Machine Shop Mastery 87. People and Technology: Building an Enduring Shop
When I think about the shops that inspire me most, it’s the ones that balance cutting-edge technology with a deep investment in people. That’s exactly why I loved sitting down with Steve and Eric Van Orden of Paramount Machine in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Steve started Paramount back in 1995 with nothing more than a manual mill and a garage shop. Fast forward nearly three decades, and the company has grown into a 75-person operation with more than 30 machines, including palletized horizontals, multi-spindle lathes, and 5-axis mills. What impressed me most, though, wasn’t the equipment—it was the culture they’ve built.
Both Steve and Eric share how Paramount has become a place where careers are built, young machinists thrive, and innovation is driven by a team that truly feels ownership in the business. With 35% of their workforce under 30 and several families working side by side, it’s clear this is more than just a machine shop—it’s a community.
In our conversation, we dig into the early days of Paramount, the lessons learned along the way, and the practical strategies they’re using now to keep growing in a space- and talent-constrained world. Most of all, we explore what it takes to build a business that can make a lasting impact—on people, families, and future generations.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...- (0:15) “RASRAM” and the 7 habits of effective workholding
- (1:35) Meet the guests: Steve and Eric Van Orden of Paramount Machine
- (3:26) How Steve founded the company in 1995 in a garage with manual equipment
- (4:26) Early growth, partnerships, and moving into a rented building
- (8:00) Transitioning from partnerships to solo leadership
- (9:03) Current snapshot of the business and its growth trajectory
- (10:49) How their workforce development program works
- (15:54) Collaborating with the NTMA and other local initiatives
- (16:22) Mentorship and on-the-job training models
- (17:20) Eric’s journey: From unsure beginnings to leading operations
- (21:00) How Paramount encourages team ownership and decentralized leadership
- (22:23) Flexibility in work hours, overtime, and PTO (24:47) Grow your top and bottom line with CLA
- (25:25) Letting each cell own their workflow
- (26:29) Embracing software, digitization, and writing custom internal tools
- (29:08) Transparency with finances and learning from losses without blame
- (33:22) Profitability, continuous improvement, and capacity optimization
- (35:44) Overcoming space constraints and driving efficiency with smarter equipment
- (39:36) Tracking KPIs, spotting bottlenecks, and using software to stay ahead
- (42:52) Strategic decisions that fueled growth: hiring, trust, and investing in technology
- (45:51) Legacy and impact: changing lives and building a multi-generational business
- (49:55) Join us at Top Shops 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina!
- Level up your workholding with SMW Autoblok
- Grow your top and bottom line with CLA
- Join us at Top Shops 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina!
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