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Read Time — 5 minutes
Before we released our video interview with Lance Thrailkill, CEO of All Metals Fabricating, we wanted to share a quick and fun questionnaire to help get to know Lance. Lance is a third-generation owner of AMF, founded in 1953 as a complete sheet metal fabricating and machine service company.
Lance recently partnered with Alora, a machine intelligence platform that integrates seamlessly with our ECI ERPs, to make his company more profitable and efficient. His team has taken Alora in stride, utilizing the software solution to chart personal progress on the clock while making their jobs easier to run. Alora has helped Lance and AMF meet their commitment to the development and satisfaction of their employees by providing them with the best equipment to meet their customers’ expectations.
Before we unveil our video interview, get to know Lance’s love of shoes, family, and the outdoors with our fun Q + A.
During our interview, you wore a pair of awesome blue and white Air Jordans. Are you a sneakerhead? If so, how did you get into sneakers, and what are some of your favorite pairs in your collection?
Yessir, I have a pretty good sneaker collection, and I am a big hat guy too. I think I was born that way because I have seen pictures of me as a kid with cool kicks, a hat, and shades on. My favorite day-to-day sneaker is the Yeezy Boost 350’s because they are so comfortable. But my all-time favorite would have to be the Jordan 3’s or the 11’s. I do love my old Reebok pumps too.
Your office gave me the impression you love the outdoors and nature. What are some of your favorite camping spots around Texas? Have you been to any National Parks? And do you come from a family that loves nature and being outdoors?
My first word other than mom and dad was actually “outside.” I would stand at the back door and point, saying “outside.” I love doing anything outdoors, but my favorite things to do is hunting and snowboarding. For me, it’s just about being outdoors and enjoying God’s beautiful creation, especially in the mountains. Watching the sunrise and hearing all of creation rise in the quiet wilderness recharges my soul more than anything. With the constant stresses and demands of being in contract manufacturing, it is critical that I get time to recharge and decompress. When the world’s stresses beat you down, we all need to do more of what gives us life!
I know AMF is a family business. Can you speak a little about the family connection within the company and how the lineage started with your grandfather? I love hearing about multi-generational entrepreneurship.
My grandfather, Bill Thrailkill, started working for another multi-generational company called AC Horn when he was 17. In 1978 he acquired All Metals Fabricating for $250,000, and in the first year, he quadrupled their sales. He did this even after canceling the company’s biggest ongoing contract under the previous owner. Both of his brothers worked in and owned sheet metal shops in DFW. His brother Rick owns and operates First Quality Fabricating with his four children in Dallas. Sheet metal is in my blood. My dad, Billy Thrailkill, joined my grandfather towards the end of 1978 and began acquiring the business from him in the 90s and early 2000s. My grandfather retired in 2008 to work full-time at our family ranch, Tin Bender Ranch. I started at AMF around the same time he retired. I have been acquiring the company from my dad over the past 10 years and have been the majority shareholder and CEO since 2019. My dad is still an owner and plays a very active role in the company. He claims he’s retiring in the next couple of years, but just like my grandfather, he’s incapable of not working so we’ll see what happens. My cousin Will Rushing is also an owner at AMF, overseeing purchasing and managing many of our biggest customer accounts.
You mentioned AMF had been featured in other programs, including Fox News. Can you share more about both of those two features and give details about your company being featured?
In 2016, we were featured on “World’s Greatest!…” on the ION network, which aired several times nationally. This year we were featured on “Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid,” which has aired nationally and regionally as a commercial on Fox Business. The entire segment is being aired on public television networks nationwide. Both five-minute episodes can be seen on our YouTube channel and our website.
It has been a pleasure having Lance and the AMF team as an ECI customer over the years. Keep a look out for the upcoming videos that detail how Alora for ECI has help