Supply Chain & InventoryFree worksheetPDF, Excel, Word exportSheet Metal Fabrication

Sheet Metal Outside Processing Tracker Worksheet

Most fabricators send parts out for powder coat, plating, anodize or heat treat, and late returns are a leading cause of missed ship dates. This tracker keeps every outside operation visible: where it is, what it costs and when it is due back.

Download:

Job	Part	Process	Vendor	Qty sent	Unit cost	Extended cost	Quoted lead time (days)	Date sent	Due back	Status
						$850
						$270
						$152
						$330

Total outside processing cost

$1,602

Total pieces out

1,050

Longest quoted lead time (days)

Average cost per piece

Average quoted lead time (days)

Vendor names above are made up for illustration. Add minimum lot charges and freight as extra rows if your vendor bills them separately.

Get an overdue subcontract report

Optional: a short chat on reporting outside operations from your ERP purchase orders.

Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.

How to use the tracker

Add a row each time a lot leaves the building. Record job, part, process, vendor, quantity and unit cost, and set the date sent and due back. Update the status when parts ship, arrive or fail inspection. The total cost and average cost per piece show how much outside processing adds to the job, which helps quoting and margin checks.

Planning around lead times

Quoted lead time starts at vendor receipt, not at your ship date, so include transit. Add buffer for batch processes such as powder coat ovens or plating lines that run on fixed days. When a job has several outside steps in series, such as zinc plate then paint, add the lead times together before promising a ship date.

Include transit both ways
Allow for vendor batching days
Sequence steps correctly (for example, plate before paint)
Confirm masking and part-hanging needs before sending

Receiving outside processed parts

Inspect returned parts before they go to assembly: coating thickness, color, missed masking, damage and quantity. Record rejections in the status column and raise an NCR with the vendor. Keep certificates of conformance for plating or anodize with the job, as customers may ask for them.

Common mistakes

A common error is quoting a job without the outside process cost, or using an old price. Another is forgetting minimum lot charges for small quantities. Many shops also forget to log parts sent, so nobody notices when a lot is overdue. Review the At vendor rows at least weekly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track freight and minimum charges?

Yes. Add a row for each with quantity one and the charge as the unit cost, or export to Excel and add a freight column. That keeps the true cost per piece visible.

How do I flag late parts?

Set the status to Late when the due date passes, or sort by due date. In Excel you can add conditional formatting after export to highlight rows past due.

Are the vendors in the example real?

No. All vendor names and prices are made up for illustration. Replace them with your own vendors and quotes.

Should I track welding sent out here?

Yes, the Process list includes welding for shops that subcontract it. You can add other processes by editing the exported file.

If outside operations live in your ERP as subcontract purchase orders, we can help build an overdue report and a vendor lead time view.

Talk to an Expert Explore More Free Tools

Related Tools

Industry Templates

More Supply Chain & Inventory tools

See all

Back to All Tools