How Metal Fabrication Industry Became Essential During the Pandemic

April 23, 2021

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The Metal Fabrication industry is responsible for more than you may realise. Daily functions are made possible by the metal fabrication industry, such as the use of your wheelie bin, the consistency of running water, waste management, security, storage and more. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the metal fabrication industry became busier than ever and our team adapted to become essential frontline workers. We were able to provide infrastructure and shelter, plus food access and clean water while ensuring hospitals and waste management facilities were kept functional.


Many people don’t realise how essential metal fabrication is to everyday life. The modern world wouldn’t function as it does without the maintenance, upkeep and repairs provided by metal fabricators every day. For example, it takes one faulty attachment, rusty screw, or spot of moisture to compromise the storage of an entire farm’s worth of grain.


The pandemic provided unique and unusual challenges for almost every industry in the world, most of which had to adapt to a lack of supplies, travel restrictions and lower personnel. The metal fabrication industry provided essential manufacturing and repairs in situations such as:


  • To develop the materials to produce medical equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline medical staff.
  • Supply and repair the materials and products needed for medical supply chains, transportation, energy, communications, computing, food and agriculture.
  • Provide equipment for workers in remote locations to maintain communication, computing and safety.
  • Pollution control with water and fire safety measures
  • Feed and grain storage
  • Mining production and distribution
  • Oil and gas storage and retrieval


Metal fabricators can cut, fold and bend metal to develop the shape, size and style that is needed. Discovered and developed centuries ago, metal fabrication has been solving dilemmas for mankind for thousands of years, being one of the oldest elemental skills known to man. It is, therefore, no surprise that when mankind was tested and our modern abilities were impacted, the metal fabrication industry became a reliable and essential component to keep life running safely and efficiently.


As metalsmiths have become more skilled and knowledgeable over time, the metal industry has become essential to both modern and classic aspects of daily life. Metal is an important aspect of the building industry and is used every day. General metalworking techniques such as cutting, bending and welding are important skills. Once a worker is trained in these areas, there is little they can’t achieve with metal. The biggest concern around the metal fabrication industry during the COVID-19 pandemic was the lack of available materials and deliveries from overseas ports such as China. The automobile and furniture industries have been especially impacted by crowds celebrating when the first ship in 10 days rolled into Los Angeles from China. The reliance of society on the metal fabrication industry has been made abundantly clear through the immediate cancellations of deliveries, the shutdown of factories and the lack of availability from workers. At a time when the world needed the industry to be working harder, the elements that make the industry function were slowed to a halt.


Nevertheless, the metal fabrication industry persisted and continues to fulfil its essential services in providing clean and safe protection, pollution control, feed and grain storage, plus much more, to keep the world turning as it should. Turnweld Engineering is no exception.


Our fabricators are some of the best in the business and our offerings are vast, providing  metal fabrication  to a range of different businesses Queensland wide. From one-off jobs to continuous projects, our clients are never disappointed with our consistent and reliable work ethic. Working from start to finish in our factory, we are becoming a rarity who can ensure quality, safety, and precision for the entire job. Like many others, we adapted to the changes brought about by the pandemic and now work even harder to provide essential services with the best quality and skilled workmanship.

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