7 Questions You Should Be Asking Your Metal Fabrication Company
In Focus
When it comes to metal parts manufacturing, selecting the right fabrication company can often be a make-or-break decision.
Making the right choice can not only optimize costs and ensure quality but also provide peace of mind, while an ill-advised decision could result in financial strain and undue stress.
Many can present themselves well during the initial evaluation. However, it's only when you delve deeper that you discover whether they're truly the right fit for your requirements.
So how do you ensure the right decision the first time?
Here are seven questions you should be asking your fabrication company. And for each question, let's explore how Ryerson provides the answers:
#1. Are you viable?
Before you place your trust in a metal fabricator, you need to know they’re worthy of that trust. How long have they been around? Will they still be in business a month from now? And do they have a track record in the type of work you want done?
Ryerson brings more than 180 years of experience to the discussion. We currently operate over 100 locations nationwide and serve a wide range of metal needs. Ryerson offers processing capabilities for every product we sell.
Capabilities include straight line cutting, profile cutting, bending and forming, machining, flattening, surface cleaning, welding and painting.
In fact, Ryerson ranks as one of the largest metal fabricators in the United States, and we continually invest in in our capabilities.
#2. Can you do what we need?
Anyone can tell you stories about receiving confusing customer RFQs. The well-meaning customer knows what they need but could struggle with conveying those ideas to the fabricator.
Ryerson’s experienced and dedicated sales and project team will work with you throughout the entire process to verify you’re getting what you want. In fact, we have dedicated fabrication experts assigned to your project.
For example, let’s say you are requesting a quote on a full assembly. Our sales and project staff will work with you to obtain all the pertinent information. Working closely with you, they’ll review the engineering specs in order to determine if production can best be done internally or externally as well as logistical options.
#3 and #4 How much will it cost? How soon can we get it?
As long as the free market has existed, price and delivery have been paramount in the customer buying decision. Some might tell you that you must sacrifice one to get the other. But that shouldn’t be the case.
Ryerson’s capability to source material globally helps us provide you with a competitive price that fits within the need of your project. We can source metal from almost any producer, process it, and turnaround a finished product in short order.
And we can get it to you. With our large fleet of trucks, we can control delivery. We are in most markets every day, meaning we can adhere to your prescribed schedule.
#5. How do you handle the supply chain?
Supply chain management has long been a subject of extensive discussion, underscoring its significance. The fragility of this intricate network was starkly illuminated during the COVID-19 crisis, with every link bearing the brunt of adverse effects.
The ensuing shortages reverberated through businesses and economies globally, prompting a heightened awareness among manufacturers. As a result, businesses today place a greater premium on assurances that their fabricators possess the capability to uphold a seamless supply chain in fulfilling their orders.
Ryerson has one of the most comprehensive supply chain solutions in the market. This includes both internal capacities to machine your order and approved tier-one suppliers.
The ability to pivot at a moment’s notice is another example of the extra value Ryerson brings to the table.
A vital link in the supply chain is transportation. Ryerson operates and maintains its own nationwide trucking network helping to ensure your order will arrive on time.
And, through it all, communication is a top priority. Ryerson keeps you informed all along the way.
#6. How do you assure quality control?
Price, process, and delivery mean little if the product isn’t up to your quality standards.
Poor quality can manifest itself in many ways. Imprecise metal specs, sloppy workmanship, careless logistics resulting in delays or damaged goods, etc.
Ryerson prides itself of a highly sophisticated quality control program with a commitment to quality that is ingrained throughout the fabrication process. It commences at the mill, where raw materials undergo rigorous verification via certification test reports, ensuring adherence to our standards.
Quality oversight extends to the programming phase, where meticulous checks are conducted to preempt potential machine operation issues.
On the production floor, operators conduct further inspections, confirming the accuracy of programs and mitigating concerns, thereby upholding our quality standards at every step.
#7. Are you a problem solver?
Successful fabrication companies understand that fulfilling customer requests is just the starting point. True excellence lies in proactively addressing potential issues and actively problem-solving throughout the process.
During the discovery process, Ryerson carefully listens to what you are telling us. As a team, we then analyze the options we can offer to create your desired product. As a result of this thorough assessment, we can provide the best possible solutions to meet your vision.
These options may result in lower costs, simpler production methods, or faster delivery. (But never lower quality!) Ryerson researches the optimal fabrication method before going any further. (e.g., not using laser cutting when a more efficient option is available.)
At Ryerson, we pride ourselves on being problem solvers.
While these questions are crucial, they by no means encompass all the inquiries you should make before moving forward. Consider this a framework in answering the question: Am I working with the right metal fabrication company?
We will review ways to reduce time and cost in producing your metal parts.