Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders

Did you know that only about 6% of welders are women? Women bring a much-needed perspective and expertise to the table. So how do we get more women in welding? NIX has actively been trying to recruit, hire, and retain more women.  In this episode of MakingSparks, we sit down with Tori Guzman and Aubree Beyer to hear what they think we can do—or continue doing—to draw more female interest to the welding industry. Listen to learn what you can do to change the welding workforce. – Casey Voelker Segments [1:13] Join the AMT community! [3:08] Learn more about Tori Guzman and Aubree Beyer [8:25] Learn more about ProFab Alliance  [10:38] Why Tori is transitioning out of welding  [15:44] Why you should consider NetSuite by Oracle [17:02] How to attract and retain women in welding  [22:55] Why women should consider welding  [25:10] How leaders can encourage women in welding  [31:21] What Aubree and Tori find rewarding about welding [35:43] Wrapping things up with Casey’s dad joke  Resources mentioned on this episode ProFab Alliance Join the AMT Community NetSuite by Oracle IMTS 2024 Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Where is the United States with reshoring initiatives? Do we still have huge vulnerabilities in our supply chain(s) that need to be addressed? If we continue to reshore manufacturing, will companies remain competitive?  Reshoring impacts supply chains. Reshoring brings more jobs and opportunities to the US. These are all valid questions that are playing in people’s minds.  So in this special episode of MakingChips, Rosemary Coates—the Founder and Executive Director of the Reshoring Institute—will answer some of these burning questions. Because, ultimately, if we’re not manufacturing chips in the US, the US isn’t making money.  – Nick  Segments [0:24] Achieve 95% on-time delivery with ProShop ERP [2:22] The Reshoring Institute vs the Reshoring Initiative [4:31] Rosemary Coates’ origin story [11:25] Rosemary’s experience as an expert witness [14:02] Why Rosemary started the Reshoring Institute  [17:03] The state of reshoring as it stands today [28:03] How elections may impact reshoring initiatives [32:40] Can US manufacturers stay competitive?  [36:38] Cost structure determines manufacturing environment [40:14] Rosemary’s #1 piece of advice for manufacturers  Resources mentioned on this episode Go to ProShop ERP to get their on-time delivery guide Reshoring Institute RCoates@ReshoringInstitute.org Connect with Rosemary on LinkedIn Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Can small shops begin to automate their processes? Where do they start with automation? In this episode of MakingChips, the CNC Samurai, Steve Courchane, returns to share his passion for automation. He lays out his 3M process and how it changes the way you view automation. Because if you’re not modeling, making, or measuring—you’re not MakingChips. And if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM! – Jason Zenger Segments [0:20] Join the AMT community!  [4:06] Update on my progress!  [5:40] Welcoming Steve Courchane back [7:35] Machine Shop Masterclass [14:53] Manufacturing Leadership Spotlight [19:52] Who is the CNC Samurai?  [23:30] Why branding was important to Steve [26:13] It’s time to graduate to NetSuite by Oracle [27:33] How Steve’s mindset has changed about automation [34:27] When Steve learned to love automation  [36:37] Steve’s 3M process: model, make, and measure Resources mentioned on this episode Join the AMT community!  What the Heck is a Samurai CNC Machinist? Winning the War for Talent by Chris Czarnik Steve Courchane on Instagram Chris Luecke on LinkedIn The Cultish Show NetSuite by Oracle Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Whether you’re a small business or a growing enterprise, you need to seek out new customers and build relationships with them while pushing them through your sales pipeline. The reality is that you have to make more sales to grow your business.  You need a way to track and measure your progress with potential customers (and current key accounts). In this episode of MakingChips, Jason returns to help us get back to the basics of business. Because if you’re not managing the sales pipeline, you’re not MakingChips, and if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM! Segments [0:15] Join the AMT Community! [1:55] Jason is back to MakingChips! [6:05] Manufacturing News: Whistleblowers are dying [11:04] How to gauge the potential of an account [16:24] Creating key accounts from target accounts  [19:45] Get NetSuite by Oracle for your business [21:26] Measuring customer relationships [24:56] Is it too much work for account reps?  [27:30] It’s about getting back to the basics Resources mentioned on this episode Join the AMT Community! The Boeing Whistleblower Controversy NetSuite by Oracle Trello What the Heck is a Samurai CNC Machinist? Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

You need to know the “numbers” in your business. Every business owner needs to know that they’re making enough to pay their employees, make and deliver their products, and grow the business. That’s just good business. Non-financial metrics are important, too. A successful business has to focus on quality, safety, customer service, on-time delivery, retention, and even culture. Because if your culture is dialed in, the numbers will prove it. We take a deep look at the different numbers that are important for a manufacturing business to know in this part 2 episode of MakingSparks with Mike Payne.  Also, listen to the end for a BIG announcement. – Matthew Nix Segments [1:00] Recapping part I with Mike Payne [3:13] Everything comes down to numbers [13:59] How to learn the numbers [17:49] How to decide what’s important [26:38] When should you hire someone? [35:20] Introducing “By the Numbers” Resources mentioned on this episode ProFab Alliance Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

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