H&H Metal Fabrication Constructs Its Next Chapter with SLDC Support
For nearly 80 years, H&H Metal Fabrication (H&H) has helped build St. Louis through custom metal work people pass every day without realizing it.
H&H has come a long way from its founding in 1947 as a light fixture manufacturer. Located in the City of St. Louis, H&H today is a custom metal fabrication shop helping customers figure out how to build what they need out of metal.
In 2019, H&H President Carolyn Farrell and Chief Financial Officer Kevin Farrell purchased the business, retained the existing team and hired Morgan Jarrett as Chief Operating Officer a few months later.
From left: H&H Metal Fabrication’s Chief Operating Officer Morgan Jarrett, President Carolyn Farrell, and Chief Financial Officer Kevin Farrell
How SLDC Strengthens Local Manufacturing
As H&H began preparing for its future, St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) helped connect the women-owned and women-led company with financing tools that support equipment modernization, workforce growth and long-term stability.
In 2025, the Local Development Company (LDC), staffed by the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (STL Partnership) and SLDC, awarded H&H a $150,000 loan for working capital needs. SLDC also helped facilitate $4 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) which resulted in $550,000 in net proceeds to the business to support facility improvements and expansion. H&H also plans to use Small Business Administration 504 financing to achieve its goal of purchasing the building it has long occupied.
“Our dream has always been to own the building,” Carolyn said. “With the help of SLDC and the NMTC, we’re able to purchase the building, make improvements, install equipment and hire more people. It’s been life-changing for our business.”
In the Q&A below, Carolyn and Morgan discuss how H&H has evolved, the company’s impact on St. Louis and what comes next.
What does H&H specialize in today?
Morgan: H&H focuses primarily on custom electrical enclosures, accessories, industrial control components and general fabrication.
Custom is the name of the game. We specialize in unique projects where someone has a design, a challenge or a specific need, and we help figure out how to build it.
We have also grown into general contract manufacturing, light structural fabrication and the usage of specialty materials such as bronze, copper, brass and polished stainless steel.
How has H&H left its mark on St. Louis?
Morgan: A lot of our work is visible through construction projects, industrial sites, stadiums, and local and cultural institutions throughout St. Louis. The pieces we build are not always front and center, but they’re part of how the city gets built.
Carolyn: One project we are especially proud of was helping move the iconic Chihuly glass sculpture at the Missouri Botanical Garden from the Ridgway Center to the Climatron. Every time you go to the Climatron, you can see that Chihuly and think of H&H.
We have also completed work on St. Louis City Hall lighting, the Saint Louis Art Museum and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. We are proud to work with local institutions that have unique challenges we know how to solve.
H&H Metal Fabrication team members install custom support for the Chihuly sculpture in the Missouri Botanical Garden Climatron.
What does it mean for H&H to be women-owned and women-led?
Carolyn: When Kevin and I purchased H&H in 2019, we made women-owned and women-led leadership an important part of the company’s direction. Manufacturing has traditionally been male dominated. But when you do good work, communicate well and deliver a quality product, customers notice, and they continue coming back.
It comes down to competence, reliability and trust. We have craftsmen and women working throughout H&H, and we are proud to keep showing what strong leadership, skilled employees and a great team can build together.
Why does local manufacturing matter?
H&H Metal Fabrication created exterior lighting housings for St. Louis City Hall.
Morgan: An important part of any community’s development is the ability to get projects done. Timelines matter, and when a project runs into a challenge, having local manufacturing expertise can make a real difference.
We have that talent and capability right here in St. Louis. We can work with customers, figure out what they need and get it out the door quickly to ensure projects keep moving.
Our impact also extends to workforce development. H&H provides skilled manufacturing jobs that are safe, well-supported and focused on helping people build long-term careers in the industry.
Why is SLDC’s support important for companies like H&H?
Morgan: Manufacturing businesses often have different needs than more traditional businesses. There are unique equipment costs, materials, product timelines and cash flow considerations.
SLDC stood out because they sat down with us and asked, “What are you trying to do, and how can we help?” They saw us as a business, not just a number.
Carolyn: SLDC’s support has given us more confidence to keep investing in the future.
What’s next for H&H?
Morgan: With new tools we can improve precision, efficiency, safety and training. The equipment we are purchasing will help us respond faster and build better parts for our customers.
Carolyn: We are also looking forward to owning this building. We have doubled our production and income, and we are humming along. St. Louis can count on us.