Jon and Andrew DeWys of Michigan-based DeWys Metal Solutions join The Fabricator Podcast to talk about growing and managing a 50-year-old family-owned manufacturing business.

The father and son duo talk about how over the last 15 years, DeWys Manufacturing has added to its family of businesses with DeWys Stainless Solutions, Wyze Designs, ReFab, Shoreline Powder Coating, and American Grower Resource. They also talk about the calculated business decisions behind the metal fabricator's growth.

They also talk about focusing on a being an employee-friendly company, the importance of workforce development with its DeWys University training program, the value of appearing on The Fabricator's annual FAB 40 list, and operating in the furniture-manufacturing hub of West Michigan.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

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Lori Tapani, co-owner and co-president of Wyoming Machine in Stacy, Minnesota, joins The Fabricator Podcast to discuss what it means to think differently when running a small manufacturing business.

Alongside her sister, Traci Tapani, she has led the more than 50-year-old company for over three decades, following a unique succession plan that transitioned leadership from their father.

A longtime FMA member and vice chair of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council, Tapani also brings a small business perspective to broader industry and policy discussions.

She shares how their approach to leadership, culture, and growth has evolved, and how their job shop operates across diverse industries. A major focus is workforce development, including partnerships with local communities and technical schools to attract and train the next generation, an effort recognized nationally with the W.O. Lawton Business Leadership Award.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

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Lisa Wertzbaugher of Iowa-based metal fabrication shop Wertzbaugher Services returns to the podcast to discuss the realities of running a small manufacturing business and offer practical advice for shop owners.

She shares lessons on planning, investing in equipment, building a sales strategy, training a workforce, and using data to evaluate risk.

Wertzbaugher also discusses the value of hiring younger workers and knowing when to move on from approaches that aren’t working.

Her company specializes in custom welding, steel fabrication, equipment repair, and material-handling products such as racks and baskets, along with trailer and farm equipment repair.

Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.