Client: Tipella Backcountry
Industry: Off-Road Trailers
Location: Abbotsford, BC
Services Provided: Precision Sheet Metal Fabrication, Welding, CNC Machining, Assembly, Powder Coating
Overview
Tipella Backcountry, a leading manufacturer of rugged, off-road trailers, faced a significant challenge in keeping up with the increasing demand for their products. Much of their fabrication work had been outsourced overseas, which introduced issues of inconsistent quality, longer lead times, and a lack of control over the production process.
Tipella wanted to bring their manufacturing back to Canada, ensuring better oversight, higher quality, and the ability to meet their growing customer base with improved efficiency. They sought a local partner with the technical expertise and capacity to handle the complex fabrication of their trailers. That’s where MultiAxis Manufacturing stepped in.
Challenges
Tipella’s main challenges included:
- Inconsistent Quality: The overseas fabrication was not meeting the precision and durability standards required for their rugged off-road trailers.
- Long Lead Times: Distance and logistics delays led to longer production times, affecting Tipella’s ability to meet demand and offer timely deliveries.
- Limited Control: Being so far removed from the production process made it difficult for Tipella to implement last-minute design changes and maintain direct oversight of manufacturing.
- Customization and Flexibility: With growing demand, Tipella needed a manufacturing partner that could not only handle large-scale production but also provide the flexibility to customize features for their customers.
Solution by MultiAxis Manufacturing
By partnering with MultiAxis Manufacturing, Tipella Backcountry was able to bring fabrication back to Canada, improving the quality and control over their production process. Here’s how MultiAxis helped:
- Precision Sheet Metal Fabrication: Using our advanced 6KW Fiber laser cutting technology, we produced intricate and precise cuts for Tipella’s trailer components. This ensured a seamless fit for complex assemblies, improving both the functionality and durability of the trailers.
- Press Brake Forming and Welding: Our press brake forming capabilities allowed us to bend and shape the metal components with extreme accuracy, while our skilled welders utilized MIG, TIG, and spot welding to ensure durable and strong welds. This was particularly important for the trailer frames, which needed to withstand harsh off-road conditions.
- Custom CNC Machining: For additional components, we offered CNC machining services, allowing for detailed customization of parts, from suspension mounts to specialized gear racks.
- Powder Coating: To protect the trailers from corrosion and wear, we provided powder coating in a range of colors, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and long-term durability.
- Assembly and Final Inspection: MultiAxis also handled the assembly of key components, simplifying Tipella’s in-house workload. Each part underwent thorough First Article Inspections (FAI) and Final Inspection Reports (FIR), ensuring Tipella received defect-free products, ready for final assembly and shipment.
The Result
By bringing their fabrication back to Canada through MultiAxis, Tipella Backcountry achieved:
- Improved Quality: With our precision fabrication techniques and rigorous quality control processes, Tipella saw a dramatic improvement in the durability and reliability of their trailers. This allowed them to confidently market their products as high-quality, Canadian-made solutions for off-road enthusiasts.
- Faster Lead Times: By eliminating overseas shipping and reducing logistics delays, Tipella could drastically reduce lead times, enabling them to meet customer demand much faster.
- Enhanced Control: Being closer to the production process allowed Tipella to make design changes on the fly and maintain greater oversight over every aspect of manufacturing. This helped them stay agile and responsive to their customers’ needs.
- Cost Savings: Though overseas manufacturing often appears more cost-effective, the inefficiencies and rework involved with poor quality led to higher long-term costs. By moving production to MultiAxis, Tipella achieved better cost efficiency through reduced errors and faster turnaround times.
- Customization Capabilities: With MultiAxis’s ability to handle custom designs and adjust specifications as needed, Tipella was able to offer more customizable options to their customers. This helped them stand out in the competitive off-road trailer market.
Client Testimonial
“Partnering with MultiAxis Manufacturing has been a game-changer for us. The precision, quality, and control we now have over our products have allowed us to confidently bring our fabrication back to Canada. The faster lead times and reduced costs have greatly improved our ability to meet customer demand and offer customization that sets us apart in the market. MultiAxis has been instrumental in helping us grow our business.”
– Tipella Backcountry Team
Conclusion
By bringing fabrication back to Canada, Tipella Backcountry not only improved the quality and performance of their trailers but also gained more control and flexibility over their production process. At MultiAxis Manufacturing, we are proud to have played a key role in helping Tipella achieve their goals, providing precision fabrication, welding, CNC machining, and finishing services that allow them to deliver top-notch products to their customers. If you’re facing similar challenges with outsourced fabrication, consider partnering with MultiAxis Manufacturing for high-quality, reliable production right here in Canada.