Machine Shop Growth Podcast

🚨 NEW EPISODE DROP! We’re kicking off July with a powerful conversation on the Machine Shop Growth Podcast. 🎙️ Episode 10: "Is It Time to Buy a New Machine?" This week, Mike and Kirk Phelps are joined by Greg Knox, CEO of Knox Manufacturing Solutions, to tackle a question that haunts nearly every shop owner: 👉 Do you wait until the work shows up... or buy the machine and make it come? In this episode, we dive into: ✅ Capacity vs. Capability ✅ Strategic machine buying (not emotional buying) ✅ The hidden ROI of efficiency, automation, and mindset shifts You don’t want to miss this one. 🎧 Listen now to learn when it’s time to invest—and how to avoid buying a boat anchor. LINK IN THE COMMENTS BELOW #MachineShopGrowth #ManufacturingStrategy #CNCmachining #JobShopLeadership #Automation #GrowthMindset #MakingChips #NewEpisode

📞 Why should I pick up the phone when you call me? If your shop's entire online presence is a list of machines... you're just noise. Everybody's got a mill. Everybody runs tight tolerances. But not everyone communicates well. Solves problems fast. Ships on time. Competitive differentiation isn’t fluff—it’s fuel for top-line growth. Because when your buyer finds you online, they’re already deciding whether you're worth calling. 🎙️ Hear the full conversation in Episode 9 of the Machine Shop Growth Podcast. LINKS DOWN THE COMMENT 👇 Harry Westerkamp Steve Mazza Kirk Phelps #MachineShopGrowth #CNCMarketing #TopLineRevenue #ManufacturingSales #CompetitiveEdge #IndustrialMarketing #DifferentiationMatters

Margins are shrinking. Labor is tight. Global competition is heating up. And too many shops are still relying on the same old playbook. This week on MakingChips, we’re covering the issues that actually move the needle for manufacturers: 👉 Quoting mistakes that kill your margins 👉 Why China’s manufacturing surge should have you rethinking your strategy 👉 Flexible staffing solutions for the labor crisis 👉 Turning plant tours and events into real ROI 👉 How better accounting drives stronger, more profitable shops If you run a shop, lead a team, or just want to stay sharp — catch up here 👇 Mike Payne Nick Goellner Paul Van Metre Joe Sullivan Jon Franko Jennifer Dubose

This week’s Boring Bar? Far from boring… especially if you're trying to grow your shop and not just spin your wheels. Let’s get into it 👇 🎧 MakingChips kicked off the week with the next episode in the Machine Shop MBA growth series brought to you by CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) and Modern Machine Shop. Joe Sullivan from Gorilla 76 joined Nick Goellner Paul Van Metre and I to dig into what job shop marketing actually looks like when it works. Ideal customer, clear messaging, and systems that attract the right work. 🎧 On Machine Shop Growth Podcast Mike Fritz CEO and Kirk Phelps sat down with Hank Westerkamp and Steve Mazza to break down what’s really holding shops back from top-line growth. From quoting habits to outbound lead systems, this one lays out a roadmap. 🎧 On MakingSparks, Meaghan Ziemba shared how showing up authentically builds trust, brand value, and industry momentum—especially for underrepresented voices in manufacturing. 🎧 On The Manufacturing Executive Podcast Joe Sullivan talked with Alex Webster from SDMS Robotics shared his journey from film school to CNC machinist to robotics entrepreneur. The conversation tackles labor, floor space, lean, and how to think differently about automation. 🎧 On Lights Out the new Automation Academy series launched with a wake-up call: automation isn’t about buying robots. It’s about building stable processes, defining standards, and rethinking your mindset. If you think your shop “can’t automate,” this one’s for you. 💡 The theme this week? Growth doesn’t just happen. You’ve got to commit. To the strategy, the systems, and the people that make it real. 🔔 Subscribe to The Boring Bar for weekly updates across the MakingChips network. And don’t forget: Need to hire #MFGLeaders? ➞ HireMFGLeaders.com 🙏 Huge thanks to our partners: Modern Machine Shop CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) ProShop ERP Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence IMTS - International Manufacturing Technology Show Verdant Commercial Capital Phoenix Heat Treating Tree Top Staffing LLC #TheBoringBar #Manufacturing #MachineShopMBA #BuyTheNumbers #GrowingValue #MakingChips #DataDrivenDecisions #NumbersMatter #MFGLeader Matthew Nix Casey Voelker David Vuyk Kirk Phelps Kaleb Mertz Jennifer Dubose Myles Rickerd Leslie Boyd Bryce Ellis Brent M. Donaldson Bonnie Gurney Mary Cecile Neville Michelle Edmonson, CEM Sarah Morrow Ty Willis Charlie Hushek Jon Franko

Are you building a brand—or just blending in? This week’s newsletter covers: ✅ Smarter marketing strategy for job shops ✅ Real talk on revenue growth ✅ Authentic storytelling with Meaghan Ziemba ✅ Lights-out automation that actually works ✅ A film student turned robotics innovator If you’re serious about shop growth, don’t miss this drop. Mike Payne Nick Goellner Paul Van Metre Joe Sullivan Jon Franko Matthew Nix Casey Voelker Mike Fritz CEO Kirk Phelps David Vuyk Kaleb Mertz

💡 Most shops think top-line growth means chasing new customers. But what if the best opportunities are already in front of you? In our latest episode of the Machine Shop Growth Podcast, we’re wrapping up the 3-part growth series by unpacking the real drivers of revenue—and it’s not always more machines or headcount. We’re talking: ✅ Smarter, faster quoting ✅ Showing up consistently for current customers ✅ Building systems that attract (not just chase) leads ✅ Creating a follow-up rhythm that actually closes work 🎧 EPISODE 9 IS OUT NOW If your revenue has stalled—or just feels harder than it should—this one’s for you. 🎧 Catch our latest episode now: LINK DOWN IN THE COMMENTS #MachineShopGrowth #TopLineRevenue #ManufacturingSales #GrowthStrategy #CNCLeadership

This week’s Boring Bar? Not at all boring… especially if you’re tired of waiting around for sales to just “happen.” Let’s get into it 👇 MakingChips kicked off the week with the next episode in the Machine Shop MBA series, brought to you by Modern Machine Shop and CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) 🎙️ Mike Fritz CEO joined us to talk about one of the most important — and most misunderstood — topics in manufacturing: SALES. If your shop’s still stuck in the “cashier model” — waiting at the counter hoping POs just show up — this one’s for you. #️⃣ On The Manufacturing Employer, Peyton Warren from Gorilla 76 sat down with Jon Franko to talk about building momentum and community through smart industrial marketing. #️⃣ On The Manufacturing Executive Podcast Graham Immerman from MachineMetrics joined Joe Sullivan to break down the evolution of MES — and how to stop flying blind on your shop floor. #️⃣ And on Buy the Numbers# I sat down with Jared Doerfler to share his story of launching Hanna Golf — a from-scratch CNC-powered brand built on grit, garage time, and a passion for doing things better. 💡 The theme this week? Growth doesn’t happen by accident. You’ve got to be intentional — with your people, your tools, and your strategy. 🔔 Subscribe to The Boring Bar for weekly updates on everything happening across the MakingChips network. And don’t forget — Need to hire #MFGLeaders? ➡️ HireMFGLeaders.com 🙏 Huge thanks to our partners who help make this possible every week: Modern Machine Shop CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) ProShop ERP Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence IMTS - International Manufacturing Technology Show Verdant Commercial Capital Phoenix Heat Treating Tree Top Staffing LLC #TheBoringBar #Manufacturing #MachineShopMBA #BuyTheNumbers #GrowingValue #MakingChips #DataDrivenDecisions #NumbersMatter #MFGLeader Paul Van Metre Nick Goellner Matthew Nix Casey Voelker David Vuyk Kirk Phelps Kaleb Mertz Jennifer Dubose Myles Rickerd Leslie Boyd Bryce Ellis Brent M. Donaldson Bonnie Gurney Mary Cecile Neville Michelle Edmonson, CEM Sarah Morrow Ty Willis Charlie Hushek

Check out today’s episode on a topic we can all support!

You ever walk into a bar and the bartender’s already pouring your favorite bourbon? That’s what this week’s Boring Bar feels like… Before we recap what just dropped… here’s what’s coming tomorrow: ✅ The Machine Shop MBA Series (brought to you by Modern Machine Shop + CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) returns with a can’t-miss episode on building your tech stack…the digital backbone that’s required to get going and then grow with you! If you’re trying to grow your shop and have the systems to support it…this episode with Bryce Barnes is your blueprint. Now for the rewind: #️⃣ MakingChips — Nick Goellner Paul Van Metre, and and I sat down with Joe Sullivan to announce THREE brand-new shows joining the MakingChips Network: 1️⃣ The Manufacturing Executive Podcast — Strategy and vision for growth-minded shop leaders 2️⃣ The Manufacturing Employer — Tools and insights for building world-class teams 3️⃣ The Manufacturing Marketer — Practical playbooks to help shops stand out and sell more More shows. More solutions. One goal: helping shop owners win. #️⃣ Buy the Numbers — We dug into a critical topic: Executive Compensation. John Jones from Scissortail Executive Advisors joined me to unpack: • How to pay yourself as an owner without getting crushed on taxes • Smart ways to structure comp for your top leaders • The difference between income and wealth when you’re in charge If you own a shop, run a team, or are building a future — this episode is a must-listen. Quick reminder: Need to hire #MFGLeaders? Head over to https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.pHireMFGLeaders.com Big thanks to the sponsors keeping the bar stocked: Modern Machine Shop CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) ProShop ERP Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence IMTS - International Manufacturing Technology Show Verdant Commercial Capital Phoenix Heat Treating Tree Top Staffing LLC #TheBoringBar #Manufacturing #MachineShopMBA #BuyTheNumbers #GrowingValue #MakingChips #DataDrivenDecisions #NumbersMatter #MFGLeader #SaveAShop MakingChips Machine Shop Mastery Lights Out Machine Shop Growth Podcast MakingSparks Matthew Nix Casey Voelker Jennifer Dubose Kaleb Mertz Mike Fritz CEO Kirk Phelps Jon Franko Myles Rickerd Leslie Boyd Jennifer Clement Bryce Ellis Bonnie Gurney Mary Cecile Neville Michelle Edmonson, CEM Sarah Morrow Ty Willis Charlie Hushek Brent M. Donaldson

💸 Compensation Isn’t Just About Money—It’s About Loyalty, Retention, and Legacy... Most of us shop owners default to what feels practical: pay ourselves what the business can manage, pay our team something competitive, and cross our fingers that it’s enough. But here’s the truth: that approach might be quietly holding your business back. In this episode, I chat with John Jones of Scissortail Executive Advisors about smarter, more strategic ways to approach compensation—ways that help you retain great people, lower your tax burden, and build long-term value in your business: ✅ How to split your owner vs. executive salary the right way ✅ What non-qualified retirement plans can do that a 401(k) can’t ✅ And why even 10-person shops can use these tools If you've never really mapped out how you're paying yourself—or how you're setting your team up to stay—you’re not alone. But it's time to get intentional. 🎧 Listen in here: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/eC8EHwbt Mike Payne Nick Goellner Paul Van Metre Jennifer Dubose #BuyTheNumbers #ExecutiveComp #SmallBusinessFinance #ManufacturingLeadership