Built for food prep, storage and wash-up areas
Stainless fabrication is not just about making something that looks neat. In a busy kitchen, the right table height, shelf depth and drip control can save steps during service and reduce cross-contamination. We make custom stainless pieces for restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools, canteens and production kitchens, with sizes matched to the room and the work being done.
Common items include prep tables, pot shelves, wall shelves, undershelves, sink surrounds, service counters, drain boards, trolley tops and pass-through counters. In Durban and along the coast, we also factor in salt air and constant washing, so the finish and support structure are selected to handle corrosion better over time. Where a kitchen is running through load-shedding we can also design units that leave enough access for portable equipment and backup power cords.
- Prep surfaces with upstands or square edges
- Wall-mounted and free-standing shelving
- Pot wash and dish drop areas
- Custom counters for serving and receiving
- Storage frames and undershelves for bins, trays and crates
What the fabrication service includes
Our stainless fabrication service starts with the actual kitchen, not a catalogue size. Priya Naidoo and the design team assess the workflow, clearances and cleaning points, then specify each item to suit the space. We work from site surveys, measured drawings and the equipment schedule so the finished pieces line up with fridges, cooklines, sinks and extraction points.
Fabrication can include brushed stainless tops, folded edges, splash backs, reinforced framing, levelling feet, castors where needed, and cut-outs for sinks, taps or small equipment. We also make pieces that link with existing fitted items, which is useful when you are expanding a kitchen in stages. If a health inspector or facilities team has raised an issue with hygiene gaps or exposed timber, we can replace those areas with stainless surfaces and enclosed bases.
- Measured manufacturing to suit room size and staff flow
- 316 grade specified where coastal or high-moisture exposure needs more protection
- Welded or mechanically fixed frames, depending on the application
- Polished joints and sealed finishes for easier cleaning
- Options for adjustable feet, castors and undershelves
From site measure to fitting and handover
Our process is practical and orderly. Siyabonga Mkhize handles the project side, while Jared Pillay coordinates installation so the fabricated items arrive ready to fit. We begin with a site visit in Durban, Glen Anil, Umhlanga, Pinetown, Ballito or Pietermaritzburg, then confirm dimensions, access routes and service points. If there are lifts, stairs, tight doorways or live kitchen hours to work around, that is noted before anything is cut.
Once drawings and sizes are approved, fabrication begins in our workshop and the units are dry-fitted where needed. We check level, edge safety, fixing points and cleaning access before delivery. On site, the team installs and secures each item, then hands over with practical guidance on use and cleaning. If an item must fit around existing chillers, ovens or extract ducting, we adjust the final position so the kitchen can still be serviced later.
- Site survey and measure-up
- Layout confirmation and final sizing
- Fabrication in workshop
- Delivery, installation and fixing
- Final checks, cleaning guidance and handover
Turnaround times and how pricing is worked out
Turnaround depends on size, complexity and the grade of material required. A simple prep table or shelf can often be turned around quicker than a full set of counters with cut-outs, sinks and integrated support frames. For planned kitchen projects we schedule fabrication to match the wider fit-out, so your stainless items do not arrive too early and sit in storage, or too late and hold up commissioning.
Pricing is based on measurements, material grade, thickness, number of bends, weld detail, support framing and site installation needs. We quote separately for custom work because no two kitchens are the same, and that keeps the price fairer than forcing you into standard sizes that need extra site modification. Where access is difficult or the install must happen after hours, that is included in the working up of the quote. We keep the wording clear so you can see what is supplied and what is charged as an extra.
- Small items: often a few working days once sizes are approved
- Medium orders: typically planned into a one to three week slot
- Large fit-outs: timed to the full project programme
- Rush work: only where workshop load and material supply allow it
Care, cleaning and maintenance intervals
Stainless lasts best when it is cleaned correctly and checked before small issues grow. In a humid coastal kitchen, water marks, tea staining and loose fixings can appear if the surfaces are not wiped down and inspected. We advise a simple maintenance rhythm that suits the use of the kitchen rather than a one-size-fits-all schedule.
Daily cleaning should use mild detergent and a soft cloth, followed by drying where possible. Weekly checks should include loose bolts, damaged sealant, uneven feet and signs of surface scratching. For kitchens with heavy steam, salt exposure or high wash-down use, we recommend a formal service interval every 3 to 6 months so the fittings stay steady and the welds, joints and supports can be reviewed before failure causes downtime.
- Daily wipe-down with non-abrasive cleaner
- Weekly checks on legs, feet and fixings
- 3 to 6 monthly inspection for busy coastal kitchens
- Replace damaged sealant or worn support parts early
Areas we cover in Durban and KwaZulu-Natal
Our base is in Glen Anil, Durban, and we work across Durban North, Umhlanga, Pinetown, Ballito and Pietermaritzburg, with projects elsewhere in KwaZulu-Natal by arrangement. Because we also handle kitchen design, equipment specification and installation, the stainless fabrication can be matched to the full room layout instead of treated as a separate item that has to be made to fit later.
Kitchens in hospitals and canteens often need stricter hygiene spacing, while restaurant kitchens may need tighter service counters and faster pass-through points. We take the same measured approach in both cases. Mandla Sibusiso Dlamini oversees the business, and the team keeps the work practical, neat and suited to local conditions, whether that is coastal humidity, municipal requirements or a tight refurb window.
- Durban and Durban North
- Umhlanga and Ballito
- Pinetown and surrounding inland areas
- Pietermaritzburg and broader KZN projects
Key facts
| Custom sizes | Made to site measurements, from small prep shelves to long service counters |
|---|---|
| Material options | Stainless finishes specified for food areas, with 316 grade available for harsher coastal use |
| Common thicknesses | Typically 1.2 mm to 1.5 mm sheet, with reinforced framing where load demands it |
| Standard features | Upstands, undershelves, splash backs, levelling feet, castors and cut-outs |
| Installation | Delivery, positioning, fixing and final handover included where required |
| Maintenance interval | Daily cleaning, weekly checks and 3 to 6 monthly inspection for busy kitchens |
