9
Help Wanted, I think?
0 Comments | Posted by admin in Bar Products, Bottle Locks, Bottle Service, Bottle Service Setup, Bottle Service Trays, Hotel Products, Indoor Bars, Nightclub Products, Outdoor Bars, Portable Bars, Portable Indoor Bars, Portable Outdoor Bars, Push Carts, Retail Display Cases, Uncategorized
As the shop continues to grow and become inundated more orders and more tasks it was time to hire a welder for the shop. After a quick craigslist posting it wasn’t but twenty minutes before (30) resumes came pouring in. Sign of the times it seems.
After sifting through a batch of papers (some contained grammar of an 8 year old), I pulled out a handful of five and got going on the phone to call them in for an interview. My first gripe is that personal phones rarely ring anymore, yet rather I’m sitting through the latest R&B track of “gonna sex you up” or something along those lines…until they actually answer. My second gripe is that it’s 10am and if you’re going to answer the phone at least “try” to not sound like I just interupted REM sleep and you’re barely conscious. Acting eager and willing to work didn’t come accross as high on their list although their resume came in faster than a speeding bullet.
Now onto the interviews. Five were called in – 1 no show; 1 “I can do that too easy” without knowing the name of the machine they would use; 1 who the only thing they can fabricate, was clearly their resume; 1 who talks, and walks in slow motion – no energy; and then there was 1 who appeared to be a great listener, eager to both work and learn, knew the ins & outs of metal, and who had a desire to succeed. He was hired.
The moral to this post is if you want something no matter what it is, you have to go get it…for those who think it’s going to appear on their lap one day may be waiting a long time.
24
The Rewards of Happy Customers
3 Comments | Posted by admin in Bar Products, Bottle Locks, Bottle Service, Bottle Service Setup, Bottle Service Trays, Hotel Products, Indoor Bars, Nightclub Products, Outdoor Bars, Portable Bars, Portable Indoor Bars, Portable Outdoor Bars, Push Carts, Retail Display Cases, Uncategorized
It’s amazing how good it feels to see someone happy with product and service that you deliver. As much as I’d like it to it doesn’t happen every single day, and some people you “know” must be happy, yet do not have the ability (professionally or otherwise) to show that emotion.
I had a customer yesterday and there was a concern of whether we’d be able to make their deadline. It was late in the day, their bottle services sets just arrived back from powder coat and it HAD to go out. Well…I’m an office guy, I sit behind a computer daily with a phone up to my ear and in this circumstance I had to take matters into my own hands. So, yesterday I took a break from the office and got these items prepped and prepared for shipment. I literally got my hands dirty (my button down collared shirt wasn’t too happy either) – meanwhile the order was shipped and the deadline will be met.
I suspect that’s the last time I’ll be getting dirty here, but if it means happy customers, and happy customers means more business, which means more success – getting dirty is fine by me.
22
Big Show Coming Up!
1 Comment | Posted by admin in Bar Products, Bottle Locks, Bottle Service, Bottle Service Setup, Bottle Service Trays, Hotel Products, Indoor Bars, Nightclub Products, Outdoor Bars, Portable Bars, Portable Indoor Bars, Portable Outdoor Bars, Push Carts, Retail Display Cases
Each year, Fry Fabrications attends and sets up an exhibitor booth at the Nightclub/Bar Tradeshow & Convention in Las Vegas. This year’s event takes place on March 8-10. This is the place where all the alcohol, beverage, and anything-to-do-with-the-trade companies go to strut their stuff!
This year will be no different, as we’re going to represent our company by showing off the latest in portable bars, drink carts, along with some new “sweet” bottle service set and shot glass carrier designs (see sneak peak pic). Not only is this a place to market our products, but it’s also a place to network and form ever-lasting relationships with others in the industry. Without those relationships a company like ours would never thrive (like it has).
Another nice caviat to this year’s show is a product feature on the television program “Hotmixology” on the Fox Business channel. We are providing them with some branded tables and their bar for their booth as well.
It’s exciting of what is in-store for 2010. All I know is that I hope to blog less and answer the phones more -actually, I think I’d rather just blog.
15
Return of the Economy?
2 Comments | Posted by admin in Bar Products, Bottle Locks, Bottle Service, Bottle Service Setup, Bottle Service Trays, Hotel Products, Indoor Bars, Nightclub Products, Outdoor Bars, Portable Bars, Portable Indoor Bars, Portable Outdoor Bars, Push Carts, Retail Display Cases, Uncategorized
For some people, they are complete victims to the great economic depression that began in 2008. Many lost their jobs, unable to pay for their homes, or even were able to keep their jobs at the fate of pay cuts. I myself fell victim to a commercial construction industry…who (the industry) first was in denial and felt that they were “untouchable.” Not so. It was scary there for a while and for some, it continues to be a struggle.
But lately, it seems that the talk of the “economy” isn’t the first sentence of the conversation any longer. I still manage to see restaurants packed with people, movie theatres not having an avalable seat left (at 10-12 dollars per ticket) and see often see high caliber cars cruising down the freeway freshly detailed (maybe without as many spinning rims than at one time). I don’t hear about as many people losing their jobs, and although the stock market has been “sketchy,” you don’t seem to seem to be people selling without buying.
Our industry of metal fabrication has been lucky. Although many of our clients were forced out of business from the economy, others thrived. Not to mention, with our tools and skill-set, we could have adapted ourselves in a new line of product, or a new form of need out there. We still get numerous calls, inquiries, and sales per day of more bottle service sets, more portable bars, more drink carts, more custom applications. Perhaps people are seeing that the worst is over (finally). Sure, real estate is still in the dumps and likely will be for a while, but as a country it appears that we’re “getting over it.”
In my opinion the best thing that came out of this recession is the birth of new entrepreneurs. New companies. New ideas and innovations. And here at Fry Fabrications, we have gained a new team. A new head fabricator who has put production capabilities to a level that has been unseen. A new designer who has redered ideas that we never knew was possible. And, then there’s me…a new VP of Sales Operations, who has discovered that the “old guy” could have been doing more, so I’m doing just that more…and better.
Goodbye recession.
9
Made in the U.S.A.
0 Comments | Posted by admin in Bar Products, Bottle Locks, Bottle Service Setup, Bottle Service Trays, Hotel Products, Indoor Bars, Nightclub Products, Outdoor Bars, Portable Bars, Portable Indoor Bars, Portable Outdoor Bars, Push Carts, Retail Display Cases, Uncategorized
Small bottle service sets, and a 4′ portable bars, and even some tubular tables require some hefty tools to help get the job done. Benders, breaks, shears, are some of the massive items in the shop and make up the landscape. Some are 40+ years old, heavy and bulky, while others are new and state of the art, compact and computerized. I doubt the newer machines will last like some of these pre and post WWII machines do. Let’s look at that. Without getting into a political rant, 30 + years ago the United States was more interested in being the best nation in the world, it seems like today, the United States is more interested in finding ways to become richer, or to simply put food on the table. More items are imported for pennies on the dollar, and more products are “slapped” together without an eye for quality – whatever it takes to increase profits – no matter what the consequences.
I once met a Ferrari owner who loved driving his 1982 348 GTB over his newer 2006 360 Modena. The older model was uncomfortable, loud, and unstable while his newer machine was crisp, with the perfect sound note and made perfomance driving – driving with ease. Well he was after the car, the performance machine and not the car, the attention.
My entire point behind this blog entry is that Made in the USA does mean something. Going the traditional route and using local business with local talent and good ole’ fashion tools can make a US product a better long-term investment rather than going overseas….except when it comes to cars of course!
8
Competition
1 Comment | Posted by admin in Bar Products, Bottle Locks, Bottle Service, Bottle Service Setup, Bottle Service Trays, Hotel Products, Indoor Bars, Nightclub Products, Outdoor Bars, Portable Bars, Portable Indoor Bars, Portable Outdoor Bars, Push Carts, Retail Display Cases, Uncategorized
It was bound to happen. Someone is creating the same product as Fry Fabrications. When I mean “the same” it’s literally just about the same. We live in a free market society so of course this group has every right to do so.
You may say “Hey, what about patenting your stuff?” Well number 1) you can’t really patent art – the bottle service set, or portable bars, or drink carts are not really our idea, we just have our own artistic stroke on each and 2) Even if we DID have a patent, it doesn’t take much to change it by 20% to where it’s not patent infringement.
Are we worried? Not in the least. Fry Fabrications has spent years building a client base, product streamlining, and a system that allows us to offer the very best product for the least. Furthermore, we have so many ideas in the pipeline we don’t know where to start – so if this new-found compeititon wants to ride on our coat tails, they are more than welcome to.
Another thing about building a company is that it certainly doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years…years to purchase the well needed (and often expensive) equipment, tools, and materials on-hand to get the job done. From staples, to a forklift, to CNC Plasma tables, each items plays an intrical part – or you’ll never stay competitive, make any money, and it won’t take long to fold.
Lastly, sure there are lots if skilled workers out there…but only a select few in their arena really have the talent to lead like Fry Fabrications has. For example, any artist can be given a tattoo gun and an arm to work on…but there are those tattoo artists that simply have the talent to where it’s more than just a tatoo, it’s art – and that desired artist will certainly get more high-caliber work to perform.
Fry Fabrications has certainly found a niche in the industry and intends to keep it as well as continue to explore uncharted waters in the industry. When Jim Fry started this company (5) years ago, he started in his garage and worked his way up. He doesn’t hesitate to get out of the office, pick up a welder and strike some steel…not only because he can, but also because he’s got the talent for it.
5
Why does ordering in bulk make sense?
2 Comments | Posted by admin in Bar Products, Bottle Locks, Bottle Service, Bottle Service Setup, Bottle Service Trays, Hotel Products, Indoor Bars, Nightclub Products, Outdoor Bars, Portable Bars, Portable Indoor Bars, Portable Outdoor Bars, Push Carts, Retail Display Cases, Uncategorized
People wonder why ordering in bulk is such a big deal – why is ordering more than 10 of the same product signigicantly cheaper? It’s all trickle-down. In our world of metal fabrication, our materials are purchased in sheets of 10′, steel tubing of sticks of 20′, or even shipping materials in the 1000’s quantities. Two things come into play:
1) How many pieces can you get out of your bulk material?
2) How long does it take to make for the skilled worker (in our case metal fabricators)?
3) 3rd party vendors
The assembly line has been the most productive since the beginning of time really. The pyramids were (supposedly) built this way, and the first autmobiles at the turn of the 20th century also used this assembly line. When it comes to a certain skill or specialty/custom item it’s much more cost effective to have 1 person do the same things 10,20,100,1000 times rather than only a few time and it’s a domino effect of getting more done in less time. This continued “bulk” effect than continues when it comes to needing something completed from a 3rd party on a build. It’s cheaper for us to send 100 than 10 and that cost savings gets passed when orders are made in bulk.
So you may ask, “Okay, so make a million of the same product and still charge me less.” That’s a huge risk – what if they never sell? Does one have the room to store the product and risk something potentially happening to it?
In our world, we try to not be the computers where you buy one and on the way home with it a newer better, faster model came out. Fry Fabrications pushes coming out with the amazing first – then different amazing later.
28
W Hotel Bar for Grammy Party
2 Comments | Posted by admin in Bar Products, Bottle Locks, Bottle Service, Bottle Service Setup, Bottle Service Trays, Hotel Products, Indoor Bars, Nightclub Products, Outdoor Bars, Portable Bars, Portable Indoor Bars, Portable Outdoor Bars, Push Carts, Retail Display Cases, Uncategorized
I wonder if the celebrities will have any idea what went into this creation? Likely not…
27
VP of Operations – my first week…
2 Comments | Posted by admin in Bar Products, Bottle Locks, Bottle Service, Bottle Service Setup, Bottle Service Trays, Hotel Products, Indoor Bars, Nightclub Products, Outdoor Bars, Portable Bars, Portable Indoor Bars, Portable Outdoor Bars, Push Carts, Retail Display Cases, Uncategorized
In the course of my career I’ve worked for several companies, but none like this. There is something special and unique about Fry Fabrications that you won’t find in many places today. My first impressions is the relaxed atmosphere. People can be people, ideas can flow, and absent is some over-dressed rigid micro manager watching everything you’re doing. Also present is the music – it’s blaring…classic rock in the shipping side and harder rock in the fabrication side. The music gets everyone moving and that relates to production. One more item that I noticed is that “all” of the employees here are artisans. Creating a bottle service set, bending tube that will turn into a portable bar, beverage trays, mobile drink carts…all of these items will soon be enjoyed by assorted nightclubs, bars, hotels, conventions, etc., and it all started with an idea, some tools and a ton of talent. Not only the fabricators, but the art of packaging something properly with different techniques is no easy task. The first thing the client sees is how well something was put together before the wrapping is removed. Lastly, the behind the scenes is also an artform. Sales, designing, accounting…all critical so all cylinders can fire.
Seeing these things makes me not only proud to be a part of this team, but also makes me feel confident in the product that I am selling! Sure it will take some time before I become my own artisan here, but I am ready to become one. Finally.
25
Fry Fabrications New Blood
1 Comment | Posted by admin in Bar Products, Bottle Locks, Bottle Service, Bottle Service Setup, Bottle Service Trays, Indoor Bars, Nightclub Products, Outdoor Bars, Portable Bars, Portable Indoor Bars, Portable Outdoor Bars, Push Carts, Retail Display Cases, Uncategorized
Fry Fabrications in Phoenix, AZ is getting new members to the team who have brought you the most innovative metalcrafted bottle service, portable bar and nightclub products on the planet!
VP of Sales Operations – Derek Kordower
Comes from a Commercial Construction Environment specializing in contemporary industrialized genre . He brings operational specialty to Fry Fabrications to ensure smooth, effective, and troublefree experiences to clients from the order all the way to delivery. Derek’s vision for Fry Fabrications is one that continues to lead in cutting edge styling, yet functional and to take the industry to places it’s never seen.
CAD Designer – Keith Henion
Keith comes to us with an artistic eye and understanding of production design processes with a vast knowledge of numerous software capabilities. Keith will be not only designing new products, but creating renderings for clients who need their products to have a branded or personal touch.
We at Fry Fabrications are excited for what 2010 has in store! Please visit www.fryfab.com and/or contact info@fryfab.com and find out how we can make our products impress your clients.
