Many people have misconceptions about Hutterite-owned businesses that stem from misunderstanding how Hutterite colonies are structured and how their businesses operate compared to conventional, privately-owned businesses.

As a result, fabrication shops like OCFab, based at the Odanah Hutterite Colony, near Minnedosa, Man., are frequently viewed through a lens that fails to reflect how they actually function and contribute to the broader manufacturing sector.

From Humble Beginnings

OCFab got its start in 1995 as a simple subcontracting welding shop. Its primary customers were agricultural equipment manufacturers and farm-related businesses, markets it still serves today.

Its story mirrors what many Manitoba Hutterite colonies experienced in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Historically, colonies relied almost entirely on farming. As farmland became more expensive and colony populations grew, many communities began investing in manufacturing businesses that could create year-round employment and generate additional revenue.

“In our early days, we started very humbly with basic equipment, some of which was provided by the very customers we were working for,” said Gary Stahl, sales manager, OCFab. “We had welders, shears, and press brakes, just enough to get the job done. It was simple, straightforward work, but it laid the foundation for everything we have built since.

The shop’s growth was fueled by the agriculture sector, particularly agricultural equipment manufacturing and farm-related projects.

“From there, we made a conscious decision to reinvest aggressively back into the company,” he said. “This approach helped us grow rapidly, not just in capability, but also in physical space.”

As the shop expanded with new equipment,it moved away from solely taking on subcontract welding work.

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