October is Tedco’s Anniversary Month

October is Tedco’s Anniversary Month

A lot of the work we do at Tedco starts with one part. Sometimes it is a prototype for a new design. Sometimes it is a replacement part that may only ever be made once. Other times it is the first of many—a part that eventually becomes a regular production order. We like all of them.

Prototype and one-off work has always been an important part of Tedco. There is something rewarding about taking a drawing, an idea, or even an old part that needs to be duplicated and figuring out how to make it. At the same time, we have watched many of those first parts grow into something much bigger. A prototype may become a run of 10 or 50. Some eventually become hundreds of parts, while others turn into components we make every month.

Over the years, we have also had the opportunity to work with companies when they were developing their first products or were still relatively small. Some of those companies grew considerably, and it has been rewarding to continue making parts for them along the way.

But growth in quantity has never changed the value of the original work. A one-off part can require just as much thought, skill, and problem-solving as a production run of hundreds. In many cases, it requires more.

This month marks 39 years since Tedco opened its doors. Our equipment has changed, our capabilities have grown, and today we may run larger quantities than we once did—but we still make the prototypes, the small runs, the oddball parts, and the one-piece jobs right alongside our regular production work. Whether a customer needs one or hundreds, it still starts the same way: Someone needs a part made.

Thirty-nine years in, you might think we have seen just about every kind of sheet metal part there is. We haven’t. One of the things that still makes this work interesting is that no two days at Tedco are quite the same. On any given day, we may be working on a one-piece prototype, a small run of parts, a difficult forming job that takes some figuring out, and a repeat production order that we make month after month.

Some jobs start with a drawing and a question: Can you make this? Others come back to us again and again, sometimes growing from just a few pieces into much larger quantities.

That mix has become a big part of what Tedco looks like today. We still enjoy the challenge of the unusual jobs—the parts that require some thought, a special setup, or a different way of approaching the work. At the same time, we have customers who depend on us for regular production, and we take just as much pride in keeping those parts consistent from one order to the next.

After 39 years, the equipment has changed and the type of work has grown, but one thing hasn’t: another part is always coming through the door, giving us something new to figure out.

Industry Spotlight: Sheet Metal Fabrication for Renewable Energy

The renewable energy industry has been demanding precision metal components that can handle various climates and outdoor environments for decades. Metal fabrication plays a crucial role in the reliability and functionality of energy storage systems, solar and wind turbines, and emerging hydrogen technologies as the industry is expanding at an unprecedented pace. 

TEDCO is positioned to meet the needs of renewable energy engineers and OEMs with our proven forty years of reliability and precision metal components. Our core competencies in metal fabrication include bulk production projects, experience with complex geometries and tolerances, and decades of prototype manufacturing knowledge. Our agility to move from prototype to short-run production helps clients bring parts to newly developed energy systems quickly without sacrificing quality. 

Sheet Metal Components for Renewable Energy 

Metal Enclosures- The Renewable Energy Industry frequently requests durable metal enclosures to protect electronics and sensitive components from the elements in outdoor environments. TEDCO’s metal enclosures are designed with quality in mind, fabricated to withstand various conditions while maintaining airflow and thermal characteristics. Enclosure housing is one of our most sought-after products for energy storage systems. 

Solar Power Components- We regularly produce custom sheet metal components for solar installations, including mounting brackets, racking hardware, and combiner boxes. These parts demand corrosion-resistant materials and reliable, consistent forming to ensure long-term performance, which is why materials like aluminum and stainless steel are often preferred for solar applications.

Structural Frames and Supports-  Renewable energy projects like hydrogen systems, EV charging infrastructure, and modular power units require custom frames and support structures. TEDCO’s ability to fabricate complex welded and bolted assemblies using stainless steel and other rugged materials makes us a valuable partner for these applications.

Electrical Power Parts- Our shop regularly creates mounting brackets, grounding plates, and supports for electrical safety to shield critical electrical components. These tight spaces usually require precise tolerances and repetitive production runs with quick timeframes. This is not a problem for TEDCO, as we have decades of knowledge of high-performance precision sheet metal solutions for the renewable energy industry. 

Wind Energy Parts- The infrastructure of wind-powered energy projects requires sheet metal fabrication for housing control panels and protecting mechanical systems from the elements. TEDCO produces reliable components that withstand movement and exposure to the environment. 

Renewable Energy Material Selection

Choosing the right material is foundational to performance, durability, and cost. For renewable energy parts, we frequently use aluminum alloys like 5052 and 6061, valued for their strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. Stainless steel, particularly grades 304 and 316, is another top choice for outdoor and marine environments. We also work with galvanized and steel for parts that will be painted or powder-coated, cold-rolled steel for indoor enclosures, and copper alloys for electrical grounding and conductivity.

Assembly and Hardware

Optimizing your design for assembly access, hardware installation, and fastening is important to an efficient fabrication process. TEDCO collaborates with customers to identify the best fastener options, hardware placement, and access points, streamlining processes on the shop floor and in the field.

A Proven Renewable Energy Precision Sheet Metal Fabricator

In an industry where every component must be built to last, TEDCO has proven itself as a trusted partner for custom metal fabrication. Our deep experience with precision metal fabrication allows us to support clean energy innovators with quality, speed, and expertise.

From material selection to manufacturability review, from sheet metal prototyping to scalable production, we provide the kind of hands-on partnership that helps renewable energy projects succeed. If you’re searching for a reliable, knowledgeable fabrication company with proven experience in renewables, look no further than TEDCO.

Ready to get started? Contact us today to talk about your next renewable energy project.