“A good CWI must be able to interpret and use the codes and put together an excellent narrative,” says Mark Hodge, President of Hodge Fabrication, Inc. of North Little Rock, Arkansas. 

And that is just one of the reasons why Mrs. Pat Hodge enrolled in the Preparation for the American Welding Society Certified Welding Inspector/Educator Examination course at the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology. 

“I obtained my CWI here at Hobart nine years ago and know that it is the best welding school in the world,” says Mark.  “It was time for my nine-year recertification and I knew Pat was ready to become certified.” 

“I was anxious to attend the Hobart Institute, but also a bit skeptical of my ability to successfully pass the CWI exam,” explains Pat.  “I couldn’t have asked for better instructors.  With their help, I did pass the CWI exam.  I am now looking forward to attending the Hobart Institute for further education classes.”

Mark and Pat have been married for 26 years and have worked full time, side-by-side in the family business for the past fifteen years.  Even before Pat joined the company on a full-time basis, she would assist Mark part-time. 

“Pat understands the welding processes and is great at spotting weld flaws.  She also has a strong communications background and that makes her excellent in the quality assurance areas and in compiling QA manuals.”

Quality is one of the keys to maintaining a reputable business.  That, along with flexibility has helped to make Hodge Fabrication successful.  Mark has been in the welding trade for 30 years and “still welds nearly every day.”  He is capable of working on all types of metals and all arc-welding processes.  Along with being talented, Mark has a superb sense of the business and knew exactly when to switch the main focus of his company from manufacturing to primary fabrication, fieldwork and inspection.  

Hodge Fabrication conducts weld testing and welder qualification in addition to structural field welding, working company shutdowns, and fabrication.  They are an AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction) qualified shop and on the qualified provider list (QPL) for Arkansas and Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation for structural fabrication, construction, inspection, and field work.  They are also an outsourcing company for other contractors.  Hodge Fabrication is a small company with seven employees, four of whom are welders. 

Mark says, “My grandfather and my father were furniture builders and making things is in my DNA.  I grew up watching things being built, but I enjoyed working with metal.  When I was in high school, I bought a welder and plugged it into an air conditioning outlet.  I even bought my high school class ring with money I earned welding!”

“When we got married, Mark purchased a welder for his shop before we had appliances in the house!” Pat comments.

“I have always loved the trade,” Mark continues.  “When you complete a job, there is such a high level of satisfaction.  I am very tenacious with a deep burning desire to succeed.  You are never a failure until you quit trying.” 

That tenacity has paid off.  Mark believes that you should never do anything solely for the money. 

“Love your job, and the money will come.  It is also important to maintain a balance of work and recreation in your life,” comments Mark.  “It took us a few years to realize that.  But your concentration and quality of work improves if you approach the jobs from a fresh perspective.”

Hodge Fabrication combines modern practices along with older methods to get the job done right.  Quality is of utmost importance to Mark who indicates that he can “do any job with a torch” and has many times reverted back to the basics when the more advanced equipment has failed to do the job to his satisfaction.  “You’ve got to be versatile in this work,” Mark says.