Remembering 2017

It seems like just yesterday, we were breaking into the world of blogging, and now here I sit writing my 12th blog of the year. I’ve enjoyed this journey. We’ve covered lots of blogging ground, from employee spotlights, to personal stories, project successes, and everything in between. Have you been informed, or possibly even entertained?

As 2017 comes to an end, it’s a wonderful time for reflection, and looking back over the past twelve months, it’s been a pretty incredible year here at Arch-Fab.

When we set forth on our journey at the beginning of 2017, we had hopes to hire 25 new employees. That seemed like a lofty (even unachievable) goal and we didn’t quite know how or where we would find the right people to join our family but here we are at the end of the year with 28 new faces on our team! We added members to all areas of our company: accounting, sales, estimating, design, project management, fabrication, and install. All of these new faces have joined us so that we can continue to honor our commitment to “keep meaningful promises to our clients”.

For the second year in a row, we made the

Inc. 5000 List of Fastest Growing Private Companies!

If you wish to see for yourself, navigate to page 71, we’re #3540!

We took on some big jobs this year (such as the Tanger Outlet Mall in Fort Worth), fabricating and installing many beautifully finished canopies, awnings, and sunshades for hundreds of projects. Did you know that we purchased 61,692 linear feet of canopy gutter fascia for our Helios canopies and 54,792 linear feet of 1” aluminum tube? That equals a lot of custom cutting, welding, sanding, and coating in our Fort Worth, TX facility!

We’ve added Installation Videos to our website, we’ve met many new architect partners, and we will be rolling out our on-line AIA accredited “Lunch & Learn” for architects that want the convenience of remote learning. We will also be unveiling a new patented product line. Stay tuned for future announcements! 2018 is going to be BIG!

Through it all, we found some time to connect with each other through an incentive trip, office events, client BBQ’s, and a company field trip to whirlyball. We celebrated birthdays and anniversaries, deepened friendships, and shared lots of laughs.

We are busy finalizing our plans for 2018 and we have some enormous goals ahead of us! I hope you’ll continue to follow us through social media or check in on our website. Better yet, if you like what you’ve read over the past year, here’s your call to action. We are hiring 50 people who are passionate about being the best at what they do! Is that you? Come join our team in 2018.

Holiday Celebrations

It’s December! I know it sounds cliché, but where has the year gone? 2018 is quickly approaching, but we aren’t ready to let go of 2017 quite yet!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year because the 3rd Annual Architectural Fabrication holiday party is upon us. It’s the highly anticipated company event of the year, and absolutely not to be missed. In 2017, we grew by 28 new team members and this holiday celebration may be the last year that we can all fit in the large ballroom inside the beautiful Hurst Conference Center.

A small group of employees worked hard behind the scenes, planning and shopping to make sure this was a joyous event for all.

The nature of our business at Arch-Fab is fabricating and installing our shade solution products nationwide, so it’s rare that our entire company is “home” on any given day. Our install teams are constantly on the road, and on job-sites, away from their families, helping us keep promises to our clients. This special evening is a time where we take a purposeful pause and enjoy an evening together of food, fun, and prizes.

The casino tables and prizes were the highlight of the evening and our employees went home with some amazing gifts this year.

From electronics to tools, and gift cards galore, there was something for everyone! Think prime Black Friday shopping but better, because it happens without the long lines, standing out in the cold, traffic, or paying.

We work in concert with some pretty awesome vendors and suppliers throughout the year, and we couldn’t do it without their partnership. We are incredibly thankful to Eastern Metal Supply, HRS Fasteners, Mansfield Powder Coating, 3P Powder Coating, Alumet Supply, Richard’s Supply, Kai Bartells, Bonnell Aluminum, National Bolt and Industrial Supply, Southern Stretch Forming, Hilti, Quality Powder Coating, Innovative Industrial Solutions, Bullmack Powder Coating, and Sunbelt Rentals for your generous support and donations to our company party. We look forward to a continued partnership.

From our family to yours, we wish you a joy filled holiday season!

Tanger Outlets Grand Opening in Fort Worth

What an honor it was for our team to be invited as special guests to celebrate the Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Tanger Outlets in Fort Worth, TX. The evening was well attended by state, county & local officials. Jonathan and Drew Scott from HGTV’s “Property Brothers” also participated in the celebration of this VIP Preview Shopping Party.

“Texas Style” Aluminum Canopies, Awnings & Sunshades

We are proud of our contribution to this local development and the opportunity to work alongside Mycon General Contractors and Adams + Associates Architects on this beautifully designed “Texas Style” shopping experience. Architectural Fabrication provided all of the aluminum canopies, awnings and sunshades on the project as well as many of the custom decorative details throughout that make this project unique. This distinctive design speaks to the broad capacity of our fabrication team and our ability to provide turnkey solutions from the mill to the wall. From any point of view, you’ll be able to see our vast scope of work and contribution to the job.

The grand opening celebration of Tanger Outlets Fort Worth took place at 9am on Friday, October 27th, 2017, just in time for the busy holiday shopping season. The family friendly festivities will carry through the weekend and will feature a vintage photo booth, carnival games and crafts, food trucks, performers and free rides on the Tanger Ferris Wheel. Jonathan and Drew Scott from HGTV’s “Property Brothers” will be hosting a design workshop at on Friday October 27th. Have your camera ready to snap your best selfie with the brothers. To learn more about the grand opening, visit Tanger Outlets website!

Beautiful Architectural Features

As you’re enjoying this beautiful new space, we encourage you to take a moment and look around and take in the unique architectural features that were beautifully integrated into this design.

Tanger Outlets is committed to supporting local communities. In honor of the Grand Opening Celebration, Tanger Outlets is making a donation to Northwest ISD Education Foundation to foster excellence, innovation and distinction in Northwest ISD classrooms.

All About Those Architectural Shop Drawings

About Those Shops - Tanger Outlet Center Project

It’s time to talk about something near and dear to our construction hearts; something our team takes a great deal of pride in. It’s one of the items we produce for a job that doesn’t get cut, welded, coated, or hung on a wall, but is custom created for every project we are awarded. Every. Single. One. Can you guess?

Let's Talk Shop...that is Shop Drawings

Be honest; have you ever been tasked with reviewing a shop drawing and you can’t quite tell what you’re looking at, or which way the page is supposed to be oriented? We believe that the quality and detail provided in a submittal is essential to the success of a project. The position at Architectural Fabrication is that you should be able to look at a submittal package and clearly understand what scope is being detailed, and the coordination that is going to be necessary to deliver a neatly finished product to the owner.

No matter your role in the construction industry, whether you’re the architect of record, or the field superintendent, you’ve probably been faced with a project where the details are ambiguous at best, or the plans call out for the attachment to be “by manufacturer”. If you haven’t been in this predicament, consider yourself one of the lucky ones!

Just over twenty years ago, we were born as a sign and service company called “Sign & Awning Services”. In 2010, we became “Architectural Fabrication, Inc.” Our focus continues to be providing solutions by fabricating and installing our own extruded aluminum canopies, awnings and sunshades, nationwide. Our design team is often praised for the quality of submittal drawings they produce.

While most anyone can fabricate products and ship them to a job site, we know that installation is where the “rubber meets the road”. That is why we take the time to clearly detail out all of the components of our scope as well as the points of coordination that will be necessary. The submittals that we create are incorporated into the production drawings that we fabricate and install off of.

Do you need to know where the blocking should be placed? Our shop drawings will clearly define those points.

Will you need to incorporate electrical into your canopies? We can make the cut outs in our system for lighting & cameras.

Is the structure post supported? Wouldn’t it be nice to work with a solution provider that can verify the layout of piers or footings to make sure that two trades coordinate seamlessly?

We also have experience working with sign companies to ensure that we are providing enough structure for their signs to mount on our products. This is the difference between a canopy company and a turnkey solution provider.

Rather than just boast about our shop drawings, we’d prefer to show you a sample of our work so that you can see for yourself. If you’d like to have this level of detail and clarity on your project, we hope you will contact us!

Sample Shop Drawings

Bullmack Joins Arch-Fab in New Facility

The mission at Architectural Fabrication is to become the best architectural shade solutions company in the world. When our team moved into an 86,000 sq. ft. facility in October of 2016, we eagerly anticipated the day when we would have the ability to offer our general contracting and architect partners our most popular finish (powder coat) in-house for our custom fabricated extruded aluminum canopies, awnings, and sunshade products. Today, we are excited to share that what was once our anticipation has become a reality.

We are thrilled to announce that Bullmack Powder Coating has officially joined Architectural Fabrication in our new Fort Worth, TX facility, and we are now equipped to provide a true “turnkey” solution for products with a powder coat finish.

How Does An On-Site Powder Coating Service Help Our Clients?

As a general contractor or architect, you may be wondering, “What does this mean for me?” It means that we will be able to decrease our lead times when a powder coat finish is specified; it allows for materials to flow through our shop from mill finished sticks of aluminum extrusions, to fabrication, then coating and final packaging for our team to install (we also ship to site), all under one roof.

Did you know that Bullmack Powder Coating operates two spray booths and two walk-in curing ovens? The largest oven has interior dimensions of 30’ x 10’ x 9’ 10” and is one of the largest for-hire ovens in North Texas. As part of the material preparation process, they also have a 70 ft wash bay to properly clean materials prior to coating and curing. The wash bay is a zero discharge system that collects water in sloped and grated floor troughs. The water is then filtered, cleaned, and pumped into a holding tank to be reused. It’s one of the few zero discharge water operations in North Texas. We are able to wash materials, pre-treat, and prepare materials for powder coating, all while being environmentally friendly.

Environmentally Friendly Powder Coating Workshop

While we’re on the subject of powder coating, we want to extend a special “thank you” to John Fett and Tiger Drylac U.S.A., Inc. for providing our team with lunch and valuable information about powder coating as a green alternative to liquid coating.

AIA Accredited Education Course

A couple of our architect partners took advantage of the AIA accredited education as well. Thank you Arrive Architecture Group, Studio97W and Franz Architects for joining us!

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Service to Others

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”
– Muhammand Ali

Our Vice President of Sales, Jeff Cash, recently returned from a 9 day mission trip to Piura, Peru. He had felt a call to serve for the past 10 years, but the business of life continued to get in the way. The recent flooding in Peru presented an opportunity to answer that calling. Our team enjoyed receiving his daily email updates and we’re excited to share his experience with you!

The first full day of the trip was spent at the mission headquarters in Santisimo Sacramento, Peru at the all-girls orphanage. The orphanage rescues girls from broken and abusive homes and sometimes families from the mountains will bring their daughters here for a better opportunity at life. It was a busy day of volleyball, a recital performance, and a group dance. While no video has surfaced (yet), we hear that Jeff busted out some of his best dance moves. Jeff expressed that while it was difficult for him to be away from his own children on Father’s Day, it was an honor to spend it with those that do not have a father.

As the trip continued, one of the major tasks was to rebuild the pueblos destroyed by the floods. Many people did not survive the floods, and those who were fortunate enough to live lost their homes and all of their worldly possessions were washed away. Currently, many survivors are still living in tents and eager to have something more permanent.

A three bedroom home of bamboo, plywood and grass can be erected for just $550. One of the challenges was digging holes in the sandy soil, and mixing concrete by hand to set the bamboo posts. A total of five homes were completed during this trip. The team also built two new classrooms at one of the schools.

The mission was made possible through generous donations to the St. Joseph’s Peruvian Mission Fund. This Fund provides aid to the community in many forms: housing, medical care, education, trade training, farm assistance, even hospice care. Jeff and his family participate in the “Family to Family” program, where their $300 donation feeds a family in need for an entire year. During this trip, Jeff was able to meet the family he was assisting.

Meet Eda and her three children, Kimberly (5), Jeffri (2), and Beysel (9mo). During the trip, Jeff and his fellow missionaries were able to build Eda and her family a new home. Eda’s response to this news was, “Es un milagro.” (It’s a miracle)

After completing the building of Eda’s new home, the families and the missionaries were able to enjoy a meal together at the mission compound. Check out that Arch-Fab hat!

The final day was spent back at the orphanage, where official “Peru vs USA” volleyball matches were played. The match was started by each team singing their national anthem. Peru played to win, and USA lost two 2 of the 3 games. It was time for good byes, knowing that their paths may never cross again.

One person can make a difference; and a small step can make a lasting impact. What actions are you taking to make the world a better place? How are you working to change the lives of others?

Project Manager Spotlight

From left to right : Peter Bixby, Sean Scanlan, Ann Nace, Teresa Coffman, Austin Holub

Happy summer from the leader in shade solutions! The arrival of summer brings an increased need for shade, and this month we are highlighting an Arch-Fab team that is working hard behind the scenes to make sure we are delivering neatly finished aluminum canopies, awnings, and sunshade products to our clients. Our project managers wear multiple hats on any given day, working alongside our designers, fabricators, installers, outside vendors, purchasers, sales team, and accounting. Additionally, they are the key point of contact for an on-site superintendent once we are awarded a project, receiving updates from the jobsite and communicating that critical information to all areas of our fabrication and install teams.

With over 100 active exterior sun control projects currently under contract at all different stages of progress, their role is critical to the overall success of our operation and communication is an integral part of their responsibility.

Every project we partner on is unique, custom fabricated and coated per the design and specification of the job. Our project management team is led by Peter Bixby, our VP of Construction, and together they have more than 25 years of project management experience. Whether you are working on a design-build, retail, multi-family, national chain, or industrial site, our project managers bring experience that is unique and valuable to our general contractors.

Turnbuckle Award

If you’ve read any of our previous blogs, you know that each month we have a “Turnbuckle Award” winner.

This past month it went to a deserving member of our project management team. Teresa Coffman was celebrated for her outstanding contribution to Arch-Fab and is often commended by our clients for her pro-active communication throughout a project.

We Take Pride in Working Safely

Our company was built on the foundation of fabricating and installing our exterior sun control devices, and each day our crews are traveling to and working on commercial construction sites, nationwide. We take pride in the work we do, and we are committed to working safely. Safety Week is celebrated in May each year. It began in 2014, by 31 national and global construction firms, with the goal of inspiring everyone in the industry to be leaders in safety, bringing about an industry wide safety transformation.

We continue to make investments in safety training. Every installer and project manager on our team has a minimum of OSHA 10 certification, and we also have team members that have successfully completed their OSHA 30 certification. Each of our welders holds ASW certification. We are proud to have an employee led safety committee that meets monthly, working together to continually implement processes to increase the safety of the Arch-Fab “family”.

We recently received the ability to in-house certify our employees as Qualified Aerial & Scissor Lift Operators, which will allow us to more efficiently certify new employees. Our foremen conduct regular morning “toolbox talks” and JHA forms are completed on a daily basis for each site we are on. Crews are rewarded each month (nominated by their peers) at our company meeting for their commitment to working safely and protecting their fellow man.

Working safe is up to us, and we are dedicated to ensuring that all of our employees get home safely each night. Don’t look the other way!

I Chose to Look The Other Way
I could have saved a life that day,
But I chose to look the other way.
It wasn’t that I didn’t care,
I had the time, and I was there.
But I didn’t want to seem a fool,
Or argue over a safety rule….

I could have saved a life that day,
But I chose to look the other way.
Now every time I see his wife,
I’ll know, I should have saved his life…

That guilt is something I must bear,
But it isn’t something you need share.
If you see a risk that others take,
That puts their health or life at stake.
The question asked, or thing you say,
Could help them live another day.
If you see a risk and walk away,
Then hope you never have to say,
I could have saved a life that day,
But I chose to look the other way.

-Don Merrell

Open House BBQ

April was a busy month for our team, and we were able to take some time to show our appreciation to our hard working employees and our valued partners. A good ole’ fashioned BBQ is always in season, so we fired up the smokers, prepared all the fixings and had an informal celebration! The weather was beautiful, and the food was delicious!

Our entire team is enjoying our new space and it’s exciting to show our clients how our larger, more efficient facility allows us to be a better partner to them for their exterior sun control needs. Thank you to everyone who joined us and also to those who made the event a success!

Women In Construction

Did you know that March 5-11 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 construction. WIC Week provides an occasion to raise awareness and emphasize the ever growing role of women in construction. To learn more about NAWIC, visit nawic.org.

Arch-Fab-ulous Women

Architectural Fabrication is proud to be a 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, and estimating.

Front Row: Kimberly Bradstreet- Business Development Manger, Kendall Springer- Account Manager, Lauren Preston- Pre-Sales Manager, Renea Cramer-Receptionist, Dominga Gonzales- Fabricator Back Row: Brooke Weinzierl- Drafter, Teresa Allison- Administrative Assistant, Lauren McClurg- Production Coordinator, Ann Nace-Project Manager, Teresa Coffman- Project Manager, Jessica Gordon- Buyer, Melody Brecht- Account Manager

For the second year in a row, we made the

Inc. 5000 List of Fastest Growing Private Companies!

“Texas Style” Aluminum Canopies, Awnings & Sunshades

Beautiful Architectural Features

Let's Talk Shop...that is Shop Drawings

Sample Shop Drawings

How Does An On-Site Powder Coating Service Help Our Clients?

Environmentally Friendly Powder Coating Workshop

AIA Accredited Education Course

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Turnbuckle Award

Did you know that March 5-11 is Women in Construction Week?

Arch-Fab-ulous Women

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