The Fabricator Podcast

The Fabricator Podcast features conversations with the people who make things out of metal: fabricators, welders, shop owners, manufacturers, and artists. Hosted by The Fabricator Editor-in-Chief Dan Davis with rotating co-hosts, the show explores manufacturing, the skilled trades, and the culture surrounding them. Part of the FMA Podcast Network.

The Fabricator Podcast is a business podcast hosted by Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, with 115 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Fabricators and Manufacturers Association hosts The Fabricator Podcast, a business show with 115 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  The Fabricator Podcast

  Leading welding projects across North America with Andrew Llewellyn

  Aug 6, 202648 min

  Andrew Llewellyn has spent his career welding and managing some of North America's largest power, infrastructure, and nuclear construction projects. In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, the UA pipefitter, Red Seal welder, and Kiewit welding manager discusses his path from field pipe welding into welding leadership. He explains how advanced wire-fed processes, phased-array ultrasonic testing, and collaborations with Lincoln Electric Canada and its Application Resource Centre (ARC) are changing industrial welding. Llewellyn also shares his perspective on workforce shortages, automation, cobots, and why communication between engineering and the field has become as important as technical welding skills. This episode was recorded at FABTECH Canada 2025 in Toronto in partnership with Lincoln Electric Canada and Canadian Fabricating & Welding . Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

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  The Fabricator Podcast

  Embracing automation and entrepreneurship in architectural fabrication

  Jul 23, 202649 min

  Ted Redlarski, founder of Mississauga, Ontario-based Noram Enterprises , joins The Fabricator Podcast to discuss automation, entrepreneurship, and the leadership principles behind one of Canada's leading architectural metal fabrication companies. He explains how Noram grew from a small glazing contractor into a vertically integrated manufacturer by investing early in automation, embracing change, and building a culture centered on trust and long-term relationships.Redlarski also reflects on his remarkable journey from communist Poland to Canada and how those experiences shaped his approach to business, people, and manufacturing. This episode was recorded at FABTECH Canada 2025 in Toronto in partnership with Salvagnini and Canadian Fabricating & Welding . Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

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  The Fabricator Podcast

  Taking a fabrication business beyond the shop with Ian Johnson

  Jul 9, 20261 hour

  Ian Johnson has worn a lot of hats throughout his career: automotive technician, high school shop teacher, television host, and now founder of Big Tire Garage and Digital Lug. In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, he shares how storytelling, video, and social media can help fabrication and welding businesses build lasting brands, connect with customers, and stand out in a crowded marketplace. He also discusses the evolution of off-road fabrication, what separates effective content from forgettable marketing, and why creating value for your audience matters more than chasing short-term metrics. This episode was recorded at FABTECH Canada 2025 in Toronto in partnership with Canadian Fabricating & Welding . Learn more about Quotara and FABTECH 2026 . Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

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  The Fabricator Podcast

  Modernizing a family metal fabrication business with Milan Popik

  Jun 18, 202647 min

  Milan Popik, owner of Metal Tronics in Mississauga, Ontario, joins The Fabricator Podcast to discuss transforming a family-run prototyping shop that started in his parents' basement 40-plus years ago into a highly automated metal fabrication business. After growing up in the shop and learning fabrication at an early age, Popik eventually purchased the company from his parents and began modernizing its operations through investments in laser cutting, robotic bending, laser welding, automated finishing, and digital manufacturing technologies. The conversation explores family business succession, automation, AI-enabled equipment, continuous improvement, and the people-first culture that has helped Metal Tronics grow while maintaining its family roots. Popik also discusses the company's "AIM Forward" philosophy, its side business manufacturing traditional Italian spiedini grills, and its plans for future growth. This episode was recorded at FABTECH Canada 2025 in Toronto in partnership with MC Machinery and Canadian Fabricating & Welding . Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

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  The Fabricator Podcast

  Addressing welding safety gaps with Bolu Ojo of SparkDefy

  Jun 4, 202659 min

  Bolu Ojo joins The Fabricator Podcast to discuss SparkDefy, a startup developing fire-resistant welding head coverings for people with long or thicker hair. She shares how a welding job inspired the idea, the challenges of bringing a new PPE product to market, and her mission to make welding safety more inclusive with more products. Ojo also discusses launching the business, learning how to sew, and honing her welding skills while studying industrial design at Iowa State University. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions. Learn more about SparkDefy and the 2026 FAB 40 .

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Recent guests on The Fabricator Podcast. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

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