ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, MD–ESAB is the sole provider of welding equipment for Season One of Metal Shop Masters, a Netflix reality TV series that premiered globally on September 10. The show features seven competitors, five men and two women, who face off in elimination-style, metal-fabrication challenges.

At the end of six challenges, the last fabricator standing will have earned the title of Metal Shop Master and win a $50,000 prize. The show is hosted by Jo Koy, an award-winning comedian and star of several Netflix stand-up specials.

“Every episode gives these distinguished fabricators, welders and artists a worldwide stage to show what they can create from metal using ESAB equipment,” says Steve Molenda, senior director of global marcom and marketing strategies at ESAB. “It’s an honor as well as a huge opportunity to promote the welding industry to new audiences, showcasing it as a career, hobby and means of artistic expression.”

Molenda notes that equipment used for the show is the type of equipment used by millions of welding professionals, contractors, metal artists, farmers, maintenance personnel, auto repair and motorsports shops and do-it-yourself enthusiasts. Products include the Rebel EMP 205ic AC/DC all-process welder, the Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 40 manual plasma cutter, a Victor cutting outfit, the Sentinel A50 welding helmet and additional PPE. These products are available at local and online welding supply distributors.

The show’s judges are David Madero, a world-renowned metal sculpting artist, and Stephanie Hoffman, program manager of Workforce Development at American Welding Society (AWS). Madero is a Mexican-American who is world-renowned for such creations as a 120-ft. tall Monumental Christ and an epic ‘Eagle & Serpent’ (the Mexican coat of arms) installed in front of official residence of the President of Mexico. Hoffman is program manager of workforce development at AWS and drives the AWS Careers in Welding Trailer around the country. She is a former professional welder, instructor and well-known metal artist herself.

"Each fabrication challenge lasts 10 hours and at the end of each episode, one of the competitors gets torched and sent home," says Melenda. "ESAB would like to thank all of the competitors for showing the world what metalworking skills can achieve, and we are proud to support them with ESAB welding, cutting and safety equipment.”