Show Notes
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.
More from Next-Gen Metal Fab
On this episode of Next-Gen Metal Fab, The Fabricator Senior Editor Tim Heston and business advisor Mark Ernst, a longtime member of the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association (FMA) and its Management Advisory Council, examine one of the biggest challenges facing growing metal fabrication shops: developing the people and management structure needed to keep up with the business.
Why is so much new investment flowing into metal fabrication? Tim Heston of The Fabricator, Caleb Chamberlain of OSH Cut, and Lance Thrailkill of All Metals Fabricating discuss venture capital, automation, consolidation, digital manufacturing, and whether new tech-driven business models are a threat or an opportunity for traditional fab shops.
Estimating and quoting are no longer just about pricing parts. They're strategic tools that help metal fabricators and other manufacturers win the right work, improve profitability, and build more efficient operations.
Jonathan Sessa of Fabworks joins Tim Heston and co-host Caleb Chamberlain of OSH Cut to discuss how online manufacturing platforms are reshaping sheet metal fabrication.
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.