G.A Fabrications
From Redundancy to Resurgence: How G.A Fabrications Forged a Thriving Business with support through the RISE Hastings Programme and Let’s Do Business Group.
When Andrew faced redundancy and Gareth sought greater fulfilment, a chance encounter sparked the creation of G.A Fabrications. With over 70 years of combined experience, they turned their vision into reality – crafting bespoke metalwork and shaping the future of their industry. Supported by the RISE Hastings Programme, they navigated the challenges of launching a business, setting a foundation for growth, innovation, and future apprenticeships.
Located in Catsfield, East Sussex, G.A Fabrications specialise in creating custom fabrications, tailored to meet the unique needs of its clients. With a commitment to precision and innovation, the business delivers high-quality craftsmanship to a range of industries. From producing small batch metalwork to intricate, one-of-a-kind designs, Gareth and Andrew – the faces behind the business – take pride in bringing their clients’ visions to life.
Despite the business being established in late 2024, G.A Fabrications is built on a foundation of over 70 years of combined experience in the metal fabrication industry.
Made redundant from his job in March 2024, Andrew decided to take a few months following his leave to recoup and plan for the future – and at the same time, Gareth was in a position where he wasn’t fulfilled in his current role and was considering options for the future. Both simultaneously thinking about how they might be able to use their existing skills in a different way, it was only months later when the pair bumped into one another and got talking about working together, that G.A Fabrications was born.
“Gareth had already had a business plan drawn up that he had been thinking about for at least a decade. It was a case of not being able to do it as a lone trader – it needed a business partner.”
The two bring different skill sets to the table and are able to utilise their knowledge for the operations of the business. Andrew was to take the lead on business operations, as although both had had a previous understanding of business from a managerial perspective, making sure that the business ran as smooth as possible was a priority.
To renew his knowledge on business management and set solid foundations for the new business, Andrew attended the ‘Starting a New Business’ workshop delivered by Supersonic Startup, funded under the RISE Hastings Programme. Across two days, the in-person workshop in Hastings covers everything aspiring and new business leaders need to know about starting a business - from the business idea, researching your target market, shaping a marketing strategy and setting your goals.
“Being a start-up, I didn’t want to get caught out by anything, so I attended the two-day workshop. Since then, I’ve been out most weeks doing some marketing, sales and networking.”
Andrew, G.A Fabrications
Whilst the business itself is located in the Rother District of East Sussex, Andrew is a resident of Hastings, making him eligible to access support through the RISE Hastings programme. Standing for Reboot, Ideas, Skills and Enterprise, RISE Hastings was a programme led by Let’s Do Business Group and funded by Hastings Borough Council using the Shared Prosperity Fund, aiming to encourage and reinvigorate economic growth in the town. Through the programme, businesses were able to receive support to help start-up and grow their business from our team of experts and our supportive local network of business partners.
Although still in the early days of the business, Andrew and Gareth have been kept busy, with orders flooding in. Focusing on the future growth of G.A Fabrications, Gareth and Andrew would love to one day support young people, working with them through Apprenticeships and not just teaching them about the machinery used but sparking their creativity, as well as showcasing the opportunities available within the sector.
“These days, most things are you push a button, and it does it for you. We want to find the kids that don’t want to do that but instead already have ideas and want to make things and embrace that. We’ve both found from working in managerial positions that typically the kids that have a creative flair don’t like sitting at a desk, but if you give them a bit of metal and encouragement they will sit there and create something. Because we know if you give them that opportunity, they will undoubtedly shine.”
Inside the workspace located in Catsfield, East Sussex
Up close of the work desk which Gareth made!
Inside the workspace located in Catsfield, East Sussex
The RISE Hastings Programme ended on Monday 31st March 2025. If you are based in the East Sussex area and are looking for support to start or grow a business, contact us today to see how we can help.
Let’s Do Business undertook the R.I.S.E Hastings (Reboot, Ideas, Skills, Enterprise) project in conjunction with Southern Housing, Education Futures Trust and Hastings Borough Council, in an effort to regenerate some of the most hard hit areas of Hastings.
This project was funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government's Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
