November 2023 - Metal Fabrication Pros

Visionary Artist, Metal Shop Craftsmen & Large Scale Venue

Jina Valentine is an artist renowned for her unique approach to storytelling through art. Her vision for this project is nothing short of exceptional. The artwork aims to capture the demographic evolution of Chicago, a city steeped in history and cultural diversity. The heart of Jina Valentine’s concept lies in the meticulous arrangement of anodized aluminum discs, each varying in size set atop of the aerial roadmap map view. These discs represent the city’s demographic growth over the years, a testament to the vibrant history and continual evolution of Chicago. To do justice to Jina’s concept, a perfect marriage of creativity and precise metal fabrication was required.

MFP’s Contribution: Crafting the 1/2″ Mild Steel Back Drop

Our role in this grand artistic venture involved the metal laser cutting of sixty 96”x120” sheets of 1/2″ mild steel. The complexity of the artwork presented us with a multitude of challenges, but our team’s unwavering dedication and expertise prevailed.

The Craftsmanship Behind the Scenes

The process of crafting this artwork has involved unparalleled attention to detail. It required a deep understanding of materials, fabrication capabilities and the artistic intent behind every piece. The fabrication team worked tirelessly to ensure that our metal work blends seamlessly with Jina’s vision, and we couldn’t be prouder of the results.

A Project of Remarkable Scale

This project is nothing short of monumental. It celebrates the history, culture, and diversity of Chicago while showcasing the heights of artistic vision and metal fabrication expertise. We are honored to be a part of this venture and thrilled to see it unfold.

The Road Ahead

As we move closer to the completion of the artwork installation at O’Hare Terminal 5, we look forward to sharing the final project with the world. We appreciate the dedication and commitment of the entire MFP team in making this project a reality. Stay tuned for updates on the project’s progress.

MFP’s involvement in this project is a testament to our unwavering commitment to creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation. We believe that this artwork will not only enhance Terminal 5 but also contribute to Chicago’s vibrant cultural landscape. Thank you for being part of the MFP family, and here’s to the artistry, precision, and dedication that define our journey.

“MFP’s involvement in this project is a testament to our unwavering commitment to creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation. We believe that this artwork will not only enhance Terminal 5 but also contribute to Chicago’s vibrant cultural landscape. Thank you for being part of the MFP family, and here’s to the artistry, precision, and dedication that define our journey.”

Mike McNeese – Operations Manager, Metal Fabrication Professionals

The Benefits of Working with a One-Stop Metal Fabrication Shop

Blog / November 8, 2023

Most of the OEMs we work with have similar priorities when selecting a sheet metal supplier: efficiency, quality, and convenience. While many shops can offer quick-turn solutions and high-quality products, they may not be able to offer optimal convenience when they need to send parts out for services they cannot handle in-house.

Working with a one-stop shop eliminates the need for your parts to travel between multiple vendors. This reduces the hassle associated with navigating timelines and coordinating expectations with multiple vendors.

MFP, Your Go-To Provider for Precision Sheet Metal Fabrication

At Metal Fabrication Professionals, we take great pride in our extensive capabilities. Nestled within our sprawling 250,000-square-foot facility is a range of cutting-edge equipment that positions us as a one-stop shop for all your fabrication and machining needs.

Choosing a one-stop shop like MFP as your fabrication and machining partner can streamline your operations and improve your bottom line. When you’re ready to leverage MFP’s limitless capabilities, be sure to request a quote using our secure online RFQ form.

In the meantime, let’s walk through the benefits of working with a one-stop fabrication shop.

6 Benefits of Working with a One-Stop Sheet Metal Shop

Eliminates Outside Processing

When you decide to work with a one-stop shop, you’re choosing a partner that can handle every step of your project in-house. Keeping parts under one roof through all machining and fabrication processes, from laser cutting to welding and everything in between, minimizes complications and streamlines production.

Shorter Lead Times

With all processes under one roof, you can say goodbye to delays caused by shipping parts to external vendors. At Metal Fabrication Professionals, sending parts for secondary operations means we’re walking parts from one section of the shop to another; this takes just minutes, in contrast with the multiple days of travel time that come with sending parts to outside vendors.

Increased Cost Savings

Some OEMs think they can save money by using third-party vendors that offer the lowest possible costs. While their quotes might appear lower, there’s a chance they could be overlooking a significant expense: shipping costs.

By keeping everything in one place, OEMs can significantly cut out trucking and transportation expenses. These cut costs can help OEMs price themselves more competitively to their end users.

Reduced Risk

Shipping parts to external vendors introduces several risks, including the possibility for parts to become damaged in transit. This risk decreases significantly based on the fewer stops these parts need to make.

At MFP, we’ve made an effort to eliminate the risk of damage during travel by packaging our parts meticulously. Metal Fabrication Professionals offers our Red Wrap Guarantee, our assurance that our parts will be exceptional in quality and will arrive in pristine condition.

Single Point of Contact

With MFP, you have a single point of contact for all your fabrication and machining needs. There’s no need to coordinate between multiple vendors or micromanage when and where to send parts. We handle the project management side of things so you don’t have to.

Dealing with one shop – instead of two, three or more – simplifies communication. When you need to make any necessary changes to your part, you only need to contact one shop because we handle each stage of production. In addition to ease of communication, this direct delivery of feedback and instructions reduces the chance of miscommunication that could further delay production.

Quality Assurance

When multiple shops and multiple quality teams are overseeing a project, quality control becomes more of a balancing act than a seamless process. With only one shop involved, there’s a much lower chance that any specifications or requirements could fall through the cracks.

One-Stop Precision Metal Fabrication Services at MFP

At MFP, our large, state-of-the-art facility and top-of-the-line equipment make us well-aligned to handle a wide range of capabilities. From design and engineering support to metal blasting and painting, we offer a one-stop solution that can simplify your processes.

Contact us to discuss your next project, and discover how Metal Fabrication Professionals can provide your one-stop solutions.