The Fabricator Podcast

Fabricators and Manufacturers Association · thefabricator.com

The Fabricator Podcast features conversations with the people who make things out of metal: fabricators, welders, shop owners, manufacturers, and artists. Hosted by The Fabricator Editor-in-Chief Dan Davis with rotating co-hosts, the show explores manufacturing, the skilled trades, and the culture surrounding them. Part of the FMA Podcast Network.

116 episodes

10d ago latest

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English language

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Episodes 116

Fiber lasers, AI, and the evolution of a family job shop with Dave Emrich
10d ago · 1:01:23
Dave Emrich of Emtek Processed Alloys joins The Fabricator Podcast to discuss how the third-generation Southern Ontario job shop evolved from aging CO2 lasers to high-powered fiber laser cutting, waterjet cutting, and a growing range of metal fabrication capabilities. He also talks about using AI and internal software to improve quoting and organization, taking on difficult materials and unusual jobs, and succession plans and preparing the family business for its next generation. This episode was recorded at FABTECH Canada 2026 in Toronto in partnership with AMADA Canada and Canadian Fabricati
Leading welding projects across North America with Andrew Llewellyn
24d ago · 42:42
Andrew Llewellyn has spent his career welding and managing some of North America's largest power, infrastructure, and nuclear construction projects. In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, the UA pipefitter, Red Seal welder, and Kiewit welding manager discusses his path from field pipe welding into welding leadership. He explains how advanced wire-fed processes, phased-array ultrasonic testing, and collaborations with Lincoln Electric Canada and its Application Resource Centre (ARC) are changing industrial welding. Llewellyn also shares his perspective on workforce shortages, automation, co
Embracing automation and entrepreneurship in architectural fabrication
1mo ago · 49:12
Ted Redlarski, founder of Mississauga, Ontario-based Noram Enterprises, joins The Fabricator Podcast to discuss automation, entrepreneurship, and the leadership principles behind one of Canada's leading architectural metal fabrication companies. He explains how Noram grew from a small glazing contractor into a vertically integrated manufacturer by investing early in automation, embracing change, and building a culture centered on trust and long-term relationships.Redlarski also reflects on his remarkable journey from communist Poland to Canada and how those experiences shaped his approach to b
Taking a fabrication business beyond the shop with Ian Johnson
1mo ago · 1:00:27
Ian Johnson has worn a lot of hats throughout his career: automotive technician, high school shop teacher, television host, and now founder of Big Tire Garage and Digital Lug. In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, he shares how storytelling, video, and social media can help fabrication and welding businesses build lasting brands, connect with customers, and stand out in a crowded marketplace. He also discusses the evolution of off-road fabrication, what separates effective content from forgettable marketing, and why creating value for your audience matters more than chasing short-term met
Modernizing a family metal fabrication business with Milan Popik
2mo ago · 47:20
Milan Popik, owner of Metal Tronics in Mississauga, Ontario, joins The Fabricator Podcast to discuss transforming a family-run prototyping shop that started in his parents' basement 40-plus years ago into a highly automated metal fabrication business. After growing up in the shop and learning fabrication at an early age, Popik eventually purchased the company from his parents and began modernizing its operations through investments in laser cutting, robotic bending, laser welding, automated finishing, and digital manufacturing technologies. The conversation explores family business succession,
Addressing welding safety gaps with Bolu Ojo of SparkDefy
2mo ago · 58:37
Bolu Ojo joins The Fabricator Podcast to discuss SparkDefy, a startup developing fire-resistant welding head coverings for people with long or thicker hair. She shares how a welding job inspired the idea, the challenges of bringing a new PPE product to market, and her mission to make welding safety more inclusive with more products. Ojo also discusses launching the business, learning how to sew, and honing her welding skills while studying industrial design at Iowa State University. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions. Learn more about SparkDefy and the
Turning scrap metal into art and a business with David Groenjes
3mo ago · 1:08:21
Wisconsin-based metal artist David Groenjes joins The Fabricator Podcast to discuss building detailed wildlife sculptures from scrap metal, turning a side hobby into a full-time business, and finding inspiration in conservation, welding, and the outdoors. He also talks about what it takes for a metal artist to break into galleries, participating in the Tadweer (Recycling) International Art Exhibition Invitational in Doha, Qatar, and building a 10-foot-tall mosquito sculpture for the Anastasia Mosquito Control District in St. Augustine, Florida. Along the way, Groenjes shares how social media u
Collecting fabrication skills to grow a business with Jake LeGrand
3mo ago · 1:04:40
Jake LeGrand of Missouri-based LeGrand Metal Works balances a full-time structural engineering career while growing a fabrication business focused on handheld plasma cutting, custom metal art, welding, and fabrication projects. A graduate of the University of Kansas architectural engineering program, Jake shares how he first learned welding while working in university research labs and why fabrication became a creative outlet beyond engineering. The conversation covers rural fabrication culture, entrepreneurship, early-morning shop work, and the realities of growing a fabrication business whil
Running a fabrication shop at 23 with Emme Hughes of EH Metal Works
4mo ago · 47:37
At 23, Emme Hughes is already running a 10,000-square-foot fabrication shop. In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, she shares how she built EH Metalworks in Enid, Okla., from scratch, starting at 18 with no formal plan, just a passion for metalworking and lessons from her grandfather’s 50-year career. She breaks down the early projects that shaped her small business, how she taught herself design and plasma cutting, and what it’s like managing employees, quoting work, and leading a modern shop. Hughes also talks candidly about hiring challenges, earning respect as a young owner, and findi
Scaling a family-owned manufacturing business without losing control
4mo ago · 54:16
Jon and Andrew DeWys of Michigan-based DeWys Metal Solutions join The Fabricator Podcast to talk about growing and managing a 50-year-old family-owned manufacturing business. The father and son duo talk about how over the last 15 years, DeWys Manufacturing has added to its family of businesses with DeWys Stainless Solutions, Wyze Designs, ReFab, Shoreline Powder Coating, and American Grower Resource. They also talk about the calculated business decisions behind the metal fabricator's growth. They also talk about focusing on a being an employee-friendly company, the importance of workforce deve
Thinking differently about running a small manufacturing business
5mo ago · 1:03:19
Lori Tapani, co-owner and co-president of Wyoming Machine in Stacy, Minnesota, joins The Fabricator Podcast to discuss what it means to think differently when running a small manufacturing business. Alongside her sister, Traci Tapani, she has led the more than 50-year-old company for over three decades, following a unique succession plan that transitioned leadership from their father. A longtime FMA member and vice chair of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council, Tapani also brings a small business perspective to broader industry and policy discussions. She shares how their approa
Planning, investing, and taking risks in a small fabrication business
5mo ago · 1:07:27
Lisa Wertzbaugher of Iowa-based metal fabrication shop Wertzbaugher Services returns to the podcast to discuss the realities of running a small manufacturing business and offer practical advice for shop owners. She shares lessons on planning, investing in equipment, building a sales strategy, training a workforce, and using data to evaluate risk. Wertzbaugher also discusses the value of hiring younger workers and knowing when to move on from approaches that aren’t working. Her company specializes in custom welding, steel fabrication, equipment repair, and material-handling products such as rac
Preserving Richard Hunt's legacy with metal artist Eric W. Stephenson
6mo ago · 1:16:42
We’re joined by Chicago-based metal artist Eric W. Stephenson, founder of LunaBurn Studio and a fifth-generation craftsman. In addition to his own extensive career creating metal sculpture, Stephenson spent the final 23 years of Richard Hunt’s life working alongside the legendary artist, helping bring ambitious abstract metal sculptures to life. Stephenson talks about how Hunt’s career spanned more than 70 years and helped shape American metal sculpture, from his early civil rights–era work—including his response to the murder of Emmett Till—to major public commissions. His work appears in col
Shaping the Las Vegas Sphere with Chicago Metal Rolled Products
6mo ago · 1:03:59
Jeanette Vecchio Smith and Ken Pecho from Chicago Metal Rolled Products join us on our 100th episode to talk about CMRP’s role in shaping the Las Vegas Sphere. Ken, lead project engineer at Chicago Metal Rolled Products, and Jeanette, a manager at CMRP, walk us through what it took to bend and form massive tube and beam sections and how that capability put their shop at the center of a world-class project. Ken also shares how his love of art led him to a career in fabrication engineering, along with stories from some of his favorite projects, including the Royal Caribbean headquarters in Miami
Organizing growth in a modern fab shop with Colin Cosgrove
7mo ago · 1:07:08
Colin Cosgrove, president and CEO of Laystrom Manufacturing in Chicago, returns to The Fabricator Podcast to discuss how a mid-sized fabrication shop can plan for growth intentionally while maintaining flexibility, culture, and operational focus. Cosgrove shares lessons from his time at a larger manufacturer, how Laystrom collaborates with customers on design for manufacturability and cost reduction, and how the company is navigating tariffs and market uncertainty. He also discusses where artificial intelligence may fit in small manufacturing environments, workforce development challenges, how
Bringing automation to the shop floor with tube plasma cutting
7mo ago · 33:47
In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, Maxwell Keeler of Electro-Mechanical Integrators (EMI) explains how modern tube plasma cutting systems handle multiple material profiles, enable tab-and-slot construction, and remove much of the math and layout work from the process. He also talks about how, once a niche capability, tube plasma cutting has become a practical entry point for automation in tube fabrication, especially for shops moving beyond manual layout and cutting. The conversation focuses on what these capabilities mean for miscellaneous metals, agricultural, and OEM fabrication, an
Growing a metal fabrication business by keeping things simple
8mo ago · 45:01
Rod Galbreath, president of CenMac Metalworks, discusses how the Ohio-based company evolved from a small metal stamping operation into a laser-focused fabrication business. Galbreath explains why CenMac has prioritized investing in new equipment, including lasers, press brakes, and robotic welding cells, instead of adding multiple shifts. He outlines how this approach has increased capacity and productivity while supporting work-life balance for employees. He also describes a sales philosophy rooted in relationships, word-of-mouth, and long-term trust rather than a formal sales strategy. Throu
Applying science to abrasives for better welder productivity
9mo ago · 39:34
In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, guest host Nate Bowman (aka Weld Scientist) joins us as we speak with 3M abrasives application engineers Matt King and Kaeleigh Wilkins about the everyday realities of grinding, from why welders depend on it to how newer abrasive technology is improving weld prep and finishing. They also discuss surface-prep tools that remove coatings without damaging the base metal and why shops may want to rethink the abrasives they’ve used for years. We also touch on the third season of Clash of the Grinders, the student competition that’s helping bring new welders
Rethinking welder training with Marc Levin of Welder Underground
9mo ago · 45:12
Marc Levin joins us to talk about the Welder Underground, the New York City–based apprenticeship program he and his wife, Adina, launched in 2024 to help young people enter welding and fabrication. Supported by ESAB, the program builds technical skills, work habits, and real-world experience through large-scale public art projects like the Rappin’ Max Robot. Marc explains why hands-on, creative training is essential for bringing new talent into the trades. This episode was recorded at FABTECH 2025 in Chicago. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.
The story behind Knapheide's 175-plus years of truck manufacturing
10mo ago · 34:12
Discover how Knapheide, a sixth-generation family-owned company in Quincy, Ill., evolved from building wagons in 1848 to designing highly customized service trucks today. Greg Schutte, director of fabrication, shares insights on managing over 2 million SKUs, modernizing the shop floor with automation and precision equipment, and attracting a new generation of problem-solving talent. Learn how a company with deep roots in agriculture became a leader in custom fabrication, all while maintaining rapid lead times and embracing innovation. This episode was recorded at FABTECH 2025 in Chicago in par
Knowing when to pivot a fabrication business with John Axelberg
10mo ago · 43:32
CEO John Axelberg has led General Stamping & Metalworks for more than 30 years, guiding the century-old metal manufacturer, headquartered in South Bend, Ind., through major shifts in technology and industry demands in metal fabrication. He joins The Fabricator Podcast to discuss the company’s evolution and what it takes to stay relevant in modern manufacturing. This episode was recorded at FABTECH 2025 in Chicago in partnership with Paperless Parts. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.
Carrying the torch for oxy-fuel metal art with David Madero
11mo ago · 45:21
Renowned Mexico-based metal artist David Madero joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk about honoring the legacy of his father and artist, (Rogelio Madero), his love of working with oxyacetylene to create his distinctive welded sculptures, paying it forward by teaching his techniques, advice for other artists for working with welding companies to become brand ambassadors, and more. This episode was recorded at FABTECH 2025 in Chicago. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.
Roadmapping a career path in welding with Marvin Herrera
11mo ago · 1:03:02
Welding engineer and instructor Marvin Herrera joins us on The Fabricator Podcast to talk about his interesting and non-traditional career path to welding, his work with Chicago-based manufacturer Freedman Seating Company, teaching at Triton College, collaborating with JARC Training Center, and becoming a welding automation guru. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.
Building an aftermarket off-road fabrication business with Motobilt
12mo ago · 1:02:14
In this episode, we dive into the story of Motobilt with Dan DuBose and Hunter DuBose. Founded in 2012 by Dan, who began fabricating parts out of necessity when he couldn’t find what he needed. Since then, Alabama-based Motobilt has grown into a popular manufacturer of aftermarket Jeep and off-road and rock-crawling parts, earning a reputation for quality, innovation, and cutting-edge design. We explore how the company leverages advanced manufacturing techniques, including 3D printing and robotics, to prototype and produce their products, and how they’ve expanded into structural steel fabricat
Getting back to work with metal artist Rae Ripple
1y ago · 1:15:30
Rae Ripple returns to The Fabricator Podcast with updates on her life, metal art, and wild adventures. She shares stories about her move from Texas to Tennessee, major projects with Hypertherm, Northern Tool, Lincoln Electric, Harley-Davidson, Northeastern Junior College, and her passion for FABTECH. You’ll also hear how she freehand plasma-cut a 1941 Cadillac hood during the MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway with Build Submarines, flew upside-down in a plane, and retrofitted—then off-road-raced—a Pontiac Vibe in the O’Reilly Vibe 200. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comme