Chicago Metal Fabricators

About Chicago Metal Fabricators

Founded in 1908 on Chicago's South Side, Chicago Metal Fabricators operates as part of the Nalbach Group, a conglomerate of companies specializing in custom automation machinery and fabricated components. The company began as a metal cabinet and ductwork fabricator before expanding into heavy and light gauge metal fabrication across three integrated facilities. The company provides comprehensive metal fabrication services including welding (FCAW, GMAW, GTAW, SAW, robotic, and laser), press brake forming up to 1,500 tons and 32-foot width, flat laser cutting with large-format fiber lasers, and high-definition plasma cutting on a 70-foot Messer table. Operations span over 300,000 square feet across two heavy-metal plants in Chicago (250,000 sq ft) and a 60,000 sq ft light-gauge facility in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, supporting prototype through high-volume production and full assembly. Chicago Metal Fabricators serves rail, aerospace, defense, air ground support, construction, energy storage, infrastructure, off-highway/utility, water treatment, point-of-purchase, and art installation markets. Documented projects include rail locomotive rear wall and restroom assemblies, particle accelerator base weldments and concrete forms, and a 100-ton forklift mast weldment fabricated from 3-inch A514 T-1 and A572-Gr 80 plate. The company emphasizes its "one stop shop" model, integrating reverse engineering, prototyping, mass production, and assembly under ISO 9001:2015, AWS, and ITAR certifications. It cites its ability to adapt with innovative design concepts and advancing technology, along with efficient technology and skilled expertise to ensure accuracy, durability, and cost savings, as the foundation for its century-long success.

Equipment

• Messer 70-ft x 12-ft HD plasma table with dual Hypertherm HPR400XD
• Large-format fiber lasers
• 440-ton x 12-ft robotic press brake
• Press brakes 50-1,500 tons, 32-ft width
• SAW Submerged Arc Welding System with 40-ft trolley
• Welding robots

Company details

Location

Chicago, Illinois

Company type

Contract manufacturer / job shop

Founded

1908

Export compliance

ITAR registered

Production volume

Prototype to high-volume production

Certifications

ISO 9001:2015, AWS D1.1, AWS D1.3, AWS D1.6, NAVSEA MIL-STD-248, ITAR Registered

Listed under

• Welding in Illinois
• Metal Fabrication & Machining in Illinois

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