Chute Expertise. Complete Manufacturing Capabilities.

Tiffin Manufacturing Facility

For more than a century, manufacturing has been part of the story in Tiffin, Ohio. Today, the Steele Solutions Tiffin facility is the company’s specialized manufacturing center for industrial chutes and secure locker systems.

With approximately 200,000 square feet of manufacturing space, Tiffin brings engineering, fabrication, welding, powder coating, assembly, and testing together to support projects from initial design through finished product.

The facility’s capabilities are especially important for complex chute projects. Rather than simply manufacturing to a supplied print, the Tiffin team helps customers determine the right solution for an application, develops the design, and can validate its performance with factory acceptance testing before full production begins.

The expertise and support from our Tiffin team can continue into the field, with project management support available to help coordinate delivery and installation.

Specialized Manufacturing for Chutes and Security Lockers

The Tiffin facility is Steele Solutions’ specialized manufacturing center for chute and security locker products. The team’s capabilities support both distinct markets, with deep expertise built around the specific requirements of each.

Cutes

Chute solutions manufactured in Tiffin include:

Slick Surface Technology™ (SST™) UHMW chutes
Steel chutes
Galvanized steel chutes
Custom-engineered chute solutions

Tiffin’s chute expertise goes beyond fabrication. Experienced engineers help determine what type of chute is appropriate for the application. We then develop the solution around project specifications. The facility can also conduct factory acceptance testing before higher-volume projects move into production.

Lockers

Security locker solutions manufactured in Tiffin include:

Security lockers are purpose-built products for specialized applications such as law enforcement and military environments. Available solutions include ventilated duty gear lockers designed to connect to HVAC systems and evidence lockers that support secure chain-of-custody requirements.

We have the expertise to help you determine what type of chute works best in your unique situation.

Andy Duffy

VP General Manager, Chutes/Lockers

Why Strategic Specialization Matters to Quality

The Tiffin location keeps the major stages of manufacturing under one roof. Sheet metal moves through cutting and forming before parts advance to processes such as welding, powder coating, and assembly.

Broad capabilities and onsite functionality give the Tiffin team greater control over how a product moves from design into production.
Tiffin’s engineering resources add another layer of support. Customers can come to Steele Solutions with an application requirement, then work with our experienced local engineers to develop a product tailored to those needs.

This integrated approach provides customers with:
● Engineering support from experienced product specialists
● In-house sheet metal fabrication and forming
● Extensive welding capacity
● In-house powder coating
● Assembly and packaging capabilities
● Factory acceptance testing
● Field project management support

Key Capabilities

Laser Cutting and Forming

Three laser cutting systems support Tiffin’s sheet metal manufacturing operation, including a Salvagnini system capable of processing sheets up to approximately 2 x 4 meters.

Once cut, components move into forming with equipment that includes traditional press brakes and five panel benders. The panel benders are particularly well suited for larger components such as chute parts.

Powder Coat Paint Line

An in-house powder coat paint line supports finishing as part of Tiffin’s integrated manufacturing process.

Depending on the product and manufacturing sequence, parts may be coated before or after welding. Finished components then move into assembly, packaging, or staging for shipment.

Welding

Tiffin recently expanded its welding capacity from eight weld bays to 16, adding a new dedicated welding area. All welding operations are performed by experienced Tiffin employees.

Engineering and Design

A team of nearly 20 product and design engineers supports the products manufactured in Tiffin.

The Tiffin team works with customers to develop solutions around their requirements. We validate designs through testing, as needed, with the ability to simulate systems for package flow performance.

Ability to simulate systems for package flow performance.

Factory Acceptance Testing

For many larger and higher-volume chute projects, Tiffin can assemble an initial unit and conduct a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) before production.

An FAT can evaluate chute performance under real-world conditions, including package movement from a standstill, singulation, and flow when packages back up on the chute. Testing also gives customers an opportunity to identify adjustments before the project moves into full production. We have data acquisition equipment to monitor several aspects of package flow during testing with camera and speeds.

We have data acquisition equipment to monitor several aspects of package flow during testing with camera and speeds. kcd

On-Site Field Management

Tiffin’s support can continue after products leave the facility. Field project management can coordinate material delivery and work with installers to support chute installation on-site.

Steele Solutions’ existing field management program also includes installation sequencing, project communication, receiving coordination, and final site walks before turnover.

We take ownership of an installation on site, anticipating potential issues and keeping the installation moving so our customers have one less thing to manage.

Andy Duffy

VP General Manager, Chutes/Lockers

Tiffin Location Details

The Steele Solutions Tiffin facility brings chute and security locker engineering and manufacturing together in one approximately 200,000-square-foot operation. Tiffin’s in-house capabilities support customers from product development and fabrication through testing, with field project management available for chute installation.

Tiffin Facility Address:
450 Wall St
Tiffin, OH 44883