Best FabricatorsMetal fabrication in Green Bay, WI
Looking for metal fabricators near you in the Green Bay–Fox Cities area? Here is what local industry builds, where fabrication work clusters, the code rules to know, and how to vet a shop for custom metal fabrication. Last reviewed November 11, 2026.
What the Green Bay market builds
Green Bay and the Fox River Valley are known for paper mills, dairy and meat processing, and heavy specialty-vehicle manufacturing in Oshkosh. Shipyards up the coast in Marinette and Sturgeon Bay build vessels for the Navy and Great Lakes. Sanitary stainless, farm equipment, marine, and mill maintenance work are all common.
Industries with strong local demand
- Food-grade stainless fabrication in Green Bay
- Agricultural fabrication in Green Bay
- Marine and aluminum fabrication in Green Bay
- Structural steel fabrication in Green Bay
Other specialties: Aerospace and defense · Architectural and ornamental metal · Oil, gas, and energy · Automotive and racing · Medical devices and lab equipment · Signage and displays · HVAC and sheet metal.
Where fabrication work clusters
Industrial and fabrication work spreads across the metro, including De Pere, Ashwaubenon, Howard, Appleton, Kaukauna, Oshkosh, and Neenah. A shop’s location matters most for large parts, site measuring, and installation; for small precision parts, shipping from elsewhere in the region can work.
Permits and codes
Permitted structural work follows the building code your city or county has adopted. Most U.S. jurisdictions base it on the International Building Code, whose Section 1704.2.5 requires special inspection of fabricated items during fabrication unless the fabricator is approved. Ask whether a shop is AISC certified, and confirm what the City of Green Bay or your village building inspector requires before you order.
Climate and materials
Long, cold winters with heavy snow; design for snow loads and use galvanizing or stainless where salt or washdown is present.
How to vet a shop in Green Bay
- Match the shop to the work: ask for photos or drawings of similar food-grade stainless or agricultural jobs.
- Check certifications that fit the job: AISC for structural steel, AWS-qualified welders, and industry standards listed on the industry pages.
- Confirm insurance and whether the shop installs, or only fabricates.
- Visit the shop. Look at the equipment, housekeeping, and work in progress.
- Compare at least three written quotes built on the same drawing and finish spec.
Questions
How do I find metal fabricators near me in Green Bay?
Start with the local industries listed on this page, then shortlist shops that already do that kind of work in the Green Bay–Fox Cities area, including De Pere, Ashwaubenon, Howard. For structural steel, search the AISC certification directory for Wisconsin. Visit at least two shops and compare written quotes.
What does custom metal fabrication cost in Green Bay?
Price depends on material, labor hours, finishing, engineering, and installation. Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a May 2025 median wage of $25.84 an hour for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers; local wages differ, and shop rates include overhead. Get at least three written quotes on the same drawing.
Do I need a permit for fabricated metal work in Green Bay?
Structural items such as stairs, mezzanines, canopies, and sign structures usually need a permit and engineering. Permitted structural work follows the building code your city or county has adopted.