The Job Shop Show

Steve and Tammy of Baillie Fabricating & Welding join us on today's episode. Together they have been running a 10-person full-service job shop for over 30 years. They discuss how they divide responsibilities (Steve leading operations and production, Tammy handling accounting, HR, and risk), how they set boundaries to avoid bringing work conflict home, and how to resolve disagreements by stepping away and seeking outside mentoring. Steve shares why he left a trucking fabrication career to start the business, a leap of faith buying their first laser to compete in thin-gauge work, and a painful lesson from investing in robotic welding while relying too heavily on one customer. They also cover credit policies and collections practices, hiring for character over skill, Tammy’s lesson about switching from a large payroll vendor to a local provider, and Steve’s move from job shop work into manufacturing by developing a durable stainless bracket and guards to combat fuel-dispenser break-ins and organized fuel theft. To learn more, visit the Baillie Fabricating & Welding website here: https://www.bailliefab.com/

In this inspiring episode of The Job Shop Show, we welcome back Tamea Franco, CEO of Global Metal Finishing, to share her remarkable journey of resilience, leadership, and transformation since the pandemic. Tamea dives into the hard decisions that reshaped her team, the tech innovations modernizing her shop—from sensors and AI to value stream mapping—and her vision for a smarter, more people-centric future in metal finishing. It's a candid and energizing conversation full of insights for job shop owners navigating growth and change.

In this special edition of the Job Shop Show, we hit the floor at the 2025 Paperless Parts Power User Conference, where over 250 of the nation’s most forward-thinking shop owners gathered. We asked attendees three big questions—from their outlook on 2025 to where they'd invest $500K—and captured their candid, insightful responses. Tune in for a pulse on the industry's priorities and predictions straight from the shop floor.

Join us as we talk with Brandon Morrell of KCSP Machine, who shares his journey from a career in archaeology, to digital marketing, to now owning a machine shop outside Kansas City. Brandon discusses how he acquired the business, built a strong shop culture, and leverages branding and digital marketing to drive new customer growth and sales. Learn more: https://www.kcspmachine.com/

This episode discusses the emerging integration of humanoid robots in medium-scale manufacturing, highlighting their increasing accuracy, decreasing costs, and potential to enhance rather than replace human workers. By 2030, experts predict these robots will be as common in manufacturing as computers are today, offering smaller shops the opportunity to boost productivity and efficiency by augmenting their workforce with robotic teammates.

In this episode, we talk with Cres Ferrell of ReNEW Manufacturing Solutions about his journey from learning business on the job to acquiring and revitalizing machine and fabrication shops. Cres shares insights on sales strategy, automation, and the future of American manufacturing—offering valuable advice for shop owners looking to grow, innovate, or plan their next move. Visit www.renewmfgsol.com to learn more.

In this episode we discuss "The Fabricator" article by Caleb Chamberlain, "The Economics of Speed in Metal Fabrication which examines a fabrication company that transformed its business model by prioritizing speed, moving from charging rush fees to offering faster default production times. By investing in technology, scaling efficiently, and challenging their own profitable practices, they discovered that faster service can attract more customers and potentially reshape the manufacturing industry's approach to lead times.

​In Episode 14 of The Job Shop Show Express, Jay discusses a recent Fortune article detailing Elon Musk's ambitious plans for Tesla and its humanoid robot, Optimus. The episode explores how these developments could revolutionize manufacturing and impact job shops in the future.​

Our focus is on Canadian manufacturing business acquisitions. This episode explores strategies and considerations for acquiring manufacturing businesses in Canada, offering insights into the unique challenges and opportunities within this market.

Estimating custom parts efficiently comes down to answering four key questions about manufacturability, materials, process steps, and costs. In this episode, we break down how automation is transforming the quoting process to save time and improve accuracy.

Apple's supply chain is evolving as it shifts some MacBook production from China to Vietnam. In this episode, we explore the impact of this move on global manufacturing and what it signals for the future of tech supply chains.

Attracting and retaining Gen Z workers in manufacturing requires a fresh approach—emphasizing purpose, technology, and career growth. In this episode, we explore strategies to engage the next generation and build a strong workforce for the future.

In this episode, we explore the enduring partnership between Valco Valley Tool & Die, Inc. and the National Tooling & Machining Association (NTMA), spanning over five decades. Discover how this multi-generational collaboration has fostered growth, innovation, and a thriving manufacturing community in Cleveland.