Case Study
J&M Welding Inc. partnered with a local school district in Santa Maria, CA to fabricate and install custom stainless steel countertops for a cafeteria renovation project. These countertops were designed to meet strict food safety standards and withstand the demands of a busy school environment. This project highlighted our ability to deliver high-quality, food-grade welding work that passed inspection while coordinating with multiple stakeholders to ensure the design met approval requirements.
Client
Local School District
City
Santa Maria, CA
Process
- Shop Drawings
Our team created detailed shop drawings based on initial measurements and client specifications. These drawings outlined every aspect of the countertop design, including custom cutouts, supports, and splash guards. - Approval on Drawings
We worked closely with the school district to secure approvals on the shop drawings. This stage involved several rounds of review and revisions to ensure the countertops would meet both functional and aesthetic requirements. - Shop Fabrication
After approvals, our fabrication team got to work cutting, bending, and welding the stainless steel components. Each weld was carefully executed to meet food-grade standards for smooth, sanitary finishes. (Image 1: Beginning of project – shop fabrication setup) - Installation
Once the countertops were fabricated, we transported them to the site and installed them in the new cafeteria. The installation process included careful alignment and securing of each piece, ensuring a seamless and polished final result. (Image 2: On-site welding and installation)
Challenges
The biggest challenge in this project was the approval process, which required multiple revisions and back-and-forth communication with the client to ensure the designs met their specific needs. Additionally, achieving food-grade quality welds demanded extra precision and attention to detail. Our team overcame these challenges by maintaining clear communication, a collaborative approach, and meticulous fabrication standards.
Final Outcome
The completed stainless steel countertops are a durable, functional, and visually clean addition to the school’s cafeteria. The countertops passed all required food safety inspections, ensuring a safe and sanitary environment for food preparation and service. (Image 3: Finished countertops installed – protective wrap remains until construction is complete)
This project highlights J&M Welding Inc.’s expertise in stainless steel fabrication, food-grade welding, and successful collaboration with clients in the public sector.
This image shows a J&M Welding team member on-site at the school, carefully measuring the rough openings for the custom stainless steel countertops. Accurate field measurements are essential to ensure the countertops fit perfectly into the designated spaces once fabricated. The worker is using a level and tape measure, referencing design drawings, and confirming details with the team to avoid errors later in the project.
This image captures a welder from J&M Welding performing precision TIG welding on the stainless steel countertops during installation. This step is critical to achieving strong, clean welds that will pass food-grade inspection. The workspace is protected with plastic sheeting to maintain a dust-free environment while the welder works in tight conditions, ensuring every seam is perfectly sealed.
This final image shows the completed countertops installed in the school’s cafeteria, still wrapped in protective film to shield the surfaces until the rest of the construction is finished. The countertops are flush, level, and ready for final inspection, representing the high standards and craftsmanship that J&M Welding Inc. brings to every project.