Machine Shop Mastery

Paul Van Metre
  • ٠٫٠ (٠)
  • ريادة الأعمال
  • يتم التحديث كل أسبوعين

The Machine Shop Mastery Podcast helps to elevate the importance of the machine shop industry and reveal the secrets of success for machine shops, to inspire other shop owners or would-be shop owners to follow their passions, start and grow their shops to be an economic driver for our economy and their stakeholders.

  1. قبل ٢٣ ساعة

    Inside a Defense Shop's Lights-Out Automation Build

    What do you do when your entire business model collapses almost overnight? For Sven Klatt and the team at Vineburg Machining, the answer wasn't to retreat—it was to reinvent. After losing their three largest customers to overseas outsourcing in the early 2000s, the company made a bold decision: walk away from high-volume commodity work and rebuild from the ground up around complex, high-mix machining that couldn't easily leave the U.S. That transformation didn't just change what they made—it changed how they thought. From investing in CNC technology to embracing five-axis machining, Vineburg steadily evolved into a shop capable of tackling highly technical aerospace and defense work. But even with three shifts running, Sven kept running into the same frustrating reality: too many machines sitting idle when people weren't there to run them. Instead of accepting that limitation, he decided to solve it. What started as a rough sketch for a better pallet system turned into a fully functional in-house automation solution—one designed specifically for high-mix environments, tight shop footprints, and real-world machinist workflows. After years of testing, breaking, and refining, that internal tool became something much bigger. In this episode, Sven shares the full journey—from survival-driven reinvention to building a lights-out automation system that now powers their shop and has entered the market through a strategic partnership. Along the way, he reveals hard-earned lessons on risk-taking, continuous improvement, workforce challenges, and what it really takes to maximize spindle uptime without burning out your team. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (3:11) Sven's journey to Vineburg and the shop's high-volume origins (8:06) Investing in five-axis machining and unlocking new growth (11:17) Running three shifts and maximizing shop flexibility (14:02) The problem: idle machines and limited labor capacity (16:24) From failed purchase to building a custom solution in-house (19:52) Prototyping, testing, and proving the system in production (21:06) Using automation to extend machining hours and increase uptime (23:19) Check out the Hennig WorkFlow pallet automation system (24:10) Winning work through value, capability, and risk-taking (28:01) Standardizing production and improving customer partnerships (30:14) Designing the system: footprint, capacity, and simplicity (37:21) Making the system operator-friendly with intuitive controls (39:38) Head to the DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits event (40:36) The impact of the pallet system on Vineburg Machining (42:12) Tooling, process control, and making lights-out reliable (47:30) Scaling automation to reduce reliance on night shifts (49:59) Get a free report of opportunities in your industry from FacturMFG.com/chips (53:28) Partnering with Hennig to bring the product to market (56:26) The breakthrough moment and realizing its full potential (58:48) A shop could pay off the system within the first year (1:01:11) Lessons learned: testing, delegation, and stepping out of the bottleneck Resources & People Mentioned Check out the Hennig WorkFlow pallet automation system Head to the DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits event Get a free report of opportunities in your industry from FacturMFG.com/chips Connect with Sven Klatt Connect on LinkedIn Vineburg Machining  Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify

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  2. ١٥ أبريل

    From Zero to $50 Million: The Incredible Growth Story of P1 Industries

    What does it really take to build a $50 million machine shop from scratch? In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I sit down with David Dussault and Joel Lape, co-founders of P1 Industries, to unpack one of the most impressive growth stories I've come across in manufacturing. They started with a single used lathe and a Bridgeport—and over the past 20 years, they've built a 150-person operation serving the power, defense, and aerospace industries. What stood out to me most in this conversation is that their success isn't just about machines, margins, or scaling revenue—it's about people. They didn't go out and "find" great talent… they built it. By investing in young, inexperienced individuals and developing them into leaders, they've created a culture that drives both performance and loyalty. Many of their leaders today started at the ground level, which says everything about the environment they've built. We also get into the real challenges behind that growth—like relying heavily on one customer early on, making the leap into new industries, and figuring out how to structure a business for scale without losing what made it special in the first place. If you're trying to grow a shop the right way, this episode is full of lessons. This isn't just about getting bigger—it's about building something that lasts. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Introduction to P1 Industries and their growth from startup to $50M (3:46) Founders' roles and early vision for building the business (6:16) The origin story: leaving jobs and taking the leap to start P1 (7:57) Humble beginnings: first machines, first hires, and early challenges (10:01) Leveraging GE as an early customer to gain traction (11:08) Breaking out of customer concentration and expanding into new markets (12:28) Building a sales engine and winning through responsiveness (15:23) Creating a strong culture and empowering the team (17:31) Why we love SMW Autoblok workholding (18:45) Operational flexibility and handling high-mix, urgent work (21:18) Dissecting David's background in manufacturing (24:27) Head to the DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits event (25:27) Developing talent: apprenticeships, schools, and internal growth (27:47) Promoting from within and building future leaders (32:57) Core values and maintaining a strong company culture at scale (36:40) Their stance on financial transparency with their team (39:43) Structuring the business for growth: divisions and leadership layers (44:54) Why we created Hire MFG Leaders (and why you should use it) (45:24) The metrics that they track in their business (47:37) Biggest challenges: workforce development and operational complexity (50:00) Training systems and preparing the next generation (53:44) Lean manufacturing journey and future vision (58:02) Key strategic decisions behind P1's success Resources & People Mentioned Why we love SMW Autoblok workholding Head to the DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits event BOCES Program (New York) Why we created Hire MFG Leaders (and why you should use it) 2 Second Lean Connect with David W Dussault and Joel Lape P1 Industries Connect with David on LinkedIn Connect with Joel on LinkedIn  Making What Matters Podcast Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify

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  3. ٨ أبريل

    111. "Create Joy Through Kindness": A Radical Approach to Manufacturing Success

    What does it look like to build a manufacturing company where the primary purpose is to create joy through kindness?  In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, Jean Pitzo of Ace Metal Crafts shares how that philosophy shaped her leadership approach and helped grow the company into a thriving, multi-division manufacturing organization. Her story challenges the traditional notion that success in manufacturing is driven solely by machines, margins, and throughput. Jean explains how her passion for developing people became the foundation of the company's culture. From emotional intelligence training and leadership book clubs to trust-based leadership and intentional coaching, Ace Metal Crafts invested heavily in helping employees grow as individuals. The result is a workplace where people collaborate, stay long-term, and take ownership of the business's success. The conversation also explores the financial realities behind this approach. Jean openly discusses years of reinvestment, lean cycles, and the decision to prioritize long-term stability over short-term profit. By sharing financials with employees and teaching them how the business actually makes money, she built transparency and accountability across the entire organization. Jean also shares practical insights into leadership development, recruiting, acquisitions, and scaling a manufacturing company without sacrificing culture. Her perspective offers a powerful reminder that sustainable growth comes from building leaders, trusting people, and creating an environment where employees genuinely want to win. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Learn more about Jean Pitzo and Ace Metal Crafts  (7:16) Head to the DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits Event (8:14) Ace Metal Craft's growth trajectory over the years (10:06) Lean transformation and partnership with Toyota Production System (11:43) Building a trust-based culture through leadership investment (13:43) Book clubs and emotional intelligence training for employees (18:45) The motivation behind building a trust-based culture (21:35) Are you a good leader? How to build self-awareness (28:37) Get a free report of opportunities in your industry from FacturMFG.com/chips (29:42) Open-book management and teaching financial transparency (32:10) Measuring profitability using EBIT instead of gross margin (34:16) Developing leaders to support growth and acquisitions (34:55) Recruiting strategies and internal workforce development (38:27) "Make the bus safe" leadership philosophy (40:55) Why do we love SMW Autoblok? Their world-class workholding (42:08) Growth challenges including space, talent, and scaling (47:46) Relationship-driven sales and multi-level customer engagement (50:31) Final advice: invest in people and develop leaders Resources & People Mentioned Head to the DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits Event Get a free report of opportunities in your industry from FacturMFG.com/chips Why do we love SMW Autoblok? Their world-class workholding Are PE Firms Ruining Machine Shops? Connect with Jean Pitzo Ace Metal Crafts Jean.Pitzo@AceMetal.com Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify

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  4. ١ أبريل

    From Carbon Paper to Digitization: Standardizing Your Shop for Success with Skip Markley

    In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I sit down with Skip Markley of Die Craft Machining & Engineering to explore a transformation story that spans more than two decades. Skip walks me through how he acquired a small shop running on manual equipment and carbon paper work orders and gradually evolved it into a standardized, process-driven CNC operation serving the steel mill industry. It's a candid look at what happens when growth outpaces structure and the discipline required to bring everything back into alignment. One of the biggest themes in our conversation is standardization. Skip shares how years of buying different machines to save money created a patchwork of controls and platforms that slowed everything down. Operators became tied to specific machines, flexibility disappeared, and production stalled when the right person wasn't available. The turning point came when his team pushed for a unified approach, leading to a deliberate shift toward standardized equipment that improved uptime, training, and scheduling flexibility. We also dig into the journey from manual processes to digitization. Skip describes running the business with carbon paper work orders, a single computer, and limited visibility into operations before implementing ERP. That transition forced the company to adopt more consistent workflows, better communication, and scalable systems. It wasn't perfect, but it moved the business from reactive to structured and laid the foundation for long-term growth. Beyond equipment and systems, this episode is really about leadership evolution. Skip talks about trusting his team, hiring for heart over experience, and eventually stepping back from day-to-day leadership by promoting a president from within. It's a great example of how building processes and empowering people go hand-in-hand when you want your shop to scale beyond the owner. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Skip's background and decision to buy Die Craft (4:00) Overview of Die Craft today: size, customers, and capabilities (5:27) Early engineering career and steel mill experience shaping his approach (9:31) Learning operational improvement through equipment rebuild partnerships (12:07) Buying Die Craft and inheriting a manual, carbon-paper-based shop (14:38) Financing the acquisition and importance of financial advisors (18:17) Get a free report of sales opportunities in your area at FacturMFG.com/chips (19:24) Early growth and purchasing the first waterjet (21:52) First ERP system, machining center and early scaling challenges (27:45) Benefits of standardization: flexibility and reduced disruption (29:42) Sales strategy and building trust with steel mill customers (32:39) Hiring philosophy: hiring for heart over experience (34:28) Why we created HireMFG Leaders (and why you should use it) (36:03) Transitioning leadership and promoting a new president (40:14) Builder vs. maintainer mindset and evolving company direction (43:00) Scaling challenges and reaching the next revenue threshold (45:52) Why we love SMW Autoblok for workholding  (47:57) Skip's current role and succession planning (50:19) Skip's shop transformation stress test (53:31) Most important decisions behind Die Craft's growth (57:14) Advice for shop owners: finance, vision, and trusting your team Resources & People Mentioned The E-Myth Revisited Get a free report of sales opportunities in your area at FacturMFG.com/chips Why we love SMW Autoblok for workholding  Why we created HireMFG Leaders (and why you should use it) The Power of Being Mission Driven with Court Durkalski Building Craftsman with Character with Dave Hataj Connect with Skip Markley Die Craft Machining and Engineering Follow on Facebook Connect with Skip on LinkedIn Follow the shop on LinkedIn Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify

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  5. ٢٥ مارس

    New Owner, New Energy, New Vision: Billy Banks of General Machine

    What happens when an entrepreneur with deep manufacturing roots but limited machining experience buys a 30-year-old job shop? In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, Billy Banks shares what it looks like to step into ownership, inherit a legacy culture, and begin reshaping a business with fresh energy, new leadership philosophy, and a long-term growth vision. Just 13 months into owning General Machine, Billy is already making meaningful changes. From shifting the company away from a command-and-control leadership style to building a more collaborative, empowered team, he's focused on unlocking the knowledge already inside the shop.  He discusses improving quoting speed, rethinking pricing strategy, investing in equipment, and activating sales and marketing after years of passive growth. He also shares how he's experimenting with AI-driven quoting using decades of historical job data and how technology is helping him capture tribal knowledge before it disappears. Beyond operational improvements, Billy is thinking bigger. He outlines a long-term strategy to build a platform through acquisitions, centralize back-office functions, and create career paths for employees across multiple shops. Whether you're a new owner, considering buying a shop, or looking to modernize an established business, this episode offers a candid look at what the first year of ownership really looks like and how new perspective can drive meaningful change.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Introducing Billy and an overview of General Machine (4:23) Billy's background in steel, RV manufacturing, and entrepreneurship before buying a shop (9:15) Why we love SMW Autoblok for workholding (12:15) Returning to ownership, searching for a business to acquire, and landing on General Machine (18:52) Taking ownership of General Machine, meeting the crew, and solving challenges (28:05) Early leadership challenges and building trust with the team (29:32) Why we created Hire MFG Leaders (and why you should use it) (30:38) Identifying operational inefficiencies in the first few months (34:00) Buying a new mill, diving into social media marketing, and implementing EOS (37:32) Hiring challenges and workforce development approach (39:20) Achieve on-time delivery with ProShop ERP (40:31) Building a more personal culture through one-on-ones, celebrations, and getting to know the team (43:14) Introducing a bonus structure and determining how performance is measured (44:21) Tracking revenue, spend, contribution margin, and productivity to build accountability (48:41) The most impactful change: implementing a structured meeting cadence (52:00) Re-engaging customers, increasing touchpoints, and generating new opportunities (56:35) Long-term acquisition strategy and building a multi-shop platform (1:00:41) Advice for job shops: workforce grants, training, and embracing technology Resources & People Mentioned EOS Worldwide The NTMA Steal Like an Artist SMW Autoblok Hire MFG Leaders Achieve on-time delivery with ProShop ERP How to 4X Your Money with Mike Payne Connect with Billy Banks General Machine Connect with Billy on LinkedIn Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify

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  6. ١٨ مارس

    Massive Growth and CMMC Certification with Jessica from Bent River Machine

    Taking over a family machine shop is one challenge. Scaling it rapidly while navigating defense-industry cybersecurity requirements is another entirely. In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, Paul sits down with Jessica Eckman of Bent River Machine, an Arizona-based factory tooling and automation company that has been building complex equipment since 1978. After Jessica and her husband took over the business in 2021, Bent River experienced explosive growth, landing on the Inc. 5000 list after expanding more than 125% in a single year. Jessica shares how a combination of long-standing customer relationships, major automation projects, and a surge in demand from companies like Amazon and Sonix pushed the company from a $5 million operation to more than $12 million in revenue almost overnight. With limited time to expand facilities, the team had to rethink planning, outsourcing, subcontractor relationships, and internal logistics to scale quickly without losing control. Midway through the conversation, we pivot to one of the most pressing topics in defense manufacturing today: CMMC 2.0 certification. Jessica walks through Bent River's year-long journey to achieve Level 2 certification, covering everything from cybersecurity systems and physical security requirements to auditing, consultants, and real-world implementation challenges for manufacturers. For shops working in the defense supply chain, this episode offers a rare inside look at what it actually takes to become CMMC compliant and why it will soon be unavoidable for much of the industry. In This Episode:  (0:00) Introducing Jessica Eckman and Bent River Machine's rapid growth story (3:21) The origins of the company and its evolution from a machine shop to full engineering and automation (8:05) Jessica and her husband's journey toward eventually taking over the business (11:31) Completing the ownership transition and purchasing the company in 2021 (14:31) Scaling from a $5M shop to a $12M+ company and landing on the Inc. 5000 list (20:18) The role of long-term relationships in winning repeat business and large automation contracts (22:05) Get a free report of opportunities in your industry at facturmfg.com/factur (23:52) Scaling production through subcontractors instead of immediate capital expansion (24:54) Lessons learned while outsourcing large volumes of work quickly (26:44) Why we created Hire MFG Leaders to help the metalworking nation (28:37) Why detailed planning is critical when coordinating internal and outsourced manufacturing (31:10) Creating documentation systems and supplier communication tools to avoid costly mistakes (34:11) Hiring assemblers, building a team, and workforce development (37:40) The process of pursuing CMMC Level 2 certification (44:52) Key cybersecurity infrastructure decisions including ERP, servers, and email security (47:27) Handling CNC programs, drawings, and CUI within a manufacturing environment (49:44) Why you need to come see us at 2026 IMTS (57:08) Advice for manufacturers preparing for CMMC certification (1:02:57) Where to connect with Jessica and learn more about Bent River Machine  Resources & People Mentioned Get a free report of opportunities in your industry at facturmfg.com/factur Why we created Hire MFG Leaders to help the metalworking nation Why you need to come see us at 2026 IMTS Jessica recommends Reef Systems for CMMC Audit Microsoft 365 Government Community Cloud Virtru Connect with Jessica Eckman Bent River Machine JessicaR@Bent-River.com Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify

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  7. ٤ مارس

    Building Craftsmen with Character with Dave Hataj from Edgerton Gear

    In this deeply personal and powerful episode of Machine Shop Mastery, Paul sits down with Dave Hataj, third-generation leader of Edgerton Gear in Wisconsin. What begins as a conversation about a custom gear job shop quickly unfolds into something much larger — a story about culture change, humility, sabotage, burnout, mentorship, and the responsibility manufacturers carry in shaping the next generation. When Dave returned to his family's shop in the early 1990s, he walked into a deeply dysfunctional environment. Alcohol flowed freely in the lunchroom. Leadership was fragmented. Trust was thin. When he began making changes, the resistance was immediate and intense — including internal sabotage from senior employees and the loss of key team members. What followed was years of long hours, strained relationships, and hard-earned lessons about leadership and character. Instead of doubling down on control, Dave made a different choice. He committed to building a culture centered on humility, trust, mentorship, and service. Over time, that commitment reshaped not only Edgerton Gear but also his vision for workforce development. Out of that journey came Craftsman with Character — a program that connects high school students with real manufacturers while intentionally developing virtues like responsibility, purpose, teachability, and excellence. What started as a local experiment in one Wisconsin community has expanded across multiple states and reached hundreds of students. This episode explores how character-driven leadership can create both cultural transformation and business growth — and why manufacturing may be one of the most powerful vehicles we have to restore dignity, purpose, and opportunity in our communities. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Introduction to Dave Hataj and Edgerton Gear (3:52) Edgerton Gear today: custom gear capabilities and industries served (4:54) The origin story: how Dave's parents started the company in 1962 (10:09) Get a free list of opportunities in your industry from FacturMFG.com/chips (12:00) Returning to a toxic culture, beginning transformation, and rebuilding (16:01) The personal toll of leadership and lessons from burnout (19:37) Why humility became the defining hiring trait (23:25) Studying character: The doctoral work that shaped Dave's philosophy (29:14) Why you need to use Hire MFG Leaders (29:43) The launch of Craftsman with Character (35:17) How the program works: job shadowing paired with character development (39:40) Expanding the model nationally with U.S. Navy support (41:46) Transitioning from grant funding to a sustainable model (43:37) Building a mentoring culture inside Edgerton Gear (46:05) How ProShop ERP can help you achieve on-time delivery (47:01) The profitability impact of servant leadership and community investment (52:14) Radical rest, health struggles, and long-term sustainability (55:56) Why blue-collar businesses are foundational to civilization (1:00:36) Purpose and relationships as the foundation of a meaningful life (2:03:22) Succession planning and passing leadership to the next generation Resources & People Mentioned Becoming Good by David Gill 78. The Power of Being Mission Driven – Court Durkalski of Truline Industries Get a free list of opportunities in your industry from FacturMFG.com/chips Why you need to use Hire MFG Leaders How ProShop ERP can help you achieve on-time delivery Connect with Dave Hataj CWCharacter.org EdgertonGear.com DaveHataj.com Good Work: How Blue Collar Business Can Change Lives, Communities, and the World The Craftsman's Code: A Blueprint for Building a Meaningful Life and an Enduring 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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  8. ٢٥ فبراير

    Making Racecars and Chips: Going all in on machining with TKO Precision Machining

    What happens when a high-performance race shop decides to jump into aerospace and defense manufacturing — and goes all in? In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I sit down with Marty Moran of TKO Precision Machining and TKO Motorsports in Reno, Nevada. What started in 2008 as a motorsports-focused shop building custom race cars and high-end components evolved into a serious aerospace and defense manufacturing operation about eight years ago. Marty shares how the team leveraged deep motorsports and aerospace experience to enter defense manufacturing, earn AS9100 certification, and build a thriving 15-machine shop. But what stands out most isn't just their growth — it's their culture. Communication is constant. Training is intentional. Hiring is rigorous. And everyone is expected to succeed. We talk about workforce development, cross-training machinists into race crew roles, the realities of AS9100 compliance, building depth through mentorship, and the painful ERP lesson that ultimately led them to ProShop. Marty also shares why aerospace certification doesn't just open doors — it makes you a better shop. If you're trying to build a resilient, team-driven shop in today's manufacturing environment, this conversation is packed with insight. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Introducing Marty Moran and the origins of TKO Motorsports (2:18) How the business evolved from a race shop into contract machining (4:02) Launching TKO Precision Machining as a focused aerospace operation (6:05) Current shop size, equipment mix, and aerospace capabilities (9:40) How the motorsports division operates alongside contract machining (14:35) Integrating machinists into race team operations (19:10) Breaking into aerospace and defense manufacturing (22:40) Starting with prototype work to build long-term customers (25:05) Navigating ITAR and NIST 800-171 compliance (29:20) Revenue diversification between motorsports and defense work (32:05) Building culture through cross-training and accountability (36:10) Hiring philosophy and what TKO looks for in new employees (41:20) Peer-driven hiring process and extended evaluation periods (45:00) Developing operators into machinists through internal training (48:55) Measuring spindle utilization and operational efficiency (52:05) Communication rhythm and leadership accessibility (54:30) Lessons learned from ERP implementation and systems discipline (56:20) Advice for smaller shops on training, retention, and culture (58:00) Final reflections on teamwork and what's next for TKO Resources & People Mentioned Grow your top and bottom-line with CliftonLarsonAllen Why we love SMW Autoblok for workholding Mark your calendars and come see us at IMTS 2026 Connect with Marty Moran Connect on LinkedIn TKO Precision Machining 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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مشاهدة الكل (١١٥)

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The Machine Shop Mastery Podcast helps to elevate the importance of the machine shop industry and reveal the secrets of success for machine shops, to inspire other shop owners or would-be shop owners to follow their passions, start and grow their shops to be an economic driver for our economy and their stakeholders.

المعلومات

  • صناع العمل
    Paul Van Metre
  • سنوات النشاط
    ٢٠٢٢ - ٢٠٢٦
  • الحلقات
    ١١٥
  • التقييم
    ملائم
  • حقوق النشر
    © 2025 Machine Shop Mastery
  • موقع البرنامج على الويب
    Machine Shop Mastery

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