Fitz’s Mobile Welding gets new home in Harbour Grace

The former S.W. Moores Memorial Stadium, the new home for Fitz's Mobile Welding Inc.

In January, Bay Roberts, N.L.-based Fitz’s Mobile Welding Inc. closed on the purchase of the former S.W. Moores Memorial Stadium in Harbour Grace, N.L. Fitz's is a welding and fabrication business that serves the mobile and in-shop service needs of the marine, construction, structural, and offshore industries. It is also a manufacturer of crab and whelk frames for the marine industry.

The former stadium provides Fitz's with 30,000 sq. ft. of production space and will help the company with its current expansion of the structural steel side of its business.

“We are privileged to have the opportunity to work with, and benefit from, the experienced owner of another larger structural steel fabrication shop in the next town over,” said Kristen Penney, Fitz's marine liaison. “Fitz's co-owner, Paul Fitzgerald, has said he feels fortunate to have also acquired additional equipment and assets from this larger company that includes a PythonX beam line and a number of other fabricating assets, such as iron workers and a beam punch. Adding the PythonX to the shop floor is a really special advantage for Fitz's Mobile Welding as there are very few in operation in Newfoundland now. As well, we anticipate that our employment numbers will grow substantially in the coming months.”

When Canadian Fabricating & Welding spoke to Penney, Fitzgerald and his team were in the midst of clearing out the stadium.

“The Town of Harbour Grace has welcomed additional employment and the potential spinoff revenue that might, in turn, bring more business opportunities to the municipality,” said Penney. “They are looking at the additional employment generated and at the potential spinoff revenue that might bring more businesses to the town.”

Fitz’s opened its doors five years ago as a small, family-run business. Now the whole business will operate out of the former stadium.

"We are excited about the expansion and look forward to continuing to work with our current clients and new clients,” said owners Paul and Susan Fitzgerald. “These relationships will help us evolve into a preferred structural steel fabricator and erector. We are happy to be able to provide employment and economic benefit to Harbour Grace and surrounding areas."

Fitz’s is certified with the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB Group). Its crab and whelk frames ship around the world, and it currently services seven factory freezer vessels that dock in the area.

At work on Fitz's shop floor.

About the Author
Canadian Fabricating & Welding

Rob Colman

Editor

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Robert Colman has worked as a writer and editor for more than 25 years, covering the needs of a variety of trades. He has been dedicated to the metalworking industry for the past 13 years, serving as editor for Metalworking Production & Purchasing (MP&P) and, since January 2016, the editor of Canadian Fabricating & Welding. He graduated with a B.A. degree from McGill University and a Master’s degree from UBC.