Selecting a Fabricator

Experience

Experience tops the list when looking for a fabricator to work with on project. “Potential customers should look at how a fabricator has ridden the waves of economic trends and industry needs over a long period of time to measure adaptive talent and fortitude across a variety of conditions,” says Holly Gotfredson, CSI, CDT, president of American Metalcraft Inc., Villa Rica, Ga. “A metal fabrication company that has three decades or more of experience is going to be a great resource and fit for your architectural metal products.”

Size and Capabilities

Part of selecting a fabricator to work with is making sure they not only have the experience, but the capabilities to complete the project. Since working with metal can be challenging, it’s important that the fabricator is capable of creating and building the desired design.

As Tiffany Wildern, preconstruction manager at Triadelphia, W.Va.-based East Coast Metal Systems, explains, “If your project has complex radiused bull-nose canopies, you may want to select someone who has done similar work. It also may be beneficial to research fabricators who have completed work in the specific project industry. For example, a subcontractor may select one fabricator with a long resume of constructed airports over a fabricator focusing on the education sector. While both fabricators may be highly experienced and have a skilled workforce, the first fabricator understands the deflection and project’s necessities, given they have done several of the same projects in that industry.”

When looking at the size and capabilities of a fabricator, Wildern notes that perspective clients want to choose a company that has the ability to handle both a 500-square-foot job and a 60,000-square-foot job, all while servicing other clients. “Clients also want to select a fabricator that has many tools in their toolbox,” she says. “Can the fabricator offer design-build? Can they offer you a full metal package including flashing, trims and other accessories?”

Tested Systems

In addition to having the size and capabilities to handle all types of jobs, Zeke Miller, president of MillerClapperton, Austell, Ga., adds that it’s important for fabricators to have NFPA 285 tested systems, and not just air, water and structural. Fabricators should have systems that are NFPA 285 tested to protect against any potential fire risk issues. “We are very lucky in North America that we haven’t had any major fires as a result of non-tested or non-fire-rated core panels like they have had in other parts of the world,” he says.

Wildern agrees, saying safety is key. “To ensure safety for metal panels, it is essential that a credentialed organization has adequately tested the selected fabricator’s systems. These tests should include AMMA 501.1, 501.4, 508, 509 rainscreen standards, ASTM E283, E330, and the NFPA 285 multistory test.”

A Skilled Workforce

Especially during this time of a workforce shortage, it’s important that the company you partner with have the employees in place to complete the job. “Another marker of an excellent fabricator is a company that not only consistently reinvests in state-of-the-art equipment, but also has a cohesive, long-term team in place from preliminary plans to products,” explains Gotfredson.

“Long-term team members are a result of a company that values and takes care of its own—employee happiness and satisfaction results in top notch work and excellent products.”

“Whether it be union or non-union, it is important the fabricator you choose is experienced and has a skilled workforce,” Wildern explains. “Metal can often be complex, and you want someone who has lengthy experience to make that complex shape in an efficient manner to ultimately save you time and money.”

Metal can often be complex, and you want someone who has lengthy experience to make that complex shape in an efficient manner to ultimately save you time and money.

Quality Assurance Program

Also look for a consistent, quality assurance program and a reputation for excellent craftsmanship, Gotfredson says. “Fabricators who also offer value added services like in-house PVDF (liquid) metal coating and post-paint assembly, tend to have a lower-carbon footprint by keeping production within one facility rather than shipping to an outside finisher or vendor, then to the job site.”

Customer Service

Dave Sauerwein, chief design and innovation officer at Metal Design Systems Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, says diligence is key. “Look for someone who asks questions and listens—but not always at the beginning, and certainly not all at one time. Who would trust a doctor that doesn’t listen to your ailments, but jumps straight to a treatment? Or an auto mechanic that doesn’t listen to your car or inquire about your experience with it, but immediately jumps to a price for the repair? What you need is someone who is responsive, but not hasty.”

A fabricator who will continue to ask questions and think critically beyond the initial Design Assist phase, ensuring the customer’s needs, desires and priorities are met throughout the project’s life cycle. “This way, we know we’re actually serving them in the ways that are most important to them, and doing so as excellently and efficiently as possible,” Sauerwein adds. “Diligence is a key ingredient in successful innovation, it’s a great indicator that your fabricator is putting your needs first, and it’s the most reliable path to harmonious form and function, cost efficiency, shorter lead times, lower risk levels and lower cost overall.”

Pricing and Lead Times

With all projects, pricing is going to be important when it comes to selecting companies to work with. And rather than just going with whoever is the lowest, Wildern says prospective clients should choose a fabricator that is consistently competitive. “No one wants to work with a company that once comfortable tries to get more money out of you. You want to work with someone who is a partner, someone who is always trying their best to get you the best pricing available.”

In addition to pricing, it’s important to choose a fabricator who is honest about their current lead times. With the current supply chain issues, everyone is dealing with the possibility of not having the materials they need in the time frame they want. As Miller explains, companies such as MillerClapperton have standing orders with extruders for extrusions, promising them a certain number of poundage each month, and then they have the ability to tell them the type of extrusions they need. This gives them an advantage over smaller companies who may not have planned ahead properly.

Fabricator Certifications

The Metal Construction Association has a Premium MCM Fabricator certification available to metal composite material fabricators. “Selecting a MCM fabricator on the list is almost like a pre-approval list,” Miller says. “If you specify one of them, they have financial strength, bondability, in-house engineering, tested attachment systems and do 150,000 square feet or more of MCM a year.”

As of January 2022, there are eight metal fabricators in North America who have received certifications. “While this certification specifically applies to metal composite material,” Wildern says, “the metal industry has several certifications, and perspective clients should select a fabricator that finds the value in maintaining those certifications.”

Selecting a Partner

For architects, Miller says it’s important to specify not just the material manufacturer you want for a project, but also the fabricator. “Manufacturers sell the flat sheets, but it’s the fabricators who work the magic to take it from sheet form to something that can be installed on a building,” he says.

And, as Wildern notes, “Ultimately, the people are what perspective clients should be looking at in a fabricator. Good, friendly, honest people truly make a difference. They are more likely to do the little things and pay attention to detail. If perspective clients take into consideration the above and really focus on what they want in a fabrication partner, then they should make a great selection for their next project!”