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Holiday Planning and Looking Ahead to 2026

Tag Archive: Sheet Metal

  1. Holiday Planning and Looking Ahead to 2026

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    The holiday season presents numerous operational challenges and surprising opportunities. If you plan correctly, you will also be set up for a successful New Year ahead. A well-mitigated strategy will ensure fewer risks with supply chain holiday delays and enhance customer-vendor relationship satisfaction. Together we can navigate this busy time, setting the stage for growth in 2026. 

    We have developed an end-of-year checklist to help prepare ourselves for the holiday rush, and we find it to be a useful tool for vendors and customers alike. By focusing attention on key areas such as shipping logistics to employee appreciation, we will streamline operations, manage costs, and meet December 2025 deadlines.

    Holiday Shipping Logistics 

    First and foremost is proactive management of shipping logistics as the holiday season increases obstacles. There is immense strain on global supply chains, especially due to uncertainty regarding tariffs. More demand, potential weather disruptions, and holiday blackout dates must be anticipated and planned for accordingly. 

    It is crucial to get orders in as soon as possible and plan for extra time tacked onto deadlines to avoid such delays. Confirm with your shipping provider the dates they will be closed over the season, and regularly check their website for weather conflicts. 

    Contingency planning may include identifying alternative shipping providers and shipping routes, or hiring temporary trucking services to mitigate potential impact. 

    It is also important to monitor tariffs and trade policies. Global trade dynamics can directly impact company costs and lead times. Stay informed about current tariffs, trade agreements, and geopolitical developments that may affect your supply chain.

    Stocking Up on Essential Supplies 

    A surge in holiday orders can deplete company supplies, leading to potential delays if inventory is not accounted for. Checking on the mailroom and shipping supplies well before the holidays to ensure proper needs are met. It is even more helpful to analyze data from previous busy seasons to calculate how much inventory was used, and to anticipate the season ahead. 

    Order essential supplies in bulk to receive volume discounts on orders. This allows time to document inventory and organize the shipping department with the new product. 

    Consider purchasing festive packaging for the holiday season. Small touches can enhance customer experience and differentiate your brand from other competitors during the holiday rush. Explore options such as wrapping paper, gift boxes, and greeting cards.

    Show Appreciation for Employees and Customers

    The end of the year is the perfect time to acknowledge the contributions made by employees, friendly vendors, and loyal customers. Thoughtful gestures can strengthen relationships, loyalty, and boost morale for the upcoming start of the new year. Even a small token of gratitude can leave a lasting impression. Where the gift is a box of candy, new company t-shirts, or a coffee gift card, it will be greatly appreciated. Especially during the holiday season, when work days can get crazy and people are longing to spend quality time with their families.

    Consider adding a personal touch to your gifts. Add the company’s logo, get all the staff together for a holiday gift card photo, or, if you have the capabilities like Tedco does, make a gift with company services to demonstrate business abilities in a fun and free way. It serves as marketing, advertising, and appreciation.

    Plan for 2026

    While it is important to manage the current holiday season, it is also smart to start looking ahead to the upcoming year. For vendors like us, we will be reassuring our customers of our reliability, competitive pricing, and fast turnarounds. We hope the previous great customer service and precision quality will speak for itself in reminding clients why they chose Tedco. 

    During the month of December, customers will be evaluating supplier performances on the key metrics mentioned above. Everyone wants to make sure they have chosen the right business partners to ensure growth in the new year. 

     

    Using this list as your holiday season guide can help you close out 2025 while preparing for the year ahead. To find the supplier you need to wrap this year up and profit in 2026, contact Tedco to discuss projected plans today! >

  2. Navigating Tariffs in the Metal Industry

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    Navigating Tariffs in the Metal Industry 

    The constant flux of tariff regulations is causing uncertainties within the sheet metal manufacturing industry. These changes can impact businesses through increased costs and supply chain delays.

    At Tedco, we are dedicated to giving our customers access to metal supplier monthly trend reports to understand how we are navigating tariffs in the metal industry, while maintaining high-quality parts, quick lead times, and precision consistency throughout this changing landscape.

    Navigating Tariffs in the Metal Industry

     

    Why Tariff Alleviation Matters in Sheet Metal Fabrication

    Tariff mitigation affects companies heavily relying on international materials, leading to price surges and production slowdowns. While the worst-case tariff scenarios seem to have been avoided, the policies are still unstable, causing ripple effects across the global material market. 

    North American Stainless has introduced a tariff-like surcharge for May shipments, with potential fees included through July. With continued uncertainties, there are talks that other mills may follow, like Constellium, which has also implemented a tariff-related surcharge. This remains a trend to watch, as well as incentives to reshore manufacturing, which will likely increase. 

     

    Tariff Implications on Planning and Purchasing Materials

    Despite policy shifts, demand is steady for now. As expected, imported materials are becoming less attractive while companies are looking for domestic producers to help avoid fees. Many remain cautious, buying far more conservatively, stocking only what they need for in-house jobs, and rethinking their sourcing strategies. While depot inventory is thinning, perhaps an indicator of future lead-time increases. Supply chain planning and purchasing strategies remain critical.

    Metal Market Landscape as of Now*

    May 11, 2025: The administration reduced tariffs to 30% after previously increasing tariffs on international imports to as high as 145%. This means a return to slightly calmer waters. 

    Aluminum, copper, and nickel had tumbled 15-20% in the previous weeks but have now rebounded by roughly 10-15%.

    Aluminum- After plunging in early April to nearly $1.05/lb, prices have rebounded to the $1.10 range. This is due to a surge of pre-tariff Aluminum that flooded the U.S. market late last year, creating a temporary buffer that is still working its way through the system. We will see Midwest premiums creep up slowly in the coming months. 

    Nickel- Pricing is stabilizing around $7/lb; this range is now acting as the natural floor, especially as Indonesia raises royalties on nickel and tin mining. 

    Steel- Particularly for hot-rolled coil steel, prices are remaining steady at around $900/ton, showing less volatility than other metals. While carbon steel producers like Cleveland-Cliffs are taking capacity offline to remain efficient, possibly triggering a price floor in the coming months. 

    Navigating Tariffs in the Metal Industry

    *Sourced from Ryerson May 2025 Market Report

     

    Tedco’s Strategy for Managing Tariff Risks

    Our company’s approach to navigating tariffs in the metal industry is with resilience, transparency to our valued customers, and smart purchasing strategies to maintain our precision quality products, fair pricing, and efficient lead times. We plan on staying vigilant on market updates to remain ahead of the material trends and keep pricing accurate.

    We will be strategic when it comes to inventory planning, buying materials conservatively. And maintaining close relationships with our primary suppliers to ensure a transparent supply chain to reduce price spikes. 

    Tedco also sources domestically, giving us tighter control over costs, delivery, and turnaround times. 

     

    Let’s Connect 

    Want to know how Tedco can support your next project?- Contact us to learn more about our approach to risk management, precision fabrication, and how we are navigating tariffs in the metal industry. 

    More on current tariff conditions here.

  3. Fabrication Welding Assembly Makes Tedco a One-Stop Shop

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    Our Start as a Fabrication Welding Shop Sets Us Apart

    Not all metal manufacturers offer fabrication welding assembly. This is the process of joining metal components together through various welding techniques to produce the final project. We started with just a couple of machines and a welding department, and have only advanced over time in expertise. This provides our customers with a one-stop shop experience that saves time and money while producing precision welding services. Let’s expand on what fabrication welding encompasses and our shop’s welding department capabilities.

    What is Metal Fabrication Welding?

    Welding Fabrication Assembly

    Tedco’s first welding department from 1989.

    Welding is a crucial part of many metal fabrication projects, described as two or more pieces of material joined together by melting the edges to one another, often by adding filler material to create a stronger and permanent bond. Fabrication Welding relies on intense heat and a steady hand for the most precise application. 

    Fabrication welding includes a range of techniques, each with their own unique advantages. These include Arc welding, MIG welding, TIG welding, spot welding, and the newest technique on the market, laser welding. 

    Arc Welding- Materials are fused together using heat generated by an electric arc. This process is cost-effective but takes a skilled operator.

    MIG Welding- An electric arc is created between a continuously fed metal wire electrode and the metal workpiece. We use a shielding gas, typically argon, to protect the weld from atmospheric contamination. The advantages are quick and easy to learn, speed, making it suitable for bulk production, and versatility. We typically use weld machines by Lincoln Electric.

    TIG Welding- Process using a non-consumable tungsten electrode and inert gas to create a weld. Unlike MIG, the tungsten electrode does not melt and becomes part of the weld. TIG offers precise control for delicate applications. 

    Spot Welding- A type of resistance welding that uses pressure and a passing electric current to join material at localized spots. This technique is quick and easy with little heat distortion, but small localized spots are more likely to break welds.

    Fabrication Welding Assembly

    The LightWELDXR

    Laser Welding- Joins materials together using a focused high-intensity laser beam to melt and fuse them, particularly used for thin materials. This process is highly precise and fast, but the equipment’s starting costs are higher than other welding machines. We use the LaserWELDXR made by IPGPhotonics.

    Our shop has the capabilities and equipment for all fabrication welding types and techniques. Tedco is a one-stop shop for metal fabrication and welding assembly. This gives customers the option to choose whichever welding application works best for their metal fabrication needs.

    What advantages does our in-house fabrication welding offer in project assembly?

    Welding is a critical step in the assembly of metal fabrication projects. During the process, smaller metal components are joined to form a unified structure, creating strong and durable connections between parts, ensuring the integrity and functionality of the final product.

    Using our in-house welding department minimizes the need to move parts between vendors, streamlining production to keep costs manageable. This also leads to faster turnaround times and higher responsiveness to changing project needs. Projects are consistent in quality, and more flexibility is obtainable through reliable communication.

    Fabrication Welding Assembly

    In-house welding assembly also facilitates customization, allowing for existing structures to be repaired or modified to meet customer’s needs. Often, we see metal electrical boxes bought wholesale, then we modify them for certain applications or plug-ins, contributing to the adaptability of customized designs.

    We are a One-Stop Shop 

    Tedco Precision Sheet Metal is the only place you’ll need to fabricate your upcoming projects. Along with our metal machining and fabrication capabilities, we offer welding assembly and post-production services, including expert support, quality control, and project management. We also prides itself on value-added services such as our network of outside finishing vendors and our fleet delivery options. 

    We have been a trustworthy source for sheet metal fabrication needs for various industries and also local companies for over 35 years. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we especially aim to provide expert communication and to ensure project goals are accomplished. 

    Finally ready to try Tedco’s capabilities for your upcoming sheet metal fabrication needs? Connect with our team today.