The Manufacturing Automation Podcast

Matt and Michael unpack how they’re shifting from firefighting to systems. They talk about rewriting core values around reciprocity (no pay, no play—match the customer’s cadence), and how fixing a broken mobile checkout button quietly tripled Shopify conversions. They share an SOP that lets the team turn complex proposals in under 24 hours (11 proposals in ~10 days), prep for an A3 certification audit, and roll out vendor- and customer-facing Gantt charts to make dependencies—and delays—undeniably clear. They also get real about AI tools breaking in production (why leverage beats replacement), delegating with Loom to small vendors, and even the occasional two-by-four “field fix” when parts show up bent—all in service of building the companies and lives they want.

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast, Michael and Matt reflect on how accountability—both with customers and within their teams—is reshaping the way they operate. From confronting delayed payments and setting clearer boundaries, to revising sales strategies and rethinking when to say yes to massive projects, they dig into the hard lessons of staying disciplined. The conversation also covers refreshing their marketing tools, updating the automation partner eBook, and the importance of hiring higher-caliber engineering leadership.

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast, Michael and Matt open up about the stress of balancing heavy workloads with cash collection delays, vendor issues, and rising trade show costs. Michael shares how short staffing and delayed payments collided to create a frustrating crunch, while Matt reflects on managing questions from the team and keeping operations moving despite fatigue. Together they explore how to decide when to say no, avoid unnecessary scope creep, and keep product development disciplined—even when the pressure mounts.

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast, Michael and Matt recap a whirlwind couple of weeks—from the headaches of a misconfigured turnkey install to the stress of managing short staffing and nonstop work. Michael shares how deals are finally starting to move after a slow stretch, while Matt reflects on team growth, updated marketing content, and refining sales SOPs. Together they dig into how quoting systems, AI tools, and continuous improvement efforts can help bring more rhythm to the business.

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast, Michael and Matt dive into the strange paradox of rising inquiries but fewer deals actually closing. They share the grind of following up on slowed decision-making, why the economy might be driving hesitation, and how they’re responding by refining processes, tightening supply chains, and pushing continuous improvement. From CI experiments to new product refinements, this episode captures the tension of short-term frustration alongside long-term optimism.

In this episode, we break down how to keep jobs moving efficiently from the moment a quote is issued to final delivery. We discuss ways to tighten scheduling, align team priorities, and ensure execution stays on track — all while reducing bottlenecks and meeting customer deadlines. Whether it’s coordinating resources or fine-tuning the quoting process, you’ll hear practical strategies to improve turnaround times and keep production running smoothly.

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast, Michael and Matt explore the often-overlooked “middle game” of business growth—the stage where old systems start to break, but the new ones aren’t fully in place yet. They share lessons on recognizing the signs of outgrown processes, evolving leadership approaches, and turning friction into fuel for the next phase.

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast, Michael and Matt unpack the hidden cost of trying to be too helpful. They talk through how well-meaning customer interactions can quickly spiral into distractions—and what it takes to stay focused on your core business. From learning when to say no, to redesigning how help is offered, this episode dives into the hard work of protecting team capacity without sacrificing customer trust.

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast, Michael and Matt explore what happens when communication volume becomes its own problem. From flooded Slack threads to endless requests for clarity, they unpack how overcommunication often points to broken systems. The conversation touches on leadership stress, channel fatigue, and the need to adjust both mindset and infrastructure when signal turns to noise.

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast, Michael and Matt talk through the kinds of breakdowns that happen when decisions are delayed and responsibilities aren't clearly owned. They explore how uncertainty in one part of the workflow—whether quoting, job release, or planning—can ripple across the team. The conversation highlights the importance of proactive clarity, consistent communication, and building habits that reduce last-minute chaos.