Built to Last: How M3 Welding & Fabrication Is Supporting Show Barns Across the U.S.

Some of the best ag businesses start with a simple idea and a whole lot of grit. That’s the case for M3 Welding & Fabrication, a custom manufacturing shop in Alma, Kansas, run by Hunter and Stephanie Maike. What started as a hobby in high school ag shop has turned into a growing business that’s now delivering show pens and barn equipment across the country. 

From Side Hustle to Full-Time Shop 

Hunter’s passion for welding grew early, but it wasn’t until a large order came through that he and Stephanie made the decision to go all in. They launched M3 Welding & Fabrication three years ago and haven’t looked back. Every piece is custom-built to the buyer’s specs—from goat and hog pens to hay feeders and wash racks. 

Hunter handles fabrication. Stephanie balances the books. Together, they’re raising three young kids while running the business and managing a full-time town job. 

100% Custom, Built for Real Life 

Every barn is different, and M3 doesn’t do one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re a family with a backyard 4-H project or a county fairgrounds outfitting a full barn, Hunter walks each customer through: 

• What space they have 

• What animals they’re housing 

• Whether the setup needs to be portable or permanent 

• How to make their investment last 

They’ve built hay feeders that shrink with each bite, trailer setups for portable pens, and low-profile fronts without overhead bars. If you can dream it, Hunter can probably build it. 

Serving Families, Fairs & More 

M3 Welding & Fabrication serves both individual show families and larger customers like fairgrounds. Most of their work actually comes from outside Kansas. Deliveries double as family trips, with Stephanie joking that their "vacations" are usually hauling custom equipment. 

Hunter and Stephanie also offer flexible pricing options to make their equipment more accessible—especially for youth exhibitors and 4-H groups. They understand the ag world because they live it. 

Meeting Growth Challenges Head-On 

Like many small ag businesses, the Maikes have faced hurdles as they’ve grown. From managing timelines to balancing family life and order volume, it’s a constant juggle. 

One big win? Partnering with HitchPin to offer Instant Invoicing. Before HitchPin, checks in the mail could delay orders for weeks. Now, payments are fast, easy, and secure. 

“It saves us time, builds trust with customers, and lets us get started on projects sooner,” Stephanie shared. 

Where to Find M3 Welding & Fabrication 

You can explore their current listings and get in touch by visiting their HitchPin storefront: HitchPin.com/M3WeldingFabrication 

From rabbit pens to show hog panels to heavy-duty hay spears, if it belongs in a barn and needs to last, M3 can make it happen. And they'll treat you like family while doing it. 

If you’re ready to take your show barn or livestock setup to the next level, M3 Welding & Fabrication is a name you can trust—built from the ground up by folks who know ag.