Fabtek

In 1971, I started making things for local bands

As my reputation for craftsmanship spread, I "passed the audition" and started getting paid, building stuff for local sound companies

I did this in my parent's garage in San Diego

While still working in the garage, Bruce Cooley (a local manager/producer/DJ/photographer) came up with the name Fabtek, and designed a logo

These projects paid my expenses at UCSD. It was not a great income, but a LOT better than a minimum wage job

In 1976, after graduating from UCSD, I decided to expand out of the garage, into a real industrial building in Mira Mesa (outside of San Diego)

The original space was 1600 sq ft. It was just me. I did all the work myself

As time went on, the shop expanded to 4800 sq ft. Large, specialized machines were bought (on credit, with a "creative" financial statement), and several part-time employees were hired

The shop never made a huge profit, and whatever I made went immediately into tools (or hobbies and fun)

It was really more of a hobby (and a passion) than a business, but it was challenging and very educational. I learned a lot about responsibility and independence

The biggest thing I learned was how to solve problems when there is no help..solve it on your own or fail

AFIK, most guys spend years working in someone else's shop, learning the business, before going out on their own. I was making it up as I went along, trying my best to teach myself how to build increasingly difficult projects

One day, a letter arrived from an attorney. He informed me that the name Fabtek was owned by another company. That's when I changed the name to MP M&E

In the recession of 1980, most of my customers evaporated...a stronger business would have survived

I had good times, and bad..and the overwhelming majority of customers were very happy with the quality of the workmanship. In fact, there was only one dissatisfied customer who cancelled his order and demanded a refund of his deposit because I was taking too long to finish his furniture. I was unable to return the deposit because I was broke. He refused any sort of compromise and sued me. This was the trigger that sent me into bankruptcy

The earliest known photo of Fabtek in 1976

The main work table. It was 4 x 12 feet with 6x6 legs. It was fitted with wheels connected to air cylinders. When the cylinders were inflated, it moved easily (even with a load on it). When they were deflated, the table sat solid on the floor. I used this idea again in 2014