Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders

Last week, we talked with Frank Holthouse about East Leyden High School’s Metals Program, and how they are providing an environment for students to learn modern manufacturing practices. This week, we continue that discussion. What can we do to spark interest in manufacturing to the younger generation? How can you replicate the success of Leyden’s Metals Program in your own community? “We need to see more of this in high schools … Those in the industry should be pushing their local high schools (or other outlets) ... to cater to getting more people involved in the world of manufacturing.” - Rob Stuebing On this episode of MakingChips, we speak with Rob Stuebing. Rob is the Vice-President of Qualiseal Technology and Current Chair of the Leyden Technology Council. Rob talks with us about the inception of the council, the success of the metals program, current objectives for the organization, and enhancing your high school’s metalworking program. We also discuss manufacturing news in the current political climate. Episode Outline: [00:07] - Episode Preview [01:15] - Crain’s Manufacturing [02:56] - Manufacturing News [05:15] - Welcoming Rob Stuebing [07:10] - Leyden Technology Council   [09:40] - Technology and Manufacturing Association [10:10] - Inception of the Technology Council [12:15] - Appealing to the Younger Generation [14:50] - Objective of the Technology Council [17:09] - Enhancing Your High School Metals Program [18:55] - Meeting Agenda [20:37] - Success Stories [23:00] - Conclusion of Episode Mentioned in this Episode: Crain's Manufacturers Summit Promo Code: MANU2 Donald Trump and Apple Leyden Technology Council

Just a few years ago there were stories of mass layoffs in the manufacturing industry. Now, that is no longer the case. In 2015, Forbes listed Machining as one of the top 10 hardest jobs to fill in the United States. Today, Manufacturers are increasingly looking to high schools and community colleges to fill current staffing needs. Many schools are working to meet demand by modernizing their manufacturing education programs.   “We’re very proud of where we are, and where we’ve taken our program since the 1940’s" - Frank Holthouse   On this episode of MakingChips we have a conversation with Frank Holthouse. Frank serves as the Industrial Technology Chairperson at East Leyden High School, where he has been teaching  for the last 10 years. Frank instructs East Leyden’s metalworking program, simply referred to as the Metals Program. The Metals Program provides opportunities for students to learn about modern technical practices, industrial organizations, and the role of technology in our industrial society. Students are encouraged to explore several courses, specialize in a specific course area, and ultimately participate in the school/industry cooperative work program.   Episode Outline: [00:07] - Episode Preview [01:00] - Crain’s Manufacturers Summit [02:18] - Manufacturing News [04:15] - Welcome Frank Holthouse [05:20] - Industrial Program at East Leyden H.S. [09:08] - Machines in the Shop [10:21] - Enrolling in the Metalworking Program [13:15] - Safety and Measurements [15:00] - Structure of Metals Class [16:55] - Fundamental Machining Skills [17:40] - Jim’s High School Experience [20:45] - NIMS Credentials [22:25] - Marketing the Program [25:20] - Challenges of Running the Program [26:45] - Size of Metalworking Program [27:30] - Success Story [30:10] - Conclusion of Episode   Mentioned in this Episode: Crain's Manufacturers Summit Promo Code: MANU2 Leyden Metals

An important part of what makes a manufacturing leader successful is their ability to think outside of the box. This line of thinking should also extend to the hiring process. Successful companies are good at bringing the right people into their team, but it isn't always so easy. What if you had the ability to see candidates in action before you made a decision about who to hire? “Manufacturing has always been sexy... It just needs a generational communications facelift.” - Elena Valentine This week on MakingChips, we welcome back last week's guest Elena Valentine. Elena walks us through Skill Scout's process of screening, assessing, and recommending candidates through hands-on manufacturing activities. We also discuss the Crain's Midwest Manufacturers Summit, the consequences of declining oil prices, how Skill Scout got involved in manufacturing, the "new" old way of doing things, and steps to finding the right candidate for your business.  Episode Outline: [00:07] - Episode Preview [01:00] - Crain’s Manufacturing Summit [03:15] - Manufacturing News [05:40] - Welcome Back Elena [06:15] - Why Manufacturing? [09:40] - How Companies Experience Candidates [10:11] - Skill Demonstrations and Work Samples [14:15] - Learned Interview Behaviors [17:00] - Finding the Right Candidate [20:00] - Virtual Meaningful Conversations [22:50] - Outside of the Resume [24:30] - Elena’s Call to Action for Listeners [25:50] - Conclusion of Episode Mentioned in this Episode: Crain's Manufacturing Summit Skill Scout elena@skillscout.com

Finding the right person for your company is crucial for building a thriving business. When recruiting for open positions, employers look for candidates with the skills, experience, and demeanor they believe will benefit their company. That said, it isn’t always easy to identify candidates who understand the needs and expectations of the job. What can an employer do to capture and relay their company's culture to a prospective candidate, while showing them exactly what the job entails? How can you more meaningfully connect a candidate to your company? "This is not just about building your employer brand, this is about getting quality talent in the door, so that you can get them on-board right away and build your business."          - Elena Valentine On this episode of MakingChips, we have a conversation with Elena Valentine, CEO and Co-Founder of Skill Scout. Skill Scout uses an innovative and fresh approach to connect potential employees to companies. Elena shares some of the methods the company uses to match candidates with employers, most notably in the form of video job postings. Also discussed in this episode is the Crain’s Manufacturing Summit and Jim’s recent trip to Jackson, Michigan.   Episode Outline: [00:14] - Episode Preview [01:20] - Crain’s Manufacturing [03:30] - Jackson, Michigan [05:40] - Welcome Elena Valentine [08:58] - Attracting Talent [10:20] - Bringing Job Posts to Life [13:45] - Better Hiring Results [16:00] - Logistics Behind the Video [20:52] - How to Shoot a Good Ad [23:45] - Authentic Window [25:20] - Success Story [27:30] - Conclusion of Episode Mentioned in this Episode: http://shoprat.org http://www.skillscout.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenavalentine1  

For many manufacturing leaders, the idea of delegating tasks can cause a feeling of uneasiness. Maybe you think you’ve got everything under control, or that things always have to be done your way. In reality, doing everything yourself is simply impossible, and can cause you unnecessary stress. To be an effective leader you must be able to rely on your team by learning how to delegate strategically. "Any task that really exhausts or pulls energy from you is not something worth doing." -Jason Zenger In this episode of MakingChips, Jim and Jason share some simple strategies that can help you effectively delegate tasks. Also discussed in this episode is the upcoming IMTS trade show, task management in Evernote, learning to let go, and managing expectations. Episode Outline: [00:07] Episode Preview [02:19] Manufacturing News [05:10] Delegating [09:10] Simple Ways to Delegate Tasks [11:50] Task Management in Evernote [15:04] Delegating at MakingChips [17:40] Expectations [21:50] Conclusion of Episode Mentioned in this Episode: http://www.imts.com https://www.strategiccoach.com  

It’s the beginning of a new year, which for many is a time to start following through with resolutions and goals. Unfortunately, many people come to find that many of those resolutions don’t always pan out the way we would like them to. If you’re serious about making a change, it’s important that you put specific, time-bound goals in place to help you achieve success. "You've got to work on the big rocks before you work on the pebbles in the sand." In this episode of MakingChips, Jim and Jason discuss their main goals for the new year, goal setting for your manufacturing business, a story of priorities and a jar, and manufacturing news. Using the purchase of a new CNC machine as an example, Jim and Jason show you different methods that will help you get one step closer to achieving your short, and long-term goals. Episode Outline: [0:07] - Intro [1:55] - Manufacturing News [06:30] - Call to Action for Listeners [07:10] - MakingChips Website [08:45] - Our Main Goals [10:20] - Rocks [14:45] - Complexity in Today’s Business World [16:10] - SMART Goals [20:55] - Goals for Zenger’s [22:30] - Key Motivations [25:00] - Jim’s Goals [28:44] - Conclusion of Episode Article Mentioned in this Episode: http://money.cnn.com/2016/01/04/news/economy/us-manufacturing-shrinks-again/

Some people think additive manufacturing will radically change the face of manufacturing. Although it is still a relatively new technology, additive manufacturing (also referred to as 3D Printing) has caused quite the buzz in the manufacturing community. Will additive manufacturing eventually become the way of the future, or has it's usefulness been overhyped? “Additive can not do its adding anywhere near as fast as machining can do it’s subtracting." - Peter Zelinski In this episode of MakingChips, we welcome back Peter Zelinski of Modern Machine Shop Magazine. Peter, Jim, and Jason discuss all things Additive Manufacturing, as well as the importance of manufacturing discussion among the presidential candidates. “Manufacturing happens in small facilities.” -Peter Zelinski Episode Outline: [00:17] - Episode Preview [01:26] - Welcome Back Pete [02:00] - What Guided Pete to Manufacturing? [05:30] - Additive Manufacturing [07:50] - Is Additive Manufacturing Overhyped? [11:30] - Additive Manufacturing Under the Radar [13:00] - Modified Machines [15:01] - Can Additive Encourage Domestic Production? [18:00] - Presidential Candidates and Manufacturing [22:40] - Prototyping vs Production [24:00] - Additive vs Machining [27:30] - Call to Action for Listeners [29:45] - How to Reach Peter Zelinski Links Mentioned in this Episode: additivemanufacturing.media  mmsonline.com

This is MakingChips Episode 50! In this episode of MakingChips, Jim and Jason recap some of their favorite episodes and interviews from the last year. This episode highlights the story behind MakingChips, as Jim and Jason share their experiences from the beginning to where they are today. “Jason and I really want to thank each and every one of you for tuning in every week, listening to us, being with us, and taking this ride with us. We had no idea that it was going to be as popular and successful as it has been so far. We’re really working hard (very hard) to make it even better.” Episode Outline: [00:08] Episode Preview [01:52] The Story Behind MakingChips [05:15] Hiccups along the Way [06:40] Episode 1 [07:50] Episode 2 [08:20] Recession [09:20] One of our Favorite Episodes [10:00] It’s Not Your Dad’s Machine Shop [11:25] The Power of Networking [12:24] Robots in your Shop [13:00] Skip Generation [13:20] Fernando Ortiz [14:00] Most Downloaded Episodes [15:00] San Diego [15:45] Michelle Mabry [16:30] Patricia Miller [18:09] Jon Baklund [18:18] Eric and Heidi Schmid [19:30] Focus on What You’re Good At [20:00] Tom Hilaris [20:25] Workshops for Warriors [22:45] Julie Poulos [23:30] LinkedIn [25:20] Thank You Listeners [25:45] Jason’s Call to Action [26:24] Thank You Guests

What makes a good leader? Leadership is the single most important factor in the success or failure of any business. Great leaders use their leadership traits to motivate, inspire, and build high performance teams around them. The role of an innovative leader greatly differs from the conventional image that many people hold of good leadership. What kind of qualities do these innovative leaders share? “The innovators in this industry, (machining, desecrate part production) are engaged together in this huge open source effort at figuring manufacturing out.” – Peter Zelinski In this Episode of MakingChips, we sit down with Peter Zelinski of Modern Machine Shop Magazine. Peter has been a writer and editor for Modern Machine Shop for more than a decade. Peter regularly visits machining facilities to learn about the manufacturing technology, systems and strategies they have adopted, and the successes they’ve realized as a result. He shares many of his insights from these experiences with us, including 4 Traits of Modern Manufacturing Leaders and 3 Deep Level Trends in Manufacturing.   “Even making metal parts is ultimately a people business.” – Peter Zelinski Peter Zelinski’s 4 Traits of Modern Manufacturing Leaders: Authenticity Persistence Love Genuine Regard for People 3 Deep Level Trends in Manufacturing: Automation Additive Atmosphere Episode Outline: [00:07] Intro/Preview [01:36] Manufacturing News [04:30] Welcome Peter Zelinski [07:45] Leadership Characteristics [09:10] Authenticity [10:32] Persistence [12:50] Baby Steps [13:35] Process Improvement [19:40] Love What You Do [22:15] Regard for People [25:00] Value of the Employee [26:22] Bad Traits [29:20] Culture Changes (Atmosphere) [33:10] Jason’s Call to Action for Listeners Shops Mentioned in this Episode: Rekluse Motor Sports in Idaho Baklund R&D in Minnesota C&A Tool in Indiana Byrne Tool and Die in Michigan Tech Manufacturing Co in Missouri Also Mentioned in this Episode: Three Ways That Smarter Mobility Is Transforming Efficiency On The Manufacturing Floor Modern Machine Shop

The thought of leaving your machine shop for even a few hours can be enough to cause anxiety for many manufacturing leaders, so it may seem impossible to imagine running your business from halfway across the country. “To make manufacturing work, to make money, you feel like you have to grab it so hard it slips through your fingers.” – Eric Schmid In this extended episode of MakingChips, we sit down with brother and sister Eric Schmid and Heidi Schaefer of Schmid Tool and Engineering. Eric and Heidi share their story of how and why they made the decision to work remotely, while still maintaining their respective roles in the company. There were many important decisions that they needed to make along the way in order to ensure a seamless transition. This episode covers a range of topics that can help manufacturing leaders decide if working remotely is the right move for them. Topics include Letting Go of Control, Planning the Transition, Bumps in the Road, Being Accessible, Holding Accountability, and Mastering Fear. Episode Outline: [0:07] Intro/ Preview [1:34] Manufacturing News [5:00] Welcome Heidi and Eric [6:10] The Roots of Schmid Tool [7:40] Roles in the Business [9:30] Working Remotely [11:40] Letting Go of Control [14:00] Planning the Transition [14:50] Bumps in the Road [17:00] Being Accessible [19:00] How Do You Let Go? [22:30] Cultural Consistencies [24:00] Making the Move [27:20] Management and Leadership [29:20] Steps to Working Remotely [31:25] The Illusion of Control [33:00] Accountability [35:30] Mastering Fear [37:00] Give and Take [38:40] Helping the Owners [40:00] Conclusion