title: Planning, investing, and taking risks in a small fabrication business
author: Fabricators and Manufacturers Association
contenttype: podcast
publication: The Fabricator Podcast
published: 2026-03-10T09:35:00+00:00
sourceurl: https://www.thefabricator.com/podcast/episode/the-fabricator-podcast/planning-investing-and-taking-risks-in-a-small-fabrication-business
word_count: 106
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.