Next-Gen Metal Fab

In this episode of Next-Gen Metal Fab, host Tim Heston talks with Jay Phillips of Fresno, Calif.-based Valley Iron Inc. about the future of workforce development, shop culture, and technology in metal fabrication.


Phillips explains why modern fab shops can no longer rely solely on tribal knowledge as experienced workers retire and manufacturing becomes more software-driven. The conversation covers hiring and onboarding, leadership development, cross-training, lean manufacturing, shop-floor communication, safety culture, and the growing need to connect programmers and machine operators.


They also discuss how fabrication companies can better engage younger workers through digital tools, simulation, mentorship, and hands-on problem-solving, while still preserving the practical knowledge that keeps shops running.


As chairman of the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association (FMA), Phillips also shares how initiatives like SparkForce are helping attract and develop the next generation of manufacturing talent.


Comments, questions, or sponsorship opportunities: [email protected].


Learn more about FMA and SparkForce.

In this episode of Next-Gen Metal Fab, Tim Heston talks with Cody Lee and Lance Thrailkill about quoting, estimating, and costing in modern sheet metal fabrication. They break down how shops are using software, data, and work center–based costing to improve accuracy and consistency, while navigating challenges like material volatility, PPAP requirements, and scheduling constraints. The conversation also touches on AI, automation, and how estimating connects everything from pricing to production strategy.


Email Tim at [email protected] with any comments or questions. And learn more about Paperless Parts.

In this episode of Next-Gen Metal Fab, Tim Heston talks with Cody Lee and Lance Thrailkill about quoting, estimating, and costing in modern sheet metal fabrication. They break down how shops are using software, data, and work center–based costing to improve accuracy and consistency, while navigating challenges like material volatility, PPAP requirements, and scheduling constraints. The conversation also touches on AI, automation, and how estimating connects everything from pricing to production strategy.


Email Tim at [email protected] with any comments or questions. And learn more about Paperless Parts.

In this episode of the Next-Gen Metal Fab Podcast, host Tim Heston speaks with Sunny Han, FMA member and founder of Fulcrum, about the role digitized information plays in preparing fabrication shops for adopting AI.


Tim and Sunny discuss how many job shops still rely on spreadsheets, paperwork, and institutional knowledge that lives in people’s heads, and why before AI can deliver meaningful insight, that information must be digitized and accessible.


Sunny also talks about how faster information flow and real-time analysis could reshape how shops quote work, schedule production, analyze profitability, and respond to changing market conditions. The conversation also explores the risks of information loss as experienced workers retire and why improving data visibility may become a key competitive advantage for fabrication companies.


In this episode:


Why “information waste” still slows many job shops

Why digitization is essential before AI can help manufacturers

How AI could change quoting, scheduling, and job costing

The risk of tribal knowledge disappearing as experienced workers retire

What the future may look like for distributed manufacturing



Comments, questions, or sponsorship opportunities: [email protected].


Learn more about FMA memberships.

In this episode of Next-Gen Metal Fab, Tim Heston is joined by Caleb Chamberlain of OSH Cut and Lance Thrailkill of All Metals Fabricating to talk production scheduling, software investments, and growth strategy. They break down what a recent Fabricators and Manufacturers Association survey says about automation trends, why scheduling and ERP tools are becoming critical, and how shops are tackling WIP, queue times, and real-world bottlenecks. The conversation also covers using Monte Carlo simulation to model scheduling outcomes, the growing role of AI-driven tools in programming and planning, and what’s ahead for 2026 in terms of capacity, technology, and expansion.


Email Tim at [email protected] with any comments or questions.