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More from Tim Heston
- From The Fabricator
The middle-market squeeze in metal fabrication
- By Tim Heston
- May 3, 2017
- Shop Management
- Article
The modern economy has put the squeeze on many middle- market companies, and metal fabrication isn’t immune. But because the market is so diverse, it’s allowing progressive shops to bridge the chasm between niche players and market leaders.
- From The Fabricator
Diversity in metal manufacturing drives growth at Valley Fab
- By Tim Heston
- May 1, 2017
- Machining
- Article
Valley Fab Corp. has built a sustainable business based on diversity. Diverse metal manufacturing technologies, including both fabrication and machining, serve diverse customers.
- From The Fabricator
Metal fabrication meets The Big Easy
- By Tim Heston
- Apr 28, 2017
- Shop Management
- Article
Fab shop leaders take a participatory approach to shop management. To do this successfully requires both a broad view and a narrower operational focus. The FMA Annual Meeting in New Orleans gave attendees both.
- From The Fabricator
The secret to success in metal fabrication: Keep it simple
- By Tim Heston
- Apr 27, 2017
- Shop Management
- Article
Metalworking Solutions has tripled in size in the past seven years and improved its quality and delivery. Last year, out of millions of parts shipped, 99.8 percent either met or surpassed customer quality requirements. How did it attain such performance? By keeping things simple.
- From The Fabricator
The state of custom metal fabrication: How’s business?
- By Tim Heston
- Apr 5, 2017
- Shop Management
- Article
According to sentiment from The FABRICATOR’s Leadership Summit in March, business is good, though familiar challenges remain. The collective sentiment seemed to be, “Business is great, but how can we keep up with it all?” That’s not a bad problem to have.
- From The Fabricator
A metal fabricator and the art of the (small) deal
- By Tim Heston
- Mar 30, 2017
- Shop Management
- Article
Decimal Engineering, a $12 million fabricator in south Florida, has made seven acquisitions since 1998. These aren’t the kind of deals that make the pages of The Wall Street Journal. But in an industry of very small shops, these under-the-radar deals have given Decimal serious opportunities for growth.
- From The Fabricator
Sinking deep into metal manufacturing
- By Tim Heston
- Mar 29, 2017
- Shop Management
- Article
In a pinch, a custom sink designer launches a full-blown fab shop within weeks, and ends up with some of the most talented sheet metal workers in the local market.
- From The Fabricator
Getting real about manufacturing’s image
- By Tim Heston
- Mar 29, 2017
- Shop Management
- Blog Post
For the most part, manufacturing is no longer dark, dirty, and dangerous. Sadly, "for the most part" does not mean "all," as the cover of the most recent Bloomberg Businessweek made abundantly clear.
- From The Fabricator
Robots for hire
- By Tim Heston
- Mar 24, 2017
- Automation and Robotics
- Article
A company has introduced a new way for a fabricator to use automation: not by investing in a permanent system, but by hiring them and paying for their use by the hour. The technology behind collaborative robotics is making this possible.
- From The Fabricator
Technology Spotlight: Modular design meets the press brake
- By Tim Heston
- Mar 3, 2017
- Bending and Forming
- Article
A press brake manufacturer uncovers an alternative to the conventional C-frame design. According to the company, the modular design eliminates the need for a conventional crowning system and makes machine installation easier.
- From The Fabricator
Advancement challenges in metal fabrication
- By Tim Heston
- Mar 2, 2017
- Shop Management
- Article
As technology and globalization force manufacturers to produce more with fewer people and more productive machines, the manufacturing career ladder has fewer rungs. This has changed how people learn (or fail to learn) the ins and outs of metal fabrication.
- From The Fabricator
How to make office work flow
- By Tim Heston
- Mar 1, 2017
- Shop Management
- Article
Rework runs rampant in the office, although few notice it or work to eliminate it. A conversation with Kevin Duggan, president of Duggan Associates, reveals how operational excellence helps eliminate this rework and other inefficiencies, including those long email exchanges and overlooked work buried in email and desktop inboxes. He does this by introducing office workers to the concepts of flow and operational excellence.
- From The Fabricator
How to build a rep with reps in custom metal fabrication
- By Tim Heston
- Mar 1, 2017
- Shop Management
- Article
Manufacturers’ representatives can help a shop grow and diversify. But finding the right rep isn’t straightforward. The rep and fabricator need to be a good fit, and both need to scrutinize the other’s relationships and reputation.
- From The Fabricator
A square deal on continuous improvement in custom manufacturing
- By Tim Heston
- Mar 1, 2017
- Shop Management
- Article
After adopting quick-response manufacturing, Square Deal Machining Inc. (SDMI) in Marathon, N.Y., cut lead times and inventory levels in half. The change required focus on the new manufacturing method, technology, and company culture.
- From The Fabricator
In defense of diversification in metal fabrication
- By Tim Heston
- Feb 24, 2017
- Shop Management
- Article
In 2008 a Shelby, N.C., fabricator cranked out armored plate like there was no tomorrow. Then the defense contracts ended, and tough times ensued. But after almost shutting its doors, the plant has since been transformed into a diversified metal manufacturer.
- Podcasting
- Podcast:
- The Fabricator Podcast
- Published:
- 04/30/2024
- Running Time:
- 53:00
Seth Feldman of Iowa-based Wertzbaugher Services joins The Fabricator Podcast to offer his take as a Gen Zer...
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- Upcoming Webcasts
Navigating Change: The Manufacturer’s Guide to Change Management with ERP Implementation
- May 16, 2024
- Sponsored
- Presented By: ECI Software Solutions, M1
Managing Dangerous Dusts from Metalworking
- June 26, 2024
- Sponsored
- Presented By: Camfil Air Pollution Control