Visit us to kick off your customer journey…

At Havant Sheet Metal, we welcome visits to our premises from both existing and potential customers; our door is always open to welcome those interested in working with us, or simply taking a closer look at what we do.

We love showing off our facilities and sharing the endless possibilities of what we can do with sheet metal with interested parties. From straightforward sheet metal fabrication or finishing jobs to entire projects from idea inception to delivery, our skilled teams can provide the solution you need.  

We serve a range of sectors, delivering projects for the defence, marine, aerospace, manufacturing, electronics, pharmaceutical, health and safety, commercial office, audio and telecommunications industries, so whatever sector you’re in, we are likely to have extensive experience of delivering solutions tailored to that area.

Initial Contact

When a customer makes their initial contact with us, this is usually done via phone call, email or enquiry form on our website. At this point they are getting in touch to see if we may be able to help with their requirements. They’ll share drawings, CAD files, or a concept for a part/product and request a quote or technical advice.

In response to this enquiry, a member of our sales or engineering teams will review the enquiry and conduct an initial feasibility and manufacturing assessment. A visit will be arranged if the project is complex or requires further discussion; visits are a great way for us to understand project requirements in more depth and to start building a strong working relationship with the customer.

Arrival & Welcome

On the day of the visit, we’ll greet the customer at Reception and sign them in. We’ll then run through a health & safety briefing to ensure their safety whilst on-site and introduce them to the Sales Manager as well as our Production Manager and one of our engineers. This approach establishes a good rapport with the customer and provides us with the opportunity to give them a good overview of HSM and how we work.

Project Discussion

After the initial welcome, we’ll sit down to discuss the customer’s requirements. Topics of discussion usually include:

• Project goals and application

• Desired materials (e.g., stainless steel, aluminium, mild steel)

• Likely production volumes (prototype vs batch)

• Tolerances and quality requirements

• Lead times and delivery expectations

If applicable, our team will review the customer’s:

• CAD drawings

• Technical specifications

• Budget considerations

This step enables an in-depth discussion about the client’s requirements and expectations to take place in order to confirm that the product can be manufactured efficiently and cost-effectively.

Facility Tour

Customers are offered a tour of the workshop to showcase our extensive facilities and demonstrate our advanced capabilities. This helps customers understand the manufacturing process and appreciate the high quality standards we adhere to with each and every project. The tour includes the following areas:

Design & Engineering

• CAD/CAM software

• Design optimisation

Fabrication 

• CNC punching

• Laser cutting

• Folding/bending machines

• Welding stations

Finishing 

• Powder coating

• Wet spray finishing

• Stove enamelling

Assembly and Quality Control

• Inspection processes

• ISO-compliant checks

Technical Collaboration

After the tour, our engineers may work with the customer to refine the design if they are ready to take the next step. We may make suggestions such as:

• Design changes to improve manufacturability

• Tweaks to reduce material waste

• Ideas to improve structural strength

• Ways of lowering production cost

This collaborative step is common in design-for-manufacture (DFM) processes.

Quotation & Proposal

After the visit, we will prepare a quotation and proposal for the work needed to complete the project. This will usually include:

• The proposed manufacturing method(s)

• Material specification

• A choice of finishing options for the customer to choose from / our recommended finishing option

• Unit price or batch price

• Estimated lead time

• Delivery terms

The customer will review the quote and proposal and either confirm the order or request tweaks to the proposal before confirming.

Production Process

Once the proposal has been approved, the project moves into production. Typical stages of the production process include:

1. Design finalisation and sign off by the client

2. Material preparation

3. Cutting and forming

4. Welding or assembly

5. Surface finishing

Manufacturing is performed utilising our state-of-the-art plant and equipment. From our CNC Machining technology for complex punching, cutting and folding, to our Power Presses for bending and forming, TIG welding bays and new laser welding system for flawless, high-strength joints, and our dedicated on-site paint shop for powder coating and other surface finishing, we excel at delivering complete solutions in-house.

Quality Assurance

At the end of the production process, every part and product is thoroughly inspected to ensure the highest levels of accuracy and that our stringent quality standards are adhered to. 

• Each part is inspected

• All measurements are verified

• The surface finish is checked

• Documentation is prepared

Delivery & Follow-Up

This is the final stage of the customer journey. The goods are securely packaged up and loaded onto our vans for on-time delivery. The customer will receive their finished products, the inspection reports and documentation, and a delivery note. Once delivery is confirmed we will get in touch with the customer to request feedback, discuss any future projects and provide any ongoing support required.

Arrange a Visit!

If you have a sheet metal fabrication project in the pipeline, please get in touch and then visit us to see for yourself how we can make your vision a reality. Visiting us will enhance your trust in us, enable us to demonstrate our manufacturing capabilities, and allow us to ensure your design or concept can be produced efficiently and in line with your requirements.

Get in touch, find out more about us or take a closer look at the services we offer.

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