Improved Efficiency, Reduced Downtime: Introducing MetalTrace

Written in collaboration with Josh Flowers, Quality Control Manager

At Lamons, improving customer experience is always a top priority. Every investment we make, whether in manufacturing, logistics, or technology, is driven by one question: How can we make things easier, faster, and more reliable for our customers?

One area where we saw a clear opportunity for improvement was documentation.

Material Test Reports (MTRs), certifications, and quality records are essential to keeping operations running smoothly. Traditionally, accessing these documents hasn’t always been as efficient as it should be. Paperwork can be misplaced, emails can get lost, and retrieving documentation, especially years later, can take valuable time.

To solve this challenge, Lamons has invested in a smarter, more streamlined solution: MetalTrace.

What is MetalTrace?

MetalTrace is a proprietary documentation and retention platform designed specifically for the metals industry. It serves as a centralized digital repository where critical documents, such as MTRs, supplier certifications, and quality records, are stored, organized, and easily retrieved.

Instead of managing documentation across multiple systems or manual processes, MetalTrace brings everything into one platform. It allows Lamons to generate, store, and share documentation with greater efficiency, accuracy, and consistency. More importantly, it gives our customers direct, on-demand access to the documentation they need.

A Smarter Approach to Documentation

In the past, documentation was typically sent with shipments, emailed separately, or mailed after the fact. While effective, this approach left room for delays and frustration. Documents could be overlooked during receiving, emails might not reach the right person, and tracking down older records could slow down operations.

MetalTrace eliminates those challenges.

With 24/7/365 access through a secure online portal, customers can retrieve their documentation anytime, from anywhere. Whether it’s during business hours or in the middle of the night, the information is always available. No waiting. No follow-ups.

Even years later, documents remain accessible. Because everything is stored in the cloud, there’s no risk of records being lost, misplaced, or expired. If a product has been sitting on a shelf for years and documentation is needed, it can be pulled easily and instantly.

Built for Ease and Flexibility

MetalTrace is designed with the end user in mind. The platform is highly intuitive, making it easy to search and retrieve documents quickly.

Customers can locate records using familiar search criteria, including:

• Customer name
• Heat number
• Lot or batch number
• Customer purchase order (PO) number
• Line number or part number

One of the most valuable features is the ability to search using your own PO numbers, not just Lamons internal references. This eliminates confusion and makes the process more aligned with how your team already operates.

Additionally, all documents stored in MetalTrace are high-quality, legible copies. By ensuring that only the best available source documents are uploaded, we’re able to provide clear, reliable records every time.

Speed, Accuracy, and Traceability

MetalTrace doesn’t just improve access, it enhances the overall quality and accuracy of documentation.

The platform includes built-in controls that help ensure data is entered correctly and completely. This minimizes the risk of errors, prevents missing information, and ensures documentation meets industry standards for traceability and compliance.

From bolts and fasteners to gaskets and other critical components, customers can confidently retrieve source documentation with a high level of accuracy and consistency.

This level of traceability is especially important in industries where documentation isn’t just helpful, it’s required.

Seamless Document Sharing

For customers who also use MetalTrace, the benefits go even further.

Through MetalTrace-to-MetalTrace functionality, documentation can be transferred directly between systems. Once documents are generated and uploaded, they can be pushed instantly to a customer’s portal, eliminating the need for emails, attachments, or manual handling.

This creates a faster, more efficient process with fewer administrative steps. In some cases, customers can even review and approve documentation before shipment, helping prevent delays and keeping projects on track.

More Than Just MTRs

Lamons is actively enhancing the platform to better serve our customers and provide even more options for accessing a complete, centralized view of their order information in the future. While additional documentation, such as packing lists, is not yet supported, ongoing updates are focused on expanding these capabilities.

By combining MTRs, shipping documentation, and quality records into a single platform, MetalTrace streamlines project planning, reduces administrative workload, improves visibility across orders, and strengthens overall traceability. It’s a fully digital approach that simplifies documentation management from start to finish.

A Better Experience for Our Customers

Ultimately, our investment in MetalTrace comes down to one thing: delivering a better experience.

By moving from a manual process to a more automated, digital solution, we’re making it easier for our customers to access the information they need when they need it. This not only improves efficiency but also supports faster decision-making and reduced downtime.

Whether it’s pulling documentation at 2 a.m., retrieving records from years ago, or receiving documents instantly through a shared platform, MetalTrace is designed to streamline the process and add value at every step.

Customers interested in accessing MetalTrace can reach out to the Lamons team, and we’ll help facilitate setup and onboarding.

At Lamons, we’re always looking for ways to raise the bar. MetalTrace is just one more step forward in delivering the speed, accuracy, and accessibility our customers expect and deserve.