Oertel

What Oertel does

Oertel Metal Works is a full-service metal fabrication company headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, operating as a subsidiary of McCarthy-Bush Corporation since 2001. Founded in 1988 by Billy Oertel as a two-man sheet metal shop, the company has expanded into design-build, parts production, industrial field maintenance, and paint services, serving OEMs, railcar repair operations, and industrial manufacturers across the Midwest. Its core technology stack includes 4K and 8K lasers, high-definition CNC plasma with bevel head, CNC fiber optic laser, an angle line machine, Timesavers and vibratory deburring equipment, Empire Abrasive blasting, multiple welding processes (GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, SMAW, spot), mill/lathe machining, and a Global Shop ERP system. The company holds AAR M-1003 / M-1002 certification (QA Code OSDI) with B85 and C4m endorsements, granting it access to the regulated railcar tank component manufacturing market.

The company makes money through quote-based project pricing on three primary revenue streams: production fabrication (high-volume repeat OEM parts), custom metal fabrication (design-build solutions for industrial machinery, architectural elements, conveyors, tanks, guarding, railings, and platforms), and on-site field service (industrial maintenance, emergency 24/7 response, and shutdown support). Paint and surface finishing (media blasting, vibratory deburring, wet prime, enamel and urethane paint) are sold either as add-on modules or standalone services. Sales is enterprise-led: OEMs and railcar repair operators initiate via a website quote request or direct phone/email contact, after which a knowledgeable sales team scopes specs, timing, and budget. Geographic focus is concentrated in the Quad Cities region and broader Midwest United States, with no disclosed distribution partners or intermediaries. Customer segments include OEMs, railcar repair shops and fleet maintenance programs (the primary segments), and general industrial manufacturers.

Name

Oertel

Legal name

Oertel Metal Works

Website

https://oertelmetalworks.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Oertel Metal Works is a full-service metal fabricator in Davenport, Iowa, delivering design-build, production fabrication, on-site field service, and paint/finishing to OEMs, railcar repair operators, and industrial manufacturers across the Midwest. It holds AAR M-1003/M-1002 certification for railcar components.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Metal Fabrication Services

NAICS

Fabricated Structural Metal Manufacturing (332312), All Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (33299), Metal Coating, Engraving (except Jewelry and Silverware), and Allied Services to Manufacturers (332812)

SIC

Sheet Metal Work (3444), Railroad Equipment (3743), Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Products (3490)

akta.pro primary industry

Sheet Metal & Flashing Works (Gutters, Copings, Edge Metal, Downspouts) (IMAFAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Electroplating & Metal Finishing (Anodizing/Galvanizing/Passivation) (IMAIAKAE)

Keywords

• Metal fabrication services
• Custom metal manufacturing
• Railcar parts fabrication
• Industrial field service
• Production fabrication OEM

Headquarters

HQ city

Davenport

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Production Fabrication: High-quality parts for OEMs delivered at pace matching production needs. Repeat production runs for consistent quality and quick-turn support.
2. Custom Metal Fabrication: Design-build custom solutions for industrial machinery, architectural elements, and specialized components. Turnkey capabilities from concept to completion.
3. On-Site Field Service: Industrial field maintenance and custom fabrication services operating on-site around the clock or during specified shutdowns. Includes emergency 24/7 response team.
4. Paint Services: Prep, prime and paint services for metal projects. Wet paint using state-of-the-art paint booths. Paint-only services available or full-service from start to finish.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Oertel Metal Works is a full-service metal fabrication company providing design-build, parts production, on-site field maintenance, and paint services from concept through completion. The company serves OEMs, railcar repair operations, and industrial manufacturers with production fabrication, custom builds, certified railcar components (AAR M-1003/M-1002), and 24/7 emergency field service across a multi-thousand-square-foot facility in Davenport, Iowa.

Product overview

Oertel Metal Works is a full-service metal fabrication company offering a unified portfolio of services under one roof. The core offerings include Production Fabrication (high-volume repeat parts for OEMs), Custom Metal Fabrication (design-build custom solutions), On-Site Field Service (industrial maintenance and emergency response), Paint Services (wet paint and finishing), and Railcar Parts & Fabrication (AAR-certified components for railcar repair). These services are supported by add-on manufacturing capabilities including Surface Finishing (media blasting, vibratory deburring), Burn to Shape (laser and plasma cutting), Machine Services (mill and lathe), and Welding Services (multiple welding processes). The company operates as a turnkey solution, managing projects from concept through completion with in-house fabrication, finishing, paint, and shipping.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% increase in revenue over two years
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• McCarthy-Bush CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001Oertel became a proud part of McCarthy-Bush Corporation in 2001, one of several businesses that make up the manufacturing division. Operates as a McCarthy-Bush Company with family-owned company leadership values, commitment to safety, and pride in building communities. McCarthy-Bush is a corporate entity encompassing manufacturing, construction, and mining operating divisions.
• CIRAS (Center for Industrial Research and Service)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership over the last two years on several initiatives to improve productivity and plan for future growth. Chamber connected Oertel with CIRAS who partnered on strategic shop floor planning and optimization of space utilization.
• Quad Cities Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional chamber organization that connected Oertel with CIRAS and awarded the company Business of the Year 2024. Oertel participates in Chamber's High School apprenticeship program.
• United WayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOertel has established partnership with United Way as part of community engagement efforts, including Volunteer Time Off (VTO) policy.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BTD Manufacturing: Minnesota-based metal fabrication company offering custom fabrication, laser cutting, welding, and finishing for industrial and OEM customers. Directly comparable as a Midwest full-service metal fabrication shop with similar capabilities and customer base.
• Kapco Metal Stamping: Wisconsin-based metal fabrication and stamping company serving OEMs with custom metal parts. Comparable as a Midwest metal parts manufacturer with similar production and custom fabrication offerings.
• Precision Metal Industries: Custom metal fabrication company serving industrial OEMs with similar precision cutting, forming, and finishing capabilities. Comparable as a custom fabrication shop targeting similar OEM customer segments.
• Mid-West Forge: Midwest metal forging and fabrication company serving industrial and OEM customers. Comparable as a regional metal products manufacturer with similar industrial customer base.
• Metaltek International: Wisconsin-based metal casting and fabrication company serving industrial markets. Comparable as a Midwest metal manufacturing company offering multi-process capabilities and serving similar industrial OEM customers.
• Mayville Engineering Company (MEC): Wisconsin-based contract manufacturer providing metal fabrication, stamping, painting, and assembly for OEMs and industrial customers. Comparable as a Midwest full-service metal fabricator with similar production runs and custom build capabilities.

Emerging players

• Lincoln Industries: Nebraska-based metal finishing and coating company with industrial customer base. Comparable as a neighboring Midwest metal finishing specialist, though Oertel integrates finishing with fabrication.

Broad incumbents

• Olympic Steel: National metals service center and fabrication company with significantly larger scale. Comparable as a broader metal products player serving industrial customers, though Oertel is more specialized in custom fabrication and finishing.
• Greenbrier Companies: Major railcar manufacturer and parts supplier. Overlaps with Oertel's railcar parts and repair business as a much larger incumbent, but Oertel serves as a Tier 2 supplier rather than direct competitor.
• Trinity Rail: Leading railcar manufacturer and parts provider. Adjacent to Oertel's railcar parts business as a dominant incumbent, relevant for understanding the supply chain Oertel serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/oertelmetal

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Oertel