Finding a reliable steel casting company can be a daunting task, especially if you’re new to the industry. Many newcomers make wrong choices in the beginning, mostly because they don’t know what to look for in their supplier. Your initial choice DOES matter, as it will determine the quality of your project! So, how do you know what the “right” choice is?
Well, that’s exactly what we’ll discuss today, so keep on reading if you want to find out!
1. Consider your particular industry
The steel casting company that will work on your project should have relevant experience in your industry. They have to be knowledgeable about the market in order to manufacture the necessary components. Checking this is of the utmost importance if you’re in a high compliance market such as aerospace or defense.
Luckily, most foundries will put this kind of information right onto their website. Even if that’s not the case, it only takes a couple of seconds to ask that simple question. Always look for a portfolio and only go with companies that have the skills and expertise relevant to your industry (again, especially if it’s a niche market). If you can’t find what you need right away, don’t worry! There are a plethora of different foundries out there, so you’ll undoubtedly find everything you need and more.
2. Bigger isn’t always better!
One of the most common mistakes business owners make when they’re looking for steel casting services is going for the largest supplier around simply because of their size. While this method may work out in the end, it’s not always the best way to go about it. As we mentioned before, your specific needs and goals are what matters the most in this process. Bigger companies may charge you more than a small supplier, while still providing you with the same quality of work. So, make sure to inspect all of your options carefully. Look at their machinery, steel casting methods they use, and the market they specialize in. After you’ve done all of that, you’ll know whether they’re the right choice or not.
Smaller companies usually offer faster customer services and lower prices, while big foundries may have more relevant machinery and manufacturing options. So, make sure to create a priority list and go with what fits it the best.
3. Go on a tour!
Touring their facility is one of the best ways to ensure everything goes as expected. They can take you through the process right on the spot, which will help you get more involved with it all. Of course, especially now, when there’s an entire pandemic out there, this might not be a viable option. Besides, traveling abroad to visit your manufacturer can be overly expensive in many cases. Most people look for their steel casting foundries in China, after all. Still, you can ask your supplier for more details or perhaps a video demonstration to get your virtual tour instead!
Whatever you do, just remember to be meticulous with your research! Steel casting companies such as dawangcasting.com offer many different casting methods, so remember to ask a lot of questions until you find the optimal solution!
4. The company has to be certified before anything else
Manufacturing certifications such as ISO9001, ISO14001, and OHSAS18001 are a must-have for every trustworthy manufacturer. Keep an eye on these to ensure the supplier is worth your time and money. Read up on different types of manufacturing certifications before you start searching for a supplier, though. These aren’t anything overly complex, but there’s quite a bit of them out there. Learn as much as you can, and remember to ask your potential steel casting supplier for further explanations if need be.
These certifications can tell you a lot about the foundry and their professionalism, so never ignore these. Most companies are also searchable by their certification, so take advantage of that.
5. Don’t always go for the lowest bidder
While yes, your budget is certainly a significant factor in choosing your preferred supplier, it shouldn’t be the determining one. Quality should be your primary concern. Of course, this does not mean you’ll have to spend a fortune just to get some decent steel casting services for your business needs. Finding the right mixture of price and quality may be difficult, but it’s certainly not impossible. As we’ve mentioned before, there’s such a wide range of choices available that you’ll certainly find something that fits both your financial and manufacturing needs.
Overall, make sure you don’t rush into a decision just because the price seems attractive. The company’s reputation, transparency, and expertise are what is much more important.
6. Tech capacities
No matter how well-known the company is, if they’re not willing to invest in new machinery and innovative solutions to help their manufacturing processes, you’re better off looking for steel casting services somewhere else. It’s as simple as that. While high-quality manufacturing technology doesn’t guarantee perfect results, without it, you won’t be able to achieve anything. It’s a necessity that mustn’t be ignored. So, ask a potential supplier whether they can provide you with some info on their machinery and tech capacities.
7. Read online reviews and ratings
Luckily, you can find some professional business reviews on steel casting companies online if you look hard enough. Try reading those to get more info on the type of company you’re planning to employ. These reviews can be incredibly telling, but don’t follow them blindly. Check things for yourself by inquiring about it with their representatives first. Pay attention to their customer service, as this could be extremely important later on. When it comes to business relationships, communication is key, and you and your steel casting supplier are no different.
The bottom line
Finding the perfect steel casting company can be quite difficult for an industry newbie. However, as long as you pay attention to these tips we’ve provided in this article, you’ll certainly find success during your search. So, watch for their certifications, industry scopes, experience, and machinery while you’re reading some online reviews.
Whatever you do, we wish you luck in your project and we hope you find what you’ve been looking for.