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How to Reduce Overhead Cost for Manufacturing Industries?

Jun 23, 2022

In a competitive market and stiff competition, every company will seriously think about “How to Reduce Overhead Cost?". Because High Costs of Overhead are one of the major factors leading to the failure or success of manufacturing industries. Well, there are some ways which will reduce overhead costs.


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How to reduce overhead cost

Overhead Reduction Strategy


The main reason for the high overhead cost is the inefficiency of the management. The management should take care of all the aspects related to production and make sure that there is no wastage of resources. Some of the common ways by which a manufacturing company can reduce overhead costs are given below:


  • Make Use of Technology: Technology has helped a lot in reducing overhead costs. Nowadays, companies make use of computers to manage their business work. They can save paper and other resources by using computer software for various purposes like accounting, payroll, etc. The use of computers also helps in reducing human errors during data entry as well as processing. Also, it helps in controlling inventory levels accurately thereby reducing unnecessary storage costs.

  • Avoiding Wastage: Wastage is another reason why overhead costs are increasing day by day in most of the manufacturing industries around the world. It is observed that most companies do not take care of their waste properly which leads to a loss in production. It also wastes time as well as money spent on cleaning up or disposing of these wastes from the site or factory premises.

  • Reduce Inventory Cost: The inventory costs are direct costs, and they are directly related to the number of units you have in stock or warehouse. By reducing this expense, you can reduce your total overhead cost as well. You can decrease inventory by controlling inventory levels and by implementing lean principles in your manufacturing processes such as just-in-time production and just-in-time delivery systems etc.

  • Reduce Energy Costs: Energy costs are indirect costs, but they are one of the main factors affecting your total overhead cost because they have an impact on almost every aspect of your business such as transportation, machinery operation, employee productivity, etc. You can reduce energy costs by improving your energy efficiency through upgrading old machinery to new efficient machines etc.

  • Overhead Costs of Infrastructure Maintenance: The infrastructure maintenance costs for manufacturing industries include repair or replacement of machinery parts, utilities like electricity and water supply, etc. If the equipment is well maintained, then chances are that these expenses will be reduced considerably!

  • Poor Inventory Management Practices: Poor inventory management practices can lead to higher overheads since you may need more material than required at any given point in time. This also leads to wastage since if any part goes unused then it must be disposed of at an additional cost.

  • Outdated Technology: If your company is using outdated technology, then it would be difficult for it to compete with other businesses in the market. By using outdated technology, your business can only be efficient when it comes to manual labor because there is no scope for automation in such situations. If you want more efficient production and reduce overhead costs, then you should invest in the latest technologies like robots and automation machines which will help your company become more productive than before.

  • Enhance utility efficiency: One of the best ways to manage overhead costs is to enhance utility efficiency through usage monitoring, energy management, and maintenance programs such as predictive maintenance. These programs allow companies to identify problems before they occur so they can fix them before they become major issues that cost more money than expected.



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How automated ESL system works?


Consider Investing in Automation

Automation is a process of replacing human labor with machines. This can help reduce overhead costs by reducing the number of workers needed to perform certain tasks and freeing up employees' time for more important work.


Electronic shelf labels are one of the most important elements of an automated warehouse system (AWS). They can be used to track inventory and ensure that products are always at the right place at the right time. In addition, they can help you reduce overhead costs by ensuring that there are no empty spaces on shelves or racks.


Electronic shelf labels can help manufacturers reduce overhead costs in many ways:

  • Reduced labor costs: Electronic shelf labels can be used to minimize the need for manual labor. This reduces the cost of hiring employees and paying them overtime.

  • Improved efficiency: Electronic shelf labels can help you improve your efficiency by tracking product movement and flow throughout your facility. This allows you to see where bottlenecks or delays occur, so you can easily identify areas where improvements are needed.


MinewTag is a leading provider of integrated solutions for manufacturing industries. These products help the companies to reduce overhead costs and save money on marketing expenses and other additional costs.