D&R Custom Steel

06/01/2026

Last month, we had the opportunity to celebrate 55 years of D&R Custom Steel surrounded by the people who have been part of that journey.

To everyone who attended the anniversary event, thank you. It was a chance to recognize something that often goes unspoken in this industry: the work is only one part of the story. The relationships behind it are what make it last.

From long standing employees and partners to newer faces just getting started in their careers, the room reflected the depth of experience, commitment, and shared effort that has shaped D&R over the past five decades.

Fifty five years is not just a milestone. It is a reflection of consistency, trust, and the people who continue to show up and do the work properly.

We appreciate everyone who took the time to celebrate it with us.

05/29/2026

Past Project Spotlight: Skimmer Supports 316L Stainless Steel Tolleson, AZ

D&R Custom Steel fabricated skimmer supports from 316L stainless steel, delivered to Tolleson, Arizona.

Skimmer systems play a key role in surface level separation processes, and their supporting structures must maintain alignment and stability under continuous operation. Using 316L stainless steel ensures corrosion resistance and structural reliability in wet and demanding environments.

This project required precision fabrication to ensure proper fit-up and integration within the larger system. It highlights D&R’s ability to deliver high quality structural components that support consistent and efficient system performance.

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

At D&R Custom Steel, community involvement is about specific partnerships that make a real impact.

One of those partnerships is with Feed the Need in Durham, a local organization that supports more than 60 food banks, shelters, and community programs across the region. Their work helps provide food to thousands of individuals and families facing food insecurity every year.

Our involvement goes beyond a single initiative. It includes workplace food drives, direct contributions, and encouraging team members to get involved through volunteering. It’s a collective effort, one that reflects the same mindset we bring to our work in the shop: consistency, reliability, and showing up where it matters.

See how you can get involved today at feedtheneedindurham.ca

05/25/2026

There was a time when tight tolerances and high precision were considered a competitive advantage. That’s changing.

Across industrial fabrication, precision is becoming the baseline expectation, not the differentiator. Engineers are designing with tighter tolerances, more complex assemblies, and less room for adjustment during installation.

This shift is forcing fabrication teams to think differently. It’s no longer enough to “make it work” at the end, the entire process has to be controlled from the start. Fitup, forming accuracy, weld sequencing, and inspection all play a role in maintaining precision across a build. When any one of those steps falls short, the impact carries forward.

The real differentiator now isn’t whether a shop can hit tolerances: it’s whether they can do it consistently, across every project.

Are tolerances getting tighter in your projects?

05/22/2026

Past Project Spotlight: Travelling Water Screen 316L Stainless Steel San Juan, PR

D&R Custom Steel fabricated a travelling water screen from 316L stainless steel, delivered to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Travelling water screens are essential in protecting downstream equipment by removing debris from intake water systems. These systems must operate continuously and reliably, often in demanding environments where corrosion resistance is critical.

Fabricating in 316L stainless steel supports long-term performance in coastal and high-exposure conditions. This project reflects D&R’s experience delivering precision-built equipment designed for continuous operation and environmental durability.

05/20/2026

Most people think fabrication is about what gets built. Engineers know it’s just as much about how it gets built, and in what order.

Fabrication sequencing influences everything from weld quality and distortion control to material traceability and final fitup. When it’s planned properly, it reduces rework, protects tolerances, and helps ensure assemblies perform the way they were designed to.

This blog breaks down why sequencing matters, where it affects performance, and how it shapes outcomes long before final inspection. Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4eY8tRl

For our fellow engineers: do you consider fabrication sequence during design, or leave it to the shop?

05/18/2026

Material decisions are changing. More projects are being designed around how materials perform over time, not just what they cost upfront.

This is driving increased use of:
• 316L stainless steel
• duplex alloys
• specialty materials for aggressive environments

Engineers are looking at lifecycle performance, maintenance requirements, and long term reliability as key decision factors.

That shift is also placing more responsibility on fabrication teams. Working with higher-performance materials requires a deeper understanding of welding, forming, and handling processes.

Material selection is no longer just a design decision, it’s a fabrication consideration as well.

What drives your material decisions more today: cost or performance?

05/15/2026

Past Project Spotlight: (2) Drum Filters & Pump Skids 316L Stainless Steel

D&R Custom Steel fabricated two drum filters and pump skids from 316L stainless steel, shipped to Naples, Florida.

Drum filters are used in water and wastewater systems to remove solids from process streams, while pump skids provide integrated support for fluid handling and system operation. The use of 316L stainless steel ensures corrosion resistance and long term durability in high-moisture and chemically active environments.

Projects like this require coordination between structural fabrication and system integration to ensure components align and perform as intended. This build highlights D&R’s capability in delivering complete, high quality stainless steel assemblies for process applications.

05/13/2026

Fabrication isn’t just learned, it’s developed over time.

Processes can be explained, and techniques can be demonstrated, but real understanding comes from hands-on experience. It comes from seeing how materials behave, how assemblies come together, and how small adjustments impact the final result.

Experienced tradespeople play a critical role in that process, passing knowledge through observation, collaboration, and problem solving on real projects.

At D&R Custom Steel, that learning environment helps build stronger teams and better outcomes. Project after project.