Architects and builders who work on large scale, single family residences have approached us with some interesting projects over the years. Because of the economic and cultural changes going on right now, people are leaving urban areas for more peaceful settings and working from home. Some are building luxury homes and landscapes that take on an impressive scope, similar in size and complexity to commercial construction projects. 

These kinds of residential properties require custom architectural metal fabrications that are both structural and artistic. They require a high level of experience and creative vision to interpret designs and understand detailed drawings, and they usually need fabrication and machining capabilities beyond the commonly available.

Exactly what are we talking about? Think about some of the most striking features of a beautiful home both indoors and outdoors. Feature stairs, seamless rails, custom range hoods, large outdoor kitchens, pergolas, walking bridges, recreation structures, garden features and outdoor art. The list goes on…

The Ability to Envision and Perform

Whenever you approach a company with a need, you are looking for answers and solutions. When the company starts asking you focused questions, it’s good to continue the conversation. Asking the right questions helps us to “see it” before it’s real.

GMFCo looks at architectural metals with eyes focused on the end use. What is the structural function? How exposed will the surfaces be? What is the artistic and esthetic feature? How should the surface be finished? How and at what phase will it be installed on site? We are repeatedly called on to help provide solutions for questions like these. 

Solution-based Approach

Because we believe strongly in our motto, “where others see challenges, we see opportunities,” we’re always happy to look at unique and challenging architectural projects and we work hard to achieve each client’s goals. If we feel the project is best handled by another shop, we have a great referral network that includes Modern Metal Solutions, a specialty detailer and fabricator located right in our industrial park. Sometimes we work hand in hand with them to help supply components as we do with other select service providers. 

Getting it Right the First Time

Architects can “test the mettle” of miscellaneous metals fabricators because custom architectural metalwork is a construction specialty that can include one-of-a-kind, difficult-to-produce building components. It’s often the larger, customized metals that create bottlenecks in the construction process. That’s why it’s best to work with the most experienced, large capability fabricators who ask the right questions and have the foresight to avoid costly assumptions.

The last thing a building owner needs is a deinstallation and rework of an expensive, custom manufactured component. The main thing both owner and architect want is a smooth and predictable project implementation. We approach every job with its successful end in mind.

If you have an architectural metals project or any other fabrication need that tests the limits of your suppliers, feel free to talk to us about it. We’ll put our heads together to fulfill your opportunity in spite of the perceived challenges. Contact us online or call us at 603-889-2600.

Customers, employees and suppliers of Gilchrist Metal Fabricating Co. can be assured that our company continues its operations according to CDC safe distancing as well as personal and workspace hygiene protocols.

As an essential supplier to our defense, transportation, power generation & transmission and communications infrastructure, our people and their ingenuity are needed to provide vital manufacturing services to several key contractors. We are grateful and humbled by the fact that our manufacturing services are needed right now. It’s “game on” at GMFCo!

Our nation is mobilizing to fight a pandemic and that’s going to affect how we do things for a while. As business leaders, we need to mobilize our teams to focus on the right priorities and provide them with the reassuring certainty that the future will be okay. Issues are being addressed and new opportunities are being created. It’s our job to remain calm, get informed and make measured strategy adjustments as needed. Collaboratively, we can deliver a more certain future to our teams.

According to memos from the Department of Defense and Homeland Security, many essential products & services are needed at this time and producers must continue operating, some at an even greater capacity. While there are folks who need to stay home or work remotely, their skills are still being utilized. Keep in mind that demand for some products and services is going through the roof in response to urgent needs and those industries are hiring right now! Perhaps new and more fulfilling careers will be discovered by some of the temporarily displaced.

We are deeply concerned for those who’ve gotten sick and their families. At the same time, we remain calm and optimistic as our healthcare and medical professionals perform phenomenal work. We’re practicing safe social distancing (6 feet +), washing hands frequently and monitoring our personal health. Anyone with the slightest cold or flu symptoms must NOT come to work and get care if necessary.

During times like this, we are reminded of our company motto and why it’s been so valuable to us over the years. “Where others see problems, we see opportunities.”

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Here to help as always.

-Jack Gilchrist

Growth Opportunities Continue at GMFCo

Gilchrist Metal Fabricating Company has been quietly growing, and by quite a lot. As we continue to expand our capabilities, even more significant opportunities have opened up to us.

While we cannot be specific regarding some of the larger business developments, we can make the following general announcement:

Expanded Qualification Creates New Opportunity

GMFCo was recently approved to manufacture and furnish a category of products and services that support our men & women in uniform, pursuant to the strict laws and regulations of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) governing such engagements. 

New bridge mills recently installed at our Hudson, NH facilities

Total Team Effort

We are extremely proud of our entire team for stringently maintaining the high quality, safety and security standards required for compliance and approval to furnish critically important components for equipment needed to support our troops. 

As a veteran-owned company, it’s hard for us to find words that are worthy of expressing our appreciation and gratitude but we can come up with at least two. Thank you! This goes to all of our customers, employees and contractor-partners as well as the men and women who serve our country in uniform.

We’re always happy to answer any questions you may have about large machining and metal fabricating challenges. Feel free to contact us online or call (603) 889-2600 to speak with a specialist in large precision machining, bending, cutting and welding services.