Introducing SteelBlue Roll Call, where we discuss everything related to the rollup door industry. In this first episode we focused on how to navigate supply chain and manufacturing in 2023, and we're excited to have been joined by two guests from SteelBlue – Bray Allen, Chief Operations Officer, and Steve Weltmer, Chief Supply Chain Officer – sharing their expertise on the current state of the industry and how SteelBlue is addressing challenges and changes in supply chain and manufacturing.

What is Supply Chain?

For those who may not be familiar, the supply chain is the flow of raw materials, products, and information from suppliers to manufacturers to wholesalers to retailers to customers. It's the backbone of industries, and it's just as important as having a great workforce and sales team. The pandemic brought attention to the importance of the supply chain in everyday life.

Impact of Supply Chain Issues in the Door Industry

In the rollup door industry, many companies were using and still are using Chinese-made products, which became problematic during the lockdowns, shortages, and outages that took place over the course of the pandemic. To avoid these issues, SteelBlue is trying to diversify its supply and use more domestic sources. The door industry has also been impacted by supply chain issues in raw materials such as steel, aluminum, and rubber. Many companies have had to pivot and find alternative sources for materials.

Manufacturing in the Door Industry

Manufacturing is the process of turning raw materials into finished products. It's essential for the economy, providing jobs and income. In the door industry, there are two main types of manufacturing: make-to-stock and make-to-order. Make-to-stock involves producing a large volume of a standard product that is kept in inventory and sold as demand arises. Make-to-order involves producing a product based on a specific customer's request. SteelBlue primarily uses a make-to-order approach, which allows for stronger customization and a quicker turnaround time. However, it also requires careful planning and coordination with the supply chain.

Impact of the Pandemic on Manufacturing

The pandemic had a significant impact on manufacturing, with disruptions in the supply chain and shifts in demand. Companies had to quickly adapt and find ways to continue production while following safety guidelines. It was discussed that while there were many high profile disruptions like semiconductor chip shortages, another lesser known but possibly more vital factor to consider is the future of transportation.

Truck drivers are an aging population that is fast heading towards retirement. Unfortunately there is not a plethora of younger drivers stepping in to replace them. Over the next 3-5 years, companies will have to adjust to these newly available transportation options which SteelBlue is well aware of and is deep into strategic planning for.

So then, what’s next?

Innovation

Innovation is the introduction of new ideas, methods, or products, and it's essential for businesses to stay competitive. Companies that stay complacent are often left in the dust of their competition. In the door industry, innovation can involve new designs, materials, or technologies. SteelBlue places a strong emphasis on innovation and has innovated product but also process.

One notable innovation from SteelBlue is the casing that their roll-up doors are transported in. It is common for doors from other manufacturers to be delivered on site, revealing that much of the order was damaged during transport. SteelBlue has developed a packaging system that protects their doors from this sort of damage, increasing efficiency of their business partners and creating less waste from unusable doors.

There is quite a bit more that SteelBlue has done and is currently working on behind the scenes that you will start to see rolling out as the year goes on. Just know that if there is one thing that this management team is not a fan of, it is complacency. They are doing everything in their power to deliver the best possible products with the most transparency of process to a level not yet seen across the door industry.

Company Culture

It is clear that SteelBlue has developed a culture of hard work, big thinking, inclusion, personal development, and the removal of egos. This culture starts from the top down. Everyone on the executive team can also be found working on the shop floor where no task is too small for them. It is an approach where everyone in the company helps each other get the job done and accomplish their goals. They try to promote from within as much as possible so that the SteelBlue management is made up of people who truly know the company, their values, and are set up to continue growing within the company over the course of their careers.  

In Closing:

We want to thank Bray Allen and Steve Weltmer for taking the time to share their expertise with us about Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and the future of SteelBlue in 2023. To get the full effect of our conversation with them, we highly recommend you to watch the entire conversation that is embedded in this post. It is hard to describe the passion and drive that both Bray and Steve have for the growth of SteelBlue, so it’s best that you check it out and experience it first hand. Look out for more content like this from our team throughout the next year and beyond! We are here to serve you and win together.