Every so often it is worth putting the tools down and getting everyone together. Last week the whole MJ Patch team did exactly that, swapping the workshop for a few hours in the sunshine at our staff summer BBQ, and the result was a fantastic afternoon that showed exactly why the staff summer BBQ is such a success at MJ Patch. With good food, a proper break from work, and time to enjoy each other’s company, it was a simple reminder of the team spirit that sits behind the business.
For current and prospective MJ Patch employees, industry professionals interested in company culture, and anyone curious about what working at MJ Patch & Co is really like, this gives a closer look at the afternoon itself, the role social events play in day-to-day working life, and how that culture connects to careers and recruitment. Days like this are a small but real part of working at MJ Patch because a strong, supportive team helps make the workplace better for everyone and underpins the way the company works.
A proper South West summer bbq afternoon
The sun came out, which is never guaranteed in the South West, and the team made the most of it. A huge thank you goes to our chefs for the day, Clive and Duncan, who kept everyone well-fed from the grill. There is something about a grill, a bit of sun, and the whole company in one place that resets everyone for the busy weeks ahead.
Good food, plenty of laughs, and a bit of time away from the programme: it was the perfect way to mark the team culture that makes this such a great place to work. It is easy to forget, when you are heads-down on a project, how much the people around you matter, and an afternoon like this is a good reminder.
What working at MJ Patch is actually like
You might be wondering what working at MJ Patch is really like, beyond the job advert. In short, it is a busy, hands-on steel fabrication team in Bristol that still feels like a family business, because it is one.
We have been a family-run steel fabricator since 1955, and a lot of that founding character is still here in how the team works together. People tend to stay, the workshop and the office sit close together, and you get to know the people you work with rather than just emailing them.
The mix of work helps too. One week the team might be detailing a structural frame, the next fitting a balustrade or a feature staircase, so the days rarely feel the same. New starters learn from people who have been fabricating steel for decades, which is hard to pick up from a textbook.
The team behind the complete steel solution
Behind every frame and balustrade is MJ Patch Engineering, a team that takes real pride in the work. We design, fabricate, and install everything from structural steel frames to fine architectural metalwork, and can offer a complete steel solution from our Winford workshop near Bristol.
You will find our work on schemes right across the region, including projects like our steelwork at the University of the West of England. We support clients from concept to completion at every stage of a project. As a Winford steel company, we are part of the local engineering scene, with engineering services across uk sectors and broader sectors alike. We are a reliable independent company with expertise and a focus on quality, able to offer builders beams and a range of work we deliver to the highest standards, while supporting skilled people in the region rather than losing them elsewhere.
If reading this has made you curious about joining us, take a look at the current openings on our careers page.
Why the social side matters
A company social event like a summer BBQ does more than fill an afternoon. It gives people from different teams a chance to talk properly, away from deadlines, and that easy familiarity carries straight back into the work. When the estimator knows the welder, and the draughtsperson knows the project manager, jobs simply run more smoothly. Team building activities help minimise conflict as relationships change over time.
Creating that kind of culture takes planning, leadership and organisation, and it is something we work at, not something we take for granted. The summer BBQ is one of several get-togethers across the year, and they help employees from different teams connect. Social events are key to establish a great company culture and ensure people enjoy working at MJ Patch as well as staying busy.
It is also part of why people choose to build a career here. A steady, friendly team is one of the reasons we can attract good fabricators and trainees in a competitive market for engineering skills across the South West, and team events help celebrate success and create such a brilliant place to work. If you would like to be part of that, we are always happy to hear from you, so drop us a line through our contact page.
Proud of the team
Afternoons like this are a credit to the people who make them happen, so a big shoutout to everyone who turned up, got stuck in, and made it such good fun. Great food, plenty of laughs, and a strong sense of the team spirit that makes MJ Patch a brilliant place to work.
A big thank you again to Clive and Duncan, the BBQ’s brilliant chefs, and to the whole team for a brilliant afternoon. It is one of the better sides of working at MJ Patch.
Frequently asked questions
What is it like working at MJ Patch?
It is a busy, hands-on environment that still feels like a family business. We design, fabricate, and install steel from our Winford workshop, the teams sit close together, and people tend to stay, so you learn from colleagues who have been in the trade for years.
Is MJ Patch hiring?
We list our current openings on the careers page, and availability changes through the year, so that is the best place to check. If nothing fits right now but you would still like to introduce yourself, you are welcome to get in touch.
Where is MJ Patch based?
We are based in Winford, near Bristol Airport, and work across Bristol, Bath, and the wider South West. Supply-only steelwork can be arranged across the UK mainland.
Does MJ Patch take on people new to the trade?
We are glad to hear from people starting out, with plenty of learning on the job from experienced colleagues, as well as experienced fabricators and draughtspeople. The best step is to check the careers page for current opportunities, or contact us to ask what might be available. If you are exploring apprenticeship routes more widely, the government’s apprenticeship search is a good place to start.
Start your engineering career with MJ Patch
Like the sound of working at MJ Patch? Whether you are an experienced fabricator, a draughtsperson, or just starting out, we would like to hear from you. Take a look at our careers page for current openings, or call our team on 01275 288984 or use our contact form. We are based in Winford, near Bristol, and work across Bristol, Bath, and the wider South West.
