Our Story
The owner of Ribbet Coating & Fab, Inc. started her career in the paint room of Featherlite Mfg. in 1977, a storm door and window manufacturer located in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Shelia Gregory worked for Featherlite until the company was sold to Chamberlain who continued with the same line of business. Subsequently, the company was sold an additional 3 times in the following years and Shelia perservered working for them all.
The product line eventually changed over the years from Storm Doors, Patio Doors and Windows to become an aluminum extrusion facility. At this time the main product line was extrusions for a variety of customers including boats, doors, ladders, patio furniture, ambulance parts etc.
In early 2003 or so, China had been able to bring in extrusions from overseas cheaper than American extruders could produce and thus shut a number of American aluminum extruders down. At this point, fabrication of aluminum was introduced into the production mix. Added value products was the only thing that "might" save them.
During these transitions, a variety of skills were honed and when the final owner decided that they were going to close the doors, Shelia decided to open hers.
Ribbet opened in October 2011 in a very small 5000 square foot leased space. Ribbet was able to maintain a number of the customer base from the previous company. We started with 3 people. No advertising. Running off of life savings.
In 2012, we expanded from just fabrication to Powder Coating. With a small 6' x 6' x 6' home made oven purchased off Ebay and powder coat gun purchased on terms we began our journey into Powder Coating. In late 2012, we purchased a "Dustless Blaster".
In 2014, we expanded to a 27000 square foot facility and installed a 10' x 8' x 20' oven for larger items in powder coating. The Dustless Blasting System enables us to blast parts without the possibility of warping (the media is mixed with water, thus cooling). Also in 2014 , we were able to bring in a CNC Plasma Table. We cut production parts as well as "Metal Art" to customer specs.
Our goal is to make every customer happy. We will work with you to design what you want, whether it be a plasma cut item or a fabricated item. Come visit us!
