How to Choose the Right Metal Fabrication Company
Comparing metal fabrication companies can be stressful. How do you know they’ll deliver a quality product? Will they be difficult to work with? All of these concerns are valid. Luckily, there’s a way to see if a company will be the right fit for you before you sign a contract. Look for the following qualities to ensure precision, efficiency, and high-quality products.
Expertise and Experience
The most important qualities to look for in metal fabrication companies are expertise and experience. Look for companies that have a proven track record in your industry and with similar products. The more experienced a company is, the more likely they’ll be able to solve complex problems and deliver a quality product.
Range of Services Offered
Working with multiple vendors for one product can result in a slower time to market. Ideally, your partner should be able to fully complete the product in-house. Look for companies that offer a range of services, like CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, electro-mechanical assembly, prototyping, and more.
Quality Assurance
The last thing you want is for your final product to have defects or errors. That’s why it’s so important to choose a partner that has quality assurance in mind. When interviewing companies, ask about their processes and how they ensure products meet your exact specifications. It can also help to look for certain certifications, like ISO, UL, and ITAR accreditations.
Technology and Equipment
Tight tolerances are extremely important in a range of industries. It takes advanced machinery to be able to accurately replicate these tolerances every time. That’s why your potential partner should be up-to-date on today’s technology and equipment. Ask what tolerances they’re able to achieve and what technology they use to make it happen.
Customer Service
Customer service is also of the utmost importance. You need to know that if any issues do arise, you’ll have a team that’s willing to make it right. Ask about potential partners’ approach to customer service.
Some may even offer dedicated early supplier involvement and program management initiatives. With early supplier involvement, the team will complement and enhance your internal capabilities, review for cost-saving strategies, and ensure quality. At the same time, your dedicated program manager takes the stress out of the entire operation. This person will be your single point of contact throughout the program lifecycle. This ensures efficient turnaround, seamless integration, continuous documentation, and real-time status updates.
Pricing and Value
While cost is an important factor, it shouldn’t be the sole deciding point. Consider the value the company offers for its price. A slightly higher cost may be worth it if it includes better quality materials, faster turnaround times, or additional services.
Work with KAL Manufacturing for Your Needs
If you’re looking at metal manufacturing companies, trust the experts at KAL Manufacturing. We’ve been crafting high-quality custom parts since 1943 and have the expertise needed to bring your idea to life. We do it all — from CNC machining and sheet metal fabrication to electro-mechanical assembly and prototyping. We specialize in helping OEMs and Fortune 500 companies create custom parts that exceed expectations.
When you’re creating custom parts, you need the tightest tolerances to ensure quality. Our shop has advanced machinery that can achieve tolerances down to 0.003-0.005 inches. Whether your part must be made of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or plastic, we can help.
Let’s Get Started
Want to learn more about what we can do for you? Contact our expert team today to get started.