AAA STEEL: Freezing Shop Costs With Today s Technologies

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1 A PEDDINGHAUS PUBLICATION FOR FABRICATORS MAKING TODAY S SKYLINE POSSIBLE V O L U M E 3 3 IN THIS ISSUE Edyce Ingenieria, S.A. Being on Top at the Bottom of the World 5 AAA Steel Ltd. Freezing Shop Costs with Today s Technologies 9 L&M Fabrication & Machine, Inc. Diversified Profitability 13 NASCC Orlando Nobody Does it Better Than Peddinghaus 16 Parish Iron Works Receives AISC Certification 24 Tour Wrap-Up South Africa is Wonderful! 26 Getting to Know Keith Birge Peddinghaus Customer Service Training Manager 28 L&M FABRICATION & MACHINE, INC. Diversified Profitability EDYCE: Being on Top at the Bottom of the World There are many firms who advertise in today s media offering Business Solutions like they have a magic wand that provides answers for today's tough market. Most of these companies have never engaged in structural steel fabrication, and have no conception of how to bring value to a steel beam or profile. Mr. Sergio Rocco and Mr. Hugo Rocco of Edyce Ingenieria S.A. Concepcion, Chile believe that lending engineering expertise to each project yields profitable success. There is a structural steel fabricator based in Concepcion, Chile, who offers not just business solutions to his clients, but ENGINEERED Solutions. And they provide these solutions with a professional, partnering relationship that not only obtains new clients but maintains them for future business. How does Edyce Ingenieria S.A. do it? They start by employing over 70 degreed, professional engineers each of whom are ready to travel, engage and lend expertise to every project from beginning to end. Continued on page 5 Mr. Bobby Cesanek, Mr. Keith Ashner and Mr. Daniel Zellner of L&M Fabrication and Machine, Inc. What does it take to thrive in today s unpredictable markets? Few will dispute that the rules of business have changed during the last several years. With many organizations claiming to see light at the end of the tunnel there is still no argument business as usual, is no longer business as it was. Fabricators that are able to find new markets and diversify their backlog will in no doubt benefit now and into the future. AAA STEEL: Freezing Shop Costs With Today s Technologies Have you ever visited Calgary, Alberta, Canada? It is a beautiful, progressive city with the spectacular Canadian Rocky Mountains as a backdrop home to the Winter Olympics in L&M Fabrication & Machine, Inc. located in Bath, PA can attest that the world is a different place than it was in 2007 but their lean production and diversified workload have continued to foster growth even as some markets continue to be unpredictable. See the full story on page 13 Ever visited Calgary in January? Temperatures of - 5 F (- 20 C) are a typical winter s day. Why do we mention the weather? Because even in some of the coldest climate conditions in the world, a progressive fabricator uses new technologies to grow their business regardless of ice and snow. Continued on page 9 Mr. Lyle Muenchrath and Mr. Adam Muenchrath of AAA Steel Ltd., Calgary, Alberta, Canada chose to invest in Peddinghaus technology instead of a big building space and it has paid dividends for this fabricator located Up North.

2 2 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW SPRING 2010 Lyle Menke In This Issue The STEEL FAB REVIEW Continues to Improve For YOU! Starting with the next issue of your STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW, you will be seeing a totally new version of this publication! As you know, we continually contact our readers, our customers, our industry partners, and the global steel construction market for new ideas on improving this publication. We poll for new topics of interest for everyone. What do our readers say is important? More information on new technologies for the industry Machines/Software/Job Site Interaction More Shop Tips for improving production Fabricators want to even the playing field with their competition. Labor is costly and hard to find quality people how do you deal with those issues? How do other fabricators attack similar problems. What fabricators like and dislike about shop equipment. The list goes on, but you get the idea We will continue to focus on fabricators around the world, as they share ideas, building projects, and fabrication brainstorming which will assist the entire industry. The editors and staff of the SFR are here for you, and our goal is to make this publication your source for quality information on the steel construction market. The STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW is Getting Greener! One of the major initiatives of Peddinghaus Corporation is to become as eco-friendly as the industry that we serve. Steel is the original Recycler! Thus, as Peddinghaus lessens the carbon impact of machine tool products for the industry, the STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW is following suit, as well. Beginning with the Summer 2010 issue, you will be receiving your latest magazine in a digital format delivered to your desk top, laptop, or portable hand held device. Our readership is growing dynamically from both North American and Global readers. We have been receiving many requests for electronic versions that can be viewed on-line. We have listened to you! We are now proceeding with three different methods of keeping you informed via the internet: 1. Click on Peddinghaus-Steel-Fabricators-Review for a pdf version of all issues of the magazine which are available for viewing 2. Click on for a more readable, full page version of the magazine. You can simply click a mouse to turn each page. 3. We are busily working on our new website which will provide convenient reading, opportunities for comments, and references to view all articles, advertisements, and special features for past and present issues. Discover the latest technologies for structural steel fabrication and gather advice and information from industry leaders on staying competitive in today s market, in an easy to read, full page, web format. Saving Labor Costs We Can Help Today s market conditions dictate cost savings. This is a simple statement, but how do you achieve that goal? Talk to industry professionals who use global resources to provide answers to your questions. Bolted connections reduce welding costs so design them into your projects; lifting one beam can cost you $50 every time so examine your shop layout; the list goes on Peddinghaus employs a staff of seasoned professional consultants and engineers who have experience in operating and managing fabrication shops throughout the world. You are not in this alone Peddinghaus is ready to lend expertise. It s what we do. Visit Booth 400 at NASCC '10 in Orlando Booth 400 will be the place to be in Orlando! Peddinghaus will introduce three new CNC machines to attendees. Labor saving, cost efficient, and productive machines are the key to success, and Peddinghaus will introduce the next generation for you. Continued on page 4

3 SPRING 2010 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW 3 FROM THE CEO Dear Customers and Friends, As we enter into a new decade in 2010, it is both a time to look to the future and take a glance at the past. Anton Peddinghaus Score 10 out of 10 in 2010 This year we welcome a brand new decade, and the goal for all Peddinghaus personnel is to achieve a Perfect 10 out of 10 in everything we do for our customers, our business partners and the industry. Here are a just a few of Peddinghaus 10 out of 10 goals that we are seeking to achieve in A 10 out of 10 in total customer satisfaction. A 10 out of 10 in the customer WOW! Factor with our new Advantage II carbide drill with tool changer. A 10 out of 10 for Speed Sawing innovation on our new DG 1250 miter band saw. A 10 out of 10 in reducing the carbon footprint of Peddinghaus Corporation. A 10 out of 10 in moving forward with new technologies that reduce labor we know how difficult the market is Peddinghaus can help! A 10 out of 10 with implementation of the most advanced software technologies in the global market. A 10 out of 10 insuring that Peddinghaus Corporation meets all high quality standards, and our service department is the most responsive in the market. A 10 out of 10 in continued communication improvement with industry professionals to always support steel construction and heavy plate fabricating markets. A 10 out of 10 in the development of gamechanging technologies for the structural steel fabrication industries. A 10 out of 10 in visiting as many customers as possible this decade, to find the best solutions for today s modern problems. Think Green Think Peddinghaus I was skiing in Colorado recently with my four kids. They took this opportunity to persuade me to become more in tune with Mother Nature, and possess a better appreciation of the environment perhaps something that we didn t focus on in years past as a machine builder. Not now. I am very pleased that our company has made a real commitment for the environment. We are taking some genuine strides forward in Going Green. For example, did you know? Our new machine designs like our Advantage II carbide drill are using the latest in electronic technologies that conserve electrical power and minimize hydraulics the compact space saving design is a real positive also! This magazine is also Going Green! We are developing an ideal electronic platform for you to view your STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW! We are saving our forests and making everything about the steel industry available at your PC fingertips. Peddinghaus is the Innovator in PeddiCool eco-friendly vegetable oil lubrication for band saw blades, twist drills, carbide inserts, etc. Our engineers work closely with industry professionals in developing this game changing technology. Our new 50,000 sq ft manufacturing building contains the latest environmental technologies for heating, cooling, and lighting which keep costs to a minimum and lessening our carbon footprint. We use a lot of windows and air flow to create a pleasant, comfortable environment for our people when building our machines. Along with our Going Green theme, we are replacing our older company gas guzzler automobiles with new Hybrid Model versions. As you know, there are lots of wide open spaces in the USA our Midwest Regional Manager, Paul Muraski, puts on thousands of miles per year so he is driving one already. Our entire fleet will soon be environmentally sound. Peddinghaus Corporation is doing much more to reduce our carbon footprint in today s environmental world. I ll give you some more info in the coming issues. Our People are Energized! I am so glad that Peddinghaus Corporation held our annual Christmas Party in December. We all remember the endless media commentary on reducing costs especially any expense on entertainment for employees and clients. It simply was not fashionable. But people who know me well confirm that I do not always go with the flow. I could not have imagined at that time, how important it was for all of our employees to spend some time together. This Christmas gathering gave me the personal opportunity to review our past year, and say sorry for the bad economy. As a group, Peddinghaus employees were able to put 2009 behind them. You could feel the energy in the room as we collectively moved on to a new level of motivation, excitement, and anticipation for It was a great night for all. Continued on page 7

4 4 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW SPRING 2010 LYLE MENKE Continued from page 2 Are you sensing a pattern? For the past five years, Peddinghaus has introduced newly engineered equipment at every NASCC show! If you add them up, Peddinghaus Corporation has engineered and manufactured fifteen (15) new CNC machines over the last 5 years! With a commitment to our customers, the marketplace, and our industry friends, Peddinghaus continues to lead the way to profitability for you. No matter the size or scope of your company, Peddinghaus has the answer for you. It is what you expect from the industry leader. Check out the NASCC highlights on the inside. Travel, Learn, and Seize Opportunities Peddinghaus has always embraced the opportunities to share new technologies as well as new experiences with our customers and industry partners. We sponsor tours to various corners of the world with one goal in mind educate and entertain! Check out the photos from our recent trip to South Africa in this issue. New partnerships were formed New friends were made and New business opportunities were the topics of each day. Peddinghaus is planning new trips to great locations where you can expand your business by expanding your travel horizons. Don t take our word for it, ask any of our attendees, and they will tell you, Peddinghaus does it Best! Tekla Hosts Users Meeting with Peddinghaus Peddinghaus and Tekla teamed up in March when Peddinghaus hosted a Tekla Steel Road Show event at our facility in Bradley, IL. This location enabled attendees to consult with Tekla on their software, but also provides the opportunity to see how closely Peddinghaus equipment interacts with Tekla. Actual machine demonstrations took place during the two day meeting. Peddinghaus regularly teams up with the steel construction industry leaders to provide the latest software/machine tool integration for today s dynamic market. Peddinghaus remains the leader in seamless interface of these technologies. Simply put, Peddinghaus makes it happen!

5 SPRING 2010 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW 5 EDYCE Being on Top at the Bottom of the World Daniel Gonzalez (left), Production Manager, and Sergio Rocco, CEO of Edyce, are committed to technologies which improve the management of their fabrication shop that s why we chose Peddinghaus. The Edyce facility in Concepcion encompasses almost 23 acres of fabrication potential. Early Involvement Makes Sense and Money Get involved early in any project, not just with sales or management personnel, but provide genuine, solid engineering solutions for your clients, says Mr. Sergio Rocco G., CEO of Edyce Ingenieria, S.A., work together as a team, and you will both achieve profitable success. To an industry skeptic, this statement may sound a little trite or old fashioned for today s structural steel market, but this business philosophy has proven to be successful for Edyce. Most importantly, they are committed to this philosophy and employ engineering expertise to EVERY STEP of the Construction Project. Edyce is involved from project conception to finalization and topping out. We engage our customers and their associates in all phases of the project, says Sergio Rocco, From simple things like sharing the building model, to depicting the daily progress of the project, to helping engineer a solution to a tricky erection problem we are ready to help. Edyce focuses on the Energy Industry and specializes in large tonnage power plant projects. Oh yes, they provide much of the data via the internet, so daily progress of each project can be shared with the client and the end user. Thus, everyone involved is in the loop. Heavy, Complex Structures are Edyce s Specialty Evidence of the dynamic growth of Edyce is that they maintain two production facilities in Concepcion, Chile one for heavy structures and another for light and miscellaneous work. Another full production facility is located in Lima, Peru. Edyce maintains offices in Santiago, Chile. They also share joint venture projects with many international fabricators via the world s top construction firms. Among Edyce s clients are Bechtel, Fluor Daniel, Foster Wheeler, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Metso Oy, to name only a few. That is why Edyce is recognized as one of the worlds truly premier structural steel fabricators. Focusing on large projects, their global market areas include structures and equipment for the following industries: Mining Energy - power plants Pulp and Paper Ports & Shipping Docks Pressure vessels and storage tanks Bridges Edyce was founded in 1950 in a small town off the coast of Chile, named Vina Del Mar, near Santiago. They provided pressure vessels, storage tanks, and stainless steel for the petrochemical and refinery industry. As the firm continued to grow, a major step was taken in 1970 when they become involved with a local steel mill that specialized in hot rolled plate. They soon started fabricating welded profiles (beam/column) shapes from the flat plate to meet construction requirements for some local projects. By 1980, Edyce had expanded their market to include large projects from mining plant structures, cellulose plants to large shipping ports. They also began using rolled shapes from various mills which began the streamlining of their fabrication processes. Continued on page 6

6 6 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW SPRING 2010 EDYCE Continued from page 4 Edyce fabricates ocean piers and docks for the global shipping industry an important aspect of the energy marketplace. Making Decisions that Affect Your Future Oh yes, like many structural fabrication firms, Edyce Ingenieria S.A. is a family owned company. Mr. Sergio Rocco, CEO, and his father Mr. Hugo Rocco manage daily operations of this dynamic company. Why is that important? We make our decisions daily we do not need any approval from a board of directors. We are flexible to move quickly, and seize opportunities when they arise - believe me, this helps you grow your business, comments Sergio. Peddinghaus Opened Doors For Us Sergio Rocco is a strong believer in Peddinghaus not just for quality of their products but for the expertise that Peddinghaus provides to the entire steel construction industry. Having Peddinghaus as our business partner has truly helped grow our business the electronic technology that they employ coupled with their strong machine design has given Edyce the opportunity to be successful in a very competitive global market, stated Sergio Rocco. Edyce s bridge fabrication projects comprise an important part of the infrastructure throughout Latin America. Peddinghaus Director of Latin America Operations, Jose Cavazos (left), has capably assisted Edyce s search for new technologies such as the NASCC trade show in the U.S.A. But it is much more, Peddinghaus is well respected in the global industry, and they enlightened me to new technologies, new markets, new global contacts and partners, new industry friends, and new opportunities for Edyce. I am a firm believer in good business partners those with whom you build a solid relationship and Peddinghaus is a superior business partner. Edyce and Peddinghaus: Partners in Progess How did Peddinghaus assist the growth of Edyce? Peddinghaus engineers worked with our engineers to provide the proper layout of our shop to insure room for growth they never invoice for that expertise Peddinghaus was with us every step during the purchase process never over selling or directing us to equipment that didn't meet our requirement Peddinghaus customer service and parts support is without equal we have access directly to the offices in the USA, as well as their regional service office in Latin America Se habla Espanol or Ingles What expertise does Peddinghaus bring to Edyce besides good equipment? Bringing new software technologies to us and working closely with our engineers to implement them Introducing us to prospective business partners in our industry A knowledge of the global market for fabricated steel Consulting with us concerning industry organizations that benefit Edyce, such as the AISC, AWS, etc. Peddinghaus people are knowledgeable, cooperative, and friendly always ready to help us in any way possible; that is very important for us. Edyce currently has fourteen Peddinghaus machines operating in our facilities. Some date back to 1996, and still run 24/7 with no problems. With these machines, we can fabricate up to 5,000 tons per month says Sergio Rocco. How Edyce Brings Value to a Project Mr. Rocco speaks often of early involvement in a customer project to insure success. Well, how early? Edyce becomes involved with engineering expertise at the initial sales contact. Once a project is brought to Edyce, they begin the engineering process. Electronic models are designed and discussed with the customer in person and over the internet. Improvements and suggestions are made. Continued on page 8

7 SPRING 2010 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW 7 FROM THE CEO Continued from page 3 Let me tell you again that all of the troops at Peddinghaus are ready for future challenges. All of our people, from engineers to welders, have been busily working on new labor saving products to make you our customers more profitable in 2010! NASCC in Orlando Carbide to Comedy to Choppers! Our next major trade show event is the NASCC in Orlando, Florida from May As this is the one true international exhibition focused solely on structural steel construction, we have chosen this venue to once again show the industry why Peddinghaus is 10 out of 10 in We have some big plans for Orlando, and I am proud to give you a preview of what you will experience there. 1. Peddinghaus will introduce our NEW DG 1250 Carbide Miter Band Saw! This new band promises cutting speeds that are twice as fast as current band saw models. 2. Peddinghaus will also introduce our new Advantage II High Speed Drill Line. This model will be the first Peddinghaus drill line with a tool changer. I must admit that I am personally not pleased with this idea as I am breaking away from our family tradition of gearbox design but let s face it we all have to change. A machine with a tool changer is far more economical to build than our current technology. 3. As a token of appreciation to our customers, on Wednesday night, May 12, we will once again host hundreds of our closest friends for a night of Blue Collar Comedy. This time we have engaged the incomparable Ron White with his unique brand of humor certain to make you forget your worries! Of course, we always entertain Peddinghaus style we ll quench your thirst, satisfy your hunger, and tickle your funny bone all in one enjoyable evening in Orlando. You know how much we enjoy motorcycles evidenced by our NASCC Fabricators Motorcycle Shop Tours so we ve cooked up something special this year. A highlight of the event will be the drawing of a specially built Harley Chopper motorcycle. Some lucky winner will receive the keys to a Special Edition Peddi-Chopper, which will be built on site at our booth during the show. Remember you have to be present Wednesday night to win! Maintain Your Investment In the last few issues, I have written about the importance of maintaining your equipment. As you know, I travel extensively, and I can t believe how many machines have been neglected with little maintenance. It is important to take care of your golden goose as it is your money maker. If you have an older Peddinghaus machine, we all know that it has worked very hard in the past. What better time to call our Service department to repair/update your machine. Get it ready for the next boom in the economy! I am looking forward to seeing all of you in Florida on May 12! I will make sure that we all have plenty to toast about in Orlando because you know that my glass is always Half Full!

8 8 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW SPRING 2010 EDYCE Continued from page 6 The Edyce facility runs 14 Peddinghaus machines 24/7 and can process over 5,000 tons of fabricated steel per month. This stock pile building (below) is for a mining project all achieved from the building model (above) downloaded precisely to Peddinghaus equipment during fabrication. This Peddinghaus TDK drill/saw was installed in 1997 and still operates flawlessly. The Peddinghaus BDL drill line is a centerpiece of production for Edyce s facility. The first Peddinghaus machine purchased was a 1996 Fabripunch F1170 plate punching center still an integral part of the 24/7 operations. Once a contract is signed, Edyce assigns an engineering team to the project that actually move in with the customer. They take up residence near to the customer and work closely with the client on ALL PHASES of the project. How can a fabricator supply this engineering expertise? Edyce focuses on certain strategic markets and our team is extremely knowledgeable of all facets of the operation. For example we know all the requirements for the start-up of a successful copper mine not just a building structure but conveying systems, power requirements, transportation logistics everything. We are not simply structural fabricators we are problem solvers for our clients. Beating the Competition to the Project Site Means Profit Even during the sales stage, Edyce plans for production. Their first class organization is capable of extracting the exact production data for each phase of the project even at very early stages. They can react quickly when the project is signed and release dates are issued. Using this software technology, they quickly identify the road map for each structural component of the model. Each piece is routed to a specific Peddinghaus machine (based on capacity), with a targeted completion time to meet the painting and shipping deadlines. Production is monitored for each component to insure it is on time. Continued on page 10

9 SPRING 2010 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW 9 AAA STEEL Freezing Shop Costs With Today s Technologies AAA Steel Ltd. opened its doors for business in April of 1976 with a small facility. In the beginning, the majority of their products were produced for the ornamental iron market. At that time it was a small family run business, founded by Lyle Muenchrath and his wife Jan. A Family Business is Good Business We were located in a small industrial park, with a plumbing contractor in the building next door to ours. One day he asked if we could weld up some brackets for him. He was happy with our welding job, it did not take long to realize that ornamental iron was not the direction we wanted to take the company. Today, thirty five years later, the business is still run by the Muenchrath family but has expanded to include more than 35 employees. Daughter, Jill is Production and Sales Manager, and son Adam is our equipment technician and trainer. AAA Steel Ltd. has evolved to meet customer needs and now exists on a five-acre property with 17,000 square feet of available fabrication space. In addition, quality and production procedures are in place that ensures all CWB welding criteria are achieved. This allows us to continually meet customer and industry expectations. A Business Plan That Works With an excellent reputation for quality, AAA Steel continued their path of steady growth. In the past 5 years, AAA has focused on the structural steel market in Western Canada. The market was solid, and opportunities existed for a progressive fabricator. The processes of structural sawing, drilling and angle/flat steel fabrication are all performed in a small garage-type building at AAA Steel. We were successful with smaller projects, so we made a commitment to the structural market. With our track record of customer satisfaction, we knew it was time to invest in structural technology, commented Lyle. Don't Put Up A Big Shop Building - Invest in Technology In 2007, AAA Steel made the decision to fully automate their shop. But before they purchased any machine tools they examined shop flow and production throughput. Handling beams and columns is one of the most expensive, profit robbing practices in a structural shop, says Muenchrath, Your shop layout is critical to profitability. After viewing other brands of fabrication equipment, AAA found the Peddinghaus brand was the most logical choice. They consulted with their local distributor, George McCarthy of Akhurst Machinery, and began working with the Design Engineers at Peddinghaus to build their dream. We gathered advice from the best and took trips to visit other shops so we had a good knowledge of the best shop layout for us. Having our machines in small buildings with all the material handling outdoors makes good sense to us even in Alberta, Canada in January. Peddinghaus Power with a small shop footprint! Continued on page 11

10 10 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW SPRING 2010 EDYCE Continued from page 8 The use of building models speeds design, informs the construction teams and promotes faster fabrication keeping all projects ahead of schedule. Why Perform Such Intense Planning and Production Scrutiny? Easy! We have tough competitors our advantage is to deliver early or ahead of schedule to the job site. Because our Peddinghaus machines are strong, accurate, and VERY efficient, our entire project is ahead of schedule. Remember, we have our engineers on site during the erection as well. Once the project is ahead of schedule, the client quickly learns that he can start producing much faster and his project is ALIVE starting to make money earlier than planned. Edyce specializes in Mining projects and has worked with construction firms such as Bechtel, Fluor, Codelco, Aker Solutions and SNC Lavaline. A Road Map for the Future Mr. Sergio Rocco of Edyce is very proud to be a part of the structural steel fabrication industry and the opportunities that steel construction has brought his firm. When asked about how to deal with today s market and be successful in the future, Sergio outlined his thoughts from his own experience: Structural steel is sometimes 5% of a large project lend engineering expertise to your client in all phases of the project he will appreciate it and always remember your assistance. The fabricated steel that you supply may quickly become a commodity in the future due to increased global competition bringvalue to your product in every phase: sales, engineering, production, and erection. Work together for the good of the industry and join organizations that meet these goals. Use tools that integrate well like Tekla (X Steel) or SDS 2 or AceCad modeling software with Peddinghaus machines; Edyce is proof that their combined technologies are state of the art and make profits. The face of structural fabrication has changed dramatically in five years the next five years will bring even more changes, so be prepared; the best preparation is by continuous investigation and investment in new technologies. A main fabrication facility for Edyce is located in Concepcion, Chile located far down the South American continent bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains. With their geographic location, the local people joke that they are located at the Bottom of the World. With their blend of technology, hard work, and industry passion, Edyce is much closer to the Top of the World. Heavy plate fabrication is processed on two Peddinghaus FDB 2500 plate systems.

11 SPRING 2010 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW 11 AAA STEEL Continued from page 9 Saving Labor = Profit Once we learned the best shop layout and production throughput, the decision to buy the machines was easy we chose Peddinghaus. Their machines run 24/7 and I can use 1 operator for all my production. We ran a W36x194 with 42 holes in 20 minutes today the old way would have been4-5hours. Those Peddinghaus machines are unbelievably fast. We purchased a PCD 1100 drill placed in tandem with a DG 1100 miter band saw perfect for our production. With all bolted connections now, we added an Anglemaster AFPS 623 for all our clip angles, braces, cap plates, finger shims, etc. The machines are strong, but compact with a small footprint. They deliver profit for me in many different ways. We do our own erection, and I monitor costs closely. I can say that our erection crews have reduced labor and equipment costs by 25% at the job site. Everything fits no rework, no reaming it s amazing how accurate the Peddinghaus machines really are. When asked about machine payback, Lyle knew the numbers: Payback on the Peddinghaus PCD drill and DG 1100 saw was 1 1/2 years (18 months). The Anglemaster was 2 years (24 months). The big difference? Our entire operation runs smoothly, and we can take on profitable fast track jobs and absorb them into our current production schedule with no problems. That is how you can make money in these times. The Peddinghaus PCD 1100 drill and DG 1100 miter band saw are perfect tools for AAA s tonnage needs with an 18 month payback on the purchase. Putting Profit on Your Plate With his increased productivity, Lyle knew that keeping up with his plate requirements was a priority. He has recently taken delivery of a new Peddinghaus HSFDB 2500 high speed plate processing system, complete with an 8 station tool changer. It s a big machine how do you justify it? It creates a drilled hole in 3-4 seconds, and can tap and countersink that hole as well. The HPR plasma or oxy-fuel torch cuts it to any shape or length up to 2.5M wide x 75mm thick (96 x 3 ). With the tool changer my operator does it all load, process, unload. The future of fabrication is changing I am well positioned to perform just in time or lean fabrication in my structural shop with the addition of these Peddinghaus machines. The Anglemaster has great flexibility with capacity for both angle iron and flat plate with payback in only 2 years. Staying ahead of plate fabrication requirements was the key to purchase the new Peddinghaus HS FDB 2500 plate processor also with infeed located outside the main building. Continued on page 12

12 12 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW SPRING 2010 AAA STEEL Continued from page 11 Running Production in Snow and Ice Why place conveyors and transfers systems outside in freezing temperatures? Think about it: Why pay for a large warehouse or building with over 30,000 square feet when you can fit 3 machines in a small garage with less than 2700 square feet? Why pay to heat or cool such a large warehouse? Why pay taxes on a large structure when you can house the machines in a footprint 1/30th of the size? Keep your main building free for large project weldments that actually make you money such as trusses or special fabrications that require your engineering/welding expertise. The infeed for the Anglemaster system is located next to the drill/saw conveyor line. Making Money Starts with the Installation It is a simple law of physics that the freeze/thaw cycle between Mother Nature s seasons is hard on concrete foundations. At AAA Steel, they dug deep to come up with a solution. Piers were drilled into the soil and formed with concrete for the foundation of the outdoor conveyors and Quiet Glide beam transfers. A couple of winters have passed with no problems. Another aspect of the installation jumps out at you when you tour AAA s facility NO cables, cords, or hydraulic hose/lines are on the floor or ground. Thanks to the forward thinking of Mick Auty, a cable carrier houses every electronic or hydraulic cable or line so nothing is on the floor. Every machine at AAA Steel is meticulously installed, with all hoses, cables, etc. neatly placed in cable carrier. You might ask why? Safety, Cleanliness, and Profitability Yes, Profitability! Our operators are proud of the machines, and keep these investments in top running condition. It is far better to spot and fix a small leak before it becomes a big one. Cables or hoses rubbing against the floor only increase the chance of leaks and production downtime. Keeping them contained makes inspection and maintenance easier, so it makes perfect sense to me. Controlling Costs Becomes Your Cash Cow Lyle will tell you that he is an old school kind of guy. I grew up as an auto mechanic, and learned how to weld along the way. I was blessed with an analytical mind, and I was always interested in new technology. From operating my business, I know the key to profitability is controlling my costs. Don t lock in to older practiced methods what worked five years ago, won t work now. When you can minimize your costs, you can make money in any business, but you need to be diligent every day. Watch your shop methods, and deal with good business partners who are interested in your success. Customer Service and support on the equipment are essential ingredients for success. Peddinghaus and Akhurst Machinery have been excellent partners for AAA Steel. AAA Steel would like to acknowledge the management team that has contributed to AAA Steel s success Janet Muenchrath, owner and office manager Jill Muenchrath, safety, production and sales manager Adam Muenchrath, equipment technician and trainer Kevin Gerritsen, senior field supervisor Don Morgan, senior estimator Terry Bennet, senior draftsman Joe Montefresco, special projects Mick Auty, senior equipment technician and trainer

13 SPRING 2010 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW 13 L&M FABRICATION & MACHINE, INC. Diversified Profitability Located just over an hour outside of Philadelphia the City of Brotherly Love in Bath, Pennsylvania L&M Fabrication uses their ingenuity and innovation to continually exceed customer expectations. With over 40 years of service in the steel industry L&M does whatever is needed to get the job done. Boasting a broad client base in numerous industries that span the world L&M has engrained versatility and quality into every step of its fabrication process. Big projects like the 800 ton/725 metric ton NYDEP building in Brooklyn, NY are not uncommon for the team at L&M Fabrication. No Such Thing as a Normal Job If you ask Keith Ashner, Managing partner, or Bobby Cesanek, Jr., Operations Manager, what a typical job at L&M is, they can maybe tell you what they are working on at that given moment. But as far as explaining the markets they are involved with the list is never-ending. The power of L&M s profitability lies in the diverse projects they are able to fabricate. Sign structures are just one of the diverse projects L&M is capable of fabricating such as this 130 ton/117 metric ton New Jersey structure with 3/4 /20 mm thick plate weldments. You will see parts for projects that include: cement plants, power projects, miscellaneous steel, railroad work, sign structures, infrastructure projects, and structural applications (that have included the new World Trade Center in Manhattan) go through their shop on any given day. Pictures of numerous custom projects adorn the hallways at L&M as badges of honor, and each has a unique story that goes with it. It s safe to say L&M has never been afraid to venture into new markets. When Anthony Lack started the company in 1967 his vision was to machine and fabricate steel. It didn t matter what it was for whether it was small odd-jobs for local farmers or custom parts for a wide array of projects, a job was a job and L&M has never hesitated to accept new challenges. This attitude of whatever it takes has stayed with the company throughout the years, even as ownership moved from Anthony to his son Bruce. The company has continued to grow exponentially from its origin and today supplies a multitude of unique steel components to companies all over the globe. With this diversified workload commonly demanding tight deadlines standard procedure needs to be flexible but most importantly efficient. On top of that, each project has diverse demands and unique regulations L&M s skilled workforce and cutting edge equipment are the backbone for their modern day profitability. The First Steps Toward Technology Bobby Cesanek works today as L&M s Operations Manager, but in his 28 years with the company he has worn multiple hats throughout the organization. Starting his career at L&M on the shop floor Bobby learned the areas that L&M could potentially improve its processes, and one day he got his chance. Continued on page 20

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16 16 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW SPRING 2010 NASCC 2010 Peddinghaus Customer Appreciation Event Many can agree that 2009 offered many challenges to the steel fabrication industry. There s no doubt that many of us spent a lot of time focusing on our businesses and looking for ways to succeed in the competitive markets of the past year. As the previous decade has drawn to a close it is time for us as an industry to take a moment to relax in the company of friends. It s time to take a break before we tackle the decade before us. The Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando was a 2,200 ton project of FabArc Steel, Oxford, AL fabricated on Peddinghaus equipment. At the 2010 North American Steel Construction Conference Peddinghaus will host a networking event that offers the opportunity to mingle with industry experts and collectively ring in the new decade in a positive atmosphere. Peddinghaus will host a customer appreciation networking event on Wednesday, May 12th at the Gaylord Palms resort, merely steps away from the NASCC show floor. Attend the AISC / Peddinghaus sponsored cocktail hour at the end of the day and afterwards join your friends at Peddinghaus for an evening of great food, friends, and entertainment that s guaranteed to be second to none. In 2008 Peddinghaus hosted none other than Blue Collar Comic Bill Engvall in Nashville. In 2009 we brought Hall of Fame Baseball legend Jim Palmer to Phoenix. This year Peddinghaus is returning to our lighthearted ways and hosting the world class comedian Ron White for your entertainment. Join the industry in ringing in the new decade with Peddinghaus! Stay tuned to for details as they become available.

17 SPRING 2010 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW 17 Peddinghaus Scores 10 out of 10 in 2010 Peddinghaus to Exhibit 3 New Machines Specifically Designed for a New Decade in Fabrication Booth 400 at the 2010 NASCC is the place to be for innovation May 12th-15th. Peddinghaus is starting the decade off right with 3 new machines that many will agree score a 10 out of 10 in 2010 the innovative REVOLUTION ACPS-833, the brand new DG-1250 carbide band saw, and the never before seen technological advancement, THE ADVANTAGE 2 CARBIDE DRILL LINE. See these machines exhibited together for the first time while we run demonstrations throughout the show. Seeing is believing in Orlando come experience why Peddinghaus is scoring a 10 out of 10 in THE ADVANTAGE 2 CARBIDE DRILL LINE Peddinghaus is introducing a new mix of technology with the PCD- 1100/3C - ADVANTAGE 2 drill line: Carbide tooling, automatic tool changers, second generation roller feed measurement, 3 axis scribing, and robust Peddinghaus construction are just a few of the new features that make this machine the perfect addition to any modern fab shop. THE REVOLUTION AFCPS-833 The Peddinghaus REVOLUTION was exhibited for the first time at FABTECH in Chicago and with several installations marveling at this one-of-a-kind rotating punch press technology, it s easy to see why this machine is changing the industry! Process 8x8x1" / 200x200x25 mm Angle, 12x1" / 300x25mm flat bar, and punch channel up to 12" / 300mm wide with the most versatile Anglemaster to date! There's always a solution with the REVOLUTION. THE DG-1250 HIGH SPEED CARBIDE SAW The latest advancement in speed sawing technology, the DG-1250 miter band saw allows for blazing fast cutting times as a stand alone system or in tandem with a drill line. Standard with automatic double mitering capability, this saw will prove to be the perfect cutting solution for all applications. Don t miss out on the action visit Booth 400 for the highest performing equipment in the industry! Peddinghaus Motorcycle Fab Tour 2010 As spring approaches the team at Peddinghaus is once again looking forward to our annual Motorcycle Fabricators Tour. This year it s all about fun in the sun while touring through Florida, our Sunshine State! Peddinghaus has time and time again served as the unofficial tour guide to the world of structural steel fabrication. For the 2010 NASCC our popular motorcycle tour will travel across the great state of Florida visiting progressive fabricators and popular tourist destinations along the way. Did you miss 2008 when we traveled across Tennessee and Alabama? Were you unable to come with us on the Grand Canyon state of Arizona last year? Don t worry there s still time to sign up for this years Harley Tour where the educational experiences and networking opportunities will prove to be invaluable in today s demanding business environment. People taking part in the 2010 Harley Tour will enjoy visits to first class facilities while networking with industry experts. This year s Harley Tour will take place beginning Saturday, May 8th and will conclude the day before the show opens on Tuesday, May 11th. Stay tuned to for details as they become available!

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19 SPRING 2010 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW 19 ALL NEW The original Advantage drill line DRILL LINE was introduced for the very first time at the NASCC in San Antonio in 2005, where it turned heads and changed the opportunities of automation. Today, over 300 PCD-1100 drill lines later, the next generation of this industry benchmark is ready to emerge. The Advantage 2 drill line will be on display at the 2010 NASCC and Structures congress for the first time before a live audience. A diverse mix of technology both new and familiar to the Peddinghaus lineup of machinery includes: Station tool changers on each drilling axis Carbide tooling with size 40 steep taper holders 3 axis scribing capabilities 25 HP / 18.6 kw Siemens spindle specific servo motors Dual tower horizontal clamping Smart Spindle 2 drilling technology Second generation roller measurement with adjustable height drive

20 20 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW SPRING 2010 L&M FABRICATION & MACHINE Continued from page 13 Bobby s understanding of modern technology and the benefits that software could offer came to light in the early 90s when he convinced the company to buy its first PC with Autocad. That day the game had changed forever for the team at L&M. Before Bobby brought the software into the picture we were manually drawing full scale layouts of parts. It was an incredibly tedious process, but then we got our first autocad center with our first PC. It was just the tip of the iceberg with how we began to modernize our processes and immediately we were amazed at how technology could improve how we fabricated. - Keith Ashner This first taste of modern technology left a lasting impression at L&M. The improved prepwork and simplified processes through automated drafting helped the organization realize how important technology could be. Keith, Bruce, and Bobby knew that modern techniques would become a permanent fixture at L&M. The Right Tools for the Job In 1999 L&M purchased their first CNC plate burning machine, shortly followed by several small CNC ironworkers, and a CNC punch press. As the company grew into new industries they saw more structural shapes coming through the shop. The team at L&M decided that it might be time for another investment into structural shape processing a Beam Drill Line. I remember when we first spoke to Danny Steyn of Ocean Machinery in He came to speak to us about the Ocean Avenger. He was in my office and wrote on my white board exactly how that machine could help us. I was impressed by his presentation, we bought the machine, and it did everything that he said it would simple as that. - Keith Ashner With their diverse workload the Avenger was able to process a multitude of different shapes and sizes at a minimal initial investment. As Bobby describes There wasn t a lot that machine couldn t do. The addition of the Avenger opened more new doors to the organization. Structural projects The 9 spindle BDL-1250/B and 1100 DG miter band saw tandem system are the become more prevalent at L&M and the organization continued to grow into new further diverse markets. Retooling Again With Peddinghaus In 2008 the company was getting ready for another major CNC investment never taking these decisions lightly Keith, Bruce, Bobby and their Material Prep manager Daniel Zellner took it upon themselves to explore all available options. The management team brainstormed together and decided where they wanted to improve their production strategically to accommodate active markets. With every addition of CNC equipment new opportunities had been presented to L&M, and this time would be no different. All machine tool manufacturers were being considered so the L&M team had a lot of research on their hands. The group contacted multiple other fabricators and asked them about their equipment specifically in regards to customer service, performance, and reliability. When the fabrication world is your oyster where do you start? What equipment would give them the competitive advantage they needed to prepare their business for the future? The versatility of the Ocean Avenger drill introduced new ways of fabricating to L&M. We took a look at everything we were doing and asked ourselves What next? We went to the Peddinghaus Oktoberfest to do some looking around and it was great - we had the opportunity to see everything operate and ask any question we could come up with. The staff was very accommodating and I was especially impressed with the parts and customer service departments It s one thing to hear about it, it s another to go and see it for yourself. - Keith Ashner

21 SPRING 2010 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW 21 Crown Jewel of L&M s machine tool arsenal. After seeing the machines in action L&M added to their machine tool arsenal a new Ocean Avenger, a BDL-1250/9B drill line, band saw, and FDB-2500 plate processor and haven t looked back since. As Bobby describes Our new machines have opened up new markets to us and will benefit us now and into the future. The Peddinghaus Space Saving Setup Over time L&M s shop has grown to occupy three different buildings on their corporate campus. With the massive profiles that they produce, paired with the difficulties involved with moving these components throughout production, shop floor space and flow of material has become a hot commodity. In the main machine shop the Ocean Avenger is tucked into the corner and is put to work processing a wide array of materials. A special fixture designed by Daniel even helps the machine work as a horizontal drilling center when holes are needed in specialized components. When the Avenger isn t drilling beams it s drilling angle, when it s not drilling angle it can process a multitude of specialized items proving that the Avenger is not just for the smaller fabricator. In the primary fabrication facility across the street from the main office, L&M houses the BDL-1250/B drill, 1250/510 saw, and FDB plate processor. Similar to many Peddinghaus machine installations, all of the material is stored outside and fed through the wall, saving on valuable floor space. We placed our conveyor outside and put the power units above the machines on a platform to save on space. This puts everything out of the way while making more room for fit up stations. By starting all plate handling and dust extraction outside and placing the power/plasma units on a mezzanine make for a miniscule plate processing footprint. We really rely on the cross transfer material handling for what we do and I don t know what we would do without it, it just makes organizing profiles easier. - Keith Ashner When asked about their Peddinghaus investment Keith claims that beyond the technological advancements and production efficiencies they A passion for quality in design and customer satisfaction are values both L&M and Peddinghaus hold dear. Finished sign structure components ready to ship mean another satisfied L&M customer. present, the people who stand behind them make all the difference We have been very impressed with the customer service aspect of Peddinghaus. All other things aside who do you want on your team when you need help? We knew Peddinghaus was a company we could trust to be there. Prepared for the Future The team at L&M approaches their business with a deep rooted passion for quality and customer satisfaction, from management to the shop floor employees. Every employee at L&M has a strong sense of pride in their work, and is committed to excellence. Their diverse workload and flexible manufacturing facility have proven, and will continue to be the key to their success. If you re not diversified today you will struggle. It s difficult to rely on any single industry to stay steady at times, and our production abilities allow us to stay flexible enough to handle any project that comes our way. - Bobby Cesanek As managers we won t be around forever, and one day when we retire, we know that L&M will be taken care of if we give the future managers the right tools and training to succeed. With our Peddinghaus machines we feel as though we ve made an investment in the future of our company. - Keith Ashner

22 22 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW SPRING 2010 Universal Ironworkers: Increase productivity at a modest price VEHIZASA Venta Hierros Zaragozaa, S.A. One of the companies that comprise the PRONIMETAL Group, which is the largest Steel Processing group of companies in Southern Europe. The Ironworker is an excellent auxiliary machine. With it we can now accept projects in any quantities where previously we could just process these type of projects on the big tonnage drill-sawing lines. Taking on a project like that used to be very expensive, (programming, manipulate, ). Now, with the Ironworker, we can do this type of work very quickly and easily. We always have something to do with the Ironworker, and nowadays it is an essential machine for us. ASMOBI S.L. Precision Welding Works Convinced that investments in technology are quickly returned, ASMOBI owner, Mr. Agirre, was sure that adding an Ironworker with all the automatic accessories would bring ASMOBI to their target of ZERO mistakes which is one of the plant s main goals. Quality control, excellent products, and superb technical serviceare the fundamentals of the ASMOBI business philosophy. My only wish is that I had purchased the Ironworker years ago! Fernando Arana programs the drawings into the CNC touch screen. He reviews the drawings and the operations to be done to the parts. Although you have to get adjusted to it, the programming is very easy, he tells us, while indicating on the screen which is the next punch to actuate. In ASMOBI, the Ironworker is equipped with the CNC table 2000mm x 400mm, the triple punch system and the automatic length stop for measuring parts to be sheared. Normally our pieces are small in size but in large quantities so the automation ensures that we get the quality our customers need. Aito Heriz, expert operator of the Ironworker This CNC gauging table can be fitted to an existing Ironworker and dramatically increase productivity and accuracy.

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24 24 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW SPRING 2010 Parish Iron Works Receives AISC Certification The minimization of manual processes is allowing Parish to bid on bigger jobs than ever before. The crew at Parish Iron Works has earned the distinction of being an AISC Certified Fabricator. Why do we as an industry need to focus on quality? If you were to ask the team at Parish Iron Works located in Syracuse, NY that question, they would tell you the answer is simple their customers are important to them. Since their founding in 2002 they have forged strong relationships which have fostered a powerful reputation for quality and service in addition to providing them with repeat business. Mike Smith, Operations Manager for Parish Iron Works describes their motivation for pursuing AISC accreditation: We truly benefitted when we took on this project by ensuring that we had a far more educated, knowledgeable and efficient team than ever before. The process of getting certified forces you to examine every detail of your operations and involves every person in the company. Going through this process together made the entire company stronger. Although we were pleased to realize that the majority of our processes already fit the criteria for AISC quality requirements, we will strive to further enhance our base of knowledge and training throughout our Quality Management System. Having recently invested in both an Ocean Avenger single spindle beam drill line and Ocean Clipper Angle Line, both manufactured by Peddinghaus, Mike explains that the auditor from AISC took notice of their streamlined processes via CNC equipment and a dedication to quality. Tim Glassford, Shop Foreman and Quality Control Manager states: Parish Iron Works is currently working on our largest project ever. Last week I tracked the following production numbers with the Avenger Beam Line: 745 holes in 8 hours, 1,100 holes in two days, and as a side note the machine has drilled 26,000 holes since we got it in Nov 2008 and we are still using the original drill bits it came with (with sharpening of course). This could never have been accomplished with the manual processes we were using before. This is a big step and great improvement for us as a company. On the night of their company Christmas party Parish Iron Works received a special gift in the mail their official certificate granting them AISC certification. The staff and management were excited that their hard work and dedication to quality was rewarded with this industry honor. Parish Iron Works, Inc. owners (l-r) Tim Glassford, Chris Glassford, Mike Atwood. In May of 2009 the organization decided that their reputation wasn t enough - they wanted to strive for something more. They wanted to achieve the national standard for quality and efficiency. They decided to pursue certification with the American Institute of Steel Construction. The team tackled this task head on through complete documentation of their current processes, and implementing a new quality management system. Chris Glassford, President of Parish Iron Works commented: The Ocean Avenger and Ocean Clipper by Peddinghaus have continually amazed us with how fast we are now able to fabricate jobs. That accuracy and efficiency has enabled us to successfully bid on far more work than before with our increased product output capabilities. While other fabricators may continue to struggle our business has never been better and we are on pace for another record year. The decision to add the Peddinghaus equipment has completely reshaped the future prospects of our company. When other companies think they can t afford equipment the truth is they can t afford not to! Erection services are also offered by Parish Iron Works, where quality fabrication is paramount to profitability. We hope that this certification will provide us greater opportunities in terms of bidding larger jobs. One of our main motivators to become certified was the fact that more and more projects are requiring this certification. In order to remain competitive we simply had to do it. Now paired with our Peddinghaus equipment we are prepared for the future and look forward to a very profitable 2010! said Mike Smith. CONGRATULATIONS to owners Chris and Tim Glassford, Mike Atwood, and the entire staff at Parish Iron Works for your achievement! We look forward to watching your company continue to grow and succeed in partnership with Peddinghaus!

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26 26 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW SPRING 2010 TOUR WRAP-UP Touring Fabricators Agree: South Africa is Wonderful! Forty five structural steel fabricators and industry professionals enjoyed the Peddinghaus sponsored tour of exotic South Africa. The group departed from many international locales, and came together in Johannesburg for an exciting mixture of business and pleasure. Highlights of the tour included tours of premier steel fabrication shops in South Africa. Many are engaged in structural steel fabrication for the energy, mining, and building construction. These included: Tubular Holdings Genrec Steel Cosira International Konti Industries Scott Steel Transcape Steel A highlight of the tour included a trip to Pilanesberg Resort for tours of wild animal game reserves. The group also enjoyed their visit to Capetown, concluding with a visit to the Cape of Good Hope at the most southern tip of the African continent. Peddinghaus sponsors many fabricator tours both large and small with various destinations. They are designed to educate, fabricate, and participate! For further information on the next tour, marketing@peddinghaus.com.

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28 28 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW SPRING 2010 GETTING TO KNOW Keith Birge Peddinghaus Customer Service Training Manager Keith, when did you first come to Peddinghaus? Keith Birge came to Peddinghaus with a background in mechanical engineering and a passion for working with people the perfect combination for a Training Manager. Many machine operators may know Keith from their training in Bradley or at an on-site Peddimat training course. If you haven t had the opportunity to meet him, here s your chance: I was originally hired to join Peddinghaus customer service staff in 1997, after taking some time off from traveling when my son was born, I came back full-time in 2005 and haven t looked back since! Can you tell us about the training you do at Peddinghaus? At Peddinghaus we offer a wide selection of helpful curriculums to choose from. They range from Basic operator training to Advanced Peddimat for programmers. We conduct these classes at a minimum bi-monthly, and also under special circumstances will come to your facility to conduct the class. Coming to train in Bradley is a great opportunity for employees to take advantage of the facilities and machinery we have at our disposal. Operators get the chance to observe every aspect of the equipment they operate and learn about it from top to bottom. We make sure that they truly understand the machine to better maintain, and operate the equipment when they get back to the installation. In situations where customers are unable to come to Bradley, such as an international customer or one with a heavy backlog, we can do the training on-site. Once the operator gains an understanding of the machine we supervise as they run production. What roles have you played since joining the Peddinghaus family of employees? I started by spending two years working at Peddinghaus as a Field Service Technician traveling the world and maintaining / installing equipment. I was later promoted to Service Department Training Manager I enjoyed teaching new operators and working with people of all different cultural backgrounds so it has proven to be the perfect fit for me. When I began as Training Manager my first priority was to standardize the customer service department training program to exceed ISO standards. What this means to Peddinghaus is every time we perform training there are set procedures and documentation to follow routinely. What this means to the customer is that they receive a polished, standardized, and established curriculum that has proven to be effective time and time again. In your time at Peddinghaus what changes have you seen in the technology and the way fabricators approach automation? I have seen a lot more customers investing in their processes through training lately. At Peddinghaus we offer a variety of technical courses to improve their operating skills and expedite production through the elimination of operator related downtime. Many facilities are training operators to run multiple machines in an effort to reduce their workforce while still remaining productive in today s market. On site or in Bradley, Peddinghaus training is available anywhere in the world by qualified professionals. Do you see existing users sending back new employees or existing operators to learn new skills? Yes. Generally once a customer has seen the improvement in their production through properly trained employees they will send more employees back for training in the future. I find that some customers even make sure new employees attend one of our classes as part of their indoctrination into the firm. Although the machine is simple to operate an operator with a clear understanding of how the equipment is intended to work will be able to get more production out of the machine with minimal downtime. Why is a trained operator important to the success of a fabrication shop? Ensuring that an operator understands the sequence of operations involved with the machine he is running tends to make his decision process more efficient, and more rational. A well trained operator can also better assist maintenance with trouble shooting and recognize potential issues before they occur through preventive maintenance and smarter operation. Do you see a greater ability to learn CNC machine tools with the modern generation of labor? Are operators more apt to learn CNC technology? Yes. The increased demand for high yield and more efficient / cost effective production has led to an increase in the demand for automation; therefore operators are expected to have a more versatile skill set. This requires each customer to ensure that their employees are up to date with the latest technology. Both young and old employees are able to learn the programs with little issue; however it s a true thing to say that the modern workforce is much more capable of running CNC equipment than ever before. Continued on page 30

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30 30 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW SPRING 2010 KEITH BIRGE Continued from page 28 The technical training center at Peddinghaus corporate headquarters creates the perfect environment for learning everything you need to know about Peddinghaus equipment. How fast does an operator generally pick up the use of the machine? The majority of new Peddinghaus machines now have Siemens (HMI), and Peddimat both Windows based software. These very powerful programs allow the operator to quickly understand the user friendly abilities for creation and application of any fabrication part. Depending on the machine, at the conclusion of training operators are fully capable of operating a wide array of functions. Generally we can take an operator that has not even seen the machine before, and by the end of the first or second day they are operating on their own. We prepare them for this by having them operate the machine on site while under our supervision just in case they run into an issue or have a question. We make sure that the operators are FULLY prepared at the conclusion of the curriculum. What do you feel is Peddinghaus customer service s strongest quality, and the most important thing it offers fabricators? With our over forty highly trained techs stationed around the world and a 16 hour a day (2:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Central time) call center we are ready to serve our customers. On a proactive stand our training department is ready to educate your employees, make them more independent and provide them with the training they need to solve issues independently should a need ever arise. What should someone do if they want to have their operators or other employees trained? They can simply call Peddinghaus Corporation s global headquarters in Bradley, IL at or info@peddinghaus.com and ask about operator training we ll make sure that you are taken care of! IF YOU RE THINKING OF BUYING A MACHINE CHEAPLY AT AUCTION THINK AGAIN! Consider the benefits of a fully remanufactured Peddinghaus machine! Peddinghaus trained and certified technicians perform a thorough inspection of all SSSL equipment to ensure that the quality of the finished product resembles a brand new Peddinghaus machine. A thorough inspection of all electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical components results in the remanufacture or replacement of aged parts. USED VERSUS REMANUFACTURED DRILL LINE COST COMPARISON EXPENSE REMANUFACTURED BY SSSL AS-IS USED FROM AUCTION Auction Fee None Up to 10% Shipping Costs Included FOB Factory $5,000+ Rigging Costs Included $6,000+ Training Costs Included in Price $7,000+ Warranty 1 yr Free Parts and Service No Warranty $15,000+ Customer Service Factory Direct Factory Direct Warranty Covered Local or Off Shore? Electricals Brand New Replacement = $40,000+ Operational Guaranteed Rarely Without Service Visit - $5,000 Software Upgraded Up to Date Not Included - $1,500+ Installation Included in Price $15,000+ Dependability Reliable Unreliable, No Guarantee Factory Guaranteed Results Est. $10,000 in Repairs Future Resale Value Positive Questionable SERVICES OFFERED SSSL AUCTION Plant Layouts Yes NO Electrical Schematics Yes NO Machine Footprint Yes NO AVAILABLE MACHINE REQUIREMENTS Air Yes NO Hydraulics Yes NO KW Requirements Yes NO Spare Parts List Yes NO Operating Instructions Yes NO Trouble Shooting Guide Yes NO The customers pictured here with Keith Birge all successfully completed Peddimat software training in Bradley, IL.

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32 VOLUME 33 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW SPRING 2010 STEEL FABRICATORS REVIEW Washington and Grove Street Bradley, IL PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 157 Joliet, IL