Fabrication shops have lots of challenges to deal with. But now, there is a silo-free technology solution like Steelhead's Job Shop Software that is making things way easier. Let's see how Steelhead's software helps these shops work better and stay ahead.
One fabricator taking their digital presence to new heights is Beans Best Powder Coating and Fabrication. Beans Best is a specialty sheet metal solutions provider based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They were part of Steelhead’s pilot program, kicking off fabrication management in Steelhead to test the waters. The official release of multi-level BOMs and Assemblies is continuing to shift the fabrication shop arena. Here is their success story:
The Challenge
Before implementing Steelhead, the company primarily handled custom work for individuals with smaller contract sizes. This operational setup limited their capacity to take on larger and more complex projects efficiently.
The absence of fabrication software to track operations, including labor, parts, inventory, orders, and workflow, resulted in manual and time-consuming administrative tasks. Furthermore, the lack of real-time financial data made it difficult for the company to accurately assess project profitability and overall financial health.
The Solution
Recognizing the need for a transformative solution, Julian Carpenter, the owner and founder of Beans Best, turned to Steelhead. Steelhead provided a computer model of the entire operation, enabling Beans Best to gain full visibility and control over their processes.
The system tracked labor centers, laborers, parts, orders, and workflow, streamlining operations and reducing administrative overhead. With Steelhead, Beans Best could efficiently:
manage their projects
track progress
allocate resources
Additionally, Steelhead facilitated real-time access to financial data, enabling Beans Best to accurately analyze project profitability and make data-driven decisions.
The Results
The implementation of Steelhead yielded significant improvements for Beans Best Powder Coating and Fabrication:
Enhanced Operational Efficiency
With Steelhead, Beans Best transitioned from manual processes to automated workflows, allowing them to take on larger and more complex projects. The system provided real-time visibility into operations, enabling better resource allocation and project management.
Improved Financial Transparency
Steelhead empowered Beans Best with real-time access to financial data, enabling them to accurately assess project profitability and overall financial health weeks before their competitors. This transparency allowed for informed decision-making and better financial planning.
Reduced Administrative Burden
By automating administrative tasks and providing comprehensive tracking capabilities, Steelhead significantly reduced the collective administrative duties of Beans Best employees. This allowed them to focus more on their core job responsibilities, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction.
Accelerated Company Maturation
Steelhead played a crucial role in accelerating the maturation process of Beans Best Powder Coating and Fabrication. By providing the tools necessary for efficient operations and financial management, Steelhead enabled Beans Best to meet the demands of their customers, including quality, timeliness, and competitive pricing.
Competitive Advantage
With Steelhead, Beans Best gained a competitive edge in the market by delivering high-quality services with improved efficiency and transparency. The company's ability to meet the demands of their customers and adapt to changing market conditions positioned it as the leader in their field.
The integration of Steelhead into Beans Best Powder Coating and Fabrication's operations resulted in significant improvements in efficiency, financial transparency, and overall competitiveness. By leveraging Steelhead's capabilities, Beans Best successfully transformed its operations, paving the way for continued growth and success in the industry.
Shop Floor Chaos in Fabrication
Fabrication job shops are pivotal players in various industries, from automotive to aerospace, providing critical components and assemblies. But beneath the surface, these workshops grapple with a multitude of complexities that can hinder efficiency and productivity. Let's explore why fabrication job shops are often so intricate and the detrimental effects of manual inventory management on their operations.
1. Project Complexity
Fabrication job shops tackle a diverse array of projects, each with unique specifications, materials, and assembly requirements. Whether crafting intricate metal components or assembling large structures, the variability in project complexity adds layers of intricacy to their operations. According to a survey by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), 78% of fabricators cited project complexity as a significant challenge.
2. Inventory Management Challenges
Manual production inventory management exacerbates the complexity of fabrication job shops. With numerous parts, materials, and components in stock, keeping track of inventory levels, locations, and usage becomes daunting. According to research by Deloitte, 58% of manufacturing companies still rely on manual inventory management methods. This outdated approach leads to inaccuracies, misplaced items, and stockouts, impacting operational efficiency.
3. Time Wastage in Information Retrieval
In a manual inventory management setup, searching for information and parts consumes valuable time. Fabricators spend significant portions of their day rummaging through shelves or paperwork to locate specific items. According to a study by the Aberdeen Group, 46% of manufacturers reported spending excessive time searching for parts due to inefficient inventory management practices. This inefficiency hampers productivity and delays project timelines.
4. Impact on Efficiency and Productivity
The inefficiencies stemming from manual inventory management ripple across the entire operation, hindering efficiency and productivity. According to the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), inefficient inventory management practices result in an average productivity loss of 15%. Fabricators waste precious hours on administrative tasks that could be better spent on value-added activities. Moreover, the risk of stockouts or delays jeopardizes project timelines and customer satisfaction.
5. The Need for Streamlined Operations
To stand out against the competition, fabrication job shops need to finally embrace modern solutions to streamline their operations. Implementing advanced inventory management systems, such as automated tracking software or barcode scanning technology, can revolutionize inventory management.
According to a study by MHI, 83% of manufacturing executives believe that digital supply chain investments are essential for staying competitive. These solutions provide real-time visibility into inventory levels, streamline workflows, and improve data accuracy, enabling fabricators to optimize resource utilization and meet project deadlines with confidence.
The complexity of fabrication job shops, compounded by manual inventory management practices, poses significant challenges to efficiency and productivity. By adopting streamlined operations and leveraging technology to automate inventory management, fabrication job shops can overcome these challenges and position themselves for success in today's dynamic manufacturing landscape.
Digital Fabrication Shop Management by Steelhead Technologies
Fabrication shops have lots of challenges to deal with. But now, there's silo-free technology solutions like Steelhead's Job Shop Software that's making things way easier. Let's see how Steelhead's software helps these shops work better and stay ahead.
Make Work Easier
Before, workers had to run around the shop looking for parts or interrupting other workers for information and order updates. With Steelhead's fabrication management software, they can find what they need with just one click.
No more wasting time or getting confused with big projects. The software keeps track of all the pieces needed to complete an order, from the raw materials to the finished parts. So, workers know everything they need is ready before they start.
Do More with One Tool
Steelhead's job shop software helps with making quotes, keeping track of orders, managing inventory, scheduling work, and even sending out invoices. It's like having one multi-tool that does everything a fabrication shop needs. This makes work faster, with fewer mistakes, and helps meet deadlines without any stress.
Get Smart with Reports
One of the best parts about Steelhead's Fabrication Software is that it gives smart reports. These reports show how long it takes to finish a job or how well things are going in the shop.
Workers can see where they're doing great and where they need to improve. And if they want specific reports, they can ask the Engineers at Steelhead to make custom ones for them.
Get Ahead of the Competition with Steelhead
By using Steelhead's Job Shop Software, fabrication shops are not only making their own work easier but also getting ahead of the competition. The software makes it easier to tell customers how much things cost and when they'll be done. Plus, each customer gets their own special website where they can see how their orders are going. This makes customers happy and makes the shop look super professional.
Technology like Steelhead's Job Shop Software is changing the game for fabrication shops. It's making work:
Simpler
Faster
More Organized
Fabrication shops using this software are not only doing better in their own work but also making customers happier. With Steelhead's Software, these shops are already miles ahead of the competition.
Stress Managed with Shop Floor Software
"Steelhead has reduced our collective administrative duties to the degree that we are spending way more of our days doing our jobs instead of doing a bunch of stuff before we are able to do our job."