Alloy Metalworks is a Colorado-founded precision welding and fabrication company built specifically for this work. Holding ISO 9001, FAA Part 145, ASME Section IX, and multiple AWS certifications, the company serves aerospace, energy, and food/pharma clients who need documented, code-compliant results. This profile covers its history, credentials, capabilities, team, and client base — and what separates it from a general metal shop.
Key Takeaways
- Founded in 2020 in Colorado, Alloy Metalworks specializes in exotic alloys and code-compliant welding
- Holds ISO 9001, FAA Part 145, ASME Section IX, and AWS structural, sanitary, and aerospace welding certifications
- Serves aerospace, energy, sanitary process, and advanced manufacturing clients, including NREL and TDA Research
- Led by a cross-functional team spanning engineering, fabrication, and business operations
- Maintains a 5-star Google rating across 31 reviews
What Is a Commercial Stainless Fabricator?
A commercial stainless fabricator designs, welds, and finishes stainless steel and specialty alloy components for industrial, aerospace, and process industries, with documented, code-qualified procedures behind every joint.
That documentation is what separates a certified fabricator from a general metal shop. Anyone with a TIG welder can join two pieces of stainless. Meeting AWS D18.1 sanitary requirements or ASME Section IX qualification standards is a different matter. These codes govern:
- Welder and procedure qualification records
- Material identification and traceability
- Inspection and acceptance criteria
- Retained documentation for audits
Industries like aerospace, energy, and pharma can't gamble on undocumented welds. A cracked pressure fitting or a contaminated sanitary line isn't just a quality issue: it's a compliance failure with regulatory consequences. That's why these sectors specifically seek fabricators who can produce a paper trail alongside the part itself.
Company History and Founding Story
Chris Gavitt started his career in 2012 building skyscrapers in New York City, fresh out of the University of Vermont with an environmental engineering degree. Colorado’s outdoors drew him west, and he founded Alloy Metalworks there in 2020.
The company's earliest days were unglamorous: a shared garage, a handful of tools, and Cynta Hritz already involved—well before she formally joined the business.
Key milestones:
- 2012 — Chris Gavitt graduates and begins building skyscrapers in New York City
- 2020 — Alloy Metalworks founded in Colorado, operating out of a garage
- 2023 — Cynta Hritz officially joins as Business Director after completing her master's degree
- 2023 — Randy Zavala joins as Fabrication Lead, bringing 20+ years of experience
Garage prototyping gave way to a team that now handles production fabrication for aerospace, energy, and other regulated industries. Small jobs proved the work; larger, code-critical programs followed on that trust.
Certifications, Accreditations, and Quality Systems
Certifications aren't interchangeable badges. Each one covers a distinct scope. Here's how Alloy Metalworks' credentials break down:
| Certification | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001 QMS | Quality management system governing documentation, traceability, and continuous improvement |
| FAA Part 145 | Certified Repair Station status for approved aviation maintenance and repair work |
| ASME Section IX | Welding, brazing, and fusing qualification for pressure systems and industrial equipment |
| AWS D17.1 Class A | Fusion welding for flight-critical aerospace hardware |
| AWS D18.1 | Sanitary welding for austenitic stainless tube and pipe systems |
| AWS D1.1 / D1.2 / D1.6 | Structural welding codes for steel, aluminum, and stainless steel |
The distinction matters: ISO 9001 and FAA Part 145 describe organizational authorization, while ASME and AWS codes define technical, job-specific welding requirements. A shop needs both: a controlled quality system and the right code qualifications for the work at hand.
This layered approach supports Alloy Metalworks' inspection-ready, audit-ready fabrication. Clients see fewer delays from failed inspections and less rework when a part reaches final assembly or a regulatory audit.
Core Capabilities and Specializations
Working With Exotic Alloys
Alloy Metalworks fabricates materials that demand experienced handling across nickel alloys, titanium, aluminum, and stainless:
- Nickel alloys: Inconel (600, 601, 617, 625, 718), Incoloy 800HT, Hastelloy
- Titanium: Grade 2 and Grade 7
- Aluminum: 1000–7000 series
- Stainless: 304, 316, 347, 17-4, 15-5, Duplex, and Super Duplex
Titanium welding happens inside custom inert gas chambers with purge setups, keeping oxygen out of the weld zone to preserve strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility — critical for aerospace and research applications where a contaminated weld means scrapped parts.
Sanitary and Structural Fabrication
For food, beverage, and pharmaceutical clients, sanitary stainless work is built to AWS D18.1 and USDA 3-A standards, covering:
- Process piping and fluid transport systems
- Hygienic vessels and tanks
- Custom sanitary equipment for biotech labs
Full-Spectrum Service Range
Beyond materials and codes, the shop covers the full project arc:
- Prototyping and small-batch production with rapid turnaround
- Custom automation and orbital welding for production runs
- Specialized research equipment and laboratory fabrication
- Engineering collaboration — joint design, weld procedure development, and process validation from concept through production
For research organizations and startups, early involvement matters most. Alloy Metalworks joins before welding starts, catching design issues that would otherwise show up as failed inspections later.
Leadership and Technical Team
Chris Gavitt, Technical Director and Managing Partner, holds a BS in Environmental Engineering from the University of Vermont along with certifications in AWS D18.1, D17.1, D1.2, D1.1, and ASME Section IX. He founded Alloy Metalworks in Colorado in 2020 and leads technical collaboration and hands-on welding on the company's toughest projects.
Cynta Hritz, Business Director and Managing Partner, holds a BS in Strategic Communication and Advertising from the University of Colorado Boulder plus an MS in Management and Organization from the University of Colorado Denver. She oversees HR, purchasing, 3D drafting, project management, and compliance — the operational backbone behind the ISO 9001 system.
Randy Zavala, Fabrication Lead, brings 20+ years in complex geometric builds, precision sheet metal, finishing, and welding. He is certified to AWS D18.1, D1.2, D1.1, and ASME Section IX, with project work that includes Incoloy chemical reactor systems and aerospace ground support structures.
Richard J Morrow, Sales Engineer, holds a BA in Physics from St. Mary's College and an MBA from St. Thomas College. He translates technical requirements into workable project plans and connects manufacturing teams with the right fabrication path.
Engineering depth plus structured operations means clients get inspection-ready welds and dependable delivery.
Industries Served and Notable Clients
Alloy Metalworks' client base spans demanding technical sectors:
- Aerospace and space technology: flight-critical hardware and ground support structures
- Hydrogen energy, fuel cells, and clean energy: components for hydrogen and clean-energy systems
- Food, beverage, and pharmaceutical: sanitary process systems
- Research and biotech: custom lab equipment and experimental assemblies
Notable client relationships include:
- NREL, which approved Alloy Metalworks as a preferred vendor after the company fabricated an Alloy 800HT component rated for operation above 700°C
- TDA Research, where reactor modifications were completed early and under budget
- Fortius Metals, which used Alloy Metalworks to beta-test welding wire and TIG rod compositions
- Utility Global, which praised the company's Inconel and stainless welding along with rapid turnaround
- Holidaily Brewery, where a full brewhouse upgrade was completed on time and on budget
That track record shows up in the numbers: a 5-star rating across 31 Google reviews, spanning national energy labs to craft brewing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a commercial stainless fabricator?
A commercial stainless fabricator is a certified specialist in welding, forming, and finishing stainless and alloy components for industrial and regulated applications. Unlike general metal shops, they operate under documented quality and code standards.
What certifications should a commercial stainless fabricator have?
Look for ISO 9001, ASME Section IX, and relevant AWS codes (such as D17.1 for aerospace or D18.1 for sanitary work). These indicate both a controlled quality system and job-specific technical qualification.
What industries use commercial stainless fabrication services?
Aerospace, energy, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and research organizations rely most heavily on certified stainless fabrication. Each requires traceable, code-compliant welds for safety or regulatory reasons.
How is sanitary stainless welding different from structural welding?
Sanitary welding (AWS D18.1) focuses on hygienic tube and pipe systems for food, beverage, and pharma applications, with strict surface finish and contamination controls. Structural welding (AWS D1.1/D1.6) targets load-bearing steel and stainless components instead.
Where is Alloy Metalworks located and what areas does it serve?
Alloy Metalworks is based in Colorado and serves clients throughout the state, plus select projects beyond state lines. Mobile field welding is available for on-site project needs.
How do I request a quote or consultation with Alloy Metalworks?
Call Alloy Metalworks at (720) 744-0807, Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, to discuss your project. The team will walk through material requirements, certifications needed, and timelines.
