RPEF & Employee Spotlight on Asim

Registered Professional Engineering Firm | Employee Spotlight on Asim Hasan

Registered Professional Engineering Firm (RPEF)

There’s always something new to share at Arch-Fab. Happy Fall from the leader in shade solutions! It’s been a busy 2018 and we’re not done yet!

Last month we lifted the curtain on our newly patented canopy product. This month’s spotlight is on our ability to offer engineering services in house. Architectural Fabrication is now a Registered Professional Engineering Firm, successfully fulfilling the requirements to offer and perform engineering services in Texas and Louisiana! We couldn’t be more excited! We are also actively working towards registering in Oklahoma and Tennessee.

Employee Spotlight | Asim Hasan

Meet the newest member of our Design Team, Asim Hasan, PE, MBA. Asim joined the Arch-Fab family in July 2018 as our Engineering & Design Manager. He was born and raised in India and immigrated to the United States 14 years ago. When he’s not working to make Arch-Fab the best it can be, Asim enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children.

He has many years of design experience, and has previously led a team of engineers and drafters, working for both small companies and huge multinational conglomerates. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from UT Arlington in 2008 and his Masters of Business Administration degree from Texas A&M University, Commerce in 2015. He holds Professional Engineering (PE) licenses in Texas and Louisiana and is a Model Law Engineer with NCEES. He is committed to increasing efficiencies in the design process and believes in the use of up-to-date technologies and software in making Arch-Fab lean and efficient.

Asim shares our team’s passion about continuous improvement in our products and processes. Our business is built on offering a “turnkey solution” in Division 10 Exterior Sun Control and one of the ways we can enhance that service to our clients is to have the capacity to site specific seal our projects in house. The ability to provide in house engineering will drive value and decrease engineering lead times by not relying on an outside firm to review and seal our designs. “Safety of the general public is my primary focus.” says Asim, who’s initial efforts have been spent familiarizing himself with the design team, our submittal details and our products.

Please join us in welcoming Asim to the Arch-Fab family!

Patent Approved Helios 2.0

Helios 2 Bolt Track Canopy - Patent Approved

Our Bolt Track Canopy “Helios 2.0” System is Patent Approved!

On December 18, 2015, we launched our first patent request for our extruded aluminum canopy design with hidden fasteners. Twenty-nine months later, on May 22, 2018, our patent was granted. We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate and share this with you!

This fully mechanically fastened system will prove itself to be a revolutionary game changer in the canopy world, and a welcome disruption for both architect and general contracting partners. Who wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to deliver “cheaper, better, faster” to their clients?

Cheaper

Better

Faster

Ahead of schedule & under budget for canopies? Yes, please!

In our world, Division 10 Exterior Sun Control / Extruded Aluminum Canopies are often one of the last items to be installed on a project’s exterior and it’s no secret that construction timelines are not favorable to products with long lead times.

We’ll cue the angels singing sweetly and sounds of harps while you imagine for a moment… 50% shorter lead times with a finish warranty to meet AAMA 2605 specification, for less than a standard powder coat finish. It seems like a no brainer, right?

How might the “Helios Bolt Track / Helios 2.0” system change things for you if you’re an architect or a general contractor? As an architect, you have the ability to specify a canopy that is both less expensive and superior to every other canopy product. As a general contractor, you will be empowered to source neatly finished, well fitted canopies for your project without concerns of long lead times once the exterior finishes are installed.

One of the most impressive factors in all of this is that no welding will occur in construction of this system, and all fasteners will be concealed! Exposed fasteners in canopy facias might be acceptable to those other canopy providers, but never at Architectural Fabrication!

Come See Our New Product in Person

We’ll be showcasing this product in at the Texas Society of Architects Design Expo in Fort Worth, TX November 8-9, 2018. Stop by Booth #638 and assemble the canopy yourself, no welding helmet required!

If you want to know more now and you just can’t wait to be one of the first firms to specify this product on your project, we’d love to give you a sneak peek! Please email Kimberly Bradstreet for a product demo or to schedule our AIA approved (HSW) continuing education for your firm!

Arch-Fab Works, Plays & Grows

Work, Play, Grow - Architectural Fabrication

Arch-Fab Works in the Heat, Plays Hard, & Keeps Growing

Summer is drawing to an end and the Arch-Fab team continues to work hard on all types of great projects! The past few months have been a scorcher and I think we’re all ready for some cooler weather! In the midst of all our hard work, we made time for a little fun, too!

We added some new members to our team, we held our highly anticipated, not to be missed, 2nd annual Whirly Ball Tournament (double elimination brackets, seriously competitive stuff!), we threw a couple of baby showers, and we enjoyed the sweetness of snow cones.

Arch-Fab Makes Inc 5000 List for Third Year

Of course, it can’t all be baby showers and whirly ball! We have an exceptional team in place, nearly 100 strong, all working together to deliver extruded aluminum canopies, awning, and sunshades to our clients.

It’s only with a collaborative team and a common mission to be the leader in shade solutions that makes it possible for Architectural Fabrication to have made the Inc. 5000 Annual List of America’s Fastest- Growing Companies for a third year in a row!

The Inc. 5000 is a prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing companies. The list represents the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment, it’s independent small businesses. The Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2014 and 2018. They must be U.S.- based, privately held, for profit, and independent. We’re #3596 and one of only 708 companies to make the list three times. Check out Inc.com to see out the entire list.

“If your company is on the Inc. 5000, it’s unparalleled recognition of your years of hard work and sacrifice.” Says Inc. editor in chief James Ledbetter. “The lines of business may come and go, or come and stay. What doesn’t change is the way entrepreneurs create and accelerate the forces that shape our lives.” The list was started in 1982, and has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success.

We hope you enjoy these images from our summer around the shop and beyond!

Industrial Building Design is HOT in Texas

If there’s anything hotter than summer in Texas, it’s the industrial market. Demand for industrial space is soaring, and the rapid growth of e-commerce has made it possible for more competitors to join the freight and logistics space. Tilt wall construction has come a long way over the years. It has aesthetically evolved and is now accepted by companies that would traditionally look at Class A space.

Houston leads the nation in tilt wall office development, and with our ability to fabricate and install nationwide, Architectural Fabrication is well positioned to offer a turnkey solution to these projects. One of the benefits of tilt up construction is the time saved during the construction process. Time saved translates into a higher internal rate of return. The higher the IRR, the better!

Tilt wall construction generally offers greater total value than buildings constructed with other methods and materials. Long gone are the days of plain panelized tilt walls. The economies of tilt wall construction allow developers to apply those savings to the interiors of a building. Interior features and amenities are on par with top tier high rise office buildings. It’s not uncommon now to see large amounts of glass, beautiful landscaping, eye catching fountains, and cutting-edge technology.

Many in the A-E-C community believe that we’re only beginning to scratch the surface of tilt wall construction. How exciting for us to be entrusted by many of our architect and general contracting partners to manufacture and install neatly finished aluminum canopies, awnings, decorative reveals and sunshades on these buildings.

Southlink Logistics Center Industrial Complex

We were honored to be selected as the awarded subcontractor to provide turnkey aluminum canopies and sunshades on Southlink Logistics Center in Dallas, TX. We custom fabricated and installed the anodized aluminum sunshades and canopies with ACM fascia on the exteriors of this 1.04 million square foot industrial complex. In addition to the good-looking canopies and sunshades, the building features 184 overhead doors, over 500 parking spaces, and 1,600 sq ft of office space.

This project was completed with partners Arch-Con and GSR Andrade for Hines.

40 Under 40

Happy Summer from Architectural Fabrication, the leader in shade solutions! The months ahead promise to be a scorcher! It’s time to make some lemonade and cool off under the shade of our extruded aluminum canopies while you catch up with what’s going on at Arch-Fab. Here’s what’s new…

We are thrilled to share that our very own Jeff Kenny is a recipient of the “40 Under 40” for 2018.

What is the 40 Under 40?

“40 Under 40 is celebrated to recognize brilliance on the rise up, 40 honorees each year, all under the age of 40, destined for striking accomplishments in their chosen field, from the corporate sector to maverick entrepreneurialism. They are leaders today and are sure to be part of the next generation that will make Tarrant County a great place to live and work.”

Check out the complete list of 40 Under 40 2018 Honorees!

Jeff Kenny, 2018 Honoree

Jeff Kenny joined the Architectural Fabrication team in February of 2010 as General Manager and in March of 2016 Jeff became the President and Owner. Since day one, Jeff has been the driving force behind the sustained growth and continued success of Arch-Fab.

He’s passionate about a culture driven by keeping meaningful promises to our employees, clients, and partners. He casts his vision for Arch-Fab on a daily basis, which is to be “the best shade solution company in the United States.”

When not working hard on being the best leader to the Arch-Fab family, Jeff dedicates himself to being the best father and husband he can be. His wife Shannon and 3 kids Emma, Audrey, and Hunter are the highlight of his life. As a proud father, he can usually be found outside with the kids playing, riding bikes, swimming, or fishing.

On behalf of the entire Arch-Fab family, congratulations, Jeff!

Texas Society of Architects Design Expo

Texas Society of Architects - 2018 Design Expo

“The Voice for Texas Architecture”

Our team is hard at work preparing for our participation at the 2018 Design Expo hosted by the Texas Society of Architects. The expo will be taking place on November 8-10, 2018 in Fort Worth, TX. We are excited to showcase Architectural Fabrication and the turnkey solutions we are equipped to provide to our clients with.

Plan Your Stay, There’s so Much to Do in Fort Worth!

There’s plenty to see and do in Fort Worth, so plan ahead to arrive early or stay after the expo. If art is your passion, Fort Worth is home to the Modern Art and Kimball Art Museum. Need for speed? Check out Texas Motor Speedway. Perhaps you are looking for retail therapy? The newly opened Tanger Outlets Fort Worth offers a variety of name brand and designer outlet stores (the canopies and custom shade solutions on that project are pretty impressive, too!).

Kimball Art Museum

Texas Motor Speedway

Tanger Outlets

If you prefer to stay close to the expo and simply soak up the Cowtown experience, then we highly suggest watching the daily cattle drive through the Stockyards, and shining up your boots and taking a spin around the dance floor at Billy Bob’s. If you’re feeling brave, hop up on the mechanical bull for a photo worthy experience!

Fort Worth Stockyards

Texas Motor Speedway

AIA Continuing Education Course

Not only are we eager to meet the faces of our architect partners, we have submitted our continuing education program and are awaiting approval to provide continuing education during the Expo. Our AIA approved program covering Division 10 Exterior Sun Control is good for 1 HSW LU. The program will begin with a broad introduction to exterior sun control, discuss steel vs aluminum, the finish options available to each (plus cost and longevity of each finish), and will conclude with design, attachment methods, design, specifications, and how to save time and money!

As you map out your time at the expo, we hope you’ll pencil in some time to stop by our booth and then grab a seat during our program and meet your requirements for continuing education as 2018 comes to an end.

If you need support now, don’t wait until November. We’d love an opportunity to assist with whatever you’re currently working on. Email [email protected] to learn more!

Happy Birthday, Arch-Fab

Today our entire team took a moment to celebrate another trip around the sun! April marks 22 years of service to our architectural and general contracting partners. It was a fun morning, complete with good music, cool t-shirts, and hot breakfast. Our Accounting Manager, Pat, celebrated 20 years with the company, and was gifted with a cruise as appreciation for his years of service!

We also celebrated Helios as an official member of the Arch-Fab product family. For us, Helios was born out of a vision to offer our clients a turnkey and economical solution to providing exterior sun control on a building. Helios was one of our first officially named products and can now be found on thousands of buildings nation-wide.

How did Arch-Fab decide on the name “Helios”? It’s unlikely that you’ll find it on the top list of most popular baby names. In Greek mythology, Helios was the son of Hyperion and Theia. Helios was described as a handsome titan crowned with the shining aureole of the Sun, who drove the chariot of the sun across the sky each day to earth-circling Oceanus and through the world-ocean returned to the East at night.

Helios,

You’ve grown and changed in many ways over the years and we’re proud of the support you’ve given to general contractors and architects alike. From the sleepless nights of inception, working through your extruded aluminum design and envisioning all of your potential, to nurturing you as we took our first steps together to integrate lighting, and watching you grow into taller fascia options, decorative reveals and extruded “c” channel fascia’s. Whether you’re mounted on a wall or supported by posts, your character is strong. We’ve seen you take on all types of finishes, from powder coat, to anodize and Kynar. We’ve watched you shine in yellow as bright as the sun, green as a grassy meadow, red as fire, and black as night. No matter what mother earth throws at you, you’ll never rust.

Your future is bright, and you’re loved and appreciated by many for shielding them from driving rains and the brutal rays of the sun. We eagerly await the arrival of your patented brother or sister!

Love,
Your Arch-Fab Family

Women in Construction Week

Arch-Fab Celebrates Women in Architecture Week

It’s March, and that means WIC Week is upon us! March 4-10, 2018 is Women in Construction Week. This is a special week where women are highlighted as a visible component of the construction industry and also serves to increase the opportunities available to women in all areas of construction. WIC Week provides an occasion to raise awareness and emphasize the ever-growing role of women in construction.

The National Association of Women in Construction was founded in Fort Worth, TX in 1955. It has grown to an international association serving 125 chapters in the United States, and also has affiliates in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

Architectural Fabrication, Inc. is proud to be a continued supporter of the National Association of Women In Construction, which has been enhancing the success of women in the construction industry for more than 62 years. Architectural Fabrication employs women in a broad range of critically important roles including accounting, project management, fabrication, sales, marketing, human resources, and estimating.

Special Events to Celebrate WIC Week Take Place All Over the World

We encourage you to find your local chapter and get involved!

Habitat for Humanity

This year, the NAWIC Fort Worth Chapter #1 will take an active part in serving our neighbors by building a Habitat for Humanity Home in Fort Worth.

Fun at Top Golf

We will be enjoying a fun evening of fellowship and friendly competition as we trade in our drills for golf clubs and drill golf balls at Top Golf. The Fort Worth Chapter #1 will also be participating in safety training.

Please join us in celebrating the contributions and achievements of women in all areas of the construction industry!

AIA Continuing Education

Did you know studies show that 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February? At Architectural Fabrication, we aren’t just talking about our big goals for the year, we are taking action! If you had an opportunity to read our blog from December, you already know that 2018 is going to be BIG!

In Person “Lunch & Learn” Program

One of our focuses in 2017 was providing in person continuing education to our architect partners through our AIA approved “Lunch & Learn” program on Division 10 Exterior Sun Control. Those efforts will continue in 2018, and if you’d like to check availability to have Arch-Fab come to your office, email Kimberly Bradstreet.

You should know that we use the word “lunch” loosely. For your firm, that might mean “Breakfast & Learn” or “Sip & Learn”. We enjoy opportunities to be creative and offer flexibility in education that can be custom fitted for your firm.

Online Distance Learning Program

Our team has been hard at work preparing to launch our AIA approved online distance learning program. If you’re an architect that would rather have the flexibility of continuing education on your time frame, at your pace, then this our gift to you!

Who wouldn’t want the ability to pick up a HSW LU in the comfort of their home, in footed pajamas by the fire. Maybe you’d rather learn while soaking up the sun on a breezy day by the water. Whether you prefer to snuggle up to a mug of hot cocoa or pour a tall glass of sweet tea (the official drink of Texas, ya’ll!) while you learn, we’ve got you covered!

Get Started on our Online AIA Approved Course

If you’re ready to explore Division 10 Exterior Sun Control, here’s what you need to do! Go to our Architect Resources page and you’ll be prompted to provide some brief information before beginning the program so that we can issue your HSW credit.

Upon completion of the education, we will issue your credit through AIA and provide you with a certificate of completion.

It’s really that simple! Come learn with us!

Prefabrication=Love

Ah, February, the season of Valentine’s Day, love, passion, endless jewelry commercials, greeting cards, and busy florists.

At Arch-Fab, our passion is shade solutions and providing our clients with prefabricated canopies, awnings, and sunshades. We won’t be delivering any flowers or chocolates to your job sites this month. What we will be delivering are neatly finished, pre-fabricated products for your clients to enjoy long after the chocolate is gone and the flowers have wilted.

What does “prefabricated” mean, and how does it benefit you? Prefabricated means that the products are already made when they arrive to the job site. No matter what your role in the construction cycle, you can benefit from the advantages of using a prefabricated system on your project.

Our clients love Architectural Fabrication’s prefabricated canopies, awnings, and sunshades on their projects and here’s why you should, too:

Economically Friendly

Our in shop fabrication and coating allow for more accurate construction, more consistent finishes, and less waste. We control the process from the mill to the wall.

Wallet Friendly

We are committed to using components that eliminate the potential for rust. Designing around an aluminum system reduces costs for ongoing maintenance in repainting and power washing.

Safe & Friendly

Delivering prefabricated products to a job-site results in less time at the site, and less overall disruption. Fewer hours on a job-site can equate to less opportunities for accidents.

Working with Arch-Fab combines high quality, with a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution, made in the USA.