Welcome to The Fabricator’s Edge — a new podcast from the team at Dutton Engineering.

In our first episode, we dig into a topic that’s front of mind for supply chain and procurement leaders everywhere: sustainable manufacturing. What does it actually look like in practice? How do you balance environmental goals with cost pressures and lead times? And crucially, what role can the sheet metal industry play in driving real change?

Whether you’re a Technical Buyer sourcing specialised components, a Factory Manager planning operational upgrades, or a Supply Chain Lead tasked with hitting ESG targets, this series is for you.

Episode One: Sustainability on the Factory Floor

In this kickoff episode, we’re breaking down the practical side of sustainability in sheet metal fabrication.

From smarter material selection to energy-efficient processes like high-speed laser cutting and precision CAD planning, we unpack the innovations that are quietly transforming how metal components are designed, cut, welded and finished.

We explore questions like:

• What makes one fabrication process more sustainable than another?

• How can early-stage collaboration reduce material waste?

• Where do procurement and design teams need to align for greener results?

You’ll hear directly from the Dutton team — engineers, planners, and production leaders — who are working every day to optimise for speed, quality and sustainability.

Why This Matters

Let’s face it: terms like ‘eco-friendly’ and ‘sustainable production’ get thrown around a lot. But achieving genuine impact requires more than lip service.

At Dutton Engineering, we’re committed to zero-defect delivery, material waste reduction, and smarter energy use — all underpinned by lean, round-the-clock operations. From laser cutting that avoids thermal distortion to closed-loop planning systems that help reduce over-ordering, our approach is built for manufacturing leaders who want better outcomes across the board: environmental, operational, and financial.

And as sectors like food manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and infrastructure projects come under increasing regulatory and consumer pressure to decarbonise, it’s clear that procurement needs to lead the way.

Listen Now

The Fabricator’s Edge is available now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Tune in for practical insights, real factory-floor examples, and expert conversations designed to help you think smarter about your supply chain choices.

Or you can check our Episode 1 right here:

Listen to Episode One: “Sustainability in Sheet Metal: From Buzzword to Baseline”

And don’t forget to subscribe — future episodes will cover topics like prototyping under pressure, quality assurance in regulated sectors, and innovations in hybrid fabrication.

Brought to you by Dutton Engineering

With over 35 years of experience delivering precision sheet metal solutions for complex sectors, Dutton Engineering is proud to support forward-thinking procurement teams across the UK and beyond. Our services include:

• 24/7 custom fabrication

• ISO1090 MIG/TIG coded welding

• Laser & waterjet cutting

• 3D printing with Markforged technology

• Integrated CAD/CAM and digital production systems

Looking to cut carbon, not corners? Let’s talk.