How a Small CMT Firm Transformed Their Operations with Digital Tools

In today's competitive construction materials testing industry, smaller firms often face an uphill battle. This is the story of how one CMT firm leveraged digital solutions to revolutionize their operations and boost their bottom line.

The Challenge: Maintaining Competitiveness Without Compromising Quality

Operating in a bustling metropolitan market, this well-respected construction materials testing firm faced mounting pressure from competitors. With union requirements and a saturated market driving down prices, they needed to find efficiency gains without sacrificing their commitment to quality or reducing their skilled workforce.

The Catalyst for Change

When a new Lab Manager joined the team, they quickly identified a significant operational bottleneck: the overwhelming amount of paperwork flowing between technicians and administrative staff. However, the company's leadership was hesitant to invest in new technology, concerned that changing established processes would slow down operations rather than streamline them.

Finding the Right Solution

The Lab Manager took a strategic approach to implementing change:

• Organized a demonstration of Omnant's lab testing platform for the technical team
• Showed how digital tools could eliminate time-consuming manual processes
• Demonstrated how the system could complement existing workflows rather than disrupt them
• Leveraged the seasonal construction slowdown for implementation and training

First Month Results: Quick Wins Drive Adoption

The transformation began almost immediately after implementation:

• Dispatchers streamlined their scheduling process, eliminating constant back-and-forth communication
• Field technicians saved hours by eliminating paper-based reporting
• The lab team digitized their equipment tracking and certification management
• Clients embraced the self-service portal for inspection requests and report access

One Year Later: Measurable Impact Across the Organization

Administrative Transformation

The company achieved remarkable efficiency gains in their administrative operations:

• Reduced project setup time by 75%
• Eliminated one administrative position through natural attrition
• Converted another administrative role into a revenue-generating sales position
• Streamlined communication between office staff and field teams

Operational Excellence

The firm saw dramatic improvements in their quality system and operational efficiency:

• Reduced report delivery time to 24-48 hours
• Enhanced collaboration between testing and geotechnical engineering teams
• Simplified accreditation review preparation through better document control

Financial Impact

• The digital transformation delivered measurable financial benefits:
• Captured all billable activities accurately
• Accelerated invoicing processes
• Improved cash flow
• Increased overall profitability

The Power of Digital Transformation

The Lab Manager's vision for digital transformation paid off, proving that the right technology investment can drive substantial business improvements. As their leadership noted, "The partnership with Omnant helped turn our firm around... Most importantly, we are delivering better for our clients thanks to the innovation that the system adds to our company."

Ready to Transform Your CMT Operations?

If you're facing similar challenges in your construction materials testing or geotechnical engineering firm, it's time to explore how digital tools can help. Case study: Read about how one firm leveraged Omnant to update their operations and cut inefficiencies.