Finding the best steel fabricators in Invercargill starts with matching the workshop to the job, whether that is a portal frame for a new shed, lintels for a house build or a one-off stainless component for a processing plant. Steel fabricators in Invercargill cover structural steel, certified welding, CNC profile cutting and architectural metalwork for homes, farms and industry across Southland. JK’s Engineering and E-Type Engineering both run Mersey Street workshops handling structural steel from fabrication through to site installation.
1JK’s Engineering
JK’s Engineering is a Mersey Street engineering workshop with roots going back to JK Stevenson Ltd, established in 1907, and a strong focus on heavy fabrication and structural steel. The team handles house steelwork, lintels, portals and frames for new builds, with site installation and certified site welding available. It suits builders, homeowners and commercial clients who want one workshop to manage steelwork from site measure to installation.
Services
- Structural steel: lintels, portals and frames
- Heavy fabrication and site installation
- Metalwork including panelling, balustrades, handrails and chimney caps
- Plasma and gas profile cutting
- Machining and seismic strengthening
Highlights
- Traces its history to JK Stevenson Ltd, established in 1907
- In-house weld supervisor qualified to AS2214
- 5500MHB high definition plasma and gas profile cutter
- Covered workshop spanning 78m x 54m
- Certified welders available for on-site work
Location & Contact
Name: JK’s Engineering
Address: 190 Mersey Street, Invercargill 9810
Phone: 03 218 7096
Website: jks.co.nz
2E-Type Engineering
E-Type Engineering was founded in 1971 by Bill and Jan Walker and delivers mechanical engineering projects from concept and design through to fabrication and installation. Structural steel fabrication and installation for industrial, commercial and infrastructure projects sits alongside light and heavy fabrication and high-integrity power piping. It is a strong fit for industrial clients and larger projects that need design engineers and fabricators under one roof.
Services
- Structural steel fabrication and installation
- Light and heavy fabrication
- Mechanical engineering design and 3D draughting
- Power piping systems to ASME B31.1 and B31.3
Highlights
- More than 50 years in business, founded in 1971
- 35+ employees including 20+ qualified tradespeople
- In-house mechanical design engineers
- Project work including the Benmore half life upgrade and the Ohai coal mine
Location & Contact
Name: E-Type Engineering
Address: 123 Mersey Street, Invercargill
Phone: 03 214 4969
Website: e-type.co.nz
3JWEngineering
JWEngineering is a third-generation family-owned engineering business, founded in 1975 as Johnsons Wireworks and now working from a larger workshop at 249 Bond Street. Its structural steel work ranges from residential steelwork to large-scale portals and frames, with 3D CAD used to streamline production. It suits residential builders, farmers and transport operators looking for a local general engineering shop that also handles certified structural welding.
Services
- Structural steel fabrication, from residential steelwork to portals and frames
- MIG, TIG, arc and gas welding in mild steel, aluminium and stainless steel
- Heavy transport repairs to LT400 standards
- Industrial pipework, including ammonia refrigeration
- Wrought iron gates, fences and balustrades
Highlights
- AS/NZS 1554.1 structural steel certified welding
- Overhead crane for large projects
- Third-generation family ownership since 1975
- Manufactures its own patented Rolla-Master tailing chutes
Location & Contact
Name: JWEngineering
Address: 249 Bond Street, Invercargill
Phone: 03 218 3363
Website: jwengineering.co.nz
4Sheet Metalcraft
Sheet Metalcraft is a locally owned light to medium engineering company established in 1978, with its Invercargill base on Bowmont Street and a second workshop in Frankton, Queenstown. The team specialises in steel, stainless steel and aluminium fabrication, managing projects from CAD design to installation. It is a good match for architects and homeowners after staircases, pivot doors, handrails and fireplace cladding, as well as commercial fabrication work.
Services
- Steel, stainless steel and aluminium fabrication and installation
- CNC profile cutting and folding
- CNC machining
- 3D scanning, printing and CAD design
- Architectural metalwork: staircases, pivot doors, handrails and cladding
Highlights
- Established in 1978 and locally owned
- Worked on the Stage 2 construction of the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter at Tiwai Point
- Workshops in Invercargill and Frankton, Queenstown
Location & Contact
Name: Sheet Metalcraft
Address: 33 Bowmont Street, Invercargill 9840
Phone: 03 218 6315
Website: sheetmetalcraft.co.nz
5All Purpose Engineering
All Purpose Engineering has been Southland owned and operated since 2002, working from Crinan Street with a focus on compliant and certified equipment. Alongside its product range of fuel tanks, trailers and towing gear, it offers structural steel, handrails and stainless and aluminium fabrication. It suits rural, trade and fleet customers who want certified welding either in the workshop or on-site.
Services
- Structural steel and handrails
- Stainless steel and aluminium fabrication
- Certified welding in the workshop or on-site
- Trailer fabrication and heavy vehicle repairs
Highlights
- Southland owned and operated since 2002
- Welding to AS/NZS 4711 and ASME standards
- ERMA certified mobile and static fuel tanks
Location & Contact
Name: All Purpose Engineering
Address: 129 Crinan Street, Invercargill
Phone: 03 218 8600
Website: apeng.co.nz
Steel Fabricators in Invercargill at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| JK's Engineering | Traces its history to JK Stevenson Ltd, established in 1907 |
| E-Type Engineering | More than 50 years in business, founded in 1971 |
| JWEngineering | AS/NZS 1554.1 structural steel certified welding |
| Sheet Metalcraft | Established in 1978 and locally owned |
| All Purpose Engineering | Southland owned and operated since 2002 |
How to Choose the Right Steel Fabricator in Invercargill
- Welding certification: for structural work, ask whether welders are qualified to AS/NZS 1554.1 and whether a weld supervisor signs off the job.
- Job size and type: a heavy fabrication workshop suits portal frames and industrial plant, while a light engineering shop may suit handrails, stairs and architectural pieces.
- Design and drawings: check whether the fabricator can produce shop drawings or work from your engineer’s plans in 3D CAD.
- Site installation: confirm who delivers, lifts and installs the steel, and whether site welding is available.
- Finishing: ask how galvanising, painting or powder coating will be handled for Southland weather.
Frequently Asked Questions About Invercargill Steel Fabricators
What does a steel fabricator do?
A steel fabricator cuts, bends, welds and assembles steel into finished components such as beams, lintels, portal frames, handrails, stairs and machinery parts. Many Invercargill workshops also install the finished steel on site.
Do I need a building consent for structural steel work?
Structural steel in a house or commercial building is usually part of building work that needs consent, and it must meet the Building Code’s structural requirements. Building Performance explains when consent is needed, and consents in the city are issued by Invercargill City Council.
How do I check a fabricator is certified?
Ask for the welding standard the workshop is qualified to, such as AS/NZS 1554.1 for structural steel. Steel Construction New Zealand runs the Steel Fabricator Certification scheme, and its website is a good starting point for understanding what certification covers.
How much does steel fabrication cost in Invercargill?
Pricing depends on the tonnage of steel, the complexity of the connections, the finish and whether installation is included. Most fabricators quote from plans, so having engineer’s drawings ready gets you a more accurate price.
Can a fabricator weld on site?
Yes, several steel fabrication businesses in Invercargill have certified welders who travel to farms, factories and building sites for repairs and installation work.
Where are steel fabricators in Invercargill located?
Most workshops sit in the industrial streets around the city centre and west side, including Mersey Street, Bond Street, Bowmont Street and Crinan Street, and many serve customers across Southland.
What is the difference between structural steel and sheet metal work?
Structural steel covers load-bearing members such as beams, columns and portals, while sheet metal work involves thinner material cut and folded into cladding, flashings, enclosures and architectural features. Some fabricators do both.
How We Chose the Best Steel Fabricators in Invercargill
Every business in this guide was found by searching for steel fabricators in Invercargill, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Invercargill, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.