Every steel project starts with an idea, but bringing that idea to life takes more than steel alone. It takes planning, technical expertise, coordination, and skilled professionals working together at every stage.

In celebration of SteelDays, CSC is highlighting the people and processes behind our steel joist and deck products. From the first customer conversation to manufacturing, each team plays an important role in moving projects forward and helping turn plans into finished products.

Here’s a closer look at five key parts of the process.

Sales: Steel Starts Here
Every project begins with understanding what the customer needs.

CSC’s Sales Representatives are the primary connection between our customers and our team. They build relationships, review plans, prepare estimates, and help customers identify the right joist and deck solutions for their projects.

Sales also works closely with estimating, engineering, project management, and production to help guide projects from the bidding stage through execution. Their industry knowledge, customer focus, and problem-solving skills help establish the foundation for a successful project.

Drafting: Turning Plans Into Detailed Drawings
Before manufacturing can begin, project requirements need to be translated into accurate, detailed drawings and documentation.

CSC’s Drafters review contract drawings, specifications, and project requirements to create steel joist and deck layout drawings, bills of material, and construction documents. Using tools such as AutoCAD, they help bridge the gap between design and construction.

Drafters work closely with customers, Project Managers, Engineers, and other departments to resolve questions, coordinate details, and ensure the information needed for manufacturing and field installation is clear and accurate. Their work helps prepare each project for the next stage.

Project Management: Keeping Everything Moving
Once a project is awarded, coordination becomes essential to keeping work on track.

CSC’s Project Managers serve as the primary point of contact for customers following the handoff from Sales. They coordinate activities across drafting, engineering, production, purchasing, shipping, and accounting to keep projects moving from start to finish.

From managing schedules and documentation to tracking progress and navigating project complexities, Project Managers help keep teams aligned while supporting production goals and project profitability. Their work connects the people, timelines, and processes needed to move a project forward.

Engineering: Designing the Solution
Every project has its own structural requirements, and engineering helps ensure the joist and deck systems are designed to meet them.

CSC’s Engineers assist the Engineers of Record with product specification, review contract documents, analyze loading conditions, and use specialized engineering software to develop steel joist and deck designs that meet project requirements, applicable industry codes, and manufacturing standards.

They also develop the calculations and manufacturing documents needed for production. By working with Drafters, Project Managers, customers, and production teams, Engineers help resolve technical challenges and ensure the design is ready to move forward.

Drafting and engineering work closely together throughout this process, helping ensure that project details are accurately documented and technically sound.

Production: Bringing Steel to Life
With project requirements documented and designs ready for manufacturing, CSC’s Production teams turn those plans into finished steel products.

Production team members use specialized equipment, technical drawings, and established quality standards to fabricate, weld, inspect, and prepare steel joists and deck products for delivery to customers.

Their skill, craftsmanship, attention to detail, and commitment to safety help ensure products are manufactured accurately and efficiently. It’s where technical plans become tangible products ready for the next stage of construction.

A Team Effort From Start to Finish
From the first customer conversation to the finished product, every stage of a CSC project depends on people bringing different skills and expertise to the table.

Sales, Drafting, Project Management, Engineering, and Production each play a distinct role, but their work is connected by a shared goal: helping customers find the right solutions and bringing projects to life.

This SteelDays, we’re proud to recognize the people at CSC – and throughout the structural steel industry – whose knowledge, teamwork, and dedication make it all possible.