In-House Tooling
Tooling Solutions Built for Precision, Efficiency & Cost Control
At BERMO, tooling is one of our core strengths. Unlike many metal fabricators, we design and build tooling in-house, giving customers faster lead times, tighter process control, and highly cost-effective production options. With stamping presses and decades of tooling experience, we support everything from low-volume prototypes to high-volume stamped components.
BERMO’S In-House Tooling Capabilities
Progressive Tooling
Best for: High-volume production, long-term programs, complex geometries
Progressive tools perform multiple operations, blanking, forming, piercing, and more, in a single stroke. This provides the lowest cost per part, high consistency, and fast throughput.
Advantages:
- Highest production efficiency
- Minimal labor
- Excellent material utilization
- Ideal for complex, repeatable parts
Compound Tooling
Best for: Medium-volume production where progressive tooling isn’t justified
Compound tools produce flat blanks and select features in one hit, offering better speed and material use than laser cutting at a lower investment than progressive dies.
Advantages:
- Lower tooling cost than progressive
- Faster and more consistent than laser cutting
- Strong option for developing or mid-volume programs
Forming Tools
Best for: Parts requiring tight tolerances or complex forms without full progressive tooling
Forming tools shape previously cut blanks with more precision and consistency than multi-step press brake operations. They are ideal when complex bends and repeatability are required.
Advantages:
- Higher accuracy than press brake forming
- Lower tooling cost than progressive
- Suitable for low- to mid-volume runs with complex geometry**
Soft Tools
Best for: Low-volume production, prototypes, and fast turnaround
Soft tools are low-cost, quick-turn dies used to create flat blanks. They offer a balance between speed, cost, and tool life and reduce labor compared to laser cutting.
Advantages:
- Fastest, lowest-cost tooling option
- Ideal for prototypes and small runs
An effective bridge option before investing in larger tooling
Why In-House Tooling Matters
Keeping tooling in-house allows us to:
- Respond quickly to customer needs
- Maintain consistent quality from design through production
- Reduce lead times by avoiding outsourced delays
- Align tooling design with real production requirements
- Offer tailored solutions based on cost, volume, and part complexity
This level of integration is uncommon in the fabrication industry and is a defining advantage for our customers.
Tooling Recommendations Built Around Your Goals
Every part has unique requirements, and every customer has different priorities. BERMO evaluates the best tooling approach based on:
- Production volume
- Target pricing
- Tolerance and complexity
- Timeline and speed to market
- Long-term part lifecycle
We work directly with your engineering team to identify the most efficient manufacturing path. If information is unclear or missing, we address it early to avoid downstream issues.
Flexible Options Based on Budget and Strategy
- If customers prefer no upfront tooling cost, we explore laser cutting, press brake forming, or amortizing tooling into the piece price.
- For long-term, high-volume programs, we design tooling that maximizes efficiency and reduces cost per part.
- Tools paid for by the customer are customer-owned, and we support them for the life of the program.
A Tooling Partner, Not Just a Tool Builder
BERMO’s philosophy is simple: recommend the solution that delivers the best total value.
Our engineers:
- Communicate directly with your design team
- Provide practical recommendations based on production expertise
- Align tooling decisions with cost, quality, and timeline goals
- Support your part from concept through production
This hands-on, customer-first approach sets BERMO apart in the industry.
You Need Partner with In-House Tooling Strategy
Whether you’re launching a new part or optimizing an existing one, BERMO will help you determine the tooling approach that provides the best mix of cost, speed, and performance.
Request a quote to start the conversation.
BERMO is a trusted U.S. precision metal manufacturer specializing in stamping, laser cutting, forming, welding, assembly, and full-service fabrication for OEMs in agriculture, transportation, medical devices, fitness, automotive, and electronics. With more than 65 years of experience and advanced capabilities, including in-house tooling, progressive stamping up to 600 tons, 12kW fiber laser cutting, CNC press brake forming, and automated welding systems, BERMO delivers high-quality, repeatable parts and turnkey assemblies. Our integrated processes, modern equipment, and customer-first approach ensure reliable performance, cost-effective production, and fast turnaround for both short-run and high-volume programs.