Manufacturing Transformed: Real Shops, Real Stories

Paul Van Metre
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Tech News
  • Updated Semiweekly

In the bustling world of manufacturing and machining, efficiency and precision are key. The Manufacturing Transformed podcast is your peek into how companies benefit from being #PoweredByProShop.

  1. May 26

    56. ProShop as the Operating System - Archer Precision

    Every once in a while, I record an episode that sticks with me long after the microphones are turned off. This was one of those conversations. I sat down with Alex Mazerolle from Archer Precision expecting to talk about ERP systems, process control, and shop management. Instead, we ended up unpacking something much bigger: what it really looks like to build a modern machine shop around clarity, accountability, systems, and people.  Alex shares how Archer Precision evolved from a small shop acquisition into a highly disciplined manufacturing company serving aerospace, medical, and military customers around the world, all while pursuing what he calls a "glass box" approach to manufacturing. We dive deep into the lessons learned from trying to build a custom ERP system, why they ultimately embraced ProShop ERP as the operating system of their business, and how standardization has transformed everything from customer communication to employee confidence on the shop floor.  What really stood out to me, though, was Alex's perspective on leadership, workforce development, and creating an environment where machinists can thrive instead of constantly firefighting. This episode originally also aired on Machine Shop Mastery as Episode 115 because there was simply too much gold in this conversation not to share with both audiences. Resources & Links Alex Mazerolle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-mazerolle-09279946/ https://www.archerprecision.ca/ BDC (Business Development Canada): https://www.bdc.ca/en CTMA: https://ctma.com/ The E-Myth Revisited: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280

    1h 25m

  2. May 12

    Inside Rise Industries: From One-Man Shop to $1.5M Medical & Aerospace Supplier

    What happens when you leave a stable career, bet on yourself, and commit to building a shop the right way from day one? In this episode of Manufacturing Transformed, Chris Schutte from Rise Industries shares how he turned a two-machine startup into a rapidly growing medical and aerospace supplier in just a few short years. Starting as a one-man operation, Chris focused on surrounding himself with trusted, highly skilled people, many of whom he had worked with before—creating a team that could execute at a high level from the beginning. But growth didn't come from people alone. Chris made early investments in systems, structure, and certifications that positioned the company for long-term success. From moving beyond spreadsheets to fully embracing ProShop, to earning ISO 9001, AS9100, and ISO 13485 certifications in rapid succession, Rise Industries built a foundation that could support serious customers and complex work. The payoff? Major opportunities—including a game-changing medical implant project that landed immediately after certification. This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to scale quickly, stay organized, and build a shop that's ready for the next level. Resources & Links Rise Industries: https://www.riseinds.com Christian Schutte: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-schutte-3a1121220/

    1h 1m

  3. Apr 28

    Breaking the $3M Ceiling: How Pivot Manufacturing Unlocked Its Next Phase

    What does it actually take to break through the $3M ceiling in a machine shop? For many manufacturers, that plateau isn't about lack of opportunity. It's about systems, structure, and the ability to scale without everything breaking. In this episode, Steve Macias of Pivot Manufacturing shares the real story behind that transition, from surviving early volatility to building a business capable of sustained growth in the defense sector. After decades of steady but capped performance, Pivot made a series of intentional moves: investing in higher-end equipment, remodeling their facility, and most importantly, replacing outdated, paper-heavy processes with a fully integrated system using ProShop ERP. What followed wasn't just incremental improvement. It was a shift in how the entire company operates. Quotes became orders in seconds instead of days, audits became seamless, and the team gained visibility into every part moving through the shop. But the transformation goes beyond software and machines. Steve shares how empowering a younger, more tech-forward workforce, letting go of control as an owner, and building a culture of accountability all played a critical role in unlocking the next phase of growth. The result is a shop that not only looks modern on the surface, but runs with the structure, clarity, and confidence needed to scale toward $8M to $10M and beyond. Resources & Links Pivot Manufacturing: https://pivotmfg.com/ Steve Macias on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-macias-1876303/ SMacias@PivotMFG.com

    1h 6m

  4. Apr 14

    He Bet his Life Savings on Buying an Aerospace Job Shop: Andrew Crook with Dynamic Fabrication

    What happens when you bet everything on a struggling job shop… and then decide to completely rebuild how it operates from the inside out? That's exactly what Andrew Crook did when he purchased Dynamic Fabrication in 2017. Instead of continuing business as usual, he made a bold decision to narrow the customer base, shift toward aerospace and defense, and invest heavily in systems that could support scalable, high-quality growth. It wasn't just a strategic pivot. It was a full operational transformation. In this episode, Andrew shares how adopting ProShop as the company's digital backbone helped turn complexity into clarity. From tool management and contract review to audits and new product introduction, every process became more structured, traceable, and repeatable. The result was faster setups, smoother audits, and a stronger foundation for high-margin production work. But the transition wasn't easy. The team had to digitize everything from fasteners to fixtures, rethink workflows, and build discipline around data accuracy. Over time, that effort paid off. Today, Dynamic Fabrication runs with a culture of accountability, clear documentation, and operational "hygiene" that supports consistent growth in the demanding aerospace and defense market. Andrew walks through the real-world impact of these changes, what worked, what didn't, and how betting on systems helped transform the business into a scalable, audit-ready operation. 👉 Dynamic Fabrication: https://dynamicfab.com/ 👉 Andrew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-crook/

    1h 12m

  5. Mar 31

    From Guesswork to Scaling: The Systems Shift Powering Mahler Machining's Next Chapter

    In this episode of Manufacturing Transformed, we head to British Columbia to explore how Mahler Machining is replacing spreadsheets, paper travelers, and tribal knowledge with a scalable digital backbone.  Aaron Kennedy shares how the team transitioned a 30+ person shop with roughly 700 active jobs into ProShop in just a few months, dramatically tightening feedback loops, improving visibility, and creating a foundation for repeatable growth. What started as a need to eliminate guesswork quickly evolved into a systems-driven approach to quoting, scheduling, quality, and continuous improvement. You'll hear how Mahler Machining moved from manual processes and conservative planning to confident scaling, with faster quoting, real-time job visibility, and structured quality data that drives smarter decisions.  Aaron also breaks down how empowering machinists with better information, digitizing setup knowledge, and building a performance-based culture is helping the company grow sustainably while maintaining customer trust. This conversation is a practical look at what happens when the right system becomes the backbone of a shop's next chapter.  👉 Mahler Machining: https://mahler-machining.com 👉 Aaron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com 👉 Machine Shop Mastery Episode #107: https://machineshopmastery.com/episode/107-how-to-buy-a-machine-shop-well-nik-and-aaron-with-mahler-machining/

    1h 4m

  6. Mar 17

    Turning Legacy Processes into Lean Systems: The Lafarge & Egge Transformation Story

    In this episode of Manufacturing Transformed, I sit down with Bryan from Lafarge & Egge to talk about what real operational transformation looks like inside a highly specialized aerospace manufacturer. When Bryan joined the company, he stepped into a shop full of deep experience and craftsmanship—but also a lot of legacy processes. Critical information lived across spreadsheets, Access databases, and paper-based work instructions. Drawings, inspection records, and job tracking were spread across multiple systems, making it difficult to see what was really happening across the business. Instead of jumping straight into new machines or automation, Bryan and his team made a strategic decision: fix the systems first. We talk through how Lafarge & Egge digitized their workflows, consolidated multiple tools into a single platform, and built a stronger operational foundation across two facilities. The impact has been significant—from faster quoting and contract review to better visibility on the shop floor and a much smoother audit process in a highly regulated aerospace environment. Bryan also shares lessons learned along the way, including how they capture tribal knowledge, manage complex quality requirements, and think about lean systems in a high-mix manufacturing environment. If you're interested in how manufacturers can modernize legacy processes while preserving the expertise that built the business, this conversation offers a practical and honest look at what that transformation actually takes. Topics Discussed Bryan's path from aerospace supply chain into manufacturing leadership What Lafarge & Egge manufactures and their specialization in high-pressure tube assemblies The operational challenges Bryan saw when he first joined the company The limitations of paper-based workflows and disconnected systems Why the team prioritized digitizing processes before investing in new equipment Replacing spreadsheets, databases, and manual workflows with a unified system Cutting contract review timelines from weeks to days Improving traceability, inspections, and audit readiness in aerospace manufacturing Coordinating operations across two facilities on a shared system How better visibility into data helps support growth and smarter decision-making Bryan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bryanluttrell Lafarge & Egge: https://lafargeandegge.com/ Email: Info@lafargeandegge.com

    58 min

  7. Mar 3

    Cultivating a Continuous Improvement Culture

    For most manufacturing founders, the early years mean fighting fires, working late nights, and inheriting old ways of working. But what if you could skip the legacy headaches and design your shop for the future—right from day one? That's exactly what David Bamforth did at Renscott Manufacturing. David didn't inherit a tired, paper-heavy organization—he started Renscott as a college student, purchasing his first CNC mill at 21 and building workflows around digital tools, not file cabinets. With a relentless focus on innovation, he and his team rolled out everything from paperless work orders and custom job management APIs to a powerhouse co-op program that develops talent in-house. Renscott has grown from a bootstrapped startup to a cutting-edge manufacturer with 40,000 square feet, 32 full-time employees, ISO/AS/ITAR certifications, and a customer roster spanning spaceflight and defense. Their digital-first mindset allowed them to break into metal 3D printing, implement traceability systems for complex powder inventories, and even inspire legacy shops to update their own game. In this episode, David shares his blueprint for shop design, workforce development, custom automation, and how a new generation is redefining what a job shop can be—with ProShop ERP as the operational foundation.   David Bamforth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bamforth/  Renscott Manufacturing: https://www.renscottmfg.com/ Audio and Video Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK

    1h 5m

  8. Feb 17

    Modernizing a High-Mix Machine Shop Lessons From DieCraft's Transformation

    For many job shops, the "perfect storm" looks like this: Your legacy ERP software is becoming obsolete due to Windows updates, and your two most senior employees, holding 72 years of combined tribal knowledge, are retiring at the same time. That was the reality facing Justin Westerfeld at Die-Craft Engineering. Die-Craft, a high-mix, low-volume shop averaging just 2-3 parts per order, was at a crossroads. They could continue operating as a traditional repair shop with heavy administrative overhead, or they could modernize. Justin chose the latter. By implementing ProShop ERP, Die-Craft didn't just replace software; they fundamentally changed their business economics. The results of this digital transformation are staggering. Die-Craft reduced their front-office staff from 11 people down to 6, saving nearly four full-time salaries strictly through efficiency gains, while simultaneously increasing milling capacity by 20%. In this episode, Justin reveals how accurate job costing allowed them to win back lost contracts, how they slashed office processing time from 10 days to 1, and why even their most "crotchety" manual machinists now panic if their computers go down. Justin Westerfeld on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-westerfeld/ Die-Craft Engineering: https://www.diecraftmachine.com/ Audio and Video Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK

    1h 3m
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In the bustling world of manufacturing and machining, efficiency and precision are key. The Manufacturing Transformed podcast is your peek into how companies benefit from being #PoweredByProShop.

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