Ramp Up

Last Updated :

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Blog Author :

Himani Bhatt

Edited by :

Collins Enosh

Reviewed by :

Dheeraj Vaidya, CFA, FRM

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Ramp Up Meaning

Ramp Up in economics refers to the boosting of a company’s production. Companies ramp up production to meet the increasing demand for a product or service or when when they expand their businesses into a new geographic region.

Ramp-Up Period refers to the time between initial development and maximum capacity utilization of a product. Maximum capacity utilization is the maximum potential output.

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  • Ramp up implies increasing the production to fulfill the increasing demands or in anticipation of increased demand.
  • Before expanding, companies thoroughly evaluate the increasing demand and the projected demand for the future.
  • The expansion comes with its own risk, subject to changes in customers' needs and preferences.
  • Expansion is performed just before the exit of venture capitalists to boost valuation and exit options.
  • Although associated with startups, ramping up is common with established firms as well.

How Does Ramping Up Work? 

Ramp Up

Ramping Up enables companies to re-invent, expand, and stand out. Amidst immense global competition, flexibility is crucial. Adapting to the customer’s ever-changing needs and preferences is the need of the hour.

For example, the restaurant “Tasty & Healthy” is popular for its tasty-yet-healthy delicacies. Over the years, the company has witnessed an increased demand. To fulfill that demand, the restaurant decides to open three more units in different cities. This potentially increases the profits. By expanding, a company can meet customer demands more efficiently. 

Timing is crucial. Expanding at the wrong time can backfire. It is essential to note the risks associated with upscaling. There is an increase in investment, hiring, and machinery. All expansions require a thorough evaluation and are done only after being sure of the anticipated demands.

Most startups have to boost production because they are in the nascent stage. Therefore, they need to extend their reach as quickly as possible. Established firms also do it when introducing new products or opening a new virtual or physical outlet. 

To enhance the Return on Investment, venture capitalists enable companies to ramp up just before their exit. Increased output improves the valuation and better exit options for the venture capitalists. Venture capitalists finance startups and small businesses in their early stages to make it big in the business world. In exchange, these investors get ownership in the business and multiple returns for when the company makes it big through public listing, acquisition, or merger.

Real-World Example

An example of expansion was reported by Forbes, where Guardian Agriculture raised $10.5 million for its crop-dusting drone service. The Boston-based startup firm Guardian Agriculture's co-founder and CEO, Adam Bercu, decided to launch an autonomous vehicle for crop dusting, i.e., eVTOL (Electric Vertical Takeoff & Landing). 

The drone comes with a software suite, which tracks the farmer’s movement. Adam took the decision. Witnessing the demand for a reliable crop-dusting device and the growth of drone technology,

So far, the startup has received funding from different firms and will utilize them for boosting manufacturing. Only then the pre-orders worth $20 million from Florida & California can be fulfilled. 

Mynaric, a pioneer in the laser communication industry, is ramping up its production as optical communications terminals (OCTs) are key to the future of satellite data transmission. The Los Angeles-based start-up produces the optical fiber for the skies as a pioneer of laser communication enables high-speed and secure wireless data transmission between aircraft, drones, and satellites.

Before the expansion, the start-up successfully raised gross proceeds of EUR 52.8 million in October 2020. As a result, Mynaric has the first-mover advantage, and its insourcing strategy for critical components is starting to pay off.

During the first half of 2021, Mynaric expanded its production capabilities by opening its first serial production facility in June. The California plant is on track for triple-digit production in 2022 to meet the market demand among both commercial and government clients.

Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs)

What is project ramp-up?

It is the increase in production to fulfill either increasing demands or the anticipation of increasing demands. 

What is meant by a ramp down?

This occurs near a project’s end. It is the releasing of vendors, consultants, fulfill and resources employed in the project. This happens when the demand is less than projected, and production needs to be reduced.

What is the ramp-up period?

The ramp-up period is the duration between hiring new sellers and between initial development and maximum capacity utilization of a product. Maximum capacity utilization is the maximum potential output.