Industrial Entrepreneurs

Julian Schaaf
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On Industrial Entrepreneurs, you can learn how founders are building their industrial startups. Get advice from founders in your niche, make new connections, and accelerate your growth. industrialgrowth.substack.com

Episodes

  1. #8 Starting a machine shop when the economy is crashing w/ Tim Drinkwater

    05/15/2025

    #8 Starting a machine shop when the economy is crashing w/ Tim Drinkwater

    My guest today is Tim Drinkwater, founder and owner of Accurate Machine Products. Tim started as a machinist. He launched AMP in 2007 and has been in the industry for over 20 years. Most manufacturing businesses last around 7 years. AMP is pushing 18. In this episode, Tim shares how he built a company that lasts, what he’s learned about running a shop through highs and lows, and why he’s still passionate about the work. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:02 Journey into Manufacturing 06:14 Early Career Experiences 09:05 Transition to Management and Education 11:57 Founding Accurate Machine Products 14:58 Growth and Development of the Business 18:27 Starting a Business in a Recession 24:30 Navigating Early Challenges and Growth 30:40 Lessons Learned from 18 Years in Business 36:43 The Joys of Problem Solving and Community Engagement 41:56 Advice for Aspiring Manufacturing Business Owners This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit industrialgrowth.substack.com

    31 min
  2. #7 Growing up on the shop floor w/ Patrick Tobin

    04/16/2025

    #7 Growing up on the shop floor w/ Patrick Tobin

    My guest today is Patrick Tobin, President of Han-Tek. The company started in 1961 as Hartman Sales, selling shelving and pallet racks. It became Handling Technology in 1980, then Han-Tek in the 1990s. Under Patrick and his father Jon’s leadership, Han-Tek moved into material handling and automation. In this episode, Patrick shares his career path, how his family navigated a leadership transition, and what it takes to grow in a crowded automation market. Chapters 00:00 Coming Into The Manufacturing Industry 15:29 Transitioning Leadership in Family Business 21:44 Growing Up in the Manufacturing World 22:32 Navigating Family Dynamics in Business 27:42 The Journey to Leadership 32:54 Sales Strategies in Automation 38:31 Weathering Economic Storms 44:10 Transitioning to Leadership Roles 50:37 The Future of Automation This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit industrialgrowth.substack.com

    39 min
  3. #6 Losing your job: A blessing in disguise w/ Sean Dotson

    04/10/2025

    #6 Losing your job: A blessing in disguise w/ Sean Dotson

    My guest today is Sean Dotson, CEO at Elite Automation. In this episode, Sean shares his entrepreneurial journey. From founding RND in 2005 to selling the company in 2020 and eventually exiting in 2022. He also discusses his current role as the founder of Automation AMA, where he shares his expertise in automation and robotics. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Sean and His Journey 06:01 Early Career and Transition to Automation 10:19 The Closure of His Previous Company 15:09 Starting R&D Automation 18:33 Building Trust and Overcoming Challenges 20:34 Financial Growth and Profitability Journey 22:27 Acquisitions and Strategic Growth 25:08 Navigating Challenges of Expansion 28:43 The Decision to Sell R&D Automation 30:59 Transitioning After the Sale 32:43 Building a Consultancy and Advisory Role 33:14 Networking and Industry Presence 38:58 Advice to Younger Self This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit industrialgrowth.substack.com

    41 min
  4. #5 Building MFG.com and working alongside Jeff Bezos w/ Mitch Free

    04/03/2025

    #5 Building MFG.com and working alongside Jeff Bezos w/ Mitch Free

    My guest today is Mitch Free, founder of MFG.com, a marketplace that transformed how custom parts are sourced, attracting investment from Jeff Bezos. In this episode, Mitch shares his journey from working as a machinist to disrupting the global manufacturing industry, building advanced manufacturing facilities, and becoming a leading voice in the field. Chapters: 00:00 From High School to Trade School: A Journey Begins 10:12 The Evolution of Machining: Early Experiences 15:34 Navigating the Aerospace Industry: A Fortunate Break 18:19 Transitioning to Entrepreneurship: The CAD CAM Software Business 21:56 Creating a Marketplace: The Birth of mfg.com 27:43 Bootstrapping Success: Overcoming Financial Challenges 32:01 Facing Adversity: Health Challenges and Reflection 35:44 A Life-Changing Offer: Partnering with Jeff Bezos 41:28 Building a New Venture: The ERP System for Manufacturing 48:03 Focus and Growth: Lessons from the CNC Machining Business This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit industrialgrowth.substack.com

    39 min
  5. #4 From race cars to software w/ Paul Van Metre

    03/26/2025

    #4 From race cars to software w/ Paul Van Metre

    My guest today is Paul Van Metre, co-founder of Pro CNC and ProShop ERP, a paperless ERP platform widely used in the manufacturing industry. In this episode, Paul shares his entrepreneurial journey from building race cars in college to co-founding ProCNC and launching ProShop ERP. What you’ll learn in this episode: * ProCNC started as a machine shop to fund a car company. * The importance of building systems and processes in business. * Only a small percentage of companies successfully sell when they want to. Start early. * Having a strong team is crucial for preparing your company for sale * Product market fit is essential for business success. * Transparency in marketing builds trust with customers. * Investing in marketing is important once product market fit is established. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setup 03:58 Paul's Journey into Manufacturing 12:04 Growth and Challenges of ProCNC 21:50 Sales and Marketing Strategies in Manufacturing 30:00 Acquisition Insights and Lessons Learned 30:00 Transitioning Ownership 34:58 Building ProShop ERP 46:04 Marketing and Product Market Fit 51:58 Advice for Manufacturing Entrepreneurs This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit industrialgrowth.substack.com

    48 min

  6. 07/11/2023

    #3 Spinning out a thermoforming startup from the family business w/ Lisa & Moritz Bittner

    My guests are Moritz and Lisa Bittner, who built their thermoforming platform Formary not too far from my home in the south of Germany. Lisa and Moritz joined the family business Bittner in 2017 as co-CEOs, focused the company on the core business of thermoforming, and finally spun out Formary as the company’s digital arm. I listened to their founding story on another podcast and knew I had to get them on. Don’t miss this one! What you’ll learn in this episode: * How Lisa and Moritz shut down a part of their business to focus on their core capabilities * How they validated their new idea for a startup and built the MVP * Why their secret trade show hack was key to Formary’s marketing success * Their approach to finding skilled industrial sellers * How they’re planning to take Formary to the next level This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit industrialgrowth.substack.com

    47 min

  7. 07/05/2023

    #2 Building a robotics company from scratch w/ Diane Abruzzini & Colin Riggs

    My guests today are Diane Abruzzini and Colin Riggs, COO and CEO at Rigorous, a robotics software company that specializes in automation projects for small and mid-size manufacturers. Rigorous was started in 2020 as a two-person operation, which Diane joined in January 2021 as COO. What you’ll learn in this episode: * How Diane landed customers by posting robotics content on LinkedIn * Why Rigorous’ Board of Advisors is their secret weapon and how Diane and Colin staffed it * How they’re planning to quickly increase their valuation by focusing on quality * Why they chose a convertible note as their financing route This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit industrialgrowth.substack.com

    47 min

  8. 07/04/2023

    #1 David vs. Xometry: How to build a startup in a crowded market

    My guest today is Mitchell Eaton, co-founder and CEO at Prototype Hubs, an on-demand manufacturing platform. Mitchell is from Canada, has a mechanical engineering degree, and has bootstrapped Prototype Hubs for the last five years. What you’ll learn in this interview: * Mitchell’s review of the current fundraising environment * How Prototype Hubs differentiated to win in a crowded market (on-demand manufacturing) * How the company grew its marketplace to 1,400 manufacturers by focusing on user experience Thanks for reading Industrial Entrepreneurs! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit industrialgrowth.substack.com

    41 min
  • 8 Episodes

About

On Industrial Entrepreneurs, you can learn how founders are building their industrial startups. Get advice from founders in your niche, make new connections, and accelerate your growth. industrialgrowth.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Julian Schaaf
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Julian Schaaf
  • Show Website
    Industrial Entrepreneurs