“ You have to take some chances as a small business in order to get the job and show what you can do , because that will open up more doors . It ’ s scary , but if you know you have the ability to do the work , then go for it .”
WHERE ARE THEY NOW : BAPE
“ You have to take some chances as a small business in order to get the job and show what you can do , because that will open up more doors . It ’ s scary , but if you know you have the ability to do the work , then go for it .”
— Joshua Kitching , BAPE
Stainless steel pipe TIG weld by BAPE
“ The mechanical contractors create a coordinated 3D model of what they need , then send us fabrications sheets and a timeline for completion and we provide the fabrication . We cut , bevel , groove and weld piping up to 36-inches in diameter in our shop . This includes hangers , pipe supports , and pipe support frames . Right now , we ’ re working on 55-foot-long stainless steel risers . We ’ ve got our welding certificates in carbon steel , stainless steel , carbon alloy and we ’ re getting one for duplex stainless steel ,” explains Josh . “ One of the pipes we ’ re working on has to be pre-heated to 350 degrees before our crew can start welding on it and it requires a very specific cool-down procedure after it ’ s welded .”
Both Mara and Josh have a deep appreciation for the beauty of a great weld . “ When someone knows what they ’ re doing , the weld is actually quite beautiful ,” observes Mara . “ It ’ s impressive to see what our crew can do .”
Business has been booming for BAPE . “ When we last spoke , we had a 2,000 sf facility on Treasure Island ,” recalls Josh , “ but during the past 2 years , we moved
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