What does it mean to be a steward of a century-old sheet metal shop?
Luigi “Lou” Sposito, Owner and President of A.G. Miller in Springfield, MA, joins Sunny Han to talk about legacy, data, and the next generation of fabrication.
Lou shares why he sees himself not as an owner, but as a caretaker of a long-standing manufacturing business built on people, relationships, and precision. He explains how documenting tribal knowledge, adopting automation, and using modern software like Fulcrum can help small shops evolve without losing what makes them unique.
In this episode:
→ Defining stewardship and leadership in manufacturing
→ Turning shop-floor know-how into measurable data
→ Balancing tradition with automation and robotics
→ Building culture through empathy and accountability
→ Managing generational change in fabrication
About the Guest:
Luigi (Lou) Sposito — Owner & President, A.G. Miller, a full-service sheet metal manufacturer providing cutting, bending, welding, powder coating, painting, silk screening, and plating.
agmiller.com | Lou@agmiller.com
Subscribe for more real-world conversations with shop owners, fabricators, and builders redefining manufacturing.
Learn more: fulcrumpro.com
#Manufacturing #SheetMetal #Fabrication
In this Capacity episode, Sunny visits ACP (Formely ACP Waterjet - west of Boston) to talk with founder Carlos Fernandes about starting a shop in a recession with no manufacturing background, scaling through smart risk, building instant quoting and e-commerce, wiring systems together with APIs, and creating a culture where AI and automation add jobs by boosting throughput.Carlos shares the early grind (phones, faxes, midnight runs), an amicable founder split, sequencing capabilities (press brake → lasers → machining), when equipment bets don’t pay off, and why “days, not weeks” is the north star for customer experience.Listen if you care about: job shop scaling, waterjet & laser cutting, quoting speed, SOPs, leadership, and the practical side of AI on the shop floor
What does it take to turn a small, family-run shop into a precision powerhouse? In this episode of Capacity, Fulcrum CEO Sunny Han talks with Hernan Ricaurte, President of Ricaurte Precision Inc., about how the company scaled nearly 4× in just 8 years while serving some of the most demanding industries: aerospace, defense, medical devices, and even rocket components.
From achieving AS9100-certified operations to making bold seven-figure bets on automation and 5-axis machining, Hernan explains what it takes to build a disciplined, growth-minded team in precision machining.
🔑 Highlights from this episode:
• The challenges of stepping into a family business without a manufacturing background
• Lessons from Japanese and American business cultures
• Building strong teams and empowering shop-floor decision-making
• How bold investments in technology and people fueled growth
• The role of automation, ERP, and AI in the future of precision manufacturing
If you’re in precision machining, considering an AS9100-certified path, or curious how a small shop can transform into a key aerospace and defense supplier, you’ll want to hear this story.
Engineer-turned-owner Chad Jones bought a 40-year-old manufacturer, nearly sank it in year one, then rebuilt culture and systems to double revenue with one new hire. Hear his playbook: fair-value deal math, cash discipline, profit sharing, and ops upgrades.
What happens when a violin-making hobbyist builds one of the most trusted machine shops in the aerospace world? In this episode, Sunny Han sits down with Joe Osborn and Michael Langston of OMW Corporation to uncover how a tiny garage startup became a key AS9100 supplier for the private space and satellite industry. Discover how OMW scaled without selling out, why they turn away customers who don’t share their values, and how radical transparency became their secret weapon.
What happens when you trade stability for risk and lead with faith instead of fear? In this episode, Chris sits down with Fritz and John of Rock Run Industries, a father-son duo who turned a garage hobby shop into a thriving sheet metal fabrication powerhouse with over 150 employees and #35 on thefabricator.com’s FAB 40 list this year. From bold equipment bets and low turnover to a culture rooted in values over profits, they share the real, raw story behind their 24-year journey.Hit play to hear what it really takes to build a business that people never want to leave.
Johnson Metal Works is a specialty subcontractor for structural fabrication, erection, and industrial manufacturing in Bozeman, Montana. In this conversation, husband-and-wife duo Scott and Courtney Johnson walk us through their journey from traditional employment to running their own metal fabrication business — sharing the risks, rewards, and real-life lessons along the way.They share about the emotional and practical sides of entrepreneurship: planning for growth, managing risk, and navigating the balance between family and business. Scott and Courtney also detail how they’ve scaled Johnson Metal Works, emphasizing team culture, open communication, and maintaining a collaborative environment.Listen in for insights on fostering a strong company culture, fueling sustainable growth, and embracing change—both personally and professionally. If you’re looking to grow a fabrication business, their story offers plenty to learn and apply.Learn more about how JMW is “manufacturing Montana” at https://www.johnsonmetalworks.com/
How did Grady Cope go from working on oil rigs to running a machine shop? And how did he grow from operating a manual mill and lathe to managing a 25,000 sq. ft. facility filled with advanced CNC machines?
Fulcrum Founder & CEO Sunny Han sits down with Grady to hear the story of how he started and grew Reata Engineering & Machine Works—and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
⌲ Find out more about Reata: https://reataeng.com/
⌲ Explore Fulcrum: https://fulcrumpro.com
——— About Grady: Grady Cope is the President & CEO at Reata Engineering & Machine Works in Englewood, Colorado. Grady started his career as a mechanic working on offshore oil rigs but found his way into machining through the advice of a friend. He started his shop with a manual mill and lathe in 1993, and grew the shop to become the customer service oriented, tech focused business Reata is today.
Reata is a high-mix, low-volume job shop, specializing in complex parts and assemblies for the medical, aerospace, and semiconductor industries. The combination of multi-axis CNC machines, lights-out capabilities, and digital manufacturing tools allows Reata to offer short lead times to customers.
Grady is an active leader in the manufacturing community, having served as: - Former Chairman, National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA)
- Former Chairman, Colorado Advanced Manufacturing Association (CAMA)
- Board Member, National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS).
He is passionate about addressing the skilled labor gap by inspiring the next generation of manufacturers. Grady works with local schools and colleges to help students and parents understand the importance and excitement of careers in manufacturing.
Cody Goff is the 3rd-generation owner of Vilonia Metal Works in Vilonia, Arkansas. Vilonia Metal Works specializes in laser cutting, forming, and fabricating for the restaurant industry. Learn more at www.viloniametalworks.com.
Black Mountain Manufacturing Founder Jonathon Friedl joins Fulcrum Founder & CEO Sunny Han to share his journey from studying to be a doctor to running an innovative sheet metal fabrication and machine shop in Greeley, Colorado. Listen in to hear wild tales from welding in the oil industry to figuring out how to sustain a rapidly growing manufacturing startup.
MetalFab Group & Stainless Works President Gregory Fuller and Vice President Jason Snyder chat with Fulcrum CEO & Founder Sunny Han about their growing businesses. MetalFab Group is the job shop side of the business, focused on laser cutting and sheet metal fabrication, and Stainless Works is the product division, building performance exhaust systems — two different business models sharing resources all under one roof. Hear about the difficulties of transitioning from 1st to 2nd generation ownership, how Gregg and Jason helped align the team, and the importance of creating a positive culture as a means to drive growth.
In this episode of the Capacity Podcast, President of CAMM Metals Matt Soucie shares his story. From humble beginnings in his father's garage to becoming a key player in the precision sheet metal fabrication industry, Matt shares the trials, triumphs, and transformative strategies that propelled CAMM Metals to the forefront of aerospace, military, industrial machines, and medical industries. Hear about the importance of quality, the power of strategic customer selection, and the impact of a positive work culture in driving success. Don't miss Matt's invaluable insights on leadership, family business dynamics, and the critical decisions behind machinery investments and process engineering that have shaped CAMM Metals into a model of manufacturing excellence.
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The Father-daughter duo leads two manufacturers in Escanaba, MI: Sarah heads up operations at Advanced Precision Solutions (APS) while Chris continues to build both companies as President and CEO. APS is a machine shop making customized products for industrial, food, and automotive customers. Independent Machine Company (IMC) is a steel fabricator for the railroad industry, holding the title of largest after-market supplier of gear cases and plows for the locomotive industry worldwide. In this Capacity episode, Chris shares his journey from robotics to owning two manufacturers, Sarah gives insight into building a great culture, and more.
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Manufacturing leader Stephen Reh joins Fulcrum CEO Yu Sunny Han to talk about how he went from discovering CNC machines to becoming the President of Rehtek Machine Co.
Owner of Badger Metal & Machine Fabrication, Abraham (Abe) Ingersoll, shares his experiences from working in the industry to establishing his own business, emphasizing innovation, team spirit, and the importance of embracing new technologies. From the impacts of laser welding to future visions of AI in manufacturing, Abraham and Fulcrum CEO Sunny Han chat about the past, present, and future of machining and metal fabrication. Hear about the challenges and triumphs of running a business, the value of community and collaboration, and the evolving landscape of CNC machining and fabrication in an age of rapid technological advancement. Subscribe, like, and share for more episodes.
CEO and founder Ann Mountjoy shares her approach to leading Seattle-based fabricator, Common Fibers. Operating from a 20,000-square-foot hub, Common Fibers creates carbon fiber parts in aerospace, automotive, and beyond. Ann discusses her open-book philosophy, emphasizing industry growth through shared knowledge. Learn about the value of cross-training, versatility, and a craftsman-like mindset in overcoming early challenges and ensuring long-term success.
After several successful years in corporate America, Scott Hartrick stumbled upon a business opportunity when making his wife metal flowers out of cheap steel spoons. What began as a craft became Aluma Flowers, Hartrick’s first business.
One thing led to the next, and Hartrick started taking on local odd jobs for metal fabrication, seeing more and more of a need for high-quality, quick turnaround parts. After 3 years of flowers, Hartrick began Dynamic Metal Innovations, a full-service shop focused on sheet metal fabrication.
Today, Hartrick still leads both companies alongside his business partner, Mark, and continues to look for new ways to grow the company.
Kirk McCauley is the President of American Engineering and Metalworks (AEM) in North Canton, Ohio. See more about AEM at www.aemquality.com. Learn more about fulcrum at fulcrumpro.com.
Rodd Blessey is the president at Aldine Metal Products in New Milford, Connecticut. Learn more about Aldine at www.aldinemetal.com.
Jeff Murphy leads Reformed MFG, a superalloy CNC Shop and 2nd Chance Employer in Salisbury, Massachusetts. Read more about Reformed at www.reformedmfg.com.