Owner Brian McKenna comes from a long line of Metal Fabricators and Black smiths as far back as we can date. Brian’s Great Grandfather and those before them owned a metal shop in the southern New Hampshire Area with many of their works still standing to this day. Ancestry.com has owner Brian McKenna tied to bronze workers in Ireland as far back as they date. Brian takes great pride in his ancestral roots to metal.
Owner Brian McKenna started his metal fabrication career being apprenticed under his uncle Charles Macdonald, owner of CJM Custom Shop out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
CJM Custom Shop is well known and distinguished amongst the yachting and marine metal fabrication industry. Charles Macdonald is recognized internationally for his craftsmanship and high standard in metal fabrication.
Knowing how lucky he was to apprentice under such a master Brian worked diligently with his uncle for several years while he attended welding school at night to attain his certifications. The mega yacht industry will always have a special place in Brian’s heart. Getting to work on such prestigious mega yachts for celebrity clientele as an apprentice truly gave Brian the foundation for being the craftsman he is today.
Once Brian started a family, he moved on from his uncle’s shop and took a lead fabricator position at a premier dock and gangway shop in Pompano Beach, Florida. Here he quickly moved into management and learned the ins and outs of managing a large production fabrication shop. He learned large scale manufacturing and project management. After a few years in Pompano Brian knew it was time to head north and settle where his roots are to start a business.
In 2016 Brian moved to New Hampshire and started work at a well-respected metal fabrication and design shop in Hudson, New Hampshire.
Brian helped lead many significant metal fabrication projects for world-renowned architects, designers, and builders. Many of the projects Brian was part of have been published in Architectural Digest, Boston Design Guide, and other well-respected design journals.
In January of 2020 feeling confident that this was the right time to branch on his own Brian opened the doors to 603 Metals at 724 E. Industrial Park Drive, Unit #3 Manchester, New Hampshire 03109. Little did he realize that the world would soon shut down due to COVID-19. Brian rose to the challenges a pandemic world puts on small business and managed to build a strong client base through organic growth and quality work. Not one to settle or become complacent Brian looks forward to the projects and clients of the future.
