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Meet The Team

 

     Red Oak Fabrication has been serving Southwest Iowa since 1913. Quality service has been our standard since Red Oak Machine Co. was established in 1913 as the Pike Machine Shop. Pike Machine Shop was changed in 1923 to Red Oak Machine Co. Ted Fort Began employment as one of the three in the shop in 1928. Ted, Then in 1944, purchased a half interest in the business and eventually the other half in 1946 when J.C. England retired.
     In 1931 Red Oak Machine Co. began selling Linde Oxygen on a pickup basis. Ted's son, Bill, launched the outside-sales of oxygen and welding supplies in 1946, following his service in World War II. Another one of Ted's sons, Jack, Joined the sales force in 1947 following his service in World War II as well.
     Starting with only two trucks, covering Southwest Iowa, Red Oak Machine Co. expanded and is now Red Oak Fabrication with four locations. The South location, houses all of the precision Plasma, Laser and Water Jet tables as well as our Press Brake Machines. The Central location, originally Red Oak Machine, houses our CNC Mills, CNC Lathe, Steel Saws. The North location houses our Steel Blasting, Powder Coating, Plate Rolling as well as our Welding Robot.

Jeff Fort

President & CEO

 

Jeff began working for his Father and Uncle in 1978, he drove a route truck for 12 years delivering industrial gas. In that 12 years he got to know the customers and the business he would soon take over, in 1992. In 1993, Jeff purchased the companies first plasma table. In April of 2004, Jeff sold the Industrial Gases business to further expand the ever growing fabrication business. Since his first plasma table he has grown the business to three plasma, two lasers', one water jet table and 51 employees. 

O: 712-623-4911 ext 8712 

Jacob Fort 

Business Development and Purchasing

 

Jacob started working for Red Oak Industrial Gases right out of college in 2001 as inside/outside sales. After his father, Jeff, sold the gases business to Linweld (Mathison Tri-Gas) Jacob took up the opportunity,in 2005, to become one of the companies youngest outside salesman in Columbia, MO. Jacob left Linweld for Fronius USA, he began selling production welding equipment from the Canadian border to Oklahoma. During his 5 years with Fronius, he noticed things that Red Oak Fab could improve on. Soon, home was calling and he came on board in October of 2014. Jacob now handles the purchasing and day to day activities at our North Location.

O: 712-623-4911 ext 8721

Jordan Fort 

Powder Coating and Purchasing

 

Jordan started working for Red Oak Fabrication in 2004 as a freshman in High School. He did this every summer all the way through sophomore year of college. Jordan, along with his brother Jacob, are the 4th generation of Fort's to work at Red Oak Fabrication.

O712-623-4911 ext 8720

Justin Fort
Operations

Justin joined us in early 2022 and he brings in over a decade of job shop fabrication knowledge. Justin previously worked in sales for a cutting equipment manufacture and production welding equipment sales. His wealth of knowledge and expertise in fabrication equipment will help grow Red Oak Fabrication. 

O: 712-623-4911 ext 8729

Mike Sporleder 
Controller

Mike has been in the controller/accounting field for 20+ years. He joined ROF in early 2019, Mike has been a great addition to the company and we look forward to 20+ more years with him. 

O: 712-623-4911 ext 8725

Ryan Eggleston

Machine Shop Manager

 

Ryan brings a wealth of machining experience to our company. Ryan has been with Red Oak Fabrication since December of 2013. 

O: 712-623-4911 ext 8717

O: 712-623-4911 ext 8716

Jim Jones

Purchasing and Operations Manger 

 

Jim is in charge of all steel plate purchases and scheduling. Jim came from the welding and industrial gases background. He has worked at Red Oak Fabrication since 2002, Jim is a crucial asset to our company success. He has worked as operator on just about all of our machines and gone to Mazak and Flow Water Jet school. He is also one our many military veteran employees and we are proud to have him here. 

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