Overview

Join industry leaders as they delve into the current trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the metal fabrication sector. This panel will provide insights into economic forecasts, technological advancements, and strategic approaches to thrive in today’s ever-changing world market. Attendees will gain valuable perspectives on how to navigate the evolving landscape and position their businesses for beyond 2025.

About the Presenters

moderator

Tim Heston

Senior Editor

Biography

Tim Heston, The Fabricator print and online senior editor, has covered the metal fabrication industry since 1998, starting his career at the American Welding Society's Welding Journal. Since then he has covered the full range of metal fabrication processes, from stamping, bending, and cutting to grinding and polishing. He joined The Fabricator's staff in October 2007.

speakers

Troy Berg

President, CEO, and Owner

Dane Manufacturing

Biography

Troy F. Berg is President, CEO, and Owner of Dane Manufacturing, a Wisconsin-based contract manufacturer specializing in end-to-end metal fabrication and assembly. Since acquiring the company in 2001, he has transformed it into a vertically integrated operation, streamlining the supply chain and enhancing quality. Berg began his career in aerospace and automotive manufacturing before launching an engineering design firm in 1995. Under his leadership, Dane has seen rapid growth—including tripling revenue in three years—and earned multiple Inc. 5000 awards. Beyond his role at Dane Manufacturing, Berg also serves as President & CEO of Dantherm Cooling, a company specializing in precision environmental control units (air conditioners, heat pumps, & liquid cooling units). Berg holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and has nearly completed his MSE from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He enjoys boating with his wife and children
Jag Reddy

MEC

Biography

Jag Reddy is the President and CEO of MEC (NYSE: MEC) since July 2022.Prior to MEC, he held senior leadership roles at W.R. Grace, including heading Strategy and Growth and managing Advanced Refining Technologies LLC, joint venture with Chevron Corp. He also served as Vice President and General Manager at Pentair PLC and held positions in mergers & acquisitions, and corporate strategy at other leading industrial companies. Jag began his career in manufacturing operations. Jag has expertly navigated complex business landscapes to achieve sustainable growth. His Lean expertise, developed at Denso (Toyota group) and Danaher, has been instrumental in transforming MEC's operations through the MEC Business Excellence (MBX) initiative. Jag holds an MBA in Finance and Strategy from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, along with a Master's in Engineering Management and a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering. Under his leadership, MEC has celebrated milestones such as five years on the New York Stock Exchange and its 80th anniversary
John N. Geiger

KEEL

Biography

John N. Geiger is the Chief Operating Officer at KEEL. With more than 20 years of experience in large-scale precision manufacturing, Geiger brings a wealth of expertise in program management, quality assurance, supply chain, welding, machining, and integration. Prior to assuming this role, he served as the President and COO at Merrill Technologies Group, which merged with Pegasus Steel and Metal Trades in 2024 to form Keel. In his role, John oversees the ongoing vertical integration and capacity expansion to build upon Keel’s position as the leading advanced manufacturer for the nuclear navy, maritime defense and land, launch and surveillance markets.
John has a Master of Business Administration from Walsh College and is certified in Project Management, CQA, CQE and CSSGB by the American Society for Quality.