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Choosing a Metal Fabrication Supplier

03.13.2023



What You Should Look for When Choosing a Metal Fabrication Supplier

When you are looking for a production partner or need a prototype to launch a new product, finding the right metal fabrication supplier is crucial to the success of your project. If you choose a metal fabrication supplier not qualified nor well-matched with your metal fabricating needs it could cost you in terms of product issues, delivery problems, or unnecessary and unforeseen expense.

Let’s look at four critical things you should consider when researching a metal fabrication supplier.

1. Experience

Your metal fabrication supplier’s experience is crucial to your project’s success. The more experience your metal fabrication partner has the more adept they will be at identifying potential issues and heading them off before they become expensive problems. During production, a small deviance in measurement will result in unusable assembly parts. Selecting a finishing process that is ill-suited for your materials used will compromise your product’s final quality. Not only can an experienced metal fabrication supplier spot the potential problems before they happen, but they can also identify areas of improvement. An experienced metal fabrication supplier will offer you real savings and higher quality. They will know a slight improvement in design or layout could substantially reduce material waste. An experienced metal fabrication supplier will recognize many opportunities for improvement in your project.

2. Capacity

It is important to match the capabilities of your metal fabrication supplier to your needs. Just because a metal fabrication supplier can produce a part does not mean their manufacturing capacity is a good match for your needs. This is particularly critical in the case of large production runs. The typical job shop may not have the proper equipment to efficiently produce the volume of components you need, or they may not have enough experienced labor available to quickly fill a large order for you.

3. Capability

Many metal fabrication suppliers offer expertise in a few specific areas of manufacturing. While this may be sufficient for some jobs, many projects will require a variety of metal fabricating services and skills to complete the end product. These services might include:

  • Metal Bending
  • Metal Cutting
  • Metal Finishing
  • Custom Machining
  • Certified Welding

In some cases design assistance may be required, especially with new products. Choosing a metal fabrication supplier that can assist you with design can greatly improve the product and reduce the time it takes to get to market.

4. Advanced Technology

Not all metal fabrication suppliers are created equal. More precisely, not all metal fabrication suppliers have a commitment to investing the time and resources to stay at the forefront of metal fabrication technology. While it may not seem like advanced technology is important for your product, it is worthwhile to consider the value break-through technologies and integrated systems can bring to a project in terms of lower cost and greater productivity. When evaluating metal fabrication suppliers, be sure you compare their equipment lists so that you can choose a supplier that offers you access to the best technology available.

SFI has been in business for over 25 years. We carry the experience, knowledge and technology to walk you through your project with ease. From concept to finished product, SFI has the fortitude to get your project completed, correctly and in a timely manner. View our PHOTO GALLERY to view some of our past projects or contact us today to request your CUSTOM QUOTE.