Now is a Great Time to Have a Domestic Fabrication and Machining Partner

Metal fabrication is essential in a wide variety of industries across the country. However, some look abroad when needing custom equipment fabricated, structural steel, weldments, assemblies, and production fabrications. While partnering with a company overseas may cost you less up front, you may pay for it in the long run. This is especially true during a global pandemic.

There are many challenges in getting imports from overseas right now due to COVID-19. This has many scrambling to find alternative ways to meet their industrial welding and fabrication needs. Luckily, there are companies in the U.S. ready, willing, and able to tackle these tasks. As a result, companies are realizing the benefits of having a domestic fabrication and machining partner, and they’ll likely never return to their foreign manufacturer for many reasons.

Turnaround Time

A fabrication company located right here in the United States is always going to be able to get your product to you much faster than from anywhere overseas. It eliminates the risk of being held up at customs, especially when borders are shut down and shipping restrictions are tightened due to issues like the current coronavirus.

A closer proximity to your machining partner will not only get your industrial fabricated metal pieces to you faster, it will be cheaper to ship them. A domestic machining partner can load it up and haul it to you much faster than a delivery from overseas.

Quality

Most U.S. metal fabrication companies have detailed quality control measures in place. They work hard to ensure the highest quality standards are maintained and use a system of checks to make sure your fabricated product won’t fail.

The same cannot be said for welding and machining performed abroad. Industry standards are typically below what they are in the U.S. Plus, when you outsource overseas, chances are you have no idea what the condition of the factory is in, and what, if any, quality controls will be executed.

Material Standards

International material standards can vary greatly from those in the U.S. Outsourcing fabrication and machining abroad means you run the risk of getting a different quality than you might expect, or that you paid for.

An international mill abiding by lower standards could use another metal formulation or replace some with other alloys. American companies will maintain a standard across the board. Most will rely on guidelines from the American Iron and Steel Institute’s (AISI) classification or Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

Communication

Communication breakdowns often occur when working with an overseas company where English is not the primary language. You may expect a certain material, quality, or delivery time when you order but end up with another result.

A U.S. fabricator will be able to communicate precisely with you about your manufacturing project. Without the language barrier, changes, issues, and concerns that arise can easily be handled by your domestic welding and machining partner.

Intellectual Property Security

The security of your intellectual property should be a major concern in any industry. Working with an offshore fabricator can leave your project’s intellectual security uncertain.

You don’t have to worry about having anything stolen if you choose a domestic partner. Most will offer a Non-Compete Agreement (NCA) that prevents them from revealing your innovations to competitors.

Supporting U.S. Jobs

Domestic welding, fabrication, and machining companies are significant employers within their local communities. You are supporting American job growth when you work with a partner here in the U.S. Your business keeps people employed and helps stimulate our economy.

Conclusion

When you add these benefits together, it’s easy to see why finding a domestic fabrication and machining partner is the way to go. Keeping your metal work in the country leads to better quality control, faster turnaround times, and better communication, all of which are hard to regulate with a foreign manufacturer.

Swanton Welding is truly proud to work with clients all across the U.S.A. We are dedicated to the production of high-quality custom metal fabrication with on-time delivery that meets or exceeds customer satisfaction. Our commitment to quality is evident in every job we do. If you have a fabrication project or need custom solutions, we can help. Contact Swanton Welding today for a quote.