RICHARDS WELDING & METAL FABRICATION

When Pat and Olga Richards moved to the Rogue Valley in 1981 to be closer to Pat’s aging parents and to raise their children in a country setting, they immediately opened their own business, Richards Welding and Metal Fabrication, located at 304 Merlin Road. Sadly, Pat passed away a few years ago, but Olga was determined to carry on in his name.

“Pat went to trade school after serving in the Army,” Olga said. “He was driven to provide a good life for his family and started off the bed of his truck while working a second job as a mechanic at Montgomery Wards. Once his business grew, he was determined to build it into his legacy. The business started in the back of a truck, then we converted a carport at our residence. Next, we rented a shop on Monument Drive but still wanted better exposure to increase business. In 1996 we built the shop at a prime location on Merlin Road where it serves the community today.”

The business appeals to a wide range of customers. “We do welding and metal fabrications, including repairing wood stoves, trailer frames, trailer hitches, trailer gate extensions, trailer axles, truck bumpers, mower decks, log splitters, backhoe buckets, stainless steel vents, garden art, tables, chairs, gates and fences,” Olga said. “We also replace metal stairs, railings, light posts, mobile home tongues, and a full range of construction steel fabrication for builders. We can fix many types of tanks. We can make work benches to fit your shop’s needs. We sell steel, aluminum and stainless steel. We also have a 24/7 emergency portable welding service where our truck will come out to you if you’re in a bind.”

As a local merchant, the business serves Merlin and the Grants Pass area with experience and a friendly shop where everyone feels heard and their projects are built right. 

“We also offer a straight forward honest approach to all our projects,” Olga said. “Many of our summer clients who come to visit the Rogue River and have emergencies can also be helped. We have trailer parts available on-site and can order parts to fit your needs. We have a variety of nuts, bolts and fasteners for purchase. Projects from big to small—we’ve got it covered!”

Olga was actually retired when Pat passed away, and she had to learn a whole new side of the business. Along with her employee, she wishes to carry on Pat’s legacy and continue to serve the Rogue Valley.

“Every project we do forces us to learn a little more and be better at what we do,” Olga said.

For more info, the phone number is 541-476-9263. You can also see them on Facebook.