Most people think automation replaces welders. Graham Williams thinks it saves them.

In this episode, recorded live at FABTECH, we sit down with Graham Williams of Vectis Automation to talk about how cobots are changing the game for small and mid-size shops — not by cutting people out, but by helping them do more, learn faster, and stay longer in the trade.

From breaking the stigma around automation to using AI for smarter workflows, Graham shares how the best shops are blending tech and talent to create the next generation of fabricators.

It’s not about robots replacing humans. It’s about giving humans better tools.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How cobots help small and mid-size shops compete with less overhead

• The biggest misconceptions shop leaders have about automation

• How to get buy-in from your welders before bringing in robots

• Why AI should simplify your work — not overcomplicate it

• How automation can extend careers and attract new tradespeople

• What “crawl, walk, run” really looks like when adopting new tech

1:12 – Matthew introduces Graham and the story behind Vectis Automation 3:40 – How cobots are helping small shops do more with the same crew 6:15 – Breaking the biggest myths about automation in fabrication 8:54 – Why automation isn’t just for high-volume production 12:07 – How AI fits into the future of welding and manufacturing 14:48 – Getting buy-in from seasoned welders on new tech 18:22 – How cobots can extend careers and attract young talent 22:50 – What the “crawl, walk, run” approach to automation looks like

Resources: Join our Facebook Group for conversations that will help grow your business: 👉 https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Dspnz4Qt5/

Connect with Graham on LinkedIn: 🔗 linkedin.com/in/graham-williams-532174b8

Learn more about Vectis Automation: 🌐 https://vectisautomation.com

Lights Out Podcast: 🎧 https://makingchips.com/show/lights-out/

Buy the Numbers Podcast: 🎧 https://makingchips.com/show/buy-the-numbers/

Most shop owners talk about culture. Few actually put it into practice.

In Part 2 of our conversation, Jesse Kleiman shares how he’s building JR Metal Works on values that stick — from making hard work “cool again” to leading with “simple scales, fancy fails.”

This isn’t theory. It’s how a fast-growing fab shop operationalizes culture, keeps people bought in, and builds a team that can scale.

It’s not just about welding or leadership. It’s about what happens when you decide values aren’t posters on the wall — they’re how you run the business every day.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why “making hard work cool again” matters for shop culture

• How to elevate tradespeople and keep talent engaged

• Why “simple scales, fancy fails” is a rule every shop should live by

• How Jesse teaches leadership through Extreme Ownership and The Four Agreements

• Practical ways to embed values so they survive growth pains

Resources: Join our Facebook Group for conversations that will help grow your business: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Dspnz4Qt5/ Connect with Jesse on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jesse-kleiman-685675113 JR Metal Works: https://jr-metalworks.com/ Lights Out Podcast: https://makingchips.com/show/lights-out/ Buy the Numbers Podcast: https://makingchips.com/show/buy-the-numbers/

Most fab shops dream of growth. Few are ready when it comes.

Jesse Kleiman didn’t just grow JR Metal Works — he scaled it from a garage startup to a 70-person team taking on enterprise-level contracts.

In this episode, Jesse opens up about the reality of rapid growth: the cash flow crunches, the leadership pivots, and the culture shifts that come with scaling faster than you planned.

It’s not just about welding or expansion. It’s about what happens when your business outgrows you—and how to stay intentional through it all.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to know when it’s the right time to expand

• Why rapid growth can be as dangerous as stagnation

• The cash flow traps every fast-growing shop needs to watch for

• How to build a culture that survives growth pains

• When (and why) to invest in a support team

• The leadership mindset that turns growth into longevity

Timestamps: 2:16 – Jesse’s story: starting JR Metal Works in 2016 and growing to 70 people 11:28 – Taking on gas pipe welding with zero experience (and figuring it out) 16:09 – The cash flow challenges of rapid growth 17:24 – Sales lessons at the enterprise level 30:07 – Why firing the wrong customer is sometimes the best decision 32:26 – The contract that doubled the business overnight 38:44 – Why leadership takes just “10 seconds of courage” 40:28 – Vendor relationships and surviving slow customer payments 43:50 – Jesse’s advice: always be

Resources:

Join our Facebook Group for conversations that will help grow your business: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Dspnz4Qt5/

Connect with Jesse on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jesse-kleiman-685675113

JR Metal Works: https://jr-metalworks.com/

Lights Out Podcast: https://makingchips.com/show/lights-out/

Buy the Numbers Podcast: https://makingchips.com/show/buy-the-...

Most golf brands take the shortcut: outsource, import, slap on a logo.

Jared decided to do it the hard way. ⠀ In this episode, we dig into the Hanna Golf story — how a sales guy became a maker, bought a CNC, and built a boutique putter brand rooted in grit, craft, and American-made pride. From betting on himself to cutting through the noise of big brands, Jared shows what it really takes to build something that lasts. ⠀ It’s not just about golf. It’s about what happens when you actually make the thing you sell.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to stand out in a crowded industry without shortcuts

• The lessons (and mistakes) of going from sales to machining

• Why authenticity and American-made still matter to customers

• How to build a brand with zero marketing budget

• The role of social media in growing a small shop into a business

• What golf’s shifting culture can teach manufacturers about customers

Timestamps: 1:24 – Jared’s path from sales to starting Hana Golf 5:23 – Finding a niche at the $300–400 putter price point 7:10 – Learning CNC the hard way (and why it mattered) 12:24 – Selling direct: courses, online, and word of mouth 13:11 – Why storytelling and social media fuel growth 14:07 – The sound and feel of a CNC-milled putter 20:28 – Building an audience online as “free marketing” 23:07 – How golf’s culture shift mirrors blue-collar roots 29:11 – Where to follow Hana Golf and Jared’s journey

Resources:

Join our Facebook Group for conversations that will help grow your business: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Dspnz4Qt5/

Jared's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jared-doerfler-4b04a62b

Hanna Golf Website: hannagolf.com

Lights Out Podcast: https://makingchips.com/show/lights-out/

Buy the Numbers Podcast: https://makingchips.com/show/buy-the-...

In this MakingSparks episode, Casey and Matthew talk with Keith — a leader whose career has been shaped by both running a fabrication shop and now serving as General Manager at Fabrication Solutions & Technologies (FST).

Keith’s path started with welding in the blazing heat, learning from old-school fabricators, and grinding his way up to shop management. Today, he uses that first-hand production experience to help shops across oil & gas, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and more choose the right equipment, design smarter workflows, and maximize ROI.

From process flow strategies to cross-training welders, machinists, and operators, Keith shares how shop-floor grit and people-first leadership create stronger teams, better client relationships, and more efficient real-world metal fabrication operations. Whether you’re running a press brake, programming a CNC plasma table, or managing a growing shop, this conversation is full of insights forged in the fire of real-world fabrication.

00:01:12 – Setting the stage and introducing today’s guest. 00:02:22 – Finding common ground through shared industry connections. 00:04:09 – Lessons learned from seasoned shop veterans. 00:05:12 – Insights from seeing manufacturing behind the scenes. 00:10:13 – Building a professional network that drives opportunities. 00:13:14 – Standing out at trade shows by creating meaningful conversations. 00:17:02 – Prioritizing long-term relationships over short-term sales. 00:19:42 – Addressing the challenge of finding skilled, motivated workers. 00:23:06 – How shop-floor experience strengthens leadership and sales roles. 00:37:35 – Encouraging industry connections and in-person engagement at events.

Resources: 

Join our Facebook Group for conversations that will help grow your business: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Dspnz4Qt5/ Keith's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/keith-jentsch Lights Out Podcast: https://makingchips.com/show/lights-out/ Buy the Numbers Podcast: https://makingchips.com/show/buy-the-...

What happens when a self-proclaimed “mechanically deficient” leader takes the reins of a 170-person fabrication business? For Brandon Stanchock, it meant leaning into curiosity, asking “dumb” questions, and spending a week in every department—boots on the ground, in the heat of summer.

In this episode of Making Sparks, Brandon joins Casey and Matthew to talk about:

• How imposter syndrome shaped his leadership style
• Why asking the right questions beats having all the answers
• His mission to turn culture into a competitive advantage
• Practical ways he’s using AI and AR to improve operations
• And the launch of his internal content series: The Clueless CEO Chronicles

Whether you're a seasoned executive or an up-and-comer in the trades, this one’s for anyone who believes leadership is earned, not inherited.

Timeline:

00:00 – LinkedIn Is the Wild West 06:00 – From Project Manager to CEO 09:40 – Imposter Syndrome at the Top 14:30 – Leading Without Knowing the Trade 20:00 – Culture as a Leadership Strategy 24:00 – Walking the Floor, One Department at a Time 27:00 – AR, AI & Asking Better Questions 36:00 – Culture Sells

  Resources: 

  Join our Facebook Group for conversations that will help grow your business: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Dspnz4Qt5/  Brandon's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonstanchock/ Lights Out Podcast: https://makingchips.com/show/lights-out/ Buy the Numbers Podcast: https://makingchips.com/show/buy-the-numbers/  Connect with Brandon: https://justsomebs.buzzsprout.com/share 

What do you do when your fab shop isn’t broken—but you know it could be better?

In this episode, Alfonso Aramburo joins us from Southern California to talk about the work he does turning around underperforming manufacturing companies. But his approach isn’t about flashy strategy or instant fixes—it’s about people, process, and product, in that order.

Alfonso breaks down the three core problems most shops face, why culture is the engine that drives real improvement, and how small, consistent action wins out over big, clunky systems every time.

This episode is for the shop owners trying to get out of fire-fighting mode, the leaders stuck in the weeds, and the folks who know their team could run smoother—but aren’t sure where to start.

You'll learn:

• The three issues every struggling fab shop has in common
• Why communication—not tools—is the real problem
• How to build a process system without SOP overload

Timestamps: 01:06 – Welcome to MakingSparks 03:10 – Alfonso’s background in lean manufacturing and turnaround leadership 06:15 – The only 3 problems shops ever really have 08:22 – Why leadership is usually the real people problem 13:00 – Building trust by creating safe space for growth 17:32 – How culture actually drives performance 21:01 – When to start building processes (and how to keep them simple) 26:13 – Using single-point lessons to document and sustain change 30:11 – The DMAIC framework and why most fixes fail from the start 34:52 – Aligning your team before adding a new product or service 39:00 – Why misalignment between departments tanks your product quality 45:11 – Final thoughts on capability, communication, and long-term growth

Resources: Join our Facebook Group for conversations that will help grow your business: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Dspnz4Qt5/ Lights Out podcast by MakingChips: https://makingchips.com/show/lights-out/ By The Numbers with Mike Payne: https://makingchips.com/show/buy-the-numbers/

What does it take to run a fab shop, scale a personal brand, and merge two business models—without losing your mind?

In this episode, the Ross Brothers, Rodney Ross & Austin Ross joined us from South Dakota to share how they're navigating their journey of running two different welding businesses. One is rooted in boots on the ground fabrication. The other? A YouTube channel that has turned into a full-blown brand & welding instruction hub. They talk openly about burnout, balancing visionary leadership with structured execution, and the real impact of building your personal brand (even as a welder). This episode is for the folks trying to grow fast, stay grounded, and keep the fire lit in the middle of the chaos. 

You'll learn:  - What it looks like to delegate when you're still in the thick of it - Why YOUR personal brand matters; influencer or not - How staying authentic on and off the screen opens doors

Timestamps: 01:06 – Welcome to MakingSparks 04:58 – How Mid-State Welding started after years on the pipeline 06:34 – Austin’s YouTube journey and the birth of Ross Welding 09:55 – Why their personalities had to collide to make this work 14:14 – TV appearances, Magnolia Network, and what “natural integration” actually looks like 20:35 – Building trust online through value, not sales pitches 26:34 – How Rodney leads young welders with “There’s always a way” 33:36 – Delegation, burnout, and finding your first real hire 39:20 – Should you train green or hire top talent? Here’s what’s working 45:07 – Final thoughts on grit, gratitude, and moving forward together Resources:

Join our Facebook Group for conversations that will help grow your business: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Dspnz4Qt5/  Lights Out podcast by MakingChips: https://www.makingchips.com/lights-out By The Numbers with Mike Payne: https://www.makingchips.com/by-the-numbers Mid State Welding: https://www.midstate-welding.com/ ARossWelding: https://www.arosswelding.com/

What does it really look like to step in as 2nd Generation & a lead a fabrication shop when the 1st Generation is still helping run it? 

In this episode, Jason Hayes, President of Top Coat Fabrication, shares his journey as a 2nd generation leader navigating the slow handoff of full responsibility from his parents, while carrying nearly all of the day-to-day load. Jason shares what it's taken to build a culture that people want to return to even AFTER a layoff. 

This episode covers how even during market shifts & team fluctuations, they have a focus on scaling without losing trust & investing in team-wide connection every. single. week. 

It's not ping pong tables. It's consistency, buy-in, and leadership that shows up. 

You'll learn: 

• How to scale up and down without losing your culture
• Why simple weekly habits shape long-term culture
• What it looks like to grow your business AND your people at the same time

Timestamps:

01:06 – Welcome to MakingSparks 03:12 – Jason Hayes & Top Coat History 09:18 – Leading alongside Mom & Dad: Where Top Coat is now 14:59 – Who’s running what? A look at their leadership transition 15:18 – Top Coat’s team size & managing workforce fluctuations 16:00 – Culture as the reason people return 21:28 – Weekly company-wide challenges & meetings 26:14 – The real ROI of investing in your people 28:23 – Using LinkedIn to connect, not to close 34:17 – Why showing your values isn’t bad for business 43:01 – The hardest part of leading people—done with grace

Resources: 

Join our Facebook Group for conversations that will help grow your business: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Dspnz4Qt5/ 

Top Coat Fabrication on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/top-coat-fabrication/ 

Jason Hayes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-hayes-3a0a327a/ 

Lights Out podcast by MakingChips: https://www.makingchips.com/lights-out 

By The Numbers with Mike Payne: https://www.makingchips.com/by-the-numbers 

SmartDollar by Dave Ramsey: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/business/smartdollar

Forging Ahead: https://www.nixcompanies.com/forging-ahead-book-order/ 

In this episode, we sit down with Meaghan Ziemba, founder of Mavens of Manufacturing, for a conversation that goes way beyond marketing tactics. We’re talking about what really builds trust in this industry—and spoiler alert: it’s not perfectly polished sales pitches.

We get into why showing up as your real self matters, how content can turn customers into loyal fans, and what it means to expand the table instead of trying to replace people in the chairs. Meaghan shares powerful insight on visibility, mentorship, and how women are carving out space—and confidence—in male-dominated shops.

If you’re tired of marketing that feels fake or forced, this episode is your permission slip to rethink it all. It’s not about chasing numbers. It’s about sharing stories, connecting with people, and building a brand that lasts.

🎧 Episode Highlights:

• [00:00] Meaghan's story and how Mavens of Manufacturing was born

• [09:59] Why expanding the table matters—and how to invite others in

• [21:53] Brand storytelling that builds real trust

• [29:22] Creating loyal fans and building referral-driven work

• [34:26] Selling with solutions (and heart)

• [37:38] The power of personal stories in connecting with customers

• [40:36] Simplifying your marketing strategy—without losing impact

• [43:05] How to connect with Meaghan and her mission

Resources: 

Resources: Lights Out Podcast: https://makingchips.com/show/lights-out Buy the Numbers Podcast: https://makingchips.com/show/buy-the-numbers