Manufacturing is challenging, but if you are connected to a community of leaders, you can elevate your skills, solve your problems and grow your business! MakingChips was launched in 2014 to equip and inspire the metalworking nation. Hundreds of episodes and a million downloads later, it’s an industry-leading source of information, inspiration, and entertainment for manufacturing leaders of all types. It’s hosted by Jason Zenger and Nick Goellner, two multi-generational manufacturing leaders ...
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A series of one-to-one interviews with leaders of some of Europe’s best known industrial and technology companies. We ask these CEOs and Chairs about their early lives, careers, experiences and leadership lessons. We talk about the challenges of the sectors they are working in, the opportunities they see on the horizon and gauge their views on some of the burning topics of our time.
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At The Boring Bar 1-3, (Jason Zenger, Nick Goellner, Mike Payne, Paul Van Metre, Peter Eelman, Nicole Wolter, Chris Luecke, and Manny Pasillas) 425
34:50
In the final segment of the first edition of At The Boring Bar, our expert panel of guests return to dive into the future of manufacturing and why manufacturing leaders need to embrace technology. They discuss the application of 3D printing and additive manufacturing and how they can be used to attract the next generation. Jason Zenger, Nick Goelln…
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At the Boring Bar 1-2 (Jason Zenger, Nick Goellner, Mike Payne, Paul Van Metre, Peter Eelman, Nicole Wolter, Chris Luecke, and Manny Pasillas)
40:50
How do you grow a machine shop through acquisitions? What is it like working in a legacy family business? How do you find and hire talented engineers? Where does AI fit into the daily grind? These are all questions that this team of industry experts and friends seek to answer over a glass of bourbon At the Boring Bar. Jason Zenger, Nick Goellner, M…
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At the Boring Bar 1-1 (Jason Zenger, Nick Goellner, Mike Payne, Paul Van Metre, Peter Eelman, Nicole Wolter, Chris Luecke, and Manny Pasillas)
44:19
Some of the greatest ideas in manufacturing don’t happen in boardrooms but over a drink with peers. In At the Boring Bar, Jason aims to cut deeper into the conversations that matter most to manufacturing leaders. So pull up a chair, grab a drink, and join Jason as he uncovers the insights that drive the manufacturing industry forward. In this inaug…
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“Inspiring the extraordinary” is the theme for this year’s IMTS and that’s exactly what they’re doing. The Emerging Technology Center will showcase extraordinary advances in technology (including an exhibit by BlueForge Alliance and Apptronik's AI-Powered General Purpose Humanoid Robot). They’re offering specific ELEVATE programs for job shops, wom…
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Maintenance is something that’s essential to protect the longevity of your machines but rarely something regularly implemented in shops. It’s often a huge and costly mistake. Don’t know where to start? In this episode, Manny Pasillas—a machine tool maintenance expert and the Founder and VP of Business Development for Tech CNCs—shares a simple yet e…
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What do you need to know before you launch automation in your shop? What would be signs that you’re not ready to automate? If you’re launching the process, how can you use your ERP/MRP to the fullest? Even the smallest mistakes—like not having a process in place to deal with the chips your machines are creating while running lights out—can be costl…
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Here’s our controversial take: We believe that “automated” is more important than “operated”. It’s a stance that scares a lot of operators—but it shouldn’t. In this episode of MakingChips, Mike Payne and Kaleb Mertz return to dive into part loading and pallet loading, a mixed vs fixed mindset, and why predictive is better than reactive. We’ll conne…
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Machine monitoring can give us insights into our machines that can and should change how we’re operating. The end goal is to drive better business results. But how should monitoring be paired with advanced business strategies to help you achieve those results? Mike Payne, Kaleb Mertz and I connect the dots in this episode of MakingChips. Because if…
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What if your life has little distinction between work and play? What if you’re so passionate about what you do that the time you spend on it is inconsequential? We began to explore the idea of work-life integration in part 1 of this series. In part 2, we dive into the creative ways we integrate our work and personal lives so that we can be fully pr…
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In April of this year, former Italian Prime Minister and current President of the Jacques Delors Institute, Enrico Letta released his much awaited report "Much more than a Market". It was the result of nearly a year's work - involving over 400 meetings with stakeholders across Europe - and received a lot of media coverage and attention from anyone …
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Work-life balance. It’s a phrase that’s often thrown around. Many of us struggle feeling like we’ll never achieve some sort of balance. Work usually fills a greater space than we think it should. But what if that’s okay? Everyone’s heard the adage, “Find something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” What if you love your work? What …
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MakingSparks: Using LinkedIn to Drive Leads for Your Manufacturing Business with Preston Hadley, 415
37:24
There are over 1 billion users on LinkedIn worldwide, 200 million of which are in the United States. Manufacturing is one of the largest industry segments represented on LinkedIn. Interestingly, LinkedIn is rewarding people who create content and share it on their platform. Why? It’s simple—they need more content. It’s time for manufacturing and fa…
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What’s keeping you up at night? What are you excited about? It’s important to reflect on the good, the bad, and the ugly. Why? First and foremost, to learn from our mistakes. But secondly, to embrace gratitude. Even despite challenges and setbacks, there’s always room for gratefulness and thankfulness. So in this episode of MakingSparks, Casey and …
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Gamification. Gamification is a highly successful strategy in the world of marketing. It’s used all the time to enhance engagement in children’s education. How can we apply gamification concepts to manufacturing education? Mike Payne, Paul Van Metre, Gabe Kooyers, and Chris Townsend joined me in this discussion and nailed down some incredible ways …
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How do we train the next generation of manufacturing leaders so employers are ready to hire them immediately? Do students still need to learn manual machinery? Or do employers only want skilled CNC machinists? These are just a few questions we dissect in this conversation with special guest and long-term educator Gabe Kooyers. Because if we’re not …
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Did you know that only about 6% of welders are women? Women bring a much-needed perspective and expertise to the table. So how do we get more women in welding? NIX has actively been trying to recruit, hire, and retain more women. In this episode of MakingSparks, we sit down with Tori Guzman and Aubree Beyer to hear what they think we can do—or cont…
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Where is the United States with reshoring initiatives? Do we still have huge vulnerabilities in our supply chain(s) that need to be addressed? If we continue to reshore manufacturing, will companies remain competitive? Reshoring impacts supply chains. Reshoring brings more jobs and opportunities to the US. These are all valid questions that are pla…
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Leonhard Birnbaum grew up in the industrial town of Ludwigshafen, Germany surrounded by industry. Later, after studying chemical engineering at university, he started his career in consulting, gradually gravitating towards the energy sector, first at RWE, then at E.ON. As the CEO of E.ON since 2021, he is leading one of Europe’s largest operators o…
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Can small shops begin to automate their processes? Where do they start with automation? In this episode of MakingChips, the CNC Samurai, Steve Courchane, returns to share his passion for automation. He lays out his 3M process and how it changes the way you view automation. Because if you’re not modeling, making, or measuring—you’re not MakingChips.…
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Whether you’re a small business or a growing enterprise, you need to seek out new customers and build relationships with them while pushing them through your sales pipeline. The reality is that you have to make more sales to grow your business. You need a way to track and measure your progress with potential customers (and current key accounts). In…
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MakingSparks: Why Numbers are Important for Your Manufacturing Business | Mike Payne Part 2, 407
41:04
You need to know the “numbers” in your business. Every business owner needs to know that they’re making enough to pay their employees, make and deliver their products, and grow the business. That’s just good business. Non-financial metrics are important, too. A successful business has to focus on quality, safety, customer service, on-time delivery,…
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Mike Payne has spent the last 20+ years deeply entrenched in the M&A process with dozens of companies throughout Oklahoma. Early in his career, he realized he loved the world of manufacturing. He also learned that he enjoyed operating a business. He was just waiting for the right opportunity to unfold. Then it happened: Six years ago, Mike was able…
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Are you the type of manufacturing leader who prefers to do everything yourself? You learn and innovate as you go, right? We’ve learned from experience: There is an art and a science to recruiting. I’ve muddled through using LinkedIn Recruiter to make some hires. And while it’s a great tool, it can only do so much. So in this episode of MakingChips,…
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My shop has been restoring a 1959 Ford F10. When we decided to recreate a digital dash for the truck, we decided to ask the LinkedIn world for help. That’s when I met Ira Laughy with rapid3D. Rapid3D exists to solve complex measurement challenges to empower confident decision-making. We scanned the space and current dash and Ira and his team helped…
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During his engineering studies at Ecole Centrale Paris, Benoît Potier was active in the theatre group, enjoying it to such an extent that he even considered becoming a professional actor. Ultimately however, his decision to forge a career in industry instead proved to be the right one, as he has spent his entire career at Europe's leading industria…
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How important is building relationships and trust with your vendors? When you do have established relationships, are you placing too much trust in them? How do you balance being business savvy and trusting? Mark McCormack is known for saying “All things being equal, people will do business with a friend; all things being unequal, people will still …
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What are the benefits of working closely with a local career & technical education center? You can have a huge impact on the local community, education system, and businesses. If you partner with a local technical center, it could have a far-reaching impact—and it just might help you recruit the next generation. Nix Partners with a local career & t…
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POV: You’re a woman with an entrepreneurial edge. You want to start a business. Why not consider the manufacturing industry? There are only 6,431 women-owned manufacturing businesses in the United States (representing just 2% of all manufacturing companies). 20% of them are minority-owned. This industry needs a woman’s perspective and expertise. So…
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POV: You’ve decided to start the process of implementing automation in your machine shop—but it isn’t as easy as flipping a switch. It’s a process that consists of failing forward and learning from every mistake. Tom Schroeder—the Executive Vice President at PBC Linear—joins us in this episode of Lights Out to share how to prioritize flexibility wh…
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There are around 17,000 contract manufacturing job shops in the US. That sounds pretty great, right? The truth is that growth is down 16% since 2008. Now, more than ever, we need new entrepreneurs in the manufacturing industry. Matthew Nix, Paul Van Metre, Drew Crowe, and Mike Payne join me in this roundtable discussion to talk about the vast oppor…
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How can leadership remain connected to what’s happening on the shop floor? At Nix, we’ve found a creative way to bridge a gap that many businesses experience. We’ve implemented a program that allows our front line to address problems and propose solutions so that their everyday real-world problems are being fixed. Dakota Hunt and Jack Henry Hagan r…
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How do we recruit more young talent to fabrication? How do we navigate rapid growth balanced with training and development? How do we help develop young talent into our future leaders? These are just a few questions we wrestle with in this episode of MakingSparks with special guests Dakota Hunt and Jack Henry Hagan. – Matthew Nix Segments [0:48] Jo…
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BWXT Mount Vernon produces components for naval nuclear reactors, used in submarines and aircraft carriers. Their sprawling facility is home to CNC machine tools and sophisticated welding and heat-treating equipment. In this episode of MakingSparks, General Manager Nate Foote shares more about their commitment to processes, their recruiting practic…
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MakingSparks: How Technology Drives Innovation on the Other Side of Metalworking Nation, 395
44:01
What are the pros and cons of plasma cutters vs. water jets vs. lasers? How does cutting with nitrogen differ from cutting with oxygen? How is technology driving innovation in fabrication? R.J. Reed and Brendon DiVincenzo join us in this episode of MakingSparks to cover all things lasers and fabrication. Because if you’re not MakingSparks with the …
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On December 7th, 2023, Jason had a heart attack, the type well-known as the “widow-maker.” Miraculously, Jason survived. Then he survived a heart transplant. January 19th, 2024, he went home. Jason beat the odds. In this episode of MakingChips, we’ll share Jason’s miraculous story. We’ll also share some of the lessons we’ve learned throughout the l…
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MakingSparks: Expanding and Transitioning a Family Business in Manufacturing with Joe Patterson, 393
44:50
Every family business that’s growing and expanding runs into some challenges. From navigating tough conversations with family to determining a centralized versus decentralized model, there are numerous things to consider. Joe Patterson’s family business overcame the challenges that came their way and expanded globally. However, they had lofty goals…
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communication with your family? How do you foster open communication in difficult conversations? Running a family business is full of unique challenges—and successes—that many other businesses don’t have to think about. But navigating those challenges doesn’t have to be difficult. Tad Dickel returns in this episode of MakingSparks to cover it all. …
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Nix Companies is a fifth-generation family business in an industry that's predominantly privately held and family-owned. Family-owned businesses are the fabric of our economy. Today’s guest on MakingSparks, Tad Dickel, is a Leadership & Strategy Consultant with a special interest in family-owned businesses. He helps them with everything from govern…
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Cutting tool manufacturers have to remain on the cutting edge. If you do so, it’s possible to stay competitive. We know that a solid education and training for new talent is the best first step. But you also have to learn to embrace grit to make it through. We cover what else is important to remain successful and competitive in this episode of Maki…
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Andy Mueller is a seasoned vet in manufacturing, one of the real OGs. I’ve leaned on him for advice and support throughout the years because he’s been through the seasons and weathered the storms. Andy was able to step in and teach my students things that I couldn’t with my limited resources. That’s why, in this episode of MakingChips, we have a co…
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Kyle Stoff spent his high school years doing parkour and making butterfly knives by hand. By the end of his Junior Year in high school, he’d decided he wanted to get into manufacturing to perfect his knife-making process. He skipped his Senior Year and dove into a full-time program at Ranken, becoming one of my best—and youngest—students. Now, Kyle…
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Do you express gratitude for your team members? Do they know their work is appreciated? Do you help guide them through their career so they can continue to learn and improve? Too many shops overwork good employees because they achieve excellence. That’s a mistake. It’s one of many reasons machine shops struggle with retention. In part II of our con…
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How can we attract the next generation to machining? How can small shops attract and retain talent? How can we fuel greatness? In this episode of MakingChips, guest host Drew “The MFG” Crowe—the force behind the American Manufacturing Renaissance—brings on Dan Borders with Edge Technologies to start to tackle these questions. Because if you’re not …
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What separates successful shops from unsuccessful ones? The people. As a leader, taking care of your people is paramount. So how do you manage and lead your people better? By following the Golden Rule. How do you apply the “Golden Rule” in business? Mike Ruge—the Integrator and Experience Director at ZENGERS—shares what that looks like and it can t…
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BOTCHED! How Manufacturing Leaders can Avoid the Horror Story of a Failed ERP Implementation, 384
40:12
How do you select the right ERP for your business? What should the implementation process look like? What are some mistakes you must absolutely avoid making? In this episode of MakingChips, Paul Van Metre shares some of the lessons he’s learned from failed ERP implementations. Because if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM! – Nick …
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Why Manufacturing Leaders Should Invest in Video to Tell their Story and Build Their Brand, 383
33:05
Why do you need to create video content, both for recruiting team members and bringing in new business? How do you get started when you don’t have the budget to hire a production company? Casey Voelker and Matthew Nix share what you can do to kickstart video marketing for your shop—and why it’s incredibly important—in this episode of MakingChips! B…
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What is FabTech? Why should anyone in welding, fabrication, metal forming, or finishing attend FabTech? They not only hold seminars and have booths and exhibitors to visit. You won’t only learn about trends in technology and meet with potential suppliers. Most importantly, you’ll be able to network. In this episode of MakingSparks recorded live at …
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Recruiting in manufacturing can be difficult. Many students are taught the traditional “Graduate high school and go to college for four years” mentality. While there’s nothing wrong with taking that route, how do we capture the attention of young talent? How do we make them see the career trajectory available in welding or fabrication? Lindsey Nix …
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MakingSparks: Part 1: Embracing Culture to Recruit Top Talent in Fabrication and Manufacturing, 380
30:14
Most mom-and-pop shops don’t have to worry about recruiting, hiring, and retaining talent until they decide they want to grow. When you find yourself needing to recruit and hire talent, where do you start? Start with your core values. Your company needs core values and a clear mission and vision to hire the right people, build the right culture, an…
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MakingSparks has officially arrived! Matthew Nix and I, Casey Voelker, are here to speak to the welding and fabrication industry. And just like MakingChips, we want to equip and inspire while attracting the next generation. Everyone will have some takeaways from MakingSparks. In this episode, Matthew shares more about Nix Companies and their explos…
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