D&R Custom Steel

06/15/2026

Recent reporting from Baosteel highlights ongoing pressure from rising energy and logistics costs across the global steel market.

This is not just a pricing issue. It is changing how projects are approached. When input costs increase, inefficiencies become expensive very quickly. Material waste, rework, and overlooked details carry more weight than they used to.

As a result, more teams are focusing on getting decisions right earlier in the process, from design coordination to fabrication planning. Cost pressure is not just affecting budgets, it's reshaping how work gets done!

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/baosteel-first-quarter-net-profits-slides-86-iran-war-lifts-costs-demand-weakens-2026-04-29/

06/12/2026

Past Project Spotlight: 100’ Rotary Distributors

D&R Custom Steel fabricated two 100 foot Rotary Distributors from 304L stainless steel for a project in Kilgore, Texas.

Rotary distributors are a critical component in wastewater treatment infrastructure, designed to evenly distribute flow throughout treatment processes to support consistent system performance and long term operational efficiency. Because these systems operate continuously in demanding environments, precision fabrication, dimensional accuracy, and reliable material performance are essential.

Constructed from 304L stainless steel for enhanced corrosion resistance and durability, these units also incorporated precision machining to ensure flawless rotation, alignment, and long term performance in the field. Large scale rotating equipment of this size requires careful fabrication sequencing and strict attention to tolerances to support smooth and reliable operation once installed.

Projects like this reflect D&R Custom Steel’s experience delivering complex stainless steel process equipment for water and wastewater infrastructure applications across North America.

06/10/2026

At D&R Custom Steel, a lot of the most important work happens before anything hits the shop floor.

It happens in conversations. In drawing reviews. In the small adjustments that prevent bigger issues later on. There is a level of care that goes into making sure everything is thought through before fabrication begins. Not because it is required, but because it saves time, protects quality, and avoids unnecessary rework down the line.

That kind of attention rarely gets highlighted. It does not photograph well. It is not always visible once a project is complete, but it is there in every finished piece.

The team behind the steel is not just building! They are thinking ahead.

06/08/2026

The latest outlook from the World Steel Association shows global steel demand growth for 2026 sitting at just 0.3 percent.

On paper, that looks like a slowdown. In practice, it is a shift. The projects moving forward are not the simple, high volume builds. They are the ones that require tighter tolerances, stronger coordination, and a higher level of confidence in ex*****on.

When margins tighten, there is less room for error. Planning matters more. Material selection matters more. Fabrication quality matters more. The volume may fluctuate, but expectations continue to rise.

For our fellow Engineers, read more here: https://www.worldsteel.org/media-centre/press-releases/2026-short-range-outlook.html

06/05/2026

Past Project Spotlight: Equalization Tank

D&R Custom Steel recently completed fabrication of this large-scale Equalization Tank, now shipping to Ramsey, Minnesota for continued trial fit and additional component assembly before reaching its final destination in Austin, Texas.

Equalization tanks play an important role in wastewater treatment systems by helping manage sudden changes in flow volume from industrial, municipal, or storm related sources. By balancing these fluctuations, the system can operate more efficiently and consistently under changing conditions.

One of the people behind this build is John, one of D&R’s senior fitters, who has been with the company for more than 30 years. Over the course of his career, John has built well over 100 tanks and has played an essential role in many of D&R’s large scale wastewater projects. According to him, this may be one of the biggest yet.

D&R Custom Steel specializes in a wide range of wastewater treatment tanks and process equipment (including equalization tanks, membrane tanks, bioreactors, DAF tanks, atmospheric tanks, and more) supporting infrastructure projects across North America.

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?