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From 10 epsHost
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122. How Borg Design Built a 50-Machine Defense Manufacturing Powerhouse
Jun 24, 2026
Unknown duration
121. Playing the Long Game in Machining with Chris Welch from Swissomation
Jun 17, 2026
Unknown duration
120. From Startup to Seven Figures: Kenny Williams' Manufacturing Playbook
Jun 10, 2026
Unknown duration
119. From Empty Spindles to a $3M Vision: Ashley Parent's Shop Revival
Jun 3, 2026
Unknown duration
118. From a Garage Bridgeport to 5-Axis Growth: CazTek's 22-Year Journey
May 27, 2026
Unknown duration
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| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/24/26 | ![]() 122. How Borg Design Built a 50-Machine Defense Manufacturing Powerhouse | Most shop owners who hit 50 employees, steady profit, and a fourth generation coming up behind them would be tempted to coast. Andrew Borg decided to double down instead. Not because he has to, he's quick to say the shop is profitable right where it is, but because he wants to build something that outlasts him. A big part of that answer is automation. Borg Design runs a fleet of cobots that load parts and pallets around the clock, and Andrew's goal is to double sales while only growing headcount by about half. We get into how they keep machines running 80 to 95 percent of the time over a seven day week, why the hard part isn't building the system but figuring out what it does when a tool breaks at midnight, and how six full-time mechanical engineers fit inside a machine shop. We also dig into CMMC. Borg Design earned its Level 2 certification this year, and Andrew is refreshingly honest about the cost, the false starts with vendors, and the one employee who basically read the entire standard and wrote their package. He shares why the inbound calls from primes only started showing up after they were certified, and the sub-tier problem that still keeps him up at night. Then there's the people question—which might be the most useful part of the whole conversation. Andrew has stopped trying to hire high-end machinists, because in his words they don't exist on the open market. Instead he hires for work ethic and values and builds machinists over years. If you're wrestling with the same thing, you'll want to hear how he thinks about the path from operator to programmer. This is the kind of conversation that's the whole reason I do this show. A smart, transparent owner sharing exactly how he built something real, and where he's still figuring it out. Grab a notepad. You'll fill a page. What's Covered in this Episode (0:00) Meet Borg Design: 50 people, 50 machines, fourth generation, CMMC Level 2 (4:35) Why a machine shop keeps six full-time mechanical engineers on staff (6:25) The origin story: a 1945 garage shop passed down three generations (8:14) Outgrowing four buildings on the way to 58,000 square feet (10:45) Working with primes, and the danger of being loved to death (12:35) What CMMC Level 2 really cost: five years, false starts, bad vendors (15:18) The consultant and the one employee who wrote the whole package (20:08) Take your shop to the next level with DN Solutions high-end machining solutions (21:19) Why the inbound calls from primes only came after the cert (23:04) The 50-employee, 50-machine ratio, and the plan to double through automation (29:42) Building a workforce: who can program and who's still learning (31:11) 1,500 unique jobs a year and 70 percent new revisions (33:04) Why we're leveraging Navu to answer tough questions (34:16) Should you separate prototyping from production? (36:06) Why Andrew stopped hiring high-end machinists and builds his own (39:52) Standardizing and automating smaller volumes of parts (42:35) The tension between shipping today and building for tomorrow (44:50) 4X growth in six years and why revenue can be misleading (47:55) How relationships and word of mouth built the customer base (51:34) Where AI fits in the shop today, and where it doesn't yet (52:44) How procurement is a critical piece of the puzzle (56:54) Giving your team the right tools to make decisions (59:28) Andrew's best strategic moves: the building, automation, and people (1:01:40) The macro outlook for machining demand in North America (1:03:53) Why we created Hire MFG Leaders (and why you should use it) (1:04:24) The trades comeback and why training your own people wins Resources Mentioned Borg Design DN Solutions Navu Hire MFG Leaders Kieri Consulting Connect with Andrew Borg Borg Design website Email Andrew | — | ||||||
| 6/17/26 | ![]() 121. Playing the Long Game in Machining with Chris Welch from Swissomation | Almost every shop owner I talk to wants to grow. Far fewer build something that can survive a real downturn. That's the thread running through my whole conversation with Chris Welch of Swissomation, and it's why I wanted him on after we met at Machining on the Summit. Chris runs a high-mix Swiss machining operation, two locations and around 120 spindles, and just about everything he does comes back to one idea: build a business durable enough to ride out whatever the market does next. We get into the moves that kept him standing when other shops folded. The 2001 telecom crash nearly took him out, and he came out of it refusing to let any single customer pass 20% of sales. He advertises hardest when he's slammed, which is why he was up 35% in 2009 while friends were calling him looking for work. He buys used machines with cash, adds his own live tooling and indexing, and stays out of debt so he never has to lay anyone off. In 29 years, he hasn't. Chris is a systems guy too. We talk through his sales-based bonus program and why he steers clear of profit-sharing, the twice-daily blueprint checks that make quality everyone's job, the quarantine-and-lot-ticket process running on an ERP he wrote himself, and how a fleet that size lets him slip short-run tech jobs in between the longer ones. He doesn't dodge the hard parts either: the Google AdWords money pit, the rough jump from owner to CEO, the training program he admits he's behind on. If one line sums up the episode, it's how Chris describes the shops that don't make it: everybody wants to milk the cow, nobody wants to feed it. Watch your debt, save your money, invest in your people, find your niche. Coming from someone who's lived all four, it's worth the hour. What's Covered in this Episode (0:00) Meet Chris Welch and Swissomation, two shops with around 120 spindles (3:08) From a 1997 start to launching Swissomation Virginia with his parents (7:49) The product side: firearms, dive gear, Peak Fishing, and AIQ Manufacturing (10:07) SMW Autoblock and the seven habits of workholding (RASRAM) (10:54) Diversifying away from telecom and surviving the 2001 crash with no layoffs (12:09) The 20% rule after losing a customer worth half his sales (13:36) Why he advertises hardest when busy, and was up 35% in 2009 (19:53) Staying debt-free: used machines bought with cash and live tooling added in-house (23:31) Riches in the niches and why handling tiny parts is the real challenge (26:04) The most effective types of trade shows for Swissomation (27:20) The Google AdWords trap and why carpet-bomb RFQ buyers stay disloyal (30:24) The $16,000 UPS theft and choosing the long game (32:38) Increase your spindle uptime with the Hennig WorkFlow Automation System (33:31) On the floor: short-run systems, twice-daily blueprint checks, in-house ERP (39:54) Cutting setup time with tooling strategy and job grouping (43:37) Get a free report of sales opportunities in your area from FacturMFG.com/chips (44:44) The bonus program: sales-based, not profit-sharing, with rejections counted twice (50:02) Boosting throughput through hiring, training, and tools he built himself (52:19) The best decision: staying debt-free and feeding the cow (54:48) The owner-to-CEO transition and knowing when to add leadership (59:04) Best advice for newer shops: watch debt, save, invest in people, find a niche (1:02:30) Where to connect with Chris and Swissomation Resources Mentioned SMW Autoblock and the seven habits of workholding (RASRAM) Increase your spindle uptime with the Hennig WorkFlow Automation System Get a free report of sales opportunities in your area from FacturMFG.com/chips Connect with Chris Welch Connect with Chris on LinkedIn Swissomation Instagram | — | ||||||
| 6/10/26 | ![]() 120. From Startup to Seven Figures: Kenny Williams' Manufacturing Playbook | In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I got to sit down with Kenny Williams of Native Aerospace and Defense. Kenny has a really interesting background because he did not come into manufacturing through the traditional path. He started in technology, worked with major ERP companies, served as a CIO for several manufacturing companies, and saw firsthand how deeply connected systems, process, people, and business really are. What I really appreciated about this conversation is that Kenny has lived the lessons he shares. He started a shop, grew it from zero revenue into a seven-figure aerospace and defense business in less than two and a half years, and eventually sold it. Now, through Native Aerospace and Defense, he is looking at his next chapter: acquiring and growing shops with the right foundation, systems, and opportunity. We talked about the realities that many new shop owners do not fully understand when they first get started. Kenny shares how he and his partner expected some large purchase orders to materialize early on, only to realize that relationships, trust, cash flow, capacity, and execution matter far more than simply having machines on the floor. His perspective on starting with the right size work, asking for money up front, managing cash, and growing at a sustainable pace is full of hard-earned wisdom. We also dug into what it takes to build a real business instead of just creating a job for yourself. Kenny shares why he fired roughly a third of his early customers, how he thought about moving into more complex and higher-value work, and why systems are the backbone of a scalable shop. Toward the end, we also got into CMMC, IT infrastructure, cloud platforms, and why Kenny believes machine shops should stay focused on their core competency: making great parts, serving customers, and building strong teams. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Kenny Williams and his journey from IT, ERP, and manufacturing systems into machine shop ownership (2:51) Kenny shares how his background in technology and ERP shaped his understanding of people, process, systems, and change management (7:43) How Kenny and his partner launched Phoenix Products through Kickstarter before growing into aerospace and defense work (10:14) High end parts, high end capability, and high end thinking with DN Solutions (11:25) The importance of proper change management in an organization (16:03) The early startup lessons Kenny learned (relationships, cashflow, execution, etc.) (18:46) The hidden costs of outgrowing a facility and why moving a machine shop is far more disruptive than most owners expect (21:42) Your buyers have technical questions. Navu delivers reliable, accurate answers. (22:54) Why small purchase orders can create just as much work as larger ones, and how young shops should think about sustainable growth (25:18) How large purchase orders can become a cash flow problem if the shop is not prepared to fund materials, labor, and delivery (27:56) Why Kenny recommends asking for money up front, charging for NREs, and building deposits into quotes (30:50) How Kenny learned to identify the right customers, fire the wrong ones, and move toward better-fit work (34:32) Why strong systems are the backbone of a scalable shop and help turn a job into a real business (35:13) What Kenny is looking for as he searches for shops to acquire through Native Aerospace and Defense (39:10) Why you need to join us at IMTS 2026! (40:02) The challenge of buying shops that are still completely dependent on the owner (44:55) Why Kenny believes manufacturing needs to be positioned as a technology-driven career path for younger workers (46:50) How shop owners can support workforce development by engaging schools, offering internships, and speaking up about opportunity (48:49) Kenny explains why CMMC and IT decisions should start with a question about a shop's true core competency (51:00) Why Kenny believes shops should lean on experienced MSPs and major government cloud providers instead of trying to build everything themselves (54:43) Why MSPs need configurable CMMC solutions that actually fit small and midsize manufacturers (58:12) How to connect with Kenny and what types of shops he is interested in acquiring Resources & People Mentioned High end parts, high end capability, and high end capability with DN Solutions Your buyers have technical questions. Navu delivers reliable, accurate answers. Learn more at Navu.co/MakingChips Why you need to join us at IMTS 2026! Connect with Kenny Williams Native Aerospace and defense Kenny@NativeAeroDef.com Connect with Kenny on LinkedIn Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify | — | ||||||
| 6/3/26 | ![]() 119. From Empty Spindles to a $3M Vision: Ashley Parent's Shop Revival | When Ashley Parent first appeared on Machine Shop Mastery, Mills Machine Works was fighting for survival. After the unexpected loss of her father, who founded the company in 1995, Ashley and her siblings inherited not only a family business but also the challenge of keeping it alive. Almost overnight, the shop lost roughly half of its revenue as customers questioned whether the next generation could continue the highly specialized work that had defined the company for decades. What followed was a crash course in entrepreneurship, sales, finance, and leadership. Ashley had to learn how to generate new business, understand the numbers behind profitability, and reposition the company for a different market. Through relentless outreach, honest storytelling, and a willingness to ask for help, she slowly rebuilt customer confidence and created a path forward when the future seemed anything but certain. Then an unexpected opportunity arrived. A local shop owner who had followed Ashley's journey reached out about finding a home for his employees. What started as a simple conversation quickly evolved into the acquisition of an entire machine shop. The move expanded Mills Machine Works' capabilities, added new customers and employees, and accelerated the company's growth trajectory in a way Ashley never could have predicted. In this inspiring follow-up conversation, Ashley shares the realities of rebuilding a business after tragedy, navigating financial challenges, integrating an acquisition, and leading a growing team through change. She also offers hard-earned lessons on pricing, profitability, relationships, and why asking for help may be one of the most powerful business strategies a shop owner can embrace. The result is a remarkable turnaround story. From staring at empty spindles and uncertain prospects to pursuing a $3 million growth vision, Ashley's journey is a powerful reminder that resilience, adaptability, and community can transform even the toughest circumstances into opportunity. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Ashley Parent returns to share the next chapter of Mills Machine Works (3:00) Taking over the family business after her father's passing (5:45) Using LinkedIn, storytelling, and outreach to win new customers (8:18) Understanding pricing, quoting strategy, and profitable work (11:15) Why we created HireMFG Leaders (and why you should use it) (11:45) Reaching consistent breakeven after years of uncertainty (12:44) Navigating difficult conversations about the company's future (15:15) Acquiring a neighboring machine shop and expanding capabilities (19:26) Evaluating the acquisition and managing risk as a growing business (21:33) Structuring a seller-financed deal and gaining a new mentor (23:15) Integrating production work into a prototype-focused shop (24:33) Building leadership teams and teaching employees the business side (26:54) Why we trust SMW Autoblok when it comes to workholding (28:03) How sharing struggles publicly led to community support and opportunity (30:00) The five-year vision to grow Mills Machine Works to $3 million (32:49) Managing cash flow, inflation, and rising manufacturing costs (36:50) Learning financial management and the true cost of machining (37:58) Developing a leadership style built on empowerment and ownership (39:55) Communicating the acquisition and earning employee buy-in (42:30) Moving an entire machine shop in just four days (43:57) Get a free report of sales opportunities in your area from FacturMFG.com/chips (45:02) Why understanding your numbers is critical to survival and growth (48:03) The importance of asking for help and building relationships (50:34) Adapting to constant change in modern manufacturing Resources & People Mentioned Why we created HireMFG Leaders (and why you should use it) Why we trust SMW Autoblok when it comes to workholding Get a free report of sales opportunities in your area from FacturMFG.com/chips Connect with Ashley Parent Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn Mills Machine Works Follow on Instagram 50. From Tragedy to Rebirth with Ashley Parent from Mills Machine Works Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify | — | ||||||
| 5/27/26 | ![]() 118. From a Garage Bridgeport to 5-Axis Growth: CazTek's 22-Year Journey | When I sat down with Casimir Sienkiewicz (CAZ) from CazTek, I immediately connected with his story because it reminded me so much of the journeys so many shop owners go through. What started with a Bridgeport mill in a garage has evolved over the last 22 years into a growing engineering and precision machining company tackling everything from advanced prototypes to 5-axis machining, Swiss work, automation assemblies, and aerospace and medical projects. But what really stood out to me wasn't just the equipment or the growth. It was Casimir's mindset around creativity, problem-solving, and continuously evolving as a business owner. One of the themes throughout this conversation is how closely personal growth and business growth are tied together. Casimir talked openly about the realization that he had to stop trying to personally carry every responsibility inside the company if he wanted the business to scale. Like many entrepreneurs, he built the company through grit, technical skill, and sheer determination. But eventually, that approach created bottlenecks. Bringing in strong leaders, defining core values, implementing systems, and learning to trust his team became the next phase of growth for both him and the company. We also spent a lot of time talking about the intersection of engineering and manufacturing. CazTek isn't just a machine shop. Their team works through the entire product development lifecycle, from early concepts and mechanical engineering all the way through machining, assembly, testing, and production. That end-to-end visibility gives their employees a unique sense of purpose because they get to see how the products they design and manufacture actually impact the world, whether it's medical devices, aerospace hardware, or industrial systems. This episode is packed with lessons around scaling a manufacturing business, building the right culture, implementing systems like EOS, adopting new technology, and creating an organization that can grow sustainably. Casimir brings a thoughtful and honest perspective to the conversation, and I think listeners will really relate to the challenges, mistakes, and breakthroughs he shares along the way. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Introduction and the origins of CazTek's manufacturing journey (3:18) Overview of CazTek Engineering and CazTek Precision today (8:28) Learning manual machining, CNC setup, and programming at a young age (10:17) Landing in a manufacturing engineering technology program (11:36) Starting the business in a 400-square-foot garage with a Bridgeport mill (15:15) Hiring the first employee and moving out of the garage (16:58) Learn more about IMTS 2026 (and why you should join us) (17:51) Purchasing the first Haas VF-2 and launching the machine shop side (19:44) Expanding into 5-axis machining, turning, and Swiss machining (21:22) Balancing rapid prototyping work with outside contract machining (23:21) Growing through referrals, relationships, and word-of-mouth reputation (24:29) Building a true sales pipeline and moving beyond feast-or-famine growth (28:06) Recognizing personal limitations and bringing in experienced leaders to scale (29:56) Why we love SMW Autoblok workholding (30:39) Learning to trust others and let go of operational control (34:04) How systems and delegation unlocked the next stage of growth (36:54) Challenges of investing time and resources into organizational growth (38:11) Implementing EOS and building systems for accountability and growth (39:53) Hiring the right personalities and getting people in the right seats (41:08) Why we created Hire MFG Leaders (and why you should use it) (42:04) Coaching employees into roles that fit their strengths (46:25) Building scalable processes and implementing tools like ProShop and Paperless Parts (49:19) Current growth challenges, operational bottlenecks, and scaling in parallel (51:33) Defining CazTek's core values and attracting mission-driven employees (57:03) Thoughts on manufacturing growth, automation, and staying resilient through market shifts Resources & People Mentioned Why you need to join us at IMTS 2026 Why we love SMW Autoblok workholding The E-Myth Revisited Built to Sell EOS MN Precision Manufacturing Association Connect with Casimir Sienkiewicz CazTek CazTek Precision Connect on LinkedIn Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify | — | ||||||
| 5/20/26 | ![]() 117. 12,000 Work Orders a Year: Managing Growth with Systems That Work | From shadowboxing aerospace tool kits with a CO2 laser to running thousands of work orders annually across machining, sheet metal, and waterjet operations, Low Country Aerospace has grown by embracing systems, trust, and relentless customer focus. In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, Paul Van Metre sits down with founder Barry Russell to unpack the unconventional path that transformed a small support-services company into a fast-growing aerospace manufacturing operation. Barry shares how saying "yes" to customer needs opened entirely new business opportunities, even when he had little idea how to execute them at first. From buying his first laser and imaging machine to eventually investing in CNC machining centers and waterjets, the company's growth was fueled by relationships, adaptability, and a willingness to figure things out along the way. But as the business scaled, Barry learned that growth without systems can quickly become chaos. One of the most powerful themes in this conversation is leadership transformation. Barry opens up about the difficult process of letting go, trusting his leadership team, and shifting from working in the business to working on it. With guidance from a mentor, he learned to think more strategically, build incremental growth plans, and empower his team with autonomy instead of micromanagement. That mindset shift helped position the company to handle explosive growth while maintaining strong delivery performance and company culture. The episode also dives deep into operational realities that many shops face today: cash flow struggles, scaling labor, balancing overtime with flexibility, implementing second shifts, and managing staggering work order volume without sacrificing quality or delivery. Barry's transparency about near-insolvency during COVID, finding financial solutions through factoring, and navigating growth responsibly offers valuable lessons for shop owners at every stage. Whether you're running a small shop trying to land your next big customer or managing a growing operation struggling to scale sustainably, this episode delivers practical wisdom on leadership, systems, trust, and long-term growth strategy from someone living it every day. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Barry shares the philosophy: "Think big, stay small" (1:20) Paul introduces Barry Russell and the growth of Low Country Aerospace (3:14) Barry explains how aerospace relationships led to starting the business (5:40) Early growth came from saying yes to customer needs and learning on the fly (7:35) Entering machining, buying the first CNCs, and growing into aerospace parts production (9:48) Building trust with customers through honesty, relationships, and reliability (13:24) Get a free report of opportunities in your industry from FacturMFG.com/chips (14:30) COVID, slow-paying customers, and nearly running out of cash (16:13) How factoring and financial changes stabilized the company (20:26) Creating a flexible culture with strong retention and employee trust (24:28) Learn more about IMTS 2026 (and why you need to come see us there) (25:21) Learning to let go, trust the team, and stop micromanaging (27:17) A mentor helps Barry develop long-term planning and scalable systems (29:17) "Micro-dosing" growth through incremental, achievable goals (32:10) Why autonomy, accountability, and trust matter more than control (37:58) Check out the Hennig WorkFlow Automated Pallet Delivery System (38:48) Balancing sales growth with operational capacity and workload realities (42:42) Managing nearly 12,000 work orders annually while maintaining strong delivery performance (46:22) Why Low Country Aerospace processes material in-house using waterjets (48:39) Decoupling from daily operations while staying connected to the team (53:09) Barry's biggest lessons on relationships, humility, mentorship, and trusting people (55:53) Final advice for growing shops: build systems before scaling big Resources & People Mentioned Get a free report of opportunities in your industry from FacturMFG.com/chips Learn more about IMTS 2026 (and why you need to come see us there) Check out the Hennig WorkFlow Automated Pallet Delivery System Connect with Barry Russell Low Country Aerospace Barry@LowCountryAerospace.com Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify | — | ||||||
| 5/13/26 | ![]() 116. 80+ Years Strong: The Reinvention Playbook Behind Jergens' Growth | There are certain companies in manufacturing that are so woven into the fabric of the industry that you almost stop noticing just how influential they've been. That was my realization after sitting down with Matt Schron from Jergens. Like a lot of machinists, I've spent decades around Jergens products without fully appreciating just how deep their roots go, from workholding and lifting solutions to aerospace fasteners and even the origins of what eventually became Tooling U. What stood out most in this conversation was how intentional Jergens has been about reinvention. After more than 80 years in business, they haven't survived by protecting the status quo. They've evolved alongside manufacturing itself. Matt shares how the company started making airplane seat components during World War II, transitioned into supporting the growing job shop economy after the war, and has now come full circle by becoming deeply embedded in aerospace and defense manufacturing again. We also spent a lot of time talking about what growth actually requires behind the scenes. This episode dives into the operational discipline that comes with certifications like AS9100, not as a marketing checkbox, but as a framework for building a stronger company. Matt explains how implementing aerospace-level process control improved everything from material traceability to on-time delivery across the entire organization. It's a great reminder that the best systems don't just open doors to new business, they elevate the business itself. Another part of this conversation I really appreciated was the focus on people and culture. Matt shares how Jergens approaches workforce development in some incredibly thoughtful ways, including programs for special needs students and formerly incarcerated individuals looking for a second chance. Combined with their long-term commitment to EOS, accountability, and continuous reinvestment into the business, it paints a picture of a company that understands sustainable growth is ultimately about developing people as much as products. And of course, we couldn't help but geek out on workholding, machine tending, automation, and ways shops can squeeze more productivity out of the equipment they already own. Whether you're a small job shop owner or leading a much larger operation, there are practical lessons throughout this episode about reinvention, operational excellence, culture, and staying relevant in an industry that never stops changing. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) How AS9100 certification helped strengthen Jergens beyond aerospace work (1:18) Introduction to Matt Schron and the legacy of Jergens (3:25) Meeting through AMT and the value of manufacturing associations (4:57) The history of Jergens and its roots in World War II aerospace manufacturing (6:12) How Jergens evolved from workholding into aerospace and defense fasteners (9:00) We share more about SMW Autoblok's world-class workholding products (10:14) Reinventing a fourth-generation manufacturing business (12:28) Expanding into aerospace through customer demand and market opportunities (15:30) Using AS9100 to improve operations, quality, and traceability company-wide (17:36) The importance of leadership staying connected to the shop floor (18:34) Check out the Hennig WorkFlow automation pallet delivery solution (19:27) Jergens' "SOLVE" culture and the values driving the organization (23:55) Creative workforce development programs for special needs students and second-chance employees (27:46) How EOS helped create accountability and organizational alignment (38:17) Why Matt prefers the term "machine tending" over automation (39:23) Why you need to listen to the Lights Out podcast (39:51) Building workholding systems that make automation more accessible for shops (47:06) Why listening closely to customers drives the best product innovation (51:25) Advice for machine shops trying to grow and stand out in competitive markets Resources & People Mentioned SMW Autoblok's world-class workholding products Check out the Hennig WorkFlow automation pallet delivery solution Why you need to listen to the Lights Out podcast Connect with Matt Schron Connect with Matt on LinkedIn Jergens Jergens Lift-Check™ Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify | — | ||||||
| 5/6/26 | ![]() 115. Building a Valuable, High Performance Shop | When I sat down with Alex Mazerolle from Archer Precision, I thought I knew where the conversation was going. We were originally planning to talk about their ProShop journey and some of the operational improvements they've made along the way. What I didn't expect was to walk into a full-on masterclass in how to build a modern, high-performance machine shop. As Alex started sharing his perspective, it became clear pretty quickly that this wasn't just about software or systems. It was about vision. He's spent the last decade intentionally building a company that's transparent, disciplined, and designed to scale—what he calls a "glass box" instead of the traditional black box most shops operate in. What really stood out to me is how much of this comes down to mindset. Alex challenges a lot of the default thinking in our industry—the idea that the owner has to carry everything, that firefighting is just part of the job, or that growth naturally leads to chaos. Instead, he's built Archer around systems, clarity, and repeatability so the business doesn't depend on any one person, including himself. We also kept recording after the "official" episode ended, and honestly, that might be the most valuable part of the entire conversation. Alex opens up about the trap so many of us fall into as owners, what it takes to get out of it, and how he's thinking about building a team and a workforce for the future. If you're trying to build a shop that's not just busy, but truly valuable and sustainable, there's a lot in here worth paying attention to. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Why lack of clarity in work creates frustration—and how great shops eliminate it (3:21) Archer Precision overview and Alex's path from toolmaker to owner (9:49) The "black box" problem and the vision for a transparent "glass box" shop (12:43) Building (and abandoning) a custom ERP system the hard way (15:57) Discovering ProShop and shifting focus back to manufacturing (19:15) Check out the Hennig WorkFlow automated pallet delivery system (20:08) The process of implementing ProShop with Michael Collins (24:25) The wake-up call: realizing how little visibility existed inside the business (26:23) Transforming traceability, QA documentation, and customer communication (29:36) Simplifying certifications and audits through digital systems (34:20) ERP as the operating system for a scalable, high-performance shop (36:16) Why you need to come to IMTS 2026 in Chicago! (39:13) CJ Abraham's story of running a one-man shop with ProShop (42:16) How better systems reduce firefighting, stress, and improve culture (46:51) Standardizing processes to create consistency for customers and employees (51:20) Get a free report of sales opportunities in your area from Facturmfg.com/chips (52:25) Building a fully prepped shop floor with tooling, setups, and planning (56:33) Why doing the work upfront saves massive time downstream (57:44) Entering defense work and navigating CMMC requirements (1:02:43) Progress toward full transparency—and why it's worth the pain (1:10:39) The "superman owner" trap and why it eventually breaks (1:16:57) The cost of short-term heroics vs. long-term discipline (1:18:30) Solving the workforce gap with structured training and apprenticeships (1:20:53) Connecting education, career paths, and the future of manufacturing (1:27:01) A blueprint for building a valuable, enduring machine shop Resources & People Mentioned Check out the Hennig WorkFlow automated pallet delivery system Why you need to come to IMTS 2026 in Chicago! Get a free report of sales opportunities in your area from Facturmfg.com/chips BDC (Business Development Canada) The E-Myth Revisited CTMA Connect with Alex Mazerolle Connect with Alex Mazerolle on LinkedIn Archer Precision Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify | — | ||||||
| 4/29/26 | ![]() 114. Success at the Convergence of Workforce Development & Automation with Brian Kippen✨ | workforce developmentautomation+3 | Brian Kippen | KAD Models & Prototypes | — | automationworkforce development+5 | — | 1h 03m 13s | |
| 4/22/26 | ![]() 113. Inside a Defense Shop's Lights-Out Automation Build✨ | automationmachining+4 | Sven Klatt | Vineburg MachiningCNC+2 | — | automationhigh-mix machining+5 | — | 1h 06m 05s | |
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| 4/15/26 | ![]() 112. From Zero to $50 Million: The Incredible Growth Story of P1 Industries✨ | business growthmachine shop+3 | David DussaultJoel Lape | P1 IndustriesMachine Shop Mastery | powerdefense+1 | P1 Industriesmachine shop+3 | — | 1h 02m 21s | |
| 4/8/26 | ![]() 111. "Create Joy Through Kindness": A Radical Approach to Manufacturing Success✨ | manufacturing successleadership development+3 | Jean Pitzo | Ace Metal Crafts | — | manufacturingleadership+3 | — | 52m 34s | |
| 4/1/26 | ![]() 110. From Carbon Paper to Digitization: Standardizing Your Shop for Success with Skip Markley✨ | standardizationdigitization+4 | Skip Markley | Die Craft Machining & EngineeringCNC+1 | steel mill | carbon papermanual processes+5 | — | 1h 01m 51s | |
| 3/25/26 | ![]() 109. New Owner, New Energy, New Vision: Billy Banks of General Machine✨ | entrepreneurshipmanufacturing+4 | Billy Banks | General Machine | — | ownershipjob shop+5 | — | 1h 03m 21s | |
| 3/18/26 | ![]() 108. Massive Growth and CMMC Certification with Jessica from Bent River Machine✨ | business growthcybersecurity+4 | Jessica Eckman | Bent River MachineAmazon+3 | Arizona | machine shopCMMC certification+7 | — | 1h 04m 07s | |
| 3/11/26 | ![]() 107. How to Buy a Machine Shop Well: Nik and Aaron with Mahler Machining✨ | buying a machine shopentrepreneurship+3 | NikAaron | Mahler MachiningMachine Shop Mastery | VancouverBritish Columbia | machine shopacquisition+5 | — | 54m 42s | |
| 3/4/26 | ![]() 106. Building Craftsmen with Character with Dave Hataj from Edgerton Gear✨ | culture changeleadership+4 | Dave Hataj | Edgerton Gear | Wisconsin | leadershipmanufacturing+5 | — | 1h 04m 11s | |
| 2/25/26 | ![]() 105. Making Racecars and Chips: Going all in on machining with TKO Precision Machining✨ | machiningaerospace manufacturing+5 | Marty Moran | TKO Precision MachiningTKO Motorsports+2 | Reno, Nevada | racecarsmachining+8 | — | 58m 34s | |
| 2/18/26 | ![]() 104. Beyond Tool & Die: How Overton Industries Evolved and Thrives | What does it take to grow a third-generation family machine shop into a diversified, nearly 100-person operation pushing $20 million in revenue? In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I sit down with Zac Overton of Overton Industries to unpack the evolution of a business that started as a 900-square-foot carbide tooling shop in 1968 and grew into a multi-division manufacturing company spanning tool & die, contract CNC machining, high-speed stamping (300 million parts per year), and advanced tube forming automation systems. Zac shares how his grandfather's "lifestyle business" became something much bigger when the second generation stepped in unexpectedly and decided scale was the only path forward. We talk about diversification, leadership development, transparency with employees, workforce pipelines, and what it really takes to evolve from tool-and-die thinking into a continuous-improvement contract machining mindset. One of the most powerful takeaways is Zac's perspective on marketing. Overton has generated nearly $10 million in new business in the last five years directly attributable to strategic marketing investments. If you think marketing doesn't apply to manufacturing, this conversation might change your mind. This episode is a masterclass in multi-generational leadership, operational transition, and intentional growth. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:48) Overview of Overton Industries: tool & die, stamping, contract machining, and tube forming systems (4:55) The evolution of the tool & die business, carbide tooling, and high-speed stamping (8:22) It's time to gear up for IMTS 2026 — will you see us there? (10:13) Company size, revenue, and scaling toward $20M (10:56) How Zac's grandfather launched the business in 1968 (12:56) Taking a deep-dive into carbine compaction tooling (15:44) From lifestyle business to growth-focused enterprise (20:15) Zac's path into the business and why he had to earn his way in (25:31) Early sales lessons: curiosity, humility, and learning before selling (27:50) Why we love Phoenix Heat Treating for outside processing (30:01) Workforce development strategy and building long-term talent pipelines (34:37) Partnering with high schools, technical centers, and universities (37:34) Engaging younger students and creating early awareness of manufacturing careers (41:04) Financial transparency and communicating profitability to employees (44:45) Transitioning from tool & die thinking to contract machining optimization (49:08) Continuous improvement challenges and pushing cycle time efficiency (58:00) Growing leaders internally and creating upward career paths (1:03:35) Why marketing has driven over $10M in new business (1:07:38) Qualified hires chosen by industry experts: HireMFGLeaders.com (1:08:21) Brand positioning: shifting from "Everyman" to high-tech leader (1:10:47) Where to connect with Zac and learn more about Overton Industries Resources & People Mentioned It's time to gear up for IMTS 2026 — will you see us there? Why we love Phoenix Heat Treating for outside processing Qualified hires chosen by industry experts: HireMFGLeaders.com Connect with Zac OVerton Overton Industries Connect on LinkedIn Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify Audio Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK | — | ||||||
| 2/11/26 | ![]() 103. A Father's Legacy, a Daughter's Vision: Carrying a Family Machine Shop Forward | Taking over a family machine shop is never just a business decision. It's personal. In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I sit down with Nubia Perez of Gretna Machine Shop to talk about what it really means to carry a founder's legacy forward while finding the courage to lead in your own way. Nubia shares the origin story of Gretna Machine Shop, founded by her father after immigrating to the U.S. with little more than a suitcase and a trade. What began in a small garage evolved into a respected Houston-based precision machining company serving oil and gas, aerospace, and defense. But the journey wasn't linear, and it wasn't easy. After her father's health declined and he passed away shortly after Nubia joined the business, she was left to navigate leadership without the long runway many second-generation owners get. For nearly a decade, she focused on administration, growth initiatives, and diversification, without fully stepping into the role of CEO. Those years, which she candidly refers to as "the dark years," revealed a hard truth: the business didn't just need management, it needed vision. This conversation explores Nubia's transformation from reluctant successor to confident leader. We talk about imposter syndrome, EOS, values-based leadership, mindful manufacturing, and how culture changes when the stress comes from the work instead of the people. It's an honest, human story about growth, grief, responsibility, and learning to lead as yourself — not as a replica of the generation before you. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Why separating people from problems changes how teams handle stress (0:55) Introducing Nubia Perez and Gretna Machine Shop (3:01) A snapshot of Gretna today, including industries served and ownership structure (3:53) Gretna's founding and the early days in Houston (6:43) Nubia's career outside manufacturing and resisting the family business (7:51) Joining the shop, starting an MBA, and losing her father months later (10:43) Why you should check out the SMW Autoblok catalog (11:58) Growing up around the shop and parental expectations (13:36) Learning to love manufacturing and seeing the shop as a place of opportunity (17:27) The "dark years" after taking over without clear leadership or vision (18:26) Moving facilities and early efforts to professionalize the business (21:01) Realizing the business needed a true CEO, not just administrators (24:01) Stepping into leadership through observation, listening, and learning (25:47) How her father's health shaped Gretna's culture and focus on wellness (28:49) Mark your calendars and come see us at IMTS 2026! (29:45) Hiring, firing, and promoting based on values, not just performance (32:47) Diversifying beyond oil and gas into aerospace and defense (37:00) Using feedback loops to learn from both failures and wins (41:16) Lean thinking, operational waste, and continuous improvement in practice (44:07) Using EOS scorecards and Level 10 meetings to drive accountability (46:27) Turning metrics and root cause analysis into real action (48:42) How to get ProShop's guide to help you achieve on-time delivery (50:11) Workforce development challenges and investing in apprenticeships (54:03) Building culture through shared routines and leadership team trust (57:28) Embracing authentic leadership and letting go of imposter syndrome (1:03:46) How to connect with Gretna Machine Shop and Nubia Perez Resources & People Mentioned Capital IDEA Houston NTMA SMW Autoblok catalog IMTS 2026 ProShop's on-time delivery guide Connect with Nubia Perez Connect on LinkedIn Gretna Machine Shop Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify Audio Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK | — | ||||||
| 2/4/26 | ![]() 102. He Borrowed $1M to Save His Team: Gary Poesnecker with Spectrum Machine & Design | Some machine shop owners talk about people-first leadership. Few are willing to put everything on the line to prove it. In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I sit down with Gary Poesnecker, founder of Spectrum Machine & Design, whose leadership was tested when the world shut down. Faced with collapsing demand during COVID, Gary made a decision most owners wouldn't: he borrowed over $1 million to keep his team employed and protect the tribal knowledge inside his shop. That moment didn't happen in isolation. It was the result of decades of experience across precision grinding, machine rebuilding, offshore oil equipment, and ultimately high-risk aerospace manufacturing, where a single part can be worth hundreds of thousands — or even millions — of dollars. Gary shares how starting in a garage, working two full-time jobs, and getting fired shaped his views on culture, loyalty, and responsibility. We dig into the realities of AS9100, NADCAP, model-based definition, managing extreme risk, and why refusing high turnover has become a strategic advantage. This conversation is about what it really takes to build a high-stakes manufacturing business — and what it means to lead when the cost of failure is measured in both dollars and people. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Why culture, turnover, and tribal knowledge matter more than most shops admit (1:03) Introducing Gary Poesnecker and Spectrum Machine & Design (3:08) What Spectrum Machine & Design does today and why aerospace is different (6:28) Gary's early machining background and learning precision the hard way (8:07) Why you need to register and come see us at IMTS 2026! (10:08) Lessons from machine repair, offshore oil work, and complex systems (14:18) Working two full-time jobs to fund the shop and ease into ownership (15:46) Getting fired, witnessing bad culture, and deciding to lead differently (18:00) Hiring the first employee and committing to long-term loyalty (23:43) Transitioning from toolmaking into aerospace production work (27:36) COVID, lost demand, and the decision to pivot to survive (33:45) Check out Phoenix Heat Treating for outside processing (34:51) Borrowing over $1M to protect payroll and keep the team intact (36:34) Recruiting and training young talent through technical schools (42:25) Building a culture people choose to stay in (44:23) Implementing systems and ERP to gain visibility and control (47:36) Managing risk on extremely high-value aerospace parts (50:20) Current challenges around systems, lean, and process discipline (51:29) What makes shop ownership worth it despite the pressure (52:30) Advice for owners growing through complexity and specialization (53:25) Look to Hire MFG Leaders to make your next hire (55:17) Where to learn more about Spectrum Machine & Design Resources & People Mentioned Come see us at IMTS 2026! Check out Phoenix Heat Treating for outside processing ProShop ERP Look to Hire MFG Leaders to make your next hire Connect with Gary Poesnecker Connect on LinkedIn Spectrum Machine & Design Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify | — | ||||||
| 1/28/26 | ![]() 101. Extreme Specialization: The Strategy Behind a 123-Person Gear Company | Most machine shops grow by adding capabilities, chasing new markets, and saying "yes" as often as possible. Forest City Gear took the opposite path — and built a 123-person company by doing it. In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I sit down with Kika Young, President of Forest City Gear, to unpack how extreme specialization became the company's competitive advantage. Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, Forest City Gear made the intentional decision to focus almost exclusively on one thing: high-precision, loose gears. That focus reshaped everything — from who they sell to, to how they price work, to how they think about growth. Kika shares the personal and professional story behind that strategy, including the weight of leading a multi-generation family business, navigating serious health challenges within her family, and nearly selling the company before deciding to commit fully to its future. Along the way, she explains why walking away from entire industries was one of the best decisions they ever made. This conversation is a deep dive into focus as a growth strategy. It challenges the idea that more capability automatically means more opportunity, and instead makes the case that saying "no" — clearly and consistently — can be the most powerful move a shop owner makes. If you're wrestling with how to grow without losing control, margin, or identity, this episode offers a clear, real-world example of what disciplined specialization actually looks like. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Introducing Forest City Gear and the idea of extreme specialization (2:00) A snapshot of the company today, including team size and what they do — and don't do (4:58) The origins of Forest City Gear and how the business first got started (7:44) Getting a firsthand look at the quality of SMW Autoblok workholding (9:30) Growing from a garage operation into a long-standing precision manufacturer (12:21) Kika's path into the family business and early exposure to leadership (16:00) Stepping into leadership and taking responsibility for the company's direction (18:02) Exploring the decision to pursue a sale — and why it ultimately didn't happen (21:02) Where the business stands today in terms of growth, scale, and ownership (24:23) What makes precision gear manufacturing fundamentally different from general machining (27:30) The core drivers behind Forest City Gear's long-term growth (29:59) Why the company intentionally avoids automotive work (32:16) Mark your calendars and register for IMTS 2026 (33:06) Customer diversification and how end markets are chosen (34:51) How sales and marketing work in a highly specialized niche (37:40) Channels that actually drive demand for precision gears (41:03) Understanding the true competitive landscape (42:36) Advertising in specialty magazines (45:25) Core values and how they show up on the shop floor (48:46) Hiring and retention in a specialized manufacturing environment (51:44) ProShop can help you achieve on-time delivery (52:55) The biggest challenges facing the business today (55:01) Leadership transparency during difficult years (57:35) How organizational structure evolved as the company grew (1:03:29) Advice for shop owners considering specialization as a growth strategy (1:06:24) Where to learn more about Forest City Gear Resources & People Mentioned Check out the SMW Autoblok catalog Mark your calendars and register for IMTS 2026 Your guide to achieving on-time delivery with ProShop ERP MPT Expo Gear Technology Gear Solutions Connect with Kika Young Forest City Gear Connect on LinkedIn | — | ||||||
| 1/21/26 | ![]() 100. Collective Wisdom: Best Ideas from the First 99 Episodes of Machine Shop Mastery | Reaching 100 episodes is more than a milestone. It's a moment to step back and recognize what's been built together. In this special compilation episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I reflect on the most powerful ideas, lessons, and human stories that emerged from the first 99 conversations with shop owners and manufacturing leaders across the industry. When this podcast started, I thought we were chasing a simple question: what makes great shops great? What became clear over time is that we weren't really talking about machines or parts at all. We were talking about responsibility, sacrifice, leadership, and the human soul of the American economy. Over these episodes, we've heard from owners who sold their homes to save their businesses, leaders who risked everything to protect their teams, and families who carried legacies forward through loss and adversity. This episode brings together those lessons into a set of foundational pillars that show up again and again in successful shops. The power of process. The importance of culture and core values. The strategic advantage of planning. And the discipline required to build a business that doesn't rely entirely on its owner. These aren't theories. They're lived experiences shared by people who have felt the weight of ownership firsthand. You'll also hear moments of generosity, resilience, and community that rarely make it into business playbooks. Stories of competitors helping competitors, leaders choosing people over profit, and shop owners who understand that a rising tide truly lifts all boats. Together, these stories form something bigger than a highlight reel. They represent a body of collective wisdom. This episode isn't a finish line. It's a marker. A thank-you to the guests who trusted me with their stories, and to the listeners who show up every week to learn, reflect, and grow. Here are some of the best ideas from the first 99 episodes of Machine Shop Mastery. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Compelling question or topic, written to elicit curiosity (3:30) Scott Shortess: Process as the foundation of operational excellence (5:30) Dave Capkovitz: Trusting the process more than your gut (7:00) Why we created Hire MFG Leaders (7:25) Introducing Pillar #2: Culture and core values (8:19) Culture as something practiced daily, not written on a wall (9:35) Using values to guide hard people decisions (12:58) How culture, values, and people drive the success of a business (16:19) Why strong culture carries teams through adversity (16:53) Introducing Pillar #3: Planning as a strategic advantage (17:24) The cost of poor planning on the shop floor (21:19) Investing in planning and engineering to unlock throughput (23:49) "Sharpen the axe" thinking and why preparation pays off (25:39) Get a free custom report from Factur for real opportunities in your industry (26:43) Introducing Pillar #4: Building a business that doesn't depend on the owner (27:19) Running a shop as if it will one day be sold (29:58) Why many shops struggle with succession and exit readiness (32:08) Delegation, trust, and letting leaders emerge (40:15) Stories of sacrifice, resilience, and personal cost behind success (45:30) The human moments that drive manufacturing onward (50:11) Final reflections on leadership, legacy, and responsibility (51:36) Join us at the 2026 IMTS Exhibitor workshop Resources & People Mentioned 1. Process is King! Serving Clients Through Process Improvements with Scott Shortess 4. The Power of Investing in People - Lessons from Jamie Spitzer 9. Going All-In on Community Engagement and Workforce Development 15. A Masterclass In Machine Shop Ownership with Aneesa Muthana 19. Building a World-Class Shop with Brad Keselowski 22. Vision and Values-Based Leadership with Eric and John from KMM Group 28. How to Delegate Yourself Out of a Job with David Hannah 35. Steep Learning Curve of a Successful Machine Shop with Dave Capkovitz 39. Caring Your Way to Success with Kody Guidry 42. Making Precision Moves in Building a Highly Successful Machine Shop 58. How to Find, Buy, & Grow a Shop with Mike Fritz Get a free custom report from Factur for real opportunities in your industry Use Hire MFG Leaders for your next hire Join us at the 2026 IMTS Exhibitor workshop Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify Audio Production by - PODCAST FAST TRACK | — | ||||||
| 1/14/26 | ![]() 99. Love God, Love People, and Make Chips: The Visionary Leadership of Bill Cox | Some manufacturing businesses grow because of timing, technology, or market opportunity. Others endure because of values. In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I sit down with Bill Cox of Cox Manufacturing, a nearly 70-year-old family business whose legacy was forged through resilience, faith, and an unwavering commitment to people. Bill shares the remarkable origin story of Cox Manufacturing, which began with a single Swiss machine purchased at auction in the 1950s and grew into a high-volume precision operation shipping millions of parts each week. Along the way, the company played a quiet but critical role in some of the most important moments in American history, including supplying components for the Apollo space program. The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as Bill recounts losing his father at just 12 years old and being thrust into the business at an age when most kids are just learning multiplication. With guidance from his mother, Bill learned to read financial statements, understand inventory, and appreciate the connection between productivity, profitability, and people. We also explore the darker chapters of the journey: customer concentration, outsourcing, bankruptcies, negative net worth, and hitting personal and professional rock bottom. Bill speaks candidly about how faith reshaped his leadership, ultimately becoming the foundation for the company's purpose: love God, love people, and advance American manufacturing. This episode is a masterclass in long-term leadership, operational discipline, and values-driven growth. Whether you're a first-generation owner or stewarding a multi-generation legacy, Bill's story is a powerful reminder that the most enduring businesses are built on more than machines. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:49) Bill Cox and the humble beginnings of Cox Manufacturing Co. (3:03) A snapshot of Cox Manufacturing Co. as it stands today (4:27) Cox Manufacturing's origin story and growth (11:06) Unlock real sales opportunities in your market with Factur (13:06) What fueled early growth and whether it was truly linear (15:04) Bill recounts losing his father and his decision to carry the business forward (17:34) Learning inventory, P&Ls, and why monthly WIP matters (18:58) Growing up in the shop and starting hands-on work at age 14 (23:07) Choosing engineering education while planning to return to the business (25:11) Early investments in multi-spindle machines and scaling for volume (27:48) Losing major customers to outsourcing and surviving the oil downturn (29:18) Hitting financial rock bottom and selling a personal home to save the business (30:00) Faith, humility, and a leadership reset during the hardest years (31:02) A pivotal CNC investment that unlocked new capabilities (32:04) Why you need to come to the 2026 IMTS Exhibitor Workshop (34:09) Finding success with sales representatives and internet marketing (41:12) The evolving challenge of hiring and developing skilled machinists (42:13) Launching a registered apprenticeship program and internal training systems (43:11) Using personality profiling to place people in the right roles (45:25) Tracking value-added labor and understanding true profitability (50:55 Transparency, open-book management, and department-level accountability (52:46) Bill shares the company's purpose: love God, love people, and advance manufacturing (54:40) Advice for shop owners: don't be an island, seek peers and community (56:48) Where to learn more about Cox Manufacturing and explore shop tours (57:22) Why you need to listen to the Lights Out podcast Resources & People Mentioned Get a free custom report from Factur: Unlock Real Sales Opportunities in Your Market Register for the 2026 IMTS Exhibitor Workshop The Culture Index The Predictive Index Connect with Bill Cox Connect on LinkedIn Cox Manufacturing Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify Audio Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK | — | ||||||
| 1/7/26 | ![]() 98. Behind the Scenes of a Top Shop with Jayme Rahz | What does a truly dialed-in machine shop look like behind the scenes? In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I sit down with Jayme Rahz of Midway Swiss Turn, one of the most intentional and well-run shops I've come across. I met Jayme at the Top Shops Conference, where Midway Swiss Turn was recognized for Shop Floor Best Practices, and after this conversation, it's easy to see why. Jayme shares the full origin story of the business, which started in a garage with her father-in-law and grew into a highly automated Swiss-focused operation in Ohio. Over more than two decades, the shop has evolved from manual machining and tool and die work into a diversified, precision manufacturing business serving a wide range of industries, from aerospace and defense to oil and gas and medical. We dig deep into the decisions that shaped that evolution, including early investments in Swiss machining, hard-earned lessons from customer bankruptcies, and how risk, technology, and relationships intersect in long-term growth. Jayme offers a candid look at what it really takes to adopt new technology, build a resilient customer mix, and make automation work in a small shop environment. This conversation also explores culture, transparency, and leadership. From flexible schedules and people-first policies to data-driven quoting, machine monitoring, and ERP systems, Jayme explains how Midway Swiss Turn balances efficiency with trust. If you want an honest, behind-the-scenes look at how a Top Shop actually operates day to day, this episode is packed with practical insight. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Introduction to Jayme Rahz and why Midway Swiss Turn earned Top Shops recognition (2:41) The family origins of the business and starting in a garage (4:40) Diversification across industries and why it's a risk-management strategy, not a nice-to-have (10:23) A snapshot of the team and how roles like sales actually function in a small shop (11:05) Early hard lessons from the tool-and-die era and what forced them to adapt (15:53) Quality expectations, inspection discipline, and brand protection (16:56) The reasoning behind rebranding around Swiss turning is explained (18:35) Building a family-oriented culture, recruiting philosophy, and workforce development (22:41) Automation is discussed as a long-term stability play, not just efficiency (25:06) Systems that support automation, visibility, and decision-making are outlined (26:14) Harmoni machine monitoring and its impact on daily operations (28:35) How leadership communicates transparently during uncertainty (31:42) Unlock Real Sales Opportunities in Your Market with Factur (33:35) Margin discipline, quoting accuracy, and protecting profitability (39:32) Why hiring a machinist-turned-salesperson made sense (45:54) Managing growth and balancing it on the floor (47:19) How decisions are made around when automation actually makes sense (51:07) Jayme's advice for taking the leap and embracing automation (54:12) Making the move from a garage to 10,000 square feet (58:10) How do you ensure longevity and success (1:00:28) Where to connect with Jayme and learn more about Midway Swiss Turn (1:01:53) Why we love SMW Autoblok for workholding Resources & People Mentioned Come see us at the 2026 IMTS Exhibitor Workshop Get a free custom report from Factur: Unlock Real Sales Opportunities in Your Market Why we love SMW Autoblok for workholding Harmoni Paperless Parts Mastercam Connect with Jayme Rahz MidwaySwissTurn.com Connect with Jayme on LinkedIn Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify Audio Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK | — | ||||||
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