3 Strategies to Reduce Lead Time in Metal Manufacturing

At ReNEW Manufacturing Solutions, we’re focused on keeping your projects moving fast. We know that time is of the essence, whether you’re racing to market or trying to meet customer demand. That’s why we always aim to help customers reduce lead time for their projects. It’s a major part of our efforts to be the easiest manufacturer to do business with.

So what does that look like in practice? Learn three critical strategies we follow to keep projects moving fast and how you can help streamline the process even further.

Strategy 1: Start With Fast, Clear Quoting

Quoting is the first step of any project, and it sets the tone for everything that follows. A slow quote can create a compounding effect, where questions and back-and-forth communication add significant time before production even begins.

We treat quoting as a priority because we know it’s a critical first step in protecting your timeline. We provide simple ways to submit RFQs like our online quoting portal, using digital quoting tools to turn quotes around quickly and accurately. Our goal is always a one-business-day turnaround, but we’re often able to quote far faster. One of our estimators, for instance, has recently averaged response times under 2 hours.

The simplest way for you to facilitate fast quoting is to always send complete information upfront. The more information and context we have, the sooner your project will be ready for production, whether you require fabrication services or custom metal machining. Important information includes not only drawings, 3D models, quantity, and target delivery date, but also important notes on finish requirements, critical tolerances, special handling, relevant part history, or anything else that we need to know to be successful.

Strategy 2: Use Standard Materials When Possible

We’ve built our operations to include a wide range of capabilities because we know different customers have different needs. But the fastest projects still tend to have a few key characteristics, such as common materials and standard thicknesses.

If a project uses standard material grades and thickness, we may already have it on hand in our shop. If not, we can source it quickly through established supplier channels. However, uncommon alloys or specialty thicknesses often require longer procurement times, adding to lead times right away.

If specialized requirements are truly required, we can talk to you about how we can handle them. But if your primary goal is speed, standard options can make a noticeable difference. This can be especially important for companies bringing work to the United States from Europe as they seek out American manufacturing solutions. Using readily available American material grades and sizes is one of the simplest ways to reduce lead time.

Strategy 3: Work With a Proven Partner

In manufacturing, organized scheduling and continuous improvement are central to speed. That’s why you need a long-term manufacturing partner that takes strategy seriously.

At ReNEW, speed influences all our decisions across the business, from the software we invest in to the way we standardize work on the shop floor.

Our Chief Operating Officer, for instance, is always reviewing workflows at our locations. He recently led a value stream mapping exercise at one site to reduce movement and streamline handoffs between operations. As a result, we’ve seen faster changeovers through better fixturing, programming, and material readiness.

Ultimately, stability can be just as important to lead times. Our redundant capabilities and multiple locations allow us to stay resilient during demand surges or unexpected disruptions, so that your projects can stay on track.

If fast turnaround is important to you, don’t be afraid to ask a potential supplier about their operations. They should be ready to discuss equipment, scheduling, and more. For a typical project, the right fit will significantly reduce lead time.

Let’s Shorten Your Next Lead Time

If you’re looking for a metal manufacturing partner that prioritizes speed, ReNEW Manufacturing Solutions is ready to help. Request a quote today and we’ll work with you to establish the most reliable lead time for your project!