Who we are at Skill Fabrication
Our Story
Skill Fabrication was born from decades of real-world experience, forged through grit, passion, and a relentless drive to solve problems others won’t touch. What began as a necessity quickly evolved into a craft, one that owner Tristan Crotinger honed through hard work and hands-on learning in the field.
From building train cars and ethanol tanks to installing sanitary tubing systems for some of the world’s most recognized brands, Skill Fabrication has always stood on one principle: do the work right, or not at all. Whether we’re welding thin-wall stainless steel, fabricating complex piping systems, or custom-building small batch tanks, our focus never shifts, we build to last and perform.
Now located in Southwest Missouri, Skill Fabrication serves industries across food, beverage, pharmaceutical, dairy, and industrial manufacturing. We're expanding our services to include machining, shear, and brake work to provide even more value to our partners across the Ozarks and beyond.
Our Values
- Precision Over Hype
We don’t cut corners. Every weld, every fit, and every layout is done with accuracy and pride.
- Work Ethic Built In
Our reputation comes from outworking the rest. We bring field-tested knowledge and a “figure it out” mentality to every job.
- Integrity at Every Level
We treat our clients, vendors, and team members with respect—and we expect the same in return. No gimmicks, just good work.
- Teach, Train, Grow
We invest in people, not just projects. That means training our team to do more than weld—we help them think critically and lead.
Our Community
Skill Fabrication may build on a national scale, but our roots are deeply local. Our shop supports nearby industries like Coca-Cola, DFA, and PPG while also helping area homeowners with custom welding projects such as handrails and gates. We're proud to be based in Marshfield, Missouri, and service a broad region across the Ozarks.
When not on the job, we support our veterans (including Tristan’s own son), contribute to faith-based missions, and prioritize mentorship for the next generation of tradesmen.
Our goal is to be a trusted partner—whether it’s for a Fortune 500 facility or a custom-fabricated project at home.
Some of Our Past and Present Partnerships
About The Owner
Tristan Crotinger
Tristan Crotinger didn’t plan on being a welder, he became one out of necessity. After learning he was going to be a father to twins, he knew he had to find a way to support his family. With no formal training but a background in racing dirt modified cars, he landed a MIG welding job with the railroad, thanks to a test overseen by someone who happened to be a fan of his racing days.
From there, Tristan’s story became one of sheer determination. Self-taught, yet incredibly skilled, he has passed every weld test thrown his way: X-ray, borescope, ultrasound, and more. Over the next two decades, he built everything from train cars and ethanol tanks to sanitary systems for beverage plants and large-scale production lines.
At one point, Tristan managed a team of ten traveling welders under his own subcontracting company, working jobs across the U.S. After stepping back to focus on family, he returned to the local workforce but remained a go-to expert for high-spec, high-difficulty welding jobs (especially for long-time clients like Coca-Cola).
Now with Skill Fabrication, Tristan is back doing what he loves: building, solving problems, mentoring others, and working with both stainless and aluminum in industries where precision matters. When he’s not on the job, you’ll find him homebrewing, building a custom drift truck from the frame up, or just enjoying time with his now-grown family.
He built this business not just for himself, but for the people who believe in doing things the right way, every time.