Eric Amos, owner and founder of Amos Welding, Rushville, Ind., began his dream to become a welder long before attending college. His passion for welding started when his father needed gates for their commercial hog farm buildings. Amos knew he wasn't going to farm, but he still wanted to impact the agriculture industry.

His story is an example of the value of technical training programs after high school. After Amos graduated from Vincennes University with a bachelor’s degree in welding science in 2009, he began Amos Welding as a side hustle while working at a welding company full time.

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In 2013, that side hustle grew into a full-time welding business. In his business, Amos has tackled a variety of repair jobs for farmers. Then, Amos Welding started making gates for the Rush County Fairgrounds, and it has only grown from there.

Amos Welding’s Straight Up Bars took the business to the next level. Straight Up Bars make it easier to work with a show animal in the stall. These metal bars keep animals from moving from side to side. The bars lift up and lock into place to allow more access to the animal.

In June 2019, Sullivan Supply signed with Amos Welding to sell Straight Up Bars. They have sold over 5,000 sets to cattle showmen across the country.

The business is constantly growing, Amos says. Amos Welding has customers in 35 states and four countries. The goal is opening dealerships across the country soon. His biggest project currently is the Indiana State Fair swine barn gates.

Aside from the welding business, Amos and his family show pigs. Amos says the journey Amos Welding has taken him on is unbelievable. He could have never imagined where it would lead him.

Hauger is a senior in ag communication at Purdue University.