Founded in 1937, Thompson Metal Fab is a veteran-owned company known for strength, reliability, and integrity—backed by skilled people and proven performance.
At Thompson Metal Fab, we don’t just build structures—we build the backbone of America’s infrastructure. From bridges and marine terminals to complex industrial systems, our work stands up to the most challenging demands.
Backed by generations of expertise in heavy steel fabrication, we take pride in our craftsmanship, our people, and the industries we serve. Safety, precision, and integrity are at the core of everything we do.
We’re not just fabricators—we’re problem-solvers, innovators, and partners in building a stronger future.
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US States with
Competed Projects
Countries with
Competed Projects
From the shop floor to the front office, our skilled craftsmen and dedicated leaders work as one to tackle the toughest challenges. With deep expertise and a shared commitment to excellence, we deliver the precision that keeps America moving forward.
Be part of a team that values skill, dedication, and pride in every project. Explore career opportunities at TMF and help build what matters.
Founded in 1937, Thompson Metal Fab has built a lasting legacy of precision, innovation, and craftsmanship. What began as a small shop has grown into a world-class fabrication company delivering steel structures that stand the test of time.
Founded in 1937 by Mr. and Mrs. “Pudge” Thompson in Portland, Oregon, TMF began by manufacturing milk cans and lightweight steel products for the dairy, food processing, and timber industries. The patented Thompson Ice Tongs, developed in the 1960s, reflect the innovation of these early years.
During World War II, TMF shifted its focus to defense work, supplying heating ducts, boilers, hatches, and other components for Kaiser’s Liberty and Victory ships. Today, TMF operates from the former Vancouver Shipyard where that wartime effort once thrived.
Following the war, TMF grew alongside the Pacific Northwest’s booming industries. From hydroelectric dams to offshore oil and paper production, TMF helped fuel regional growth with large-scale fabrication powered by the capacity of the former shipyard.
By the early 1970s, TMF was recognized as one of the Pacific Northwest’s top fabrication companies, known for delivering a wide range of industrial metalwork. In 1973, Harder Mechanical Contractors acquired TMF. They relocated the company to the former Vancouver Shipyard, where it expanded into oil, gas, bridge, and transportation markets, growing the facility to 160,000 square feet.
In the 1980s, TMF became a key fabrication partner for Alaska’s North Slope, supporting massive oil and drilling infrastructure. Projects included multi-ton platform modules, rig retrofits, and housing units, demonstrating TMF’s capacity, versatility, and logistical advantage on the Columbia River.
TMF evolved from fabricator to full-scope project partner, offering turnkey solutions that bring mechanical, electrical, and piping work into the shop for better quality, safety, and efficiency. Waterfront access and barge delivery allowed TMF to bypass transport constraints and deliver large-scale assemblies with greater control and speed.
In the early 2000s, longtime employee and former U.S. Army helicopter pilot John Rudi acquired TMF and became President. Under his leadership, TMF expanded its footprint, tripled its workforce, and began offering design/build and general contracting services, delivering turnkey projects for the Army Corps, oil companies, and international drilling operations.
As the industry shifted after the 2009 recession, TMF adapted, tightening operations and focusing on high-impact work. Even amid uncertainty, TMF secured iconic infrastructure projects like the Oakland Cable Car, Sellwood Bridge, and Golden Gate Bridge retrofit, demonstrating precision, resilience, and execution at the highest level.
Through global disruption and change, TMF stayed the course, never pausing operations during COVID-19 and doubling down on strategic growth. Since then, a new generation of leadership has emerged as Tomas Kotynek became President and John Rudi continued as CEO, positioning TMF for the future with clarity, discipline, and experience.
The Kaiser Shipyard in Vancouver, Washington, played a pivotal role during World War II, producing Liberty and Victory ships at an unprecedented pace and employing thousands, becoming a symbol of American ingenuity. After the war, as shipbuilding demand declined, Thompson Metal Fab seized the opportunity to carry forward this legacy by repurposing the historic site for heavy metal fabrication in industries such as oil and gas, energy, and infrastructure.
By honoring the shipyard’s spirit of innovation and craftsmanship, Thompson Metal Fab transformed the former industrial hub into a cornerstone of modern precision fabrication in the Pacific Northwest.
