Most contractors find themselves operating in two work modes: Get work. Do work. As the economy stands now, many shops are in the do work phase. But, the problem is, neither mode allows time for an improve work phase.

Many HVAC distributors didn’t waste time passing along price increases that they blamed on the new 25 percent tariff on imported steel entering the U.S.  

If you haven’t started applying lean construction techniques to your sheet metal shop, it’s not too late to start and get ahead of your competition. A few years ago, many ductwork fabrication shop owners wondered if lean manufacturing techniques actually could apply to job shops (high mix/low volume).

There are a number of articles and books written on lean manufacturing techniques and lean construction, including many in the pages of Snips about applying lean in sheet metal shops. This article will highlight basic lean principles and tools specific to the spiral fabrication shop.

Lean manufacturing techniques are being applied successfully throughout the construction industry and are especially useful in the shop. To improve your ductwork fabrication methods, consider these five suggestions.

While many lean manufacturing techniques were pioneered in the automobile industry, it has also been successfully applied to high-mix, low-volume job shops including sheet metal forming shops.

While lean theories were first designed for and implemented in manufacturing, it has proven effective in reducing costs and improving productivity in HVAC construction. Lean seeks to minimize inventory.

Acquiring new sheet metal forming machinery has benefits, and possible pitfalls, for most HVAC construction contractors.

Here are some ways to accomplish that.