For this edition of 5 Questions with CAMA, we sit down with Tom Neppl, Founder and President of Springs Fabrication, LLC. Tom shares his perspective on manufacturing in Colorado, what it takes to build and retain a strong workforce, and the opportunities and challenges facing manufacturers today.

What do you make, and what makes your operation unique?

We are primarily a job shop manufacturing company, what sets us apart is our ability to perform cradle to grave on technical projects. With in-house services from engineering, material processing, heavy forming, technical welding, large format machining, finishing, and assembly. 

What makes Colorado a good place to manufacture - and where could we do better?

The state of course is beautiful and we have a diverse population, the climate is very favorable and people generally love to live here. Up until the last few years it has been affordable. 

We could do better by embracing and using our energy resources, stop setting policy that makes it difficult to do business and support businesses instead of encouraging them to look elsewhere. 

What have you learned about building and retaining a strong workforce?

Provide growth opportunities for your people, treat them as you want to be treated, challenge them, don't give them a reason to leave

What’s next for your company - what are you looking at to drive growth?

Leveraging AI keeps coming up, understanding the power and applying it to improve productivity 

What lesson would you share with another Colorado manufacturer?

• Speed wins
• Change is inevitable
• Without a customer you have no business
• People will follow a leader, even a bad one so give them a better option

Learn more at https://springsfab.com/