The Fabricator Podcast

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 while raising a family. Jake also talks about using social media to grow LeGrand Metal Works, building an audience around fabrication content, and the business side of online creators, including brand partnerships and sponsored content within the manufacturing industry. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

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 development with its DeWys University training program, the value of appearing on The Fabricator's annual FAB 40 list, and operating in the furniture-manufacturing hub of West Michigan. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions. Learn more about Fulcrum.

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 racks and baskets, along with trailer and farm equipment repair. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

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 and the Nashville International Airport expansion. Jeanette dives into CMRP’s family history, which began in 1908, and explains how the company continues to set the standard for major structural fabrication projects. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

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, and why tube cutting automation is increasingly helping shops maintain consistency as experienced fabricators retire. Learn more about Lantek, provider of CAM software for CNC programming and nesting. This episode was recorded at FABTECH 2025 in Chicago. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

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 into the trade. Nate also talks about his involvement with SparkForce manufacturing camps. This episode was recorded at FABTECH 2025 in Chicago. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

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 partnership with Salvagnini America. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

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.

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 fabrication through Anvil Industrial Group. We also discuss Motobilt’s close collaborations with brands like Jeep and Warn, as well as the custom off-road builds they create to showcase their latest products and design capabilities. We also talk with Dan and Hunter about rock crawling in Moab and Sand Hollow and rock bouncing in Alabama. 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.

In this episode, James Geier, founder of Chicago-based 555 International, shares how the business has evolved into a design-driven fabrication business known for delivering immersive, high-impact brand environments all across the country. Founded in 1988, Geier developed 555 into a go-to partner for custom fabrication projects across industries—from restaurants and retail stores to stadium installations and brand activations. Geier walks us through some of the company’s most recognizable work, including its role in shaping the retail experience at SoFi Stadium, the Madhouse Team Store at Chicago’s United Center, the official store at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, the Florida Panthers Flagship Pro Shop, and more. Geier also talks about starting his career designing for Niedermaier Furniture, creating and engineering the carousel bar at Francois Frankie in the Chicago Loop, and how he feels fashion fuels creativity. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Jarrod Klassen is the owner of Twisted Metal Sign Company, a business in Saskatchewan focused on creating intricate metal artwork using bead rolling techniques. While working in corrections, Jarrod discovered bead rolling as a hobby and has honed his skills over the past several years. He has gone from using a homemade bead roller to upgrading to professional equipment, and now creates highly detailed automotive and other scenes (like Willem Dafoe and doom metal band Pentagram) by combining bead rolling with CNC etching. Jarrod also teaches bead rolling classes, sharing his expertise with others interested in the craft. Despite having no formal art or metalworking training, Jarrod has developed an impressive skillset and turned his passion into a successful side business. This episode was record at Baileigh Industrial's Metal Shaping Fest in Manitowoc, Wis. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Kent Brown joins The Fabricator Podcast talk about becoming CEO of O'Neal Manufacturing Services (OMS) in 2018, his leadership philosophy, emphasizing safety, empowering the OMS workforce, expanding the company's geographical footprint, and what it means to be a mainstay on our annual FAB 40 list. Brown discusses how OMS has experienced significant growth and transformation in recent years, going from seven to 10 locations since 2018. The company has invested heavily in new equipment, including fiber lasers, robotic press brakes, and higher-powered lasers, to stay competitive. He also emphasizes how O'Neal empowers local leadership and fostering collaboration across its facilities. The company's general managers and assistant general managers have autonomy to make decisions tailored to their customers' needs. O'Neal has also implemented regional management structures to facilitate the sharing of expertise and resources among its various locations. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, Kirk McCauley, owner of American Engineering and Metalworking (AEM) in North Canton, Ohio, shares his journey from the tool and die world to running a modern, full-service metal fabrication shop. McCauley explains how embracing automation, laser welding, and robotic material handling has helped AEM stay competitive, and why investing in people and creating a collaborative workplace culture are just as important as investing in technology. Tune in for insights on leading a small to mid-sized fab shop through innovation and adaptability. At the top, we also chat about The Fabricator's 2025 Industry Award winner Special Products & Mfg. (SPM) and Nora Harding's upcoming appearance on the Ed Talks podcast. This episode was recorded during the FMA Annual Meeting at Gila River Resorts & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, Arizona. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.