What Lawrence Fabric & Metal Structures does

Lawrence Fabric & Metal Structures, Inc. is a St. Louis-based custom fabricator of architectural and industrial structures, founded in 1941 as Lawrence Canvas Products and operating today from a 69,000 sq ft ISO 9001-certified manufacturing facility. The company designs, engineers, fabricates, and installs custom awnings, canopies, tensile fabric structures, metal architectural elements, exhibit and experiential displays, and precision aerospace and industrial components, working with materials including aluminum, steel, Sunbrella and Ferrari architectural fabrics, polycarbonate, and glass. Its product portfolio spans core offerings such as metal and fabric awnings, retractable canopies, polycarbonate/glass canopies, custom trellises and pergolas, shade sails, tensile structures, facade structures, roof screens with optional BIPV solar integration, and specialized aerospace fabrication including protective pads, air hose slings, and ground support equipment.

The company makes money through project-based custom fabrication contracts sold via a consultative direct sales process targeting architects, designers, and contractors across North America, with pricing quoted per project rather than published, and turnkey delivery bundling design, engineering, fabrication, and installation. Revenue streams include one-time project fees for custom fabrication, professional services for large-format dye-sublimation graphics production, and hardware sales for roof screen systems. The customer base spans healthcare (Barnes Jewish Hospital, Ranken Jordan), aerospace and corporate (Boeing), education (Maryville University, UNMC), museums and government (Missouri History Museum), hospitality (Isle of Capri), construction (Clayco), and events (Motif Events), with a sales motion supported by an online Spec Builder tool, a project gallery, and active participation in industry associations (AIA, AGC, IFAI, MWFPA, PAMA, and others).

Since 2016, Lawrence Fabric has operated as a 100% employee-owned company under an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), following founder Jerry Grimaud's transition of sole ownership to the workforce. The business is led by a professional management team including CFO Kathy Terry and Operations Leader Dave Bess, with a sales team carrying a minimum of 20 years of industry experience. Marketing channels are predominantly B2B and relationship-driven, leveraging industry awards (over 70 in the past 25 years across MWFPA and IFAI), trade association membership, project galleries, and a digital spec-building tool to capture architectural specification-driven demand.

Name

Lawrence Fabric & Metal Structures

Legal name

Lawrence Fabric & Metal Structures, Inc.

Website

https://lawrencefabric.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1941

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Lawrence Fabric & Metal Structures is a 100% employee-owned custom fabricator in St. Louis, MO, designing and manufacturing awnings, canopies, tensile fabric structures, architectural metalwork, exhibits, and aerospace components for architects, contractors, and enterprises across North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Metal & Fabric Fabrication

NAICS

Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing (332322), Ornamental and Architectural Metal Products Manufacturing (33232)

SIC

Sheet Metal Work (3444)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural & Miscellaneous Metals (Stairs, Railings, Ladders) (IMADACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Metal Cladding, Soffits & Trim (Non-Panel Components) (IMADACAM), Frames, Sashes, Mullions & Subframes (IMADAIAH)

Keywords

• Custom metal fabrication
• Fabric awnings canopies
• Tensile shade structures
• Exhibit experiential displays
• Industrial aerospace fabrication

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Custom Fabrication Services: Project-based custom fabrication of awnings, canopies, tensile structures, exhibits, and architectural elements. Revenue generated through one-time project fees with pricing based on scope, materials, and complexity. Design, engineering, fabrication, and installation services provided as turnkey solutions.
2. Artwork Upload and Graphics Services: Large-format dye-sublimation printing and graphics services for custom fabric graphics, SEG (Silicone Edge Graphics) systems, and backlit displays. Revenue from graphic production and installation.
3. Roof Screen Systems: Custom fabricated rooftop equipment screens and solar integration systems. Product sales of metal and fabric screening solutions for commercial buildings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Lawrence Fabric & Metal Structures is a custom manufacturer and installer of fabric and metal architectural products, including metal and fabric awnings, canopies, retractable canopies, polycarbonate/glass canopies, custom trellises and pergolas, shade sails, tensile structures, facade structures, and roof screens. The company also produces exhibit and experiential displays (banners, signage, backdrops, 3-D elements, exhibit booth components, sampling kiosks, retail environments) and provides specialty industrial and aerospace fabrication. Operates a 69,000 sq ft St. Louis, MO facility offering in-house design, engineering, fabrication, finishing, and turnkey installation.

Product overview

Lawrence Fabric & Metal Structures is a custom fabrication company offering a comprehensive portfolio of architectural and industrial products. The core offerings include Metal Awnings & Canopies, Fabric Awnings & Canopies, Retractable Canopies, Polycarbonate/Glass Awnings, Custom Trellis and Pergolas, Shade Sails, Tensile Structures, and Facade Structures for architectural applications. The company also provides Exhibits & Experiential Displays including Banners & Signage, Backdrops & Photo Ops, 3-D Elements, Experiential Activities & Games, Exhibit Booth Components, Sampling Kiosks, and Retail Environment solutions. Architectural Elements encompass Welded Decorative Structures and Unique Fabrication. Industrial & Aerospace Fabrication includes Industrial products (boat covers, forklift covers, welder tents, trampoline parks, sneeze guards) and Aerospace products (protective pads, air hose slings, pilot bags). The company operates a 69,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in St. Louis, MO and serves customers throughout North America.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Metal Awnings & Canopies Custom standing seam and all-metal commercial awnings and canopies designed to provide architectural statement, energy-saving protection, and distinctive character for building exteriors. Sold to architects, designers, and contractors for commercial buildings.
• Fabric Awnings & Canopies Custom fabric awnings and canopies for commercial and residential applications, featuring various fabric materials (Sunbrella, Ferrari) and custom designs. Configurable via the Spec Builder online tool.
• Retractable Canopies Retractable canopy systems that provide flexible shade and weather protection with the ability to extend or retract as needed. Available in fabric and metal constructions for commercial clients.
• Polycarbonate/Glass Awnings & Canopies Custom fabricated glass and polycarbonate canopy systems that create modern, simplistic architectural elements over entryways, allowing natural light while providing shelter for commercial and institutional buildings.
• Custom Trellis and Pergolas Custom aluminum tubing trellis designs and pergola structures that add architectural character and visual interest to outdoor spaces for commercial and residential projects.
• Shade Sails Tensile shade sail structures that provide UV protection and decorative shade solutions for outdoor areas, including HDPE and Ferrari Soltis fabric options for commercial installations.
• Tensile Structures Custom tensile fabric structures engineered for durability and visual impact, including large-scale installations using Ferrari and similar high-performance architectural fabrics with precision cable tensioning systems.
• Facade Structures Fabric and metal facade structures that enhance building exteriors and create visually distinctive architectural elements for commercial buildings.
• Banners & Signage Custom commercial banners and signage solutions including street pole banners, event banners, SEG silicone edge graphics, and architectural signage for indoor and outdoor marketing to event organizers, retailers, and brand marketers.
• Backdrops & Photo Ops Custom event backdrops, branded step-and-repeat displays, and illuminated SEG lightbox photo opportunities for corporate events, trade shows, and experiential marketing campaigns.
• 3-D Elements Three-dimensional fabricated props, sculptures, and themed architectural elements including dimensional logos, scenic installations, and branded structures for events and commercial spaces.
• Experiential Activities & Games

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 70 awards for work in the past 25 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Krauss GraphicsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner logo displayed on website. Provides graphic design and printing services complementing Lawrence Fabric's fabrication capabilities.
• ATA (Advanced Transportation Association)minorOthersIndustry association membership for transportation and infrastructure related projects.
• FSA (Fabric Structures Association)minorOthersIndustry association membership supporting fabric structure industry standards and best practices.
• PAMA (Professional Awning Manufacturers Association)minorOthersIndustry association membership for awning manufacturers supporting industry certification and standards.
• AIA (American Institute of Architects)minorOthersProfessional association membership providing continuing education and networking for architects who specify Lawrence Fabric products.
• AGC (Associated General Contractors of America)minorOthersProfessional construction association membership for contractors working with Lawrence Fabric on building projects.
• ASA Midwest Council (American Subcontractors Association)minorOthersProfessional subcontractor association membership supporting industry relationships and standards.
• IFAI (Industrial Fabric Association International)minorOthersInternational fabric industry association supporting Lawrence Fabric's International Achievement Awards recognition.
• MWFPA (Midwest Fabric Products Association)minorOthersRegional fabric products association supporting MWFPA Zone Conference awards that Lawrence Fabric has won multiple times.
• SGIA (Specialty Graphic Imaging Association)minorOthersIndustry association for specialty graphic imaging supporting printed graphics and signage products.
• Canvas Product Association Zone 7minorOthersRegional canvas products association membership supporting industry networking and standards.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• USA Shade & Fabric Structures: Manufacturer and installer of commercial shade structures, sails, and fabric canopies for schools, parks, and commercial sites. Compares with Lawrence on commercial and institutional shade sail and tensile structure deliveries.
• Birdair: Specialized fabric tensile membrane structure manufacturer delivering stadium, retail, and architectural canopy installations globally. Comparable to Lawrence's tensile structures and shade sail practice on large-scale fabric projects for institutional clients.
• Sunair Awnings: Manufacturer of retractable awnings, screen systems, and exterior solar products for residential and light-commercial applications. Comparable to Lawrence's retractable canopy line and architect-specified awning practice.
• PorterCorp: Manufacturer of pre-engineered metal canopies and walkway covers for commercial, education, and healthcare facilities. Overlaps with Lawrence's metal canopy and standing seam awning product family for institutional buildings.
• Eide Industries: Custom manufacturer of commercial awnings, canopies, and tensile fabric structures serving architects and contractors across the Western US. Highly comparable to Lawrence in product mix, customer segment (architects/specifiers), and custom design-build delivery model.
• TriPyramid Structures: Fabric tensile structure and shade sail fabricator providing custom engineered solutions for commercial and institutional clients. Overlap is direct with Lawrence's shade sails, tensile structures, and architect-specified fabric canopy product lines.
• Mapes Industries: Manufacturer of architectural canopies, sunshades, and pre-engineered post-and-beam structures serving commercial construction. Matches Lawrence on the metal canopy and architectural element side, including standing seam and flat metal canopies.
• FabriTec Structures: Design-build fabric and cable structural contractor specializing in tensile membrane and ETFE structures for stadia, airports, and commercial architecture. Direct comparable in turnkey tensile/fabric project delivery to enterprise customers.

Others

• Serge Ferrari: French manufacturer of high-performance architectural technical fabrics (including Ferrari brand membranes) used in tensile structures. Lawrence specifies Serge Ferrari / Ferrari 1202 fabrics on projects like the Maryville University and UNMC Ice Rink tensile structures, making this an adjacent supplier/ecosystem participant.

Broad incumbents

• Hunter Douglas Architectural: Large global manufacturer of architectural sun-shading, ceiling, and facade systems serving the same architect/specifier channel. Competes with Lawrence as an incumbent portfolio player whose ceiling and facade lines intersect with fabric and metal canopies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lawrence Fabric & Metal Structures