Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders

In manufacturing, everyone talks about the skills gap. Fewer people talk about the relationships, systems, and long-term commitment it takes to solve it. In this episode of MakingChips, we continue our GenCNC series by exploring a powerful partnership between Northridge High School and JD Machine, a collaboration that is creating a steady pipeline of young manufacturing talent and proving that workforce development doesn't happen by accident. Kurt Jensen has spent more than two decades teaching and inspiring students, but his machining program at Northridge High is unlike most. Built from scratch just six years ago, the program now serves nearly 100 students and gives them hands-on experience with machining, programming, inspection, and real-world manufacturing concepts. Through relentless recruiting, industry partnerships, and a passion for exposing students to the trades, Kurt has created a program that students actively seek out. On the industry side, Matt Wardle of JD Machine shares how workforce development has become one of the company's most important strategic systems. From registered apprenticeships and structured career pathways to internships and community involvement, JD Machine has spent decades investing in people rather than waiting for talent to appear. The result is a workforce pipeline stronger than ever in one of the most competitive hiring markets manufacturing has faced. Together, Kurt and Matt demonstrate what happens when educators and employers stop operating independently and start working toward a common goal. The conversation explores apprenticeship models, mentorship, recruiting strategies, soft skills development, and practical ways every shop can support local manufacturing education. Whether you're an educator, employer, parent, or industry advocate, this episode offers a blueprint for building the next generation of manufacturing talent. Segments (0:00) Mike celebrates his son's graduation and entry into manufacturing (1:43) Introducing Northridge High School and JD Machine's workforce partnership (3:13) Matt Wardle's journey building JD Machine through apprenticeship programs (5:40) Kurt Jensen's machining program and serving nearly 100 students (7:13) Check out the Hennig Workflow (an automated pallet delivery system) (8:04) Why Northridge's machining program continues to attract strong student demand (10:53) The importance of exposing students to manufacturing career paths (12:41) Building a machining program from scratch inside a public high school (14:26) How JD Machine supports schools and develops long-term talent pipelines (17:06) SkillsUSA competitions and strengthening industry-education partnerships (19:04) Convincing school leaders to invest in manufacturing education (21:06) How ProShop can help you achieve on-time delivery (25:22) Curriculum design, machining

Recorded live from the Toolpath Machining Summit at Mammoth Mountain, this episode of MakingChips explores what happens when software thinking collides with modern manufacturing. We sat down with SendCutSend founder Jim Belosic and CNC leader Phil Linscheid for a conversation about speed, automation, growth, and the changing realities of manufacturing in America. What started as frustration sourcing one-off sheet metal parts has evolved into one of the industry's most talked-about manufacturing companies. Today, SendCutSend is processing tens of thousands of orders every month across multiple facilities, all while challenging long-standing assumptions around quoting, inventory, lead times, staffing, and scalability. But underneath the growth is something even more interesting: a company culture built around adaptability, curiosity, and a willingness to rethink everything. Throughout the episode, we dig into how SendCutSend approaches manufacturing differently. Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, they've focused on simplifying processes, automating aggressively, and creating systems that remove friction for customers. Jim and Phil explain why many traditional machine shop habits no longer make sense at scale, and why the future may belong to manufacturers who are willing to specialize, collaborate, and move faster. We also explore what this shift means for the broader manufacturing industry. Are companies like SendCutSend replacing traditional shops, or creating opportunities for them to evolve into something more specialized and valuable? From hiring philosophies and leadership lessons to AI, automation, and "Home Depot for manufacturing," this conversation challenges the industry to think differently about where manufacturing is headed next. Segments (0:00) Recording live from the Toolpath Machining Summit at Mammoth Mountain (0:49) Why intentional industry events create deeper manufacturing conversations (2:38) Introducing SendCutSend and the company's rapid growth trajectory (4:01) The original problem that inspired the creation of SendCutSend (5:28) Early mistakes, learning manufacturing from scratch, and adapting quickly (10:15) Scaling to hundreds of employees, multiple facilities, and massive order volume (12:25) Why SendCutSend focuses on creating talent instead of recruiting it (14:07) Hiring for enthusiasm, grit, and culture fit over manufacturing experience (16:41) Why we love SMW Autoblok for workholding products (17:54) Can outsiders successfully buy and grow manufacturing companies? (19:51) Why great machinists don't always become great managers (23:13) Building career paths for both technical experts and people leaders (24:47) How complementary leadership styles drive growth and innovation (28:25) Get a free report of sales opportunities in your area from FacturMFG.com

What happens when a young woman with zero machining experience gets handed the keys to two CNC mills and told, "Figure it out"? For Melissa Ramos, it became the start of a journey that's equal parts grit, creativity, community, and stubborn determination. In this episode of MakingChips, we sit down with the founder of M95 Machining to unpack how she went from crashing machines, crying in shop bathrooms, and being dismissed in trade school… to building a respected machining brand with a massive social media following and partnerships across the industry. Melissa shares the real story behind learning CNC machining from the ground up, the pressure of working alongside her father, and the moments that nearly made her quit. But this conversation goes far beyond tooling and G-code. It's about building a business while building confidence. Melissa opens up about the challenges of being a woman in manufacturing, the ugly side of internet criticism, and why storytelling and content creation have become just as important to her business as making parts. From balancing customer work and brand partnerships to literally moving into the shop to chase bigger goals, her story captures the modern reality of manufacturing entrepreneurship. The episode also dives into automation, mentorship, social media, family dynamics, and Melissa's vision for creating a safe learning space for women entering the trades. Whether you're a shop owner, aspiring machinist, parent, or someone trying to carve out a path in manufacturing, this conversation is packed with honesty, perspective, and a refreshing reminder that there's no single blueprint for success in this industry. If you've ever wondered what the next generation of manufacturing leadership looks like, this episode delivers a pretty compelling answer. Segments (0:00) The MakingChips crew welcomes Melissa Ramos to MakingChips: GenCNC (2:17) Melissa shares how her dad introduced her to CNC machining with two Haas mills (4:33) Melissa discusses the challenges of being a woman entering manufacturing (6:04) Melissa opens up about her negative trade school experience and being dismissed by an instructor (8:29) How a group of classmates helped her learn programming despite lack of support (10:01) Discovering Fusion 360 and teaching herself CAM programming (11:56) Learn more about IMTS 2026 (and why you should join us) (13:14) Building M95 through family connections, word of mouth, and social media (15:52) Melissa discusses workload balance, shop growth, and finding ideal customers (17:50) Balancing machining work with growing content partnerships and brand opportunities (18:32) Why Melissa prefers prototype and quick-turn work over repetitive production (19:30) Lessons learned from a difficult automation experience with a robot cell (22:08) Melissa shares the story of meeting h

What if the future of your machine shop isn't just faster spindles or more automation—but an entirely different way of making parts? In this episode of MakingChips: Generation CNC, we sit down with David Bamforth of Renscott Manufacturing, a young entrepreneur who's not just building a shop—he's redefining what one can be. By combining CNC machining with metal additive manufacturing, David has positioned his company at the intersection of two worlds, creating a powerful competitive edge in aerospace, defense, and spaceflight. But this didn't start with a master plan. Like many entrepreneurs, David began with curiosity, a willingness to take risks, and a mindset of figuring things out as he went. Over time, that evolved into something much more intentional: a clear strategy to move beyond being "just another job shop" and instead own the full lifecycle of complex parts—from printed blank to finished, mission-critical component. What makes this approach so compelling is the problem it solves. Many companies can print parts. Many shops can machine them. But very few can do both well. Even fewer understand how to bridge the gap between the two. That's where Renscott has carved out its niche, simplifying supply chains, improving reliability, and creating real value for customers operating at the cutting edge. If you've been thinking about how to differentiate your shop—or where the industry is heading next—this episode offers a clear look at why additive manufacturing isn't just a trend. For shops willing to embrace it, it's a strategic advantage. Segments (0:00) Light banter, missing co-host, and intro to the Gen CNC series (1:32) Meet David Bamforth: From automotive work to aerospace, spaceflight, and defense (4:46) Early curiosity: how tinkering and "How It's Made" shaped his path (6:04) Engineering school, co-ops, and exposure to large-scale manufacturing (8:32) Buying the first Haas machine and launching the business with no roadmap (9:49) Why we love Paperless Parts for your quoting workflow (11:01) The "build it and they will come" philosophy—and learning the hard way (13:55) Self-funding the business, family support, and building a leadership team (16:49) The cool part of the Co-op that David participated in (18:59) What formal manufacturing education did (and didn't) teach (21:36) How additive manufacturing became a strategic differentiator (27:13) Why we love SMW Autoblok for workholding (27:56) The long-term vision: becoming additive-first with machining support (30:22) Real-world applications like internal cooling channels and complex geometries (32:34) Building the additive business like a startup within the company (34:25) Comparing labor, cost, and efficiency: additive vs. subtractive (38:15) Automation strategy across five-axis machining and robotics

What happens when global policy decisions collide with the realities of the shop floor? In this episode of MakingChips, the team sits down with Brennan Grignon, founder and CEO of Vantive, to unpack the hidden complexity behind supply chains that power everything from defense systems to everyday manufacturing. With experience advising at the highest levels of government, Brennan brings a rare perspective on how geopolitical decisions ripple all the way down to machine shops across the country. At the heart of the conversation is a hard truth: supply chains are not as flexible as policymakers often assume. Moving production isn't like flipping a switch—it's a tangled web of materials, processes, certifications, and human expertise that can take years, not days, to shift. And yet, those decisions are being made every day, often without a full understanding of the downstream consequences. The discussion dives deep into the structural challenges facing the defense industrial base, especially for small and mid-sized machine shops. From cash flow constraints and unfavorable payment terms to the rising cost of compliance like CMMC, many shops are being asked to shoulder burdens that simply don't make financial sense. The result? A system full of opportunity, but also friction, risk, and misaligned incentives. Despite the challenges, there's also a sense of possibility. With advancements in digitalization, predictive modeling, and better visibility into supply chains, there's a path forward. But it will require collaboration, smarter policy, and a willingness to rethink how the entire ecosystem works, from government to primes to the shop floor. Segments (0:00) Setting the tone for the episode with Brennan's "dad joke" (1:31) Introduction to Brennan, Vantive, and her mission to solve supply chain disruption (3:58) Brennan's background advising the Department of Defense on supply chain resilience (9:38) Lessons from leading supply chain efforts during COVID response (10:55) Real-world example of how geopolitical decisions impact machine shops (15:22) The myth of "just moving production" and why it's far more complex (17:24) The emerging requirements of CMMC certification and the effect on the DIB (18:31) You need to come join us at IMTS 2026, September 14th-19th! (19:27) The missing piece in procurement: why supply chain risk isn't formally measured (22:10) Why small shops struggle to participate in the defense industrial base (25:13) The broken incentive structure between government, primes, and suppliers (32:10) Cash flow challenges and unfavorable payment terms for small manufacturers (37:21) Workforce instability and the impact of inconsistent demand cycles (38:40) Check out the Hennig WorkFlow: a 40-pallet automation system (39:31) Risks tied to critical materials and globa

Sometimes the path into manufacturing isn't a straight line but more like a ricochet. That's exactly how Mark Christopher's journey began. From nearly flunking out of college to becoming a key voice at DN Solutions, Mark's story is a testament to what happens when curiosity meets opportunity. What started as a fallback plan quickly evolved into a 30-year career built on solving problems, challenging assumptions, and helping shops unlock their full potential. In this episode of MakingChips, we sit down with Mark to explore not just where he's been—but what he's seen. And when you've walked into shops from small mom-and-pop operations to aerospace giants, you start to notice patterns. One of the biggest? The shops that win aren't just buying machines—they're buying capability, flexibility, and time. The conversation quickly shifts into one of the most important topics in modern manufacturing: automation. Not the buzzword version, but the real, boots-on-the-ground reality. The kind that helps shops run lights out, say "yes" to jobs they used to turn down, and turn spindle time into a competitive weapon. Mark breaks down how shops can justify the leap, avoid costly mistakes, and think differently about ROI. But this isn't just about machines—it's about people. The episode highlights a powerful theme: untapped potential. Whether it's underutilized equipment or team members ready to level up, the opportunity is everywhere. The challenge is having the vision—and sometimes the courage—to act on it. If you've ever wondered whether automation is worth it, when to make the leap, or how to build a shop that's ready for what's next… this episode delivers. Because at the end of the day, if your machines—and your people—aren't being fully utilized, you're leaving opportunity on the table. Segments (0:00) How machinists unknowingly shaped your childhood (1:23) Mark's story: From "voluntold" career moves to finding passion in manufacturing (7:41) Transition into the machine tool world and exposure to shops across North America (10:06) Head to the DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits event (11:09) Industry outlook: strong demand, workforce challenges, and the rise of automation (13:08) Why shops hesitate on automation—and how to properly evaluate ROI (18:36) Real-world example of using automation to unlock high-margin, expedited work (21:33) Why we love the quality of SMW Autoblok workholding (22:20) Rethinking the traditional path: starting with advanced machines and automation (25:20) Case study: how 5-axis and automation dramatically increase capability (30:11) Paperless Parts: Scaling challenges and the importance of systems over brute force execution (37:30) Common mistakes when investing in automation and how to avoid them (40:20) Understanding true utilization and maximizing machine uptime (4

Finding skilled talent isn't the problem anymore, it's developing it. And in manufacturing, the shops that win aren't just the ones with the best machines, they're the ones connected to the right pipeline. In this episode, we sit down with Gary Nadeau of Westfield Technical Academy, a program that has been quietly producing highly capable machinists for decades. With a structure that blends classroom learning, hands-on shop experience, and real-world co-op placements, Gary and his team have built something most regions are still trying to figure out: a reliable bridge between education and industry. But even a program like this isn't immune to change. Gary shares how shifts in culture, attention spans, and mechanical exposure are forcing educators to rethink how they teach and engage students. From breaking projects into smaller wins to leveraging tools like 3D printing, the approach to developing talent is evolving in real time. This conversation isn't just about one school. It's about what's possible when manufacturers and educators actually work together and what's at risk if they don't. If you're struggling to find talent, this episode might challenge you to rethink where you're looking and how involved you need to be in building the pipeline. Segments (0:00) Why education is a critical piece of the next generation of CNC leaders (2:06) Introduction to Gary Nadeau and Westfield Technical Academy's legacy (3:06) Overview of the school and how the machining program works (9:01) Gary's personal journey into machining and teaching (12:26) Join Nick at the DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits Event (13:30) The challenge of attracting students to manufacturing programs today (16:28) Using 3D printing and creativity to spark student interest (17:30) Competing programs and how students choose career paths (19:15) Why students often grow to love manufacturing once exposed to it (22:16) Breaking curriculum into smaller wins to keep students engaged (26:06) SMW Autoblok offers world-class workholding products (27:20) How machine shops can get involved and support local programs (32:30) Curriculum alignment with real-world shop needs (33:57) The impact of losing instructors and funding challenges (36:21) Frustrations with education priorities and funding decisions (40:31) Paperless Parts: The Speed of AI without the risk (41:45) The most rewarding part: seeing students succeed in their careers (43:26) Stories of graduates thriving in manufacturing and life (46:15) A call to action for shops to engage with schools and build the pipeline Resources mentioned on this episode Join Nick at the DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits Event <a href="htt

What does the next generation of manufacturing ownership really look like? In this episode of MakingChips, we sit down with Mason Nicholas, a 21-year-old shop owner who's building his business one machine, one customer, and one sleepless night at a time. His journey didn't start with a formal apprenticeship or engineering degree. It started with motorcycles, model cars, a 3D printer, and a curiosity about how things are made. Mason walks through the unconventional path that led him into machining, from teaching himself CAD during COVID to interning in multiple shops while still in high school. Along the way, he learned programming, fixturing, production workflows, and the realities of shop life. That hands-on exposure eventually turned into entrepreneurial ambition, and before long he was running parts at night on a CNC knee mill, chasing work, and learning the business the hard way. The conversation dives deep into the realities of starting a shop young. Mason shares how he bootstrapped his first Haas, balanced customer work with learning, and navigated common early mistakes like chasing low-margin work and trying to be everything to everyone. The hosts also unpack the importance of niching down, building cash reserves, and choosing a long-term strategy instead of chasing short-term revenue. Looking ahead, Mason outlines his vision for building a specialized aerospace and defense shop, investing in five-axis capability, and eventually creating a talent pipeline to bring new people into manufacturing. It's an honest conversation about ambition, discipline, and what it takes to turn passion into a sustainable manufacturing business. Segments (0:00) Mason Nicholas and his unconventional path into manufacturing (3:54) Learning machining through high school programs and internships (6:52) Running parts at night, landing his first customers, and early job costing mistakes (9:57) Buying his first Haas and officially launching the business (11:33) Leaving his job and committing to entrepreneurship (14:45) Check out the Hennig WorkFlow Automated Pallet Delivery System (15:35) What his one-man shop looks like today (19:19) First IMTS experience and seeing the industry's scale (20:34) Head to the DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits event (21:33) Bootstrapping growth and reinvesting into tooling and equipment (23:14) Deciding when to buy the next machine (25:09) Paperless Parts is built for shops preparing for CMMC Level II (26:58) One-man shop realities and five-year growth vision (29:10) Creating a future talent pipeline and second shop concept (31:31) Technology, certifications, and preparing for aerospace work (33:16) Lights-out machining and maximizing spindle uptime (36:44) Cash flow discipline and managing capital-intensive growth (42:49) Advice for new sho

What happens when a college engineering student buys a CNC machine just to experiment… and accidentally builds an aerospace machine shop? That's exactly what Nick Preece did. What started as a curiosity fueled by YouTube videos and garage tinkering quickly evolved into Preece Machining & Assembly, a fast-growing shop focused on complex, high-mix aerospace work. In this Gen CNC episode, Nick shares how he bootstrapped the business from a used mill and a $1,200/month goal into a 10+ machine operation. Alongside his brother Tanner, the two built a company rooted in technical problem-solving, disciplined growth, and a willingness to learn everything the hard way, from customer concentration risk to hiring challenges. The conversation dives into how young shops can compete with larger manufacturers by focusing on complex work, building strong customer relationships, and creating positive sales pressure. Nick also explains how painful lessons around diversification forced them to rethink outreach, refine their quoting strategy, and become more intentional about the work they pursue. Nick also discusses scaling a team, investing in five-axis capability, and even bringing on strategic partners to accelerate growth. With a vision of building a full "PMA campus" and a culture built on kindness and urgency, Nick offers a real-world look at what it takes for the next generation of manufacturing leaders to grow fast without losing focus. His advice for anyone starting a shop? Don't just compete, turn it up to 11 and deliver something exceptional every single time. Segments (0:00) Introduction and welcome to Gen CNC featuring Nick Preece (2:24) Preece Machining & Assembly overview and aerospace focus (4:22) Origin story: learning machining on YouTube and starting in a garage (7:40) Working with family and division of responsibilities with Tanner (12:39) Bootstrapping the first machine to multiple machines and five-axis investments (15:00) Head to DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits event (15:59) How they make decisions on capital equipment (17:47) Sales and marketing strategy, customer concentration, and diversification (20:15) Building a sales process and generating positive sales pressure (21:34) First in, First Order: What is your ideal part profile? (27:7) Pricing pressure, margins, and competing during slow periods (30:54) Hiring strategy, workforce challenges, and recruiting experienced talent (33:55) Shop culture: kindness, urgency, and high performance (36:33) Why we love SMW Autoblok for workholding (38:48) Long-term vision and building a "PMA campus" (42:39) Five-axis strategy and thoughts on automation (45:10) Why you need to come see us at IMTS 2026 (46:04) Bringing on investment partners and scaling the business (49:24) Nick's advice to yo

What happens when a childhood obsession with trains turns into a manufacturing business? In this episode of MakingChips Generation CNC, we sit down with Chris Huffman, a young shop owner who launched Huffman Machining Solutions at just 21 years old. Now 26, Chris is building his business one machine, one customer, and one calculated risk at a time. Chris didn't grow up in a machining family, and he didn't follow the traditional path into manufacturing. Instead, his curiosity started with steam locomotives and model trains. That fascination led him to learn how parts were made, which eventually pulled him into machining. Along the way, he realized he didn't just love trains. He loved the process of turning raw material into precision components. That passion evolved into opportunity. Requests for custom parts began to pile up, and Chris saw a path forward. With minimal overhead, a steady job at a community college, and a willingness to take calculated risks, he bought his first machine, found a small space, and started building his shop from the ground up. In this conversation, Chris shares the realities of starting young. He talks through financing equipment, navigating insurance challenges, buying used machines, and learning business skills on the fly. He also opens up about the mental side of entrepreneurship, including the pressure of hiring a first employee and the responsibility that comes with building something bigger than yourself. This episode is a great look at what the next generation of manufacturing founders actually looks like. It's not about overnight success. It's about passion, persistence, and slowly laying the track to build a sustainable machine shop. Segments (0:00) Introduction to Chris Huffman and the Generation CNC young founder series (1:06) Starting a machine shop at 21 and the story behind Huffman Machining Solutions (4:30) From model trains to machining and discovering a passion for manufacturing (9:18) Why you need to come see us at IMTS 2026! (11:00) Desire to work on historic locomotives and falling in love with machining itself (14:10) Demand for parts lead to launching the business in 2022 (16:16) Transitioning from teaching machining to running a shop full-time (19:30) Financing the first machine and lessons learned about tooling costs (22:02) Buying a used Mazak and costly surprises after purchase (25:54) Adding additional machines and building capability as a one-man shop (28:43) Paperless Parts: CMMC compliant and secure option for estimating and quoting  (29:55) The "#ThankAMachinist" mindset and educating others about manufacturing (33:20) Hiring plans, apprenticeships, and outgrowing the current space (37:13) The fear and responsibility of hiring the first employee (38:40) Why we created Hire MFG Leaders (and why you should use it)

They started a machine shop before turning 30… and doubled their projections in year one. In this episode of MakingChips Generation CNC, we sit down with Sean and Sinjon of Three Rivers Precision to hear how two mechanical engineers turned hands-on curiosity into a high-end machining business focused on five-axis work, titanium, and complex parts. What began in a university machine shop quickly evolved into five years of learning inside a young manufacturing company, where they gained experience across programming, estimating, project management, and customer communication. When that company shifted direction, they made the leap. They mapped out their financial runway, secured startup funding, built out an empty facility, and launched with a clear strategy: focus on difficult materials, deliver fast, and build relationships by exceeding expectations. The result? A fully booked shop, automation plans, and growth without rushing to hire. Sean and Sinjon also share how they structured a 50/50 partnership, why they're prioritizing lights-out machining over headcount, their philosophy on paying skilled machinists well, and the mindset that helped them go all-in and build a modern machine shop from day one. From funding and partnerships to five-axis strategy and customer acquisition, this episode offers a candid look at how the next generation of manufacturing leaders is building modern machine shops from day one. Segments (0:00) Introduction to Sean and Sinjon from Three Rivers Precision and their growth journey (2:21) Meeting at the University of Pittsburgh and early exposure to machining (9:04) Why Sean and Sinjon decided to launch Three Rivers Precision (15:15) Paperless Parts and secure AI-powered quoting for manufacturers (16:27) The emotional and financial risk of leaving secure jobs (17:53) Working with the Small Business Development Center (19:14) SMW Autoblok and the seven habits of highly effective workholding (21:04) Turning an empty shell into a working shop and their early sales strategy (24:02) Why they chose a higher-end machine strategy from the beginning (26:20) Why one-op or two-op efficiency matters more than "fancy" five-axis parts (27:30) Why they intentionally pursued harder materials (32:04) Paperless Parts: How to take the complexity out of running your business (39:53 ) How they're finding work and thinking about future growth (43:11) Their decision to pursue AS9100 early (44:43) What it's like to co-own a 50/50 business (47:04) Building a business around quality of life and flexibility (49:12) Factur and building a more consistent pipeline (53:52) How they're tracking against their original business plan (57:15) What was critical to their successful first year? (1:01:19) Final advice for young founders (1

Automation and lights-out manufacturing are often framed as the future of machining, but for many shops that future is already here. In this episode of MakingChips, we sit down with longtime industry leader Keith Grano to talk about what lights-out machining actually looks like in practice. Drawing on years of experience working with manufacturers, Keith explains how automation, machine monitoring, and disciplined processes allow shops to run more efficiently and extend production beyond the traditional workday. Lights-out machining isn't about replacing people. It's about using technology to make better use of the time, talent, and equipment already inside a shop. When done well, it increases capacity, improves consistency, and helps manufacturers grow even when skilled labor is limited. Keith walks through the practical considerations behind unattended production, including machine reliability, process stability, tooling strategy, and the systems required to keep parts running when no one is standing at the control. Along the way, we explore why many shops struggle to implement automation and why incremental steps often work better than trying to jump straight into fully autonomous production. This conversation also connects to a theme we've been exploring across our Generation CNC series: the next generation of manufacturing leaders is entering an industry where automation and digital systems are becoming foundational capabilities. Understanding how lights-out machining works, and when it makes sense, will shape how the next generation builds and scales their shops. Segments (1:28) Introducing Keith Grano and his background in manufacturing automation (3:06) What "lights-out machining" actually means in a modern shop (7:23) Why automation is about maximizing equipment and people, not replacing labor (12:09) The operational discipline required to run machines unattended (14:52) How ProShop ERP can help you achieve on-time delivery (20:11) Why process stability matters more than the machine itself (25:08) Tooling strategy, monitoring, and the systems that support unattended production (29:38) If you want the speed of AI without the risk, go to PaperlessParts.com (30:53) The mindset you need to have to implement lights-out machining (33:13) Where do you start with lights out automation? (40:08) How to adjust your mindset to allow for automation (46:33) How machine monitoring and data change decision-making on the shop floor (51:27) Why we created Hire MFG Leaders (and why you should use it) (51:58) The most affordable way to automate a five-axis setup (58:54) How state, local, and federal grants can help cover purchases (1:00:47) How to determine what to charge for a machine's time Resources mentioned on this episode Visit <a href="http://proshoperp

At 17 years old, Michael King bought a brand-new CNC machine despite never having seen one in person. With no formal trade school background or apprenticeship, he relied on years of self-directed learning, curiosity, and a steady stream of YouTube machining content to take the leap. He sectioned off space in his dad's warehouse, installed a Haas DM2, and started figuring it out in real time. What began as a personal interest in building things quickly turned into real production work. A stainless steel contract gave him early traction. A used Swiss machine that arrived broken forced him to learn diagnostics and hand-code thousands of lines of G-code. Over time, one machine became several, including a dual-spindle lathe and a five-axis Matsura, forming the foundation of what is now The Monk Works. In this episode of MakingChips Generation CNC, we talk through how Michael has approached growth with unusual discipline. He's kept overhead low, relied entirely on word-of-mouth instead of advertising, and leaned heavily into technology from day one. Rather than scaling by adding headcount immediately, he's focused on automation, standardized tooling, and building systems that allow the business to operate beyond what he can personally track in his head. The conversation also explores how he thinks about cash flow, process maturity, quality, and long-term sustainability. At just 20 years old, married with two kids, Michael is already navigating the tension between capacity and structure, ambition and patience. His story challenges the idea that manufacturing has a high barrier to entry while reinforcing that longevity still depends on discipline and intentional decision-making. Segments (0:00) Buying a brand-new Haas DM2 at 17 (before ever seeing a CNC machine in person) (1:24) RC planes, 3D printing, Fusion 360, and discovering machining through YouTube (6:24) The YouTube channels that shaped Michael's journey (8:27) Paperless Parts: secure AI-powered quoting built for manufacturers (9:42) Landing the first year-long stainless contract and realizing the machine had more capacity (11:00) How Michael learned business fundamentals from his dad (12:21) Becoming a firefighter, HVAC tech, drone pilot, and getting married (13:38) The $5,000 "working" Swiss machine and the lessons that followed (16:39) The Monk Works brand story: small, fast, agile, and intentionally different (18:58) IMTS 2026: Why getting out of the shop and into the show matters (20:07) Financing growth: bootstrapping under an established family business (21:44) Homeschooling, self-directed learning, and defining meaningful work (22:38) Faith, diligence, and quality as a leadership philosophy (23:52) Realizing systems must scale before workload does (25:35) Building his business entirely through word-of-mouth</li

In this episode of MakingChips, we continue our young founders series with a story that challenges the traditional growth narrative in manufacturing. At just 26, Walter Peters is balancing a full-time job at a defense-focused shop with building MW Machine Co. from a modest 500-square-foot industrial unit. Walter didn't start with a big loan or a brand-new machine. He bought a used CNC mill for $6,500, kept overhead intentionally low, and focused on getting good at both machining and business fundamentals. But what makes this conversation especially interesting isn't just how he started. It's how he defines success. Walter isn't chasing 100 spindles or a massive payroll. He's building toward a highly automated, small-footprint, lifestyle-oriented shop that gives him time freedom and intellectual stimulation without the burden of heavy overhead or HR complexity. We talk about finding work with no formal sales plan, leveraging Google reviews, balancing a day job while building a business, using AI as a thinking partner, and why low stress starts with low fixed costs. This episode is a grounded, practical look at modern entrepreneurship in manufacturing — especially for the next generation. Segments (0:00) Introducing Walter Peters and MW Machine C. (2:31) Walter's unconventional path from video production to woodworking to machining (6:13) Leaving cabinet work and moving toward CNC-focused fabrication (8:42) Meet us at MFG Meeting 2026 (9:32) Buying his first CNC mill and signing a lease in late 2023 (11:21) Landing early work through cold calls and a serendipitous utility customer (14:31) The reality of entrepreneurship: quoting, purchasing, and doing the "business stuff" (16:03) Working full-time while building MW Machine Co. (19:31) The current shop setup: one CNC mill, manual lathe, TIG welder, 500 sq. ft. space (20:18) Bootstrapping with less than $30,000 and reaching profitability in year two (22:52) Managing cash flow and keeping monthly overhead intentionally low (23:57) His long-term plan to go full-time and why he's staying employed for now (25:25) His long-term vision: a small, automated shop connected to his home (26:43) Time freedom, automation, and the Lights Out mindset (30:20) The goal of owning the building and eliminating rent as overhead (31:45) Get a free report about the opportunities available to you at Facturmfg.com/chips (32:48) Growing up around content creation and craftsmanship with his father (37:43) Using ChatGPT and AI tools to think through quoting and problem-solving (41:18) Generating work through Google reviews and inbound RFQs (46:12) Why low overhead and small, shippable parts create leverage (46:56) Need workholding? Check out the SMW Autoblok catalog Resources mentioned on

What happens when a 26-year-old machine shop kid decides the real bottleneck in American manufacturing isn't machining—it's metal supply? In this episode, we sit down with Zane Hengsperger, founder and CEO of Knox Metals, to talk about building a modern service center powered by AI, automation, and software. Zane's mission is bold: supply every factory in America in under 24 hours at a fair, transparent price. Raised in his father's injection molding shop, Zane grew up on shop floors before pivoting into software, startups, and eventually reindustrialization. After publicly sharing his ideas online, Y Combinator reached out—and within 24 hours, he had funding and a flight to San Francisco. We explore what it takes to modernize the metals supply chain, the friction of accessing domestic mills, the realities of startup logistics, and why focusing exclusively on aluminum plate might be Knox's smartest strategic move yet. This is a conversation about speed, ownership, risk, and the future of American manufacturing—not just at the machine level, but across the entire supply chain. Segments (1:34) Introducing Zane Hengsperger and Knox Metals' mission (2:46) Growing up in a machine shop and learning manufacturing early (3:35) Paperless Parts ad — Secure AI for quoting (4:48) From software startup to reindustrialization (6:48) Early struggles gaining access to domestic mills (8:53) Why Knox is narrowing focus to aluminum plate (10:05) Instant quoting and automated cutting — what makes it different (11:30) Building a hybrid team: industry veterans + software talent (13:05) Potential integrations and vertical integration strategy (16:23) Team structure and rapid early growth (18:26) How Y Combinator found Zane — and funded Knox in 24 hours (20:59) Young founders, machine shop resurgence, and generational opportunity (25:00) How to attract young talent into manufacturing (27:05) MFG 2026 ad — Executive leadership event (29:48) The overlooked opportunities in manufacturing careers beyond the shop floor (30:59) Early lessons: building selection and trying to serve everyone (32:52) Why narrowing their focus created leverage (33:42) How Knox manages inventory, mills, and lead times (36:10) The massive aluminum block story (18,000+ pounds) (39:21) Mentorship, investors, and surrounding yourself with believers (41:46) YC's push into reindustrialization (45:50) Technology vs. tribal knowledge in rebuilding industry (47:24) Has age been an obstacle? Building trust over time (49:59) Biggest wins so far — stacking consistent progress (51:47) Expansion plans: LA, regional giga-factories, and automation (54:19) ProShop ad — Investing in your own shop first (55:56) Where to find Knox Metals and co

Recorded live from McCormick Place in Chicago, this episode marks the official kickoff of the MakingChips journey toward IMTS 2026. With nine months to go, we sit down with two leaders helping shape the show itself: Michelle Edmondson, Vice President of Exhibitions for IMTS, and Bonnie Gurney, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Industry Relations. What unfolds is a behind-the-scenes look at how the largest manufacturing technology show in North America is built — from campaign strategy and theme development to visitor planning, education tracks, emerging technologies, and student engagement. This year's theme, "Achieve the Impossible," paired with the campaign message around "Six Days," reflects what IMTS is really about: momentum. It's not just about buying a machine this year. It's about seeing where the industry is heading five years from now. We explore how exhibitors should define ROI, why attendees need a strategy before walking the floor, what's new in 2026 (including the Industrial AI Arena and the 20th anniversary of the Emerging Technology Center), and how young people — including our own kids — can get plugged into manufacturing through Smartforce and the Student Summit. Whether you're an exhibitor, an attendee, or still on the fence, this episode is a practical roadmap for how to get the most out of IMTS — and why it matters more than ever in today's manufacturing climate. Segments (0:00) Live from Chicago: Exhibitor Workshop energy and early IMTS planning (2:17) Hennig's evolving booth strategy and bringing real machines to the floor (3:43) Why you need to be at the MFG Meeting 2026 (4:38) Introducing Michelle Edmondson and Bonnie Gurney from IMTS (7:04) The power of long-term partnerships and IMTS' impact on careers (8:58) Defining ROI for exhibitors: Setting measurable goals before the show begins (11:16) Planning IMTS as an attendee: short-term shopping list vs. long-term vision (13:21) IMTS 2026 theme: "Achieve the Impossible" and the Six Days campaign (14:52) How real visitors shape the ad campaign and messaging (16:07) Student Summit and engaging the next generation (17:40) Family business, succession, and getting kids into manufacturing (21:55) Common exhibitor mistakes — territory gatekeeping and lost opportunities (23:48) Factur: Building consistent pipeline systems for manufacturers (24:54) Behind the scenes: how IMTS develops its theme and campaign strategy (29:25) 20th anniversary of the Emerging Technology Center (30:04) Launch of the new Industrial AI Arena and AI conference (30:59) Education tracks, co-located conferences, and specialized programming (33:56) MakingChips live podcast studio plans at IMTS 2026 (35:47) Rockford IMTS summer party and nonprofit partnership (37:35) Smar

This episode of MakingChips is different from most conversations we have on the show, and it needed to be. In late 2025, the manufacturing community was shaken by the murder of Amber Czech, a welder who was killed by a coworker after reporting harassment multiple times. That tragedy forced many of us to confront an uncomfortable truth: workplace violence and harassment are not abstract issues. They are real, ongoing, and present in the trades today. In this episode, Paul Van Metre is joined by Nush Ahmed, CEO of Sisterhood of Trades, along with two national experts who work directly on workplace violence and gender justice. Jessica Stender of Equal Rights Advocates and Anna Van Balen of Futures Without Violence bring decades of experience working with employers, workers, and policymakers to help address harassment, escalation, and prevention in real workplaces. Together, we talk candidly about how harassment often becomes normalized in the trades, why underreporting is so common, and how unchecked behavior can escalate into violence. We also discuss what shop owners and leaders can do today, not just to comply with the law, but to build workplaces that are genuinely safe, respectful, and welcoming. This conversation is about responsibility. It's about leadership. And it's about recognizing that culture, policies, and daily behavior all play a role in preventing harm. For owners, managers, and anyone who cares about the future of manufacturing, this episode is a call to take workplace safety seriously, before another tragedy forces the issue. Segments (0:54) Introducing Nush Ahmed and her work advocating for women in the trades (2:44) Why the murder of Amber Czech prompted this episode (4:56) Introducing Anna Van Balen and the work of Futures Without Violence (6:26) Introducing Jessica Stender and Equal Rights Advocates (7:28) What Nush hears daily from women in the trades about harassment and safety (10:12) Why workplace culture must be addressed alongside physical safety (12:35) The data on harassment prevalence in skilled trades (15:14) What shop owners can do to begin protecting their teams (19:14) Why "check-the-box" training fails and what effective training looks like (21:38) How harassment escalates when early behavior goes unaddressed (22:50) Why reporting is so difficult and fear of retaliation is real (25:42) The reality of repeated HR reports and system failure (28:48) The responsibility of owners to investigate and act, even in small shops (32:16) Safety planning, allyship, and the role of bystanders (36:16) Building ally communities and encouraging men to engage constructively (39:41) What leaders can say and do proactively to create safer workplaces (41:53) Why respectful workplaces benefit everyone, not just marginalized groups (

Starting a machine shop doesn't always begin with a perfectly laid business plan, a polished facility, or years of hands-on experience. Sometimes it starts in a garage, with curiosity, YouTube videos, and a willingness to figure things out one mistake at a time. In this episode of MakingChips, we sit down with brothers James and Sean Cerven to talk about how they built their shop from the ground up during COVID. With backgrounds in mechanical engineering but almost no hands-on machining experience, they bought a small CNC, welded their own enclosure, and decided early on to take the business seriously, even when the operation itself was still small. Their story is a candid look at starting early and learning fast. The Cerven brothers share how financing machines, running jobs out of a garage, hiring quality before machinists, and investing in systems ahead of schedule helped them survive the most fragile years of the business. Along the way, we talk about learning through online communities, when advice helps and when it hurts, why gut instinct still matters even when mentors are involved, and how discipline, systems, and credibility can allow a very small team to punch far above its weight. If you're thinking about starting a shop, already in the early stages of ownership, or curious how the next generation is approaching manufacturing, this conversation offers an honest, unfiltered look at what building a CNC business actually takes. Segments (0:00) Kicking off the conversation and why this story stood out (2:00) Engineering backgrounds, COVID lockdowns, and buying the first CNC (3:33) Why they decided to turn machining into a business to fund tooling (6:10) Learning machining through YouTube, trial, error, and bad cuts (7:30) Why we love the SMW Autoblok catalog (8:00) Parents, neighbors, and running CNCs late at night (11:34) Early financial discipline and separating personal and business money (14:20) Exposure to entrepreneurship and learning through podcasts and peers (18:38) Finding first customers through friends and online communities (19:35) Building a machining-focused business community online (22:20) Scaling equipment and deciding when automation actually makes sense (25:54) Financing machines and managing growing monthly obligations (29:00) Why bookkeeping, accountants, and financial reviews mattered early (30:06) Factur: Market intelligence and targeting the right customers (34:39) Hire MFG Leaders ad: Hiring manufacturing leaders who actually fit (35:04) Working on the business versus in the business (40:16) Hiring quality before machinists and why it paid off (43:45) Investing early in systems and ERP to build credibility (52:03) Lessons learned from buying too small or cutting corners (54:18) Mistakes with cu

Launching a CNC shop young comes with no shortage of advice — but not all of it comes from experience earned the hard way. In this episode, we bring in Larry Robbins to speak directly to the next generation of shop owners. Larry has spent decades building companies, leading teams, and navigating growth, failure, and reinvention inside manufacturing. Instead of talking tools or tactics, this conversation focuses on the fundamentals that actually last. Larry shares lessons on planning before you leap, learning from mistakes without repeating them, and why humility, honesty, and relationships matter more than any single machine or strategy. Along the way, we explore how younger founders can use modern tools like AI without losing the human side of business, why budgeting and organization are non-negotiable, and how building value means thinking beyond short-term wins. This episode serves as a reset for anyone starting early — or starting over — in manufacturing. If you're thinking about ownership, leadership, or legacy, this one is worth slowing down for. Segments (1:44) Why we're launching the Generation CNC highlighting founders under 30 (3:02) Larry's first piece of advice: Leverage older generations as resources (4:45) Why writing a real business plan matters, even if you're not borrowing money (6:03) Learning by doing, making mistakes early, and why experience compounds over time (9:00) Imposter syndrome, asking questions, and why no one should aim to be the smartest person in the room (10:23) Truth, integrity, and why lies always cost more in the long run (11:14) Mark your calendars and meet us at IMTS 2026! (12:06) How modern tools like AI can help young founders build better business plans (14:21) The power of networks and how relationships open doors (18:25) Holding yourself accountable as a business owner (20:49) Staying organized, building systems, and why chaos is optional (28:24) What's Your Method? Transitioning manual machinists to CNC (35:47) How Factur can help you build consistent sales pipelines through targeted outreach (36:49) Humility, passion, and why you shouldn't build a business around something you don't care about (39:21) Generational businesses, entrepreneurship inside family companies, and carrying the torch forward (44:15) Giving back, mentoring younger leaders, and why relationships outlast transactions (50:30) Why AI can't replace networks and never will (55:48) What's happening with workholding that you need to pay attention to (1:06:09) Why an investment in ProShop ERP is an investment in your business (1:07:45) Final reflections on leadership, legacy, and building something worth passing on Resources mentioned on this episode Mark your calendars and meet us at <a href= "https://www.

Manufacturing doesn't always start with a perfectly funded plan or a shop full of machines. Sometimes it starts in a garage, with curiosity, grit, and a willingness to learn by doing. In this episode, we sit down with Caleb Harris, founder of Covenant Manufacturing, to talk about what it really looks like to start a CNC business at a young age. Caleb didn't inherit a shop or wait until everything felt safe. He learned by working in high-mix job shops, making mistakes, taking calculated risks, and slowly building confidence as both a machinist and a business owner. We dig into the early decisions that mattered most, from buying the first machine and pricing early jobs to managing cash, handling subcontracting issues, and building trust with customers. Along the way, Caleb shares honest lessons about risk, accountability, and why reputation matters even more when you're small. This conversation kicks off a new chapter of MakingChips focused on young founders who are stepping into manufacturing early and building businesses with intention. If you're under 30, thinking about ownership, or simply curious what the next generation of shop leaders is learning the hard way, this episode offers a real, unfiltered look at the journey. Segments (0:00) Why we're focusing on young founders and early ownership stories (2:24) Meeting Caleb Harris and how Covenant Manufacturing got its start (4:12) Get a free demo of Scaylor and finally unify your business data once and for all (5:25) Growing up homeschooled and discovering a passion for making (7:28) Knife making, early entrepreneurship, and learning what doesn't scale (10:01) Caleb's first exposure to CNC machining and seeing a viable business path (15:47) Working in a job shop to learn programming, setup, and workflow (20:26) Learning under pressure in a high-mix manufacturing environment (24:07) Understanding shop economics and thinking like an owner (31:07) Deciding to start a shop while still employed full time (32:47) Buying a first machine with limited capital and unloading it solo (35:32) Landing early jobs and growing through overflow work (41:32) Why you need to join us at IMTS 2026 (42:21) Managing risk without putting the business in danger (44:03) A subcontracting mistake and lessons on accountability (50:12) Building trust, culture, and reputation as a small shop (53:02) What growth looks like next for Covenant Manufacturing (57:46) Being young in manufacturing and turning age into an advantage (1:01:13) Advice for younger founders thinking about starting a shop (1:04:40) The role of community, mentorship, and industry relationships (1:07:50) Why we love SMW Autoblok workholding (1:09:01) Why these stories matter for the future of manufacturing Resources mentioned

As new manufacturers step into ownership, one challenge shows up faster than almost any other: building a team. Before you can scale production, invest in automation, or grow revenue, you need people — and not just any people, but a workforce that can grow with the business. That's where this conversation fits. In this episode, MakingChips is sharing a powerful discussion from Manufacturing Executive, where host Joe Sullivan sits down with John Loyack, Vice President of Economic Development for the North Carolina Community College System. Together, they explore what happens when workforce development is treated as critical infrastructure — the same way we think about roads, utilities, and power. Using North Carolina as a real-world example, John explains how long-term investment in education, customized training, and public–private collaboration has helped manufacturers start, scale, and stay competitive. These systems didn't appear overnight. They were built intentionally, with the understanding that skilled people are foundational to economic growth. The conversation digs into how workforce ecosystems actually function behind the scenes, from customized training programs to leadership development and upskilling. It also highlights why one-size-fits-all solutions rarely work, and how manufacturers can better engage with state and regional resources to support their teams. As you listen, consider this episode a wide-angle view of what it takes to build a manufacturing business that lasts. For aspiring shop owners and young entrepreneurs, it offers context that often gets overlooked early on — but makes all the difference long term. Segments (0:00) Why we're sharing a Manufacturing Executive episode (1:49) Why workforce should be treated as critical infrastructure (3:58) Joe introduces John Loyack and North Carolina's manufacturing strategy (10:33) Defining what "workforce as infrastructure" really means (13:42) Why we created Hire MFG Leaders: culture-first recruiting for manufacturers (14:20) How NC EDGE and customized workforce training programs work (20:51) Gorilla76 — revenue-focused industrial marketing (22:44) Leadership development as part of workforce strategy (25:27) Factur: Building consistent sales pipelines for manufacturers (30:59) Where manufacturers can learn more about NC EDGE (32:00) IMTS Exhibitor Workshop dates and registration details Resources mentioned on this episode Workforce as Critical Infrastructure: Following North Carolina's Model Connect with John Loyack on LinkedIn Why we created <a hr

Kicking off a new year often comes with big goals, bold plans, and fresh momentum. But before chasing what's next, we decided to slow down and focus on something more foundational: our core values. In this episode, we share the behind-the-scenes process of defining the values that will guide MakingChips through 2026 and beyond. With the help of Jim Mayer, we took the ideas, behaviors, and instincts that had shaped the brand for years and intentionally put words around them. We talk about why core values are more than slogans on a wall. When done right, they become filters for decisions, hiring, investments, partnerships, and even the content we create. We also challenge a common misconception: that shared values require everyone to think the same way. Instead, strong values allow for diversity of background, belief, and perspective while still pulling people in the same direction. Along the way, the conversation blends humor, honesty, and real-world examples from manufacturing shops that live their values every day. From having fun at work to taking responsibility seriously, we explore how culture, action, and consistency are deeply connected. Whether you're running a shop, leading a team, or building a brand, this episode offers both inspiration and a practical framework for defining values that actually get used, not ignored. It's a reset for the year and a reminder that intentional culture is never accidental. Segments (0:00) Work, play, and why loving what you do matters (3:37) Why we decided to define our core values intentionally (4:19) Mission versus values and how they work together (6:30) Why we decided to do this exercise (7:28) Join us at the 2026 IMTS Exhibitor Workshop (9:35) Why shared values don't require identical beliefs (11:09) What core values are not and why posters don't work (13:57) Dissecting aspirational versus practical values (16:05) The process we used to define our values (20:52) Value #1: Elevating our Metalworking Nation (22:33) Value #2: Being real, raw, and bold (23:17) Investing in ProShop is an investment in your business (25:25) Value #3: Action is the outcome: say it, do it, own it (27:56) Value #4: Serious about manufacturing, never too serious about ourselves (33:16) Value #5: Contagious energy and unstoppable passion (35:43) A practical framework for defining your own values (37:42) Why we created Hire MFG Leaders (and why you should use it) (38:51) Putting values to work in reviews, hiring, and decisions Resources mentioned on this episode Join us at the 2026 IMTS Exhibitor Workshop Invest in ProShop, inves

We've kicked off a lot of years on MakingChips, but never quite like this. To start 2026, we decided to try something completely different. Instead of bringing on a shop owner, a technology provider, or an industry expert, Mike and Paul invited three artificial intelligence chatbots to join the conversation. No prep calls. No talking points. Just live questions and real-time answers from Miles (from Sesame), Gemini, and ChatGPT. The result was equal parts fascinating, funny, and just a little bit eerie. In this episode, we explore what happens when you ask AI the same kinds of questions we ask manufacturing leaders every week. What should machine shops focus on in 2026? How do you increase throughput? Where is growth coming from? And can a chatbot actually understand culture, leadership, and systems inside a machine shop? Along the way, we react in real time to the different personalities and strengths of each tool. Miles sounds uncannily human and leans hard into people and culture. Gemini delivers concise, structured answers around automation and data. ChatGPT takes a broader strategic view of markets, customers, and growth opportunities. Each one brings something different to the table, and none of them sound quite the same. This episode isn't about replacing human judgment or experience. It's about curiosity. It's about new tools. And it's about kicking off the year with a reminder that learning, experimentation, and asking better questions still matter, whether those questions are aimed at a peer, a mentor, or an AI. If you're looking for a lighthearted but thought-provoking way to start 2026, this one's for you. Segments (0:00) Kicking off the episode and setting up a very different kind of guest (1:22) Why we decided to interview AI to start the year (2:50) Asking Miles: the top three things machine shops should do to succeed (4:55) How Factur can generate new opportunities for your shop (6:00) Reacting to AI advice on people, data, and flexibility (7:13) Digging deeper with Miles on culture, mission, and core values (11:50) Bringing on Gemini and asking about maximizing throughput in 2026 (13:20) Automation, machine monitoring, and practical first steps (15:21) AI search, discoverability, and how customers may find shops in the future (16:21) Why you need to join us at the 2026 IMTS Exhibitor Workshop (18:29) Real-world experiences with machine monitoring and productivity gains (19:38) Bringing in ChatGPT to talk sales growth and new markets (22:36) Growth sectors and what may accelerate in the years ahead (24:11) Practical strategies for breaking into new customers and markets (27:19) Reflecting on how far AI tools have come in just a few years (28:36) Letting AI summarize lessons from decades of machine shop conversations (32:15)

As we close out 2025, we're wrapping up more than just a year. This episode marks the conclusion of the Machine Shop MBA series, a collaboration with CLA and Modern Machine Shop built around insights from the Top Shops benchmarking program. What started as a practical exploration of shop metrics ends with a much bigger question: what truly separates shops that survive from shops that endure? For this final chapter, we're joined again by Brent Donaldson of Modern Machine Shop, who helped kick off the series earlier in the year. Drawing from hundreds of shop visits and years of benchmarking data, Brent helps us connect the dots across operations, finance, leadership, and strategy. Together, we reflect on a clear shift happening across manufacturing: moving away from pure "rise and grind" thinking and toward intentionally designed systems. Throughout the episode, we revisit five deceptively simple questions pulled directly from the Top Shops survey. These questions challenge assumptions and expose where real opportunity lives. From RFQ response time and revenue per employee to reinvestment discipline, standardized scheduling, and succession planning, each one reinforces a central theme we've explored all year. Rather than chasing the next machine or relying on one big customer, the most resilient shops we see are building repeatable processes, measuring what matters, and reducing dependence on tribal knowledge. This conversation serves as both a reflection on what we've learned through the Machine Shop MBA series and a call to action as we head into 2026. If there's one takeaway we hope sticks, it's this: the shops that last aren't just collections of people and equipment. They are systems. Designed on purpose. Improved on purpose. And built to outlast any one individual. Segments (0:00) Wrapping up 2025 and closing out the Machine Shop MBA series (0:36) Why we created the series and partnered with CLA and Modern Machine Shop (2:25) Why you need to head to the 2026 IMTS Exhibitor Workshop (4:34) The shift from viewing shops as machines and people to viewing them as systems (7:52) Moving from survival mode to disciplined, systems-based thinking (12:33) Top Shops Question #1: RFQ response time as a competitive advantage (15:55) Top Shops Question #2: Revenue per employee as a true efficiency metric (17:15) What's Your Method? The unique financing process with Methods Machine Tools (26:47) Grow your top and bottom line with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) (27:37) How automation, workholding, and systems increase output per person <

Some episodes are planned. Others are produced. And then there are episodes like this one—where the setting, the people, and the moment all collide into something memorable. For the 500th episode of MakingChips, the team gathered once again At the Boring Bar for an unfiltered, bourbon-fueled roundtable with leaders from across the manufacturing ecosystem. Recorded live at Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions during the Top Shops Conference in Charlotte, this special annual episode brings together shop owners, executives, advisors, and industry partners for the kinds of conversations that usually happen after the microphones are turned off. The drinks are poured, the guardrails come down, and the real stories start to flow. What emerges is an honest discussion about what truly separates top-performing shops from the rest. Not hype. Not buzzwords. But culture, systems, communication, and the discipline to do the hard things consistently—especially when cash flow is tight, customers are demanding, and complexity is rising. From benchmarking through the Top Shops survey to navigating OEM power dynamics, cash flow strain, customer communication, and the maturity of manufacturing as an industry, this conversation reflects how far the industry has come—and how far it still needs to go. Along the way, there are laughs, sharp takes, personal stories, and more than a few lessons earned the hard way. This is At the Boring Bar. And for Episode 500, it's exactly where the MakingChips conversation belongs. Segments (0:00) Setting the scene at Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions during Top Shops (1:47) Introductions from shop leaders, OEMs, advisors, and industry partners (6:14) What actually separates Top Shops from the middle of the pack (10:15) Core values, culture, and leadership maturity (15:57) IMTS, trade shows, and the pressure to bring something new (22:06) Marketing, differentiation, and industry buzzwords (26:00) AI, automation, and separating real value from hype (31:51) Cash flow realities and long payment terms (37:15) OEM power dynamics and positioning as a second source (45:57) Communication as a competitive advantage (55:40) Systems, standards, and operational discipline (1:02:10) Data visibility, professionalism, and rising expectations (1:12:45) Scaling culture, teams, and leadership (1:26:45) Developing people and building trust (1:37:15) Industry maturity and cross-industry learning (1:47:45) Final reflections from At the Boring Bar Resources mentioned on this episode CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) Top Shops <a href="https://www.imts.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noop

What happens when a machine shop does everything right operationally but still feels exposed when markets shift, customers pull back, or one industry cools overnight? In this episode of MakingChips, the conversation turns squarely toward one of the most uncomfortable and misunderstood areas of manufacturing leadership: proactive sales and diversification. We're joined by Gabe Draper, founder of Factur, and Alan Hartmann, CEO of Hartmann's Inc., a multi-generation Texas manufacturer. Gabe shares a raw and honest origin story that starts with growing up in a manufacturing family, fighting to save a struggling shop, riding the oil and gas rollercoaster, and ultimately losing nearly everything when the downturn hit. That experience became the catalyst for building Factur, a company designed to help shops avoid reactive, last-minute sales cycles by intentionally filling their pipeline. Alan brings the perspective of a well-run, highly capable shop that realized success alone wasn't protection. With major customers concentrated in just a few industries, Hartmann's needed diversification, not because business was slow, but because resilience matters. Through their partnership with Factur, Alan explains how proactive sales, clearer positioning, and market intelligence led to rapid customer growth, industry expansion, and the confidence to invest in new capabilities. We unpack the difference between scarcity and abundance mindsets, why most shops accidentally commoditize themselves, and how sales, operations, and finance must work together as equal legs of the stool. From aerospace and medical to space flight and Swiss machining, this episode offers a candid look at how manufacturers can stop waiting for the phone to ring and start taking control of their future. Segments (0:00) Holiday banter and introducing guests Gabe Draper and Alan Hartmann (4:32) Grow your top and bottom-line with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) (5:09) Gabe Draper's origin story and what led to founding Factur (10:53) The danger of customer and industry concentration (13:55) Alan Hartmann's multi-generation shop story and long-term customer relationships (18:22) Reactive vs proactive sales and why diversification matters (22:31) Breaking down Factur's full sales funnel (26:03) Why technical "hunters" outperform generalist sales roles (28:16) "What's Your Method": Aerospace Success with Zach from Methods (34:50) Check out the SMW Autoblok catalog for your workholding (36:04) Choosing the right sales and marketing services with Factur (40:02) Scarcity vs abundance mindset in shop growth (42:58) Using sales insights to justify equipment investments (46:05) How one new customer quickly became a top account (48:37) Managing risk across aerospace, medical, and space markets (51:11) Filling your capacity with the right</e

Some conversations feel scripted. This one… absolutely did not. Larry Robbins walked in ready to talk life, passion, family, culture, workholding, philosophy, and whatever else popped into his head — and somehow it all connected back to manufacturing. This episode of MakingChips is one of the most unhinged, hilarious, honest, and wisdom-packed conversations we've ever recorded. Larry has been in the industry for nearly 46 years, and he's collected enough stories, scars, and laughs for ten careers. From his father dragging him into the business ("long hair doesn't work here") to his famous explanation that SMW makes "magic hands," Larry blends humor and experience into lessons every shop owner needs to hear. His passion for the industry is unmatched — and his candor is even better. Throughout the episode, the crew dives into culture, leadership, lying (don't), modularity, flexibility, high-density workholding, predictable setups, financing equipment, and why you should stop crawling across a dollar to pick up a dime. Larry opens up about the future of manufacturing, warns against bad advice, and reminds everyone that machining touches every single thing in the world. If you're ready for an episode that's equal parts educational and unhinged in the best possible way, buckle up — Larry Robbins is in rare form. Segments (1:00) Larry's background, early failures, and the stories that shaped his approach to leadership (3:31) An investment in ProShop is an investment in your business (3:32) Culture, loving your work, and leadership lessons (5:07) Entering the family business, retirement humor, and long-term commitment (7:23) The reality of workplace culture, honesty, and handling difficult employees (10:02) Integrity, truth-telling, and early lessons on character (13:18) Appreciating machinists and the unseen parts of manufacturing (15:05) Workholding vs. cutting tools and why workholding matters more than people think (16:09) "Magic hands" — Larry's explanation of workholding for a 5-year-old (17:20) Workholding misconceptions and the cost of poor setups (19:00) Vendor trust, trying equipment, and choosing partnerships wisely (20:22) Setup reduction, rigidity vs. flexibility, and predictable processes (22:12) Cutting 12-hour setups and the value of internal vs. external setups (24:16) Why we love Phoenix Heat Treating for Outside Processing (25:24) Expensive machines + cheap vices = lost potential (27:26) Modular workholding, infinite adjustment, and the origins of the industry (29:18) When not to sell a customer — long-term trust over short-term gain (30:19) Why shops "don't know what they don't know" about proper workholding (31:58) Financing workholding and proving ROI to shop owners (33:09) Tooling certs and buying the sol

In this special episode of MakingChips, we broadcast from the EBITDA Growth Systems Double Your Value Planning Event—a gathering designed to pull shop owners out of the day-to-day grind and force intentional thinking about long-term growth. This year's event was hosted at the Sandvik Coromant facility in Mebane, North Carolina, creating a perfect backdrop for conversations about planning, strategy, and culture. Paul is joined by three key voices who bring decades of hard-earned manufacturing wisdom: Jim Carr, a founding voice of MakingChips; Zach Overton, who is deep in the trenches of leading a multi-generation shop through transition and growth; and David Capkovitz, co-founder of EBITDA Growth Systems, whose strategic coaching framework is the backbone of this entire event. They pull back the curtain on why the event exists, how planning actually becomes actionable, and how shops can double their value in three years. Together, they dive into the realities every manufacturer faces—financial blind spots, operational challenges, cultural shifts, succession dilemmas, and the emotional weight of leadership. David's perspective as a coach blends seamlessly with Jim and Zach's lived experiences, creating a conversation that's equal parts strategic and deeply human. This episode highlights why stepping away from the shop floor is often the missing link for achieving the next level of growth. Whether you're planning for 2026, building resilience for a generational handoff, or simply trying to stop fighting fires, the insights shared here offer a clear direction forward. And yes—there's also a Cheerwine Old Fashioned or two. If you're ready to plan your next chapter with more clarity and confidence, this episode gives you the mindset and the roadmap to get started. Segments (0:00) Setting the scene: EGS happy hour, heaters, and Cheerwine Old Fashioneds (1:11) Paul and Jim revisit the origins of MakingChips and Jim's full-circle moment (2:35) What the Double Your Value Planning Event is & how it's grown under EGS (3:32) Introducing Zach Overton and his connections with Paul & Jim (4:36) Jim's memories and insights from advanced machining processes (6:38) Grow your top and bottom line with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) (7:14) David explains why EGS created the event and its planning philosophy (10:23) The power of peer-to-peer conversations among manufacturers (11:54) Identifying obstacles to growth and building criticality assessments (13:15) Zach shares his takeaways from stepping out of day-to-day firefighting (15:26) Jim describes how EGS supports Carr Machine as a Fractional CFO (18:08) Lighter moments: drink taste-testing and event humor (19:53) Inve

In this episode of MakingChips, we sit down with Charlie Hushek, President of Phoenix Heat Treating, whose family has been in the heat-Treating world for over a century. Charlie is a fifth-generation heat Treatinger—but his leadership story is anything but inherited. When he stepped into the business in 2020, he wasn't handed stability. He was handed a crisis. Within a matter of months, Phoenix Heat Treating lost its NADCAP certification—twice—suffered major operational setbacks, faced COVID turmoil, and endured the tragic loss of their general manager. For a company where more than 70% of revenue is tied to regulated aerospace work, this wasn't a stumble. It was a free fall. And it forced Charlie into leadership far earlier—and far harder—than he expected. But instead of shrinking from the challenge, Charlie transformed it into a total rebuild. He redesigned their QMS from the ground up, implemented true systems thinking, rewrote cultural standards, and introduced transparent, performance-driven practices that aligned every employee around shared values. The result? A thriving business, a revitalized culture, and a blueprint for how to rebuild a manufacturing company under extreme pressure. In this raw and energizing conversation, Charlie shares how Phoenix Heat Treatinging went from chaos to clarity, how culture becomes a competitive advantage, and what it takes to lead a team through uncertainty, fear, and burnout—and come out stronger on the other side. If you're leading a shop through change, growth, or crisis, this episode is a masterclass. Segments (1:29) Charlie's fifth-generation family history and the Phoenix Heat Treating story (2:19) The beginnings of Wesley Steel Treating and early industrial growth (3:43) Check out SMW Autoblok's massive catalog of products (5:15) Heat Treating as a long-standing, often overlooked "shadow industry" (5:45) Phoenix Heat Treating's early years, the move to Arizona, and generational transitions (7:34) Charlie's introduction to the business, working second shift, and learning operations (8:53) Phoenix Heat Treating's modern operations: five shifts, fast turn times, and business units (10:40) The importance of NADCAP certification and the challenges that come with losing it (12:45) Climbing out of crisis, stabilizing the business, and confronting hard truths (18:55) Internal emotions, team reactions, turnover, and the "burn the boats" mentality (22:06) Rebuilding from 50 employees to 80 through culture, transparency, and momentum (23:30) How primes issued waivers and partnered with Phoenix during the crisis (25:17) Working with customers to maintain flow on critical aerospace and defense parts (27:42) What's Your Method? 30-taper machines (34:43) The honesty and transparency you'll experience working with Phoe

Top Shops 2025 brought together the most innovative, forward-thinking leaders in manufacturing—and this year's gathering at the NASCAR Hall of Fame felt like stepping directly into the winners' circle. Surrounded by the energy of hundreds of top-tier manufacturers, we sat down with the four shops recognized as the crème de la crème in their categories: Technology, Shopfloor Technology, Business Strategy, and Human Resources. Together, these honorees represent what's possible when ambition meets execution. In this special episode of MakingChips, recorded live in Charlotte, we talk with each winner about the decisions, investments, philosophies, and people that drove their rise to the top. From multimachine pallet-tech automation and Swiss machining efficiency to bold equipment investments and workforce strategies that transform culture, each story reveals a different path to excellence. Yet all four shops share a mindset of curiosity, courage, and relentless improvement. Throughout these conversations, we explore how technology becomes a competitive advantage, how small teams can deliver massive output, why unconventional business strategies can pay off, and how employee-first leadership becomes the backbone of success. Every guest brings candor, humor, and real-world wisdom—showing that you don't become a Top Shop by accident. Whether you're just starting your Top Shops journey or are already benchmarking in the top percentile, you'll walk away from this episode energized, inspired, and equipped with ideas you can put into practice immediately. Because these shops aren't just winning awards—they're redefining what modern manufacturing looks like. Segments (0:48) Opening from the NASCAR Hall of Fame at Top Shops 2025 (1:28) What are the Top Shops award categories and how does the survey work? (2:19) Why investing in ProShop is an investment in your business (3:56) A conversation with Joey Jones on Aerotech Machining and their award (9:17) The details of Aerotech Machining's automation journey (12:47) Introducing Jayme Rahz of Midway Swiss Turn and their shop floor practices award (15:03) When robotics become accessible and feasible for Midway Swiss Turn (18:59) How do you train new employees with no Swiss experience? (19:50) Staying niche instead of chasing high-volume work (22:02) Grow your top and bottom-line with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) (22:40) Mike Bauer with Marathon Precision on winning the Business Strategy award (25:13) Why Mike buys machines before having the work (his spiderweb method) (30:27) Machine count, headcount, and shop expansion history (31:40) Consolidating two businesses and retraining all employees (32:40) Allison Giddens joins the conversation and introduces Win-Tech (34:44) Implementing a 4×10 schedule and early challenges (37:23) Usi

When you walk into IMTS—the International Manufacturing Technology Show—it's easy to be awestruck by the machines, the energy, and the sheer scale. But few people realize just how much planning, logistics, and collaboration go into bringing that experience to life. In this episode of MakingChips, we sit down with Mark Kennedy, Senior Director of Exhibitions at AMT, to get a behind-the-scenes look at how the world's largest manufacturing trade show comes together. This conversation dives deep into the IMTS Exhibitor Workshop, a two-day event that helps exhibitors prepare for success long before the show floor opens. Mark explains how exhibitors—from first-timers to seasoned veterans—can maximize ROI, streamline operations, and turn their IMTS booth into a "Super Bowl moment" for their brand. From freight logistics and pavilion planning to marketing strategy and exhibitor education, Mark shares stories that reveal the incredible coordination required to transform McCormick Place into a million-square-foot hub of innovation. The hosts also share their own trade show experiences—from lessons learned the hard way to creative booth strategies like ProShop's "Ambassador Program." Whether you're an exhibitor, attendee, or simply curious about the manufacturing event that defines the industry every two years, this episode offers a rare look at what it takes to make IMTS happen—and how to make it count. Segments (1:00) Introducing guest Mark Kennedy and the importance of the IMTS Exhibitor Workshop (3:14) Grow your top and bottom-line with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) (6:32) How IMTS continues to evolve — from pavilions to product sectors (8:20) Why IMTS is the "Super Bowl" for manufacturers (9:01) What separates the best exhibitors (habits of highly effective show teams) (9:52) Creative booth ideas that drive engagement (ProShop Ambassadors, Toolpath's cornhole concept) (13:46) Lessons for first-time exhibitors and the importance of detailed planning (14:51) Panel discussions and hearing directly from attendees (16:46) Check out SMW Autoblok's workholding catalog (18:00) The new executive track — teaching leaders how to measure ROI (19:07) Alternatives for those who can't attend: Regional "Spring Training" sessions (20:38) Why McCormick Place and in-person networking still matter (21:53) Understanding the E-Kit and saving money through early planning (23:35) Collaboration among competitors and shared learning on the show floor (24:32) Maximizing IMTS Plus and digital marketing before the show (25:33) Introducing the IMTS Exhibitor Workbook — your "playbook for ROI" (26:35) The importance of preparation (you can't wing IMTS like a football game) (30:30) The continuous improvement mindset and what's coming next for IMTS 2026 (31:29) Predicting the next big

We're coming to you once again from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit in Washington, D.C.—the largest gathering of small business owners in U.S. history. This time, we're joined by two inspiring leaders from the Metalworking Nation who prove that the heart of American manufacturing beats strongest in small towns and family-run shops. Our guests, Jenny Steffensmeier, owner of Steffensmeier Welding & Manufacturing in Pilot Grove, Iowa, and Paul Bothe, third-generation owner of a CNC job shop in Kenosha, Wisconsin, share how the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program transformed not only their businesses, but their lives. From resilience in the face of loss to the legacy of family ownership and the power of advocacy, their stories show what it means to make small big. Together, we talk about how to lead through transition, the role of creativity in machining, and why the best shops are built by "high-quality people doing high-quality work." Whether you're a shop owner, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a believer in the power of community, this episode will remind you why manufacturing matters—and how small businesses create a big impact. Segments (0:00) Recording live from the Goldman Sachs 10KSB Summit (2:45) Introducing guests Jenny Steffensmeier and Paul Bothe (5:50) Invest in your business by investing in ProShop ERP (7:23) How Jenny got involved with the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program (8:22) How Paul found his way from music to manufacturing (13:20) Jenny's story of taking over the business after her husband's passing (17:12) The power of community and connection in the 10KSB program (18:39) Leadership lessons from raising five kids and leading a team (20:24) Why you should consider Phoenix Heat Treating for Outside Processing (21:33) Favorite lessons from the 10,000 Small Businesses modules (25:00) Jenny's realization at 10KSB: "I'm not alone." (27:58) Why vulnerability builds better leaders (28:54) Family legacy: The German "Mittelstand" mindset and stewardship over ownership (30:42) How family values and long-term customer relationships build trust (32:21) Jenny on her children's involvement and carrying forward their father's legacy (35:22) Lessons in storytelling—Tailoring your message for customers, students, and policymakers (38:52) "High-quality people doing high-quality work"—what culture really means (40:54) Grow your top and bottom-line with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) (41:29) Thinking bigger: making small businesses big through policy and voice (40:30) Final reflections and memorable takeaways Resources mentioned on this episode Invest in your business by investing in ProShop ERP Use <a href="https://phoenix-heat-treating.com/" target= "_blank"

We're coming to you live from Washington, D.C., at the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit—the largest gathering of small business owners in U.S. history. With more than 2,700 entrepreneurs in one place, the energy is electric, and the conversations are powerful. Among them is our guest, Brandon Dahms, owner of Innovative Manufacturing & Engineering (IME) in Des Moines, Iowa. Brandon's story captures what this summit is all about—growth, resilience, and transformation. After starting his career with plans to work in sports marketing, he took an unexpected turn into manufacturing and never looked back. Today, his 10,000-square-foot, lights-out machining operation runs nearly 24/7, serving as proof that automation, strategy, and strong leadership can turn even the smallest shop into a powerhouse. In this episode, we talk with Brandon about how the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program helped him refine his growth strategy, strengthen his company culture, and position IME for long-term success. We dive into what it's like to go through a program that feels like an "MBA for real-world business owners" and how it shaped his ability to pivot from a traditional job shop to a high-volume, automated manufacturer. We also explore the advocacy side of the program—how small business owners like Brandon are meeting directly with congressional leaders to influence policy on issues that affect manufacturers every day: workforce development, healthcare costs, and economic uncertainty. From his experience in the classroom to his conversations on Capitol Hill, Brandon shows how one voice can help represent the entire metalworking nation. If you've ever wondered how programs like this can truly impact your business—and why stepping outside your bubble might be the key to future growth—this conversation is one you don't want to miss. Segments (0:39) Grow your top and bottom line with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) (1:15) Recording at the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit (2:48) Brandon Dahms' origin story in metalworking (6:07) Why "Innovative Manufacturing & Engineering" stuck (and why it's a long email address) (7:17) Why apply for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program? (11:13) Why the investment of time is invaluable—Brandon's personal ROI (12:40) Manufacturing's place in the conversation: explaining CNC to non-manufacturers (13:30) The Voices advocacy program: How advocacy efforts translate into real policy conversations (16:05) Navigating uncertainty: Tariffs, government shutdowns, and planning for growth (18:16) SMW Autoblok: automation and workholding innovation (19:28) Applying 10KSB lessons to IME—pivoting, culture, and core values

In this powerful installment of the Machine Shop MBA series, we welcome two guests who embody the heart of continuous improvement: Noah Goellner, President of AME and Hennig, and Nick DeGeorgia, Manufacturing Engineer at P1 Industries. What starts as a story of one listener's journey—from cutting chips to becoming a lean champion—evolves into a masterclass on how lean thinking transforms not just the shop floor, but every function of an organization. Nick shares how MakingChips inspired him to bring process improvement into his career, using whiteboards, kaizen events, and a relentless focus on reducing waste to reshape his company culture. We also break down how lean applies far beyond machining—into quoting, engineering, office workflows, and even sales strategy. They unpack how to start small, gain buy-in, and build trust that leads to sustained results. From Kanban systems to complete-and-accurate feedback loops, this conversation bridges the gap between concept and practice. Whether you're a shop leader, engineer, or business owner, this episode offers a blueprint for turning lean from a buzzword into a daily habit that drives clarity, collaboration, and growth. Segments (0:00) A Goellner family introduction and a musical interlude gone wrong (1:36) Meet Nick DeGeorgia — how MakingChips inspired his lean journey (5:25) Moving from a large OEM to a small contract manufacturer (7:02) Come see us at the Top Shops 2025 event in Charlotte, NC! (7:28) Reintroducing Noah and how lean shaped AME and Hennig's company culture (8:45) Paul's lean journey: ISO, standardization, kaizen newspapers, and cutting waste (10:31) Defining lean — eliminating waste vs. maximizing flow of value (12:38) Where to start: applying lean based on your role and customer definition (18:19) Process success mapping: starting at the end to define what success looks like (20:31) Using "complete and accurate" feedback to fix systemic process issues (21:15) Why you should use Hire MFG Leaders for recruiting (21:42) How to gain buy-in when you're not in leadership (22:31) Mapping processes and linking operations to customer outcomes (23:10) Implementing "no hunting" and Kanban systems at P1 Industries (26:12) P1's Kanban system explained (visual signaling for just-in-time replenishment) (29:30) Building trust and reliability so teams want to surface problems (30:30) Level 1 meetings, rewarding problem identification, and closing the loop on improvement (35:14) "Lean isn't magic—it's discipline in the basics." (36:00) How ProShop embeds lean principles across the manufacturing workflow<

Every machine shop relies on outside processes—whether that's heat treating, plating, grinding, or coating. But every time a part leaves your building, your risk profile changes. Quality, timing, and accountability become harder to control. In this episode of MakingChips, the hosts sit down with Charlie Hushek, owner of Phoenix Heat Treating and a newly minted machine shop owner, to unpack what it really takes to manage outside processes like a pro. Charlie's experience on both sides of the fence—running a generational heat-treating company and now owning a machining operation—gives him a rare perspective on what separates smooth partnerships from painful ones. He shares the top mistakes shops make when sending parts out, how to build lasting vendor relationships, and how to turn your outside processes into a seamless extension of your own workflow. The conversation dives deep into practical strategies for planning, communication, and documentation, plus how to handle the inevitable hiccups along the way. From establishing fixed processes to verifying incoming and outgoing inspections, this episode equips manufacturing leaders with the tools they need to reduce risk, improve consistency, and strengthen their supplier relationships. If you've ever lost sleep waiting on a heat-treating order—or had a part fall off a truck—this one's for you. Segments (0:00) Highlights from the Automated Shop Conference and the rise of blue-collar value (3:40) Introducing Charlie Hushek, third-generation owner of Phoenix Heat Treating (5:00) The connection between automation, culture, and building value in acquisitions (7:09) Phoenix Heat Treating's transparency advantage: real-time client portal tracking (8:19) How each added process increases risk, scrap rate, and lead time (10:10) Real-world stories: when parts fall off trucks and lessons learned from it (11:26) Building relationships and setting expectations with outside vendors (12:57) Why "heat treat per print" isn't enough—clarity prevents costly mistakes (15:50) Inviting vendors to planning meetings to align early on risk and tolerance (17:45) The value of educating yourself about heat treating and other outsourced processes (18:27) Treating your vendors like partners—turn them into extensions of your shop (19:36) Relationship-building tips: tours, face-to-face meetings, and yes, donuts (20:31) Drill in on your workholding with SMW Autoblok (21:15) How clear documentation and fixed process numbers can save time and eliminate confusion (26:34) Using ERP systems like ProShop to manage outside processes and supplier specs (27:41) Why outgoing and incoming inspections are critical for accountability (28:57) Handling disputes over damage, missing parts, or quality issues (32:33) How ProShop automates documentation and

Finance doesn't have to be a mystery—it can be your greatest advantage. In this episode of the Machine Shop MBA series, we sit down with Jon Hughes, Erik Skie, and Mike Estes from CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) to unpack the financial principles that separate high-performing shops from those that just get by. Together, they dig into how manufacturers can transform their accounting systems from mere compliance tools into strategic assets that fuel growth. From understanding capacity and pricing to mastering forecasting and job costing, this conversation bridges the gap between the shop floor and the balance sheet. CLA's experts explain why simplicity often beats complexity, how to avoid "bad business" when chasing volume, and why aligning cost structure with capacity utilization is the secret to consistent profitability. They also explore how automation and advanced equipment investments change the financial equation, why separating costing from pricing is essential, and how the best-run shops use forecasting not just to plan—but to learn. Whether you're running a $3M job shop or a $30M operation, this episode gives you the tools to make smarter financial decisions and build long-term resilience. Segments (1:03) Recapping Nick's trip to EMO in Germany (1:52) Meet the guests: Jon Hughes, Erik Skie, and Mike Estes from CLA (4:38) Grow your top and bottom-line with CLA (7:06) Keep it simple: Capacity vs. demand (the key to unlocking consistent profitability) (9:19) Why labor is effectively a fixed cost in modern manufacturing (12:21) When increasing capacity is a smart risk and when it's not (15:08) Activity-based costing and why not all machines should share the same rate (16:38) Why we love Phoenix Heat Treating for outside processing (17:47) How to price automation and capture its true value (20:30) Separating cost from price & matching pricing strategy to niche and capacity (25:06) The danger of underutilized automation and inflated rates (27:09) How customer communication improves quoting accuracy and margins (28:38) The "death spiral" of bad quoting assumptions (30:57) Understanding your cost structure vs. chasing perfect accuracy (32:46) Material-heavy jobs, overhead allocation, and avoiding double-dipping (35:25) Demystifying EDM technology with Methods Machine Tools Bill Burba (49:17) Forecasting and budgeting: why they matter beyond the numbers (52:35) Linking your business model to your P&L for smarter decision-making (54:23) How to use forecasting to test your assumptions (56:05) Killing unprofitable jobs ("deselecting customers") and improving mix (1:01:10) Meet us at Top Shops 2025 in Charlotte, NC Resources mentioned on this episode Grow your top and bottom-line with <a href= "https://www.claconnect.com/en/

What happens when two brothers with a racing background decide to start a machine shop—with zero machining experience? You get Olson Custom Designs, a company that's gone from two Haas machines in 2014 to nearly 90 employees today—serving medical, defense, and aerospace industries out of a world-class facility in Indianapolis. In this episode, we sit down with Mitch and Brian Olson to unpack the remarkable story behind their explosive growth. They share how their competitive drive from sprint car racing carried over to machining, the lessons learned from starting with no industry experience, and the systems that have fueled their scale—from culture to ProShop ERP. The brothers talk openly about the struggles of starting from scratch, the importance of integrity and teamwork, and how they've built a facility and a culture that attracts top young talent. They also dig into how automation, palletization, and continuous improvement have allowed them to grow at breakneck speed without losing control of quality—or their vision for what manufacturing should look like. This episode is packed with lessons on grit, growth, and leadership for anyone looking to take their shop from humble beginnings to high performance. Segments (0:58) The inspiring origin story of Olson Custom Designs (6:30) Grow your top and bottom line with CliftonLarsonAllen (7:08) Why integrity and belief in the customer's mission drive everything they do (10:13) Changing the perception of manufacturing through aesthetics and culture (12:37) Attracting young, passionate machinists with technology and image (13:54) The evolution of automation and palletization in a high-mix environment (16:21) Running 24/7 with volunteers and flexible shifts (18:02) Investing in ProShop ERP is an investment in your business (19:38) Creating a culture of accountability and clarity (21:38) The core values that guide OCD—integrity, fairness, and transparency (24:20) Systems that scale: how ProShop ERP became their backbone (30:45) Giving every employee a voice in continuous improvement (33:11) Section 232 Tariffs: What manufacturers need to know and how to comment (40:53) Brothers in business: why partnership made their success possible (43:10) The importance of complementary strengths and mutual respect (45:00) Sales and marketing as a growth engine—never taking your foot off the gas (49:09) Final takeaways: don't give up, ask for help, and delegate (52:09) Looking to hire? Check out Hire MFG Leaders Resources mentioned on this episode Olson Custom Designs Connect with Mitch and <a href= "https://www.linkedin.com/in/bria

Recruiting and retaining great people is one of the biggest challenges in manufacturing today—but what if the solution isn't just about wages or benefits, but about building a culture where people thrive? In this episode of the Machine Shop MBA series, we are joined by guest co-host Jon Franko and special guest Mike Tamasi, CEO of AccuRounds, a former Top Shops award winner for Human Resources. Mike shares how AccuRounds has become an employer of choice by focusing on community engagement, core values, and creating opportunity for every team member. From partnering with vocational schools and launching unique workforce development programs to embracing servant leadership and lifelong learning, Mike reveals why culture is not a buzzword—it's a competitive advantage. You'll hear how AccuRounds is tackling the workforce shortage by looking beyond traditional talent pools, empowering young people through co-ops and internships, and even launching initiatives like the Uniquely Abled Academy to provide CNC training for adults on the autism spectrum. The results? A highly engaged team, industry recognition, and stories of employees buying homes, building families, and creating meaningful careers. If you're a shop leader struggling with workforce challenges—or simply looking for fresh ideas on how to build a resilient and loyal team—this episode is packed with lessons you can implement immediately. Segments (1:00) Stay vigilant—don't fall for this latest phone scam (3:47) Mike's shares the background of AccuRounds and their Top Shops Award (5:18) Community involvement: Redefining manufacturing as "safe, smart, sustainable, and sexy" (8:06) Head to the EBITDA Growth Systems Double Your Value Event (9:13) The growing demand for trade schools vs. college enrollment (10:02) Co-ops, internships, and the importance of lifelong learning opportunities (14:22) Creative talent pipelines: Programs for autistic adults, refugees, and formerly incarcerated workers (16:33) Core values in action: Gratitude, Excellence, Team First, Initiative, Trust (GET IT) (20:06) Retention strategies: safety, flexibility, lean practices, and environment (22:41) Layering in corporate social responsibility practices (24:26) Apprenticeship and leadership training for employees at every level (26:29) Why you should come see us at AMT's MTForecast (27:45) Invest in technology and opportunities to keep people engaged and growing (32:45) Stories of employee success: buying homes, raising families, and long-term loyalty (35:09) Recognition and international visitors: building a reputation through culture (38:43) The importance of servant leadership—culture cannot be outsourced to HR (40:12) Lessons in flexibility: "freedom with fences" (43:16) Jason Ray: Leveraging technology as a recru

Leadership is more than a buzzword—it's the backbone of every successful machine shop. In this episode of MakingChips—Machine Shop MBA, hosts Paul Van Metre and Jen Dubose sit down with Kyra Tillman, owner of BTM Industries, to explore what real leadership looks like on the shop floor and in the front office. Kyra inherited a decades-old family shop steeped in tradition and transformed it into a forward-looking, systems-driven operation without losing its close-knit culture. Drawing on her experience in construction and her perspective as a non-machinist leader, she shares how she built trust, introduced new systems, and developed her people—all while respecting the expertise already on her team. This conversation digs into the mechanics of leadership in a small manufacturing business: why humility and transparency matter, how to foster a culture of continuous improvement, and the difference between managing work and leading people. Kyra also outlines her approach to apprenticeship programs, leadership training, and grants, showing that even small shops can invest in their workforce and future. Whether you're an established owner or just starting your journey, Kyra's lessons on change management, talent development, and leading by example will help you strengthen your shop from the inside out. Segments (1:07) Introducing our manager and today's co-host, Jen Dubose (5:00) Kyra's background: from construction to leading BTM Industries (8:19) Leadership as support and respect for expertise (10:02) Modernizing operations: moving beyond index cards (11:08) Why you need to join us at MTForecast (13:12) Building credibility and trust as a non-machinist leader (14:48) Monthly meetings and opening communication channels (17:14) Vision and hiring for skill and attitude (20:06) How do you build trust with your team? (24:03) Creating a culture of continuous improvement and curiosity (26:37) Developing talent from within and apprenticeship programs (28:17) Join us at Top Shops 2025 in Charlotte, NC (29:41) Investing in people: leadership training, grants, and high school interns (32:42) External resources: mentorships, peer groups, and local networks (35:42) Switching to ProShop ERP and navigating change management (39:21) Leading by example and diving in alongside the team (40:58) Personal leadership habits: mindfulness, learning, and consistency (41:42) Final advice from Kyra for shop owners and leaders (45:11) Grow your top and bottom-line with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) Resources mentioned on this episode Why you need to join us at MTForecast Get a preview of MTForecast on <a href= "https://makingchips.com/inside-the-numbers

In this special MakingChips Machine Shop MBA episode, we sit down with Peter Doyle—CEO of Hirsh Precision—to unpack what it takes to grow and transform a machine shop with purpose. From his roots as an Air Force officer to leading a former Top Shops award winner, Peter has blended strategy, structure, and heart into a roadmap any shop leader can learn from. Peter shares why strategic vision is more than a slogan on a wall. He explains how his team at Hirsh Precision focuses on high-mix, low-volume work, invests heavily in sales and marketing, and positions themselves as partners to engineers—not just parts suppliers. This shift has generated a steady stream of new business opportunities while maintaining the discipline required for regulated industries like aerospace and medical. Throughout the conversation, Peter emphasizes the importance of deliberate decisions: building customer-centric processes, developing leaders, hiring wisely, and implementing technology and certifications that align with their mission to "improve quality of life through precision manufacturing solutions." For machine shop owners, managers, and future leaders, this episode is a blueprint for balancing risk with reward—how to create a strategic growth vision, win the right customers, and build a resilient team ready for the next decade of manufacturing innovation. Segments (2:42) Peter's career journey from Air Force officer to Deloitte consultant to manufacturing leader (4:32) Lessons from Top Shops benchmarking—how to interpret the data and use it to guide strategy (5:53) Defining strategic growth: vision, customer focus, structure, agility, and leadership development (9:04) Building a sales and marketing engine—brand refresh, website upgrade, CRM adoption, and content strategy (10:57) Join us at Top Shops 2025 in Charlotte, NC! (11:53) Deciding to purchase and expand the business—risk appetite, growth targets, and new facility (14:15) Aligning the team with a growth vision (overcoming skepticism and making decisive calls) (15:32) Hiring experienced business development talent and shifting from craft focus to customer experience (19:30) Implementing HubSpot CRM, learning to be externally focused, and building scalable marketing systems (23:00) The difference between doing sales and managing sales—lessons in leadership at the customer interface (27:00) Grow your top and bottom line with CliftonLarsonAllen (27:40) Moving beyond the buyer—how Peter built relationships with engineers and C-suite leaders (30:00) Choosing industries and customers that inspire—medical devices, surgical robotics, aerospace, and more (36:20) Translating customer-centric thinking into technology investments and equipment decisions (39:46) Balancing machine tool brand standardization with flexibility and innovation (42:

If you've ever lost sleep wondering whether you missed a critical detail in a quote—or felt the adrenaline of winning a job only to realize you underpriced it—this MakingChips episode is for you. Recorded live at FABTECH 2025, Nick sits down with Jason Ray, founder of Paperless Parts, to unveil a breakthrough tool that promises to transform how shops handle complex RFQs, drawings, and bills of materials. Over the past decade, Paperless Parts has become synonymous with solving bottlenecks in estimating and quoting. Their mission has been clear: empower people—not replace them—with software designed to make quoting faster, smarter, and less risky. In this conversation, Jason shares how their latest release takes that vision even further by surfacing critical requirements buried inside complex drawings and bills of materials. This episode is full of relatable stories and practical lessons. Jason explains how the new "Requirements Review" functionality captures tribal knowledge, accelerates mentoring, and helps shops avoid underpricing jobs while improving their RFQ triage process. Nick and Jason also dig into the big picture: the hype cycle of AI in manufacturing, the importance of trust and customer retention, and the future of Paperless Parts—including "historical intelligence" and next-level shop insights. Whether you're a shop owner, estimator, or manufacturing leader, you'll leave this episode with actionable takeaways for quoting more accurately, prioritizing the right work, and scaling your business intelligently. Segments (0:53) "I Love Big BOMs": How Paperless Parts tackles large bills of materials= (2:27) Bottlenecks in quoting and estimating—and why Paperless Parts was built (6:05) AI hype vs. reality in manufacturing software (7:39) Quote faster, smarter, and more consistently with Paperless Parts (9:20) "AI makes recommendations, humans make decisions" (12:38) Introducing "Requirements Review" to surface critical details in drawings (14:41) Capturing tribal knowledge and accelerating mentoring before retirements (17:13) Why missing something on a print leads to underpricing and margin compression (18:45) Using AI to read complex drawing packages and trigger shop-specific rules (20:22) Solving simpler problems first: best practices for adopting AI in manufacturing (22:14) Why you should join us at MTForecast 2025 (23:42) Quoting faster without over-engineering or missing key details (25:02) RFQs are getting larger—how to triage and prioritize the right work (26:47) Building an "ideal part profile" and learning to say no to non-fit work (29:54) Safety, flow state, and the hidden costs of taking on bad-fit jobs (30:53) Cash flow realities of contract manufacturing and avoiding high-risk mistakes (32:32) Aligning Paperless Parts' incentives with

Every machine shop leader knows you can buy the best equipment, implement cutting-edge automation, and have bulletproof processes—but without the right team and culture, growth will stall. In this episode of MakingChips Machine Shop MBA, we talk with Matt Wardle, President of JD Machine, about how he transformed a small Utah shop into a 210-person powerhouse by prioritizing people and culture over everything else. Matt's story shows what happens when leadership takes workforce development seriously. From his early days as a 10-person shop owner watching competitors poach his talent, to becoming a two-time Top Shops winner recognized for HR and culture, Matt has built a system for attracting, training, and retaining the kind of people who make growth possible. We dive deep into JD Machine's unique approach to workforce development: Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship programs, high school counselor outreach, profit-sharing models, mentorship incentives, and cultural rituals like celebrating apprenticeship completions with a "Masters Jacket." The result? A company that not only keeps top talent but grows its own leaders from within. If you've ever wondered how to build a resilient shop culture where employees feel invested, customers trust your team, and growth becomes sustainable, this conversation delivers the blueprint. Matt shows that "winning" in manufacturing isn't just about throughput or margins—it's about building people who build the business. Segments (0:58) Introducing Matt Wardle of JD Machine: from 10 employees to a 210-person operation (4:30) Early lessons in retention and the shift from poaching talent to building a pipeline (7:44) Why you should register and see us at AMT's MTForecast (11:41) Community outreach: hosting school counselors, sponsoring robotics, and changing perceptions (17:10) Open houses, virtual field trips, and branding your shop to future employees (15:00) Mentorship structure, incentives for trainers, and celebrating completions with the "Masters Jacket" (19:20) Tracking the right metrics: turnover, reviews, skill increases, and retention as KPIs (22:58) Apprenticeship program design: 8,000 hours, Department of Labor approval, and clear pay raises (27:57) Grow your top and bottom line with CliftonLarsonAllen (28:32) How small shops can scale their workforce systems over time (30:18) Building your own curriculum: Tooling U, NTMA U, Titans of CNC, and customizing courses (31:50) Encouraging on-the-job learning during machine cycle times (34:10) Mentorship structure and incentives for experienced machinists training apprentices (36:05) Recruiting under-18 students through legislative partnerships and state risk management (37:52) How NTMA chapters create collaboration and make SkillsUSA more impactful (39:35) Balancing competitiv

Every machine shop has a story—and Chad Schmidt has made it his mission to tell them. As a sales engineer + content creator, Chad blends his technical background with a passion for storytelling. He creates authentic shop tour videos that shine a spotlight on the people, culture, and values driving the manufacturing industry. His YouTube channel has quickly gained traction, giving machinists and shop owners a platform to showcase their work in an honest and unpolished—but deeply engaging—format. In this episode of MakingChips, Chad shares his journey from tool rep to filmmaker and how a pandemic-era discovery of shop tour videos sparked his creative pursuit. He opens up about the challenges of convincing shop owners to go on camera, the humility he sees in the most successful leaders, and the business trends shaping machine shops across the country. The conversation dives into everything from diversification and leadership mindsets to adopting new technology and empowering the next generation of machinists. Whether you're a seasoned shop owner or just starting out, Chad's perspective reveals why authenticity, culture, and a willingness to evolve are essential ingredients for long-term success in manufacturing. By capturing raw, human-centered stories, Chad isn't just documenting the industry—he's helping elevate it. Tune in to hear his take on where shops are thriving, where they're struggling, and what lessons every leader can take away from the tour videos that are inspiring thousands online. Segments (0:20) Grow your top and bottom line with CliftonLarsonAllen (2:06) How Chad got started in machining sales and what led him to shop tour videos (4:23) Inspiration from John Saunders' NYC CNC channel during the pandemic (6:17) Balancing a sales career with filming shop tours and support from his company (7:12) Campro's machine offerings and focus on job shops (8:19) Shop owners' mixed reactions to being filmed and overcoming hesitations (11:06) Challenges of being on camera and blooper stories from filming (12:44) Insights from visiting shops: leadership humility, culture, and mindset trends (14:39) Tariffs, diversification, and the impact of customer concentration (17:43) Correlation between humility, ambition, and business growth (20:18) Balancing business ambition with family and personal life (20:58) Get transparency in the heat-treating process with Phoenix Heat Treating (22:07) Lifestyle businesses vs. growth-oriented shops and the risks of coasting (24:31) Stories from younger shop owners and COVID-era startups (26:05) Funding and customer acquisition strategies for new shops (27:27) How to leverage Xometry as a launchpad (time will change from this on after edit) (28:42) Observations on technology adoption: probing, CAM, ERP, and monitoring tools (33:25

Running a machine shop isn't just about cutting chips—it's about managing the numbers that make the whole operation possible. In this Machine Shop MBA episode of MakingChips, the team sits down with Jon Hughes of CLA to tackle one of the most overlooked yet critical parts of shop ownership: financial strategy. Many shop leaders rise through the ranks of the shop floor without formal financial training. The books often become "just compliance"—something you do because you have to file taxes. But as Jon makes clear, your financial systems can be far more than compliance—they can be a competitive advantage. From managing cash flow to planning for growth and capital expenditures, the way you handle money directly impacts your ability to survive downturns, seize opportunities, and build wealth. In this episode, we dig into why cash flow is king, what "working capital" really means for a shop, and how to navigate customer payment terms that often feel stacked against smaller manufacturers. They also explore practical strategies for budgeting, forecasting, and job costing—ensuring that every hour and every order drives long-term profitability. Packed with stories, humor, and battle-tested advice, this episode equips shop owners with the knowledge they need to turn finance into a weapon rather than a weakness. Whether you're just trying to make payroll or planning your long-term exit, these insights will help you keep making chips—and making money. Segments (0:46) Join us at Top Shops 2025 in Charlotte, NC! (6:05) Finance as more than compliance: a competitive advantage (7:45) Cash flow vs. accrual accounting in day-to-day operations (10:40) The profitability vs. cash flow argument (14:10) Managing uncertainty and strengthening the balance sheet (15:09) Working capital defined: how much is enough and how to measure it (18:15) Current ratio explained and what "healthy" looks like (22:15) Owner compensation: salaries vs. distributions and tax implications (23:48) Achieve RASRAM by checking out the SME Autoblok catalogue (25:28) Strategies for managing receivables, payables, and customer terms (31:08) Invoicing hygiene and avoiding clerical delays in payments (32:40) Following up on overdue invoices and staying proactive (36:32) Adjusting pricing to offset extended payment terms (38:45) Budgeting and forecasting as part of long-term financial strategy (44:56) Job costing and the 80/20 rule of profits and losses (48:10) Building financial review cadences and making finance a competitive advantage (50:20) Grow your top and bottom line with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) Resources mentioned on this episode Join us at Top Shops 2025 in Charlotte, NC! Use code M

At the heart of every successful machine shop isn't just the parts it produces—it's the experience it delivers to its clients. In this episode of MakingChips (part of our Machine Shop MBA series), we sit down with Andy Reinwald, President of Ripley Machine, to unpack what it really takes to deliver an excellent client experience in manufacturing. Andy shares his journey of stepping into leadership at a young age, navigating the challenges of declining sales, and transforming Ripley Machine into a recognized Top Shops award winner. His story proves that client experience doesn't happen by accident—it's built intentionally through systems, communication, and values that shape the culture of the entire shop. From implementing ISO and ProShop ERP, to instilling a daily rhythm of accountability and continuous improvement, Andy reveals the practical steps his team has taken to turn Ripley into a trusted partner for its customers. Along the way, he highlights how something as simple as quick communication—or as complex as restructuring internal systems—can make all the difference in retaining clients and earning their loyalty. Whether you're a seasoned shop owner or just starting out, this conversation will challenge you to look at your business through the lens of your customers. Because at the end of the day, consistency, transparency, and responsiveness aren't just "nice to have"—they are the foundation of growth and profitability. Segments (0:32) How Phoenix Heat Treating provides next-level transparency (2:18) Why client experience is the capstone of the Machine Shop MBA series (3:39) Introducing guest Andy Reinwald of Ripley Machine (5:00) Family business history, early days in the shop, and finding a passion for manufacturing (8:47) Becoming shop foreman at 19, buying the business at 21, and facing business challenges (12:11) Lessons learned: Poor customer experiences and the wake-up call (17:26) The values of transparency, accessibility, and responsiveness (20:00) Practical changes: communication, customer-specific notes, quoting with Paperless Parts, and implementing ProShop ERP (27:04) Investing in ProShop is an investment in your shop (28:39) The power of quick, honest communication and technology that supports it (35:05) Building culture: consistency, details that matter, and systems that allow Andy to step away (37:23) How Andy roots his business values on his faith (39:10) Going above and beyond for customers (42:38) How Andy hires according to a fit for his culture (44:54) Implementing daily drumbeat meetings and lean principles (50:04) Ripley Machine's Top Shops award journey and continuous improvement (55:42) Joins us at the Top Shops 2025 Conference in Charlotte, NC Resources mentioned on this episode Could <a href="https://phoenix-heat-t

Inventory and materials management may not sound glamorous, but for us—and for any thriving shop—it's the difference between healthy cashflow and a financial chokehold. In this Machine Shop MBA conversation, we break down how smart inventory practices—both physical and digital—can free up space, cut costs, and improve delivery performance. From raw materials and finished goods to WIP and cutting tools, we share the financial, operational, and workflow implications of what you keep on the shelf (and what you shouldn't). You'll hear real-world examples of vendor-managed material programs, strategies for keeping traceability without burying yourself in admin work, and ways we've turned "dead" stock into real cash. We also dig into why inventory accuracy matters beyond just making parts—touching on tax implications, property valuations, and how inventory missteps can kill the value of your business in a sale. And if you've ever lost hours hunting for the right cutter or fixture, our storage and tracking advice might change the way you think about tooling forever. This episode isn't about counting nuts and bolts—it's about building an inventory strategy that supports your cashflow, your team's efficiency, and your long-term profitability. Segments (0:24) Paperless Parts: Quoting made simple, profitable, and powerful (3:09) Why inventory is "sneaky important" for cashflow, workflow, and profitability (4:00) Common categories: raw materials, finished goods, consumables, and workholding (6:30) "Part stock" vs. catalogued vs hybrid strategies (7:58) Calculating the real cost of capital when buying material in bulk (10:45) Consolidating material sizes to reduce stock complexity (13:07) Physical storage, traceability, and avoiding costly scrap from lost certs (15:07) Labeling and marking best practices—from PO numbers to color codes (19:05) Storage layouts that save space and speed up retrieval (22:28) FIFO, LIFO, and how inventory accounting can impact your taxes (24:07) Why you need to check out the SMW Autoblok Catalogue (24:50) Why WIP can matter for accurate financials and business valuation (29:24) Cycle counting vs. painful year-end full inventory counts (33:26) Real-world wins from knowing exactly what's on your shelves (36:10) Avoiding the trap of overbuilding and obsolete finished goods (39:09) Using contracts and order commitments to protect yourself from rev changes (42:02) Inventory strategies for cutting tools—your most critical shop consumable (45:11) The value of having the right tool at the right time vs. lowest cost (49:45) Why random storage beats "organized" by type for cutting tools (52:19) Fixture storage, location tracking, and purging rarely used setups (54:39) How reviewing inventory can generate sales and fre

In Part 2 of our conversation with certified lead auditor Jess Teasdake, we dig deeper into what it really takes to build an efficient, audit-ready quality management system (QMS). If you caught Part 1, you heard us talk through the big picture: certifications, audits, and what separates a good QMS from a bad one. This time, we're getting tactical. We're not just talking about passing an audit—we're talking about building a system that supports your team, reduces risk, and eliminates waste across your business. From risk registers and RPN scoring to digitizing your paperwork and planning with cross-functional teams, we cover the actual tools and habits that make quality real on the shop floor. Along the way, we share stories from our own shops—what's worked, what hasn't, and how integrated technology has changed the game. We've lived the paper-chasing, binder-filled chaos that too many shops call a QMS. And we've seen what happens when you replace it with a connected system that actually reflects how your shop runs day to day. If you're working toward certification—or just want to build a culture of quality that doesn't require heroics to maintain—this episode is your blueprint. Segments (0:26) Grow your top and bottom line with CLA (2:53) Recap of Part 1 + why efficient QMS design matters in regulated industries (3:33) Defining and mapping core processes from RFQ to shipment (6:23) Risk-based thinking: risk registers, RPN scoring, and real-world examples (9:11) Tracking and improving risk scores over time with team input (11:33) Cross-functional planning: involving machinists, programmers, and QA early (12:57) Ballooned drawings, IPCs, and quality planning before the job hits the floor (14:01) Integrated quality checkpoints: from receiving to signoffs and inspection (16:20) Why going paperless saves time and improves accuracy (17:56) Join us at Top Shops 2025! (18:51) Quality as a company-wide responsibility—not a department (21:12) Digital documentation strategy and collaboration tips (23:26) How to implement QMS step by step (26:55) Linking vs. integrating: what real QMS tech should do (29:50) Before & after ProShop: how integrated QMS changed our audit process (33:46) Certification myths: ISO, AS9100, and audit readiness every day (35:53) Why QMS should be built into your tech stack and team culture (38:07) Use Hire MFG Leaders to recruit the next level of talent Resources mentioned on this episode Machine Shop MBA: Planning for Precision Register for Top Shops 2025 now: Get 20% off with code: MAK20 Connect With MakingChips <

If you think quality management is just about passing audits, think again. In this episode of MakingChips, we're joined by Jess Teasdale—a true QMS expert and certified lead auditor in both AS9100 and ISO 13485—to break down what it really takes to build a world-class quality system. Whether you're running a two-person job shop or leading a growing operation aiming for medical or aerospace work, we consider this your QMS MBA. We dig into the purpose, process, and power of implementing a robust quality management system—from selecting the right registrar to defining your key processes and KPIs. Jess also shares why culture matters more than checklists, how leadership buy-in can make or break your success, and how tools like ProShop ERP can make audit day feel like just another Tuesday. This isn't just about earning a certificate. It's about building a business where quality is baked into how you operate—every single day. If you're trying to compete in regulated industries—or simply want to stop cleaning up preventable mistakes—this episode is your blueprint. Segments (0:00) "He's a real quality guy": Dad jokes and introductions (1:12) Every day is audit day: Building a quality culture vs. chasing audits (4:24) Jess's background—from job shop QC to Raytheon to ProShop (9:27) What it takes to get certified as a lead auditor (11:03) Key differences between ISO 9001, AS9100, and ISO 13485 (12:27) Why regulated industry certifications are "table stakes" for growth (14:05) How certification shapes customer perception—and shop success (16:21) What a QMS really is (and why it's not just a binder) (17:42) The challenge of cultural adoption—from shop floor to CEO (22:30) Grow your top and bottom line with CLA  (23:05) The first steps: quality manual, key processes, and KPIs (26:18) Cross-functional teams vs. solo efforts—what works best (28:08) How grants and workforce programs can help fund your QMS journey (31:03) Lessons from a painful audit—and how ProShop changed everything (35:00) Choosing the right certification body (registrar) (39:35) Stage 1 vs. Stage 2 audits—what to expect (41:53) Nonconformances: OFIs, minors, majors, and 8Ds explained (45:47) Wrap-up and preview of Part 2: How to build a great QMS (48:20) Register for Top Shops 2025! Resources mentioned on this episode https://www.highqa.com/ Register for Top Shops 2025! Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MakingChipsPodcast/" target=

Let's be real—every shop says they make quality parts. But doing it consistently? That's a whole different game. In this episode of the MakingChips Machine Shop MBA series, we break down what it actually takes to build—and sustain—excellence in quality control. From quoting parts you can actually make, to in-process inspections, to how your shipping paperwork could delay your cash flow, this episode covers the full spectrum. We dive into real-world strategies for building quality into every step of the process—from the first RFQ to the final shipment. We talk about ownership, team structure, risk-based IPC strategies, final inspections, and how a simple $100 reward created a culture of accountability on the shop floor. Whether you're building your first quality system or tightening up an already dialed-in process, this conversation will challenge you to think beyond just tolerances and calipers. You'll hear how quality isn't just about measuring—it's about quoting smarter, communicating across departments, and building a shop culture where excellence is everyone's job. This episode is packed with sharp insights and real-world stories from three shop leaders who know what it takes to deliver consistent, swit-level quality. Segments (0:50) Get excited for Top Shops 2025! (1:14) Why listening to MakingChips is SWIT (2:40) Why quality starts in quoting—before a chip is ever made (4:36) Aligning your manufacturing plan with your quality plan (6:35) Why you should track which tool cuts which feature (7:23) Probing vs. offline inspection: finding the right balance (8:27) Should quality report to operations? (Organizational insights) (11:41) Why balloon drawings still matter—and the tools to make it easier (14:30) Incoming and outgoing inspections for outside processing (16:48) When (and why) to keep quality in-house (17:41) First articles, first parts, and final inspection clarity (20:18) Grow your top and bottom line with CLA (20:57) Should machines sit idle during inspection? Risk vs. throughput (22:47) Calibration musts: Why you can't trust dropped tools (24:08) Catching bad tolerances before they hit the floor (26:00) Deviation requests: When it's worth asking (27:00) Rotating inspection plans and in-process strategies (29:53) Building inspection frequency around quantity and value (30:35) Peer checks and the $100 bill that changed everything (32:05) What "final inspection" really means at Hill Manufacturing (36:02) When paperwork mistakes delay payment—and damage quality ratings (37:37) Systematizing delivery to meet each customer's expectations (39:16) The bottom line? Quality is everyone's job (40:21) 3 reasons to check out Buy the Numbers Resources mentioned on this episode <ul

What if your CAM software could learn from every part you've ever programmed—and make your next one faster, smarter, and easier? At Hexagon Live, we sat down with Ryan Pembroke to explore how ESPRIT EDGE is doing exactly that. As Hexagon's Product Manager for cloud-based production software, Ryan shares how this next-gen platform is helping shops streamline programming, automate workflows, and scale smarter with every click. If you've ever wished your CAM system could remember what worked, eliminate repetitive programming, and accelerate your path to the spindle, this is the episode for you. Ryan explains how Hexagon's new Nexus Cloud ecosystem—including tools like Hexagon Copilot and ProPlan AI—is designed to empower programmers, reduce onboarding time, and unlock serious productivity gains. From intelligent feature recognition to machine-aware automation and real-time learning, ESPRIT EDGE is all about putting past experience to work for future success. You'll hear how shops are reclaiming 75% of their programming time, how Swiss machining is finally getting the Edge treatment, and why the platform is built not to replace your team—but to amplify their talent. Whether you're programming complex parts or scaling new workflows across your machines, Hexagon's vision is clear: give users control, reduce the mental load, and continuously learn from what's already working. ESPRIT EDGE doesn't just help you make better parts—it helps you build a smarter shop. This is what automation looks like when it starts with the user. Segments (0:00) Intro from Hexagon Live and some Vegas fun (2:06) Meet Ryan Pembroke and learn about his role at Hexagon (2:45) What Nexus Cloud is and how it works with CAM (3:38) Modular access to apps—scale your tools, not your cost (4:21) Ryan's origin story in manufacturing (5:27) The evolution of ESPRIT EDGE for complex machining (9:53) Automated part copying across tombstones and setups (11:03) How user feedback drives product development (13:51) What excites Ryan today—The application of Hexagon Copilot & ProPlan AI (16:28) Listen to the Lights Out podcast to scale your shop the smart way (16:56) Continuous learning and real-time tool adaptation (19:45) How Espree Edge optimizes for tool changes (21:30) Vision for Nexus: cross-platform, connected manufacturing intelligence (23:13) Eliminate redundant work to unlock your team's creativity (24:38) How ESPRIT EDGE helps new users get up to speed quickly (25:29) Customer training, updates, and user support forums (27:45) Leverage the Nexus community forum (28:45) Cutting programming time and increasing utilization Resources mentioned on this episode ESPRIT EDGE Connect wi