PalmSHIELD Becomes AISC Certified!

2026 has proven to be an exciting year for PalmSHIELD. As the nation’s foremost manufacturer for architectural screening, sun shades, and so much more, we are constantly expanding not only our product catalogue but the credentials that clients look for when seeking a premium fabricator. Earlier this year, we announced that a member of the team attained his CWI (Certified Welding Inspector) certification, which greatly increases the trust that clients place in us, as not every weld shop is going to have someone with this plaque on his wall. And it is with great pleasure that we announce yet another credential-based milestone in our history: PalmSHIELD has been AISC Certified!

Certification from the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) is one of the most revered and widely saluted credentials in the steel industry. It validates, among other things, the processes, the technology, and the personnel behind a company’s fabrication and expands the types of projects they qualify for. (Including DOT and structural work that requires AISC-certified fabrication.) Since Day One, PalmSHIELD has aimed to revolutionize the screening industry. And this credential allows us to take our expertise, our handiwork, and our brand to a new level.

What Is AISC Certification?

As is well-known in the construction industry, the American Institute of Steel Construction has established nationally recognized standards for steel fabrication and construction. Becoming AISC certified requires much more than simply filling out an application and having two or three welders on hand. (In short: not just anyone can get it.) Attaining this credential requires a detailed evaluation of the fabricator’s quality management system, including its documented procedures, internal quality means, personnel, equipment, training, recordkeeping, and overall approach to maintaining quality in their work. It also requires a thorough audit of the company’s quality management system.

In other words, AISC certification examines the process behind a company’s finished product, not simply an examination of the product itself. With this credential, PalmSHIELD becomes prequalified to pursue Department of Transportation and structural projects where AISC-certified fabrication is required. It qualifies us for a greater number of jobs involving transportation, infrastructure, commercial, industrial, and other structural applications.

A Higher Standard for Structural Fabrication

Earning our AISC certification meant the team at PalmSHIELD had to demonstrate our commitment to quality management. (The AISC approach emphasizes processes designed to prevent errors in design and fabrication.) We emphasize everything from accurately cutting the individual product components, welding, our various powder coating finishes, packaging, and of course delivery. Why is this important? On large architectural and structural projects, even the smallest variations can result in problems during installation. This, in turn, can greatly impact the appearance and performance of the completed system. By having this credential to our name, we validate our systems for producing quality work.

Among the most exciting perks of being AISC certified is the increased opportunity within the transportation and public infrastructure markets. Due to the public-facing nature of their work and the safety reasons involved, Departments of Transportation and similar public agencies have strict requirements for contractors, subcontractors, manufacturers, etc. PalmSHIELD’s AISC certification puts us in a stronger position to pursue DOT projects that require AISC-certified fabrication.

A New Chapter for PalmSHIELD

Becoming AISC Certified is a milestone in PalmSHIELD’s already exciting history. As described above, it gives us the ability to pursue a broader range of structural and transportation-related opportunities while validating, in the eyes of clients, the quality standards behind our many, many products. For customers, it means access to a fabricator with proven quality-management processes and expanded project qualifications. For PalmSHIELD, it means new markets, new challenges, and new opportunities to demonstrate what our team can do.

If you’re planning a DOT, structural, architectural screening, or custom fabrication project, contact PalmSHIELD to discuss your specifications and learn how our expanded capabilities can support your project.