Rhode Builder Business Retention Program – helping established companies in the state to develop business strategies to address challenges in their industries.

Companies given map for growth

Jeffrey A. Cohen, president of RIDCO Casting Co. in Pawtucket, grapples with the same problems facing many Rhode Island manufacturers – spiraling energy costs, higher health insurance premiums and foreign competition.

So the die casting company has enrolled in Rhode Builder, a one-year program geared toward helping established companies in the state to develop business strategies to address challenges in their industries.

“We hope we become more efficient in the day-to-day things that we do, such as taking orders and managing operation costs,” Cohen said.

Rhode Builder counts almost half of its participants from the state’s manufacturing industry.

Manufacturers Pease & Curren, a Warwick precious metals refinery, and RIDCO are two of five companies using Rhode Builder. The program began a series of training sessions at Bryant University on Oct. 5, with a nationally recognized expert in U.S. manufacturing as guest speaker.

“Our premise is that (participating companies) are stuck in day-to-day firefighting and don’t have time to develop business strategies,” said Bret Hall, director of Rhode Builder and adjunct professor of management at Bryant.

By Ryan McBride, Staff Writer

Full Story: http://www.pbn.com/contentmgr/showdetails.php/id/117538