Qual-Fab, Inc. of Seattle is a precision sheet metal job shop and contract manufacturer, with nearly five decades of experience in precision sheet metal fabrication. Qual–Fab remains a testament to the resilience and dedication to excellence in American manufacturing.
John M. Williams, the president and owner of Qual-Fab in South Seattle, is not just a numbers guy. His unique business approach, combining a strong focus on the bottom line with a deep compassion for employees and customers, sets him apart in the industry.
Williams, the current owner and operator, is the living embodiment of Qual-Fab’s legacy, a legacy that was started by his father, John F. Williams, who founded the company in 1977. He said that early on, “My father ran a poverty-level business; everything he made went back into the business,” Williams fondly recalls. The elder Williams, who sadly passed away in June 2024, had worked in the business for decades.
Between father and son, they built a strong business and have employed many people for over 47 years. Before COVID-19, Qual–Fab employed over 95 employees, shipping anywhere from 80,000 to 100,000-piece parts monthly throughout the Pacific Northwest and Western United States. But like most businesses, Qual-Fab has had its fair share of challenges. This story is not just about numbers and metrics; it’s about the perseverance and character of Northwest manufacturing, with life lessons learned out of necessity.
Williams said they pride themselves on high-quality production metrics, such as 99.9 percent first-pass yield and on-time delivery metrics.
“The way we market our company is we are in a South-end industrial complex. You can’t tell what we do from the outside. Still, when you walk in, you see a flurry of activity and a significant capital investment – machines, materials, and personnel making parts in a world-class manufacturing facility.” He said they take new customers through the business to see the workgroup flow in person from start to finish. Prospective customers are taken through how a part is made in every process phase to completion. They are shown how a part progresses through each phase of fabrication and how the quality phase is applied. Every major operation undergoes process, sampling, and quality inspection while an inspector is still roving and sampling inspection. The majority of their competition doesn’t do as much detailed inspection as Qual-Fab, and Qual-Fab’s number of minimal RMAs and DPPM quality metrics shows this.
On-time delivery is another priority. Qual-Fab consistently achieves a 100 percent OTD rate for their Kanban and VMI commitments. Their unwavering focus on quality is evident in their mission statement: “Qual-Fab is dedicated to the singular task of producing the highest quality sheet metal parts and assemblies, on time with a zero-defect rate at the lowest possible cost in a managed inventory environment.” They said, “If we make 1000 parts, we want 1000 good parts.” This dedication to zero defects is a key reason their overall quality acceptance is top tier in the industry.
He also described how errors will occur with most manufacturers. He noted that how a business like his handles mistakes or problems, is a measure of character. Williams manages all estimates and then turns the project to the production manager. Kanban and VMI are utilized to manage inventory for many of their customers.
The dedicated Plant Manager, Greg Parish, has been with Qual-Fab since 2012. He started his journey in the industry in 1991 in deburring and has since learned all the machines in the factory, working his way up. He said, “At Qual-Fab, we invest in state-of-the-art equipment, a testament to our commitment to staying at the forefront of the industry.” However, he and Williams acknowledged the challenge of hiring new talent due to a lack of regional job training. They said it is an area they are actively working on so they can expand their team.
Kathy Knowlton has been the company’s administration and engineering assistant for over five years. She enjoys the various tasks and the people she works with, including employees, customers, and suppliers. Knowlton said she is proud of the company’s mission statement: “Qual-Fab is dedicated to the singular task of delivering the highest quality sheet metal products on time and at the lowest possible cost in a managed inventory environment.” Knowlton believes in U.S.-based manufacturing and looks forward to seeing the company grow. She, like Williams, noted that they’ve had some challenges following the pandemic. But they’ve realized new opportunities for improved communications and employee training. “As you know, COVID changed everything. Recently, we upgraded our systems to allow us to chat live with customers and vendors, giving us instant feedback. Better communication is vital, especially for fast-track projects, and it’s also great for training our employees.”
Qual-Fab’s outside strategic marketing vendors, Jennifer Eby, president and CEO of MaRCTechnologies and MaRCTech2, and Krystal Fitzpatrick, manufacturer’s representative for Qual-Fab, specialize in helping their customers achieve greater productivity and profitability. Eby said they represent Qual-Fab and serve as their sales force. “We connect them with potential clients, discuss project requirements, and ensure smooth communication between them and our local manufacturers,” Eby said.
She noted that John M. Williams is “a fantastic leader with a strong commitment to quality and a genuine focus on employee well-being. These values perfectly align with MaRC’s approach, and having such long-term employees (over 25 years!) speaks volumes about his leadership.”
Fitzpatrick is new to the MaRCTech team but has already formed impressions of Qual-Fab, “Having been familiar with John and Qual-Fab’s impressive reputation for some time, I knew upon joining MaRCTech that representing this company would be a perfect fit.” She said they have a rock-solid reputation for sheet metal fabrication.
“Working with them has been like finding a hidden gem – they consistently deliver top-notch quality and go the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction. It’s like a successful matchmaking service – they’ll take fantastic care of any new client I connect them with. He has incorporated long-standing customer relationships, some of which are 20-30 years, which speaks volumes.”
It is safe to say that Williams has made an impression on Eby and Fitzpatrick, as Eby said that Qual-Fab sets themselves apart in several ways:
“Deep commitment to skill development: John’s dedication to learning the trade from his father exemplifies Qual-Fab’s emphasis on skilled craftsmanship. They value the expertise required for their work and invest in employee development.
“Mission-driven culture: I’m impressed by how Qual-Fab adheres to its mission statement. Their values are not just words on a page but a guiding principle for their daily operations.
“Exceptional client and employee retention: Their long-standing relationships with customers and employees (many exceeding 25 years) speak volumes about their commitment to quality and client satisfaction. This loyalty is a testament to their exceptional work ethic and culture.”
Fitzpatrick also mentioned that on National Manufacturing Day (the first Friday in October), Williams opened their manufacturing facility for student field trips, which she said “demonstrated their commitment to transparency and fostering interest in manufacturing careers.”
Williams is committed to many local causes and activities and feels this is because of his upbringing with his father, who raised him as a single parent in a 614-square-foot home. He affirmed that character, and how you conduct yourself in your life and business, are important to him.
Summary
Qual-Fab is a legacy family-owned and operated business that provides high-quality precision sheet metal parts and assemblies. Their commitment to long-term partnerships with employees and customers has fueled their strong presence in the Pacific Northwest and Western United States.
Qual-Fab Services
Sheet metal fabrication
Punching
Laser cutting
Precision brake forming
Hardware insertion & fastening
Welding
Mechanical assembly
Complete turnkey finish from powder coat, silk screen, plating etc.
