Above: The contestants were in a race against time—and one another— in a series of skills test
December, 2025- The idea came while Kevin and Melissa Johnson were interviewing welders for their shop, JMW Specialty Welding and Fabrication in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. Melissa noticed that every applicant proclaimed they were “the best welder.” “I quipped that we should have a competition to identify the best,” recalls Kevin Johnson. And that’s how the Fabricator Olympics was born―a multiple-skills competition that pushes participants to showcase their proficiency and speed.
The third annual competition was held in early October in Kempton, Pennsylvania. During the daylong event, 36 competitors went head to head in challenges that highlighted their skills in drilling, cutting, coping, layout and general fabrication. This year’s event also included an art competition.
Winner David Seitz recorded the fastest overall time in the day-long event.
TESTING THE PROS
Several competitions staged around North America focus solely on welding, but rarely on fabrication. “In the real world, welding is just one—albeit a very technical—part of a much larger manufacturing process. Most employers are looking for strong fabricators who can also weld, not just welders who can assemble,” notes three-time event judge Jason Becker, host of Arc Junkies podcast. For Becker, the event shines a light on fabrication as the main event while still incorporating welding as a key component.
For Melissa Johnson, the competition taps into the roots of the family business, which specializes in custom railings and staircases. She explains, “We chose welding because it’s universal. It connects so many industries— from art to infrastructure—and it embodies the craftsmanship and raw strength that defines skilled tradespeople.”
Each year, Kevin Johnson and a planning committee develop a new set of challenges that come from real-world fabricator experiences. The competitors know the skills categories in advance, but learn the specific challenge just moments before the competition. All materials and tools are provided, with most of the equipment and PPE provided by event sponsor Lincoln Electric.
"It’s the kind of event where welders, fabricators and skilled tradespeople come together and instantly feel like family." Melissa Johnson, Fabricator Olympics.
Here is one skills test used this year: Each competitor was provided a 12-inch-long, ¼-inchround bar and asked to transform the bar into a squared box that measured 8 inches by 10 inches. The winner was determined by speed, with time penalties for every ¹⁄₁₆th of an inch that the box is out of square. “The real challenge was that no one could use a tape measure. The welders had to create the box by eye,” notes Kevin Johnson.
The event was hosted by co-founders Kevin and Melissa Johnson.
WINNING CONFIDENCE
Kevin Johnson delights in seeing the competition gathering steam this year with people competing from 16 states (including Texas and Washington) and someone from Mexico. Contestant experience ranged from right out of trade school to individuals close to retirement.
The winner of the skills competition was David Seitz, who learned about the event through social media. He wasn’t sure whether he should even enter, but after a few days of mulling it over, “I decided to enter the competition to see how my skills lined up with others in the industry,” recalls Seitz, who has been welding for about 11 years.
“It was an incredible event for the industry. And my brother came along to support me. The day brought us closer together,” adds Seitz. Another benefit: as the competition winner, he received a Tomahawk plasma cutter from Lincoln Electric as well as a Lincoln Electric TIG stick welder.
The art competition winner was Joe Barrington, who created a functional weather vane in six hours.
A WELDING CULTURE
Drawing people together is a big part of this contest. “It’s the kind of event where welders, fabricators and skilled tradespeople come together and instantly feel like family,” Melissa Johnson says.
More than 300 people came to watch and cheer on the participants. The Johnsons offered free tickets to students at local trade schools and welding programs. “We are big on inspiring the next generation of welders and fabricators. We wanted them to see that there is more to the industry than just putting down a pretty weld,” Kevin Johnson explains.
In addition to promoting the contest on social media, he talked it up on his Welding Business Owners podcast. In each episode he talks shop with a guest welder or fabricator.
Celebrating the industry is a passion the Johnsons share. In 2024, they established the nonprofit Skilled Trades Advocacy of America, the umbrella organization for the fabrication competition and Kevin’s podcast. “Our mission is to create real opportunities for skilled tradespeople to be celebrated and supported—from scholarships and tool grants to awareness campaigns and national events like the Fabricator Olympics,” says Melissa Johnson.
Kevin Johnson (third from left) poses with the top five competitors in the welding and fabrication event. From left to right, David Seitz, Adam Wilson, Kevin Johnson, Richard West, Steven Sainsbury and Steven Fryer.
CREATIVE SIDE
The art competition, new this year, had four contestants being given the same materials, equipment and six hours to create a functional piece of art. The final pieces included a chair, a weather vane (the winner) and a sundial.
Metals artist Jerry Boertzel, along with his wife and six kids, drove from New York so he could compete. His entry, a kneeling celestial being presenting a sundial, didn’t win. But that won’t deter Boertzel from competing again. “The kids thought it was a great weekend. I liked that they could see so many people putting to use their skills in metalworking,” he says.
36 people competed for top fabricator bragging rights and a trophy.
Celebrating both the art and practice of metalworking sums up the heart of the competition. As Melissa puts it, “We want every tradesperson to feel seen, respected and valued for what they bring to the world. The people who come out to compete and spectate really understand that. They cheer for the winner because they understand the tenacity and diligence that it takes to get there. “Our message is simple: Metal doesn’t lie, skill is earned, hard work matters, and community is everything.”
Fabricator Olympics, 800/536-7018, fabricatorolympics.com
