...

Common Challenges in Metal Sheet Fabrication and How to overcome them

sheet metal fabrication

Table of Contents

Share This Post

Surviving in a saturated market is truly hard. With logical solutions and competitive intelligence, metal sheet fabrication can achieve the heights of success. Fulfilling the customers’ demands while controlling the overall cost is one of the biggest challenges. Metal sheet manufacturers face several challenges during each project. We have listed out some common challenges and their solutions. Have a look at:

High operational cost

China and the European Union are the biggest manufacturers of steel. Tariffs and trade wars have fueled the cost of manufacturing. Manufacturers relying on foreign raw materials face several local cost challenges. Further, volatile prices of raw materials, electricity, and other elements increase the operational cost of the project. 

Solution: reduce the quality of the product

Fabricators have to deal with the volatile prices and increasing demand from customers. In this lieu, they reduce the quality of the product without cutting down the profitability. Otherwise, fabricators will receive no profit, and the project may go wasted in terms of revenue generation.

Unique demands of the customers

Metal sheet services frequently get customized orders. Customers often need unique metal sheet fabrication. Sometimes, customers change design and function in the middle of the project. Metal sheet manufacturers have to be flexible both with the customers and projects. When manufacturers are not mentally prepared for changes and work traditionally, it keeps them behind in the competition.

Solution: Get more flexible and creative

Making changes during the project can affect the operational cost and fabrication processing. So, it is essential to keep cost and cost estimates flexible to proceed. Automated systems should be capable enough to achieve the customer’s unique demands. Further, integration of CAD with ERP makes the system more adaptable to design changes along with scheduling and Bill of Materials changes. 

Labor shortage

A higher sheet metal fabrication industry turnover rate increases the labor shortage. With the advancement in fabrication, seeking competent and skilled laborers has become tougher. The metal fabrication industry lacks experienced welders, finishers, and skilled workers. 

Solution: frequent in-house training  

Metal fabrication companies overcome this challenge by arranging workshops and seminars. Moreover, skilled training courses are the potential solution to this issue. After hiring labor, settling in-house training sessions with the latest tools and equipment is essential. Moreover, experienced laborers can get more expertise in their field.  

Short deadlines

Metal sheet services have to deal with short deadlines. Sometimes, delayed supply of raw materials, poor supply chain management, and several other elements increase the risk. Metal fabrication is the fastest-growing industry. In inefficient deliveries, manufacturers may also lose customers and credibility. 

Solution: automation and execution software

To achieve the deadlines, manufacturers need to use advanced tools and software. Automated systems are based on machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms. These integrated systems meet critical deadlines by readjusting the workflow and improving the industry’s performance.

Supply of raw material

Raw material prices are volatile. It puts the fabrication industry at the biggest risk. London Metals Exchange is the center for metal sheet trading materials. It also affects the global prices of metal. Before manufacturing processes, metal sheet manufacturers store the raw material. Sometimes, projects have short deadlines, and it takes days to get the raw material supply. Thus, poor supply badly affects the operations of the metal sheet fabrication.

Solution: Automated inventory management

An integrated ERP system with metal fabrication projects can notify the short stocks and over stocks in advance. An ERP solution offers end-to-end visibility to the supply chain. You can get scheduled and forecasted alerts. You can streamline suppliers, customers, and material providers with a single interface to ensure the best quotes and estimations. Moreover, you can improve the project’s overall performance with in-time stock delivery.   

To sum up, all common challenges are linked to technology implementation. By intellectual production plans and execution software, delivery time can be reduced. Manufacturers can get more efficient at production and supply chain management with automated schedules.  

Integrating the latest technology in metal manufacturing offers an overall solution to all challenges. Automation of machines, auto production data entries, and analysis software can lead metal fabrication to a more advanced level. Automation not only cuts the project’s cost, but it also requires less labor to move ahead. Metal fabrication companies that use machine learning and AI technology are free of human blunders and errors. The losses, re-production, and increased metal waste can easily be controlled. Verified fabricators always choose the latest tools to keep a good pace in competition. This growing industry has revolutionized the production time and supply for dealers.

Contact To Get Free Quote

Contact To Get Free Quote

Privacy Policy: Security and Privacy Guaranteed 100%!
Seraphinite AcceleratorOptimized by Seraphinite Accelerator
Turns on site high speed to be attractive for people and search engines.