Sheet Metal Journal, the insight - the information

Watch any kitchen renovation project on one of those decorating shows that seem to fill the television airways today, and stainless steel will no doubt make an appearance. Be it a home or restaurant kitchen makeover, stainless steel, whether in appliances, range hoods or even countertops, has become the number one choice among designers. “Stainless steel has really undergone a resurgence in the last 10 years or so,” says Dave Russell, president of Vancouver-based Quest Metal Works Ltd.

And he should know — he’s been in the steel business his whole life ... literally. When asked when he first started in the business, he quips: “When I was born.”
His father, Ken Russell, a sheet metal worker himself, purchased the business from the original owner, Bill Quest in 1938. At that time, the company manufactured stoves made of brick with metal castings for surfaces.

“Ken Russell purchased the business and converted it to being more sheet metal-based. They started building stoves differently, not assembled on site. Fabrication changed from making built-in ranges of brick to appliances you could manufacture and ship out as a complete finished product,” says Dave.
His father began grooming him in his teens to one day take over the business. Dave became a fully indentured sheet metal apprentice, while his younger brother, Don, started as a draftsman.
“Don never went into the shop at all. We had different aptitudes, he was more artistic, while I was more mechanical.” he says.

But there never seemed to be much doubt that the sons would help carry on their father’s legacy. And he was happy to help train at least one son/apprentice in sheet metal.

“Quest has always had a large apprentice training program. Dad even taught at the Tech School and was always keen on looking for good potential apprentices and then taking the four or five years to train that person to be a quality mechanic.”
Proper training is an important part of Quest’s ability to create its high-quality custom work. “Quest Vancouver, is a custom fabrication shop, mainly for the restaurant and hospitality industry. Stainless steel has long been the standard in restaurants, because it’s the most durable —it lasts forever.” Dave explains.
So it’s important to their clients to get it done right and to their specifications. “If someone wants something unique, we can custom fit exactly; we can build anything, from simple wall flashings, to sinks, to elaborate architectural designed metalwork.”
Dave Russell says the trendiness of stainless steel used today has also drawn the company into the residential market, an area years ago his father felt was more trouble than it was worth. “It was a nuisance up to 10 or 15 years ago. Ninety percent of our business is still commercial, but we now do a significant amount of residential business, too, with more high-end construction. You see far more stainless steel in the picture these days.”
Times change, and Quest Metal Works has evolved with the times. “We’re still a relatively small shop, and most everything is custom. We rarely build 100 of this or 1000 of that. There is a lot of hand work,” he says, “but we constantly adopt new proven technologies like computerized machinery and CAD drafting programs.”

He admits the changes in how they do things haven’t been earth shattering. “I wouldn’t say it’s dramatic like the first computer. For example, we originally had hand brakes and we moved to power brakes and now computer-operated brakes. And welding and grinding equipment has changed, too.”
Despite changes in technology and tools over the years, the basic manufacturing process is essentially the same. “We take flat metal, cut it to shape and then form it in the brake. Once formed, it then goes into the shop where it’s assembled and welded together,” he explains. “With computer-assisted equipment, we can eliminate a few steps. For example, with a computerized laser cutter, it will cut and notch all at the same time. Accuracy is one of the biggest pluses and it’s the accuracy that has really impacted the industry the most.”

He says that while much larger operations have been doing precision manufacturing for years, it has now become more affordable for the medium size shops. “You can purchase the technology fairly easily. The design of the product is still the toughest thing. There are lots of fabricators around, but to get someone to design something different that lasts and is of high quality is a much harder task.”

After all, people expect longevity in their products. “They want something to last 20 to 30 years,” says Dave.

For almost 70 years Quest has put emphasis on using top-quality materials and ensuring their products last. This national company has three plants, one in Vancouver and two in Winnipeg. The Russell family just seems to have a feel for the stainless steel needs out there. “We design, fabricate, service, consult—every aspect of the industry.”

It also launched a sister company (now headed by brother Don) called Russell Food Equipment, which deals in restaurant and commercial equipment. The two companies work in collaborative symbiosis; the 14 nationwide locations of Russell Food Equipment sell Quest’s sheet metal products like sinks, display counters and cooking equipment in addition to all the other restaurant equipment it offers, including china and glassware.

“Our competitors must buy custom fixtures from independent fabricators. We can do the whole works in-house,” says Russell, who is also vice-president of Russell Food Equipment.

And Russell’s son, is continuing the generational legacy of fathers and sons working together.

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