Joe Rodriguez on advancing quality and NDT leadership | Forged in Focus

Joe Rodriguez on advancing quality and NDT leadership | Forged in Focus

In this episode of Forged in Focus, Jon Ward sits down with Joe Rodriguez, regional quality manager at IRISNDT, to discuss his journey from the Marine Corps to becoming an ASNT Level III professional and how mentorship shaped his career. They explore the role of nondestructive testing, the importance of quality culture, digital radiography, workforce development and the future of inspection technologies across the industrial sector. Jon and Joe also examine how IRISNDT supports refineries, fabrication shops, pipelines and other critical industries while maintaining high standards for safety and asset integrity.

Mike Pischke on process control and quality assurance in manufacturing | Forged in Focus

In this episode of Forged in Focus, Jon Ward talks with Mike Pischke about his remarkable journey from working as a pipe welder at a nuclear power plant to helping shape some of the most important standards in the pressure vessel industry. Mike discusses how hands-on field experience influenced his approach to engineering, quality management and code development.

Tony Swart on steel tubing and the future of manufacturing leadership | Forged in Focus

In this episode of Forged in Focus, Jon Ward sits down with Tony Swart of Webco to break down the fundamentals of steel tubing and why understanding the difference between welded and seamless products matters for cost and performance. Tony shares insights from decades in manufacturing, including how market shifts, tariffs and supply chain decisions are shaping today’s industry. The conversation also explores leadership, workforce development and the concept of building “forever companies” that prioritize people, partnerships and long term value.

Jeff Hock on scaling from a family business to a global company | Forged in Focus

In this episode of Forged in Focus, Jon Ward sits down with Jeff Hock to explore the legacy behind Brighton Tru-Edge Heads and the leadership lessons that shaped its return to the market. Their conversation covers pressure vessel head manufacturing, global competition, tariffs, workforce development and the challenge of scaling growth without sacrificing quality, safety or culture.

Ed Naylor on inspecting heat exchangers and pressure vessels the right way | Forged in Focus

In this episode of Forged in Focus, Jon talks with eliability and mechanical integrity specialist Ed Naylor to break down the inspection hold points that matter most for heat exchangers, pressure vessels and API tanks. They discuss why hydrotesting is not enough, how bundle insertion can reveal hidden quality issues and what experienced inspectors look for beyond the checklist. Jon and Ed share real-world lessons on catching problems early, protecting schedules and building reliability step by step during fabrication.