Women in Manufacturing: A Conversation With Our Team

Women in Manufacturing: A Conversation With Our Team

At Seaborn Manufacturing, we are proud of the people who enable our company. We are excited by the growing role of women in modern metal work. The landscape of fabrication is changing, and nowhere is that more obvious than in the rising number of women stepping confidently into roles in metal fab shops and machine shops.. Today, Seaborn is home to skilled tradeswomen who are changing perceptions across our shop floor, and in all departments.

We recently sat down with a few of the talented women working within our facilities to talk about their experience in manufacturing, the skills they have developed, and what it means to be part of a team that is helping redefine the future of metalworking.

For many, the journey into manufacturing was not a straight line. Some started in unrelated University programs, others in more general labor roles, and some discovered a passion for the trade through a technical training program or college. One of our Shift Supervisors, shared that she first found her way into the field after University. She was looking for a career that could offer decent pay and stability.  She found herself in a woman in trade program and the rest as they say is history. 

She now oversees a team responsible for key parts of our metal fabrication, press brakes, laser welding and MIG welding operations. Her leadership style is grounded in hands-on expertise, a deep understanding of materials, and a natural ability to problem solve on the fly. “No two days are the same,” she says. “That’s what I love about it. You have to be ready to adapt, but you also get to see the results of your work take shape right in front of you.”

Technology is changing the way manufacturing works, and women at Seaborn are leading the charge. From programming CNC machines to mastering the intricacies of our tube laser systems, our female workforce is deeply engaged with both the artistry and the development of metal fabrication. A production tech in our precision welding department, explained how the shift toward automation has created new opportunities. “When I first got into welding, I thought it would all be about brute strength,” she states. “But modern MIG welding requires a different kind of finesse. It’s not just about muscle it is about precision, control, and understanding how metal reacts.”

It’s that balance of physicality and intellect that appeals to many of the women working here. And for those searching the internet for a “metal workshop near me,” to work for it is important to know that Seaborn doesn’t just offer a job, we offer a path forward. Through on the job training, and opportunities to grow into supervisory or technical leadership roles, we invest in our people because we believe in their potential.

There’s also something special about the camaraderie on the floor. Manufacturing can be demanding work, but at Seaborn, it is also a team effort. Our people support each other, they share knowledge, and work closely together to solve challenges. From designing weld jigs to troubleshooting the occasional laser welding issue. Team work is at the heart of what we do at Seaborn Manufacturing. 

With demand for skilled metalworkers growing, particularly in high precision fields like tube laser cutting and automated welding systems, we are seeing an increase in women actively seeking technical training and apprenticeships. Any metal workshop near me not employing or seeking to employ female staff is missing out. 

We encourage anyone exploring careers in manufacturing to pay attention to the possibilities. Whether you’re fresh out of high school or thinking about a career change, there’s a place for you. As one of our welders said, “There’s something really satisfying about seeing a project through from blueprint to final inspection. Knowing I helped create that? It is powerful.”

So if you’re in the area and looking for a “metal workshop near me” that not only embraces cutting edge tools like tube lasers but also supports the people behind the process, look no further than Seaborn Manufacturing. We’re not just building parts, we are building a community of forward thinkers, leaders, and makers.

Women are no longer the exception in manufacturing—they’re a vital part of its future. And at Seaborn, that future is being forged every day.