Capacity can mean a lot of things when choosing a fabrication shop for your next project. Capacity can refer to the physical size of the project you need. It can refer to the overall weight of the project and the transportation and shipping concerns that accompany a heavy load. And most importantly, capacity refers to the ability of a fabrication shop to meet your project and industry needs.
While it may seem obvious to ask these questions during your initial consultation, leaving questions unasked or ignoring limitations can leave project managers scrambling and looking for a new shop who is ready to meet their needs. When you find the right fabrication shop, you can trust they have the capacity to meet any need you may have on you current and future projects
Some projects are simple, and some are more complex. Many projects are composed of many different jobs that will go into the final build. The fabrication shop you choose needs to be versatile enough to meet every need your project will face throughout the process from initial design review through the various welding processes including the finishing processes, and finally through final shipping, delivery, and assembly.
If you choose not to work with a full-service and versatile fabrication partner, you may face a multitude of project management tasks on your own. You will need to handle multiple quotes that will make up your full cost, coordinate timing between the various shops that will be doing pieces of the work, and oversee transporting all the pieces. This will increase the overall cost of your project and extend the completion timeline. When you partner with a facility that has the capacity to meet all the demands of your project, it can be completed under one project manager within your timeline and budget. If any adjustments are needed during the project, modifications or alterations can be handled by your project manager without you and your team worrying about the logistics of the change.
Some welding projects are small, others are massive, and most fall somewhere in between. When you are considering a fabrication shop, it’s important to look at the facility itself and whether or not it has the physical capacity to meet the needs of your project. Looking for a shop that has the capacity for on-site assembly can help your project be completed faster and with far fewer issues than a shop that will need to move your project when it outgrows the space provided. High ceilings and adequate space and moving equipment should be assessed before you begin. When the space and equipment is adequate for your project, you will not have concerns about the risk of damage to the final assembly during transport. Instead of work-arounds, you will know that your final assembly will fit. When discussing your project, ask questions about the facility itself and whether or not it has the right capacity to fit your project within the walls.
High quality fabrication shops that take pride in their reputation will fill their schedules quickly, giving every project the time and attention it deserves. When you are working on a deadline and have a hard timeline to follow, this is something that should be discussed early on in the process. Make sure the fabrication shop you are considering has the capacity to take on your project within the timeframe you need them to.
Professionalism and communication are important when discussing deadlines. When you begin your consultation, make sure to ask the right questions about who will be managing your project. That project manager will be responsible for communicating with you over the duration of your project and giving updates on the timeline. This project manager should always be honest, professional, and respectful in sharing information with you. If there are anticipated delays, your project manager should let you know as soon as possible, providing you with the cause of the delay, the work being done to move forward, and the new anticipated timeline. As many high-quality fabrication shops find themselves in demand, it’s important to get a realistic view of whether or not the shop has the capacity to build your project when you need it.
When you need to trust that your welding and fabrication partner can handle your project needs, understanding their capabilities is crucial. During your initial consultation, go through all the capacity questions to ascertain if the fabrication shop is ready for you.
Can this fabrication partner handle the physical size of your project?
Can they handle the weight requirements, even when it comes to transport?
Can they handle the amount of work on the project deadline you need to meet?
When any sort of capacity requirements are considered, you will know if you’ve found the right fabrication partner for your project. When comparing fabrication partners, look at the reputation the fabrication shop has in the business and the projects they’ve completed. Knowing the history of success will let you know if you have found the right shop for the needs of your project. To experience the Swanton Welding difference, contact us for a quote today.