On the left, Stephen (l) and Mitchell (r) Byrd are behind every product they produce.
Ashley Welding has become a leading manufacturer of hardtops and towers for performance and fishing vessels.
Steven Byrd realizes that for boating enthusiasts spending hundreds of thousands on a boat, even minor details can determine success or cancellation of a sale. This is why Byrd and his team at Ashley Welding meticulously ensure their marine products have impeccable welds.
“We’re definitely recognized for our high-quality welds,” stated Byrd, the vice president of Ashley Welding. “Many can weld. Our work is used on boats costing $400,000 and $500,000, and it has to reflect that quality.”
One of the boat manufacturers utilizing their service is Sunsation Powerboats, whose president Wayne Schaldenbrand praised Ashley Welding, saying, “They have impressive welds and operate very professionally.”
Todd Taylor from Center Console Life captured an image of Ashley Welding’s headquarters.
Located in Edenton, N.C., Ashley Welding manufactures T-tops, seat frames, towers, engine mounts, bowrails, struts, rudders, shaft logs, and other components for various clients, including Sunsation, World Cat, and Edenton Boatworks, which constructs Albemarle and Carolina Classic boats.
The business is jointly owned by Steven and his father, Mitchell Byrd, the company president. Besides their marine work, Ashley Welding also produces conveyor belts and other machinery for the peanut industry. Mitchell, at 61, oversees the non-marine segment while 33-year-old Steven manages the boating aspect. Steven began working at the company at 18, under his father’s guidance as vice president, where he learned advanced welding techniques. Eventually, Mitchell acquired the company, and in 2012, Steven bought a stake as well.
“When I started, the economy was thriving, and our focus was solely on boat-related projects,” shared Steven Byrd. However, during the economic downturn in 2008 and 2009, the father-and-son duo innovated to attract business in the peanut sector, allowing them to remain operational. This diversification ultimately strengthened Ashley Welding, which now employs 15 people in a 22,000-square-foot facility, supplemented by an 80’ x 40’ storage building.
Below, Ashley Welding fabricates towers and hardtops for Albemarle boats and (above) produced the customized T-top for the Poker Runs America safety vessel.
On the marine front, Ashley Welding’s primary offerings are hardtops and T-tops designed for larger 32’ and 36’ fishing vessels. The company also constructs tuna and cobia towers. Because it is appropriately sized to meet demand while still being nimble enough for specialty projects, Steven Byrd can take on custom assignments. He recently revamped a tower for Albemarle with numerous curves and rakes to align with contemporary aesthetics. “Our main goal is durability,” Byrd affirmed. “Everything is leaning towards curves and rolls,” he noted when describing design trends. “We aim for it to appear fast, even when stationary.”
Currently, one design trend that excites Byrd is how brands like Sunsation have begun merging hardtop and T-top bases into the consoles to maximize cockpit space. “A more compact design provides a sleeker appearance,” he remarked. “While strength is essential, minimizing unnecessary structure is the direction design is taking.”
Typically, Ashley Welding creates towers and T-top frames using 2” diameter aluminum tubing. Byrd sketches all designs by hand, and due to his collaborative efforts with manufacturers, he has garnered their confidence in introducing new concepts. Every joint is tig-welded to achieve the pristine look they are recognized for.
When not engaged in welding, Byrd loves boating with his wife Stephanie and their three daughters: Whitney, 17, Madison, 14, and Karley, 11. He previously owned a Regulator 26’ center console, but he recently sold it and is currently without a boat. In his free time, Byrd enjoys fishing off the Carolina coast targeting tuna, dolphin, and marlin, with plans to enter several tournaments this year.
Looking ahead for Ashley Welding, their strategy is clear: continue producing high-quality items and fostering robust relationships with their clientele. “We’re a small-town business,” Byrd stated. “We put in diligent effort and take pride in our work.”