How to know when custom manufacturing is needed for your project.

Q: What is custom manufacturing, and how does it differ from off-the-shelf solutions?

A: Custom manufacturing is our ability to solve problems for our customers that off the shelf solutions won’t. As an example, unique materials being fed to the plants, job site logistics to assist with production, safety and accessibility platforms that are unique to the site of materials and provide these solutions in a rapid process that doesn’t require the customer to wait an unreasonable length of time.

Q: What types of problems typically require a custom-engineered solution?

A: Much of our custom work is on behalf of other OEMs that don’t have the talent, time or money to chase this type of work. We have a unique ability to understand the problem(s), define a solution, engineer a sales drawing model, and provide a quote and a lead time that is far faster and less expensive than if they attempted to do the work in house. Other opportunities are end user customers that have similar issues. All rock is not created equal, there are mud seams, laminated layers of rock that create material handling challenges, very abrasive materials that require unique high chrome liners. We like you to say if you can sketch it, we can build it. 

Q: Can custom manufacturing help reduce downtime or increase operational efficiency?

A: Custom solutions typically originate from a customer’s problems in their quarry or site. A recent job we were awarded was a very abrasive site in southern Oklahoma where the silica content in the material being processed was extremely high and the materials being made required a great deal of screening capacity. The customer requested us to design a dual 8’ x 20’ screen tower that minimizes the materials from sliding on any steel. Rock, shelves and rock boxes were designed so the materials would impact on themselves, creating a rock-on-rock impact zone minimizing the wear. 

Q: How do I know if my facility’s problem is worth pursuing a custom solution for?

A: Call us. We will listen to your specific problems, develop a practical solution, create a sales drawing so everyone involved can weigh in on the ideas and solutions, from there, create a proposal and if the business is won, provide a solution in a reasonable amount of time.

Q: Is custom manufacturing only for large-scale operations or big budgets?

A: Not at all. We just developed a design that allowed the customer to alter the pivot bases on his conveyors to keep the tire surface flat to the ground minimizing wear and creating a safer work environment. Problem resolved for a few thousand dollars.

Q: What’s the typical process like when working with Peerless on a custom solution?

A: Starts with a phone call most of the time followed by a site visit, sales drawing, this takes a few back-and-forth conversations and red line mark ups, a approved sales drawing generates a quote, purchase order, detailed manufacturing drawings are made, steel and components are purchased, and we build the solutions.

Q: How long does a custom project usually take from concept to installation?

A: Depending on the complexity – 6 weeks to 6 months.

Q: What should I prepare before reaching out for a custom manufacturing project?

A: A good handle on the problem needs to be resolved. From there a root cause analysis is discussed and reviewed, making sure we are chasing symptoms to a larger issue. Any support documentation at that is available or a list of what needs to be generated.