BC Business
Tri-Metal Fabricators in Surrey is known for producing quality steel and sheet metal products for a variety of industrial sectors, and it does so in a 36,000 square foot plant equipped with laser and plasma cutters, massive rollers and specialized equipment.
But as far as president Joe Toso is concerned, Tri-Metal’s real strength is his crew of up to 55 welders and fabricators. “They’re worth way more than the equipment,” he says. “They’ve also played a large role in steering this company to new opportunities over the decades, which is why we’re prolific in the oil and gas and mining sectors as well as marine and other areas.”
Currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, Tri-Metal is fulfilling a multi-year contract to provide frames and accessories for 700 CSC-approved Mobile Expandable Container Configurations (MECC Shelters).These are expandable containers used by the military for command posts, integrated workshops, accommodation, kitchens, ablutions, laundry facilities and field hospitals.
“Our involvement in these shelters was made possible by collaborating with an associate shareholder, Weatherhaven, which provides the shelters not only to the Department of National Defence (DND) but the armies of the U.S., U.K., Brazil, Switzerland and Japan,” says Toso. The latter country deployed them in the aftermath of the Kobe earthquake and tsunami.
Tri-Metal is also fulfilling numerous contracts for companies in Alberta’s oil sands; plus, its specialty of fabricating HVAC systems and components is more in demand than ever. But Toso concludes, “As busy as we are now, it’s nothing compared to the avalanche of work coming from the resource sector. There’s going to be no end of new opportunities for people in our business in the near future.”