Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders

If You Don't Plan Machine Tool Maintenance, Your Machines Will Do it for You, 421

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Maintenance is something that’s essential to protect the longevity of your machines but rarely something regularly implemented in shops. It’s ofte...

Lights Out: Are You Even Prepared to Run a Lights Out Shop? 420

07 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Lights out: Connecting Advanced Machining Strategies to Business Results Part 2, 419

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Here’s our controversial take: We believe that “automated” is more important than “operated”. It’s a stance that scares a lot of operators...

Lights Out: Connecting Advanced Machining Strategies to Business Results Part 1, 418

24 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Is Work-Life Balance a Fallacy? Part 2, 417

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 inco...

Is Work-Life Balance a Fallacy? Part 1, 416

12 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 usu...

MakingSparks: Using LinkedIn to Drive Leads for Your Manufacturing Business with Preston Hadley, 415

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 se...

MakingSparks: What’s Keeping You Up at Night? An Update from Matthew and Casey, 414

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

How to Adapt CNC Training for the Next Generation of Manufacturing Leaders - Part 2, 413

21 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Gamification. Gamification is a highly successful strategy in the world of marketing. It’s used all the time to enhance engagement in children’s e...

How to Adapt CNC Training for the Next Generation of Manufacturing Leaders - Part 1, 412

14 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 m...

MakingSparks: Women in Welding, 411

07 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

MFG News Special: Where are We at with the Reshoring Initiative? 410

31 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 c...

Lights Out: A Samurai's Journey to Automation, 409

24 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Can small shops begin to automate their processes? Where do they start with automation? In this episode of MakingChips, the CNC Samurai, Steve Courcha...

How Can Manufacturing Leaders Measure Their Customer Relationships? 408

18 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 thr...

MakingSparks: Why Numbers are Important for Your Manufacturing Business | Mike Payne Part 2, 407

10 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

MakingSparks: Oklahoma Meets Indiana - A Manufacturing Chat with Mike Payne Part 1, 406

03 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 rea...

Should You Use a Recruiter to Find Your Next Manufacturing Leader? 405

26 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 experien...

The Journey from Scan to CAD to Part at Hill Manufacturing, 404

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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. T...

Are You Putting Too Much Trust in Your Supply Chain? 403

12 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How important is building relationships and trust with your vendors? When you do have established relationships, are you placing too much trust in the...

How Businesses Can Collaborate with Technical Education, 402

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What are the benefits of working closely with a local career & technical education center? You can have a huge impact on the local community, educatio...

SZN1: Should Women Entrepreneurs Choose the Manufacturing Industry? 401

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 wo...

Lights Out: How to Prioritize Flexibility when You Invest in Automation, 400

22 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 pro...

Do We Need More Manufacturing Entrepreneurs? 399

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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....

MakingSparks: Staying Connected through Your Front Line Leaders Part 2, 398

05 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

MakingSparks: Growing Shop Floor Front Line Leaders Part 1, 397

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 you...

MakingSparks: Manufacturing Precision and Processes with BWXT GM Nate Foote, 396

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

BWXT Mount Vernon produces components for naval nuclear reactors, used in submarines and aircraft carriers. Their sprawling facility is home to CNC ma...

MakingSparks: How Technology Drives Innovation on the Other Side of Metalworking Nation, 395

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 technol...

An Important Update on Jason Zenger and the Leadership Lessons We Learned from It, 394

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

MakingSparks: Expanding and Transitioning a Family Business in Manufacturing with Joe Patterson, 393

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Every family business that’s growing and expanding runs into some challenges. From navigating tough conversations with family to determining a centr...

MakingSparks: Embracing the Family Aspect of Business with Tad Dickel Part 2, 392

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

communication with your family? How do you foster open communication in difficult conversations?  Running a family business is full of unique challen...

MakingSparks: Navigating a Family Business in Manufacturing with Tad Dickel Part 1, 391

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nix Companies is a fifth-generation family business in an industry that's predominantly privately held and family-owned. Family-owned businesses are t...

SZN1: Manufacturing Fuels Grit with Drew Crowe and Andy Mueller Part 2, 390

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

SZN1: Manufacturing Fuels Grit with Drew Crowe and Andy Mueller Part 1, 389

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

SZN1: Manufacturing Fuels Gratitude with Drew Crowe and Kyle Stoff, 388

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

SZN1: Manufacturing Fuels Greatness with Drew Crowe and Dan Borders Part II, 387

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 contin...

SZN1: Manufacturing Fuels Greatness with Drew Crowe and Dan Borders, 386

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 Mak...

How Can the Golden Rule be Applied in Business? with Mike Ruge, 385

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 le...

BOTCHED! How Manufacturing Leaders can Avoid the Horror Story of a Failed ERP Implementation, 384

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Why Manufacturing Leaders Should Invest in Video to Tell their Story and Build Their Brand, 383

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

MakingSparks: Why Should a Manufacturing Leader Come to FabTech? 382

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What is FabTech? Why should anyone in welding, fabrication, metal forming, or finishing attend FabTech? They not only hold seminars and have booths an...

MakingSparks: Part 2: Tactics and Strategies to Use for Recruiting in Manufacturing, 381

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recruiting in manufacturing can be difficult. Many students are taught the traditional “Graduate high school and go to college for four years” men...

MakingSparks: Part 1: Embracing Culture to Recruit Top Talent in Fabrication and Manufacturing, 380

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 yoursel...

MakingSparks: The Launch of MakingSparks with Casey Voelker and Matthew Nix, 379

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

MakingSparks has officially arrived! Matthew Nix and I, Casey Voelker, are here to speak to the welding and fabrication industry. And just like Maki...

Why MakingChips is Sparking a New Show for Fabrication Leaders, 378

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you in welding or fabrication? Are you a long-time listener of MakingChips who’s just been waiting for content that speaks directly to you? T...

SZN1: Diligently Doing "Due Diligence" in Your Next Manufacturing Acquisition, 377

10 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You’ve found your acquisition target. They’ve committed to selling you the business. Now the real work begins. It’s time for due diligence. Whe...

SZN1: The Starting Point in Acquisitions with Matthew Nix, 376

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do you increase your capacity, make more chips, and bring on new clients without buying a new machine or pitching yourself to a single end user? ...

Building a Lean Culture Through Strategic Leadership Part 2, 375

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Once you’ve implemented lean manufacturing, how do you sustain a lean culture? How do you motivate your team to focus on continuous improvement? Ho...

Building a Lean Culture Through Strategic Leadership Part 1, 374

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What is your definition of lean manufacturing? One definition of lean is “Maximizing the flow of value through your business to your customer.” We...

SZN1: What's Going on With the Manufacturing Economy? 373

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What is going on with the economy? We’re all feeling a slowdown in the manufacturing industry. So what gives? What happens in the economy can be d...

SZN1: What is a Woman Manufacturing Leader? with Nicole Wolter, 372

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s controversial topic: What is a woman…in manufacturing? We need to inspire the next generation of women to pursue a career path in manufact...

SZN1: Taking a Lean Leap of Faith Toward Digital Transformation, 371

11 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many companies strive to move toward digital transformation. Some struggle with the process. Others—like JJR Fabrication—see remarkable results. T...

Married to Each Other and the Business Part 2 with Lindsey Nix, 370

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do you grow a business while raising a family? When you and your spouse are business partners, how do you choose what to prioritize and when? Matt...

Married to Each Other and the Business with Matthew Nix Part 1, 369

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What is it like to be married to your business partner? Especially when both people are very involved in the business. The metalworking industry is d...

LIGHTS OUT: How a Prototyping Shop is Shattering the Status Quo with Automation, 368

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you embracing automation in your shop? Or are you hesitating because you’re unsure how to implement it so that you’re making the best use of y...

SZN1: #ThankAMachinist, 367

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I created a campaign to build awareness for machinists. Why? Because, sadly, the general public knows very little about manufacturing. They don’t l...

How a Passion for the Manufacturing Community Caused This Shop to Transform into a Software Company, 366

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paul Van Metre is no stranger to MakingChips, and we’ve shared his story before. But this time, we’re looking at it through a whole new lens. Paul...

Keys to Maintaining a Manufacturing Leadership Mindset, 365

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do you create and cultivate a manufacturing leadership mindset? What can you do to recharge? How do you take care of yourself so you can take care...

What Really Sells Machine Tools? 364

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What is the most impactful factor that helps machine tool distributors sell tools? Is it the quality of the tools themselves? Is it the skill of the s...

Bonus Chips: Manufacturing Happy Hour Interviews Jason Zenger & Nick Goellner about Manufacturing Leadership, 363

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this special Bonus Chips episode of MakingChips, we’re guests on Chris Luecke’s podcast, Manufacturing Happy Hour. Of all the manufacturing pod...

ABC's of CMMC and Cybersecurity, 362

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 2018, the US Government set a standard for cybersecurity, so anyone in any industry that touched the US government had to meet the requirement—bu...

SZN1: Haves and Have Nots with Paul Van Metre, 361

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There is a widening disparity in the manufacturing industry: Insanely busy shops and shops that are barely treading water. In any business, there will...

SZN1: Hot Sauce with Tony Gunn and Meaghan Ziemba, 360

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We are melting our faces off with some hot sauces in this episode of MakingChips. Why? Because spices break down barriers. And as these hot sauces bre...

SZN1: Medium Sauce with Meaghan Ziemba from Mavens of Manufacturing, 359

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve moved on to medium sauce and we are on FIRE. We’re in manufacturing, so the MakingChips podcast covers all things manufacturing. But we’re...

SZN1: Mild Sauce with Tony Gunn from MTD CNC, 358

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We’re tasting our way through 12 different types of hot sauce chosen by none other than me, Tony Gunn, the Global GM at MTDCNC.com. Meaghan Ziemba o...

Bonus Chips: Q&A with Titan Gilroy, 357

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Does Titan still run a shop? Does he believe in digital transformation on the shop floor? Why did Titan seek out jobs no one else wanted? In this spec...

Lights Out: Automation 101 with Chris Luecke Manufacturing Happy Hour, 356

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Automation continues to be a popular and divisive topic in the manufacturing world. Automation is important for attracting and retaining young talent ...

Who is a CNC Expert According to Titans of CNC? 355

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Titan Gilroy wanted to create a platform where aspiring machinists could hone their skills, share their work, and connect with leaders in the industry...

Lights Out: Training Machinists with an Automation Mindset with Titan Gilroy, 354

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lights out manufacturing isn’t only a large topic of conversation but it’s also the way of the future. Shops around the world are embracing automa...

MakingChips Seasons: Big MFG Leader to Small MFG Owner with Steve Burkett, 353

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Steve Burkett has been in global aerospace manufacturing for 30 years. One year ago, he bought a well-established local shop and is now the President ...

MakingChips Seasons: Real Life of a Small Shop Owner with Ken Parent, 352

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ken Parent keeps it real. Ken launched Parent Manufacturing in 2020 in the midst of the Covid pandemic. Navigating running a small shop and providi...

What are Your Root Motivations as a Manufacturing Leader? 351

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that we all operate from one of three root motivations? The majority of the decisions we make are because we’re striving for respect,...

Does IMTS Really Change the Manufacturing Economy? 350

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What is the greatest show on manufacturing Earth? IMTS. Every two years, the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) draws manufacturers fr...

MakingChips Seasons: Small Shop Owners Can Thrive with a PEO, 349

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I’m Mike Payne, the President and Owner of Hill Manufacturing & Fabrication and the first guest host for MakingChips Seasons. When I first bought my...

Growth Roadmaps: Planning the Work and Working the Plan, 348

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Where have we been? Where are we now? Where are we going? These three questions are a simple way to structure how we communicate the vision for our co...

How to Manufacture a Recession, 347

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We know that 2023 is going to be a challenge. After all, a recession is being purposefully orchestrated. The Fed is trying to curb inflation. And trut...

Reflections on 25 Years at ZENGERS, 346

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Reflecting on the past and learning from it helps shape our future decisions as leaders—both personally and professionally. I’ve worked in my fami...

Recruiting Manufacturing Leaders is a Lot Like Selling, 345

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As a manufacturing leader, one of the most important things you can do is hire the right people. As I’ve been working through the recruiting process...

Fanatical Prospecting to Make Your Manufacturing Company Recession Proof, 344

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is a good time of year to start thinking about your sales pipeline and hunting for new business. Prospecting is one of the most important things ...

MakingChips Reviews Our Own Performance Reviews, 343

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you conducting performance reviews in your business? Have you found a way to structure them to be useful? In this episode of MakingChips, Jason an...

MakingChips Interviews ChatGPT about Manufacturing Leadership, 342

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

ChatGPT is a chatbot that is making waves in artificial intelligence. It’s not your typical chatbot that produces canned robotic answers. So in this...

Are Dogs a Manufacturing Leader's Best Friend? 341

03 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking for a way to give back to your local community? We started MakingChips as a way to serve the manufacturing nation with no strings atta...

A MakingChips Farewell to a Classic Carr, 340

27 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s official: Jim Carr is leaving MakingChips. He’s stepping back to take more time to focus on Carr Machine & Tool. Jim has been an integral par...

Social Media in Manufacturing Part ll

20 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode of MakingChips, we are taking my journey with MakingChips full circle by recording a follow-up episode to our very first epis...

Extreme Ownership for the Manufacturing Leader, 338

17 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you read the book, “Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win” by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin? The book talks about the mindset of...

Using Discretion in Your Collection Tactics: It May Cost You the Customer

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When do you ask customers to pay their invoices? How do you ask your customers to pay their invoice(s)? Collecting on a debt that’s owed is an art...

People, Process and Performance (CV Manufacturing Conference)

22 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We believe that there are three components to running a great manufacturing company: People, process, and performance. And properly managing each o...

Are Sleepy Leaders Better Leaders?

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you struggle to sleep at night? Do you lay in bed and think about work and show up in the morning exhausted? Guess what—sleepy leaders are NOT be...

Manufacturing a Successful Business and Marriage

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I met Jamie and Lee Marzilli at ProShop ERP’s happy hour event while we were at IMTS 2022. When I heard how they founded and grew a machine shop as ...

A True & Unique Manufacturing Success Story

01 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kelsey Heikoop and Paul Van Metre met in an entry-level engineering class. They hit it off right away—while simultaneously falling in love with mach...

Our Best and Worst Ideas for Industry Events

25 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How do you make an industry event a worthy investment for your business? Can you prepare ahead of time to see an ROI? What should you avoid doing wh...

Finding Your Passion for a Rewarding Career

18 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I believe if you find your passion you will have a successful and fruitful career. I didn't realize what my true passions were until later in life. In...

LIVE at IMTS: Advancements in Machining Automation

11 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the final special edition episode of MakingChips recorded live at IMTS, we sit down with Craig Zoberis of Fusion OEM and RoboJob USA and Derek Good...

LIVE at IMTS: Leveraging Your CNC Machine Productivity from Data to Action

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you implemented a machine monitoring system in your machine shop? Do you know how to leverage the data to make meaningful improvements in your sh...

LIVE at IMTS: How Will the Latest Technology Advancements Change Your Manufacturing Business?

27 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What would the shop of the future look like? What’s more exciting—hardware or software? What can manufacturing leaders learn from B2C businesses? ...

Connecting Machine Monitoring with Leadership

06 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As a leader looking to grow his business, Tom Schroeder knew it was time to start gathering data to inform the growth process. So Tom began to impleme...

What Most People Don’t Know About IMTS

30 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

According to Peter Eelman, if you walk every bit of carpeting at IMTS, you’d walk 69 miles. Those 69 miles cover everything from The Modern Machine...

Employee Benefits: Are You Really Benefiting?

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Does your team know what they’re really getting when you offer employee benefits, such as health insurance and a 401k? In this episode of MakingChip...

Tips for Scheduling Production in Your Machine Shop

16 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Scheduling is the art of planning your activities so that you can achieve your goals and priorities in the time that you have available. When it’s ...

IMTS 2022: It's Big, It's Back, It's Safe, It's Fun!

09 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) is back! This is the first time that IMTS has been forced to go on hiatus since World War II. I...

Coolant Problems and How to Solve Them

02 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve all gone into plants that smell awful because they’re dealing with coolant problems. But that smell is a symptom of other, bigger problems...