Prefab is no longer just about speed. It’s about building smarter systems that connect people, processes, and technology into one cohesive workflow.

In this episode of Bridging the Gap, Todd Weyandt sits down with Thomas Mellendorf, process engineer at Panel Built, to break down what it really takes to optimize prefab operations. From transitioning to model-based workflows to building connected ecosystems and leveraging automation, Thomas shares a practical, systems-driven perspective grounded in real execution.

They also explore the human side of innovation, why communication is often the biggest constraint, how to approach change management, and where AI is actually delivering value today.

If you’re looking to move beyond theory and into what actually works in prefab, this conversation delivers.

• How to identify and optimize the weakest link in your prefab workflow
• What a connected ecosystem should look like from design through fabrication
• Where automation creates real value and where it does not
• Why communication is the most overlooked driver of performance
• How AI can free up time for higher-value, strategic thinking

Thomas Mellendorf is a process engineer at Panel Built with a strong analytical background in mathematics and mechanical engineering. He brings a systems-first approach to prefab, focusing on workflow optimization, software integration, and improving how teams collaborate across the entire project lifecycle.

• The best prefab systems come from understanding the full picture, not just your piece of it
• Communication may sound simple, but it is the ultimate performance multiplier
• AI’s biggest impact is giving teams back time to think, create, and solve better problems

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