When procurement managers consider sourcing custom enclosures, their top priorities are usually cost, lead time, and quality.

But what if I told you one of the most effective ways to control all three and reduce your risk at the same time starts with engineering?

That’s exactly what we unpacked in Episode 2 of Life in the Fab Lane: “Minimizing Procurement Risk with Engineering First Fabrication.”

Engineering: The Overlooked Asset in Procurement

As someone who works closely with both procurement teams and engineering leads, I’ve seen the difference early technical collaboration makes. When engineers aren’t part of the conversation until production, issues such as incomplete specifications, misaligned tolerances, or overlooked standards can derail timelines and drive costs up.

“Small gaps in engineering alignment lead to big headaches downstream. Getting it right up front isn’t a luxury; it’s a procurement strategy.”

- Lindsay Ojeda, Director of Marketing and New Business Leads at Maysteel

That’s why at Maysteel, we believe fabrication should involve engineering from day one.

Why It Matters: Risk, Redesigns and Missed Deadlines

Let’s be honest, no one wants to deal with:

• Change orders halfway through production 
• Rework due to missed specs 
• Delays caused by non-compliance with UL or NEMA standards 
• Quotes that look great on paper but fall apart in execution

All of those are symptoms of one root issue: engineering wasn’t involved early enough. 

That’s why engineering support should be non-negotiable in your sourcing process. It’s your first line of defense against timeline disruptions, quality issues, and cost creep. 

What Engineering-First Fabrication Looks Like at Maysteel

At Maysteel, we’ve built a cross-functional model that aligns procurement, engineering and manufacturing from the start.

That means:

• DFM reviews 
• Application and compliance-focused engineering teams 
• Material and design optimization tied to your goals
• Ongoing collaboration, not just transactions 

Takeaway: Procurement Wins When Engineering Leads

If you’re evaluating fabrication partners for custom enclosures, ask beyond capacity or certifications. Ask how they support your engineering team. Ask what happens before the quote. Ask how they help you de-risk through engineering.

Because the best sourcing decisions aren’t just built, they’re engineered!