Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders

A lot has changed since the last time we pulled up chairs around the Boring Bar. For our fourth edition, eight manufacturing leaders joined us in the MakingChips studio ahead of the IMTS pre-party to talk about where the industry is headed and, after a couple pours, where they think it should be headed. AI takes over the conversation early. How fast is it really moving into manufacturing? What happens when it can quote jobs, write code, capture tribal knowledge, or help program a part? Where does the human still matter? And are we actually prepared for the power, infrastructure, workforce, and even educational questions that come with all of it? Then we turn the question back on ourselves. If you were starting a machine shop in 2026, knowing everything we know now, would you build it the same way? What would you invest in first? What kind of equipment would you buy? How would you think about automation, people, capacity, specialization, cash flow, and the growing list of incentives available to manufacturers? Along the way, we get into what's driving demand right now, why data centers suddenly matter to machine shops, what manufacturers should be watching at IMTS, and whether the next generation of shops will look anything like the ones we grew up around. As usual at the Boring Bar, there are strong opinions, questionable jokes, bourbon, gin, and a few detours we definitely didn't plan. Pull up a chair. What's Covered in this Episode (0:00) The fourth edition of the Boring Bar, back in the MakingChips studio + introductions (5:43) IMTS 2026 registration is running ahead of 2018, the largest show on record (6:36) The IMTS pre-party, the rally car, and what the night is really for (7:44) What's changed for everyone since the last Boring Bar (9:27) Data centers: Are they the engine behind this year's growth? (12:43) The 37 minute AI prompt that produced a consultant grade report (13:30) Hallucinations, beach reads that did not exist, and why you verify (18:39) Training on AI, where it's going, and why everyone needs to embrace it (25:33) The stage zero most shops skip: Security, then application (26:48) How quoting has been compressed from days to minutes (28:19) The IMTS Industrial AI Conference and the Industrial AI Arena (29:28) The IMTS Job Shops Workshop and the AI for the job shop session (30:36) ProShop goes AI first, plus native machine monitoring, AI quoting, and Chip (33:21) Programming a part with AI after 30 years away from it (37:00) Capturing tribal knowledge so each job teaches the next (42:21) The machine tool giveaway with DN Solutions + Kennametal (42:38) The big question: how would you start a machine shop today (47:49) Invest in infrastructure first (digital and physical) (55:25) What will be your guiding metrics? Availability, performance, and quality (57:34) Run the shop lights out yourself, then replicate yourself with each hire (1:04:05) Three business skills for a new shop: cash, capacity, and credits (1:06:15) $3,500 per apprentice, plus the tax tools that arrived in July of 2025 (1:09:20) The Lights Out guest with a fab shop, a water plant, and a coal mine (1:15:32) The comp sci grad who chose trade school over a job AI could take (1:22:12) Generation CNC: teenagers buying their first machines (1:23:34) Math as a barrier, and why we should not exclude kids (1:26:48) The importance of Oscar Mike and Manufacturing Pathways (1:28:45) Machine giveaway: DN Solutions, Kennametal, SMW Autblok, and Martin Trunnion Tables Resources Mentioned IMTS 2026 IMTS Industrial AI Conference IMTS Student Summit DN Solutions Kennametal ProShop ERP SMW Autoblok Hennig CLA AMT The $3,500 Apprenticeship Incentive Oscar Mike Foundation Manufacturing Pathways Consortium Connect with Our Guests Connect with Larry on LinkedIn Connect with Bonnie and MC Connect with Jennifer Connect with Mike Connect with MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Six jobs waiting on a first article means six spindles sitting still. That is the math Mike lives with at Hill, running around 58 jobs a day where nearly every one needs an internal or external first article before parts can ship. When inspection becomes the constraint, good parts pile up behind paperwork, and paperwork does not make chips. This week we sat down with Mehul Shah, co-founder of Ground Control, a company building what he calls mission critical software for highly regulated manufacturing. His thesis is simple. Aerospace, defense, medical, and semiconductor shops are drowning in Excel and pen-and-paper workflows, not because the people are behind the times, but because software was never really built for the shop floor or for the weight of ITAR, DFARS, and CMMC. Ground Control started with one hairy, everyday problem: first article inspection reports. We get into how their software reads decades-old, hand-drawn prints that trip up ordinary OCR, balloons the drawing, fills out the AS9102, and pushes clean data straight into ProShop with a single click. It is the kind of automation that turns a shop's worst bottleneck into a task almost anyone on the team can run. We also talk about why now is the moment for this, from reshoring and record defense budgets to the labor math that says we cannot hire our way through the coming surge. Mehul shares how a 15-person team just earned FedRAMP certification, why AI lets them do the work of a company twice their size, and what their new contract review product does to catch a buyer's price change buried in a six-figure PO before it becomes a costly mistake. If your inspectors are your constraint and your smartest people are stuck on manual data entry, this one is for you. What's Covered in this Episode (1:02) Meet Mehul Shah, co-founder of Ground Control: Why Mehul chose manufacturing (5:20) Why manufacturing runs on Excel, and the real reason software never fit the shop floor (6:04) ITAR, DFARS, CMMC, CUI, and the infrastructure tax on regulated software (9:07) Mission critical software and the three tests Ground Control uses to pick a workflow (10:43) Invest in yourself first with ProShop ERP (12:19) Finding the wedge, and why first article inspection was the obvious first product (13:49) How first article really works at Hill, and why it becomes the daily bottleneck (15:53) Why the FAI is critical, process verification before you can ship and collect (16:35) Why now, defense budgets, the SpaceX IPO, the space race, and reshoring (18:29) LLMs let manufacturers build in-house, and when it still makes sense to buy (19:30) Build on standards and a solid data heartbeat, then augment with AI (21:07) A rocket ship, 200-plus customers in two years, including five public companies (22:18) Growing into demand and the hard part of turning down the wrong work (23:39) The seven habits of highly effective work holding with SMW Autoblok (24:22) Avoiding the solution looking for a problem, and how the idea took shape (25:53) Building GroundControl from the ground up and becoming compliant (28:07) The importance of trade shows and building in-person relationships (31:55) The story behind the name Ground Control (and a nod to Major Tom) (35:20) Turn AI buzzwords into outcomes at the IMTS Industrial AI Conference (36:06) Developing out the GroundControl software and finding their MVP (39:32) The ProShop integration: One click from ballooning to master process control (42:39) AI will not replace you, but the person using AI might (46:30) Introducing contract review and catching PO errors (49:37) The visitor check-in system (ITAR sign-in without the 20-year-old paper pad) (52:16) What Mehul is most excited about, FedRAMP, and the road to IMTS Resources Mentioned Ground Control ProShop ERP SMW Autoblok IMTS Industrial AI Conference Connect with Mehul Shah Connect with Mehul on LinkedIn GroundControl Connect with MakingChips Website On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Every shop owner knows the workforce problem by heart. The trades got denigrated, tech ed programs got gutted, and a whole generation of kids never found out that a manufacturing career was even an option. We have all heard that speech a hundred times. What we rarely hear is a practical, repeatable way to actually fix it. In this GenCNC series episode, we sit down with two people who built one. Dave Hataj is the second-generation owner of Edgerton Gear and the founder of Craftsman with Character, a semester-long program that pairs job shadowing with a character and worldview curriculum. Courtney Silver runs Ketchie in North Carolina, where she and her husband Andy took Dave's curriculum and launched their own version, Opportunity Knocks. The through line is simple. Kids are starving for two things, purpose and community, and the shop floor is one of the best places on earth to give them both. Dave shares how a 2014 experiment with ten students grew into a Navy-funded program running across multiple states. Courtney shows why it is far less of a lift than you would think, roughly two hours a week for fourteen weeks with a handful of students. We also get into the payoff owners do not expect. Reverse mentoring from young employees, a culture where machinists suddenly want to be on camera, productivity that climbs year over year, and stories like Miguel, a first-generation immigrant who fell in love with the trade, worked six to ten in the morning before school, and just bought his first home. If you have ever done a plant tour for a school and wondered whether it actually mattered, this one reframes the whole thing. As Dave puts it, we make gears as a vehicle to invest in people. What's Covered in this Episode (2:48) Dave on the origins of Craftsman with Character as a second-generation owner of Edgerton Gear (7:02) The Navy's two million dollar, three-year contract to take the program national (8:30) Inside the Craftsman Code, from I'm not the center of the universe to the world needs me (10:30) Why you need to head to Kennametal's booth at IMTS (11:37) Courtney on discovering Dave's work during COVID and launching Opportunity Knocks (15:25) Why it's not a big lift: twenty team members, six students, two hours a week (17:11) Continuous improvement: field trips, supply chain tours, and a Mastercam capstone part (23:31) Reverse mentoring and the young energy that re-energizes the team (24:40) Twelve years of rising productivity from more engaged, purpose-driven employees (26:17) The DN Solutions install video shot by interns (and a new content culture) (29:26) Breakfast, gratitude, and the lesson on showing up on time (30:30) Turn website visitors into buyers with Navu's AI chat (31:42) Learn more about Miguel, a first-generation immigrant who fell in love with the trade (34:10) Break room culture and crews that stick around after shift (37:01) From feeling less than to finding a joyful place to belong (39:16) The mindset flip: we make gears as a vehicle to invest in people (40:07) Get in the room: the Job Shops Workshop and reception at IMTS (40:58) Miguel buying his first home, and the ripple effect on a community (42:56) How to start, facilitator and mentor training, plus a track for shops without a school partner (45:00) Manufacturers as an army that can heal society by being the hero for one kid (48:52) Practical encouragement to start now Resources Mentioned Craftsman with Character Edgerton Gear Ketchie The Craftsman Code by Dave Hataj Machine Shop Mastery, Episode 106 with Dave Hataj Kennametal Navu IMTS Oscar Mike Foundation Connect with Dave Hataj & Courtney Silver Dave Hataj, Edgerton Gear Craftsman with Character Courtney Silver, Ketchie Connect with MakingChips Website On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

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 her boyfriend through tooling recommendations (22:55) Paperless Parts uses secure AI to take busy work off your estimators (24:07) The influence of Melissa's father and the family dynamic behind the business (26:24) Why Melissa's dad originally brought machining in-house (29:53) How social media unexpectedly transformed into a business opportunity (32:53) Why you should listen to the Lights Out Podcast (33:20) Melissa explains why she's moving into the shop to focus fully on growth (37:07) Melissa reveals her vision for a women-focused manufacturing meetup and mentorship space (38:42) Advice for young people entering manufacturing and entrepreneurship (39:43) Where to connect with Melissa Ramos and M95 Machining online Resources mentioned on this episode 12. Inspiring a New Generation of Female (and Male) Machinists Learn more about IMTS 2026 (and why you should join us) Paperless Parts uses secure AI to take busy work off your estimators [email protected] Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn M95 Machining on YouTube M95 Machining on Instagram Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

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 global dependency challenges (45:30) The looming impact of CMMC compliance on the majority of machine shops (48:50) Practical call to action: be specific, propose solutions, and leverage trade organizations (57:47) Can local MEPs help fund a small shop's CMMC certifications? (59:51) Get a free report of sales opportunities in your area at FacturMFG.com/chips (1:00:55) How Vantive is turning supply chain uncertainty into actionable data Resources mentioned on this episode Connect with Brennan Grignon and Vantive (and come see her at IMTS) Jason Ray and Paperless Parts Why AI Isn't the Answer for Quoting: The Risks of Using ChatGPT in Manufacturing How to Fix Your Quoting Process Before it Kills Your Shop You need to come join us at IMTS 2026, September 14th-19th! Check out the Hennig WorkFlow: a 40-pallet automation system Cybersecurity Requirements for DoD Contractors: A Deep Dive into CMMC with Jacob Horne Trade organizations: NTMA, NDIA, & AMT Oklahoma's MEP Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

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 SMW Autoblok offers world-class workholding products Paperless Parts: The Speed of AI without the risk Westfield Technical Academy [email protected] Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

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 young founders: "turn it up to 11" Resources mentioned on this episode NYC CNC/John Saunders John Grimsmo Head to DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits event: DN-Solutions.com Paperless Parts: What is your ideal part profile? Why we love SMW Autoblok for workholding Hire MFG Leaders Why you need to come see us at IMTS 2026 Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

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 (1:03:05) Where to find Three Rivers Precision Resources mentioned on this episode SBDC CDFI Factur can help you build a more consistent pipeline: FacturMFG.com/chips Paperless Parts and secure AI-powered quoting for manufacturers SMW Autoblok and the seven habits of highly effective workholding ThreeRiversPrecision.com Connect on LinkedIn [email protected] Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube