The business of heavy steel fabrication is not for the faint of heart. The size, speed and complexity of fabricated components continues their upward curve, as does the heat of foreign competition. But one heavy steel fabricator handles the heat: Metal Trades Inc.
Your Go-to Source for Heavy Steel Fabrication
MTI is a “go-to” source for build-to-print steel fabrications requiring skilled craftsmen and certified welders of all types of steel. Past projects have included both small and large industrial components (some more than one hundred tons), military vehicle components, and custom-built barges. Our modern fabrication facilities have 40’+ high ceilings and plenty of bridge crane capacity to enable modular construction of large assemblies indoors.
Our team has many years of demonstrated expertise in a wide range of steel fabrication applications, including:
Power Transformer Tanks
Pressure Tanks and Vessels
Manufacturing Fixtures for Commercial, Aerospace, and NAVSEA Industry
Turbine Exhaust Ducts
Armor Steel Components for Military Ballistic Vehicles
Barges
Let’s take a quick photographic tour of our heavy steel fabrication operations to give you an idea of MTI’s industry-leading capabilities. So, grab your hard hats and eye protection, and let’s go!
MTI’S PANEL LINE AND MODULAR CONSTRUCTION CAPABILITIES:
Metal Trades has extensive indoor fabrication capabilities, overhead crane capacity, and heavy lift equipment to move large structures seamlessly throughout the life cycle of fabrication, paint, and shipping via our Marine Railway
MTI’S BLAST BOOTH CAPABILITY:
Metal Trades, Inc. has one of the largest Indoor Blast and Paint Booths in the Southeast, which is comprised of two booths that are 100’ x 32’ wide. We blast and prime modules and large components with ease and without concern of environmental delay.
MTI SPECIALIZES IN SUPPORTING OEMS IN THE POWER GENERATION SECTOR:
This is an example of a Core Transformer Tank fabricated through our turnkey process. Metal Trades runs material through our processing center, makes flanges in our machine shop, forms steel with our brake press, and utilizes our small blast and paint booths (qty 2- 40’ x 20’) to paint. We use our own tractor-trailers to deliver these units to the OEMs, who then complete the internal windings before sending the units out to the field for installation.Metal Trade offers our own transportation and therefore has the capability to mass-produce transformer tanks for our Power Generation customers who require high-volume production. We support our OEMs’ expedited schedules by utilizing our small paint booth, dedicating a crew that specializes in building Transformers for our OEMs, as well as offering multiple delivery solutions.
MTI SPECIALIZES IN BARGE AND COMMERCIAL MARINE CONSTRUCTION:
Metal Trades specializes in custom barge building and Marine Construction and Repair for both Government and Commercial Customers. Our Marine Railway, pier space, and deep-water access allow us to facilitate logistics to anywhere in the world with a geographic focus on the East Coast.
Experience Counts in Heavy Steel Fabrication!
That’s a brief tour and snapshot of Metal Trades’ heavy steel fabrication operations! Remember, the Metal Trades team has decades of combined experience in building complex heavy steel components. Many of our craftsmen, machinists, welders, and management staff had years of prior experience building nuclear submarine components or overhauling naval vessels. And all our welders are qualified to ABS, AWS D1.1, NAVSEA, and ASME Section 9 standards. We qualify welders onsite! Contact us to learn more about Metal Trades Heavy Steel Fabrication.
Above: With the EdgeBreaker 4000’s intuitive touch-screen interface, operators can make adjustments or perform automatic calibration of the tools in no time.
Fabricator uses grinding technology to make deburring process safer and more efficient
December 2021 – When the late Ted Corbin founded Metal Trades Inc. in 1962, he had one piece of welding equipment and a pickup truck. Since then, the family-owned company has grown exponentially. Metal Trades earned certification as a Master Ship Repair Contractor for the U.S. Army and has an Agreement for Boat Repair with the U.S. Navy. The company developed into a multi-skilled specialist in heavy custom steel fabrication for barge/commercial marine construction and ship repair.
The company’s complex is housed on almost 50 acres, and it operates its own deep-water access point off South Carolina’s Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Able to accommodate vessels up to 370 ft. long and 70 ft. wide, including massive crane barges, Metal Trades also supports the power generation market with parts that range from transformers and cooling units to oil tanks.
One thing that hasn’t changed over the last 59 years is the company’s relentless pursuit of quality. “No matter what product, they all have one thing in common,” says Virgil Taylor, processing manager for Metal Trades. “They are custom-made, and they are heavy. Standard solutions don’t stand a chance in the demanding industries we serve.”
Taylor, who has been with the company for 25 years, knows what he’s talking about. According to him, customers who rely on high-quality equipment have equally high expectations concerning product design and functionality.
Metal Trades has increased part consistency and throughput with the EdgeBreaker 4000.
Improving Processes
“We do serve a niche market, but a demanding one, that continuously asks us to push our boundaries,” says Dustin Corbin, vice president of operations for Metal Trades. “This requires us to be flexible at all times.” That means scrutinizing the company’s internal processes for ways to improve.
In 2019, Metal Trades identified a need to fabricate and deburr steel more efficiently. The existing manual methods had become a major pain point.
“We employ well-versed welders and fitters who do a tremendous job,” says Taylor. “On top of that, once parts were oxyfuel or gas cut, the staff handled and manually deburred them. For smooth fabrication, we need to take the dross off our parts.”
The process proved to be problematic. Deburring with hand grinders kept the welders and fitters from performing their primary jobs and posed a safety risk. Metal Trades processes parts up to 2 in. thick and 40 in. wide. To mitigate the risk and reduce labor expenses, the company began looking for automated deburring support.
“We wanted to keep our welders and fitters on their jobs and proceed to fabrication without secondary handling,” Corbin explains. “After all, we aim to maintain high deburring quality for heavy parts at all times. Efficiency is our No. 1 driver.”
In 2019, a small team from Metal Trades traveled to Fabtech in Chicago. Equipment at the ARKU booth caught their attention. The company has been designing and building levelers, deburring machines and coil lines for many years. Corbin met ARKU Sales Manager Nathan Brown and they discussed the options for an automated deburring machine. After Brown demonstrated the machines’ capabilities, “it was obvious that the EdgeBreaker 4000 was a highly promising fit. I was particularly interested in the machine’s ability to deburr the top and bottom of a part in a single pass.”
In terms of process efficiency, “this was exactly what we were looking for,” adds Taylor. The EdgeBreaker 4000’s oscillating grinding drum removes burrs from plasma and oxyfuel cut parts up to 4 in. thick with repeatable results. Edge-rounding tools on the top and bottom foster double-sided edge rounding as well. This double-sided design can cut processing times by up to 50 percent compared to conventional single-side machines.
Metal Trades installed an ARKU EdgeBreaker 4000 and found the installation to be straightforward. “ARKU technicians managed the setup smoothly and helped us wherever they could,” Corbin says. “Given the facility’s layout, there was no optimal spot to place the machine, but ARKU worked with us to identify the best location for optimal operation.”
The most important aspect of the installation wasn’t space. “Training and knowing how to handle such a powerful tool are infinitely more relevant for quality,” says Taylor. “In addition to standard machine training, we make sure operators understand that thickness is crucial for smooth operations.”
Nick Cromer, Metal Trades steel processing lead, left, Daniel Freeman, Metal Trades steel processing specialist, Virgil Taylor, Metal Trades steel processing manager, and Nathan Brown, sales manager at ARKU Inc.
Above and Beyond
“In our industry, I encounter new challenges every day,” Taylor continues. “Sometimes, equipment is intended for certain processes but we take pride in using it above and beyond its specifications. I like coming to work without having to dread the repetitiveness of other industries.”
The EdgeBreaker 4000 is processing roughly 10,000 lbs. of heavy parts per month. “ARKU’s equipment is a real lifesaver,” says Corbin. “It takes the dross off neatly and has accepted all matching parts without major issues. For us, the improvements are mainly internal, since we’re saving rework and manual labor hours.”
The EdgeBreaker 4000 also helps to achieve good painting on the parts’ edges, which boosts corrosion resistance. One of its major benefits, though, is barely perceptible: it’s a virtually silent operation. According to Virgil, “the EdgeBreaker is one of the quietest machines I’ve ever run. Even at full capacity, except for a low humming, you can barely hear it. This is highly unusual in the industry and creates a quiet working atmosphere. Standing right next to the deburring machine, a customer once even asked me if it was running at all.” FFJ
As we approach July 4th, a time to honor our pride in being American and a time to celebrate our independence, we cannot forget our roots. Metal Trades, Inc. was founded by Ted Corbin in 1962. He had a welding truck and a dream and the grit and determination of his children (5 sons and 2 daughters) who supported the growth of his vision.
Ted founded Metal Trades during the onset of the Vietnam War. He wanted to find a way to support our military. He took a government overhaul contract, and he made a promise to deliver. He was determined to honor his word and hired a crew of men he housed and fed around the clock to accomplish the work scope. In the end, Ted and his crew exceeded the terms of the contract, and from there, the foundation of Metal Trades was set.
Ted Corbin’s Original Welding Truck
From that foundation, Metal Trades, Inc. has grown into a state-of-the art facility that far surpasses what could have been imagined at the time of our humble beginning. It’s a facility that proudly honors Ted’s legacy and the Corbin name.
MTI: Adding Value in Government Contracts…
On this July 4th, 2021, Metal Trades, Inc. is a world-renowned Government Repair and New Build Facility. We have built over 150 barges for the US Navy. We have also overhauled over 130 Landing Craft Units and multiple other brown water boats. We support MARAD, USCG, DOT, US Army, and many other Federal, State, and local governments. Over the course of the last decade, as the government continues to place a strong emphasis on the importance of “Buy American” and sourcing materials through qualifying countries, Metal Trades is no stranger to the terms and conditions governing these regulations. As a United States manufacturer, we recognize the importance of domestic sourcing and creating jobs for our local and surrounding communities.
…and Commercial Contracts, too!
While we are well versed in the inner workings of government contracts, Metal Trades, Inc. continues to maintain a stronghold in the commercial industry, as well. Our modern facility offers a turnkey experience for our customers, including:
Onsite Processing
Machining
Indoor Blasting and Painting
Indoor Fabrication Facilities
650’ Marine Railway
200’ Loading and Off-loading Pier (which also provides dockage, and extensive heavy lift capabilities)
Metal Trades, Inc. works with multiple small businesses including women- and veteran-owned along with other 8a companies. MTI continues to invest and contribute to the prosperity of America in every way we can, whether it is through supporting our government, other small businesses, creating jobs, or sourcing our steel domestically. We are proud to be American and fortunate to continue the vision of our Founder by offering American-made products and services.
July 4th: Cause for Celebration!
Every year, Metal Trades hosts a July 4th picnic for our men and women to celebrate the holiday. We will be hosting this year’s luncheon on Thursday, July 1st. Since, we realize the South Carolina heat is sweltering at this time of year, we always work to do our best to provide our men and women time off during the July 4th holiday. This way our men and women – who work tirelessly to support our production – enjoy a long weekend to celebrate with their family and friends! Monday, July 5th is a paid holiday. We wish each of you a wonderful, safe and happy Fourth of July.
Metal Trades, Inc. (MTI) is a family owned business located just south of Charleston, South Carolina operating with deep water access on the intracoastal waterway. We have been in business since 1962 and have extensive past performance in Heavy Steel Fabrication, Manufacturing, Machining, Vessel Construction and Vessel Maintenance and Repair for both commercial and Government customers.
” J.E. Corbin, Jr. founded Metal Trades, Inc. in 1962 with a pickup truck, a welding machine, and years of metal fabricating experience. Since that time MTI established a solid reputation for its multi-skilled work force and strong commitment to high quality.”
