Prime Fabrication

By Victoria Kertz

You’ve likely seen Prime Fabrication’s metal magic in Southern California without even knowing it…from coastal estates in Orange County to the iconic Andaz West Hollywood hotel. Owner Trevor Streech has been known for taking steel to new heights, but now that he has acquired a 40 ton mobile crane, the sky’s literally the limit.

In the industrial district of San Juan Capistrano, Prime Fabrication’s facility is a beacon surrounded by the banal. Chic, metal awnings grace the building’s façade, a sleek stainless steel flagpole boasts a pristine American flag and even the mailbox gleams in the faintest light. A brushed steel railing, that any beachfront resort would envy, marks the entrance to your fabrication fantasy. Don’t let the impressive exterior fool you, however, there’s some serious metal work being done inside.

Founder Trevor Streech has been working with metal for as long as he can remember. The San Clemente native and Dana Hills High School graduate started young, watching his father grow premier yacht manufacturer Nordhavn, and learning steel fabrication in the marine business. In fact, when he opened Prime Fabrication in 2001, it catered almost exclusively to clientele in the boating industry. Today, the company’s workmanship is in high demand amongst discerning custom home builders, a multitude of restaurants and even luxury retail brands.

So how did Prime Fabrication become one of the most prominent structural steel contractors in Southern California? After the hard-hitting recession of 2008 impacted much of Orange County, homeowners were left scrambling as the real estate bubble burst. The economic downturn prompted Streech to expand his services to include structural steel fabrication.

Since steel fabrication was Prime’s core business, it made perfect sense to broaden the company’s scope to include residential and commercial real estate projects, supplying structural beams necessary in remodeling and construction. As a complement, Trevor tapped into his creative side and began designing timeless architectural features like deck railings, stairways and unique fireplaces. These jobs allowed Trevor to develop deeper relationships with custom builders and contractors, translating into greater opportunities as his reputation for quality craftsmanship grew throughout the industry.

“Trevor has a really good eye for design,” says his wife Morgan, who also works at Prime Fabrication. She says that Trevor’s artisanal skill with metal has opened new doors for the business, as homeowners seek to update homes built decades ago with small, but impactful additions. An entirely new home may be beyond the budget, but an updated stairway, open shelving or a modern fireplace will breathe life into a dated space. “It’s great to be able to build the structure and then come back and make it beautiful,” Morgan enthuses. “You don’t realize how many little custom touches you can add.”

“Art sculptures are also something we do,” Trevor adds, pointing to the stainless steel mailbox at Prime’s entry as an example of architectural metal that is as functional as it is artistic. There’s also a striking, lighted sign bearing the building’s address that would add a statement to any structure. Prime was subcontracted to provide the same impressive fixture at each of San Francisco’s BART stations. It looks ultra-modern, but the design was a pragmatic choice by the city. Stainless steel doesn’t rust and ages more gracefully when exposed to a variety of weather elements.

While structural steel fabrication currently represents the bulk of their work, an investment made in 2018 serves as the newest arm of the company: a 40 ton crane that Prime rents by the hour. “It’s practical for us to have so we can install our own steel, but there’s a surprising demand for large cranes. It’s just one more way to diversify the business,” explains Morgan. Pool companies utilize it for removing bulky old hot tubs from backyards. Landscapers, framers and other contractors frequently need one to unload a variety of oversized and heavy items. Prime even includes a certified crane operator to make certain the work is performed correctly and safely.

Whether you’re in the market for a custom spiral staircase, need to powder coat your tired patio furniture, or have a play structure to crane into the backyard, Trevor and his expert design and fabrication team are available to assist. If it can be created in steel, Prime Fabrication will gladly provide you with a quote for your next project, no matter how big or small.

Prime Fabrication
33081 Calle Perfecto
San Juan Capistrano
949.496.1348
PrimeFabrication.com