Three generations of Thrailkill leadership. Left to right: CEO and majority owner Lance Thrailkill; fellow third-generation owner Will Rushing; first-generation owner Bill Thrailkill; and President William “Billy” Thrailkill, Jr. (Photo courtesy of All Metals Fabricating)
All Metals Fabricating is embarking on a $7 million automation plan that will enhance its facility with innovative capabilities.
DALLAS—Contract manufacturer All Metals Fabricating (AMF) recently celebrated 70 years in operation at an event commemorating the company’s “legacy of innovation and dedication to its valued workforce and clientele.” The event also marked the beginning of a new era of “transformative expansion,” AMF said in a release.
All Metals Fabricating specializes in sheet metal fabricating, machining, electro-mechanical assembly, and powder coating. The company opened in 1953 as a sheet metal shop with a handful of capabilities. Since Bill Thrailkill purchased AMF in 1978, the company has retained multiple customers by providing exceptional service and building longstanding relationships with its clients.
According to AMF, its steadfast commitment to—and from—its employees has been a key to its success and longevity. Several team members have built 40-year careers with the company, which has boosted its workforce by 40 percent over the last decade. Even with the increased hiring, AMF has achieved an average staff tenure of 12 years, the company said.
All Metals Fabricating offers powder coating and silk-screening capabilities to ensure a pristine finish on fabricated parts and structures. (Photo courtesy of All Metals Fabricating)
Thrailkill shared his perspective on his loyal team. “Our employees are kind of like our family,” he said in the release. “That’s what our success amounted to: treating the employees like they were part of the family, and that’s what we’ve done over all the years we’ve been in business.”
Its sights set on expansion, AMF recently began the first phase of a $7 million automation plan that will enhance its current facility with innovative capabilities. Its goal is to implement a fully automated and integrated cut-to-bend (ICB) system, which the company expects to transform its manufacturing process.
All Metals Fabricating said it has already implemented Industry 4.0 throughout its business. The company has integrated AI and automation through quoting and back-office accounting; robotics in manufacturing; and machine monitoring software for visibility. It has also adopted departmental queue monitors with scheduling and real-time KPIs displayed, and employee performance dashboards for incentive-based bonusing, according to the release.
At the event celebrating AMF’s milestone anniversary, CEO and majority owner Lance Thrailkill expressed his gratitude to those in attendance.
“This celebration is not just a reflection of our past, but a testament to the resilience and dedication of every individual who has contributed to the company’s success over the decades,” he said. “We look forward to continuing our journey, driven by the same values that have defined us since the beginning.”