For Custom Fabricators & Repairs, based in Bryan, Texas, growth has always been driven by adaptability. The company handles everything from small walk-in welding repairs to large-scale structural steel projects up to 250 tons.
As the company’s workload expanded, so did the need for better organization, accuracy, and data-driven decision-making. That’s when President Michael Sherritt and his team decided to implement STRUMIS, a fabrication management software designed specifically for the structural steel industry.
Before STRUMIS, Custom Fabricators relied on carbon copy work orders, Excel spreadsheets, and manual data entry to manage projects. These methods worked for smaller jobs but became inefficient as their structural steel division grew.
“We worked off carbon copy work orders and Excel sheets for tracking purchase information and material pricing,” Michael said. “STRUMIS is designed specifically for structural steel, and we wanted to grow that division of our company.”
The team needed a system that could unify their processes, track costs in real time, and help identify where time and resources were being lost.
Custom Fabricators chose STRUMIS to modernize their operations and improve efficiency across the board. The software’s focus on the structural steel industry made it the perfect fit.
“We purchased STRUMIS to increase our competitiveness on structural steel projects and to gain data on where we were losing time and needed to improve,” Michael explained. “That allowed us to make better decisions, get more efficient, and be more competitive.”
The implementation process was thorough and hands-on. STRUMIS provided in-person training that made a major impact on adoption and confidence.
“We had Ramy come out and work with us for a full week, eight-hour days in a conference room teaching every part of the system,” Michael said. “That was very helpful in getting everyone on board.”
Having the full team involved in learning the system ensured that every department, from purchasing to project management, understood how to use STRUMIS effectively.
Since implementing STRUMIS, Custom Fabricators & Repairs has seen significant improvements in workflow visibility, accuracy, and production efficiency.
One of the biggest benefits has been the ability to track labor hours and compare estimated versus actual production time. This insight has allowed the company to adjust estimating practices and better plan future projects.
“Tracking hours was one of the biggest factors,” Michael said. “We needed to know if our estimated time per column or beam actually worked out once it hit the shop.”
By combining job tracking, purchasing, inventory, invoicing, and project management into one platform, STRUMIS has become the backbone of their operations.
“Combining all of the specific requirements for processing and fabricating steel with general contracts management, purchasing, and invoicing into one product is what made STRUMIS stand out,” Michael added.
Before using STRUMIS, the company produced around 200 to 300 tons of structural steel per year. After implementing STRUMIS, that number more than doubled to 650 tons annually. Including miscellaneous fabrication, they now process around 1,100 tons per year.
“We’ve grown exponentially in the past three to four years,” Michael said. “We’ve added 20 new team members, from welders to project managers and detailers.”
The company now has accurate live data on materials, production status, and inventory levels. STRUMIS has allowed them to refine their estimating, scheduling, and project management processes for continued growth.
Live Inventory Management: Instant visibility into materials and quantities
Production Tracking: Real-time insights into fabrication progress
Purchasing Integration: Faster, more accurate procurement process
Data-Driven Estimating: Improved job costing and time tracking
Comprehensive ERP Functionality: Unified management of purchasing, contracts, and invoicing
“STRUMIS helps us manage purchasing and inventory much faster than doing it by hand,” Michael said. “We now have live information on how much material we have and what type it is.”
When asked if he would recommend STRUMIS to other steel fabricators, Michael didn’t hesitate.
“On a scale of 1 to 10, we would recommend STRUMIS a 10 out of 10,” he said.
With STRUMIS in place, Custom Fabricators & Repairs continues to grow its structural steel division with confidence. The company now runs more efficiently, manages data more accurately, and has full visibility from estimating to delivery.
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