Machine Shop Growth
Mike Fritz
The Machine Shop Growth Podcast gives a fresh perspective to help you grow your shop by focusing on 3 key factors - Sales, Marketing and Efficiency. For decades the machine shop industry was build on a “good-ol-boys” mentality and was full of great machinists and engineers that made great parts. What has been discovered is many of those amazing shops have plateaued or are starting to decline - because they didn’t put enough emphasis on getting more work and making more money with the work they had. On this podcast you will hear first hand advice from machine owners and mangers how they are getting more work and how they are making more money. Now let’s Grow Your Shop!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 8, 2025 • 52min
Episode #5: Where Growth Starts
Hank Westerkamp, Director of Marketing with a rich background in engineering and IoT, joins a dynamic leadership team to tackle the big question: where does growth for machine shops actually start? They discuss the importance of understanding customer types and the confusion around prioritizing sales, marketing, or new hires. Listeners will learn why quality alone won't secure new work, the power of a simple website as a marketing tool, and how adopting standardized processes can enhance profitability and cultivate a growth-focused mindset across teams.
Mar 27, 2025 • 44min
Episode #4: New Chapter—We've Joined Making Chips!
Join Mike Payne, owner of American Precision Partners, and Kirk Phelps, a third-generation tool and die maker, as they delve into transformative strategies for customer acquisition. Discover how to engage new customers without sacrificing quality, and the importance of identifying perfect customer profiles. They discuss reviving customer connections through proactive communication and the role of engaging content marketing in building trust. The duo also stresses the significance of merging sales and marketing for cohesive revenue generation and cultivating a growth culture within manufacturing.
Mar 4, 2025 • 54min
Episode #3 : The Final Piece - Capturing New Customers in Our Growth Series
Explore the nuanced world of customer acquisition, emphasizing that growth doesn’t always hinge on new clients. Discover how identifying a strategic customer profile can lead to healthier business relationships and higher profits. Delve into the power of niche mastery, targeted marketing strategies akin to fishing, and maximizing efficiency through standardization. Learn the importance of building trust and transforming customer relationships by solving their problems. Finally, uncover how trade shows can serve as golden opportunities for attracting the right clientele.
8 snips
Jan 28, 2025 • 58min
Episode #2: How to Land Dormant Customers
Explore the intriguing world of re-engaging dormant customers as the hosts dive deep into the reasons customers become inactive. Discover strategic approaches tailored for machine shops, emphasizing relationship-building and effective communication. Learn how understanding customer profiles can revive connections and align expectations. The discussion also highlights the innovative use of modern tools, including AI, to enhance outreach and customer retention. Tune in for actionable insights that transform lost leads into valuable partnerships!
Jan 15, 2025 • 39min
EPISODE #1 (PART 1)
The discussion kicks off with an exploration of the three types of customers, focusing on the most lucrative ones. Listeners get insights into profitability versus mere customer acquisition, stressing the importance of maintaining strong client relationships. The power of personal connections in sales is highlighted, along with strategies for effective time management and delegation within a machine shop. Additionally, tips on reengaging dormant accounts reveal fresh growth opportunities, emphasizing the role of nurturing customer relationships for sustained success.
Jan 13, 2025 • 4min
Pilot Episode
Here’s a question for you—are you running your shop, or is your shop running you?In this episode of the Machine Shop Growth Podcast, Kirk and I are diving into the 3 biggest challenges shop owners face—things most of us don’t even realize are slowing us down:1️⃣ Why trying to do it all might be your biggest mistake.2️⃣ How one simple change could completely transform your workflow.3️⃣ The surprising reason your shop down the road is growing faster (hint: it’s not their parts).We’re here to help you break out of the grind, grow your shop, and finally see the profits you’ve been working so hard for.🎧 Pilot Episode is live now—don’t miss it!
