About Best Weld

1.Can you describe your facilities?  

2.How experienced are your repair personnel? 

3.How long does it take to get containers repaired? 

4.Do you sell containers? 

5.Can you store containers for me?

About Containers

1.How do metal containers compare with plastic ones?

2.What is the life expectancy of metal containers? 

3.Should containers be repainted after they are repaired? 

4.Does Best Weld have the facilities to paint containers after they are repaired? 

About Saving

1.How much does it cost to get containers repaired? 

2.Why not simply buy new containers? 

3.How can I obtain an estimate of the cost of repairing my containers? 

4.What are your payment terms?

About Shipping

1.Why would I have Best Weld pick up and deliver my containers? 

2.What is your pickup and delivery area? 

3.What kind of truck trailers do you use? 

4.How does our truck get to your plant? 

5.Would you rather receive containers in an enclosed semi-trailer or on a flatbed trailer? 

6.How many containers are there in a truckload?

1.Can you describe your facilities?

Best Weld is located in a 30,000 square foot building on a 3 1/2 acre site in Anderson, Indiana.  The plant has facilities for performing a wide range of repairs, including welding and painting, needed by metal containers. Outside container storage space is available on paved pads, reducing the possibility of corrosion damage or contamination by mud and debris.

The plant is located in an Urban Enterprise Zone less than five miles from Interstate 69 and less than 30 miles northeast of Indianapolis.  

2.How experienced are your repair personnel?

Extensive experience and judgment is required to properly and safely repair damaged wire baskets and other metal manufacturing and shipping containers.  Best Weld repair personnel are specialists with an average of over 12 years of experience in container repair.

3.How long does it take to get containers repaired? 

The length of time it takes to get containers repaired depends upon many factors.  However, our usual turnaround time for containers is 2 to 3 weeks.

4.What is the minimum number of containers you will repair? 

While Best Weld will repair a single container, shipping cost considerations usually make it desirable to send at least a truckload at a time.  Depending upon the size of the containers and the size of the truck, this usually makes the minimum economically-feasible quantity about 20 containers, although it may exceed 50 for some small containers. 

5.Do you sell containers? 

No.  Because we only repair containers, we have no incentive to try to sell you additional containers.

6.Can you store containers for me?

  Yes.  Outdoor storage is available on paved pads built specifically for container storage. Our monthly "per container" fee includes the cost of unloading the containers from the trucks that bring them to Best Weld and the cost of loading them back on the truck when they are removed from storage and being shipped to another location. For further information, telephone Best Weld at (765) 641-7720 or contact us using the "For More Info" page in this Web.

1.How do metal containers compare with plastic ones?

Plastic containers are usually less expensive to buy than metal containers, and they are usually lighter and easier to store.  Metal containers, on the other hand, are generally more rugged, hold heavier loads, and can be used to hold hot castings, parts with organic solvents on them (e.g., after being taken from a parts cleaner or de greaser), and other items which could destroy or distort plastics.  Metal baskets can usually tolerate abuse by forklift drivers and other users better than plastic baskets. Although the initial price of plastic baskets is usually lower, the need to replace them more often than metal baskets makes metal containers the better choice in many manufacturing applications.

2.What is the life expectancy of metal containers? 

The life expectancy varies widely, depending upon such factors as their type of use, their storage environment, the amount of abuse the containers receive while being handled, and the quality and frequency of maintenance repairs.   Many of the containers that are sent to Best Weld as part of a regular maintenance program have been in active manufacturing service for over 30 years and are still in good condition.

3.Should containers be repainted after they are repaired? 

Painting the containers after repairing them helps to extend their service life, particularly for containers which will be stored or used outdoors.  After making weld repairs, Best Weld routinely spot-paints the weld areas to help protect these areas from rust. However, spot-painting is not a substitute for a good coat of paint covering the entire container. For maximum service life, Best Weld recommends that containers be given a fresh coat of paint after being repaired.

4.Does Best Weld have the facilities to paint containers after they are repaired? 

Yes.  In fact, most containers that we repair are repainted after being repaired.  Some customers prefer that  we use only a primer coat (which is cheaper but less durable than a top coat), some customers want only a top coat applied, and some want both. The choice usually depends upon the operating environment of the containers (e.g., outside storage vs. inside storage), the condition of the paint coat before the baskets are repaired, and budget considerations.  For many applications, a single top coat, applied over the previous paint coat, is adequate.

1.How much does it cost to get containers repaired? 

The cost of the repair depends upon the condition of the containers when we receive them, the size and type of the containers, the types of repairs requested (e.g., should the containers be repainted after being repaired?), etc.  In the great majority of cases, the cost of repairing the containers is less than half the cost of new containers.If, in our opinion, the projected price of repairs to a container will exceed $100, we contact the customer for authorization before we proceed with the repairs.

2.Why not simply buy new containers? 

While new containers have many advantages, including a "new" appearance and possibly a longer service life, in many cases replacing good, repairable containers with new ones is a waste of money -- and the amount can be substantial.  Many companies have several hundred containers, and quite a few have over 1000 -- sometimes tens of thousands.  If new containers cost $300 each, for example, while the cost of repairing them to "like new" condition is $100, the savings per basket is $200.  Repairing just 200 baskets instead of buying new ones has the potential to save $40,000!

3.How can I obtain an estimate of the cost of repairing my containers? 

While Best Weld can sometimes give a "ballpark" estimate over the telephone, it is not likely to be very accurate.  Photographs showing the condition of typical containers will help us improve the accuracy of our estimates.  In some cases, it may be feasible to send a Best Weld representative to your facility to provide an estimate. An even better way to obtain an estimate is to send a sample container (or a whole truckload!) to Best Weld for evaluation -- although shipping costs may make this infeasible unless you are relatively sure that you want Best Weld to make the repairs.   To start the process of obtaining an estimate, call Best Weld at (765) 641-7720 or contact us using the "More Info" page on this Web.

4.What are your payment terms?  

Business customers with satisfactory credit references will be expected to pay within 30 days of the invoice date.   Individual credit arrangements can be made with other customers.

1.Why would I have Best Weld pick up and deliver my containers? 

Customers can ship containers to Best Weld using common carrier trucks or their own trucks, if they wish.  However, many customers prefer the "door to door" service that Best Weld trucking can provide.  In addition to being more convenient, it is frequently less expensive to have Best Weld pick up and deliver the containers.  We recommend that customers receive a pickup/delivery quote from us and compare it with the cost of shipping by common carrier or their own company trucks.  In many cases, they are pleasantly surprised.  To receive a quote, telephone Best Weld at (765) 641-7720 or contact us using the "For More Info" page on this Web.

2.What is your pickup and delivery area? 

Best Weld currently provides container pickup and delivery services throughout Indiana.

3.What kind of truck trailers do you use? 

Best Weld container pickups and deliveries are made using either an enclosed van trailer or a drop-deck trailer, depending upon the customer's preference.  Access to the baskets is easier with a drop-deck trailer, but customers with loading docks (particularly enclosed loading docks) often request enclosed trailers to reduce problems associated with loading and/or unloading in bad weather. 

4.How does our truck get to your plant? 

Best Weld is located in Anderson, Indiana, at the intersection of Locust and 18th Streets.
     Most trucks arrive using Interstate 69.  To get to Best Weld from I-69, take Exit 22.  This will put you on Pendleton Avenue (Business Route 9).  Go straight on Pendleton Avenue toward Anderson for 4.2 miles. (At 3.5 miles you will go past the large Guide Corp. -- formerly Delphi -- plant and then past the Anderson Speedway).  When you reach Madison Avenue, turn left and go on Madison for 0.4 miles to 16th Street.  Turn left on 16th Street for two blocks (0.1 mile) to a stop sign.  This is Locust Street.  Turn left on Locust Street for 0.1 miles.   When you cross the first of two railroad tracks, look ahead and to your right; you will see the Best Weld building.  Turn right on the road between the tracks (18th Street).  After about one block, the plant entrance is on the left.

     The above route is legal for trucks.  The direct route to Best Weld (turning off of Pendleton Avenue directly onto Locust Street) is shorter but requires trucks to drive through a residential neighborhood in which trucks are prohibited.  Police sometimes patrol this neighborhood.  A word to the wise: Don't take the shortcut if you're driving a truck!  

5.Would you rather receive containers in an enclosed semi-trailer or on a flatbed trailer?

We have no preference. As long as the containers are readily accessible to our forklift drivers, we can load/unload them.

6.How many containers are there in a truckload? 

The number of containers in a "truckload" obviously depends upon the size of the containers, the size of the truck, and the maximum stacking height of containers on the truck.   The following table may, however, help to make approximations.  This table assumes a 48 foot long trailer:

BEST WELD, INC. 1315 WEST 18TH STREET ANDERSON, IN 46016 OFF: (765)641-7720 FAX: (765)641-7784 info@bestweldinc.com