Forged in Focus

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.

Jessica King on heavy haul trucking and moving oversized industrial equipment | Forged in Focus

In this episode of Forged in Focus, Jon sits down with Jessica King of Palletized Trucking to break down how oversized and super heavy industrial loads are moved from fabrication to final delivery. Jessica shares the evolution of Palletized Trucking, the role of family leadership and the planning, permitting and specialized equipment required to transport large vessels and components.

Rita Byrd on supply chains, the PMI and the future of procurement | Forged in Focus

In this episode of Forged in Focus, Jon speaks with Rita Byrd, a board member of the Institute for Supply Management, about the forces shaping modern supply chains and procurement leadership. Rita explains why the PMI remains one of the most closely watched indicators in manufacturing, how technology like AI is changing decision-making, and what skills the next generation of supply chain leaders must develop. The conversation also explores ethics, sustainability and why strategic supplier relationships matter more than ever.