Garbe Iron Works
Garbe Iron Works is a privately held structural steel fabricator founded in 1919 in Aurora, Illinois, providing detailing, fabrication, and erection services for commercial, institutional, and government construction projects across the upper Midwest, with 5,000+ tons annual production capacity.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1919
- HeadquartersAurora, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Garbe Iron Works does
Garbe Iron Works, Inc. is a privately held structural steel fabricator founded in 1919 by Frank B. Garbe and headquartered in a 45,000 sq. ft. fabrication facility at 456 N Broadway, Aurora, Illinois. The company specializes in the detailing, fabrication, and erection of structural steel, providing single-point responsibility for the entire Division 5 scope — including structural steel, joists, trusses, roof and floor deck, and miscellaneous metals — for projects ranging from 1 ton to over 1,000 tons, with annual production capacity exceeding 5,000 tons. It serves general contractors, construction firms, owners/developers, government entities, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and peer steel fabricators (subcontract overflow) primarily across the upper Midwest (Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and surrounding states).
The company's core technology stack is built around CNC-controlled production equipment — Peddinghaus 1100 DG band saws, BDL 1250/9C nine-spindle drill lines, BPL 1000/5A plasma cutters, and Anglemaster AFCPS 623 angle processing — integrated with FabSuite / Tekla PowerFab Go steel management software for estimates, purchasing, inventory, production control, and project management, with direct computer-to-machine handoff of shop drawings. The company was an early adopter of computerized detailing, beginning with an IBM mainframe system in 1978 and evolving through Sun Systems to today's web-based platform.
Garbe Iron Works generates revenue primarily through project-based, quote-priced contracts on a unit-pricing model, delivered either via the traditional design-bid-build approach or via design-build arrangements with partner structural engineering firms. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is scope- and tonnage-specific. Certifications include AISC endorsement for Steel Building Structures and as a Component Manufacturer–Bridge, with all welders AWS-certified. The company is family-owned (founder to F. James Garbe's presidency), has not raised outside funding, and has no disclosed M&A, parent, or subsidiary relationships.
Garbe Iron Works firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Garbe Iron Works
- Legal name
- Garbe Iron Works, Inc.
- Website
- https://giwinc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1919
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Garbe Iron Works is a privately held structural steel fabricator founded in 1919 in Aurora, Illinois, providing detailing, fabrication, and erection services for commercial, institutional, and government construction projects across the upper Midwest, with 5,000+ tons annual production capacity.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Garbe Iron Works industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Structural Steel Fabrication
- SIC
- Fabricated Structural Metal Products (3440)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Steelwork & Fabrication Facilities (Plate/Section Processing, Welding Lines) (IMAJALAH)
Keywords
Where Garbe Iron Works is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Aurora
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Garbe Iron Works business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Structural Steel Fabrication: Complete structural steel fabrication services including detailing, material supply with mill test reports, fabrication, and erection. Provides Division 5 specification work covering structural steel, joists, trusses, roof and floor deck, and miscellaneous metals.
- Steel Erection Services: On-site erection of fabricated structural steel, managed as part of single-point responsibility approach. Subcontracts with AISC Certified Erectors.
- Subcontract Work for Competitors: Fabrication subcontract work performed for other fabricators who need assistance to meet schedules. This represents a distinct revenue stream from serving end clients directly.
- Design-Build Services: Arrangements with structural engineering firms to offer design-build capabilities beyond traditional design-bid-build approach, providing reduced lead-time and economical steel design.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Small-scale fabrication (1-100 tons) |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Large-scale fabrication (100-1000+ tons) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Garbe Iron Works product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Garbe Iron Works provides detailing, fabrication, and erection of structural steel under a single-point responsibility model for the Division 5 scope of construction projects. Services span structural steel detailing, material supply with mill test reports, CNC fabrication using Peddinghaus equipment, on-site erection, joists, trusses, roof and floor deck, and miscellaneous metals. Annual production capacity exceeds 5,000 tons, handling projects from 1 ton to over 1,000 tons for general contractors, public-sector clients, and other fabricators across the upper Midwest.
Product overview
Garbe Iron Works is a structural steel fabrication company providing comprehensive 'Division 5' scope services. Their integrated service offering includes Structural Steel Detailing, Material Supply with Mill Test Reports, Steel Fabrication (using CNC-controlled equipment), Steel Erection, Steel Joists, Steel Trusses, Steel Roof and Floor Deck, and Miscellaneous Steel (stairs, railings, lintels, gates, platforms). The company operates a single-point responsibility model where they manage the entire project scope from initial detailing through final erection, serving clients ranging from 1 ton to over 1000 tons with an annual production capacity exceeding 5,000 tons.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Structural Steel Detailing Engineering and technical detailing of structural steel components for construction projects, converting design drawings into fabrication-ready documentation using computerized detailing systems.
- Material Supply with Mill Test Reports Procurement and supply of structural steel materials accompanied by certified mill test reports verifying material properties and quality.
- Steel Fabrication CNC-controlled fabrication of structural steel components including beams, columns, and custom shapes using advanced Peddinghaus drill lines, band saws, plasma cutters, and angle processing machines.
- Steel Erection On-site installation and erection of fabricated structural steel components, coordinated through a single-point responsibility model covering the entire Division 5 scope.
- Steel Joists Fabrication and supply of steel joists for floor and roof structural systems.
- Steel Trusses Custom steel truss fabrication for various structural applications in commercial and industrial buildings.
- Steel Roof and Floor Deck Supply and installation of steel roof and floor deck panels as part of the complete structural envelope system.
- Miscellaneous Steel Fabrication of ancillary steel components including stairs, railings, lintels, gates, platforms, and other embedded materials for complete project coverage.
- Design-Build Steel Delivery Design-build delivery of structural steel packages through partnered structural engineering firms, offering reduced lead times and economical steel design compared with traditional design-bid-build delivery.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5000+ tons annual production capacity
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Garbe Iron Works
Customer profileNamed customers21 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Garbe Iron Works technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Garbe Iron Works partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Metropolitan SteelminorListed as a GIW subcontractor and supplier relationship for steel projects.
- Area ErectorsminorListed as a GIW subcontractor relationship for steel erection services.
- New Millennium Building SystemsminorListed as a GIW subcontractor and supplier for building systems components.
- Canam SteelminorListed as a GIW subcontractor and supplier relationship for steel products.
- Infra MetalsminorListed as a GIW subcontractor and supplier for steel materials.
- Structural Engineering Firms (Design-Build Partners)coreMultiple structural engineering firm partnerships that enable GIW to offer design-build capabilities beyond traditional design-bid-build approach. These partnerships provide reduced lead-time and ensure most economical steel design for client projects.
- AISC Certified ErectorscoreMultiple AISC Certified Erectors included in project teams. GIW only includes companies that maintain significant commitment to safety and customer service.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Garbe Iron Works competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Area Erectors: AISC-certified regional steel erector in the upper Midwest listed as a GIW subcontractor for erection services. Highly comparable in customer base and project types but focused on erection rather than fabrication.
- Topp Industries: Midwest-based steel and miscellaneous metals fabricator serving commercial and industrial customers. Comparable to GIW on regional scope and structural/miscellaneous metals product mix.
Direct peers
- Metropolitan Steel: Regional structural steel fabricator and supplier listed as a GIW subcontractor/supplier. Operates a similar business model in structural fabrication, making it one of the closest direct comparables on services and geography.
- New Millennium Building Systems: Manufacturer of joists, girders, and steel deck serving commercial construction. A direct supply partner to GIW on its Division 5 joist and deck product lines; highly comparable on product mix and customer types.
- Lexicon (formerly Des Moines Steel): Midwest-based structural steel fabricator and erector serving commercial and industrial markets. Direct comparable to GIW on project size range, customer mix, and AISC-certified Division 5 scope, with a similar regional focus.
- Paxton & Vierling Steel: Regional structural steel fabricator and erector based in the Midwest with AISC certification and similar Division 5 service breadth. Direct comparable on scope, certifications, and customer profile.
Broad incumbents
- Canam Steel: Large North American structural steel fabricator with mills, fabrication shops, and joist/deck operations across the U.S. and Canada. Listed as a GIW supplier/partner and serves overlapping end markets at much greater scale.
- Cives Steel Company: Multi-regional structural and miscellaneous metals fabricator and erector with operations across the eastern U.S. Overlaps with GIW on commercial, institutional, and industrial structural work, but at materially larger scale.
- Schuff Steel: National structural steel fabricator and erector operating across multiple U.S. regions. Overlaps with GIW on Division 5 scope for commercial and healthcare projects, but offers significantly greater geographic and structural reach.
Others
- Infra Metals: Steel service center and distributor supplying structural steel products to fabricators including GIW. Adjacent rather than competitive—sits upstream in the supply chain GIW depends on for raw material.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Garbe Iron Works social profiles
Digital presenceGarbe Iron Works compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Garbe Iron Works financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Garbe Iron Works leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Garbe Iron Works funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Garbe Iron Works M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Garbe Iron Works
What does Garbe Iron Works do?
Garbe Iron Works provides detailing, fabrication, and erection of structural steel under a single-point responsibility model for the Division 5 scope of construction projects. Services span structural steel detailing, material supply with mill test reports, CNC fabrication using Peddinghaus equipment, on-site erection, joists, trusses, roof and floor deck, and miscellaneous metals. Annual production capacity exceeds 5,000 tons, handling projects from 1 ton to over 1,000 tons for general contractors, public-sector clients, and other fabricators across the upper Midwest.
Is Garbe Iron Works a public or private company?
Garbe Iron Works is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Garbe Iron Works founded?
Garbe Iron Works was founded in 1919. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Garbe Iron Works based?
Garbe Iron Works is headquartered in Aurora, United States, in the North America region.
How does Garbe Iron Works make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Structural Steel Fabrication is the primary driver. The others are steel Erection Services, subcontract Work for Competitors and design-Build Services.
Who are Garbe Iron Works's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Area Erectors and Topp Industries. Direct peers are Metropolitan Steel, New Millennium Building Systems, Lexicon (formerly Des Moines Steel) and Paxton & Vierling Steel. Broad incumbents are Canam Steel, Cives Steel Company and Schuff Steel. Infra Metals is listed as an others.
Does Garbe Iron Works have an API?
No public API is recorded for Garbe Iron Works.
What industry is Garbe Iron Works in?
Garbe Iron Works's product category is Structural Steel Fabrication. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAJALAH, Steelwork & Fabrication Facilities (Plate/Section Processing, Welding Lines). Its SIC code is 3440.