Dalsin Industries: Excellence in Metal Fabrication and Design

The world’s biggest industries, including construction, automotive, and electronics and energy sectors, rely on quality metal fabrication. Minnesota-based Dalsin Industries offers best-in-class contract metal manufacturing and assembly capabilities. But Dalsin isn’t just all about precision metal manufacturing for OEMs. It helps customers do better business by saving time, optimizing product performance, and increasing quality and efficiency. Its capabilities include fiber laser cutting, high-volume full sheet punching, automated panel bending and forming, robotic and manual welding, electro-mechanical assembly, expert finishing services, and global supply chain management.

In a conversation with us, Bob Borgerding, VP Production Operations and Mark Coronna, Chief Marketing Officer of Dalsin Industries, gave us unique insights on the metal fabrication industry. They also shined the light on how Dalsin is making a difference through its services. Read on for the excerpts from the interview.

How is Dalsin Industries filling the void in the market?

Mark: Our heritage, continual development of production capabilities, and investments in new technology have helped Dalsin retain its strong industry position within the top 5% of all U.S. metal fabricators. We create a competitive advantage for our customers—especially those with high-volume custom needs and those with a preference for U.S. sourcing.

But being based in the U.S. does not limit our ability to service OEMs and product manufacturers globally. In fact, we have a strong balance between local/regional customers, national accounts, and global accounts because they know they can rely on our ability to source and deliver products around the world.

In March 2020, Dalsin was awarded 2020 Manufacturer of the Year by the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association (the major industry association), and the Manufacturing Excellence Award from Twin Cities Business magazine.

Tell us about Metal Fabrication.

Bob: In my view, metal fabrication begins with the collection of high quality, technically advanced machines which have certain specifications. This collection of equipment defines the overall business capacities and capabilities. However, the equipment alone does not provide the value our customers need. In order to fully leverage the potential of any process or machine, creative and engaged employees (who fully understand the equipment) are required. When these two are combined, the result is amazing. Employees feel like they are making a difference and creating a lasting career; the business operates at a high level of performance and customers are provided with a unique customer/vendor relationship which is hard to replicate. I believe metal fabrication, especially in a job shop environment, provides opportunities for individuals to showcase their full, natural abilities.

How does Dalsin Industries distinguish itself in this space?

Bob: Dalsin’s excellence in metal fabrication and design is deeply rooted in the employees we attract and retain. It is an attitude that drives our willingness to do everything we can to help our customers succeed and grow. If we can contribute to their success, we typically have deep, lasting relationships spanning many years or decades.

As a contract manufacturer, we are exposed to many different products and requirements, such as non-contact flow meter products, and this dynamic requirement provides an atmosphere of lifelong learning. This desire and willingness to learn drives us to evolve. It puts us in a good position to help customers with ideas and concepts to solve problems, improve products, and reduce costs. A trusting relationship with the customer and demonstrating true interest in helping them succeed provides the framework for this collaboration. This collaboration is the origin of excellence in fabrication and design.

How can you leverage operational excellence as the big differentiator?

Bob: Operational Excellence is a term that is frequently used but can be hard to define. At Dalsin, there are certainly benchmarking references and best practices, but each company can calculate these in different ways. Dalsin references these, but we also break the concept down into individual metrics and track that trend year over year. These internal metrics are freely shared within the organization and all our production employees and managers understand how these metrics are calculated.

We also understand how individual metrics roll up into the company’s operational goals. It is quite transparent, and it took us about three years to fully implement and internalize. But consistency is the key. Employees and managers like the consistency of this approach versus changing initiatives and language for metrics annually. These fundamental metrics and how we track them are Dalsin’s key to operational excellence. It creates a solid foundation and language for performance improvement and performance management. Employees know how their individual performance contributes to the success of the whole organization. These metrics are also tied to our “pay for performance” compensation model and helps make operational excellence more tangible.

What is Dalsin Industries value proposition

Mark: We are all about excellence in Fabrication and Design. Dalsin leads the market in high-value contract manufacturing of precision sheet metal products— delivering operational excellence through our unique integration of people, processes, and production technology. Our manufacturing services combine collaborative design assistance, design-for-manufacture optimization, high-velocity manufacturing, precise planning and production control, and supply chain management. We deliver high-value solutions to multiple industries.

Because value propositions are built from a company’s unique competencies—those capabilities that are the foundation of the value it offers its customers and employees—Dalsin Industries has created an offering that sets us apart from the pack. Our progressive competencies, deep experience, and unyielding passion translate into a distinctive advantage for your company.

Dalsin Industries Supremo

Tom Schmeling, CEO

He assumed the role of CEO in late 2020. Tom has been a Dalsin executive for three years, joining the business in 2017 as VP of Sales. During his time at Dalsin, Tom has strategically grown revenue as well as demonstrated a firm grasp on all aspects of the business. Before joining Dalsin, Tom worked in a number of sales and business development roles at precision and recreational manufacturers and those experiences – working with business partners, customers and helping to manage global supply chains – have been good preparation for his new role.

“Our heritage, continual development of production capabilities, and investments in new technology have helped Dalsin retain its strong industry position within the top 5% of all U.S. metal fabricators.”