Inspection Trends

While participating in a three-year high school welding program, Chris Morr got drawn into the trade and never looked back.

“I soon realized that I enjoyed the welding field,” said Morr.

The Kendallville, Ind., native also showed appreciation toward trades teacher and mentor Jim Deetz. “He was a great instructor and even better person. By my senior year, I was his classroom assistant for the underclassmen. This is when I realized that I liked to teach others how to weld.”

Morr continued his education, attending the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology (HIWT), Troy, Ohio, in February 1991. This article shares his story and words of wisdom.

Provide more about your background, including becoming a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI).

From 1991 to 2002, I held a couple of different welding jobs until I found my home at Colbin Tool, Syracuse, Ind., a maker of stainless steel and aluminum boat rails and ladders, where I was a stainless steel welder. I was responsible for training all the new welders and eventually worked my way to production manager in 1996. In 2003, I landed a job teaching at the Warsaw Area Career Center (WACC), Warsaw, Ind. Around 2005, I noticed a growing number of instructors becoming CWIs so they could certify their students. I made the push to my administrator about this for me, too, and he agreed. In 2007, I was able to get the funding and make it happen. I returned to Hobart for their CWI preparation course, took the test, and passed.

Another goal I had was to make WACC an AWS Accredited Test Facility (ATF). Around 15 years ago, we passed the audit to make WACC one of only two high school ATFs in the state at that time. I also used my summers and evenings to pick up some CWI work with private companies, using visual and destructive techniques, and taught some college courses covering basic to advanced welding with certification offerings at the conclusion of the class. I also became an AWS Certified Welding Educator.

After all these years, my favorite testing method is still destructive testing. I love to watch a weldment get destroyed and then see how the weld holds up.

Why did you open your own business?

In 2019, I became seriously ill and decided I should not continue teaching once I recovered. Because I had some connections in education and the private industry from my teaching days, I knew there was a huge need for certifications in our area, and during some downtime, I worked on my website and other things needed to start a business.

In 2021, Morr Weld Inspection and Certification Inc. (MWIC, mwic.us) in Kendallville, Ind., officially opened. I quickly made the move to turn MWIC into an ATF, and in 2022, we received that status. High schools that did not have a CWI on staff were pursued, and some were very receptive to the idea of having their students achieve an AWS certification. Also, the state requires they earn one for their pathways technical diploma. We now test six high school programs, mostly to AWS D1.1, Structural Welding Code — Steel, but we also do a lot to AWS D9.1, Sheet Metal Welding Code. The medical industry in our area makes a lot of orthopedic hardware as well, like knee and hip implants, and tools for doctors. These companies use AWS D17.1, Specification for Fusion Welding for Aerospace Applications, so we do a lot of that as well.

What’s it like to run your own business and operate as a father-son duo?

In May 2024, I hired my son, Devon Morr, as a full-time employee. He also went to HIWT after high school. In the summer of 2024, he went back to Hobart for CWI training and ultimately passed the test. We now have two CWIs on staff and do welder training and certification, including on ASME pipe, and writing procedure qualification records and welding procedure specifications, holding classes at Steel Dynamics steel mill for the past year, as well as CWI work consisting of pipe inspection. When we face challenges, they’re overcome by hard work and a deep dive into the code book because the answer is usually in there. You just have to find it.

It’s amazing to have your son follow in your footsteps, but to be able to work with him for our own company is even better. In the future, we’re looking forward to achieving a good customer base and growing the company. My ultimate goal would be to start a small, full-time welding school here in northern Indiana. We’re also both members of the local AWS Section, Johnny Appleseed. I am the certification committee chair, and Devon serves on the committee with me. I felt honored to have recently received the Dalton E. Hamilton Memorial CWI of the Year Section Award as well.

Do you have any advice you’d like to give?

If you’re an AWS member and not part of your local Section, please do join; you’ll enjoy many benefits, including networking with fellow colleagues.

My recommendation to individuals wanting to be a CWI is don’t get discouraged. The test is very hard for anyone. Try to find a mentor CWI and never try to take the test without a preparation course.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my career, and if it’s been inspiring to you, then please reach out and let me know (cmorr2019@gmail.com). I’d very much like to hear from you, and if I can share more wise words, I will.

KRISTIN CAMPBELL (kcampbell@aws.org) is managing editor of Inspection Trends.