The Fabricator Podcast

Adam Fullerton is a Toronto-based metal fabricator who specializes in creating railings, doors, and other accent pieces for commercial and residential settings. The wanderlust tradesman talks about his career working in different trades (like car restoration and masonry) around the world, from England to Australia to Canada, and how it all led to him starting his own small business, Fullerton Metal Fab.

Fullerton also talks about experience in upcycling found objects and scrap metal into furniture and lighting fixtures. He also speaks about his plans to moving his shop to a larger space, acquire more equipment to enhance his capabilities, the process of hiring employees and focusing his marketing efforts on Instagram.

This is the fourth of four episodes recorded at FABTECH Canada in Toronto. Email us at [email protected] with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Jamie McMillan, founder of Made in the Trades and Kick Ass Careers, is a Canada-based advocate for the skilled trades industry. She discusses her journey in the trades, her efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the industry, and her work in schools and communities across Canada.

Jamie also talks about her coloring book project that aims to educate children about different career opportunities in the trades, including ironworkers, boilermakers, construction workers, and welders. The conversation also touches on various topics such as the challenges faced by women in the trades, the importance of authenticity, the need for a change in workplace culture, and recognizing workers who struggle with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD. Jamie also mentions her plans to travel and promote the trades in different communities.

At the top, co-host and Canadian Fabricating & Welding Editor Rob Colman, talks about his family connection to the late Bill Kobayashi, who is credited with modernizing bubble/table hockey.

This is the second of four episodes recorded at FABTECH Canada in Toronto. Email us at [email protected] with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Diane Reko, CEO of Reko International and Concorde Precision Machining, joins us to chat about her father starting the business in 1976, her taking over the company, implementing automation processes, and her thoughts on maintaining a strong manufacturing base in Canada. She also talks about her family's Hungarian roots, the automotive industry, the construction sector, developing skilled trades in Canada, the importance of business leaders walking the shop floor, and maintaining livable wages for people working in the trades.

Reko International specializes in automation equipment and machining, serving various industries such as automotive, aerospace, and mining.

At the top, Joe Thompson, Editor of Canadian Metalworking, talks about celebrating the publication's 120th anniversary in 2025 and it being one of the longest-standing trade magazines in Canada.

This is the second of four episodes recorded at FABTECH Canada in Toronto. Email us at [email protected] with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Max Ceron, the director of the CWB Association, discusses his role in supporting the welding and fabricating industry in Canada. He emphasizes the importance of upskilling the current workforce and creating opportunities for the next generation of welders and fabricators.

Ceron also talks about the need for better communication between welders and engineers, as well as the growing trend of entrepreneurialism among young welders. He shares his own experiences as a welder and educator, and highlights the importance of community and networking in the industry. Ceron also mentions his side hustle as a podcaster and radio show host, and his plans for expanding the CWB Association's reach internationally.

This is the first of four episodes recorded at FABTECH Canada in Toronto. Email us at [email protected] with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Desirée Guzmán, a welding instructor with Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT), joins us to talk about her full-circle career as welder.

She talks about how she was inspired by a metal artist she met during a trip to Puerto Rico to start her own jewelry-making business. She also explains how that piqued her interest in learning how to weld.

Desirée discusses how after enrolling in CWIT's welding program, it led to her working at number of Chicago-area fab shops. The after a few years of working in industry, her career came full circle when she accepted an open welding instructor position at CWIT.

She also talks about the mission behind CWIT and its work to not only get more women to work in the trades, but empowering them with confidence and a community.

At the top, we call back to a conversation in an episode with Michael Bennett about a toy plastic welder. We compare and contrast Mattel's Spin Welder and Mindware's Spin-Gineer.

Email us at [email protected] with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Matt Brunner, co-founder and co-owner of Manitowoc, Wis.-based Brunner Fabrication joins us to talk about how he transformed his family's autobody shop into a successful metal fab shop focused on high-volume production.

Brunner talks about launching his fabrication business in 2018, growing the shop footprint to 12,000 sq. ft., finding a niche in high-volume sheet metal part production, partnering with TRUMPF, working with snow equipment manufacturer Ariens Co., training a workforce without any fabrication experience, and developing an apprenticeship program.

At the top, we introduce the newest member to the podcast team, Griffin Hammond, and talk about the documentary "Sriracha" that he wrote and produced. We also feature Clayton Deputy, a fabricator out of Santa Barbra, Calif., who went designed and fabricated an octopus sculpture. Deputy owns and operates Gnarwhal Creations, which mostly focuses on off-road and aftermarket fabrication.

Email us at [email protected] with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Jeff Cupples, the president of Jackson, Tenn.-based Cupples J&J Company, discusses his experience with laser cutting machines and the benefits of high-powered lasers. He explains how his job shop has pushed the envelope with laser cutting technology, constantly seeking more power, speed, and acceleration.

He emphasizes the importance of consistency in materials and the advantages of using high-powered lasers for precision cutting. Cupples also discusses his company's use of robotic welding cells and the benefits of using laser-cut fixtures. Cupples also highlights the importance of meeting customer demands and constantly pushing the boundaries of technology in the metal fabrication industry.

Cupples is joined by Mitch Lewandowski to talk about his shop's partnership with Cutlite Penta America, a fiber laser system supplier for Italy-based Cutlite Penta in North America, and its ability to customize machines to meet specific needs.

Email us at [email protected] with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Chaz Schroeder of Black River Group joins The Fabricator Podcast this week to talk about evolution of his family's manufacturing business, adapting to change, staying ahead of the industry curve, and more.

Chaz explains how Black River Group, a third generation family-owned company in Mansfield, Ohio, evolved over 55 years from a marketing agency to a full-fledged manufacturing operation that offers a full range of services, including design, engineering, fabrication, and warehousing.

He also talks about how the business specializes in custom in-stock displays and components and operates out of a 175,000-sq.-ft facility.

Chris Miano joined Chaz to discuss Black River Group's partnership with X-Series USA and how it's help the company expand its metal fabrication capabilities. Miano also talked about the trends in laser cutting technology.

Chaz and Chris also talk about the growth of automation and what it means for the the metal manufacturing sector.

At the top, the guys talk about the movie "The Shawshank Redemption," which was filmed in Mansfield, Ohio, and is celebrating its 30-year anniversary. More specifically, they focus on Andy Dufresne's dubious prison escape scene and how he was able to bust open a thick metal sewer pipe with a rock.

This episode is brought to you by X-Series USA.

Email us at [email protected] with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Cameron Adams of Laser Precision, a contract metal fabricator in the Chicago area, joins the podcast to talk about how the family-run business has grown from a small 6,000-sq.-ft. shop to a 130,000-sq.-ft facility that serves large OEMs in the heavy equipment industry.

Adams describes Laser Precision as a one-stop shop by providing end-to-end processes with laser cutting, CNC machining, welding, press brake forming, and powder coating.

He also discusses Laser Precision's recent acquisition by Weller Metalworks, its plans for future growth, and the trend of mergers and acquisitions in metal manufacturing.

He explains that many OEMs are looking to consolidate their supplier base and work with a select few trusted suppliers, and how Laser Precision works to be on that shortlist.

Adams also discusses the company's focus on workforce development and its efforts to attract and train skilled employees. He emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about the manufacturing industry and the opportunities it offers.

Adams also mentions the potential for AI and automation in the industry, particularly in areas such as scheduling and quoting, as well as the importance of near-shoring supply chains.

At the top, the guys discuss Nuts, Bolts, & Thingamajigs summer manufacturing camps and Back to the Future.

This episode is brought to you by MC Machinery Systems, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation.

Email us at [email protected] with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Patrick Brunken, VP of Addison Machine Engineering, joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk about the tube and pipe industry, running a multi-generational family-owned business, keeping up with tube mill technology, and moving operations from Chicago to Reedsburg, Wis.

Brunken discusses the challenges and rewards of running a family-owned mid-sized company in the tube and pipe industry, and how his son has become the family's fourth generation to work in the business. He also about the changes in technology and the need for skilled workers in the industry. Brunken also mentions the growth in structural steel due to the increase in warehousing and the importance of serving the automotive industry. He emphasizes the importance of staying up-to-date with technology and the need for continuous learning in the industry.

Brunken also discusses the competitive landscape and the advantages of being a family-owned company. He mentions the challenges of working with new customers and the importance of building relationships with them. Finally, he talks about the rewarding aspects of his job, the excitement of working in a diverse industry, and the valuable resources the organizations like Fabricators and Manufacturers Association offer to the sector.

At the top, the guys about how a shop in Texas designed and fabricated the world's largest hex nut, which has been dubbed "Big Tex the Incredible Hex." The structure was built for Houston-area company Patriot Bolt.

Email us at [email protected] with any comments, questions, or suggestions.