We were able to snag a quick Question & Answer (Q&A) session with Dan Porter, Engineering Manager at New Age Industrial. We learned more about how we customize products and the important role Engineering plays in manufacturing.
What are the advantages of customizing products vs using standard items?
The main advantage is most likely efficiency. Modifying or designing something new to fit your unique application will normally make you more efficient at your task(s).
Why would someone want to customize a product?
The same as above or to make something “fit”. For example, if you have an area that needs a dunnage rack that needs to be 4” longer to make it work, we can do it. (in the simplest form!)
What type of products do people customize?
We have probably modified every item we have ever had in our catalogs!
If someone wants to customize a product, how do they get started?
Sometimes we get a sketch on a piece of paper. Or someone will give us an item number and explain what changes they would like us to make.
How long does the customization process take?
It depends…a dunnage rack could be modified in 10 minutes, but we have worked on large projects that took months. I would say the average is 1-2 weeks for a custom project to be quoted, then current lead time from getting a purchase order to being built. Right now is approximately 35 working days.
What’s the coolest product you have ever designed?
I would have to say Cantilever Shelving (sole project) and the collar system for the folding handle lowboys. Jim Sharp, Tom Frye, and I worked on that project originally for Meijer. It has been adapted to fit many other customers’ requests.
It’s easy to customize products with us. Simply visit the Customization Page in the About Us Section of our website and click on the “Get a Custom Quote” button. Then just answer a few brief questions and add a sketch if you have one. Then you can submit the request, and our team will follow-up with you as soon as they can.
New Age Industrial is the leading aluminum extruder and fabricator of storage and transportation equipment in the United States. We use a Flexible Manufacturing Process to design and build heavy-duty yet lightweight aluminum products that can be customized to fit your exact needs, completely stress-free. Our unmatched versatility in product design and in-house team of experts make New Age Industrial the Top Choice for material handling and food service equipment. Our products are Proudly Made in the USA!