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Stepping into the Future
Steel Specialty Embraces Cutting-Edge Technology
"My favorite thing is to go out and talk to not the newer guys, but the guys that have been here for 20 to 30 years… You just get a smile. The V807 has made their work easier and safer, leading to increased job satisfaction."
Testimonial Steel Specialty Inc.
- Location:
- Turnover:
- Ouput:
- Founded:
- Belmont, NC
- 35 million annual
- 5.500 tonnes annual
- 1975
"My favorite thing is to go out and talk to not the newer guys, but the guys that have been here for 20 to 30 years… You just get a smile. The V807 has made their work easier and safer, leading to increased job satisfaction."
STEEL SPECIALTY: A FAMILY LEGACY
Jason Mauldin, president of Steel Specialty, has always been passionate about his family business. His father started the company in 1975, and as its 50th anniversary approaches, Mauldin has taken the reins since 2016. He jumped into the family business after working in sales, eager to continue the legacy his father began.
Steel Specialty is a structural steel and miscellaneous fabricator based in the Gastonia-Charlotte area. They pride themselves on being different from most fabricators, offering both structural and miscellaneous packages. Mauldin explains, "We can produce jobs ten tons or we go upwards of 15 to 2000 tons. That puts us in a real different market than most."
Recently, the company has invested in Voortman's cutting-edge equipment, specifically the V807, to increase efficiency and safety in their fabrication processes. Mauldin recalls how he was initially skeptical about the machine's capabilities but was quickly impressed by its performance. "From then on, we have beat every shop hour for every job so far other than one," he says.
HOW VOORTMAN TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMED STEEL SPECIALTY'S BUSINESS
Ian Gibson, the Director of Operations at Steel Specialty, has seen significant growth in their business since they started using Voortman technology. "We've transitioned from a saw/drill to a robotic plasma, which is technology that can cut all kinds of things," Gibson said. "Having the Voortman produce different parts for us has opened the door for us to be able to quote different jobs."
The implementation of Voortman technology has allowed Steel Specialty to fine-tune their estimating process. "We did a lot of time studies after the Voortman came in and we saw where we could start being more competitive with our estimates. Estimates that we might not have won by small margins, now we were winning because of the Voortman advancements in our labor times," Gibson explained.
IMPROVED EMPLOYEE WORK ENVIRONMENT
The Voortman technology has not only increased production rates but also improved the work environment for employees. "None of them like holding a grinder for hours a day. The Voortman has taken that away for the most part. Now they're using smaller grinders just to knock some of the slag off, and the guys really appreciate that," Gibson shared.
Employees at Steel Specialty have embraced the new technology with enthusiasm. Mauldin shares, "My favorite thing is to go out and talk to not the newer guys, but the guys that have been here for 20 to 30 years… You just get a smile. The V807 has made their work easier and safer, leading to increased job satisfaction."
BRIGHT FUTURE WITH VOORTMAN V807
With the V807's relatively small footprint, Steel Specialty has been able to integrate the new technology without major disruptions to their existing shop layout. Mauldin is confident that the investment in Voortman equipment will continue to pay off as the company grows and evolves.
As Steel Specialty approaches its 50th anniversary, the company looks forward to a bright future under Jason Mauldin's leadership. With innovative technology like the Voortman V807, they are well-positioned to continue providing exceptional service and quality products to their customers for years to come.
