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 podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.
An economist's outlook on manufacturing, metal fabrication, and watermelons
Building The Fabrication Series and a welder community on YouTube with Justin Merrill
Creating a fabrication aesthetic, teaching others, and riding Harleys: Part 2 with Cristian Sosa
Shaping a career in motorcycle fabrication: Part 1 with Cristian Sosa of Sosa Metalworks
Four generations of bending and rolling heavy metal with Chicago Rolled Metal Products
Growing a small business with metal and wood: Part 2 with furniture fabricator iRcustom
From zero fabrication background to building a furniture business, Part 1 with iRcustom
Art, AI, 3D printing, welding with the guys from Netflix's Metal Shop Masters
Welding Women Syndicate founder and AWS award winner: Tiffany Orff
Garage Bound owner, fabricator, and mentor: Michael Brandt
Cobots and vintage welders with Nate Bowman and Josh Welton
Learning to start and run a small business is a skilled trade
Becoming the Nashville metal guys with Adam Heffner of Maker Table
Dabs Wellington on welding education and Elon Musk on a goat
What's new with metal artist and welder Rae Ripple? Part 2
What's new with metal artist and welder Rae Ripple? Part 1
A champion for women in manufacturing and the skilled trades
Marketing for small manufacturing shops doesn't have to be terrible
Episode 1: Rap Snacks, Bob Odenkirk, and manufacturing's workforce
What is The Fabricator Podcast?
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The emPOWERed Half Hour
Organic Marketing Simplified: Effective podcasting strategy for growth and monetization
THE GO BIZ GUY
The Sigma Femme Podcast
The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
Habits and Hustle