Mike Payne has spent the last 20+ years deeply entrenched in the M&A process with dozens of companies throughout Oklahoma. Early in his career, he realized he loved the world of manufacturing. He also learned that he enjoyed operating a business. He was just waiting for the right opportunity to unfold.  Then it happened: Six years ago, Mike was able to purchase Hill Manufacturing. In this episode of MakingSparks, we chat with Mike about his work in the M&A space, why he made acquisitions close to home, and what led to his passion for manufacturing.  – Matthew Nix Segments [1:10] Chit-chatting with Mike Payne [5:26] Spark of Knowledge: Strategic Planning [6:39] Casey’s dad joke  [7:29] Mike’s background in manufacturing [9:32] Mike’s work in the M&A space [12:30] Why start with acquisitions close to home? [17:54] Get NetSuite by Oracle [19:11] Why Mike decided to run a business  [26:02] Why build relationships within the industry? Resources mentioned on this episode Warren Buffett's 2024 Annual Letter To Shareholders Get NetSuite by Oracle The Six Types of Working Genius Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Recruiting expert Trevor O'Malley discusses finding the right fit for manufacturing leaders. Topics include using LinkedIn, cultural alignment, hiring employed candidates, and the importance of effective communication in leadership recruitment.

My shop has been restoring a 1959 Ford F10. When we decided to recreate a digital dash for the truck, we decided to ask the LinkedIn world for help. That’s when I met Ira Laughy with rapid3D.  Rapid3D exists to solve complex measurement challenges to empower confident decision-making. We scanned the space and current dash and Ira and his team helped us reverse-engineer the process to design a CAD model to ultimately create the part we need. Ira shares how you can use a 3D scanner to reverse engineer a part in this fascinating forward-thinking episode of MakingChips. Because if you can’t make the part you need, you won’t be MakingChips, and you won’t be making money. BAM!  — Mike Payne Segments [2:28] Manufacturing Leadership Spotlight: Robin Moore [5:37] Introducing Ira Laughy with Rapid3D [9:44] What inspired Ira to launch Rapid3D [12:18] The cost associated with a 3D scanner [16:51] From scan to CAD to part [20:50] Make the move to Netsuite by Oracle [22:10] Ira’s experience bringing designs to life  [24:22] Working through a real-life scenario [28:41] The future of 3D scanning technology Resources mentioned on this episode Rapid3D.ca  Email Ira at Ira@Rapid3D.ca Connect with Ira on LinkedIn Creaform 3D scanners Geomagic Design X Autodesk Inventor SOLIDWORKS Netsuite by Oracle Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Exploring the importance of trust in vendor relationships and balancing business savvy with friendships. Discussion on providing value to vendors, transparency, and navigating price increases. Emphasizing the significance of building strong relationships in the supply chain for long-term success.

What are the benefits of working closely with a local career & technical education center? You can have a huge impact on the local community, education system, and businesses. If you partner with a local technical center, it could have a far-reaching impact—and it just might help you recruit the next generation.  Nix Partners with a local career & technical education center in Southwest Indiana. David St. Clair and Hannah Lang join us in this episode of MakingSparks to share how collaboration can benefit the students, the community, and your business.  Segments [2:58] Learn more about David St. Clair [5:00] Casey’s dad joke [5:42] Learn more about Hannah Lang [7:36] Spark of Knowledge: Judging ability  [8:52] The impact of our welding competition  [15:41] Trends in the CTE system  [20:54] NetSuite by Oracle [22:11] Why you should partner with a CTE [27:20] More details about the tech center [31:10] What’s next for David’s CTE?  [32:53] How to work with a local tech center  Resources mentioned on this episode Get a product tour of NetSuite by Oracle Connect with Hannah Lang on LinkedIn Connect with David St. Clair on LinkedIn Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

POV: You’re a woman with an entrepreneurial edge. You want to start a business. Why not consider the manufacturing industry? There are only 6,431 women-owned manufacturing businesses in the United States (representing just 2% of all manufacturing companies). 20% of them are minority-owned. This industry needs a woman’s perspective and expertise. So what does it take to get into the industry? Nicole Wolter—the President & CEO at HM Manufacturing—shares her advice for budding female entrepreneurs in this episode of MakingChips.  Segments [1:22] Join the AMT Community!  [3:03] Manufacturing News: U.S. Women-Owned Manufacturers [7:04] Becoming a certified woman-owned business [15:11] Get NetSuite’s KPI Checklist for Free [16:43] The manufacturing industry is changing  [21:52] What Nick tells his daughter about manufacturing [25:20] Hiring more women in manufacturing  [30:53] Nicole’s advice for budding female entrepreneurs Resources mentioned on this episode Join the AMT Community!  What is a Woman Manufacturing Leader? Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn U.S. Women-Owned Manufacturers Infographic  Benefits of Becoming a Certified Women-Owned Business Get NetSuite’s KPI Checklist for Free Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

POV: You’ve decided to start the process of implementing automation in your machine shop—but it isn’t as easy as flipping a switch. It’s a process that consists of failing forward and learning from every mistake. Tom Schroeder—the Executive Vice President at PBC Linear—joins us in this episode of Lights Out to share how to prioritize flexibility when you invest in and begin to implement automation in your shop. Because if you’re not making the right chips, you’re not making money. – Nick Segments [1:28] Learn more about Kaleb Mertz [4:04] Today’s guest: Tom Schroeder  [5:16] What's the Chip on Your Shoulder?  [11:44] PBC Linear’s investment in an MCM  [16:52] Get NetSuite’s KPI Checklist  [19:31] Managing high mix low volume  [23:40] Steps to take before automating  [27:11] Why automation is necessary  [30:00] Innovation = learning to think differently  [32:30] Automation doesn’t take away jobs  Resources mentioned on this episode Get your free KPI checklist from NetSuite by Oracle!  Kaleb Mertz on LinkedIn Tom Schroeder on LinkedIn Episode #399: Do We Need More Manufacturing Entrepreneurs? Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

There are around 17,000 contract manufacturing job shops in the US. That sounds pretty great, right? The truth is that growth is down 16% since 2008. Now, more than ever, we need new entrepreneurs in the manufacturing industry. Matthew Nix, Paul Van Metre, Drew Crowe, and Mike Payne join me in this roundtable discussion to talk about the vast opportunities available, how to take advantage of them, and why manufacturing leaders should encourage and grow entrepreneurs from within their businesses. Because if manufacturing isn’t growing, we aren’t MakingChips, and we aren’t making money. BAM! – Nick Goellner Segments [1:41] Matthew Nix, Paul Van Metre, Drew Crowe, Mike Payne [2:33] Manufacturing News: Leverage AMT’s custom research [11:07] Our reaction to the declining number of job shops [18:02] What Mike looks for in an acquisition [23:55] Join the AMT community! [24:48] Why every shop can leverage an ERP [28:00] There are vast opportunities available [33:55] Why you should grow future entrepreneurs  Resources mentioned on this episode The benefits of joining the AMT community  ProFab Alliance Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

How can leadership remain connected to what’s happening on the shop floor? At Nix, we’ve found a creative way to bridge a gap that many businesses experience. We’ve implemented a program that allows our front line to address problems and propose solutions so that their everyday real-world problems are being fixed. Dakota Hunt and Jack Henry Hagan return to share how this program has positively impacted them and the business.  – Matthew Nix Segments [1:03] Netsuite by Oracle’s CFO's Ultimate KPI Checklist [4:56] Casey’s dad joke (stolen from his five-year-old) [5:41] The essential part(s) of an improvement program [15:48] Spark of Knowledge: Business development [16:59] Why communication is critical for success [19:37] The most rewarding part of this industry [21:55] The importance of a culture of respect Resources mentioned on this episode Netsuite by Oracle’s CFO's Ultimate KPI Checklist Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

How do we recruit more young talent to fabrication? How do we navigate rapid growth balanced with training and development? How do we help develop young talent into our future leaders? These are just a few questions we wrestle with in this episode of MakingSparks with special guests Dakota Hunt and Jack Henry Hagan.  – Matthew Nix Segments [0:48] Join the AMT online community  [2:14] Introducing Jack Henry Hagan & Dakta Hunt [3:47] Casey’s dad joke [4:16] Dakota’s background in fabrication [8:27] Jack Henry’s background in fabrication [11:24] Sparks of Knowledge: CRMs [13:45] Why fabrication is rewarding work [16:28] Dos and don’ts for bringing in young talent [21:38] How to handle rapid growth  Resources mentioned on this episode Join the AMT online community  ProFab Alliance Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube