Spotlight On ... Webco dition , Webco carries an impressive inventory , allowing the company to weather the ups and downs of the supply chain .
“ Customers want better , faster , smarter , economical ,” Boyer said . In its efforts to be the best , the company has perfected laser welding technology , recognizing the process propels economics . Webco ’ s capabilities exceed type 304 and type 316 , from duplex and super duplex to super ferritic steel and alloys . The company prides itself on being one of the most experienced specialty tube producers in the industry .
“ Tubing is a complex business . Tubes can look the same , but they come in many variations . Understanding the value equation in relation to the customer ’ s needs is our formula for a successful partnership ,” Boyer explained .
Diligent quality management is part of cementing trust within the industry and includes three areas of focus :
1 ) Webco manufacturing divisions are certified to ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 quality management systems ( QMS ).
2 ) The company ensures it is meeting industry specifications like ASTM , ASME , API . Many of Webco ’ s customers have their own customer specifications which Webco meets .
3 ) Webco integrates internal specifications and testing systems . The company ’ s process and inspection test plans are highly detailed , well documented , and team members are properly trained .
4 ) The company ’ s stainless plants are certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14,001 . Audits rank the company above the standard in following the processes for product compliance and quality . “ When we have an audit , we are classified as mature ” Ingram said .
In its continuing pursuit of technology , Webco conducts a Tech Forum twice yearly where engineers gather to learn and share new technologies . Webco consistently engages with its partners and collaborates with its suppliers to test new corrosion-resistant alloys in its pursuit to create tomorrow ’ s technology , today .
“ We cannot be a technology-driven company without investigating emerging technologies . Adopting new technologies and materials takes time . Webco has researchers who are not afraid of these kinds of challenges ,” Kim said .
Webco Today
- 97 % of the company ’ s leadership team was promoted from within .
- More than 30 % of the company ’ s trusted teammates company-wide have a decade or longer of service with Webco .
- Over 2.2 million square feet of facility space
- 13 locations which includes manufacturing , value add , and training facilities
-1400 trusted teammates
The company seeks to grow through creations and improvements and not through company acquisitions . Webco recently purchased the SEA-CURE ® brand , a super ferritic stainless steel tubing product that is well-respected in the utility and process industry . “ Product , process , and testing innovation are at the core of what we do ,” Boyer said .
The Unveiling of Innovation
As a technology-driven company , Webco supports R & D activities and partners with its suppliers , customers , and industry organizations to conduct joint research . To further this initiative , Webco invested in its new TechCenter™ which opened in June 2024 . Situated within the F . W . Weber Leadership Campus , the TechCenter™ is comprised of multiple labs , including corrosion , metallurgical , mechanical testing , heat treating , and welding and fatigue testing labs . “ The TechCenter™ is an effort , a mission , and a strategy ,” Boyer said about this recent investment into future technology .
When deciding where to build the TechCenter™ , company leaders had to consider who should have access . They knew the senior leadership team needed access because the center would be central to their strategy . Sales and marketing also required access due to their connection to Webco ’ s customers . Raw material team members as well needed access because of its connection to Webco ’ s supplier partners . Leaders quickly recognized they needed to house all these factions in the same location . This led to the decision of embarking on a mission to create a 50-acre plus campus to accommodate the executive team , sales , marketing , raw materials and the IT team along with the TechCenter™ .
The TechCenter™ is far from a standard technology center . It features unique technology , namely the scanning electron microscope ( SEM ). Deliberate choices were made to customize the center to Webco ’ s goals and objectives of being the trusted and technical leader as well as a forever company . The SEM is just one example of a deliberate choice . Webco is not the only company to have access to an SEM , but the SEM offers intricate technology that is integral to Webco ’ s purposes . The TechCenter™ also contains customized testing equipment that is specific to the markets Webco serves . “ Everything we undertake will be Webco-innovated ,” Boyer stated .
Monitoring Webco ’ s Energy Efficiency
Webco ’ s service offerings include collaborating with partners that share similar values to Webco ’ s when it pertains to energy efficiency . In addition , the company pays close attention to its processing energy , byproducts , and waste management in its daily operations . “ In the last two years we have lowered our electric consumption per foot of tube produced by over 5 %,” said Ingram .
Laser welding has also made a significant impact in efficiency . Compared to conventional methods such as tig welding , laser welding requires one-tenth of the power consumption . “ It is not just more economical , it is smart regardless of where you fall in the argument on sustainability ,” Boyer said .
In addition to these efficiency improvements , The F . William Weber Leadership Campus and the Kellyville Specialty Tube Plant both employ geothermal energy , which has led to significant reductions in the company ’ s overall energy consumption . Webco University plays an important role as well . It is the main support for instructing new employees in the areas of sustainability practices as well as growing their skills , tubing knowledge , and technical progress .
Webco ’ s Future and Goals
Webco will always aspire to be the best . Their forever purpose of supplying their markets with Webco ’ s products , innovation , and service is not just an objective , it ’ s their culture . The team believes growth happens when customers buy into Webco ’ s earnest mission . Finding new ways to do the next right thing is written into Webco ’ s genetic code . “ We are not influenced by volume . We are influenced by the quality and service of the products we deliver ,” said Kim .
The addition of the TechCenter™ is a big contribution to the stainless steel industry . With it , Webco will not only continue enhancing its products for technical markets , but will now provide new knowledge , continuous improvement breakthroughs , and research and development to support ever-evolving technology demands .
“ Our future can be found in what we have already done ,” said Boyer . Webco will continue to lead the industry in technology and embody the forever technical brand . “ Over 55 years in the business and we are just getting started . We are on a journey that had a beginning but has no end .”
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the profiled company and may not reflect the position of Stainless Steel World Americas .
Stainless Steel World Americas - October 2024 | www . ssw-americas . com 3