{"id":16638,"date":"2026-06-08T01:59:53","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T01:59:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.findadistributor.com\/news\/?p=16638"},"modified":"2026-06-05T11:48:52","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T11:48:52","slug":"caldwell-at-blackhawk-technical-college-junkyard-wars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.findadistributor.com\/news\/caldwell-at-blackhawk-technical-college-junkyard-wars\/","title":{"rendered":"Caldwell at Blackhawk Technical College Junkyard Wars"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rockford, Illinois-based The Caldwell Group Inc.<\/a> has taken part in its first Junkyard Wars-inspired welding competition at Blackhawk Technical College in Rock County, Wisconsin.<\/p>\n

Caldwell<\/a> provided safety glasses, hats and competition judges as Blackhawk welcomed students from across the area to its Innovative Manufacturing Education Center (IMEC) on the college\u2019s Beloit-Janesville campus.<\/p>\n

Based on the concept of the popular television show, teams created a sculpture from scrap and reclaimed metal. This year\u2019s theme was ‘Hometown Roots\u2019, challenging entrants to fabricate a sculpture that reflected their hometown and what it is built on, such as identity, history, industry, or something the community is known for.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Teams of students were given three hours\u00a0to plan and fabricate their project.<\/p><\/div>\n

Following a safety briefing, teams of four students from each school were given three hours\u00a0to plan and fabricate their project. Judges carefully examined each team\u2019s progress, judging work on craftsmanship and weld quality; creativity and interpretation of the theme; and overall presentation.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Judges were looking for craftsmanship and weld quality. Each project had to represent the competition\u2019s theme, \u2018Hometown Roots\u2019.<\/p><\/div>\n

Amy Garris, who oversees education outreach at Caldwell<\/a>, said: \u201cIt was an honor to support Blackhawk on such a fun but important collaboration. The college has been running this competition for a few years now and it has already grown into a fantastic event where students from all over the area compete. It was inspiring to see contestants design and build practical solutions from limited materials, applying their skills in real time. The format does more than test ability; it creates energy, visibility, and a sense of achievement, helping to build both competence and confidence, while making the learning process memorable and rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"

Teams of up to four students representing each school took part.<\/p><\/div>\n

Caldwell<\/a> recognizes that connectivity with the education sector is central to attracting the next generation of welders and other workers in the U.S. Fabrication is fundamental to production of the company\u2019s Rockford-made line of Caldwell<\/a>-brand below-the-hook lifters, construction lifters, mill duty lifters, and Renfroe-brand clamps.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Caldwell\u2019s Junkyard Wars support team: Matt Nalan, competition judge and QC Weld Inspector; Alyssa Martin, competition judge and Welder 2; Amy Garris, education outreach specialist; and Michael Stitt, competition judge and configuration engineer.<\/p><\/div>\n

Caldwell<\/a>\u2019s Garris added: \u201cManufacturers must increasingly set clear goals to help fuel pipelines of welders and other workers by reaching students who already have an interest in and talent for trades, but who may not yet see a direct or accessible route into industry. By connecting earlier and more meaningfully, it is possible to convert existing interest into structured pathways, sustained development, and ultimately long-term careers in manufacturing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"

The 2026 SMA Junkyard Wars winning team from Beloit Memorial High School created a turtle, representing the Beloit area\u2019s Native American heritage. In the 1820s and 1830s, a Ho-Chunk village known as Ke-Chunk, or Turtle Village, with nearly 700 inhabitants stood where Beloit stands today. Pictured: Amy Garris, Caldwell education outreach specialist; the two-woman crew from Beloit Memorial High School; and Joe Kluge, Beloit Memorial Welding Instructor.<\/p><\/div>\n