Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders

Titan Gilroy wanted to create a platform where aspiring machinists could hone their skills, share their work, and connect with leaders in the industry to get hired. So he launched CNC Expert. You can share projects, get hired (or hire someone), receive free training to get certifications, and much more.  CNC Expert certifications are based on real-world skills and aren’t just a piece of paper. Because at the end of the day, it’s about parts—not paper. You have to be able to machine top-notch parts. Because if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM!  Segments [0:15] The Industrial Buying Engine with Thomasnet™ [3:37] Manufacturing leadership lessons [5:14] Titan intentionally created a great culture  [11:46] What inspired the vision for CNC Experts [19:54] A conversation about influence [23:25] The future of CNC Experts [26:48] Making a certification legitimate  [31:26] How to become an inspector [32:54] Does CNC Expert replace NIMS?  [35:15] Can Titan bench-press Jason? [37:16] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop Resources mentioned on this episode Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop The CNC Expert Platform Titan Gilroy on LinkedIn Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Lights out manufacturing isn’t only a large topic of conversation but it’s also the way of the future. Shops around the world are embracing automation. Are you? If you haven’t become part of the automation conversation, don’t miss our first lights-out-focused episode with Special guest Titan Gilroy. He shares how automation has progressed, the mindset you need to embrace to be successful, and how to mitigate the risks. Because if you’re not automating, you’re not MakingChips. And if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM! – Jason Segments [0:10] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop [2:08] Manufacturing news: OK, Mexico, Save Me [7:09] How automation technology has progressed  [9:49] The use of robots in automation [11:38] Will robots replace machinists? [15:51] The Industrial Buying Engine with Thomasnet™ [16:23] Check out the Oracle NetSuite ERP [22:57] How to mitigate the risks of lights-out manufacturing  [27:20] If you don’t automate, you’ll get left behind [28:30] What’s next for Titans of CNC and automation? [31:53] How automation is different around the world [36:00] There is a place for everyone in manufacturing Resources mentioned on this episode Lights Out: Training Machinists with an Automation Mindset with Titan Gilroy How Defeat and Success Has Shaped Titan Gilroy, #286 TITANS of CNC Connect with Titan on LinkedIn Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Steve Burkett has been in global aerospace manufacturing for 30 years. One year ago, he bought a well-established local shop and is now the President and CEO of Auto-Turn Manufacturing. Steve transitioned from being a big MFG leader to a small MFG owner. In this episode of MakingChips, Steve covers the good, bad, and the ugly of the transition. Is he MakingChips? Is he MakingMoney? There’s only one way to find out. BAM! – Mike Segments [1:56] Our warm MakingChips welcome for Steve Burkett [3:10] What’s the chip on your shoulder? [7:34] Big MFG leader to small MFG Owner [14:26] What Steve’s learned that benefits his company [17:23] The Industrial Buying Engine with Thomasnet™ [21:08] Why Steve chose to purchase Auto-Turn [27:03] How Steve connected with a private equity firm [28:07] Steve’s advice for those considering ownership  [31:01] The next steps for Auto-Turn Manufacturing [34:33] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop Resources mentioned on this episode Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Ken Parent keeps it real. Ken launched Parent Manufacturing in 2020 in the midst of the Covid pandemic. Navigating running a small shop and providing for his family hasn’t been an easy road. Instead of shying away from the reality of entrepreneurism, Ken shares the good, the bad, and the ugly on LinkedIn. The response has been overwhelming.  In this episode of MakingChips, we chat with Ken about the realities of being a small business owner in Oklahoma. He shares why he went into manufacturing, what his hope for the future is, and how he’s inspiring the manufacturing nation to make chips. Because if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM!  – Mike Segments [3:23] Jason’s “What are you learning?” segment [5:24] Learn more about Ken Parent of Parent Manufacturing [17:38] Why Ken became an entrepreneur [21:42] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop [22:22] How LinkedIn has become a community of support [30:40] The impact of the manufacturing community on his family [36:00] Creating content for The Practical Machinist  [39:48] What Ken’s ideal job looks like  [43:36] The Industrial Buying Engine with Thomasnet™ Resources mentioned on this episode Father of 7 Builds Machine Shop From the Ground Up. So Can You. Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop Connect with Ken on LinkedIn Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance Mitutoyo Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Did you know that we all operate from one of three root motivations? The majority of the decisions we make are because we’re striving for respect, value, or approval. When you know your root motivations as a leader—and in turn learn your team’s—it can help you become a better leader. Dennis Humphrey Ph.D. LCPC joins us in this episode of MakingChips to share how to narrow down your root motivation and how it can benefit your business. Because if your team isn’t syncing up because they don't understand each other’s motivations, you’re not going to be MakingChips, and if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM.  Segments [2:28] The three root motivations: Respect, value, and approval  [3:10] Manufacturing leader spotlight: Mike Rudy [6:55] Learn more about Dennis Humphrey Ph.D. LCPC [8:20] Where do our root motivations come from?  [10:22] The part where we make Nick the guinea pig [13:52] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop  [15:06] How do the “unhealthy” versions of these values manifest? [19:23] How to use your root motivation to be a better leader [24:20] Using someone’s root motivations to reach goals [30:28] How to frame root motivations correctly with your team [32:19] Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 Resources mentioned on this episode The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop The 6 Types of Working Genius Eden Business Concepts  Thrive Space Podcast Root Motivations PDF Download Connect with Dennis on LinkedIn Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 Connect With MakingChips  www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

What is the greatest show on manufacturing Earth? IMTS. Every two years, the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) draws manufacturers from around the world to Chicago for six days. IMTS not only makes a huge impact on the economy in Chicago but also on the manufacturing industry. Peter Eelman—the Chief Experience Officer at AMT— joins us in this episode of MakingChips to share just what that impact is. Because if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM! – Nick Segments [0:13] The Industrial Digital Marketing Services at Thomas™ [2:45] What our new show structure is going to look like [4:35] Manufacturing leadership spotlight: Karyn Ross [6:22] Today’s guest: Peter Eelman at AMT [9:28] What Peter’s been doing since IMTS [13:16] The impact IMTS has on Chicago [22:41] The economic impact on the manufacturing industry [27:02] Does the health of the trade show industry matter? [30:14] What impacted the attendance numbers in 2022? [35:17] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop  [35:55] How can you engage with IMTS and each other? Resources mentioned on this episode The Toyota Way to Service Excellence by Karyn Ross Karyn Ross on LinkedIn Michelle Edmonson on LinkedIn Peter Eelman on LinkedIn IMTS+ SPS Formnext Formnext Forum Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

I’m Mike Payne, the President and Owner of Hill Manufacturing & Fabrication and the first guest host for MakingChips Seasons. When I first bought my company, I had to take on many of the HR functions. Enter Thrive PEO: Jon Scoggins came into the picture and took a lot off my plate.  So in this episode of MakingChips, Jon joins us to share what a PEO is and how it can not only benefit manufacturing leaders, but help them remain competitive in the workforce. Because if you can’t attract and retain machinists, you’re not MakingChips. And if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM! Segments [1:48] Learn more about the MakingChips Seasons concept [3:14?] Why Mike Payne is our inaugural guest host [6:25] Introducing Jon Scoggins: President & CEO at Thrive PEO [8:08] What is a Professional Employer Organization (PEO)? [12:17] How a PEO can help you with employee onboarding [14:00] How Thrive PEO goes above and beyond a payroll company [15:38] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop  [16:16] A PEO can help you revamp your employee handbook [18:51] How a PEO stays up-to-date on local regulations [23:32] Is there a downside to using a PEO? [27:10] Can you justify the cost of a PEO? [28:20] Can a PEO work with an existing HR team? [29:44] Takeaways from this episode of MakingChips Seasons [30:53] Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 Resources mentioned on this episode The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 Affiliated Distributors Thrive PEO Mike Payne on LinkedIn Jon Scoggins on LinkedIn Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Where have we been? Where are we now? Where are we going? These three questions are a simple way to structure how we communicate the vision for our company. But to reach the goals we’ve outlined in our vision, we need a plan. And then we need to work the plan.  During our upcoming annual sales summit, I’ve asked my sales teams to create growth roadmaps for their goals and objectives. In this episode of MakingChips, I’ll share how we’re going to structure our roadmaps and how you can make the process work for you. Because if you don’t plan the work, you’re not MakingChips, and if you don’t work the plan, you’re not making money. BAM! – Nick Segments [3:22] New Segment: Where in the world is Tony Gunn?  [9:10] Jason’s “Where, where, where” structure [10:34] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop  [11:13] The format for our annual sales summit [21:44] Thomas™ supplier analytics dashboard Resources mentioned on this episode Tony Gunn on LinkedIn The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

We know that 2023 is going to be a challenge. After all, a recession is being purposefully orchestrated. The Fed is trying to curb inflation. And truthfully, recessions are a normal part of the economic cycle. Will a recession negatively impact the manufacturing industry? Or will we be left untouched? Will a recession actually lead to new opportunities for the metalworking nation? In this episode of MakingChips, we continue with our recession obsession, because if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM!  Segments [0:10] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop [1:32] Is a recession being purposefully orchestrated? [3:03] Manufacturing News: 3M cutting 2500 manufacturing jobs [5:53] We share why recessions are normal [8:08] Why is a recession going to happen? [11:07] How is this impacting the manufacturing industry? [13:27] How can you transform your company in 2023? [15:24] Learn about the Industrial Buying Engine (IBE) Resources mentioned on this episode The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop 3M cutting 2,500 production jobs Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Reflecting on the past and learning from it helps shape our future decisions as leaders—both personally and professionally. I’ve worked in my family business for 25 years and recently spent some time reflecting on what I’ve learned.  So in this episode of MakingChips, I share 10 things I’ve learned during my time at ZENGERS. You need to learn and grow alongside your team. If they aren’t learning and growing with you, you won’t be effectively MakingChips. And if you’re not MakingChips, you aren’t making money. BAM! – Jason  Segments [0:19] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop [3:54] Reflections on 25 years at ZENGERS [5:52] Manufacturing News: Tesla announces $3.6 billion investment [7:30] Why social media is for interacting [8:55] #1: Give your team a reason to wake up in the morning [10:18] #2: Don’t be afraid to blow things up and start a new business model [11:02] #3: Respect your mentors while being yourself [12:40] #4: Leaders need to acknowledge and own their influence [13:54] #5: Do something every day to keep learning [15:33] #6: Work a defined number of hours per week [19:08] #7: Collaborate from the heart, not the contract [20:06] #8: Hire a rockstar team with common values  [20:49] #9: Give your team autonomy to free you up  [21:53] #10: People are everything in your business  [23:03] Learn about the Industrial Buying Engine (IBE) Resources mentioned on this episode The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop Tesla announces $3.6 billion investment in electric semi-truck manufacturing Get 25% off an annual Thomas™ subscription with code CHIPS25 Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube