

The Manufacturing Automation Podcast
Gimbel Automation and Develop LLC
Michael and Matt talk about company philosophies and operating systems, industrial marketing for automation B2B companies, how they structure their lives/work-life-balance, and much more.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 27, 2025 • 1h 21min
From Quote to Completion: Streamlining Shop Workflow
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.

Aug 20, 2025 • 55min
The Middle Game: Adapting Systems for the Next Stage of Growth
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.

Aug 13, 2025 • 1h 30min
Defining the Line: Protecting Focus from Customer Distraction
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.

Aug 6, 2025 • 1h 12min
Signal or Noise: Leading Through Communication Overload
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.

Jul 30, 2025 • 1h 11min
Breaking the Cycle: Clarity, Ownership, and Team Coordination
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.

Jul 23, 2025 • 1h 1min
Knowing When to Say No: Delegation, Focus, and Operational Discipline
In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast, Michael and Matt unpack the leadership tension between saying yes to opportunities and staying focused on what actually moves the business forward. They discuss the challenge of delegating without creating confusion, how to recognize when systems need to mature before taking on more, and what happens when clarity breaks down. A grounded look at the discipline required to grow a team without losing momentum.

Jul 16, 2025 • 1h 6min
Scaling Smart Quoting: Visibility, Rework Reduction, and Better Communication
In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast, Michael and Matt dive into the nitty-gritty of improving quoting workflows as the team grows. They talk about reducing rework, creating better internal documentation, and helping team members quickly understand what’s already been quoted and why. Whether it’s through easier access to notes or structuring customer conversations more clearly, this episode is all about removing friction and building quoting systems that scale.

Jul 9, 2025 • 57min
Staying Ready: Quoting Discipline, Systems Thinking, and Operational Resilience
In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast, Michael and Matt discuss how to lead through uncertainty without overreacting. They dive into improving quoting workflows, building systems that support consistency, and the mindset shift from reactive fixes to resilient infrastructure. From setting up long-term CRM structure to maintaining discipline when momentum feels unclear, this episode offers a grounded approach to keeping your operation sharp—even when things aren’t urgent.

Jul 2, 2025 • 55min
Treating Marketing Like a Product: Systems, Iteration, and Long-Term Strategy
In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast, Michael and Matt shift gears to talk about building marketing infrastructure with the same rigor and iteration as product development. They cover how to create feedback loops using performance data, the importance of consistency over sprints, and what it looks like to preserve brand voice while testing new tactics. Whether you’re trying to generate demand, establish thought leadership, or just keep the pipeline warm, this episode dives into building a sustainable, systematized marketing engine.

Jun 25, 2025 • 41min
Building the Muscle: Habits, Systems, and Leadership Mindset in Scaling Teams
In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast, Michael and Matt reflect on what it takes to build a company that doesn’t rely on daily firefighting. They explore how developing repeatable habits, systems for information-sharing, and consistent team rituals leads to more predictable outcomes. Michael shares leadership insights on calibration, communication cadence, and the shift from individual heroics to collective readiness. If you’re growing a team and want it to feel less chaotic over time, this episode hits on the mindset and mechanics required.