Custom Stainless Steel Fabrication

Northern Manufacturing fabricates custom stainless steel components across 160,000 sq ft of indoor production space in Oak Harbor, Ohio. 60+ AWS-certified welders. ASME BPVC Section IX qualified procedures. ISO 9001:2015 certified. More than $30 million in annual stainless steel volume since 1951.

We run austenitic grades (304, 316, 309, 321, 347), duplex stainless steels (2101 LDX, 2205, 2507), and high-nickel alloys (AL-6XN, Hastelloy C-22, Hastelloy C-276), the alloys most shops won’t touch. Within our facility, approximately 40,000 sq ft is a dedicated stainless-only production space where no carbon steel is processed, built specifically for contamination-sensitive work.

Whether you’re an engineer qualifying a fabricator for a complex weld procedure or a procurement manager consolidating your supply base, Northern has the certifications, capacity, and material expertise to handle the full scope under one roof. Request a quote or call us at (419) 898-2821.

Our Fabrication Capabilities

Northern’s fabrication capabilities span cutting through final assembly, all under one roof, all in stainless and specialty alloys.

Cutting

We operate flat laser, tube laser, 5-axis laser, and conventional laser cutting systems built for stainless steel. Five-axis capability means compound angles and 3D profiles that used to require manual grinding now come off the machine ready for fit-up.

Forming

Our CNC press brakes and bending equipment handle precision forming in stainless steel and duplex grades. Cylinder rolling produces single-piece shells: fewer welds, cleaner finish, lower cost than welded multi-piece construction.

Welding

60+ AWS-certified welders running GTAW, GMAW, laser welding, robotic welding, pipe welding, and spot welding. All weld procedures qualified per ASME BPVC Section IX and AWS D1.6 Structural Welding Code: Stainless Steel. A full-time Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) oversees quality on every project.

Finishing & Assembly

Pickling and passivation per ASTM A380 restores corrosion resistance after welding. Stainless steel bead blasting produces uniform surface finishes. Mechanical assembly and trial fit and functional testing mean your product ships ready to install, not ready to rework.

Specialty Products

We build custom stainless steel tanks to ASME standards, custom stainless steel I-beams for structural applications, and stainless ductwork for pollution control and process systems.

Materials We Fabricate

Northern runs stainless steel and specialty alloys daily. Not as an occasional job, but as our primary work. More than $30 million in annual stainless volume means we stock material, maintain qualified weld procedures, and have the experience to handle the specific challenges each alloy presents.

Austenitic Stainless Steel

Grades: 304, 316, 309, 321, 347

The workhorses of stainless fabrication. 304 and 316 cover most corrosion-resistance needs. 309 handles high-temperature service. 321 and 347 are stabilized grades for applications where sensitization from welding is a concern, critical in chemical processing and high-temperature exhaust systems. We run these grades across every process in our shop, from laser cutting through final passivation.

Duplex Stainless Steel

Grades: 2101 LDX, 2205, 2507

Duplex stainless steels deliver roughly twice the yield strength of 304 with superior chloride corrosion , but they’re unforgiving on heat input. Exceed the interpass temperature limits and you lose the duplex microstructure that makes the material worth specifying. Our welders hold qualified procedures per ASME BPVC Section IX for each duplex grade, with strict heat input and interpass temperature controls. 2205 is the most common; 2507 handles the most aggressive environments; 2101 LDX offers a cost-effective lean duplex alternative.

High-Nickel & Specialty Alloys

Grades: AL-6XN, Hastelloy C-22, Hastelloy C-276

When standard stainless grades can’t handle the chemistry, high-nickel alloys step in. AL-6XN resists pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments where 316 fails. Hastelloy C-276 handles the broadest range of aggressive chemicals; Hastelloy C-22 adds resistance to oxidizing media. These alloys require specific filler metals, tight heat control, and welders who know the difference. We run them regularly. Not as a special request that gets quoted with a surcharge and a disclaimer.

Industries We Serve

Northern Manufacturing has been solving fabrication challenges across seven core industries since 1951. Each industry brings specific material requirements, code compliance needs, and environmental conditions that drive our approach.

Food & Beverage

Food and beverage fabrication demands surfaces that won’t harbor bacteria and materials that withstand aggressive washdown chemicals. Northern fabricates process vessels, conveyor components, sanitary equipment, and structural supports in 304 and 316 stainless, produced in our dedicated stainless-only production space to eliminate carbon contamination risk.

Water & Wastewater

Water and wastewater applications put stainless steel in contact with chlorides, UV, and varying pH levels for decades. Northern fabricates water and aqueous system components, filtration housings, and structural elements in duplex 2205 and 316L for the corrosion resistance these environments demand.

Power, Energy & Chemical

Power, energy, and chemical processing require fabrications that perform under extreme temperature, pressure, and chemical exposure. Northern’s ASME BPVC Section IX qualified procedures and high-temperature alloy capabilities (309, 321, 347, Hastelloy) address the code compliance and material requirements these projects demand.

Pollution Control

Pollution control systems (scrubbers, ductwork, dampers, stacks) face corrosive flue gases and abrasive particulates. Northern fabricates these components in duplex and high-nickel alloys with the weld quality and material integrity required for continuous service in harsh exhaust environments.

Architectural & Art

Architectural stainless steel fabrication demands precision forming and flawless surface finishes on components that will be visible for decades. Northern’s 5-axis laser cutting, CNC forming, and stainless bead blasting capabilities produce the tight tolerances and consistent finishes architects specify.

Pulp & Paper

Pulp and paper mills run aggressive chemical processes (bleaching, cooking, washing) that destroy carbon steel and challenge standard stainless grades. Northern fabricates digesters, washers, and process vessels in duplex and high-nickel alloys for the chemical resistance and structural strength these applications require.

Mining & Bulk Materials

Mining and bulk material handling subjects fabrications to abrasion, impact, and corrosive slurries. Northern fabricates chutes, hoppers, screens, and structural components in the stainless and duplex grades that balance corrosion resistance with wear performance.

Quality & Certifications

Certifications aren’t wall decorations. They’re the evidence that our processes, procedures, and people meet the standards your project requires. Here’s what ours mean for your work.

ISO 9001:2015

Our ISO 9001:2015 certification means every project follows documented procedures for material traceability, in-process inspection, and final verification. For procurement managers qualifying a new supplier, ISO 9001 is the baseline that proves we have a quality management system, not just good intentions.

AWS & ASME BPVC Section IX

All weld procedures and welder qualifications are maintained per AWS and ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section IX. This isn’t a general claim. It means every welder is tested on the specific materials, positions, and processes they’ll use on your project. For engineers specifying weld procedures, we can provide PQRs and WPSs for the alloys and joint configurations your project requires.

Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)

Northern maintains a full-time Certified Welding Inspector on staff, not a third-party inspector we call when something goes wrong. Our CWI reviews weld procedures, monitors in-process quality, and performs final inspection and verification on every project.

ASNT SNT-TC-1A Level III (Non-Destructive Testing)

Our ASNT Level III qualified personnel oversee and certify all NDT activities: radiographic, ultrasonic, liquid penetrant, and magnetic particle testing. For projects requiring non-destructive examination per code, this qualification means our NDT program meets the personnel qualification standard (ASNT SNT-TC-1A) that ASME and AWS reference.

Inspection Technology

Beyond certifications, Northern uses 3D model-based inspection and laser projector layouts to verify fabrications against the 3D model, not just 2D drawings. This catches dimensional issues before they become problems at your job site.

Why Northern Manufacturing

We don’t use words like “world-class” or “cutting-edge.” Here’s what we offer instead: specifics you can verify.

• Since 1951: 75 years of continuous stainless steel fabrication. We’ve survived recessions, material shortages, and industry shifts because we solve problems other shops can’t, or won’t.
• 160,000 sq ft indoor production: Expanded in January 2026 from 120,000 sq ft, with four new overhead cranes and approximately 90,000 sq ft of outdoor laydown for oversized assemblies.
• Dedicated stainless-only production space: Approximately 40,000 sq ft where no carbon steel is processed. Built for contamination-sensitive work in food & beverage, pharmaceutical, and chemical applications.
• 60+ AWS-certified welders: Qualified per ASME BPVC Section IX on austenitic, duplex, and high-nickel alloys. Not a handful of specialists: a full production team.
• 160+ craftsmen: CWI on staff, ASNT Level III qualified NDT personnel, and experienced fitters and fabricators who run specialty alloys daily.
• >$30 million annual stainless volume: We’re not a general fabrication shop that does some stainless on the side. Stainless steel and specialty alloys are what we do, every day.
• Full service under one roof: Cutting, forming, welding, finishing, assembly, and inspection. One purchase order, one point of accountability: from raw material to ready-to-install product.

Learn more about Northern Manufacturing

Frequently Asked Questions

What stainless steel grades does Northern Manufacturing fabricate?

Northern Manufacturing fabricates austenitic stainless steels (304, 316, 309, 321, 347), duplex stainless steels (2101 LDX, 2205, 2507), and high-nickel specialty alloys (AL-6XN, Hastelloy C-22, Hastelloy C-276). Our 60+ AWS-certified welders have qualified weld procedures for each alloy family per ASME BPVC Section IX.

What certifications does Northern Manufacturing hold for stainless steel fabrication?

Northern Manufacturing is ISO 9001:2015 certified with welding procedures and personnel qualified per AWS and ASME BPVC Section IX. We maintain a full-time Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) on staff and ASNT SNT-TC-1A Level III qualified personnel for non-destructive testing.

How large is Northern Manufacturing’s fabrication facility?

Northern Manufacturing operates 160,000 sq ft of indoor production space plus approximately 90,000 sq ft of outdoor laydown area. Within the facility, approximately 40,000 sq ft is a dedicated stainless-only production space where no carbon steel is processed, designed for contamination-sensitive work in food & beverage, pharmaceutical, and chemical processing applications.

What industries does Northern Manufacturing serve?

Northern fabricates stainless steel and specialty alloy components for food & beverage, water & wastewater, power/energy/chemical, pollution control, architectural & art, pulp & paper, and mining & bulk materials. Annual stainless volume exceeds $30 million, with 160+ craftsmen and 60+ AWS-certified welders.

Can Northern Manufacturing fabricate duplex and specialty alloys?

Yes. Northern regularly fabricates duplex stainless steels (2101 LDX, 2205, 2507) and high-nickel alloys (AL-6XN, Hastelloy C-22, Hastelloy C-276). These alloys require tighter heat input controls and specific weld procedures. Our welders hold qualified procedures per ASME BPVC Section IX for each grade.

Does Northern Manufacturing have a dedicated stainless-only production space?

Yes. Approximately 40,000 sq ft of Northern’s 160,000 sq ft facility is a dedicated stainless-only production space where no carbon steel is processed. This prevents carbon contamination on sensitive stainless steel and specialty alloy work, critical for food & beverage, pharmaceutical, and high-purity chemical applications.

What welding processes does Northern Manufacturing use for stainless steel?

Northern uses GTAW (TIG), GMAW (MIG), laser welding, robotic welding, pipe welding, and spot welding for stainless steel fabrication. All weld procedures are qualified per ASME BPVC Section IX and AWS D1.6 Structural Welding Code: Stainless Steel. A full-time Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) oversees quality on every project.