If your business sells a physical product, then you’ve likely opted to outsource the manufacturing of the product. When researching a prospective machine shop to use, you may have looked for qualities such as fast service, quality results, and skilled workmanship. While a large shop may seem like the surest bet, in reality, a small shop may be the way to go. Below, you can learn the truth behind three myths regarding small machine shops.

Debunking 3 Myths About Hiring a Small Machine Shop

1. They Can’t Respond Well to Large or Sudden Orders

Due to the advanced and improving technology in the machine industry, even a small shop can access the equipment that enables it to churn out large or rushed orders. This technology also allows the shop to do so without significantly impacting its regular day-to-day activities. These machines, such as the CNC machine, have become more affordable. Consequently, shops don’t need to have a large amount of capital to purchase equipment that increases their output.

2. A Small Machine Shop Takes Longer to Complete Jobs Than a Large One

Many small shops can be just as efficient, if not more so, than large shops because they know their limits. Their goal is often to minimize the number of work-in-process pieces, which are those that have only been partially finished and are on hold for completion. You won’t find many raw materials sitting around in a small industrial machine shop because they don’t waste time on jobs that can’t be completed in a couple of steps. As a result, small shops may be hired by companies that require more time-sensitive jobs because it can be done more efficiently than large ones.

3. Working With a Small Shop Means Fewer Skilled Machinists & Lower-Quality Results

It’s a myth that small shops don’t attract more experienced workers because they don’t have the equipment or the resources that large shops do. In fact, small shops are able to not only attract more skilled machinists, but also maintain them for longer. This is because small shops, which have smaller locations, are easier to keep clean and organized. Plus, a small shop needn’t have an oversized warehouse with massive amounts of materials and a lengthy employee roster, which leads to higher job satisfaction for machinists.

Alaska Tool Company in Fairbanks, AK, is the premier welding and metal fabrication company in the area. They’ve been in business since 1976 and offer the many advantages of a small machine shop. They’ve invested in a large variety of machines that enable them to handle a wide range of jobs quickly—and with reliable results. They’re also proud to be a female-owned business. They offer custom fabrication and are confident they can build just about anything. Give them a call at (907) 479-5354 or visit their website to view photos of their workspace and to learn more about why they’re the top industrial machine shop in the Fairbanks area.