Sheet Metal Fabrication: Trends in the Industry

The U.S. housing demand, commercial construction spending, mortgage interest rates, and other economic and housing factors such as the popularity of remodeling, the strength of the economy and inflation, all affect sheet metal fabrication industry trends. Niche specific trends come and go, but the sheet metal fabrication industry as a whole is turning toward flexibility and automation.

Flexibility

The sheet metal fabrication industry has been transformed by new technology such as metal working software, CNC machines, and AutoCAD design programs. These advances have helped sheet metal fabrication companies adapt more readily to the increasing complexities of the client.

Purchasing one machine that can do several jobs, or perform simultaneous tasks is a better investment of manufacturing dollars. Flexibility is a very desirable trait in the sheet metal fabrication industry.

Automation

Automation of the sheet metal production process makes labor-intensive tasks more affordable. Projects that were once outside the budget of smaller companies are now being performed with the assistance of automated technology.

Automation reduces the percentage of unacceptable materials by reducing the likelihood of human error during repetitive or complicated tasks. This reduces the amount of wasted material and streamlines the production process.

Adding automated services to the production process can reduce cycling times by 50% or more in most instances. This greatly reduces the projected cost of production, the turn-around time for completion, and the man-hours required for each project.

Tracking Trends

A research company, such as the famous Standard & Poors, most often performs trend tracking in the sheet metal fabrication industry. These trends often reflect a standard set of needs that are universal to all aspects of sheet metal fabrication.

Needs of sheet metal fabricators

• Produce more parts in a shorter amount of time
• React in a timely manner to industry changes and requests by clients
• Increase the production speed by eliminating unnecessary steps in the production process
• Keep production on schedule while shortening turn-around times
• Keep production quality high
• Acquire flexibility in production
• Limit production costs
• Improve plant operations, QI and policies and procedures to better the company

These basic needs are reflected in all major industry trends. The trends may change from year to year as new technology and ideas emerge, but the goal of meeting these basic needs remain unchanged and is the driving force behind sheet metal industry trends.