The Fabricator Podcast
The Fabricator Podcast brings you conversations with people who make things out of metal. We speak with manufacturing leaders, metal fabricators, welders, job shop owners, small business entrepreneurs, artists, marketers, educators, and more. Host Dan Davis, Editor-in-Chief of The Fabricator, and a rotating co-hosts also go beyond discussing just manufacturing and the skilled trades, and chats about pop culture, current events, food, music, movies, comedy, and, of course, robots. The Fabricator Podcast is presented by the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association and part of the FMA Podcast Network.
Episodes
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 bringin...
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 agricultu...
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 ...
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.
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.
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.
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 B...
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.
...Brandon Minga is an artist, welder, and entrepreneur based in Wisconsin. Minga is the creative force behind House of RAD, a Milwaukee-based collaborative workspace for over 60 resident artists and makers.
Minga has a background in illustration and graphic design, which led him to work in the metal fabrication, welding, and sculpture world. Some of his notable projects include a large-scale jellyfish sculpture called Salve-Jelly...
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 scene...
This episode of The Fabricator Podcast features a conversation with Chris Rusch, formerly of Rusch Machine & Design, and Mike Wagner of Cornfield Customs.
They discuss the history and development of metal shaping equipment, particularly the power hammer, and how it has enabled a resurgence in this specialized craft. Chris and Mike describe the techniques and approaches they use to shape metal, including the importance of templat...
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...
Steve Kost of Chicago-based Metal Health Artwork joins us this week to talk about how he turned to creating metal sculptures to help him cope with PTSD after serving in the military, and what started as just a hobby has become full-scale effort advocating for better mental health practices among veterans and other adults.
Steve talks about his time serving with the Navy Seabees, his career as an ironworker in Chicago, working th...
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 cul...
In this episode, we sit down with Hector Ortega—sculptor and founder of Ortega Sculpture and Silver Lining Metals Stamps, based in the Phoenix metro area.
He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and problem-solving as an artist, from developing fabrication skills to exploring different materials and processes. Ortega discussed the challenges of sustaining an artistic career, the need for diversifying one's creative o...
Lucy Minturn and Liz Kloster co-own FosterWorks, a sheet metal fabrication shop in Chicago. After purchasing the business a couple of years ago, they’ve worked to shape it with their own vision, despite having no prior experience in the industry. By combining their complementary skills and building a strong team, they’ve successfully grown the manufacturing business.
FosterWorks operates out of 18,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing sp...
Mike McCarthy, VP at Design Communications Ltd. (DCL), joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk about how DCL is at the intersection of engineering, design, and fabrication of some of the most recognizable creative large-scale projects around the country.
DCL specializes architectural custom elements like signs, sculptures, and tech installations. They work closely with designers to engineer and build unique, large-scale projects th...
This episode of The Fabricator Podcast features an interview with Professor Jo Mackiewicz, an English professor at Iowa State University who also happens to be a welder.
Mackiewicz discusses her research on communication and learning in the welding and fabrication trades, as well as her experience working part-time at Howe's Welding & Metal Fabrication, a small job shop in Ames, Iowa. She shares her insights on women working in...
Mike Finnegan joins The Fabricator Podcast live from the PRI Show in Indianapolis. The long-time host of Motor Trend's Roadkill series on YouTube, discusses his background in journalism and media, how he taught himself welding and fabrication skills, and his current focus on his Finnegan's Garage YouTube channel. The conversation also includes insights from guest co-host Tom Patsis of Cold Hard Art on his experience working with sp...
On this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, Aaron Montello of Jet Edge Waterjet Systems joins us with Paxton Shantz of Beckhoff to talk about water jet cutting machines in the sheet metal fabrication industry and how automation is helping drive the technology.
This episode was recorded at FABTECH 2024 in Orlando, Fla. Learn more about our sponsor Beckhoff.
Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or sugges...
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