staffing levels, shift patterns and capacity limits
- Review post-project calculations and pricing against actual value added
- Support senior management in strategic planning and prioritisation
The cost of the skills shortage to Swedish industry
The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise’s Recruitment Survey 2025/2026 was conducted by Demoskop between October and December 2025. The results for Swedish companies:
- Find it difficult to recruit 66 %
- Recruitment attempts that fail completely 25 %
- Adversely affected by recruitment difficulties 93 %
- Has declined a sale or an order 37 %
- Has cancelled planned expansion 33 %
Source: The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise’s Recruitment Survey 2025/2026. Data collected by Demoskop between October and December 2025.
What the figures tell us
The figure that matters most to a manufacturing company is that 37 per cent. An order that is turned down does not appear on the profit and loss account and does not feature in any variance report, but it costs just as much as an unplanned production stoppage.
This picture is confirmed by the Swedish Industry Council’s report on skills needs, in which 61 per cent of industrial companies state that they plan to increase their workforce over the next three years, up from 57 per cent in the corresponding survey in 2023. Demand therefore remains strong even after a prolonged economic downturn.
At the same time, the Productivity Commission’s data show that Swedish labour productivity grew by an average of 2.7 per cent per year between 1995 and 2007, and that growth has been lower since the 2008 financial crisis. According to the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, industry accounts for one-fifth of Sweden’s economy, 77 per cent of the total value of exports, and employs nearly one million people.
What this means in practice
A consultancy assignment does not solve the long-term skills shortage. However, it does two things that recruitment does not: work can begin within weeks rather than months, and it does not tie up any fixed salary costs if the need turns out to be temporary.
For a company that postpones an investment or turns down an order whilst waiting for the right person, it is the difference between issuing an invoice and letting the deal go to someone else.
Our services as industrial consultants
Company analysis
A review of the business that provides a comprehensive overview of its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. We draw on both qualitative data, such as interviews and on-site observations, and quantitative data in the form of key performance indicators, post-project cost analyses and production data.
You will receive a document that describes the current situation in straightforward terms, along with a prioritised list of areas for improvement. This report can be used directly by the board, in dealings with the bank or when considering an investment.
Business Development
We identify new revenue opportunities and improve the profitability of existing operations. This may involve targeting new customer segments, carrying out processing in-house rather than outsourcing it, or redirecting sales efforts towards the products that actually cover their costs.
We move from analysis to a plan that sets out responsibilities, timed steps and review points.
Production optimisation
We review workflows, set-up times, materials handling and capacity utilisation. We identify bottlenecks, measure where time is being spent and propose measures in the order that delivers the quickest return on investment.
The measures range from layout changes and revised procedures to investment in new equipment. Which option is the most obvious depends on where the pressure lies, and we determine this through measurement rather than gut feeling.
Production engineering analysis
A technical assessment of your existing systems, machinery and working methods. We examine how the machining process is organised, which tools and fixtures are used, and where automation can be effective.
The analysis results in concrete proposals: which processes should be automated, which machines are underutilised, and which equipment is limiting your capacity.
Growth strategies
We draw up expansion plans that take into account what the organisation is actually capable of. The market analysis is combined with a review of production capacity, staffing and cash flow, so that the growth target is proportionate to the circumstances.
You’ll be given a phased plan: what needs to be done first, what requires investment, and where the risks lie.
Strategic advice
We support management and owners in setting out objectives, competitive advantages and a long-term strategy. Our advisory services are based on the same analytical work as our other services, so our recommendations are underpinned by figures from your own business.
We focus on both short-term results and long-term positioning, as they rarely point in the same direction unless someone actively weighs them up against one another.
This is how a mission unfolds
- First call: A free consultation where you describe the situation and we ask questions. After that, both parties will know whether or not there is a brief.
- On-site visit: We walk through the workshop, speak to the production staff and request the necessary documentation: post-production cost analyses, production data and order statistics.
- Analysis: We compile the material and analyse it. This is often where long-held assumptions within the organisation are challenged.
- Proposed measures: You will receive a written report setting out prioritised proposals, the estimated impact and the estimated cost for each measure. You decide which measures to implement.
- Implementation and follow-up: We can manage the implementation or support your own organisation. The follow-up is scheduled in advance so that the impact can be measured against the baseline.
When it’s time to bring in an industrial consultant
Some recurring signals:
- You turn down orders that, technically speaking, you would be able to handle
- Delivery times are creeping up without anyone being able to pinpoint the reason
- Actual figures regularly differ from the estimates
- A decision on an investment is to be made, but the evidence seems flimsy
- This same bottleneck has been discussed for two years without any action being taken
- You’ve grown quickly and your procedures haven’t kept pace
- A key member of staff is due to leave, and their knowledge has not been documented
Industrial consultant in Jönköping County and the rest of Sweden
We are based in Skillingaryd, in the municipality of Vaggeryd. The area has a high concentration of manufacturing companies specialising in cutting, sheet metal, furniture and the subcontracting industry, and this proximity means we can reach companies in Jönköping County, Kronoberg County and Västra Götaland quickly.
We take on assignments throughout Sweden. The analysis work requires on-site visits, but follow-up and advice can be provided effectively remotely.
Frequently asked questions about industrial consultancy
What does an industrial consultant do?
An industrial consultant analyses and improves production, processes and profitability in manufacturing companies. The role involves mapping workflows, calculating investment requirements, preparing decision-making documentation and providing support in the implementation of changes.
How much does it cost to hire an industrial consultant?
The cost depends on the scope and duration of the assignment. We will provide a quote following an initial discussion to clarify your requirements, so that you know the cost of the work before it begins.
What is the difference between an industrial consultant and a technical consultant?
A technical consultant often tackles a specific technical problem, such as design or calculation. An industrial consultant takes a broader approach and links the technical solution to profitability, capacity and the organisation’s objectives.
How long does an assignment take?
A limited production engineering analysis normally takes a few weeks. A change project, including implementation and follow-up, takes several months. The scope is set out in the quotation.
Does the company have to be of a certain size?
No. Our methodology works for both small workshops and larger production units. The key factor is that there is a specific problem to tackle.
Could you help with the machinery investment as well?
Yes. We supply CNC machines, so an analysis indicating a need for increased machining capacity can be followed by machine selection, costing and delivery. See our machines.