D&R Custom Steel

Name: D&R Custom Steel
Address: 1625 Feldspar Court, Pickering, ON, L1W3R7, CA
Telephone: 905-831-6172
Price range: $$

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D&R Custom Steel

D&R Custom Steel is a trusted provider of carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and specialty or

09/02/2026

Across industrial manufacturing, engineers continue placing greater emphasis on lifecycle performance when specifying materials.

Rather than evaluating materials solely on initial purchase price, many projects now consider expected service life, maintenance requirements, corrosion resistance, and overall lifecycle value. As infrastructure continues to age, designing for long term reliability is becoming just as important as meeting today's project requirements. It's a trend that's influencing projects across North America.

What's the biggest factor influencing material selection on your projects today?

08/28/2026

Past Project Spotlight: Clarifier

D&R Custom Steel fabricated this custom clarifier for a water treatment project in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Clarifiers are a vital part of the treatment process, allowing suspended solids to settle and separate from water before it moves through the next stage of treatment. Because these systems operate continuously and often in demanding environments, precision fabrication, structural integrity, and long-term durability are essential to reliable performance.

Every clarifier D&R manufactures is built with careful attention to fit up, dimensional accuracy, and quality throughout the fabrication process. From material preparation and welding to final inspection, every step is completed to meet the exact requirements of the project and ensure dependable operation once installed.

Projects like this demonstrate D&R's ongoing commitment to delivering high quality process equipment that supports critical water and wastewater infrastructure across North America.

08/26/2026

One of the biggest changes coming with our new Bowmanville facility is something you can't miss, space.

Our manufacturing footprint will grow from 24,000 square feet to 48,000 square feet, giving our team significantly more room to fabricate larger projects, improve workflow, and support future growth.

But this isn't simply about having a bigger building. Additional manufacturing space allows projects to move through the shop more efficiently, reduces bottlenecks between fabrication stages, and creates a better working environment for our team.

As the complexity and size of industrial fabrication projects continue to grow, investing in space today helps ensure we're ready for the projects of tomorrow.

The future is under construction. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to grow our new location.

08/24/2026

As industrial projects become more complex, owners and engineers are placing greater emphasis on material traceability throughout the fabrication process.

Knowing where material originated, how it was processed, and where it was used within an assembly provides confidence that specifications have been met and quality has been maintained from raw material to final shipment.

Across industries such as water and wastewater, energy, mining, and chemical processing, traceability is becoming increasingly valuable. Not simply for compliance, but for long term asset management and lifecycle documentation.

As project expectations continue to evolve, traceability is becoming another example of how quality is built long before final inspection.

💬 How important is material traceability in the projects you work on?

08/21/2026

The right material can determine whether a piece of equipment performs reliably for decades, or requires unnecessary maintenance long before it should.

That's why material selection is no longer just about meeting a specification or controlling upfront costs. Increasingly, engineers and project teams are evaluating materials based on corrosion resistance, lifecycle performance, maintainability, and long term value. It's a shift that's influencing everything from project design to procurement decisions.

In our latest Boiler Room blog, we explore why material selection has become a true performance decision, how fabrication processes play a role in protecting material integrity, and why choosing the right material is only one part of delivering reliable equipment.

Read the full article on our website: https://bit.ly/4z6qJ2O

08/19/2026

We're still riding the high from our recent 55th Anniversary event, and it's hard not to smile looking back on such a great day.

While the milestone itself was certainly worth celebrating, what made the event truly special was the opportunity to bring our team together outside of the workplace. It was a chance to step away from the shop, enjoy each other's company, and recognize the people who have helped shape D&R Custom Steel over the past 55 years.

Events like these remind us that a strong team isn't built by the projects we complete alone. It's built through shared experiences, mutual respect, and taking the time to celebrate milestones together. Whether it's on the shop floor or at events like this, those connections are what make D&R the company it is today.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the day such a memorable celebration. Here's to the people behind the steel who continue building what's next, and to the next 55 years together.

08/17/2026

If you've ever priced a stainless steel project, you've probably noticed something called a material surcharge.

So... what is it?

A stainless steel surcharge is not an additional fabrication fee. It's a monthly adjustment applied by mills to reflect changes in the cost of key raw materials used to produce stainless steel, including nickel, chromium, and molybdenum. As the market price of these elements rises or falls, the surcharge changes as well.

Because these raw material markets are constantly moving, surcharge values are updated every month. In fact, D&R's latest surcharge chart shows how 304 stainless steel, 316 stainless steel, and Duplex 2205 have all experienced changes throughout 2026 as material markets continue to evolve.

For engineers, project managers, and procurement teams, understanding surcharges can make budgeting and material planning more predictable (especially on larger or longer term projects where material costs represent a significant portion of the overall budget).

That's why we publish our monthly Stainless Steel Surcharge Chart, helping customers stay informed about current market conditions and plan with confidence.

💬 Were you familiar with stainless steel surcharges, or is this the first time you've heard of them?

Check our more on our website: https://drcustomsteel.com/surcharge/surcharge-chart/

08/14/2026

Fabrication Myth: Stainless Steel Never Rusts

It's one of the most common misconceptions we hear.

While stainless steel offers excellent corrosion resistance, it isn't completely immune to corrosion. Material selection, fabrication practices, environmental conditions, and proper finishing all play an important role in long term performance.

That's why choosing the right grade of stainless steel (and fabricating it correctly) is so important. Factors like contamination from carbon steel, improper handling, or skipping processes such as passivation can all impact how stainless steel performs over time.

In fabrication, material performance doesn't depend on one decision alone. It depends on every step along the way. What's another fabrication myth you've heard over the years?

08/12/2026

Team Behind the Steel: Passing Knowledge Forward

Some of the most valuable experience in fabrication is passed down person to person, project to project, over years on the shop floor.

Chris joined D&R Custom Steel as a young Metal Fabricator after gaining experience at other fabrication shops early in his career. Over time, mentorship and hands on learning from long standing employees helped shape the fabricator he is today. Something he now hopes to pass along to the next generation entering the trades.

For Chris, one of the things that has stood out most over the years is the culture at D&R. He describes the company as family oriented and supportive, especially when life outside of work needs to come first. From team building events like Mosport anniversary celebrations to summer BBQs, donut days, and pizza lunches, it’s the people and relationships that have made the biggest impact throughout his career.

As he looks toward retirement in the coming years, Chris is focused on helping younger tradespeople develop the same opportunities and support that helped him build his own path in fabrication.

That’s the team behind the steel.

08/10/2026

The headline: Across North America's manufacturing sector, one trend continues to receive significant attention in 2026: the need to develop the next generation of skilled trades professionals. Industry organizations, manufacturers, and educational institutions are expanding apprenticeship programs, technical training, and partnerships to help address workforce needs as experienced tradespeople retire.

What this means for engineers and fabricators: A strong manufacturing industry depends on more than advanced equipment. It depends on skilled people who can interpret drawings, solve complex fabrication challenges, maintain quality standards, and safely operate increasingly sophisticated technology.

That's why many manufacturers are investing in apprenticeship programs, mentorship, and hands on training alongside new equipment and automation. Technology continues to improve productivity, but experienced tradespeople remain essential to delivering consistent quality and reliable project outcomes.

Developing the next generation of skilled professionals helps ensure the industry continues to meet growing demand while maintaining the craftsmanship and technical expertise that fabrication depends on. What do you think is the most important skill the next generation of fabricators should develop?

Check it out here https://www.aws.org/magazines-and-media/welding-journal/2026/june/?utm_

Address

1625 Feldspar Court
Pickering, ON
L1W3R7

Telephone

905-831-6172

Website

http://www.drsteelfab.com/

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