Unifab Corporation (Unifab), a full-service precision metal fabrication company, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this month, marking three-quarters of a century of serving customers with custom metal fabrication solutions.
The Unifab name dates back to Sept. 20, 1951, when Kalamazoo Coaches transitioned from manufacturing buses to custom metal fabrication and became Unifab Corporation. The shift marked the beginning of a new chapter for a company that has continued to adapt its capabilities to meet the changing needs of its customers and the manufacturing industry.
Unifab’s roots extend even further, beginning with Kalamazoo Coaches in 1940. From 1940 to 1950, the company manufactured “Pony Cruiser” buses for customers across the United States and in Canada, Cuba, Brazil, and Chile, selling more than 700 buses during that period. As automobiles became more widely used following World War II and demand for small buses declined, the company shifted its focus to custom metal fabrication.
“Reaching 75 years is an accomplishment that belongs to everyone who has been part of Unifab’s story,” said Unifab President Matt Hill. “Our capabilities and the industries we serve have changed considerably over the years, but our focus on quality, service, and being a dependable partner for our customers has remained consistent.”
That commitment has guided Unifab through decades of change in manufacturing. An early company history describes Unifab’s philosophy as one of “gradual but steady growth,” with an emphasis on quality and customer service. Today, that philosophy continues through investments in people, technology, equipment and processes that help the company meet customers’ evolving fabrication needs.
From its beginnings manufacturing buses to today’s precision fabrication work, Unifab has continually expanded and evolved its capabilities. The company now provides engineering support, laser cutting, formed metal fabrication, welding, powder coating, assembly and packaging services under one roof.
Today, Unifab employs 35 people at its Portage facility and serves customers across a range of industries, including
automotive, material handling, transportation vehicles, emergency vehicles, recreational vehicles, and other industrial markets. Its team works with aluminum, stainless steel, and mild steel to manufacture components and assemblies designed around customers’ specific applications.
“Manufacturing has changed tremendously over the last 75 years, and Unifab has continued to change with it,” Hill said. “What makes this milestone meaningful is knowing that generations of employees and customers helped build the company we have today. We’re proud of that history, and we’re excited about where Unifab goes from here.”
For more information about Unifab, its services and this milestone, visit unifabcorporation.com.
