AG°Ù¼ÒÀÖ(¹ú¼Ê)¹ÙÍø

Optimizing horizontal and vertical space with steel platforms helps facilities improve operational efficiency, workflows, and safety. Choosing the right structural steel platform manufacturer to design, fabricate, and install your new platform requires due diligence to ensure they will provide the highest levels of quality and compliance. 

This article will cover the most important questions to ask as you select a steel platform project partner.

1. What Does the Project Process Entail?

Every steel work platform project should begin with a kick-off meeting, during which the manufacturer begins to build an understanding of the customer’s vision, desired schedule, and unique circumstances requiring special attention. 

At Steele AG°Ù¼ÒÀÖ(¹ú¼Ê)¹ÙÍø, we ask a lot of questions and explore every answer for opportunities to optimize the project. We also make sure everyone on the project is aligned with the customer’s goals.

Project coordination begins with evaluation from an engineering perspective. We consider every element of the project and ask, “Is there a better way?� This review and subsequent revisions ensure we always present the most efficient, safe, and cost-effective designs possible. 

As planning progresses, discussions become more detail-focused, revealing any structural elements that could interfere with the platform’s functionality or affect areas beneath it. Our sales and estimating team creates a conceptual project agreement while integrators develop a conceptual system design. These plans are turned over for review and consideration and, if necessary, are modified to meet new or changing needs. When all circumstances are addressed, a final design is prepared and approved. 

2. Who Is the Point of Contact?

A dedicated point of contact facilitates consistent communication, which is essential to ensure questions and concerns are addressed, and issues are resolved in a way that keeps the project on track, on time, and on budget. 

Customers who work with Steele AG°Ù¼ÒÀÖ(¹ú¼Ê)¹ÙÍø have two points of contact throughout the span of every project. 

• The project manager is focused on the logistical elements of the project, and addresses decisions related to scheduling and costs. 
• The project engineer manages the technical aspects of the project assessing and approving actions based on their structural/mechanical feasibility.

When a manufacturing partner prioritizes communication, you can feel confident the project is following the desired plans and meets your expectations. 

3. Will I Have Direct Contact with The Engineering Team?

Regular communication with a project’s engineering team provides the technical insights needed to continually confirm the project is aligned with the project’s technical specifications, performance objectives, and safety requirements. 

The team at Steele AG°Ù¼ÒÀÖ(¹ú¼Ê)¹ÙÍø facilitates ongoing communication with project engineers to ensure clarity and understanding of key project details. Direct contact with engineers also eliminates the risk of miscommunication when a non-technical person is tasked with relaying technical notes or requests. Additionally, our engineers are trained to provide insights regarding the scheduling and cost implications of project modifications so our customers are always fully informed of how any given action will affect the project overall. 

4. How Often Will We Communicate About the Project?

Consistent, scheduled communication keeps customers aware of progress and facilitates timely issue resolution to keep projects on schedule. 

In addition to immediate responses to questions, Steele AG°Ù¼ÒÀÖ(¹ú¼Ê)¹ÙÍø customers receive weekly updates ranging from overall project status updates to reports on individual aspects of the project, such as design phases, drawing reviews, or coordinating comments and approvals.

5. How Do You Verify Load Capacity and Structural Integrity? 

Verifying load capacity and structural integrity ensures your new platform meets its design specifications and safety standards. Understanding the approach your manufacturer takes to verify structural integrity will give you peace of mind the project will be designed to meet your unique requirements. 

SSI works closely with customers from initial design through installation to ensure your new platform will effectively support the loads it was designed for and protect the safety of your personnel and your facility. 

6. Are Products Validated and Stamped with A Professional Engineer Seal?

A Professional Engineer (PE) stamp on design drawings indicates the preparing company’s commitment to employing the most qualified engineers and providing the highest levels of safety, quality, and integrity. A PE stamp gives a design plan credibility, confirms regulatory compliance,  and streamlines permit approvals. 

Steele AG°Ù¼ÒÀÖ(¹ú¼Ê)¹ÙÍø has a team of engineers licensed in 20 states and highly experienced consulting engineers supporting the other 30 states and Canada. We can provide a PE stamp on any drawings or plans we prepare for platform solutions, validating the plan’s safety and integrity and saving the time and cost of enlisting a third-party engineer unfamiliar with the project.

7. Is Your Company A Member of MHI Storage Manufacturers Association?

MHI Storage Manufacturers Association (SMA) is an industry group within the Material Handling Industry of America (MHI) representing leading suppliers of industrial storage solutions dedicated to developing, maintaining, and publishing standards for design, performance, and safe operation of work platforms and shelving products.

Membership in SMA indicates an organization’s commitment to continually learning and implementing industry best practices that yield the most safe and effective designs possible. Partnering with an SMA member ensures that you’re working with a company focused on providing state-of-the-art design, performance, and safety.

Aligned with SMA’s mission to ensure the highest levels of safety and quality in our steel work platforms, Steele AG°Ù¼ÒÀÖ(¹ú¼Ê)¹ÙÍø is completing the process of becoming an SMA-certified platform designer and supplier.

8. How Do You Maintain Efficient Lead Times?

Your steel platform manufacturer should be clear at the outset about lead times and the factors that influence it. It’s important to ask how efficient lead times are sustained so you can be sure your project is completed in the expected timeframe to your satisfaction.

At Steele AG°Ù¼ÒÀÖ(¹ú¼Ê)¹ÙÍø, our approach to lead time management utilizes a standard parts and design methodology, which creates a familiar and consistent experience for customers. Fueled by frequent, real-time communication, standard design methodology allows for quick, efficient response, which facilitates rapid project turnaround. Historically, our standard design methodology has facilitated 8-10 week lead times. 

9. Do You Use Manufacturing Phases to Match the Installation Schedule?

A phased manufacturing approach facilitates a smoother installation workflow by manufacturing project components in sequence to match when parts are required on-site. This approach optimizes resource allocation, minimizes disruptions to regular operations, and reduces installation-related downtime, all of which help keep the project on schedule and on budget.

Steele AG°Ù¼ÒÀÖ(¹ú¼Ê)¹ÙÍøâ€� turnkey process matches critical elements of the manufacturing schedule with on-site installation priorities. Segmenting the process into phased design and manufacturing stages establishes a project cadence that helps the installation team meet designated milestones while also keeping the project on schedule.

10. Do You Have Long-Term Installer Relationships?

Installers and integrators appreciate a fabricator who consistently provides high-quality products that are easy to install and delivered on time. Long-term installer-fabricator relationships are reliable indicators of previous positive project outcomes. 

We’re proud that 20% of our quote requests include installation and this number continues to grow. We utilize tracking programs to monitor and manage progress and continually focus on high-priority tasks. When performing an external installation, we leverage continuous communication with the customer to ensure ongoing awareness of every facet of the process.

11. What Does the Delivery Process Look Like?

Efficient delivery processes ensure your platform’s components arrive on time, in the correct order, and undamaged. Efficient delivery processes streamline installation by avoiding delays and minimizing interruptions to normal production activities, while facilitating adherence to the installation plan.

Driven by our design methodology, Steele AG°Ù¼ÒÀÖ(¹ú¼Ê)¹ÙÍø delivery process is a segmented yet seamless program that brings the components of the platform to your facility as they’re needed for each phase of the project.

12. What After-Market Services Do You Provide?

After-market services are essential for ensuring the long-term performance of your platform. From expert advice to critical upgrades, minor maintenance requests, and major repairs, ongoing support protects your investment by maintaining its stability, integrity, and safety. 

At the core of its warranty coverage and support is Steele AG°Ù¼ÒÀÖ(¹ú¼Ê)¹ÙÍø experienced engineering and technical support teams, which provide extensive support and guidance for maintaining, replacing, and upgrading every element of a platform throughout its lifetime. 

13. Does Your Company Follow AISC and OSHA Guidelines?

The American Institute of Steel Construction, AISC, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, establish and enforce guidelines for ensuring the highest levels of quality and safety in manufacturing. Adherence to AISC guidelines indicates a manufacturer’s commitment to platform reliability and performance while following OSHA guidelines demonstrates a manufacturer’s commitment to workplace safety. When a manufacturer follows these standards, it creates a culture of quality and safety that is apparent in every design. 

Steele AG°Ù¼ÒÀÖ(¹ú¼Ê)¹ÙÍø has over 400 team members, including over 60 engineers and designers, with the experience and expertise to ensure every project meets OSHA, ANSI, and other relevant safety standards. We are a licensed City of Los Angeles Fabricator and are in the process of obtaining AISC Fabricator certification.

Get to Know Steele AG°Ù¼ÒÀÖ(¹ú¼Ê)¹ÙÍø

Steel platforms create opportunities to maximize space utilization, improve operational efficiency, and enhance facility safety and compliance. Since 1996, Steele AG°Ù¼ÒÀÖ(¹ú¼Ê)¹ÙÍø has been an industry leader in the design and fabrication of steel work platform solutions for distribution facilities. 

with Chief Executive Officer Kevin O’Neill. 

To learn more or ask a question about your next project, contact Steele AG°Ù¼ÒÀÖ(¹ú¼Ê)¹ÙÍø today.