How to Fix Your Quoting Process Before it Kills Your Shop
Making Sparks Podcast for Fabrication Leaders
Release Date: 03/12/2025
Passing the Torch: The Next Chapter of MakingSparks, Ep #60
Making Sparks Podcast for Fabrication Leaders
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Making Sparks Podcast for Fabrication Leaders
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Making Sparks Podcast for Fabrication Leaders
Most welding instructors teach technique. Santiago Rivera teaches transformation. From learning to weld left-handed for a car… to surviving addiction… to rebuilding a welding program that changed hundreds of students’ lives—Santiago’s story is one of grit, redemption, and unwavering purpose. In this episode, Santiago opens up about the journey that shaped him, the students who motivate him, and the leadership philosophy that’s helping revive the trades for the next generation. It’s not just about welding. It’s about building people. In this episode, you’ll learn: How a...
info_outlineMost fabrication shops struggle with quoting—whether it’s using outdated spreadsheets, clunky ERP systems, or just not having the time to do it right. In this episode, we sit down with Jason Ray, CEO and co-founder of Paperless Parts, to talk about how modern software can make quoting faster, more accurate, and actually help your shop make more money.
Jason breaks down why so many shops have ERP trauma, how to fix broken quoting workflows, and why AI isn’t the magic bullet everyone thinks it is. He also shares insights on the massive reshoring wave happening in US manufacturing and what it means for fabricators trying to scale.
Episode Highlights:
[00:00:47] Why Shops Hate ERP and Software Implementations – Jason explains why so many fabricators have PTSD from bad ERP rollouts and how to avoid the same mistakes.
[00:05:55] The Real Goal of Quoting – It’s not just about winning jobs—it’s about quoting efficiently, pricing correctly, and protecting your margins.
[00:12:08] How Paperless Parts is Changing the Game – Why their quoting software is built to integrate with your workflow, not replace your team.
[00:23:06] The Reshoring Boom and What It Means for Fabricators – Trillions of dollars in work are coming back to the U.S.—but only the most prepared shops will benefit.
[00:27:03] Triage Your Quotes or Get Buried – How leading shops are prioritizing the right jobs instead of wasting time on low-value RFQs.
[00:30:10] AI in Manufacturing – The right and wrong ways to use AI in quoting, plus the security risks no one’s talking about.
This episode is a must-listen for metal fabrication leaders looking to streamline their front office, improve quoting accuracy, and position their shop for growth.
Resources:
🔧 Simplify your quoting process with Paperless Parts: https://www.paperlessparts.com/
📈 Get expert guidance for growing your fab shop: https://www.profaballiance.com/