Fabrication lead
Mr Hlulani Tshabangu
Leads Kew yard builds and wind-rated baseplates for outdoor briefs across Gauteng.
See the journal for Kew yard build details, baseplate checks, and outdoor install prep that shape Mr Hlulani Tshabangu's fabrication work across Gauteng. Use the contact form for project requirements such as letter heights, steel bases, site surfaces, and wind exposure.
The role
As fabrication lead, Hlulani runs the Kew yard. He oversees metalwork, face fitting and base plate builds. Every set passes his checks before it is wired and packed.
Wind and weight
Outdoor installs in Gauteng face strong afternoon gusts. Hlulani plans base plates and ballast for each letter by height, face area and site exposure. He also checks the surface, from tar and paving to soft lawns and gravel, and adjusts the base size so letters stay level.
Building for travel
Sets that tour several venues take a lot of handling. Hlulani specifies tougher returns, reinforced corners and foam-lined crates for touring sets, and he checks each letter for wear when it returns to the yard.
Custom builds
For custom logos and words, he works from the design director's spacing drawings, builds test pieces, and confirms the fit before full production. Large or unusual shapes get extra bracing.
In the yard
Hlulani's team cuts, folds and welds metal shells, fits faces and returns, and builds base plates. Each letter gets a structural check before wiring. Returned sets come back to his bench for inspection, with dents, loose joins and worn corners repaired before the next hire.
He also trains new install crews on ballast and safe handling, so every crew sets bases the same way.
Outdoor briefs
For outdoor briefs, he reviews site photos, surface types and wind exposure, then signs off the base and ballast plan.
Working with venues
Venues with strict floor or lawn rules get a base plan before install day. Hlulani confirms pad types, weight options and any fixing points with the venue manager in advance.
Quality checks
Before a set leaves the yard, Hlulani checks every weld, face join and base plate. Letters that fail a check go back to the bench, and the crate waits until they pass.
Questions for Hlulani
Send letter heights, the surface at the placement spot, wind exposure, and any venue rules on pins or weights through the contact form. He reviews the base and ballast plan for the site.
Kew Yard Fabrication Lead
Our contact form suits event briefs that need fabricated 3D letters, marquee elements, or outdoor bases checked against Gauteng conditions. Include the venue suburb, access limits, power points, and whether the install stands on tar, paving, gravel, or grass.