Address

Johnston Metalwork
President Jay Johnston
11622-C North Straits Hwy
Cheboygan, MI 49721

Office Hours

March 1st - September 30th
Mon - Fri:   9am - 5pm
Saturday: 10am - 1pm

Off Season and Sundays
by appointment.

Johnston Metalwork History

In the early 1960's my father Jim Johnston was running Johnston Marine for boat sales and small engine service. Many customers then needed a way to access their boats. He found an unmet need for docks strong enough for summer waves, while temporary to remove ahead of crushing ice. My grand-father Art Johnston, a professional Machinist, lent his engineering talents. Together they put our dock system on the market in 1962.

Next Generation

In 1989 I took over the Dock portion of the business, and began offering additional services as Johnston Metalwork. Over time adding Steel Frame Stairs, Ornamental Ironwork Fences and Railings, Automated Driveway Gates, and even Floating Docks. Initially I used the same design, materials, and tooling. But over the last twenty years I have improved the accuracy, fit, and finish with updated materials and tools. While the basic Stanchion design has continued to work so well it has never needed improvement.

New Products

In the late 90's I was frustrated with the available poorly designed and manufactured ladders and benches. So I started from scratch to design ergonomic, comfortable, and durable ladders and benches. The benches were easy but the ladders required a whole new set of processes and tools which I developed and built. It was quickly apparent that these accessories needed to be painted to really shine.

Expanded Services

In 1999 I completed a new Powdercoating system and started painting with the most durable and environmenally friendly process. Developed for our growing volume of Ladder sales, I soon found side jobs, and Powdercoating became an ancillary venture. We have since expanded our system with more paint options, better equipment, and greater capabilities. Specializing in small batching, our lead time and prices are minimal.

Scope of Impact

Docks and Dock Services continue to be our main product line. We have completed projects all over Northern Michigan and other states as well. Small lakes, big lakes, Great Lakes, rivers, rocky, sandy, mucky, logs, even silt has been done. Any scale from small fishing boat access up to large association projects. All projects are customized using our flexible system, but a few stand apart. We have a one of a kind floating dock that ice still necessitates removing. As well as fully permanent installations where the ice flow is minor, but still a threat.