Whatever your sheet metal fabrication project may be, you need confidence that it will be completed quickly, efficiently, and correctly. Outsourcing work overseas is a popular solution, especially in our increasingly globalized world. Technology has created an ever increasing global marketplace, and it’s easy to take for granted how simple things like email and video conferencing have significantly increased business efficiency.

While, cross-cultural business can be beneficial, it also comes with many risks and potential for things to go wrong. This is especially true for larger or more specialized sheet metal fabrication jobs. Working with a local sheet metal fabricator provides several key advantages that will benefit you as well as your local economy.

Benefits of Working Local

Communication

There are certainly benefits to being able to regularly check up on your project and see the progress first-hand. Status reports from a local company are a quick phone call or even a short drive away instead of being halfway across the globe separated by multiple time zones and potentially even a language barrier. You can go see the plant, equipment, manufacturing processes, and your parts in-person to ensure sure your expectations are being met. This saves both time and money as you work with your local fabricator on tweaks or corrections that need to be made along the way versus after the project has been completed. You don’t have to worry about on-the-fly revisions getting lost in the shuffle or forgotten in an email chain and can enjoy a more streamlined process.

Cost

While labor may be cheaper in other parts of the world, getting your completed parts shipped back to you is a different story. Also, you don’t want your shipment delayed or lost via an ocean storm, worker strike, or shipping backlog. Working with a local fabricator means your shipping is cheaper, faster, and more reliable; even an in-person delivery is likely! You get your completed parts in days, not weeks or months, so you can keep your production lines moving.

Expertise

This is especially true if your parts are going to be used locally, such as in a construction build. Local fabricators are more likely to know the area and things to be aware of such as weather conditions, local restrictions or permits needed. This also ensures that you’re working under the same legal quality standards. Suppliers far away are not going to know the specifics of your locale. Local suppliers, however, will understand your unique challenges and circumstances much better and be able to offer stronger solutions.

Speed

Shorter shipping times and more involvement in the production process add up to a faster total turnaround time for your project. Instead of a project taking months of back-and-forth messages and potentially a lot of confusion and unmet expectations, paired with long shipping times and lots of waiting, your project could get done in weeks or even days by working local.

Confidence

You can have greater confidence with a local fabricator because you have better communication and know your wishes are being heard and met. You don’t have to lie awake at night wondering how your parts are progressing and if they will work correctly; you are continually involved in the process close to home. You are more likely to trust suppliers with whom you have built relationships and rapport.

Community

Supporting local businesses strengthens the economy in your area, building the community where you live and providing jobs to local workers. When you order from a local fabricator, you’re not only supporting that business but you’re supporting other establishments in your community that you enjoy, such as restaurants, schools, roads, and municipal services.

Estes Design and Manufacturing Serving Indianapolis

Estes is proud to be located on the east side of Indianapolis, Indiana. Our products are expertly made in the USA and we have the privilege of working on many local projects in Central Indiana and beyond.

Check out these local Indiana projects Estes had the privilege of partnering on!

TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park

We partnered with a repeat customer, The Hitzfield Group, to supply 5,016 panels (with 695 unique part numbers!) to line the underside of the TCU Amphitheater canopy at White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis.

Fishers Fire Station

We also helped design and fabricate over a thousand custom exterior wall panels in the construction of a new fire station in Fishers, Indiana.

Brock Grain Systems

One of our local partners is Brock Grain Systems, located in Milford, IN. This component is a heat baffle used in grain drying equipment.

How can we serve you in your next metal fabricating project?

If you are seeking metal fabrication services in Indiana or throughout the Midwest, the local metal fabricator to contact is Estes Design and Manufacturing. With decades of experience and cutting-edge fabricating equipment, Estes offers a suite of services, including product development, rapid prototyping, and sheet metal fabrication, to ensure your project is a success. Our lean manufacturing and automated fabrication cell technology mean you see reduced lead-times, improved quality, competitive pricing and consistent on-time delivery.

Our clients are not just clients—they are partners. When you partner with us, our success depends on your success.

6 Advantages of Working with a Local Metal Fabricator