As a manufacturer, you’re likely looking to save costs in several areas but none more so than fabrication. And this refers to everything from materials and labour to the shipping of fabricated components.

Everything boils down to identifying cost saving ideas that can really help improve your bottom line for optimal business growth. However, rushing into a decision and making big changes in a specific area may not be the right approach. Instead, implement several smaller methods to cut costs as it will ultimately lead to significant savings on your fabrication project.

While it is challenging to effectively reduce the cost of a fabrication project, it certainly is possible. The most important question here is, “How to minimise cost without sacrificing quality?”

1. Provide Fabricators With Top Quality Drawings

Accuracy is without a doubt important in every business but it is essential in terms of precision engineering and fabrication. Complex, technical designs require the expertise from a qualified and experienced team. Incorrect drawings or those not up to standard will affect the entire workflow and could lead to costly mistakes and delays.

Only provide superior quality designs to the fabricator with a detailed project outline. Failure to do so could result in additional development which, of course, means additional cost and valuable time. The simplest way to avoid this is to always use a professional designer or engineer before sending anything to a fabricator.

2. Use Modern Fabrication Equipment

Regardless of your business size or type, boosting productivity and reducing costs go hand-in-hand. Using modern machinery allows fabricators to improve workflow and product quality while minimising costly production errors. There are certainly the odd exceptions but most experienced and qualified fabrication companies will rely on newer equipment and updated software.

While cost is the primary focus, you should also look at the entire process. This will help you to get an overview of the bigger picture instead of only focusing on the product or a singular process. Always look at Process optimisation, Energy consumption, Workforce and Labour cost optimisation, Inventory carrying costs and Lower quality costs.

3. Use An Experienced and Versatile Team

Always try to work with fabricators that specialise in multiple industries but make sure they have a proven track record. You need to see their portfolio of working on a variety of fabrication projects. Working with an experienced fabrication company can make a massive difference. Your aim is to use fabricators who can meet most, if not all, of your requirements in terms of custom fabrication work, structural steel, forming, processing, machining and finishing. It’s always better to use one company under one roof instead of working with multiple vendors.

Additionally, companies with a good financial history and stability over a long period of time are likely to excel at managing resources, even in the most complex situations. Check their past and present projects as the quality of work is the best indicator of how they will approach your fabrication project.

4. Plan Ahead And Adapt When Necessary

While planning ahead is important, keep in mind that things can still go wrong. Often it’s about more than just the plan but also how you react to certain situations that can make a difference. Always consider and discuss with your fabricator what obstacles or issues might arise, such as multiple inspections, how the product will be used and possible material restrictions.

Another good indicator is how much the fabricator invests in resources and technology. It shows their ability to be flexible and proactively adapt to specific project requirements.  If they can effectively handle on-boarding or staff training and streamline the necessary equipment, they are generally a great fit.

5. Save Costs With Energy Reduction

One of the largest expenses for many manufacturers is energy consumption. There are several ways to save on energy that can have a significant impact on your bottom line. This includes conducting regular HVAC maintenance, fixing leaks in air compressors, for example, and set a schedule for equipment start-ups. Don’t switch on every machine, only use the essential ones directly related to the fabrication project.

6. Technology And Automation

Using the latest technology in automation can help consolidate any repetitive manual processes and really optimise your labour spend. This leads to increased product quality, improved throughput and reduced costs. In today’s modern manufacturing world, technology is always evolving and provides new ways of simplifying tasks in the workshop and the office.

When it comes to optimising the manufacturing process, communication and accuracy in everything you do is absolutely essential. This applies to planning and design, production and fabrication. The more information you provide, the better your final product will be.

With over 20 years of experience, PRV Engineering developed an extensive fabrication department, capable of producing products and services from the very small to the much larger items. Our fabrication services extend to the manufacturing of Machinery Guarding, Conveyor Systems and Materials Handling Equipment, Access Platforms and Ladders, Architectural Balustrades and Balconies, in both Stainless and Mild Steel.

Our expert design and development services can help bring your product ideas to reality. We provide all the necessary services under one roof with fast turnaround times, exceptional quality at competitive pricing. If you have a project in mind and need expert advice, get in touch today.