It’s impossible to be all things to all people, but some shops have such a diverse skill set that they can offer a wide array of solutions to their customers’ challenges. That has proven to be the case at Edmonton-based GC Custom Metal Fabrication. The challenge the company has had to tackle is finding new ways to increase production efficiencies to meet customer requirements. It’s done so with deft investment in new press brakes and software.

History and Innovation

GC Custom was founded by George Schmidt as a one-man shop in 1982. Initially, he invested in a 12-ft. shear and a 12-ft. press brake.

“The 12-ft. capacity was a way to stand out at the time,” said George’s son and current General Manager Darren Schmidt. “Most shops had 10-ft. brakes then. The longer profile allowed him to complete jobs other shops could not; he completed a lot of jobs in architectural work, window trim, and flashing.”

George slowly grew his team over the years, working with manually operated equipment to complete all steps of the job. In the late 1990s, he invested in his first CNC machines—two punches from AMADA Canada.

“We still run those two machines today,” said Schmidt. “In the ’90s it really changed the type of work we could secure, such as part work for OEMs. We purchased one punch press and quickly picked up a second because of how much work we were receiving. It wasn’t long after that that we invested in other more modern equipment like CNC press brakes that could achieve the tolerances possible with the CNC punches.”

The company eventually added a waterjet table to its arsenal. By 2010, it was ready to also add a laser cutting machine.

“In 2010, we also introduced an ERP system,” said Schmidt. “It was around then that I took over operations from my father. The ERP changeover was something that had little interest to him. He was very much a manual guy—handwritten work orders, filing through QuickBooks. It was the ideal time for that transition.”

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