Olympic Steel – Chambersburg, PA – Denell Patterson and Jamie Burcker

The Chambersburg division performs an oxyfuel cutting process that uses consumable materials during the process. Receiving these products can be a challenge because they’re imported from overseas and, recently, have been delayed because of pandemic-related delivery and availability issues. Denell Patterson, Oxyfuel Burn Table Operator, initiated the conversation about finding a cost-effective alternative product that …

The Chambersburg division performs an oxyfuel cutting process that uses consumable materials during the process. Receiving these products can be a challenge because they’re imported from overseas and, recently, have been delayed because of pandemic-related delivery and availability issues. Denell Patterson, Oxyfuel Burn Table Operator, initiated the conversation about finding a cost-effective alternative product that would be easier to source locally. He approached Jamie Burcker, Production Supervisor, about available options and the testing they’d need to complete before officially making the switch. The new products were tested for both quality of cut and length of life. Operators found that the new product was easier and faster to clean which extended the life of the product and decreased machine down time. The new product is readily available from multiple domestic sources and saves the division approximately $40,000 annually, not including the savings from less downtime.

Lesson Learned:

We often request new quotes from different suppliers for the same product we’re using, but considering other products, not just other suppliers, might be a better option to achieve the desired result.