Oertel
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersDavenport, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
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.
Oertel firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Oertel industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Oertel is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Davenport
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Oertel business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Production Fabrication: High-quality parts for OEMs delivered at pace matching production needs. Repeat production runs for consistent quality and quick-turn support.
- Custom Metal Fabrication: Design-build custom solutions for industrial machinery, architectural elements, and specialized components. Turnkey capabilities from concept to completion.
- 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.
- 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
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Fabrication - Project-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Oertel product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use Oertel
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Oertel technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Oertel partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- McCarthy-Bush CorporationcoreOertel 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 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 CommerceminorRegional 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 WayminorOertel 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
Oertel competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
Oertel social profiles
Digital presenceOertel compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Oertel financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Oertel leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Oertel funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Oertel 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 Oertel
What does Oertel do?
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.
Is Oertel a public or private company?
Oertel is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Oertel founded?
Oertel was founded in 1988. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Oertel based?
Oertel is headquartered in Davenport, United States, in the North America region.
How does Oertel make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Production Fabrication is the primary driver. The others are custom Metal Fabrication, on-Site Field Service and paint Services.
Who are Oertel's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BTD Manufacturing, Kapco Metal Stamping, Precision Metal Industries, Mid-West Forge, Metaltek International and Mayville Engineering Company (MEC). Lincoln Industries is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Olympic Steel, Greenbrier Companies and Trinity Rail.
Does Oertel have an API?
No public API is recorded for Oertel.
What industry is Oertel in?
Oertel's product category is Metal Fabrication Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAFAMAE, Sheet Metal & Flashing Works (Gutters, Copings, Edge Metal, Downspouts), with a secondary code of IMAIAKAE, Electroplating & Metal Finishing (Anodizing/Galvanizing/Passivation). Its NAICS code is 332312 and its SIC code is 3444.