Swanton Welding Featured in CNN Story on U.S. Tariffs and Manufacturing
We’re proud to share that Swanton Welding was recently featured in a CNN story highlighting the impact of new U.S. tariffs on American manufacturing. As a leader in the American metal fabrication and welding industry, we were honored to welcome CNN’s production crew to Swanton Welding’s Heavy Fabrication facility in Pettisville, Ohio, to showcase what we do best and share how changes in trade policy are impacting businesses like ours.
While the segment focuses on tariffs, it also highlights the incredible talent, craftsmanship, and innovation that go into every Swanton Welding project.
Small Business Roots, Big Vision
“I’m optimistic. I’m extremely optimistic.” – Norm Zeiter, President, Swanton Welding.
Swanton Welding may be a small business, but we’re driven by a big vision: to help power a growing American economy through precision, reliability, and craftsmanship. With over 65 years of experience, we’ve expanded from a one-man welding shop into a multi-location operation that continues to thrive on the values we were founded on.
Today, we proudly operate out of three facilities:
- Our main facility in Swanton, Ohio, the heart of our operations
- A specialized Heavy Fabrication facility in Pettisville, Ohio, built to handle large-scale and oversized projects
- Our Southern facility in Griffin, Georgia, where robotic welding and component fabrication push innovation forward
With over 100 dedicated employees, Swanton Welding is a proud example of what American manufacturing can achieve. From large-scale industrial jobs to custom components, we’ve built our reputation by delivering quality and standing behind every weld.
Our journey from humble beginnings to a trusted fabrication partner has always been rooted in one thing: an unwavering commitment to excellence.
More Than a Team – A Family
Our success wouldn’t be possible without the people behind the projects. From the welders fusing precision parts to the painters applying finishing touches, every team member plays a vital role in what we build—and how we make it.
We’re especially proud that CNN chose to feature the voices of our shop floor: the fabricators and supervisors whose hands-on work defines our reputation. Their dedication is the heartbeat of Swanton Welding.
For the CNN segment, our team was honored to share their perspectives and showcase the work we do every day. One of those voices was our President, Norm Zeiter, who reflected on our growing international reach:
“We’ve had Italy. We’ve had France. We’ve had Great Britain. We [recently] had a Canadian company reach out to us.” – Norm Zeiter, President.
Swanton Welding has become more than just a national name—we’re a trusted global partner.
The crew interviewed:
- Norm Zeiter, President
- Bill Zeiter, Plant Manager
- Ethan Sanderson, Welder/Fabricator
- Allison Fagerman, Welder
- Jason Fagerman, Shop Supervisor
Looking Ahead
Being featured by CNN is more than just a media moment—it’s a recognition of the hard work, craftsmanship, and commitment that every member of the Swanton Welding team brings to the table every day. It’s also a spotlight on the strength and resilience of American manufacturing, especially from the perspective of a small business with big capabilities.
As we continue to grow and evolve, we remain focused on what matters most: delivering quality work, supporting our team, and building strong relationships with clients across the country and around the globe.
