Stuart Foreman, 22, Senior, Entrepreneurship Major
High Speed Welding
Q: What is High Speed Welding?
High Speed Welding is a custom aluminum welding company. We specialize in aluminum welding such as truck ladder racks, marine products, and handrails.
Q: How did you end up in the aluminum welding business?
During high school I took a welding course that required a welding internship. The company I interned with ended up giving me a job. Later, I worked for Spencer Yachts from graduation of high school until my start at UNCW. I then started High Speed Welding based in Wilmington.
Q: What made you decide to break off on your own?
I had some unique product ideas that no one else in this area was doing. My main idea was for the production of custom ladder racks for trucks that I ended up calling RyderRacks.
Q: How did you get your business started?
I started out in my garage fabricating mainly RyderRacks and smaller custom modifications. After 2 years I bought a shop off of Gordon Rd which has given me more room to grow my business and expand beyond RyderRacks.
Q: How’s business?
Business is great, I’ve sold over 200 RyderRacks that I have shipped nationwide everywhere from California to Florida to Canada. I currently have one full time employee. Having the extra help makes my life much easier (no more long nights or weekends). I’m actually planning to hire another full time welder and a marketing intern within the next couple of weeks.
Q: Where do you see yourself and High Speed Welding in 5 years? I see myself sitting in my office overlooking a bigger and better shop. As for High Speed Welding, I see several new markets, products and employees.
Article by David Bowden
Photos by Jay Tomlin
