MakingChips

Owning a business is HARD. Owning a Machine Shop is even harder! Listen to Paul Van Metre’s interview with Jereme Rogers on Machine Shop Mastery. It’s a transparent and raw look at the ups and downs of the business!

Looking to buy a machine shop but don’t know where to start? In this episode of Buy the Numbers, Mike Fritz CEO offers a roadmap for navigating the manufacturing M&A landscape. His advice? Build relationships with vendors, machine salespeople, and local manufacturing associations—they often know of businesses for sale before anyone else. Patience is key to finding the right opportunity. Acquisitions aren’t just about capital—they’re about connections. Here’s a sneak peek of what Mike covers: ✅ Structuring deals to minimize upfront investment ✅ Key metrics buyers should focus on ✅ The importance of decoupling ownership from operations Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or just learn more, this episode has something for you. 🎧 Check it out: https://lnkd.in/dq5EHsUS #Manufacturing #MFG #MergersAndAcquisitions #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Nick Goellner Paul Van Metre Mike Payne Matthew Nix Casey Voelker Jennifer Dubose

How do we CHAMPION manufacturing? How do we challenge the perspective the world at large has about manufacturing? On this episode of MakingChips, Jason Zenger 🎤💥 dives into a conversation with Terry Iverson about his book, “Finding America's Greatest Champion: Building Prosperity Through Manufacturing, Mentoring and the Awesome Responsibility of Parenting.” Through initiatives like CHAMPIONNow.org, Iverson strives to change public perceptions about manufacturing. He advocates for seeing the industry through a broader lens—one that recognizes manufacturing as a space for entrepreneurship, leadership, and community building. So how do we CHAMPION manufacturing and “Change How American Manufacturing Is Perceived In Our Nation?” Listen to find out. 🎧https://lnkd.in/eafCmH4K Nick Goellner Mike Payne Paul Van Metre #Manufacturing #MetalworkingNation #ManufacturingLeader #Leadership #Mentorship #MakingChips #ChampionNow

2.1 million manufacturing jobs could go unfilled by 2030  🤯 The demand for skilled talent is only increasing - so how do we connect today’s youth with the skilled careers of tomorrow? This is the challenge the Skilled Careers Coalition is determined to solve! 🚀 Mark H., the Director of the Skilled Careers Coalition, shares their mission to close the skills gap by inspiring the next generation and linking them to fulfilling careers. It’s not just about promoting jobs—it's about helping young people find purpose through skilled work  🙌 🎧 Discover how the Skilled Careers Coalition is driving change—and how you, as a #ManufacturingLeader, can play a role—in this episode of #MakingChips! https://lnkd.in/dYpj347n Jason Zenger 🎤💥Nick Goellner Mike Payne Paul Van Metre

The Skilled Careers Coalition was established to answer a critical question: “Why aren’t more young people pursuing skilled careers?” Decades of stigma surrounding blue-collar work have discouraged students from pursuing technical trades, leading to a talent shortage across industries. SCC’s goal is to shift that narrative and build a robust ecosystem that attracts and nurtures young talent. The coalition believes that collective impact—bringing together organizations and pooling resources—can solve this generational problem. Instead of competing, SCC encourages businesses to collaborate toward a shared goal: Developing and retaining skilled workers to benefit the entire industry. SCC has created a great framework to make this a reality. Check out our latest episode to hear more about their mission. 🎧 https://lnkd.in/dYpj347n Mark H. Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Nick Goellner Mike Payne Paul Van Metre #Manufacturing #MetalworkingNation #SkilledCareersCoalition #SkillsJam #AI #Metalworking #SCC

MakingSparks dropped a great episode this morning with special guest Jim Stratman 💥 🎤 What a crazy and inspiring story! Let us know what your biggest takeaway from the episode was in the comments 👇 Matthew Nix Casey Voelker Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Nick Goellner Mike Payne Paul Van Metre #MakingSparks #MakingChips #MetalworkingNation #Fabrication #Welding #Manufacturing #ManufacturingLeaders

💡 How do we connect today’s youth with the skilled careers of tomorrow? This is the challenge the Skilled Careers Coalition is determined to solve! 🚀 Manufacturing is at a crossroads, with long-time business owners retiring and leaving a talent void. Shops are struggling to keep up as skilled operators step away without replacements. Mark H., Executive Director of the Skilled Careers Coalition, shares their mission to close the skills gap by inspiring the next generation and linking them to fulfilling careers. It’s not just about promoting jobs—it's about helping young people find purpose through skilled work  🙌 🎧 Discover how the Skilled Careers Coalition is driving change—and how you, as a #ManufacturingLeader, can play a role—in this episode of #MakingChips! https://lnkd.in/eafCmH4K Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Nick Goellner Mike Payne Paul Van Metre #Manufacturing #MetalworkingNation #SkilledCareersCoalition #SkillsJam #AI #Metalworking

Jason Zenger 🎤💥 joined Tony Gunn, Meaghan Ziemba, and Paul Van Metre for the closing keynote at NTMA Engage 🤩 We are so incredibly thankful for Jason and excited that he gets to continue to share his wisdom with the #MetalworkingNation. We can't wait to hear what these amazing minds covered in this conversation 💪 #MakingChips #Manufacturing #ManufacturingLeader #AdvancedManufacturing

Our very own Paul Van Metre will be joining host Tony Gunn, as well as Meaghan Ziemba and a *Surprise Guest* for the closing keynote at this year’s NTMA ENGAGE Conference! They’ll dive into the forefront of transformative change being seen within the manufacturing sector and delve into the strategies, challenges, and opportunities reshaping the future of manufacturing. If you’re at the conference, do not miss it! If you aren’t able to make it, stay tuned… we just might share some of our biggest takeaways from the night! Mike Payne Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Nick Goellner #NTMA #MakingChips #Manufacturing #MetalworkingNation #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #WorkforceDevelopment #EmergingTechnologies #EconomicTrends

🚀 AI isn’t about replacing machinists—it’s about empowering them. In our latest MakingChips episode, Nick and Mike chat with Al Whatmough about how AI and automation are transforming the shop floor. From practical applications at IMTS - International Manufacturing Technology Show to the shift toward Human-Aided Manufacturing (HAM), we dive deep into the future of productivity in manufacturing. Curious how AI can help eliminate routine tasks and drive higher productivity? 🎧 Listen now! Discover how this industrial revolution moves brainpower back to the shop floor. Mike Payne Nick Goellner Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Paul Van Metre #manufacturing #AI #automation #MakingChips #machinelearning #IMTS #shopfloor #productivity #growth