The construction industry has historically been slow to adopt the latest technological advancements and innovations. Unfortunately, sticking to tradition continues to result in longer timelines and fragile supply chains for the clients of architects, interior designers, and construction firms. It is simply too difficult and costly to acquire custom metal materials and architectural products for construction projects using traditional practices.
One Minneapolis Company is Breaking the Tradition
Think about a time when you or someone you know had to request a custom architectural product, such as a bathroom sink, coffee table, or range hood, from an architect or designer. Did you notice any lack in speed and flexibility?
A request like this often comes with significantly long wait times due to the numerous back-and-forth communications between the client, designer, manufacturer, and any other stakeholders involved. Not only is there more time and expense involved, but there is also a higher likelihood of mistakes being made along the way. What if there were a more efficient option for all the stakeholders involved?
World CopperSmith is a Minneapolis-based company that specializes in designing and manufacturing custom metal products for commercial and residential construction projects. The company is demonstrating that technology and innovation can positively enhance traditional sectors of the construction industry by reducing timelines and strengthening supply chains.
Ryan Grambart founded CopperSmith as a small gutter installation service, which provided him with extensive experience in working with sheet metal. He developed a unique understanding of sheet metal materials and the various methods for effectively fabricating them. Meanwhile, CopperSmith expanded rapidly, transitioning from offering basic sheet metal products to premium architectural products.
However, the heart of this expansion was implementing digital technology into the design and purchasing processes of custom architectural products. This digital technology gives CopperSmith a competitive edge in creating premium architectural products that other firms cannot match.
The Competitive Digital Edge
The construction industry has largely remained non-digital up until now. Grambart realized that other construction firms didn’t utilize digital technology in this way. Instead, they continue to rely on endless emails and phone calls to clarify and seek approval for project details.
Grambart challenged these traditional norms by having CopperSmith build an online configurator for real-time product design, visualization, and approval. It allowed stakeholders on construction projects to digitally view product samples and specifications within days rather than weeks.
This digital edge has helped turn CopperSmith into one of the fastest-growing construction-tech firms in the United States. Clients can now enjoy increased speed and flexibility for their custom construction projects, like never before. The more specific benefits include:
- Homeowner Confidence – Homeowners will have more confidence and oversight in the outcomes of their projects because they will get to preview their finished products online before construction even begins.
- Architect Precision – Architects can achieve better precision in their architectural designs by ensuring their design ideas align with the capabilities of manufacturing and construction.
- Builder Accuracy – Builders can avoid costly errors and mistakes by following clear, detailed digital specifications provided to them.
CopperSmith plans to launch a next-generation version of their online configurator by the end of 2025. The new version will feature even better speed and customization capabilities for users.
Establishing a More Resilient Supply Chain
The aftermath of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic truly exposed the fragility of the global supply chain. The construction industry experienced a range of challenges, from raw material production shortages to massive shipping delays. Many construction firms had to temporarily or permanently halt their projects for these reasons. Even today, the supply chain remains slow and unreliable.
CopperSmith has demonstrated how to make the global supply chain more resilient. By establishing a global artisan network with greater flexibility and reliability, construction firms can pivot more smoothly during disruptive times, like pandemics. Hopefully, as this network grows, major delays like those can be avoided in the future
CopperSmith currently has plans to add more United States partners to the network in 2026 to balance out its global and local capacity. This action will enhance the reliability of the supply chain and ensure that clients have more construction customization options available to them when needed.
Customer Feedback Has Been Strong
You can always rely on customer feedback to gauge the success level of any innovative technology or product. In the case of CopperSmith’s online configurator platform, over 10,000 professionals now use it for their projects. CopperSmith has received thousands of top reviews, where customers point out the amazing quality and design of its platform.
CopperSmith has recently expanded its custom product offerings beyond sheet metal to include other valuable products, such as furniture, bathtubs, sinks, and outdoor fire features. Each new product addition is a testament to CopperSmith’s objective to merge craftsmanship with technology. That way, professionals and homeowners can customize their structural designs in new and creative ways.
Conclusion
The construction industry is entering a new era where digital platform-driven customization and scalability are essential to meet the growing demand of customers. Customization in construction is no longer a slow and expensive process. Instead, it is a much faster process where personalization and transparency are more readily available than ever for project stakeholders.
CopperSmith has shown that disruption in the construction industry will not only come from the latest project management mobile apps, but also from products that redefine built spaces. Everything from a home’s architectural elements to its fixtures and finishes will now have faster and better customization capabilities. Digitizing the design process also enhances the speed and resilience of global supply chains, providing customers with more product options.
The Midwestern Origin of CopperSmith
Coppersmith is a construction-tech firm that does not come from Silicon Valley, unlike many other tech firms. Its origin story starts in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a place not often thought of as being home to any significant tech companies. Because of this, CopperSmith has demonstrated that technical innovation in construction can thrive beyond coastal hubs, reaching any location where creative ideas are present.
Founder Ryan Grambart’s journey of growing from a small gutter installation business to a global construction-tech firm reflects the power of resilience and reinvention. Perhaps his story will inspire others to work hard and dream big, regardless of their location in the world.
