{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Trial by Fire: How Leadership Finds You on the Shop Floor","description":"In this MakingSparks episode, Casey and Matthew talk with Keith \u2014 a leader whose career has been shaped by both running a fabrication shop and now serving as General Manager at Fabrication Solutions &amp;amp; Technologies (FST). Keith\u2019s path started with welding in the blazing heat, learning from old-school fabricators, and grinding his way up to shop management. Today, he uses that first-hand production experience to help shops across oil &amp;amp; gas, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and more choose the right equipment, design smarter workflows, and maximize ROI. From process flow strategies to cross-training welders, machinists, and operators, Keith shares how shop-floor grit and people-first leadership create stronger teams, better client relationships, and more efficient real-world metal fabrication operations. Whether you\u2019re running a press brake, programming a CNC plasma table, or managing a growing shop, this conversation is full of insights forged in the fire of real-world fabrication. 00:01:12 \u2013 Setting the stage and introducing today\u2019s guest. 00:02:22 \u2013 Finding common ground through shared industry connections. 00:04:09 \u2013 Lessons learned from seasoned shop veterans. 00:05:12 \u2013 Insights from seeing manufacturing behind the scenes. 00:10:13 \u2013 Building a professional network that drives opportunities. 00:13:14 \u2013 Standing out at trade shows by creating meaningful conversations. 00:17:02 \u2013 Prioritizing long-term relationships over short-term sales. 00:19:42 \u2013 Addressing the challenge of finding skilled, motivated workers. 00:23:06 \u2013 How shop-floor experience strengthens leadership and sales roles. 00:37:35 \u2013 Encouraging industry connections and in-person engagement at events. Resources:&amp;nbsp; Join our Facebook Group for conversations that will help grow your business: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/share\/g\/1Dspnz4Qt5\/ Keith's LinkedIn: linkedin.com\/in\/keith-jentsch Lights Out Podcast: https:\/\/makingchips.com\/show\/lights-out\/ Buy the Numbers Podcast: https:\/\/makingchips.com\/show\/buy-the-... ","author_name":"Making Sparks Podcast for Fabrication Leaders","author_url":"https:\/\/sites.libsyn.com\/540547","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/37779615\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/191818950"}