
Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders
Manufacturing is tough—but you don’t have to go it alone. If you're leading a manufacturing business, you face constant pressure: staying competitive, adopting new tech, managing people, and driving growth. MakingChips helps you tackle those challenges head-on.
Since 2014, we’ve been equipping manufacturing leaders with the knowledge and inspiration they need to succeed. With hundreds of episodes and over a million downloads, MakingChips is a top resource for the metalworking nation—covering leadership, operations, technology, and workforce development.
If making chips is part of your daily grind, this is your podcast. Join hosts Nick Goellner, Mike Payne, and Paul Van Metre for real talk on the issues that matter most.
Latest episodes

May 4, 2021 • 44min
25 Trends Affecting the Future of Manufacturing in 2021 and Beyond.
In episode #266 of MakingChips, host Jason Zenger and co-host Jim Carr Discuss 25 Trends Affecting the Future of Manufacturing in 2021 and Beyond. Connect with us: www.MakingChips.com/contact Segments: :22| Go to Loveyourerp.com and find out why so many manufacturing leaders love ProShop ERP 6:04 | Business Models, People, The World and Tools 6:25 | Business Models 13:56 | People 27:50 | The World 35:52 | Tools 36:32 | Check out Amper.xyz, a company that specializes in easy to install machine monitoring systems 41:50 | Final thoughts

Apr 22, 2021 • 48min
How to Create a Diverse Community in the Workplace to Solve Challenges in Manufacturing with Equity Machine Works
In episode #265 of MakingChips, host Jim Carr, Nick Goellner and Jessica Peterson discuss How to Create a Diverse Community in the Workplace to Solve One of the Biggest Challenges in Manufacturing with Justin Sherman and Andrew Crowe with Equity Machine Works Segments: :02 | Jim promotes Amper, a great company that specializes in machine monitoring systems, easy to Install with minimal on-boarding. Check them out at Amper.xyz and look under products for their pilot program 9:28 | Jessica introduces Justin Sherman and Andrew Crowe from Equity Machine Works 11:37 | Justin Sherman and Andrew Crowe from Equity Machine Works, explains Diversity of Manufacturing and how it relates to his business model; ie; Manufacturing, Teaching, Trades Classes, Managing the Pre-Apprenticeship Program, Grant Funding, Educational Programs, Barriers that some grants create on their own 23:32 | Nick speaks to Manufacturing per prior discussion; Manufacturing needs a rebrand, needs to know how to communicate their brand better 24:37 | Jessica discusses to group how important StoryBrand is - Clarifying your message (using straight-forward language) as well how it can create barriers to entry 30:21 | Nick talks to Equity Machine Works; Are you a machine shop? What's different between your shop and Carr Machine Tool; Justin speaks to how Equity Machine Works benefits and adding value to the Community 46:52 | Jim and Nick offer their final thoughts on the episode

Apr 13, 2021 • 20min
When to Say No to an Opportunity
In this week’s episode of MakingChips, Jason Zenger discusses 4 reasons to say no to an opportunity. Manufacturing leaders may need to say no more often to opportunities especially as the economy heats back up. Segments: :09 | Jim and Jason discuss how ProShop ERP helped with Jim’s AS9100 virtual audit. 3:59 | Jason and Nick discuss two manufacturing news articles: #1 - article by "CNBC " Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian on what life Serena Williams taught him about sustained greatness 7:02 | #2 manufacturing news article: by "Wall Street Journal" Turbo charge economy leaves factory struggling to deliver goods that shoppers want. 8:04 | Jason expresses the four opportunity filters to put your decisions through - #1 Does fit your vision for the future, #2 Does it meet your core values, #3 It does have a measurable ROI, #4 Is it the best option for your client? 18:55 | Jason and Nick offer their final thoughts on the episode

Apr 7, 2021 • 35min
6 Communications Tools for the Manufacturing Leader
In this week’s episode of MakingChips, hosts Nick Goellner and Jason Zenger discuss 6 Communications Tools for the Manufacturing Leader. Segments: :57 | Nick and Jason discuss how a Manufacturer Leader can learn how to better communicate 4:39 | Nick shares Manufacturing News from an article by Jay Timmons, President and CEO of NAM (National Association for Manufacturers) regarding tax reform and investment incentives for manufacturers 12:25 | Jason recommends the book "Crucial Conversations" 15:43 | Jason talks people, culture, numbers and ProShop ERP - Can get data in real time 16:47 | Nick shares the first tool RACI chart (Responsibility Assignment Matrix) 19:53 | Approval Drawing Review (Approval Review meeting) 23:17 | PCP Program (Premiere Channel Partner Program) 25:12 | BrandScript (StoryBrand) Help companies tell coherent stories 28:05 | PSM (Process Success Map) - Making your customers successful 30:16 | VOC Program (Voice of the Customer/Client program) 32:83 | Jason offers his final thoughts on the episode

Mar 31, 2021 • 30min
How Do You Communicate Change at Your Manufacturing Company?
In this week’s episode of MakingChips, host Jason Zenger and Nick Goellner discuss tips for effectively communicating to your team in the workplace Segments: :00 | Jim and Jason share how ProShop ERP helped them with the federal R&D tax credit 1:14 | Jason and Nick discuss changes in leadership at their companies 5:07 | Jason mentions article on Manufacturing predictions for the next decade 10:57 | Jason and Nick discuss cloud-based data and how moving to Edge and 6G will be faster 11:58 | Nick shares his thoughts on communicating change to team members 17:02 | Jason touches on how you can make implementing changes into a win-win situation 27:26 | Jason and Nick offer their final thoughts on the episode 29:32 | Jessica introduces Xometry’s new purchasing system: Xometry Pay

Mar 10, 2021 • 48min
Workholding Evolves with Great Partnerships Featuring Eric Nekich of 5th Axis
In this week's episode of MakingChips, hosts Nick Goellner and Jim Carr are joined by Eric Nekich, a Sales Manager at 5th Axis, to talk about workholding, and the changes in sales tactics through the years. Segments: 3:30 | Jim and Nick play a manufacturing quiz game 10:30 | Nick introduces the episode guest Eric Nekich of 5th Axis 14:15 | Eric shares how he got involved in the manufacturing industry 16:00 | Eric talks about how 5th Axis grew from a contract manufacturer to a workholding brand 18:10 | Eric discusses how automation is growing in popularity in machine tool tending 22:00 | Jim talks about what his team likes about 5th Axis workholding 27:33 | Eric and Nick discuss how selling workholding has changed over time 37:14 | Eric explains the difference between the jaws on "dinosaur" vises and 5th Axis vises 40:44 | Eric talks about new modular automation components at 5th Axis 45:10 | Jim offers his final thoughts on the episode 47:09 | Jim and Jason explain the different technologies featured on IMTS Spark

Mar 2, 2021 • 41min
Marketing with a Tommy Gun with Metalworking Influencer Tony Gunn
In this week's episode the MakingChips hosts talk with metalworking influencer Tony Gunn and his career in the manufacturing industry. Segments: 0:00 | Jim talks about how simple ProShop ERP made his virtual shop audit 4:25 | Nick shares manufacturing news about the rise of firearm sales 10:00 | Nick introduces the episode guest, Tony Gunn, the General Manager of MTDCNC Global 13:18 | Tony discusses how he got his start in the manufacturing industry 17:40 | Jim asks if the manufacturing industry is still seen as a "dirty" or "lower-class" industry 22:00 | Tony shares some of his thoughts on social media, marketing, and fellow manufacturing influencers 29:19 | Tony talks about his new position at MTD CNC Global 35:30 | Jason asks Tony about what problems he is trying to solve in the manufacturing industry 39:43 | Jim and Jason talk about the knowledge centers at IMTS Spark

Feb 23, 2021 • 35min
The Power of the Production Meeting
In this episode of MakingChips the hosts discuss sections to include in their production meetings, and how they can benefit their shop and team's productivity. Segments: 0:00 Jim shares how he can access real-time data and reports using ProShop ERP. 1:32 The hosts talks about the virtual grand opening of the Boring Bar 5:20 Jim introduces "social intimacy" and how it strengthens relationships 9:40 The hosts discuss what's happening in their businesses 12:30 Jim explains what he uses production meetings for and why they're important 15:49 Jim shares the different sections he includes in his production meetings and the benefits they provide to the team 19:08 Jim discusses how he added weekly COVID-19 updates to his production meetings in response to the pandemic 26:44 Jim creates a "hot list" to update his team on what's going on in the shop 29:50 Jim opens the floor at the end of meetings for Q&A and team discussion 34:18 Jim and Jason talk about the different showcases at IMTS Spark

Feb 17, 2021 • 49min
Tom Brady and Manufacturing on the Moon with DARPA
In this episode, the MakingChips hosts discuss the career of NFL star Tom Brady, and how his personal keys to success are also applicable to the manufacturing leader. Segments: 0:00 | Jim and Jason talk about the different technologies featured on IMTS Spark 7:24 | Jason reads a press release from DARPA about off-Earth manufacturing of lunar structures 12:45 | Jason shares his points on how manufacturing leaders can take cues from Tom Brady's success 13:13 | The hosts discuss how manufacturing leaders might be retiring too early 24:49 | Jim and Jason talk about IMTS Spark Demo Days with Stephen LaMarco from AMT 31:53 | Jason explains Tom Brady's daily schedule and how having a routine helps with success 37:10 | Like Tom Brady, having a healthy diet and lifestyle can contribute to the success of a manufacturing leader 39:30 | Having core objectives can get you on the path to succeeding, as opposed to unrelated pursuits 43:40 | The hosts offer final thoughts on how Tom Brady's successes can be contributed to his strict regimen and practices

Feb 9, 2021 • 44min
Can You Be Successful Running a Small Machine Shop?
In this week's MakingChips podcast, Jim and Jason discuss if you can be successful running a small machine shop, with Jim offering tips based on his own experiences. Segments: 0:00 | Jim and Jason talk about the different knowledge centers at IMTS Spark 1:10 | Jim mentions how he used ProShop ERP to extract the necessary data to collect the federal R&D tax credit 5:06 | Jim shares information on the failure rates of new businesses 7:45 | Jason explains why he's planning on taking a sabbatical from work 13:00 | Jim reads a news articles about the manufacturing economy bouncing back in 2021, and the different factors that will affect it 20:08 | Jim and Jason talk with Dan from Xometry and Vinny from PenCo Precision to discuss their experience with Xometry during the 2020 pandemic 26:22 | Jim asks "what is success in business?" 31:27 | Jim shares his tips for running a successful small machine shop 39:30 | Jim and Jason talk about how they analyze risks before they make business decisions