I'm working on our FAB 40 editorial feature for June. It's a collection of 40 metal fabricating companies that have submitted to us their revenue figures for 2010, projected revenue for 2011, and outlook for this year. The listing provides a great snapshot of the overall health of the fabricating industry.

To no one's great surprise, fabricators believe that 2011 is shaping up to be a pretty good year, even in the face of rising steel prices and international turmoil. As several fabricators have told me, when you come from the depths of 2009, you have no choice but to believe things are looking up.

Amidst the positive feelings and cautious optimism, a couple of fabricators noted how they currently are working on jobs that previously were outsourced to China. One fabricator actually called the jobs part of a "trend" and included that work as part of the reason his company will see a 15 percent increase in sales for 2011. Another fabricator called his store fixture business a "growing segment" because of all the jobs coming back from China. (more...)