New-school approach to an old-school family manufacturing business

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 [email protected] with any comments, questions, or suggestions.