The Fabricator Podcast

Demi Knight Clark joined us on The Fabricator Podcast to talk about her efforts to open career pathways in the welding and manufacturing industries to people of all backgrounds and genders. She talks about how her grandmother's work as a Rosie the Riveter during World War II fueled Clark's own interest in the trades, pivoting from a career in construction, focusing on workforce development initiatives that engage underrepresented populations, and partnering with welder Nate Bowman on initiatives with Lincoln Electric, Goodwill Industries, Marketing Metal, and more. Clark emphasizes the need for more inclusive recruiting, welcoming environments, and mentorship to attract and retain a diverse workforce in the skilled trades. Her mission is to "put welding in places where welding is not" and inspire the next generation to see the opportunities in modern manufacturing. This episode was recorded at FABTECH 2024 in Orlando, Fla. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

On this episode of the Fabricator Podcast, Blake Hamar, the founder of Cali Raised LED and Apex Fabworks, joins us to talk about starting a manufacturing business in high school, growing it into a successful aftermarket and job shop operation, and implementing an unconventional management structure. Hamar started his business in high school while attending boarding school in California, selling LED light bars for trucks. He then expanded into manufacturing brackets and other truck accessories, eventually moving the operation to Texas. Hamar's company, which has an average employee age of 23, has embraced automation and a non-traditional, non-hierarchical management structure. The company focuses on rapidly developing new products for the truck aftermarket, with a particular emphasis on Toyota vehicles. Despite his young age, Hamar has demonstrated a knack for growing the business and leveraging technology to increase productivity and efficiency. This episode is brought to you by MC Machinery Systems, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation. This episode was recorded at FABTECH 2024 in Orlando, Fla. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Metal artist Sarah Stork joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk about creating intricate, lifelike sculptures using welding techniques. The Texas-based artist discusses how she stumbled into sculpting through a welding class and has since honed her skills to produce detailed dozens of works like a blue heron with thousands of individually welded feathers, large intimidating cassowary, endless amounts of stingrays. Stork also chats about how she relies on hand tools, hammers, and welding processes like MIG and TIG to capture the organic forms of her animal subjects. Stork expresses her passion for sharing her knowledge and encouraging young people, especially women, to explore welding and metalworking as creative outlets. She views events like FABTECH as valuable opportunities to connect with other artists and continue learning. At the top, Jordan Yost of Precision Tube Laser joins us again to talk about his own venture into metal art, including a piece he created for our podcast studio. This episode was recorded at FABTECH 2024 in Orlando, Fla. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Nate Bowman and Kyle Worzala join Dan Davis and Josh Welton to talk about 3M Clash of the Grinders, a student-based competition sponsored by 3M that teaches proper grinding techniques and safety. It features 12 contestants who receive hands-on training from industry experts. Bowman, known as the Weld Scientist, hosted Season 2, and Worzala, a welding instructor at Gateway Technical College in Kenosha, Wis., served as one of three judges. They look behind the scenes and talk about how the competition aimed to teach contestants the importance of proper abrasive selection, tool angle, and pressure control when grinding. The guys also talk about learning from mistakes, the power of a trade school education, and the Power Rangers. This episode was recorded at FABTECH 2024 in Orlando, Fla. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

BlueForge Alliance Chief Strategy Officer Tim Shinbara joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk about how BFA serves as a neutral integrator for the U.S. Navy, focusing on improving the capability and capacity of the submarine industrial base. The conversation delves into BlueForge's outreach and workforce initiatives, including Build Submarines campaigns and partnerships with organizations like Major League Baseball, NASCAR, and the WNBA, aimed at raising awareness and inspiring new talent. Tim describes the challenges small businesses face in joining the defense supply chain, noting that many lack awareness of how their work impacts defense projects. He emphasizes BlueForge’s role in offering “free consulting” to help smaller companies address pain points and improve processes, ultimately increasing capacity within the submarine supply chain. Tim also reflects on his early career in the Navy and how he later developed an appreciation for the intricacies of manufacturing. At the top, Dan and Gareth highlight metal artists Christina and Darren Thompson of New Jersey-based Thompson Craft. They created a metal sculpture of a hammerhead shark named "Sledge." This episode was recorded at IMTS 2024 in Chicago. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Drew Crowe shares his inspiring journey from a teenage felon to a leading manufacturing advocate and speaker to creating The New American Manufacturing Renaissance. Crowe stumbled into the metalworking industry by chance, finding a job at a machine shop that put him on a path to success that he never expected. He now travels the country inspiring the next generation to embrace modern manufacturing careers, emphasizing the limitless possibilities available. Crowe also discusses his work developing a workforce recruitment and retention app to help manufacturers connect with qualified candidates and support their career development. His story highlights the transformative power of manufacturing and the importance of investing in people to build a robust, diverse talent pipeline. Crowe also talks about his time as an instructor of advanced manufacturing technology at Ranken Technical College, how his "MFG" moniker came about, creating jewelry and grills, and the importance of true industry advocacy that goes beyond just talk and LinkedIn clout. And stay around for Dan's rendition of "Stick 'Em" by The Fat Boys. This episode was recorded at IMTS 2024 in Chicago. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Emily Wilkins, founder of Marketing Metal, helps job shops, machine shops, metal fabricators, custom equipment builders, and other small manufacturing businesses build their brands and tell their stories. She returns for her second appearance on The Fabricator Podcast, and provides comprehensive marketing services, including website development, content creation, and social media management. Wilkins emphasizes something she calls "Specific Human Optimization" (or SHO, similar to SEO strategy), which is the importance of authenticity and creating an emotional connection with customers through a company's online presence. She also highlights the value of networking and industry partnerships for driving business growth. Wilkins will be presenting a workshop on "Marketing Doesn't Have to Suck" at the upcoming FABTECH trade show in Orlando, Fla. This episode was recorded at IMTS 2024 in Chicago. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Sharon Cobb, the associate program manager for NASA's Space Launch System, discussed the innovative technologies and manufacturing processes being used to build the massive rocket that will enable this new era of space exploration. Cobb is one of the forces behind NASA's Artemis program, which aims to send humans back to the moon for the first time in over 50 years and develop plans for a sustained presence and future exploration of Mars. Cobb highlighted the critical role that small businesses and diverse teams of engineers and technicians across the country are playing in contributing to this national effort. She emphasized the importance of inspiring the next generation and providing mentorship opportunities to encourage more young people, including international partners, to pursue careers in STEM fields and be part of humanity's journey to the moon and beyond. This episode was recorded at IMTS 2024 in Chicago. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Jay Lockett of Kansas City-based Jay Fabwerks joins us to talk about how he made the jump from a hobby welder working on cars to creating a metal fabrication business that serves everything from working on custom railings to structural fab projects, and how he did it in a non-traditional way without formal welding education. Jay also chats about embracing an entrepreneurial mindset, hiring workers, his love of cars, dropping a V8 engine into an BMW 3 Series, how he almost chose a career as chef, his thoughts on welding schools, designing and building rose and crypto art, the importance of mental health and nutrition in the trades, the most difficult project he ever worked on, making orange juice cake, and more. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Jason and Miranda Chiasson, owners of Chiasson Smoke based in Blue River, Wis., discuss their journey developing their metal fabrication business. They share how they went from creating custom spurs to expanding a product mix focused on rocket stoves, grills, smokers, fire pits, custom signs, and more. They share the growing pains of running a small business on their family homestead, the role social media and digital marketing has played in their success, and their focus on efficiency and continuous improvement. They also talk about their experience working together as a husband and wife team, work-life balance, upgrading their shop's machines, and their plans for the future. Jason and Miranda also talk about their previous lives working on a ranch, Miranda's father inventing the Chopper Spotter, making a proper gumbo, and Wisconsin fish fry. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Adam Fullerton is a Toronto-based metal fabricator who specializes in creating railings, doors, and other accent pieces for commercial and residential settings. The wanderlust tradesman talks about his career working in different trades (like car restoration and masonry) around the world, from England to Australia to Canada, and how it all led to him starting his own small business, Fullerton Metal Fab. Fullerton also talks about experience in upcycling found objects and scrap metal into furniture and lighting fixtures. He also speaks about his plans to moving his shop to a larger space, acquire more equipment to enhance his capabilities, the process of hiring employees and focusing his marketing efforts on Instagram. This is the fourth of four episodes recorded at FABTECH Canada in Toronto. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Jamie McMillan, founder of Made in the Trades and Kick Ass Careers, is a Canada-based advocate for the skilled trades industry. She discusses her journey in the trades, her efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the industry, and her work in schools and communities across Canada. Jamie also talks about her coloring book project that aims to educate children about different career opportunities in the trades, including ironworkers, boilermakers, construction workers, and welders. The conversation also touches on various topics such as the challenges faced by women in the trades, the importance of authenticity, the need for a change in workplace culture, and recognizing workers who struggle with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD. Jamie also mentions her plans to travel and promote the trades in different communities. At the top, co-host and Canadian Fabricating & Welding Editor Rob Colman, talks about his family connection to the late Bill Kobayashi, who is credited with modernizing bubble/table hockey. This is the second of four episodes recorded at FABTECH Canada in Toronto. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Diane Reko, CEO of Reko International and Concorde Precision Machining, joins us to chat about her father starting the business in 1976, her taking over the company, implementing automation processes, and her thoughts on maintaining a strong manufacturing base in Canada. She also talks about her family's Hungarian roots, the automotive industry, the construction sector, developing skilled trades in Canada, the importance of business leaders walking the shop floor, and maintaining livable wages for people working in the trades. Reko International specializes in automation equipment and machining, serving various industries such as automotive, aerospace, and mining. At the top, Joe Thompson, Editor of Canadian Metalworking, talks about celebrating the publication's 120th anniversary in 2025 and it being one of the longest-standing trade magazines in Canada. This is the second of four episodes recorded at FABTECH Canada in Toronto. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Max Ceron, the director of the CWB Association, discusses his role in supporting the welding and fabricating industry in Canada. He emphasizes the importance of upskilling the current workforce and creating opportunities for the next generation of welders and fabricators. Ceron also talks about the need for better communication between welders and engineers, as well as the growing trend of entrepreneurialism among young welders. He shares his own experiences as a welder and educator, and highlights the importance of community and networking in the industry. Ceron also mentions his side hustle as a podcaster and radio show host, and his plans for expanding the CWB Association's reach internationally. This is the first of four episodes recorded at FABTECH Canada in Toronto. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Desirée Guzmán, a welding instructor with Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT), joins us to talk about her full-circle career as welder. She talks about how she was inspired by a metal artist she met during a trip to Puerto Rico to start her own jewelry-making business. She also explains how that piqued her interest in learning how to weld. Desirée discusses how after enrolling in CWIT's welding program, it led to her working at number of Chicago-area fab shops. The after a few years of working in industry, her career came full circle when she accepted an open welding instructor position at CWIT. She also talks about the mission behind CWIT and its work to not only get more women to work in the trades, but empowering them with confidence and a community. At the top, we call back to a conversation in an episode with Michael Bennett about a toy plastic welder. We compare and contrast Mattel's Spin Welder and Mindware's Spin-Gineer. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Matt Brunner, co-founder and co-owner of Manitowoc, Wis.-based Brunner Fabrication joins us to talk about how he transformed his family's autobody shop into a successful metal fab shop focused on high-volume production. Brunner talks about launching his fabrication business in 2018, growing the shop footprint to 12,000 sq. ft., finding a niche in high-volume sheet metal part production, partnering with TRUMPF, working with snow equipment manufacturer Ariens Co., training a workforce without any fabrication experience, and developing an apprenticeship program. At the top, we introduce the newest member to the podcast team, Griffin Hammond, and talk about the documentary "Sriracha" that he wrote and produced. We also feature Clayton Deputy, a fabricator out of Santa Barbra, Calif., who went designed and fabricated an octopus sculpture. Deputy owns and operates Gnarwhal Creations, which mostly focuses on off-road and aftermarket fabrication. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Jeff Cupples, the president of Jackson, Tenn.-based Cupples J&J Company, discusses his experience with laser cutting machines and the benefits of high-powered lasers. He explains how his job shop has pushed the envelope with laser cutting technology, constantly seeking more power, speed, and acceleration. He emphasizes the importance of consistency in materials and the advantages of using high-powered lasers for precision cutting. Cupples also discusses his company's use of robotic welding cells and the benefits of using laser-cut fixtures. Cupples also highlights the importance of meeting customer demands and constantly pushing the boundaries of technology in the metal fabrication industry. Cupples is joined by Mitch Lewandowski to talk about his shop's partnership with Cutlite Penta America, a fiber laser system supplier for Italy-based Cutlite Penta in North America, and its ability to customize machines to meet specific needs. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Chaz Schroeder of Black River Group joins The Fabricator Podcast this week to talk about evolution of his family's manufacturing business, adapting to change, staying ahead of the industry curve, and more. Chaz explains how Black River Group, a third generation family-owned company in Mansfield, Ohio, evolved over 55 years from a marketing agency to a full-fledged manufacturing operation that offers a full range of services, including design, engineering, fabrication, and warehousing. He also talks about how the business specializes in custom in-stock displays and components and operates out of a 175,000-sq.-ft facility. Chris Miano joined Chaz to discuss Black River Group's partnership with X-Series USA and how it's help the company expand its metal fabrication capabilities. Miano also talked about the trends in laser cutting technology. Chaz and Chris also talk about the growth of automation and what it means for the the metal manufacturing sector. At the top, the guys talk about the movie "The Shawshank Redemption," which was filmed in Mansfield, Ohio, and is celebrating its 30-year anniversary. More specifically, they focus on Andy Dufresne's dubious prison escape scene and how he was able to bust open a thick metal sewer pipe with a rock. This episode is brought to you by X-Series USA. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Cameron Adams of Laser Precision, a contract metal fabricator in the Chicago area, joins the podcast to talk about how the family-run business has grown from a small 6,000-sq.-ft. shop to a 130,000-sq.-ft facility that serves large OEMs in the heavy equipment industry. Adams describes Laser Precision as a one-stop shop by providing end-to-end processes with laser cutting, CNC machining, welding, press brake forming, and powder coating. He also discusses Laser Precision's recent acquisition by Weller Metalworks, its plans for future growth, and the trend of mergers and acquisitions in metal manufacturing. He explains that many OEMs are looking to consolidate their supplier base and work with a select few trusted suppliers, and how Laser Precision works to be on that shortlist. Adams also discusses the company's focus on workforce development and its efforts to attract and train skilled employees. He emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about the manufacturing industry and the opportunities it offers. Adams also mentions the potential for AI and automation in the industry, particularly in areas such as scheduling and quoting, as well as the importance of near-shoring supply chains. At the top, the guys discuss Nuts, Bolts, & Thingamajigs summer manufacturing camps and Back to the Future. This episode is brought to you by MC Machinery Systems, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Patrick Brunken, VP of Addison Machine Engineering, joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk about the tube and pipe industry, running a multi-generational family-owned business, keeping up with tube mill technology, and moving operations from Chicago to Reedsburg, Wis. Brunken discusses the challenges and rewards of running a family-owned mid-sized company in the tube and pipe industry, and how his son has become the family's fourth generation to work in the business. He also about the changes in technology and the need for skilled workers in the industry. Brunken also mentions the growth in structural steel due to the increase in warehousing and the importance of serving the automotive industry. He emphasizes the importance of staying up-to-date with technology and the need for continuous learning in the industry. Brunken also discusses the competitive landscape and the advantages of being a family-owned company. He mentions the challenges of working with new customers and the importance of building relationships with them. Finally, he talks about the rewarding aspects of his job, the excitement of working in a diverse industry, and the valuable resources the organizations like Fabricators and Manufacturers Association offer to the sector. At the top, the guys about how a shop in Texas designed and fabricated the world's largest hex nut, which has been dubbed "Big Tex the Incredible Hex." The structure was built for Houston-area company Patriot Bolt. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.