Successful by design

In 2005, Jamie and Joe Ferraro collaborated to launch SKUTCHI Designs Inc., an office furniture manufacturing business started by the husband-and-wife team in New York and relocated to Myrtle Beach in 2009. SKUTCHI Designs Inc. is unique because it does its own millwork—reducing supply chain disruptions and enabling the Ferraros to create bespoke cubicles, dividers, conference tables and desk systems. These differentiators have helped the business to grow into a national, multi-million-dollar commercial contractor.

Industry: Furniture Manufacturing

Initial Challenge: Client needed to obtain the WOSB certification to give her business an advantage when competiting for government contracts.

Approach: The consultant helped her client obtain a WOSB certification and develop a business expansion strategy.

Results:

• Received WOSB Certification

• Financing Obtained: $700,000

• Total Contracts Awarded: $138,132

• 2022 Annual Sales: $5.3 million

• Jobs Created: 10 full-time

• Jobs Retained: 23 full-time

In 2016, with the aim of taking her company to the next level, CEO Jamie Ferraro contacted the Myrtle Beach Area SBDC where Business Consultant Bernita Platt helped her client obtain an SBA Woman-Owned Small Business certification that gave SKUTCHI Designs an advantage when competing for government contracts. She also referred them to SC SBDC government contracting consultant Linda Blanton, who informed the couple that to qualify for the GSA schedule and sell to the government, they would need to restructure their business by separating the retail and wholesale divisions. Thanks to Platt and Blanton’s teamwork, SKUTCHI Designs was awarded its first government contract from Picatinny Arsenal. Since then, SKUTCHI Designs Inc. has been awarded contracts

When the pandemic hit, SKUTCHI Designs Inc. was labeled an “essential business” to fulfill orders from organizations throughout the country needing to meet workspace and safety standards. In fact, the prestigious Walter Reed National Military Medical Center awarded the company a $77,132 contract to fabricate and install an entire COVID-19 Unit in only one week.

This increase in business helped finance SKUTCHI Designs’ relocation from a 30,000-square-foot facility to a spacious 60,000-square-foot, $3.5 million building and enabled them to begin accepting larger-scale contracts.

The company now struggles with new challenges: finding and retaining skilled labor to fulfill its orders. Thankfully, Bernita Platt is again lending her assistance by connecting the Ferraros with SCDEW and the Horry County Chamber—two agencies that can help the couple find qualified and reliable workers.

Looking forward, SKUTCHI Designs Inc. hopes to expand its wholesale division and its “Made in the USA” product lines while continuing to hire more staff and increase revenue. With the SC SBDC by its side, the business’s future looks brighter than ever.

Services Provided:

> Business Expansion Strategy

> SBA Certification

> Government Contracting

> Employee Management