title: Evaluating 2025 and building smarter fab shop strategies for 2026
author: Fabricators and Manufacturers Association
contenttype: article
publication: Next-Gen Metal Fab
published: 2025-12-11T10:00:00
sourceurl: https://www.thefabricator.com/podcast/episode/next-gen-metal-fab/evaluating-2025-and-building-smarter-fab-shop-strategies-for-2026
word_count: 149
In this year-end episode of Next-Gen Metal Fab, Tim Heston sits down with All Metals Fabricating’s Lance Thrailkill and OSH Cut CEO Caleb Chamberlain to unpack a wildly unpredictable 2025 in metal fabrication.
Lance shares how a flat year suddenly surged in Q4 (driven by data centers, telecom, and a surprise spike in WIP) while investing in five-axis machining, automation, and AI-driven programming. Caleb explains OSH Cut’s record-breaking growth, the balancing act of running an on-demand model, and why capacity, lead times, and recession planning all collide in ways most shops underestimate.
The conversation dives into scheduling pitfalls, tube-bending innovation, lights-out realities, ERP limitations, tooling shortages, and how both leaders think about resilience heading into 2026. It’s a candid look at strategy in a volatile market—and why breaking old models might be the smartest move for the year ahead.
Email Tim at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments or questions.