At Allied, we’ve always improving how we deliver on our promise of quality, precision, and reliability. Identifying solutions that facilitate faster timelines, higher accuracy, and cost savings are firmly at the center of our operations and in fabrication we’re using robotics and automation to lead the way.
At the heart of our newest fabrication facility in McGregor, TX is a fully automated robotics line from Lincoln Electric/Zeman which we helped design to meet our unique needs. This first-of-its-kind system scans, sorts, assembles, and welds highly detailed steel components for metal buildings with unmatched accuracy. Every part is tracked and allocated to the right project, and advanced modeling technology identifies and solves potential design flaws before they ever reach the fabrication floor. For our clients, this means fewer delays, more precision, and even higher quality.
Skilled Experts + Cutting-Edge Technology = Precision Results
While robotics help streamline labor-intensive processes, our success depends on the skilled professionals who oversee and fine-tune these systems. As Michael Lassner, President and CEO of Allied Steel Buildings, explains:
“While technology and automation are essential for us to stay on the cutting edge, it’s our highly skilled people who make this innovation possible. Our team members are doing more than operating machines; they are the experts who train, manage, and fine-tune these systems to ensure they deliver the quality and precision our clients expect.”
By reducing repetitive manual tasks, automation frees our workforce to focus on higher-value skills and it allows us to meet rising demand without sacrificing quality. In fact, our McGregor workforce has grown by 30%, showing how innovation can create opportunities rather than replace them.
Faster Timelines and Higher Precision
Robotics and automation do more than improve how we fabricate steel; they transform what our clients experience. On the floor we’re seeing drastic improvements across the entire fabrication process. By the numbers, this impact is significant, resulting in a:
• 500% increase in assembly production efficiency
• 90% reduction in parts handling and sorting time
• 50% increase in welding efficiency
• 90–95% reduction in assembly errors
• 75% reduction in crane use
These efficiencies directly translate into shorter timelines, more predictable budgets, and superior products.
Building for the Future
The success of McGregor is shaping Allied’s future. We’ve already expanded similar automation into our facility in Spain to align both factories and provide consistent quality worldwide. We’re also investing in a second robotics system in McGregor to broaden our capabilities beyond primary steel, giving clients even more flexibility, reliability, and value. This initiative is important to us because we believe innovation is the key to helping our clients achieve their goals. By combining robotics, automation, and skilled expertise we’re setting the standard for what steel building manufacturing can be.