40. A Scientific Study of How to Run a Precision Machine Shop with Tom Nathan from Total Precision My guest today is Tom Nathan, a former science teacher who ended up getting involved in the precision machining industry, and becoming the Managing Director of Total Precision.  As my first international guest, Tom shares some great wisdom about his approach to learning the industry and being scientific in his thinking about how to grow and get the most out of the team and processes at Total Precision. Tom shares many noteworthy ideas and pearls of wisdom for the audience and I know you’ll look at your shop a bit differently after listening to this episode. About Total Precision: Total Precision was established in 1997 and has since grown into a well equipped Machine Shop with grinding, milling, turning and fabrication capabilities. Total Precision is committed to delivering precision manufactured products and services that consistently meet or exceed customer expectations while complying with the highest industry standards. Follow Tom and Total Precision on social media: Personal LI: /tom-nathan Company LI: /total-precision Website: www.total-precision.com.au IG: @totalprecisionau 

39. Caring Your Way to Success with Kody Guidry from Coastal Machine & Supply Kody Guidry is one of the driving forces behind the success of Coastal Machine & Supply in Carencro Louisiana. Their remarkable success comes down first and foremost to a deep and authentic caring of the employees that has been instilled in their culture from the earliest days by Keith, and Kevin, two of the original founders. Kody shares their secrets of success for how they’ve catapulted to success by creating robust business processes, executed by well cared for employees.  As this interview will clearly show, it’s a formula that works! About Coastal Machine & Supply: Coastal Machine is an API Q1, AS9100D, ISO 9001 licensed and ITAR Registered CNC Manufacturing facility located in Carencro, LA. Coastal has been in business since 2004. They are a 100% paperless facility, and everything is ran through our digital manufacturing ERP system. This ensures efficient and effective throughput and allowing us to get updated information to and from the manufacturing floor immediately. Their processes and integrated Quality Management System, along with AS9100 and ITAR integration, with this system separate us from our competitors. It allows them to provide top notch quality and customer service. Follow Kody and Coastal Machine on social media: Personal LI: /kodyguidry Company LI: /coastal-machine-&-supply-inc- Website: www.coastalmachinesupply.com FB: /coastalmachine

38. Sharing My Own Thoughts on Shop Growth with Paul Van Metre from Pro CNC In this episode I interview myself, and share thoughts about the growth and story of Pro CNC - the machine shop I co-founded and owned for 17 years, as well as some of the themes and answers from my past guests.  I hope you find value in this episode and let me know if you’d like me to share more of my journey.  Comment or share on LinkedIn.  Thank you! Follow Paul on social media: Personal LI: /paulvanmetre

37. A Formula for Nearly Guaranteed Success in a Machine Shop with Matt Boucher from Machineosaurus Manufacturing Company Matt Boucher is the CEO of Machineosaurus Manufacturing Company - “Creating Precision with a Playful Roar”. He gave up a very successful career as the CEO of large manufacturing companies and decided to move his family across the country and buy a small machine shop. Matt brings his vast experience to that challenge with clarity and in a way that I’ve not heard described before.  It’s a very thought-provoking conversation on how to build a manufacturing company with nearly certain success and financial return for all its stakeholders. About Machineosaurus Manufacturing: Machineosaurus is committed to quality. We are working to achieve ASI9100 and ISO 9001-2015 certification, and we have a robust quality control system in place to ensure that every project meets our high standards. Their team of skilled professionals is dedicated to rapidly delivering high-quality, cost-effective solutions to our clients. We have a fully-equipped machine shop with state-of-the-art equipment, including CNC mills and lathes. Follow Matt and Machineosaurus Manufacturing on social media: Personal LI: /matthewboucher Company LI: /the-machineosaurus-manufacturing-company Website: www.machineosaurus.com IG: @machineosaurus

36. Achieving Excellence in a Precision Machining Business with Hernan Ricaurte from Ricaurte Precision Ricaurte Precision is a technology-driven, 2nd generation precision machining business that serves many high-tech industries with high-complexity machined parts with highly automated machines, including multi-pallet 5-axis machining centers.  Hernan didn’t originally have an interest in taking over his father’s business but has been deeply invested in learning the business and the industry for the last many years and is one of the most collaborative shop owners I’ve ever met. In this episode, we talk about striving for excellence in a business, technology adoption, culture (of course!) industry collaboration, and trade organizations. We also talk seriously about how difficult the precision machining business is with a healthy dose of realism.  Enjoy this great episode. About Ricaurte Precision: Ricaurte Precision Inc. has been providing a wide range of turnkey precision machining (CNC) services to FDA and Aerospace regulated clients for over 30 years (ISO 9001:2015). With a capacity of over 10,000 machining hours per month, Ricaurte Precision specializes in medium to high quantity, tight tolerance machining of metal and plastic parts. Follow Hernan and Ricaurte Precision on social media: Personal LI: /hernan-ricaurte-rpi Company LI: /ricaurte-precision-inc. Website: www.ricaurteprecision.com FB: @ricaurteprecision IG: @ricaurteprecision YT: @RicaurtePrecisionInc.-RPI

35. Steep Learning Curve of a Successful Machine Shop with Dave Capkovitz from C&K Tool Dave Capkovitz is a serial entrepreneur who at a very young age owned several businesses. When he had a life-changing event and sold all but C&K Tool, he began a journey of learning to be a great leader and business owner, while balancing his life and family priorities.  Dave tells the fascinating story of the growth of that shop, and his eventual exit and how he’s taking that knowledge, and what he wishes he had known at the time, to help shops today. Follow Dave on social media: LI: /david-capkovitz-99020a13

34. Methodically Building an Enduring Machine Shop with Dwain Dyer from Concise Manufacturing Dwain Dyer is the Owner of Concise Manufacturing Inc. which specializes in unattended 5-axis machining of high-complexity, feature-rich parts. Dwain blew me away with his thoughtful and intentional approach to how he’s building an “enduring organization”, which has many facets to it, from the technology they employ to their holistic approach to culture and employee success.  Anyone wanting to build a successful company will find a ton of wisdom from Dwain! Enjoy the episode. About Concise Manufacturing: Concise Manufacturing's promise is to Double the Value of your Company in 3 years or give your money back. Your profitability and success is their number one goal. With an extensive background in culture growth, manufacturing, operations, customer development, management, business evaluation, problem solving, top siding, continuous improvement, and employee development, they have the tools to provide a high quality partnership that will result in your success. Follow Dwain and Concise Manufacturing Inc. on social media: Personal LI: /dwain-dyer-1068355b Company LI: /concise-manufacturing-inc Website: www.concisecnc.com

33. Betting on Yourself and Starting a Bootstrapped Machine Shop with Lori Robertson from Cutting Edge Metals Lori Robertson is the Co-Founder and President of Cutting Edge Metals.  With 30+ years in the manufacturing industry as an employee, Lori finally decided to bet on herself and start a machine shop almost exactly a year ago.  She goes into quite a bit of detail about what she did to launch her shop, how she’s growing it, and the strong foundation she’s building for the future. From my years of experience, I can see that she’s making all the right moves and is poised for years of success. Everyone, but especially owners of younger shops, or soon-to-be shops will find tremendous value in this episode. Enjoy! Follow Lori and Cutting Edge Metals on social media: Personal LI: /lori-robertson-mba-37915965 

32. Digging Deep on Facility Builds and Shop Mergers with Eric and John from KMM Group In our first repeat guest episode, Eric and John from KMM group (Episode 22) go deep on the planning and execution of the building and planning of their new facility and the physical merging of 3 different facilities into one. They share how they’ve been approaching this huge move with their team to aleviate the employee concerns of a merger of this kind. We also dig into the workflows of service work vs. manufacturing work that they see in their combined company, among many other topics. As always, the thoughtfulness with which John and Eric have approached this project and other topics is inspiring and worth learning from. Enjoy the episode! About KMM Group: The KMM Group was created from three world-class companies: The KVI Group, M&S Centerless Grinding, Inc. and Meron Medical. In combined experience we have solved extreme manufacturing challenges for over 100 years. They make components for the aerospace, medical device and advanced manufacturing industries utilizing our capabilities in milling, turning, grinding, EDM, engineering and assembly. They leverage a history of hard-earned expertise and combine it with a fresh view of manufacturing’s future to achieve extraordinary things. KMM is able to do this organically with no third party funding, keeping our interests focused entirely on our customer solutions. Follow Eric, John and KMM Group on social media: Eric's LI: /eric-wilhelm-8bb1a410 John's LI: /john-shegda-a3846515 Company LI: /kmm-group Website: www.kmmgrp.com

31. The Power of Intentional Planning with Angie Holt from Rathburn Tool & Manufacturing Angie Holt is the president of Rathburn Tool & Manufacturing.  Rathburn is a 40-year-old 2nd generation precision machine shop in Indiana that serves the automotive, medical, safety, industrial and other markets.  Since Angie took the helm from the 1st generation, she and her sisters have made huge strides in professionalizing the organization and putting emphasis on sales & marketing, family succession planning, lean manufacturing and many other initiatives.  We had a great conversation and she shares a lot of great wisdom and expertise, with humility…always the hallmark of a great leader! About Rathburn Tool & Manufacturing: Precision tooled, manufacturable solutions made possible by a combination of robotics and experienced teams for companies that need their products and equipment to work well every time. Follow Angie and Rathburn Tool & Manufacturing on social media: Personal LI: /angie-holt-1b565219 Company LI: /rathburn-tool-and-manufacturing Website: www.rathburntool.com FB: @RathburnTool