At Crow, one of our goals is to be the first-place mills turn to improve their operations. Traditionally, we’ve pursued this goal by providing capital and maintenance project support services. Now – after acquiring Automation Industries Corporation (AIC), now Miloptic – we’ve added custom metal fabrication to our portfolio of offerings. Custom fabrication is an art – one that requires more than machines and technology for bending, forming, and cutting. Thus, as part of this acquisition, we were particularly pleased to incorporate many talented people with years of fabrication skills into the fold at Crow.
If you are looking for a metal fabricator, you might want to learn from our own acquisition experience. Here are three key points to consider to make sure your fabricator can deliver the value you expect.
1. Equipment and materials
Does your fabricator have top-of-the-line equipment such as welders, millers, and CNC machines? And do they utilize the highest quality materials and alloys?
As a metal fabricator, it is important to supply precision metal products, heavy structural steel and plate fabrication, and sheet metal. A good fabricator offers services such as cutting, fitting, welding, testing, finishing, painting, and assembly.
2. Engineering skills
Does your fabricator have skilled engineers that pay attention to details and ensure that the equipment and parts are made specifically for your application?
Offering added services such as engineering and custom design to the fabrication is a plus. Make sure the fabricator has designers who work from any standard engineering drawings or plans and provide industrial design services.
3. Installation and turn-around
Can your fabricator install and deliver with a short turnaround?
If a project requires both fabrication and field installation, choose a fabricator that has the capabilities to tackle many types of projects as well as emergency repairs, training, and calibration. Also, keep in mind that choosing a fabrication shop that is centrally located will allow you to have more control of your products and lead time.
If you need conveyor modifications, hoists, catwalks, platforms, safety upgrades, and other fabrications for your expansion plans, be sure to tap the kind of expertise that can help you avoid mistakes, minimize costs, and ensure success.
Give us a call (503-213-2013) or email us (inforequest@crowengineering.com) to schedule a consultation and understand your fabrication needs.
