Should You Specialize? All About Niche Welding Services

You’ve just received certification from the American Welding Society and you’re ready to get to work. But before you settle on a run-of-the-mill welding gig, it might be worthwhile considering a unique specialization that could help you stand out from the crowd.

What Is A Niche Welding Service?

Standard welding services can include routine fabrication and repair for non-critical components. These could include brackets, housings, prototypes and non-load-bearing architectural elements. The focus is typically on sound joints and meeting dimensional requirements. These less demanding applications are many and varied, and could range from creating jigs and fixtures for manufacturing to repairing household appliances or consumer product components. A standard welder may also construct and repair general metal components for industrial machinery. 

All of these vital services are important, but nearly any welder can do them. Niche welding services, on the other hand, are more specialized and not as readily available. They also often require special skills and equipment, and are carried out in risky or demanding work environments. The specialization inherent to niche welding typically means that welders face less competition and can command higher prices for their services.

Niche welding sets the welder apart from their peers, giving them a distinct advantage when a client requires very specific work to be done. With specialized skills such as mastery of unusual techniques, materials, and safety procedures, a niche welder may be able to confidently handle projects that a standard or traditional welder cannot. They may be proficient in using specialized equipment in difficult environments that require specialized tools and safety gear. 

Common Niche Welding Services

• Pipe welding: often in the oil, gas, and water sectors, requiring work within confined spaces and strict adherence to safety codes
• Motorsports welding: repair and fabrication of key components for race cars and high-performance vehicles, often using unusual materials, requiring high precision
• Aerospace welding: aircraft and spacecraft repair, construction and component fabrication under the strictest safety and quality standards
• Underwater welding: repairing and maintaining oil rigs, ships, and underwater pipelines
• Artistic welding: creative custom fabrication for decorative fences, gates, railings, furniture, sculptures, etc.
• Mobile welding: on-site welding services for planned or emergency repairs or fabrication
• Structural welding: constructing bridges and high-rise buildings
• Heavy haulage welding: truck body fabrication and trailer manufacturing
• Rope access welding: welding at heights or in areas only accessible from ropes

Additional niche welding services could include utilizing specialized materials like aluminum and stainless steel. Custom fabrication can also be seen as a niche welding service, as it is tailored to client needs, which can range widely, from one-of-a-kind decorative pieces to functional cooking and catering equipment.

How To Know If Specializing Is Right For You

As is true in any industry, focusing on a niche skill can offer benefits and, at the same time, it can present risks. For one thing, having a specialization can help to streamline operations, since only specific materials and equipment are needed for a narrower range of workflows and processes. Once a reputation is established, projects can bring in higher prices and welders may ultimately face less competition.

That said, if general instability, market volatility, or changing demands come into play, highly specialized welders may find themselves without enough work. There’s also the reality of the potential for repetitive work–specialty naturally breeds less variety. Depending on who you are and what you enjoy, that could be a deal breaker.

When it comes to specializing in niche welding services, the right path for each person depends on specific business goals, individual risk tolerance, and your own unique personality and preferences.

Niche Welding Services In Cleveland, Ohio

At M&M Certified Welding we know what it takes to focus on a skill and own it. At the same time, we are happy to diversify, with a wide range of services offered. Our team of certified welders is ready to take on any project you have in mind, from custom fabrication and truck body fabrication to mobile welding services. Contact us to learn more about our services or get a quote, and reach out if you’re looking to join our team!