7 Benefits of “Made Local” Precision Metal Fabrication
There’s one main reason OEMs decide to source their parts from overseas: money. With the lower cost of skilled labor in other countries, many U.S.-based manufacturers consider it the more economical and profitable option. However, several factors can make the risk of sourcing parts internationally not worth the perceived reward.
Working with an exceptional domestic option like Century-Tywood can result in shorter lead times, higher quality customer service, and lower risk. Let’s walk through these benefits in greater detail.
The Benefits of Locally-Sourced Precision Fabricated Components
People like to “shop local” to stimulate the domestic economy and create jobs in their area. Why shouldn’t OEMs do the same?
Aside from the bigger picture of enhancing the local and national economy, there are several advantages of working with a regional precision sheet metal fabricator:
Timeliness
Reliable quality
Lower risk potential
More affordable delivery costs
Need-it-now customer service
Greater flexibility
Less environmental impact
1. Timeliness
Reshoring manufacturing reduces lead times exponentially. Rather than shipping parts by air or sea, Century-Tywood uses FedEx and UPS services, as well as our own delivery vehicles, to get parts to New England customers in an efficient and timely manner. Our speedy delivery allows OEMs to send their products out with greater efficiency, pleasing customers and building trust.
2. Reliable Quality
You can’t guarantee quality when working with an overseas supplier. When OEMs unload pallets that are sent in from overseas, they may be scrapping a good amount of parts that aren’t quite within spec; this could set them back if they don’t have a sufficient number of acceptable parts. They are better off working with a domestic manufacturer with a great reputation for quality.
At Century-Tywood, quality is at the heart of what we do. With top-notch quality standards and a rejection rate of just 0.1%, we offer value that goes beyond dollar signs.
3. Lower Risk Potential
Sourcing parts from overseas introduces the chance for disruptions in production and shipping. Transportation issues are more problematic when it comes to transporting thousands of miles by sea rather than hundreds of miles (or less) on the road. When delays and disruptions can trickle down to the customer, it may not be worth it.
Century-Tywood offers low-risk transportation, especially for New England-based OEMs seeking our sheet metal fabrication services.
4. More Affordable Delivery Costs
A major reason OEMs source their parts from overseas in the first place is to cut down on costs. While the parts themselves might be cheaper, the total landed cost that includes shipping can give customers sticker shock. Working with a domestic precision sheet metal fabricator equates to lower shipping costs and likely a better deal when paired with the other benefits of sourcing parts locally.
Additionally, our just-in-time delivery makes us a reliable source for OEMs that want to control their costs. Because our customers are confident we will send parts on time, they don’t need to overbuy inventory as a backup option.
5. Need-It-Now Customer Service
Century-Tywood recently had an experience in which our proximity to a customer allowed us to fulfill their needs. One of our regular customers needed a handful of units of a single part, and they needed them in just a few days to meet their deadlines. Because we have a great relationship with this OEM and they are also based in Massachusetts, we pushed this project forward. We needed to change some priorities, but we cared about solving their issue and we knew we’d be able to get the parts to them in time as a result of our location. It wasn’t the first instance our location helped us fulfill our customers’ needs and it certainly won’t be the last time.
This level of service would not have been feasible for OEMs seeking components from off-shore manufacturers, where shipping alone can take days or weeks.
6. Greater Flexibility
When engineers need to make a change to an order, like adding a part feature or adjusting a tolerance, they have much greater flexibility when working with a domestic manufacturer. Getting in touch with an overseas supplier can be a hassle; different time zones, potential language barriers, and other factors can limit communication.
Adjusting orders with a U.S.-based fabrication shop like Century-Tywood versus an overseas supplier is the difference between a five-minute chat with one of our engineers and an arduous experience of trying to get someone on the phone. Our responsiveness to customer needs ensures that we react quickly, preventing delays in production and reducing frustrations.
7. Less Environmental Impact
The air and water pollution and the greenhouse gas emissions that result from overseas shipping have severe environmental impacts. If we want to make the world a better place, we should consider reducing our carbon footprint as much as possible. Supplying parts domestically significantly lowers energy consumption, making it a far more ethical option.
Get Started with a Local Precision Sheet Metal Fabricator
Century-Tywood is proud to be a premier choice for precision fabricated components in the New England region. We offer top-notch quality, seamless delivery, and reliable customer service to OEMs across a range of industries.
Request a quote to get started.