Meet Our Team

The man who started it all. Joel began his career in the metal tubing industry at a young age in Northern Michigan. In the early 1990s, he made the bold move to quit his job and start a tooling company called Metalfab Tool & Machine. Known for his upstanding character, unstoppable determination, and ability to solve almost any problem, his company quickly gained a stellar reputation within the tubing industry.

Leveraging his knowledge and decades of experience, Joel founded Metalfab Manufacturing Inc. in 2003. Despite entering a competitive industry dominated by larger competitors, the company distinguished itself and has since supplied tubing and hose products to all major automotive brands.

Having built a solid foundation and developed a team of capable managers, Joel is now the Chair of the company’s Advisory Board and continues to play a crucial role, offering valuable insight to the leadership team.

As Joel’s oldest son, Kyle has been in and out of the business from his earliest years.

Kyle’s first full-time role came when he took over the company’s bookkeeping from his mother, Michelle Yoder, while also assuming responsibility for many of the business’s commercial needs. Over the years, he continued to take on additional projects and responsibilities within the company, ultimately accepting the role of General Manager in 2020.

Now overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company his father founded, Kyle exemplifies the values it was built upon. With an optimistic mindset and a constant drive for improvement, he focuses on creating an exceptional workplace culture and simplifying processes for customers. His genuine appreciation and care for people is evident in everything he does.

Kyle was recognized and interviewed by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to represent Oscoda County. Check out the article they wrote about him, where he shares about his connection to the local community and the importance of his family. He was also interviewed on The People Success Circle podcast, where he discussed how to build a winning team and what he did to help transform MetalFab Manufacturing from the inside out. 

Jimmy joined the company as Project Manager in 2020, bringing over a decade of experience in automotive manufacturing and quickly becoming an integral part of the team. He took on the fast-paced role of overseeing new product launches, ensuring every detail came together seamlessly, from material availability to on-time customer shipments.

His determination, attention to detail, and extensive knowledge of the field led to his promotion to Supply Chain Director in 2023. Now leading a team that manages shipping, logistics, purchasing, and inventory, Jimmy oversees all materials within the company from start to finish. He also manages internal estimating and supplier development, making him a key contact for suppliers and potential customers alike.

Jubal started with the company as a summer job during high school, operating hand benders on the production floor. After graduation, he left the area to study engineering at Saginaw Valley State University. Following his degree and gaining more experience, he returned to his hometown in 2014 to rejoin the team, this time as an engineer.

Over the years, Jubal has worked on every part the company produces and played an integral role in developing many new processes and products. In 2023, he was promoted to Technical Director as part of the company’s leadership team. Known for his grounded perspective, brilliant mind, and steady character, he now oversees quality, maintenance, tooling, and engineering for the company.

AJ joined the team in 2024 after returning to his hometown of Roscommon. Having served over 10 years in the US Army in multiple roles, including experience as a senior logistician, managing maintenance, and working in manufacturing operations, he sought to apply his diverse experience in a new opportunity.

He quickly stepped in as the primary leader for the manufacturing team and operations. Known as an optimistic, high-energy, and dynamic leader with high expectations, AJ oversees the processes, materials, and people involved in building all customer parts.

As Joel Yoder’s second son, Luke grew up watching the company develop and grow. His first full-time involvement with the family business was working at Yoder Industries as a tool builder, where he learned to build custom tooling used in tubing manufacturing from one of the industry’s best teachers, his uncle Dave Yoder, owner of the company.

Luke excelled both in his technical ability to machine and fabricate a variety of tools, as well as his talent for design and innovation. As a key partner to Metalfab, he began working on numerous tooling projects for the company and accepted the role of Tooling Manager in 2021.

After purchasing back the original tooling business that had been sold to an employee 20 years earlier, Luke developed a team of skilled fabricators and reestablished a tooling division for the company. With his thoughtful yet always humorous leadership style, he guides his team in building innovative, precision equipment for both external customers and internal manufacturing operations.

Heidi joined the company in 2021to assume administrative and bookkeeping responsibilities. She played a critical role in implementing many improvements within this important area of the business.

Shortly after Heidi’s arrival, the company experienced significant growth, surpassing 50 employees and requiring updates to many processes and requirements that came with this expansion. Playing an essential support and advisory role throughout the organization, Heidi is known for her empathy for others, willingness to tackle detailed projects, and thoughtful yet direct advice.

In 2022, when the company required additional support within the quality department, Melissa was brought in as a valuable resource. With her background in automotive quality systems, she promptly began organizing the existing system and preparing the company to achieve IATF 16949 certification. During a time of significant growth and constant change, she continued to adapt to new developments and directions while helping to maintain structure.

Melissa was promoted to Quality Manager in 2023, and the following year, the company successfully passed its IATF certification audit. With her deep knowledge of the company’s internal systems, IATF requirements, driven work ethic, and exceptional organizational skills, she has become an invaluable source of support and guidance to both leadership and employees.