Machine Shop Mastery

Paul Van Metre
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  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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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.

  1. 6D AGO

    He Borrowed $1M to Save His Team: Gary Poesnecker with Spectrum Machine & Design

    Some machine shop owners talk about people-first leadership. Few are willing to put everything on the line to prove it. In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I sit down with Gary Poesnecker, founder of Spectrum Machine & Design, whose leadership was tested when the world shut down. Faced with collapsing demand during COVID, Gary made a decision most owners wouldn't: he borrowed over $1 million to keep his team employed and protect the tribal knowledge inside his shop. That moment didn't happen in isolation. It was the result of decades of experience across precision grinding, machine rebuilding, offshore oil equipment, and ultimately high-risk aerospace manufacturing, where a single part can be worth hundreds of thousands — or even millions — of dollars. Gary shares how starting in a garage, working two full-time jobs, and getting fired shaped his views on culture, loyalty, and responsibility. We dig into the realities of AS9100, NADCAP, model-based definition, managing extreme risk, and why refusing high turnover has become a strategic advantage. This conversation is about what it really takes to build a high-stakes manufacturing business — and what it means to lead when the cost of failure is measured in both dollars and people. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Why culture, turnover, and tribal knowledge matter more than most shops admit (1:03) Introducing Gary Poesnecker and Spectrum Machine & Design (3:08) What Spectrum Machine & Design does today and why aerospace is different (6:28) Gary's early machining background and learning precision the hard way (8:07) Why you need to register and come see us at IMTS 2026! (10:08) Lessons from machine repair, offshore oil work, and complex systems (14:18) Working two full-time jobs to fund the shop and ease into ownership (15:46) Getting fired, witnessing bad culture, and deciding to lead differently (18:00) Hiring the first employee and committing to long-term loyalty (23:43) Transitioning from toolmaking into aerospace production work (27:36) COVID, lost demand, and the decision to pivot to survive (33:45) Check out Phoenix Heat Treating for outside processing (34:51) Borrowing over $1M to protect payroll and keep the team intact (36:34) Recruiting and training young talent through technical schools (42:25) Building a culture people choose to stay in (44:23) Implementing systems and ERP to gain visibility and control (47:36) Managing risk on extremely high-value aerospace parts (50:20) Current challenges around systems, lean, and process discipline (51:29) What makes shop ownership worth it despite the pressure (52:30) Advice for owners growing through complexity and specialization (53:25) Look to Hire MFG Leaders to make your next hire (55:17) Where to learn more about Spectrum Machine & Design Resources & People Mentioned Come see us at IMTS 2026! Check out Phoenix Heat Treating for outside processing ProShop ERP Look to Hire MFG Leaders to make your next hire Connect with Gary Poesnecker Connect on LinkedIn Spectrum Machine & Design Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify

    53 min

  2. JAN 28

    Extreme Specialization: The Strategy Behind a 123-Person Gear Company

    Most machine shops grow by adding capabilities, chasing new markets, and saying "yes" as often as possible. Forest City Gear took the opposite path — and built a 123-person company by doing it. In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I sit down with Kika Young, President of Forest City Gear, to unpack how extreme specialization became the company's competitive advantage. Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, Forest City Gear made the intentional decision to focus almost exclusively on one thing: high-precision, loose gears. That focus reshaped everything — from who they sell to, to how they price work, to how they think about growth. Kika shares the personal and professional story behind that strategy, including the weight of leading a multi-generation family business, navigating serious health challenges within her family, and nearly selling the company before deciding to commit fully to its future. Along the way, she explains why walking away from entire industries was one of the best decisions they ever made. This conversation is a deep dive into focus as a growth strategy. It challenges the idea that more capability automatically means more opportunity, and instead makes the case that saying "no" — clearly and consistently — can be the most powerful move a shop owner makes. If you're wrestling with how to grow without losing control, margin, or identity, this episode offers a clear, real-world example of what disciplined specialization actually looks like. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Introducing Forest City Gear and the idea of extreme specialization (2:00) A snapshot of the company today, including team size and what they do — and don't do (4:58) The origins of Forest City Gear and how the business first got started (7:44) Getting a firsthand look at the quality of SMW Autoblok workholding (9:30) Growing from a garage operation into a long-standing precision manufacturer (12:21) Kika's path into the family business and early exposure to leadership (16:00) Stepping into leadership and taking responsibility for the company's direction (18:02) Exploring the decision to pursue a sale — and why it ultimately didn't happen (21:02) Where the business stands today in terms of growth, scale, and ownership (24:23) What makes precision gear manufacturing fundamentally different from general machining (27:30) The core drivers behind Forest City Gear's long-term growth (29:59) Why the company intentionally avoids automotive work (32:16) Mark your calendars and register for IMTS 2026 (33:06) Customer diversification and how end markets are chosen (34:51) How sales and marketing work in a highly specialized niche (37:40) Channels that actually drive demand for precision gears (41:03) Understanding the true competitive landscape (42:36) Advertising in specialty magazines (45:25) Core values and how they show up on the shop floor (48:46) Hiring and retention in a specialized manufacturing environment (51:44) ProShop can help you achieve on-time delivery (52:55) The biggest challenges facing the business today (55:01) Leadership transparency during difficult years (57:35) How organizational structure evolved as the company grew (1:03:29) Advice for shop owners considering specialization as a growth strategy (1:06:24) Where to learn more about Forest City Gear Resources & People Mentioned Check out the SMW Autoblok catalog Mark your calendars and register for IMTS 2026 Your guide to achieving on-time delivery with ProShop ERP MPT Expo Gear Technology Gear Solutions Connect with Kika Young Forest City Gear Connect on LinkedIn

    1h 8m

  3. JAN 21

    100. Collective Wisdom: Best Ideas from the First 99 Episodes of Machine Shop Mastery

    Reaching 100 episodes is more than a milestone. It's a moment to step back and recognize what's been built together. In this special compilation episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I reflect on the most powerful ideas, lessons, and human stories that emerged from the first 99 conversations with shop owners and manufacturing leaders across the industry. When this podcast started, I thought we were chasing a simple question: what makes great shops great? What became clear over time is that we weren't really talking about machines or parts at all. We were talking about responsibility, sacrifice, leadership, and the human soul of the American economy. Over these episodes, we've heard from owners who sold their homes to save their businesses, leaders who risked everything to protect their teams, and families who carried legacies forward through loss and adversity. This episode brings together those lessons into a set of foundational pillars that show up again and again in successful shops. The power of process. The importance of culture and core values. The strategic advantage of planning. And the discipline required to build a business that doesn't rely entirely on its owner. These aren't theories. They're lived experiences shared by people who have felt the weight of ownership firsthand. You'll also hear moments of generosity, resilience, and community that rarely make it into business playbooks. Stories of competitors helping competitors, leaders choosing people over profit, and shop owners who understand that a rising tide truly lifts all boats. Together, these stories form something bigger than a highlight reel. They represent a body of collective wisdom. This episode isn't a finish line. It's a marker. A thank-you to the guests who trusted me with their stories, and to the listeners who show up every week to learn, reflect, and grow. Here are some of the best ideas from the first 99 episodes of Machine Shop Mastery. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Compelling question or topic, written to elicit curiosity  (3:30) Scott Shortess: Process as the foundation of operational excellence (5:30) Dave Capkovitz: Trusting the process more than your gut (7:00) Why we created Hire MFG Leaders (7:25) Introducing Pillar #2: Culture and core values (8:19) Culture as something practiced daily, not written on a wall (9:35) Using values to guide hard people decisions (12:58) How culture, values, and people drive the success of a business (16:19) Why strong culture carries teams through adversity (16:53) Introducing Pillar #3: Planning as a strategic advantage (17:24) The cost of poor planning on the shop floor (21:19) Investing in planning and engineering to unlock throughput (23:49) "Sharpen the axe" thinking and why preparation pays off (25:39) Get a free custom report from Factur for real opportunities in your industry (26:43) Introducing Pillar #4: Building a business that doesn't depend on the owner (27:19) Running a shop as if it will one day be sold (29:58) Why many shops struggle with succession and exit readiness (32:08) Delegation, trust, and letting leaders emerge (40:15) Stories of sacrifice, resilience, and personal cost behind success (45:30) The human moments that drive manufacturing onward (50:11) Final reflections on leadership, legacy, and responsibility (51:36) Join us at the 2026 IMTS Exhibitor workshop Resources & People Mentioned 1. Process is King! Serving Clients Through Process Improvements with Scott Shortess 4. The Power of Investing in People - Lessons from Jamie Spitzer 9. Going All-In on Community Engagement and Workforce Development 15. A Masterclass In Machine Shop Ownership with Aneesa Muthana 19. Building a World-Class Shop with Brad Keselowski 22. Vision and Values-Based Leadership with Eric and John from KMM Group 28. How to Delegate Yourself Out of a Job with David Hannah 35. Steep Learning Curve of a Successful Machine Shop with Dave Capkovitz 39. Caring Your Way to Success with Kody Guidry 42. Making Precision Moves in Building a Highly Successful Machine Shop 58. How to Find, Buy, & Grow a Shop with Mike Fritz Get a free custom report from Factur for real opportunities in your industry Use Hire MFG Leaders for your next hire Join us at the 2026 IMTS Exhibitor workshop Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify Audio Production by - PODCAST FAST TRACK

    52 min

  4. JAN 14

    99. Love God, Love People, and Make Chips: The Visionary Leadership of Bill Cox

    Some manufacturing businesses grow because of timing, technology, or market opportunity. Others endure because of values. In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I sit down with Bill Cox of Cox Manufacturing, a nearly 70-year-old family business whose legacy was forged through resilience, faith, and an unwavering commitment to people. Bill shares the remarkable origin story of Cox Manufacturing, which began with a single Swiss machine purchased at auction in the 1950s and grew into a high-volume precision operation shipping millions of parts each week. Along the way, the company played a quiet but critical role in some of the most important moments in American history, including supplying components for the Apollo space program. The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as Bill recounts losing his father at just 12 years old and being thrust into the business at an age when most kids are just learning multiplication. With guidance from his mother, Bill learned to read financial statements, understand inventory, and appreciate the connection between productivity, profitability, and people. We also explore the darker chapters of the journey: customer concentration, outsourcing, bankruptcies, negative net worth, and hitting personal and professional rock bottom. Bill speaks candidly about how faith reshaped his leadership, ultimately becoming the foundation for the company's purpose: love God, love people, and advance American manufacturing. This episode is a masterclass in long-term leadership, operational discipline, and values-driven growth. Whether you're a first-generation owner or stewarding a multi-generation legacy, Bill's story is a powerful reminder that the most enduring businesses are built on more than machines. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:49) Bill Cox and the humble beginnings of Cox Manufacturing Co. (3:03) A snapshot of Cox Manufacturing Co. as it stands today (4:27) Cox Manufacturing's origin story and growth (11:06) Unlock real sales opportunities in your market with Factur (13:06) What fueled early growth and whether it was truly linear (15:04) Bill recounts losing his father and his decision to carry the business forward (17:34) Learning inventory, P&Ls, and why monthly WIP matters (18:58) Growing up in the shop and starting hands-on work at age 14 (23:07) Choosing engineering education while planning to return to the business (25:11) Early investments in multi-spindle machines and scaling for volume (27:48) Losing major customers to outsourcing and surviving the oil downturn (29:18) Hitting financial rock bottom and selling a personal home to save the business (30:00) Faith, humility, and a leadership reset during the hardest years (31:02) A pivotal CNC investment that unlocked new capabilities (32:04) Why you need to come to the 2026 IMTS Exhibitor Workshop (34:09) Finding success with sales representatives and internet marketing (41:12) The evolving challenge of hiring and developing skilled machinists (42:13) Launching a registered apprenticeship program and internal training systems (43:11) Using personality profiling to place people in the right roles (45:25) Tracking value-added labor and understanding true profitability (50:55 Transparency, open-book management, and department-level accountability (52:46) Bill shares the company's purpose: love God, love people, and advance manufacturing (54:40) Advice for shop owners: don't be an island, seek peers and community (56:48) Where to learn more about Cox Manufacturing and explore shop tours (57:22) Why you need to listen to the Lights Out podcast Resources & People Mentioned Get a free custom report from Factur: Unlock Real Sales Opportunities in Your Market Register for the 2026 IMTS Exhibitor Workshop The Culture Index The Predictive Index Connect with Bill Cox Connect on LinkedIn Cox Manufacturing 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

    58 min

  5. JAN 7

    Behind the Scenes of a Top Shop with Jayme Rahz

    What does a truly dialed-in machine shop look like behind the scenes? In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I sit down with Jayme Rahz of Midway Swiss Turn, one of the most intentional and well-run shops I've come across. I met Jayme at the Top Shops Conference, where Midway Swiss Turn was recognized for Shop Floor Best Practices, and after this conversation, it's easy to see why. Jayme shares the full origin story of the business, which started in a garage with her father-in-law and grew into a highly automated Swiss-focused operation in Ohio. Over more than two decades, the shop has evolved from manual machining and tool and die work into a diversified, precision manufacturing business serving a wide range of industries, from aerospace and defense to oil and gas and medical. We dig deep into the decisions that shaped that evolution, including early investments in Swiss machining, hard-earned lessons from customer bankruptcies, and how risk, technology, and relationships intersect in long-term growth. Jayme offers a candid look at what it really takes to adopt new technology, build a resilient customer mix, and make automation work in a small shop environment. This conversation also explores culture, transparency, and leadership. From flexible schedules and people-first policies to data-driven quoting, machine monitoring, and ERP systems, Jayme explains how Midway Swiss Turn balances efficiency with trust. If you want an honest, behind-the-scenes look at how a Top Shop actually operates day to day, this episode is packed with practical insight. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Introduction to Jayme Rahz and why Midway Swiss Turn earned Top Shops recognition (2:41) The family origins of the business and starting in a garage (4:40) Diversification across industries and why it's a risk-management strategy, not a nice-to-have (10:23) A snapshot of the team and how roles like sales actually function in a small shop (11:05) Early hard lessons from the tool-and-die era and what forced them to adapt (15:53) Quality expectations, inspection discipline, and brand protection (16:56) The reasoning behind rebranding around Swiss turning is explained (18:35) Building a family-oriented culture, recruiting philosophy, and workforce development (22:41) Automation is discussed as a long-term stability play, not just efficiency (25:06) Systems that support automation, visibility, and decision-making are outlined (26:14) Harmoni machine monitoring and its impact on daily operations (28:35) How leadership communicates transparently during uncertainty (31:42) Unlock Real Sales Opportunities in Your Market with Factur (33:35) Margin discipline, quoting accuracy, and protecting profitability (39:32) Why hiring a machinist-turned-salesperson made sense (45:54) Managing growth and balancing it on the floor (47:19) How decisions are made around when automation actually makes sense (51:07) Jayme's advice for taking the leap and embracing automation (54:12) Making the move from a garage to 10,000 square feet (58:10) How do you ensure longevity and success (1:00:28) Where to connect with Jayme and learn more about Midway Swiss Turn (1:01:53) Why we love SMW Autoblok for workholding Resources & People Mentioned Come see us at the 2026 IMTS Exhibitor Workshop Get a free custom report from Factur: Unlock Real Sales Opportunities in Your Market Why we love SMW Autoblok for workholding Harmoni Paperless Parts Mastercam Connect with Jayme Rahz MidwaySwissTurn.com Connect with Jayme on LinkedIn 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

    1h 3m

  6. 12/31/2025

    The Human Side of Hard Businesses: Culture, Trust, and Long-Term Leadership

    Staying in business for decades requires more than machines, processes, and good customers.In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I sit down with Bonnie and Ken Kuhn of Kuhn Tool, a multi-generation, family-owned shop in northwest Pennsylvania that has quietly endured for more than six decades. What makes this conversation special isn't just the longevity of the business, but the way Bonnie and Ken have built it together. From surviving offshoring waves and major customer losses to steadily growing from a handful of employees into a thriving operation, their story is rooted in flexibility, trust, and an unwavering commitment to people. They share how niching down, staying conservative with growth, and protecting employees through uncertain times helped them build a resilient company. We talk deeply about culture and what it really takes to create a workplace where people want to stay until retirement. Bonnie and Ken explain why respect, kindness, and genuine relationships aren't soft ideas, but strategic advantages in a demanding industry. Their stories about employee loyalty, family involvement, and moments of personal hardship reveal the human side of leadership that often gets overlooked. This episode is a powerful reminder that long-term success in manufacturing isn't driven solely by machines or technology. It's built through steady decisions, adaptability, and leaders who understand that people are not tools, they're the business. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Ken reflects on flexibility as a core requirement for small businesses (3:11) The origins of Kuhn Tool and its evolution into a highly specialized job shop (5:22) How Factur can help you fill your sales pipeline (6:30) A snapshot of the business today, including services, capabilities, and team size (9:16) What it takes to operate in a low-volume, high-mix, high-precision environment (12:10) Why niching down became a critical strategic decision (15:03) Surviving offshoring and losing major customers during industry downturns (17:59) How cold calling from the Thomas Register helped rebuild the business (22:07) The importance of being proactive instead of waiting for work to return (25:42) What it takes to build a company where people want to retire (28:13) Why respect is the foundation of long-term employee retention (28:55) Hiring challenges and using social media and referrals to attract talent (30:32) Why we love SMW Autoblok for workholding  (31:43) How technology investments replaced hard-to-find toolmaker skills (33:55) Early adoption of five-axis machining and why it paid off (38:05) Leveraging waterjet technology to improve flexibility and resilience (42:23) Meaningful moments that define ownership beyond profits (44:57) Bonnie's powerful story about returning to the shop after COVID (47:54) The role of NTMA and peer groups in leadership development (52:12) Why community and shared learning matter for small business owners (55:23) Embracing technology, including AI, as just another leadership tool (59:19) Why you should head to the 2026 IMTS Exhibitor Workshop  Resources & People Mentioned Get a free custom report from Factur at Facturmfg.com/chips Why we love SMW Autoblok for workholding  Why you should head to the 2026 IMTS Exhibitor Workshop  Connect with Bonnie and Ken Kuhn Kuhn Tool & Die Connect with Bonnie on LinkedIn Connect with Ken on LinkedIn  Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify Audio Production by PODCAST FAST TRACK

    1h 1m

  7. 12/24/2025

    From Pole Barn to Precision Powerhouse: Shane Grant's 10-Year Shop Journey

    In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I finally sit down with Shane Grant from Machining Momentum, a guest I've been hoping to have on the show for a long time. Shane has spent the last decade building his shop from the ground up, literally starting in a backyard pole barn and growing it into a precision-focused operation that's now hitting its stride in a new industrial facility. What makes Shane's story compelling isn't just the growth, but how intentionally it happened. He shares how early exposure to machining through a family business, followed by experience in automotive, industrial, and aerospace manufacturing, gave him the technical foundation to start a shop. But once he made the leap into ownership, he quickly learned that machining skill alone isn't enough to run a successful business. We talk openly about the challenges he's faced along the way, including floods, fires, customer concentration risk, hiring struggles, and the pressure that comes with rapid growth. Shane is refreshingly honest about the emotional and mental toll of ownership, as well as the personal development work he's had to do to become a better leader for his team. One of the most eye-opening parts of this conversation is how Shane built demand for his shop. Rather than relying on a traditional sales team, he leaned into storytelling and authenticity on social media, which now drives roughly 90 percent of his incoming work. This episode is full of practical lessons, leadership insight, and hard-earned perspective for anyone building or growing a machine shop. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:46) I introduce Shane Grant, his 10-year journey, and how social media has fueled his shop's growth (2:54) Getting started in machining at 15 through a family-owned shop (10:47) When shop ownership became a real goal instead of a distant idea (13:04) How customer concentration and a bankruptcy led to the family business closing (15:25) The hard difference between being a great machinist and running a business (16:02) Using SBA resources to learn insurance, planning, and business fundamentals (18:23) A snapshot of the shop today, including machines, inspection, and a recent facility move (21:03) Building a long-term vision that goes beyond just making parts (24:27) Why leading by example on the shop floor is essential to earning trust (26:17) How personal development and self-care became leadership tools (28:28) Keeping spindles busy by turning storytelling into a sales engine (32:52) Why attending the 2026 IMTS Exhibitor Workshop is worth the investment (35:52) Hiring challenges and finding talent through local colleges (37:57) Supporting workforce development through board involvement and educator collaboration (39:29) A moment that showed how manufacturing mentorship can change a career path (43:02) Year-over-year growth, momentum, and approaching the million-dollar mark (46:29) The shift from working in the business to working on the business (48:29) Cross-training, shared responsibility, and hiring with intention to protect culture (51:55) Managing the tension between rapid growth, quality, and cash flow (54:49) Responding to floods and fires with resilience and teamwork (58:25) Why waiting for the "right time" holds shop owners back (1:00:37) Growing your top and bottom line with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) Resources & People Mentioned Check out the SMW Autoblok catalog Register for the FREE 2026 IMTS Exhibitor Workshop Connect with Shane Grant Connect on LinkedIn Machining Momentum LLC 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

    1h 1m

  8. 12/17/2025

    95. Why Clean Floors, Strong Culture & High-End Machines Drive Valuation

    One of the questions I think about constantly is what actually makes a machine shop valuable. Not just today, but five, ten, or even twenty years down the road. It's easy to point to machines, revenue, or backlog, but the real drivers of long-term value usually run much deeper. That's exactly why I wanted to sit down with Jamie Goettler, Chief Revenue Officer of BTX Precision, for this episode of Machine Shop Mastery. BTX Precision is one of the fastest-growing advanced manufacturing platforms in the country. Jamie brings a rare blend of perspectives to the conversation. With more than two decades at MSC Industrial Supply, deep experience in innovation and machining technology, and now a front-row seat to platform growth through acquisition, he understands what separates shops that simply survive from those that truly thrive. In our conversation, we dig into what BTX looks for when acquiring companies. We talk about why capability, cleanliness, people, and culture matter more than ever. We also cover the metrics that actually signal business health, including book-to-bill, customer concentration, technology adoption, and employee engagement. Jamie shares how BTX balances scale with continuity, keeping individual business units intact while supporting them with capital, leadership, and shared resources. We also explore where manufacturing is headed next. From the real inflection point happening in additive manufacturing to the growing importance of cybersecurity and CMMC compliance, this episode covers issues every shop leader needs to be thinking about right now. Whether you plan to sell your business someday or simply want to build a stronger one, this conversation offers practical insight into how sophisticated manufacturers are positioning themselves for the future. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) What separates "rare air" machine shops through advanced capability, talent, and equipment (1:35) Episode introduction and overview of BTX Precision and platform growth (3:54) Jamie Goettler's background from MSC to innovation, patents, and machining dynamics (7:26) Machining dynamics, vibration control, and their impact on throughput and profitability (8:54) IMTS 2026 Exhibitor Workshop sponsor segment and exhibitor ROI planning (12:46) Introduction to BTX Precision's acquisition strategy and advanced manufacturing focus (15:28) Capability-driven acquisitions, cross-selling, and multi-brand platform strategy (17:54) Scale of BTX Precision including employees, equipment count, and geographic footprint (18:45) BTX Match platform and improving supply chain transparency for buyers and engineers (21:15) Additive manufacturing adoption, DFAM, and the current industry inflection point (24:09) Accelerating product development and R&D through additive and hybrid manufacturing (25:32) Private equity partnership model, leadership alignment, and long-term investment mindset (29:11) Key metrics used to evaluate shop health including book-to-bill and technology adoption (32:10) Phoenix Heat Treat sponsor segment on transparency and outside processing visibility (34:51) Post-acquisition playbook focused on continuity, empowerment, and shared services (37:31) Why shop cleanliness, organization, and appearance directly impact valuation (40:19) Cybersecurity, CMMC compliance, and preparing for defense and aerospace requirements (44:04) Workholding Wisdom sponsored segment with Larry Robbins on safety, sealing, and reliability (53:43) Customer concentration risk and targeting complex, high-value work (59:42) Reshoring, manufacturing's economic multiplier, and workforce impact (1:02:54) Long-term stewardship of manufacturing, people, and community outcomes (1:04:41) Hire MFG Leaders sponsor message on recruiting and retaining manufacturing talent Resources & People Mentioned Why you need to head to the IMTS Exhibitor Workshop Why we love the honesty and transparency Phoenix Heat Treating provides Paperless Parts Check out our newest service: Hire MFG Leaders Connect with Jamie Goettler BTX Precision BTX M.A.T.C.H. Connect on LinkedIn L2 Capital Partners Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify

    1h 7m
See All (104)

4.8
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Van Metre
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    104
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Machine Shop Mastery
  • Show Website
    Machine Shop Mastery

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