OUR STORY ~ Langley Metal Works is a family owned business that was formed by husband and wife team, Jessica and Curtis Langley. Jessica is an accomplished artist, using many different mediums, while Curtis enjoys working with machines and fabrication. The pairing of their two talents is a recipe made for success.
How it all started ~ When the business was formed, Jessica was working for a landscaping company as the office manager, and Curtis was a high school Agriculture teacher who specialized in Ag Mechanics instruction. Jessica pitched the idea of a few promotional items she had created to her boss for gifts at an upcoming company party as a way to make a little extra cash. She enlisted the help of Curtis and his welding and fabrication skills to provide the product she had designed, a customized branding iron with the company’s logo. The finished product was the hit of the party! Several similar experiences with custom metal work that Jessica designed and Curtis built followed and thus the business began. After completing several custom metal jobs for friends, they identified the need for their services and soon realized that owning their own business and providing a unique product to extremely satisfied customers was their ultimate goal.
Before changing this from a hobby and side job into a true business, the husband and wife team researched the market to determine the keys to success in the industry. After researching the vendors and industry, they came to the conclusion that truly custom art made from metal was in limited supply. So they began Langley Metal Works to meet the need and provide 100% custom art work, for commercial and personal use, at a reasonable price. Having a fluid business plan and adapting to market needs while maintaining the desire to provide excellent customer service and a custom quality product has allowed Jessica and Curtis to grow their business and become successful.
How it all started ~ When the business was formed, Jessica was working for a landscaping company as the office manager, and Curtis was a high school Agriculture teacher who specialized in Ag Mechanics instruction. Jessica pitched the idea of a few promotional items she had created to her boss for gifts at an upcoming company party as a way to make a little extra cash. She enlisted the help of Curtis and his welding and fabrication skills to provide the product she had designed, a customized branding iron with the company’s logo. The finished product was the hit of the party! Several similar experiences with custom metal work that Jessica designed and Curtis built followed and thus the business began. After completing several custom metal jobs for friends, they identified the need for their services and soon realized that owning their own business and providing a unique product to extremely satisfied customers was their ultimate goal.
Before changing this from a hobby and side job into a true business, the husband and wife team researched the market to determine the keys to success in the industry. After researching the vendors and industry, they came to the conclusion that truly custom art made from metal was in limited supply. So they began Langley Metal Works to meet the need and provide 100% custom art work, for commercial and personal use, at a reasonable price. Having a fluid business plan and adapting to market needs while maintaining the desire to provide excellent customer service and a custom quality product has allowed Jessica and Curtis to grow their business and become successful.
What we do ~ Many metal fabrication shops across the country provide custom work for walk-in customers but few machine shops have the ability to take a person’s rough idea of a finished product and turn it into a work of art, such as a self portrait made of metal or a gate that tells the story and heritage of 50 years of farming at that location. Langley Metal Works does just that! Additionally, they are able to offer this truly custom product to the guy down the street or a client that is 4,000 miles away, thanks to a website built and maintained by Jessica. They provide one-of-a-kind designs and have the talent to incorporate these pieces of art work into many different structures, such as signs, wall hangings, murals, etc. that are shipped all across the United States as well as internationally. Additionally, they are able to build and install fully operational objects such as gates and outdoor furniture that can be customized. Langley Metal works is also proud to distinguish their products, and all components of their products, as American Made, proudly made in Hico, Texasi.
Who are we? ~ Jessica Langley, the owner of the company, is a talented artist that has an eye for detail, and demands perfection when it comes to designing custom metal art pieces. She is an out of the box thinker that puts new twist on old ideas and creates deeply personalized and meaningful art for her clients. Curtis, her husband, is a machinist, fabricator, and a welder who can build anything that Jessica comes up with. He is very skilled, precise, and executes on the plans that Jessica designs to create a top quality product.
Both Curtis and Jessica come from a rural background in East Texas where they lived for the first 25 years of their lives. This deep connection to their rural roots often is the inspiration behind their art work and has helped to define their unique style that they bring to their clients. Both attended Sam Houston State University, where Jessica earned a degree in Art Studio and Curtis obtained a degree in Agriculture Education and Mechanics. Curtis also obtained a Phd in Agriculture Education from the University of Missouri. They are successfully combining their education and God-given talents to create a very unique product. Both are hard working and take an active part in every facet of the business from design to shipping, sales, and anything in between.
Curtis and Jessica have two beautiful girls, Kassidy and Caroline and a son Clay. Both girls are involved in many local activities, including FFA, church, and cheerleading. The kids are also a part of the Langley Metal Works team, as they help their Mom and Dad in whatever capacity is needed. Jessica and Curtis are proud to be able to show their children the true value of hard work, dedication, and the entrepreneurial spirit that keeps America running.