In this episode, Michael Bennett, a welder and metal artist based in Wadsworth, Ill., joins The Fabricator Podcast to discuss how an unfortunate car accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down reignited his passion for working with metal, particularly scrap metal. Michael talks about how attending mechanic school helped instill a mindset of continuous learning and adapting to new technologies, which he says inspired him to relearn how use his tools after he lost strength in his...

In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, sponsored by Salvagnini America and part of the Automation Talk series, Tim Heston interviews Clay Case and Matt Humerick of Salvagnini about the role of software automation in modern precision sheet metal fabrication. They discuss the challenges and bottlenecks in the fabrication process, the importance of data flow and communication between design, engineering, and manufacturing, and the benefits of software in streamlining production and...

In this episode, Christian Streu, CFO of The Partner Companies, and Charles Cohen, President of FotoFab, join The Fabricator Podcast to talk about the growing trend of mergers and acquisitions in manufacturing. They discuss the evolution of Chicago-based The Partner Companies and how smaller manufacturing and fabrication businesses can benefit from being part of a larger organization. The Partner Companies was formed in 1997 by founders Dan Brumlik and Scott Bekemeyer with a focus to bring...

On this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, Philadelphia-based welder and trades advocate Pa'Trice Frazier joins host Dan Davis and Josh Welton at SEMA, in partnership with Miller Electric. Pa'Trice chats about how she got her start as a welder and working Atlanta projects like the Mercedes Benz Stadium, Spanx Headquarters, Marta Buckhead Bridge, and, in Philadelphia, the River Alive Exhibit at the Independence Seaport Museum. She also talks about appearing on the NBC show Hot Wheels:...

Emma Sauve of Mobsteel and Detroit Steel Wheel brings the energy as she joins host Dan Davis and Josh Welton on this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, in partnership with Miller Electric at SEMA 2023 in Las Vegas. Emma talks about the history of Mobsteel and how its focus on customizing Lincoln Continentals from the 1960s led to the creation of Detroit Steel Wheel in 2012, which specializes in fabricating and designing custom wheels for big-body styled cars. Emma also talks about her job...

Ryan Fielding of Ringbrothers joins hosts Dan Davis and Josh Welton on this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, in partnership with Miller Electric at SEMA 2023 in Las Vegas. Ryan goes into detail about the three builds that Wisconsin-based Ringbrothers displayed at SEMA: a 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible called “Uncaged”, a 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II called “Paramount”, and a 1969 Dodge Charger called “Tusk”. Ryan also talks about how his family's background influenced his career as a...

In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, and in partnership with Miller Electric, Andy Weyenberg from Miller's motorsports division and Real Garage with Andy, joins us live at SEMA 2023 in Las Vegas to discuss the welding industry and its applications in the performance racing industry. Andy talks about his love of motorsports, the science behind the various types of welding, what SEMA means for Miller, how race cars influence different welding techniques, the famous car builders at SEMA,...

Brothers Anthony and Rob DiVito, the founders of custom furniture shop iRcustom, make their return to The Fabricator Podcast to offer more transparent insight into small business ownership in the metal fabrication industry. This time, they brought with them a coffee table for our revamped studio. We chat about the fabrication details of that project and what's new with their Chicago-area business. The discussion covers how they've gone away from relying too much on vertical integration,...

Joe Clark, CEO and founder of Architectural Elements, joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk custom fabrication, business ownership, video production, and more. He discusses the early days of his career and how he took his Seattle-area business from a garage shop to what Clark calls a multi disciplined organization that focuses design, production and installation of art, signage, architectural components and furnishings. Clark, who produces a series called “Made With Metals” with Online...

Staci Martinez joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk about starting her own small business in Sioux Falls, S.D. called 605 Shield Maiden, which focuses on creating metal art sculptures, fabricating handrails, and combing wood and metal to make furniture. She discusses how working briefly as a production welder and seeing all the potential in the scrap metal bin inspired her to pursue metal art. Staci eventually created her first sculpture, a gnome, and was chosen to have it on display at...

Tom Patsis of Cold Hard Art joins the podcast to talk about the never-ending business of designing, fabricating, and building trophies for motorsports events. Tom sits down with hosts Josh Welton and Dan Davis at FABTECH 2023 in Chicago, and opens up about how he left his job at Don Schumacher Racing as a fabricator to start his own business, as well as the pros and cons of starting a small business. He also talks about winning the first season of Metal Shop Masters on Netflix and...

Aaron Prather, the director for the Robotics and Autonomous Systems Program at ASTM International, joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk about the importance of robotics and automation standards in manufacturing and the metal fabrication sector. Prather emphasizes the need for input from small and medium-sized businesses in order to address their specific challenges and develop relevant standards. He also highlights the potential for Automation-as-a-Service and the importance of engaging...

Greg Davis of Red Beard's Garage joins hosts Josh Welton and Rafael Guerrero to talk about his wildly popular YouTube channel, which he uses to teach people how to build and fabricate small engine vehicles like go-karts, minibikes, and side-by-sides. He shares how he started this venture by wanting to build his daughter a go-kart without any prior fabrication and welding experience. He also talks about how the first Fast & Furious movie sparked his interest, fabricating tube chassis for...

In this episode of The Fabricator podcast, sponsored by Schuler Group, host Dan Davis interviews Chris McMahon of Schuler North America about tubular hydroforming and how it serves the manufacturing industry. McMahon explains that the metal forming process involves loading a tube into a die, closing the die, and using water pressure to shape the tube. He highlights the advantages of hydroforming, such as eliminating secondary processes and providing consistent part-to-part results. McMahon...

Nikita Adickes, a fabricator and project manager at Orange County, California-based architectural fabrication shop CTEK, discusses her passion for metal fabrication and her nontraditional journey in the industry. She shares her experience working on various projects, including architectural art installations with the likes of Frank Gehry and James Turrell. Nikita also talks about the challenges she faces as a woman in a male-dominated field and the importance of proving herself through...

After starting his metal fabrication career in 2008 and working through some personal demons, Matt Tyler came out on the other side with his own business: Matt Tyler Designs. In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, Matt discusses the growing pains of small business ownership in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and specializing in architectural metalwork, with a focus on engineering and fabricating doors, windows, and metal framing. He also talks about his blend course, where he offers...

Shanen Aranmor says she was once described as a life coach under a welding helmet. She's taken that philosophy and run with it, and now identifies herself as Chief Wellness Welder with all the various initiatives she's involved in. In our first episode recorded from FABTECH 2023 in Chicago, Aranmor joins host Dan Davis and co-host Rafael Guerrero to talk about her Yuma, Ariz.-based program Weld Like A Girl, her involvement with SkillsUSA welding competition, being a judge on Project MFG's...

Mitch Kraemer was working in the restaurant industry in Denver when friend and fabricator Tim Omspach approached him with an interesting career opportunity. Omspach had just launched Vvolfy Metal Works and acquired Ludwig Goppenhammer's business model of fabricating aerial equipment. Even though Kraemer didn't have any fabrication experience, he took on the challenge. Fast forward a few years later, Kraemer now manages Vvolfy's eastern operations out of Detroit in a booming aerial equipment...

Kevin Cartwright had a very nontraditional path to becoming a welding instructor. The longtime Detroit-based multi media artist, working under the name Nivek Monet, spent years painting before turning his attention to metal sculpture art. That led him to working in various metal fabrication shops to learn how to weld. Eventually, he became the lead welding instructor at Randolph Career and Technical Center, a Detroit high school focused on teaching skilled trades. In this episode of The...

Myron Elkins joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk about his journey of being a factory welder from small-town Otsego, Mich., to becoming an touring Americana recording artist backed by Nashville producer Dave Cobb and Elektra Records. From ages 17 to 21, Elkins made his way through a vocational welding program at Allegan Area ESA Tech Center in rural Western Michigan and worked as a welder for Landscape Forms, fabricating high-end outdoor furniture. Also during that time, Elkins also...

Since starting The Detroit Bus Company in 2011, it's been nonstop movement with a purpose for Andy Didorosi. After getting DBC off the ground, he has launched a number of other Detroit-focused initiatives, including The Detroit Student Race Team, Mutiny Racing, and The Arsenal of Clean. And housing all of those projects is a old 55,000-square-foot multi-purpose factory that he recently bought right in the middle of downtown Detroit. Andy joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk all about of those...

This week, Jessica Considine – a welder, fabricator, and artist based in the Detroit-area – joins The Fabricator Podcast. She's the creative force behind Sculpted Roots and a full-time fabricator for the Department of Defense with Navistar. In short, Considine exemplifies what a metal fabrication career can look like for the next generation of skilled tradespeople. Also joining the podcast as co-host is Darla Welton of Brown Dog Welding and the Still Building America Series on...

What efforts are being made to reinvigorate apprenticeship opportunities in the manufacturing industry and the United States? One major manufacturer, Bühler Group, has been making strides to grow its welding apprenticeship program in North Carolina and Minnesota. Program director Michael Taylor joined The Fabricator Podcast to discuss what Bühler is doing make apprenticeships more appealing to start a career path in the trades, how they are taking the best practices from the Swiss company's...

This week on The Fabricator Podcast, we speak with the creative geniuses behind Chicago-based Vector Custom Fabricating, including co-founder Steve Mueller and partner/fabricator Seth Goddard. Mueller, along with Barry Hehemann and Mike Wilkie, started Vector in 1978 with a focus on blending artistic sculptures and architectural/structural metal fabrication. Mueller talks about the history of Vector and how it's become the longest-run public art fabrication outfit in the country. And...

Ron Dyrcz of Ronders Wood & Metal Works joins us on the The Fabricator Podcast to talk about his Chicago-area custom furniture business that combines metalworking and carpentry. A self-described maker, Ron discusses how he went from building furniture on the side while working at a production fabrication shop to getting laid off and starting his own small business. He also goes into how he's battling Crohn's disease, creating his iconic wall mounted bar, the value he gets out of...