Dittrich Welding began in 1987 in a two stall garage northeast of Mankato. Our equipment amounted to a borrowed welder, cutting torch & drill. The only item we owned at the time was a grinder!
By 1992, the business had several part-time employees.
In 1999, there were a few full-time employees and in June a few acres were purchased just off of Third Avenue in Mankato on Kingswood Road. With the help of employees and friends, by October, a 60’ x 120’ shop was built. The shop was up and running under the name of Dittrich Mechanical & Fabrication, carrying a Master Pipe Fitting License.
From the beginning the company would tackle anything and everything: boilers, baby buggy repairs, boat repairs, farm equipment repairs, CompuWeigh Scales, handrails and much, much more. They even built the Pergola that sits at the top of Sibley Park hill in Mankato, Minnesota.
After several years of steady sales from customers wanting scrap/drop metal, another building was added to the current location and in the fall of 2012 Southern Minnesota Steel Supply opened its doors.
We are two small local businesses owned by Richard Dittrich with one purpose in mind, “To take care of all your metal and fabrication needs.”
Please stop by to see all that we have to offer!