Steel fabrication is the backbone of GIWU's delivery capability. We design, cut, weld, drill, treat and erect structural steel for warehouses, factories, aviation infrastructure, mining facilities and bridges, and because we fabricate our own steel, the buildings we construct are not waiting on a third party's production schedule.
Work is carried out to the specification supplied or developed with you: member sizes, weld class, bolt grade, surface preparation and coating system are all agreed before cutting begins, and every assembly is checked against drawings before it leaves the workshop.
Recent steel work includes structural installation for ARG1 Africa, steel framework for Leasafric Ghana, fabrication for Delovely Ltd, and both steel fabrication and bridge rehabilitation on the Busua project.
What we fabricate
From standard portal frames to one-off structures, GIWU fabricates to drawings and erects on site with the same team.
Portal frames and industrial buildings
Primary frames, rafters, columns, purlins, girts and bracing for warehouses, factories and workshops, the structural system behind most of the industrial buildings GIWU delivers.
Trusses and long-span structures
Roof trusses, lattice girders and long-span assemblies for buildings that need clear space without intermediate columns.
Gantries, platforms and mezzanines
Mezzanine floor steel, access platforms, walkways, staircases, handrails and equipment support frames, including the load-rated connections that make them safe to work on.
Bridges and specialised assemblies
GIWU has delivered steel bridge rehabilitation, including the Busua project. We also fabricate bespoke assemblies for mining, aviation and processing clients where standard sections are not enough.
Crane beams and heavy structures
Crane runway beams, gantry structures and the reinforced column and foundation interfaces they require.
Fabrication and installation process
Fabrication quality is determined long before welding starts. Our sequence is built around catching errors on the drawing rather than on site.
- Drawing review: we check the design for buildability, material availability and transport constraints before committing to a programme.
- Material procurement: sections, plate and consumables are sourced through GIWU's own supply chain, with mill certification where specified.
- Cutting, drilling and fitting: members are cut to length, holes drilled or punched, and assemblies jigged and tack-welded for fit-up verification.
- Welding and inspection: welding is carried out to the specified class, with visual and dimensional inspection of finished assemblies.
- Surface treatment: blast or mechanical cleaning to the specified preparation grade, followed by primer and topcoat appropriate to the site's corrosion exposure.
- Delivery and erection: members are transported and erected by GIWU's own installation teams, with line, level and plumb verified as the structure goes up.
Because fabrication and erection sit in the same company, fit-up problems are solved in the workshop rather than argued about on site.
Fabricating steel for Ghana's environment
Coastal Ghana is a corrosive environment. Salt-laden humid air around Tema, Accra and Takoradi attacks unprotected steel quickly, and the cost of getting the coating specification wrong is a structure that needs remedial treatment within a few years rather than lasting decades.
- Surface preparation: the coating is only as good as the surface beneath it. We prepare to the specified grade before priming.
- Coating systems: primer and topcoat specified against the actual exposure of the site, with hot-dip galvanising where the environment and budget justify it.
- Detailing: we avoid the water traps, crevices and unsealed joints where corrosion starts.
- Maintenance access: structures are detailed so that future inspection and repainting are possible.
Our related guide, Steel Fabrication Best Practices for Tropical Climates, covers this in more detail.
Steel projects delivered
- ARG1 Africa: steel structure installation and airport infrastructure works.
- Leasafric Ghana: steel framework installation alongside warehouse construction.
- Delovely Ltd: industrial structure and steel fabrication.
- Busua project: steel fabrication and steel bridge rehabilitation.
- BF Ghana and JC Udezor & Sons: structural steel for 1,200 sqm and 1,800 sqm warehouses.
Browse the full set on our projects page.
Steel fabrication and erection across Ghana
Scope & specifications
| Service | Structural steel fabrication and erection |
|---|---|
| Structures | Portal frames, trusses, gantries, mezzanines, platforms, bridges |
| Operations | Cutting, drilling, fitting, welding, surface treatment |
| Installation | Own certified erection crews, line and level verified |
| Protection | Surface preparation and coating specified to site exposure |
| Sectors | Industrial, warehousing, mining, aviation, commercial, infrastructure |
| Location | Mango Lane, Tema Community 12, Greater Accra |
| Clients | ARG1 Africa, Leasafric Ghana, Delovely Ltd, BF Ghana, JC Udezor & Sons |
From enquiry to handover
- 01
Scope & site review
We take the brief, drawings or a one-line description and confirm buildability, access, ground conditions and programme.
- 02
Design coordination
Engineering, fabrication and construction input is coordinated in-house, so the drawings match what can actually be built.
- 03
Procurement
Materials and specialist equipment are sourced through our own supply chain, removing the vendor delays that stall most projects.
- 04
Fabrication
Steel and modular components are produced to specification in the workshop while site works run in parallel.
- 05
Construction & installation
Certified teams erect, install and fit out under a single point of site accountability.
- 06
Commissioning & handover
Systems are tested, snagged and handed over with documentation and maintenance guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Do you fabricate from our drawings or design the steel yourselves?
Both. We regularly fabricate directly to engineer-supplied drawings, and we can develop the structural design with you where the project needs it. Either way the drawings are reviewed for buildability before cutting starts.
Do you install the steel as well as fabricate it?
Yes, GIWU erects what it makes. Our own installation teams handle delivery, lifting, alignment and final bolting or welding on site, which keeps accountability for fit-up in one place.
What corrosion protection do you recommend for coastal sites?
It depends on distance from the coast, exposure and budget. We specify surface preparation grade, primer and topcoat against the real conditions of the site, and recommend hot-dip galvanising where the exposure is severe. We will advise on the right system for your location rather than applying a single default.
Can you work on existing or damaged steel structures?
Yes. We have carried out steel bridge rehabilitation, including the Busua project, and can assess, repair, strengthen or extend existing steel structures.
What information do you need to quote?
Drawings if you have them. If not, a sketch with spans, heights and intended use is enough for us to establish feasibility and indicative quantities. Email sales@giwuconstruction.com or call 0243 533 042.
Where are you located?
Mango Lane, Tema Community 12, Greater Accra. We deliver across Ghana and West Africa. See our Tema page.
Need steel fabricated and erected?
Send drawings, a sketch or a description of the structure. GIWU will confirm buildability, material specification and programme.