When Harry Lee Richardson, Sr. opened the doors of Brownsville Sheet Metal Works (BSMW) in 1910, he used the tools of the day to build a business with a reputation for quality. Over 100 years later, when his great grandson comes to work today, the tools and technology have changed, but not the commitment to quality.

BSMW was originally located on East 11th St. between Levee and St. Charles streets, and the business provided sheet metal and roofing services, such as, but not limited to, lining tables, threading pipe, repairing radiators and stoves. During the time of The Great Depression the business held strong and continued operation, and Harry Richardson, Jr. became involved in the business. Harry, Jr., started working at the shop at the age of six, first answering the telephone, then learning each of the machines and skills used in the trade. In the 1940’s BSMW relocated to Elizabeth Street and Harry, Jr., took a full time role in the company assisting his father in the management and estimating aspects of the business, while actively working the trade. From the 1940’s to the turn of the twenty-first century, Harry, Jr.(with wife Daisy beside him as bookkeeper) led the company. As the tools and customers evolved, BSMW fabricated everything from small items (like drain pans for air conditioners) to huge projects (such as stainless steel wash tanks and ovens that required tractor trailers to deliver). During this period, Harry, Jr. codified company standards with the motto “A Quality Product on Time”.

Specialty jobs such as the copper steeple at Christ the King Church became a source of joy and pride, as well as highly technical work on offshore drilling rigs at the port of Brownsville.

Currently, the company is managed by Ivianne Merrill, Harry, Jr’s daughter, who started in 1980, and Richardson Lee Merrill, Harry Jr’s grandson, who like him, started work at the shop at an early age, learning the trade by his grandfather’s side.

Like Brownsville itself, We have grown from our historic downtown location at East 11th and Levee, then to East Elizabeth street, and in 1972, to our current industrial site, designed by Harry Jr. as a multi-line fabrication shop. BSMW continues to actively contribute to industrial, commercial, and residential development throughout south Texas.

We like to give credit to our success to our loyal and committed shop staff, several of whom have been with us for more than 30 years.