Hey Mad,
I worked for a company that makes folding bikes, Bike Friday for about 4 years, and then I worked for a company called Co-Motion for again, right around 4 years. I stopped working for them a little while ago and now work for a company that deals with organic agriculture related things (closer to what my degrees are in). While at those shops, I did a variety of work, from inventory management, to brazing, bending, welding, machining, tool making, bathroom cleaning, etc. I eventually became the lead fabricator in my production cell at BF, and then eventually became the lead welder at Co-Motion. I learned a lot during those 8 years, and my skills really changed over that time. I'd done some fabrication work prior to that, but getting 40-60 hours a week in for 8 years, not to mention buying/playing with welding, machining, and other fabrication equipment in much of my spare time really helped me improve. I still do fabrication work, but it's on the side, and I've tried to limit it quite a bit since leaving the bike industry. I still keep a small hand in it though, but now for fun as much as possible.

I'm not exactly sure why I haven't said specifically where I worked in the past. In part, I figured few people here would have heard of either of those companies (especially as they don't do anything mountain bike related). I guess too, usually when I have said something, it's usually related to some cool thing that someone is working on - I'd rather talk about that stuff than work. It's a little different now that I'm not at those places anymore though.

 what bike factory did/do you work at? in all the bike fab pics iv ever seen from you, and all the posts youve made in the building forum, i dont remember you ever saying...