How We Partner
From supplier qualification through recurring production
Working with FWM is a managed program, not a transaction. Here is the lifecycle every part follows, with dedicated program management, material traceability, and proactive communication throughout.
RFQ to Ship
1–2 business day response
- 1
RFQ
Submit drawings
- 2
Eng. Review
DFM + response
- 3
Quote
Engineering-driven
- 4
Build
On-floor
- 5
QC
In-process + FAI
- 6
Ship
Coordinated delivery
- 1
RFQ
Submit drawings
1–2 business day response
- 2
Eng. Review
DFM + response
- 3
Quote
Engineering-driven
- 4
Build
On-floor
- 5
QC
In-process + FAI
- 6
Ship
Coordinated delivery
- 1
RFQ & DFM Review
Submit drawings, models, specifications, forecast requirements, and applicable quality or documentation requirements. We review every RFQ for manufacturability up front, flagging tolerances, material choices, and weld or bend access that drive cost or risk, and feed that back before anything is quoted.
DFM review · CAD model on screen - 2
Quoting & Engineering Support
You get a transparent, engineering-driven quote with the trade-offs spelled out. Our team suggests alloy, temper, and process options that hold function while reducing cost, and helps refine the design for production.
Program discussion · engineering support - 3
First-Article Inspection & Qualification
Before a program ramps, we build and measure a first article (FAI), verifying dimensions, fit, and process against your drawing. Qualification establishes the baseline everything downstream is held to.
First-article inspection · dimensional check - 4
Production & In-Process Inspection
Approved programs run on the same floor that built the first article. Calibrated in-process inspection at defined hold points keeps parts consistent from the first unit to the last, with statistical checks on critical dimensions.
Production welding · on the floor - 5
Finishing & Assembly
Deburring, weld cleaning, surface prep, hardware installation, and multi-process assembly happen in-house or through vendors managed as extensions of our quality system, so parts arrive ready to install.
Multi-process assembly · piping & controls - 6
Shipping & Logistics
FWM operates its own regional delivery fleet for local and drivable-range projects, and coordinates crating, LTL, flatbed, dedicated freight, and customer-directed shipping for national and international destinations.
Crane loading · outbound delivery
Constant Across Every Program
Three things hold true at every step above, and they are the reason customers stay with FWM from prototype through production.
Dedicated Program Management
One point of contact owns your program end to end, schedule, cost, and technical performance, instead of a chain of disconnected purchase orders.
Material Traceability
Material is tracked from mill certification and heat lot through fabrication to the finished part, with documentation packages tailored to your program.
Proactive Communication
Status, revision control, and engineering changes are communicated directly and early, so there are no surprises at delivery.
Ready to Start
Ready to start a program?
Send your drawings or specs and our team will respond with an engineering-driven quote within 1 to 2 business days.