Arizona MEP and Cupps Industrial Supply Team Up on Strategic Growth Goals
Cupps Industrial Supply was founded more than 40 years ago as a sealing and gasket distributor and has since evolved to provide two- to four-dimensional solutions using elastomers, plastics, and metals. The company serves customers across the aerospace and defense, mining, electronics, power generation, wastewater, and pharmaceutical industries.
Cupps places a strong emphasis on customer service and specializes in transforming complex customer requirements into reliable, real-world solutions.
Strategic Planning for Long-Term Growth
As CEO Doug Timberlin began planning for the future of the company, he recognized the need for a strategic partner to help organize systems, processes, and teams to support continued growth. In 2019, Cupps engaged the Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Arizona MEP) to help develop and implement a long-term strategic plan.
Arizona MEP supported Cupps by formalizing procedures, preparing the organization for a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, evaluating employee roles, and helping reorganize the marketing and sales team.
“My approach is that first we have to become the best, and that’s an inside job,” said Timberlin. “Before we can become the best in the industry, we need strong documentation, reliable processes, and transparency when issues arise. That means improving on-time delivery, reducing reject rates, and being clear when problems occur.”
ERP Selection and Implementation
To support internal organization and process documentation, Arizona MEP helped Cupps develop a job description and hire a new materials manager. One of the role’s primary responsibilities was to document workflows in preparation for ERP implementation.
Arizona MEP also engaged its ERP expert to help Cupps select and implement a system aligned with the company’s business model and easy for employees to use. The selection process included detailed questionnaires to identify requirements, followed by evaluation and testing of two leading ERP options before a final decision was made.
Timberlin noted that hiring a materials manager with prior experience using the selected ERP system was a major advantage. “I learned that upfront training is key to making implementation go smoothly,” he said. “Our materials manager helped train employees before the system rolled out company-wide, and working with Arizona MEP’s ERP expert was money well spent.”
Organizational Development Strengthens the Team
As part of its growth strategy, Cupps also focused on ensuring employees were aligned with roles that maximized their strengths. Arizona MEP facilitated DISC behavioral assessments to help leadership better understand team dynamics and individual work styles.
Following the assessment process, Timberlin gained greater confidence in role alignment across the organization and began planning expansion and restructuring of the sales team to support future growth.
Building a Strong Foundation for the Future
With Arizona MEP’s guidance, Cupps Industrial Supply has made significant progress executing its strategic plan. ERP implementation is nearing completion, operating procedures have been documented to support onboarding, and the organization is better structured to pursue long-term growth goals.
“When we wanted to grow, we knew we needed expertise we didn’t have internally,” said Timberlin. “Selecting Arizona MEP was an easy decision. They are vetted, backed by the state, and experienced in helping manufacturers overcome challenges like ours. Arizona MEP truly provides business expertise from A to Z.”