Why the Size of Your Machining Partner Matters
OEMs have an incredible number of choices when it comes to machining partners. When making this decision, it is crucial that OEMs consider the size, breadth, and depth of their potential partner. It is no surprise that large machine shops are often able to offer a wider range of manufacturing solutions and are better-positioned to grow with your company over time. The following details why the size of your CNC machining partner matters.
Large Shops Offer More Access to Advanced Technologies
Large CNC machining partners typically offer customers access to the latest technologies, such as CNC machining and robotic welding that really elevate heavy fabrication projects. The use of cutting-edge equipment leads to higher quality and more consistent machined parts. At ABS, we know that we must invest in the future with state-of-the-art technologies in order to continue offering OEMs leading edge machining solutions. The culture of ABS drives continuous investment, and we are known for our capital investment initiatives to provide customers with the most advanced facilities and technologies. ABS invests regardless of economic cycles, and we also upgrade our existing capital to ensure all assets are leading edge in the industry. Our investments are not limited to equipment and software programs: we also continuously invest in and expand support staff roles such as, Safety, Quality, Engineering, and Production Control in order to better serve our clients. With decades of supplier recognitions, for many critical components, ABS continues to be awarded programs globally, based on a solid commitment to quality, cost and reliability. For more details, watch this short video about our continuous investment in technologies.
Large Shops Offer Unparalleled Facilities for Heavy Fabrications
ABS offers OEMs a breadth and depth of CNC machining capabilities and facilities that most other shops cannot match. Across our 6 state-of-the-art plants we house over 50 cranes ranging in lift capacity from 5,000 pounds to 160 tons, able to service our massive installation of machine tools. In addition, we have 80 machine tools - some being the largest ever made. Additionally, at ABS we maintain a massive fleet of machinery comprised of dozens of duplicate pieces of equipment. This redundancy allows us to offer unparalleled versatility, nimbly adjusting operations as necessary to accommodate fluctuations in customer needs. Small machine shops are simply unable to deliver this level of redundancy in machining and other equipment – just another reason OEMs rely on us for their CNC machining and heavy fabrication needs.
Large Shops Are More Integrated and Offer Complete Manufacturing Solutions
Not all machine shops offer the same level of integration – and larger shops are typically able to offer a wider range of capabilities. These shops also perform more steps in your supply chain including value-add services beyond production such as assembly. Since every step in the heavy fabrication process builds upon the next, it is more cost-effective to partner with an integrated supplier, like ABS, that can start and end the project with you – from the concept and design phase through fabrication, machining, finishing, and final assembly steps.
As an integrated CNC machining company, we perform multiple steps along the supply chain including CNC machining, heavy fabrication, welding, finishing, and assembly – among others. Integrated machine shops offer significant value for OEMs such as streamlining the manufacturing timeline, improving the consistency and reliability of the final part, and minimizing the number of suppliers involved in the supply chain. All of these steps improve efficiency and reduce risk - saving OEMs time, resources, and money.
Is your team looking for a machining partner that offers a range of advanced fabrication solutions?
Contact the professionals at ABS to learn about our solutions for heavy fabrications, including our 5-axis CNC machining and robotic welding.
Large Shops Deliver Excellent Quality and Offer Dedicated Quality Personnel
Quality is another area where the size of your CNC machining partner often matters. OEMs need a CNC machining partner that delivers a reliable and dependable process that yields consistent results for heavy fabrications. Consistent quality is hard work and requires rigorous, on-going monitoring of every process from purchasing to manufacturing to distribution. But the effort and focus on quality are well worth the reward.
At ABS, quality is the key driver and is an integral part of every process we undertake. Our quality team works hand in hand with our manufacturing and engineering teams to ensure quality is part of every decision we make. With 50+ years of proven experience serving a variety of industries, ABS offers OEMs expertise, personnel, facilities, and time on tools to safely and successfully perform integrated heavy fabrication projects. From the inception of every programs ABS builds a team of program managers and specialists dedicated to the successful management of each project who begin a collaborative review of all Quality, Manufacturing and Engineering requirements. Our people supported by our scope and breadth of capabilities are committed to providing our valued customers with excellence in all they do. As an ISO 9001:2015 certified company, ABS prides itself on offering personalized service that is backed by a team and plants capable of meeting your requirements.
In addition, larger machine shops often have dedicated quality personnel for heavy fabrications, enabling these personnel to focus entirely on the quality of the project and not be distracted by wearing various “hats” on the project. For example, at ABS, our quality team works hand in hand with our manufacturing and engineering teams and is comprised of professionals from several disciplines including professional mechanical and material engineers, inspectors, tooling specialists, and yellow and black belts (sigma) – among others.
Large Shops Deliver Excellent Quality and Offer Dedicated Quality Personnel
ABS set out on a path over four decades ago to become a global leader in large CNC machining, with the most advanced and versatile fleet of equipment. By achieving this goal, ABS has grown to be recognized as one of the largest and most advanced contract manufacturing companies in North America. Our fleet of CNC Boring Mills, Vertical Turning Lathes, and Table Type Boring Mills are supported across six facilities and serviced with cranes with lifting capacities up to 160 tons. We offer a unique combination of medium to high volume production machining and welding services. Established in 1971, we have a proven track record of success delivering quality precision machined parts, heavy fabrications, and assemblies for the most demanding projects. Watch our short video to learn more about ABS - North America’s largest machine shop.
About ABS
At ABS, the key to our success has been exceptional people, unparalleled facilities, and an unwavering commitment to quality. Our people are experts in their given field. Their expertise is matched only by their passion for serving our clients. We continue to invest in our people with education programs, cross training and in our internal accredited apprenticeship center.
Our facilities are state-of-the-art and we are equipped to serve our client’s requirements in:
Our massive fleet of machines and automated welding systems has delivered solutions to the most technically challenging projects. Our commitment to maintaining unparalleled facilities is evidenced by our renowned continuous capital reinvestment initiatives. Our commitment to quality goes well beyond our ISO 9001:2015 Registration. From the inception of all programs, ABS quality professionals work closely with each customer to ensure all their unique requirements are met or exceeded. It is this commitment that has positioned ABS as a strategic supplier to leading OEMs worldwide.
Contact us today to see how we can help with your machining project, or give us a call at 1-844-227-6224.
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