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DEDICATED TO EXCELLENCE: SERVICE • QUALITY • INNOVATION
ESTABLISHED 1953
At All Metals Fabricating, our laser cutting services are how nearly every project begins to take shape. After moving through sales and engineering, the laser and deburring department is the first to touch a part as it enters production. In many ways, this team sets the tone for the entire process.
That responsibility carries a lot of pressure, but our team can handle it. Led by department head Aaron Sims, this group combines world-class equipment with technical expertise to deliver the quality our customers expect.
Aaron Sims has been the lead of the laser and deburring department for four years now, but he first began his manufacturing career 15 years ago after graduating from a technical college. He joined All Metals without prior sheet metal experience, but he was eager to learn from day one. He started in the hardware department, quickly learned to run lasers, and soon mastered everything from driving a forklift to using calipers.
When his department needed a leader, All Metals leadership encouraged him to step into the role.
“I never expected to be a lead,” Aaron said. “But I was ready to do whatever the company asked. Our leadership supported me through everything as I moved into the role. Above all, I’ve learned you have to keep a positive outlook to guide your team.”
Four years later, that outlook has paid off, according to Brian Hunt, our Plant Manager and Director of Continuous Improvement.
“It’s a joy to see the department under Aaron,” Brian said. “Despite the pressure and the physically demanding nature of their work, they’re always upbeat and having fun. His attitude is contagious, and that’s why we wanted him to take over the team.”
Our laser and deburring services department includes six team members, each trained to operate across multiple machines. This flexibility allows them to shift between jobs and even capabilities smoothly, maintaining efficiency and meeting tight timelines.
Aaron emphasized that advanced equipment is a key part of their success, and a part of what makes All Metals a great place to work.
“Lance believes in his people, and he gives us the best equipment to complete the job,” Aaron said. “Over my 15 years here, he’s never stopped investing in upgrades. When we first got the Trumpf with the TruStore tower, we were amazed. We’d never seen anything like it.”
Some of the notable equipment from the department includes:
Many of these systems enable automation and lights-out manufacturing, helping reduce lead times and improve consistency for our customers.
Technology is critical to our deburring and laser cutting services. But it’s not the only key to the department’s success, as Brian Hunt notes.
“They have some excellent equipment, but it’s their process that truly makes them so good,” he said. “We had a customer recently who struggled to cut their material, so they brought it to us instead. They told us, ‘You guys cut this better than everyone else. And faster, too.’”
Aaron credits their results, in part, to their competitive approach.
“We’re always trying to be way ahead of deadlines and beat our fastest times,” Aaron said.
At All Metals, we believe strongly in servant leadership, and Aaron has taken that to heart in his work.
“I try to take accountability for everything my team does,” Aaron said. “If someone makes a mistake, I want to show them how to do it right. If my team doesn’t know how to do something, I always tell them: Don’t hesitate to ask. I’m an open book."
“Teaching is my favorite part of this job. And I always try to teach someone the way they learn best. Everybody has different personalities and styles, so you have to work differently with different people.”
Of course, while we emphasize servant leadership, we always encourage leaders to be true to their own style. Aaron’s upbeat, positive approach is well known throughout our company, and it’s central to his work.
“We’re very serious about our work, but I try to make it so guys want to come to work,” he says. “I want people to laugh.”
Our CEO Lance Thrailkill says that Aaron’s attitude makes the whole shop stronger: “Aaron’s humor is legendary around here, and it’s an important part of his leadership. You can see how effective it is in his department’s output and good mood. It’s been amazing to see him grow during his time at All Metals, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him in our organization!”
Aaron and his team set a high bar for precision and performance, and he’s proud of their success. “I honestly think we have one of the best laser departments anywhere,” he said. “I don’t know if a lot of teams could match what we do.”
That level of excellence defines all of our departments. From metal fabrication to precision machining and beyond, we’re committed to delivering quality at every stage of production.
If your next project could benefit from reliable deburring and laser cutting services, request a quote today from our Texas sheet metal shop!
