Thompson Metal Fab

Facility Overview

Thompson Metal Fab’s goal as a TEAMER network facility is to be a resource to people who need access to manufacturing/fabrication experts. Among other things, we want to advise groups on constructability, schedule, and cost.

Our indoor facility is 250,000 square feet in total. The bays we operate in are 60′ W (between the columns) x 420′ L x 40′ H (under the hook of our overhead bridge cranes).

Adjacent to the indoor facility is our 12-acre yard. This outdoor yard is primarily used for material storage and inventory but can also be used for major assembly.

An attractive feature of TMF’s facility is the barge slip. This is a ‘roll-on/roll-off’ slip, meaning flat deck barges can be loaded without the need of a crane. The slip also accommodates ocean class barges (400′ L x 100′ W) which allows TMF the ability to move infrastructure downstream on the Columbia River which feeds into the Pacific Ocean.

Thompson is prepared to help developers who have models/concepts designed in SolidWorks, Tekla, and other programs. Budgets are commonly developed with an in-house built Excel Spreadsheet and cross referenced with real-time and historical project data saved in Vista Viewpoint. Schedules can be developed in Microsoft Project, but Primavera P6 is the program of choice for all master/resource loaded schedules.

Thompson Metal Fab’s history with marine energy is connected to hydroelectric facilities; specifically, fabrication of bulkheads, stoplogs, various gates (i.e miter, radial), fish facilities, etc.

We also have experience in the offshore renewable energy market. Deployed in December 2023, TMF manufactured a wave power energy prototype for a confidential client. This device was recovered a few months later after successful operational tests.

Thompson has the capability to take a project from concept to completion and regularly participates with ‘design/assist’ programs. This collaboration between Thompson, developers, and their engineers is intended to:
–> Guide projects toward best/most economical fabrication practices
–> Discuss concerns regarding material choices, joint-configuration, tolerances, etc.
–> Identify manufacturing constraints
–> Provide budgetary analysis
–> Develop a realistic build plan and associated timeline/schedule

This interface satisfies a number of deliverables when applying for grants/funding through DOE or other similar sources.