Metal fabricators are driven to compete, but they also want to do the right thing.

Despite manufacturing’s resurgence in recent years, which came with a noticeable image boost, when many people think about this business, they think about layoffs and plant closures—and for good reason. We read about layoffs in what are now notoriously weak sectors. The latest example is mining equipment maker Joy Global, which is closing its fabrication facility in Milwaukee.

We hear and read about the business decisions leaders make in distress, usually because it involves people losing their livelihoods. But we often don’t hear about how some companies do all they can to protect those livelihoods, both of their employees and employees at other companies.