Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders

Nix Companies is a fifth-generation family business in an industry that's predominantly privately held and family-owned. Family-owned businesses are the fabric of our economy. Today’s guest on MakingSparks, Tad Dickel, is a Leadership & Strategy Consultant with a special interest in family-owned businesses. He helps them with everything from governance to succession planning.  Tad shares why having difficult conversations with family early can make a profound impact on the long-term generational success of the business. He also covers how to have those conversations. Don’t miss this one!  – Matthew Nix Segments [0:38] Netsuite by Oracle [2:42] How Tad Dickel helps family-owned businesses [5:39] Why work with a Leadership & Strategy Consultant  [9:16] Challenges that family businesses face [12:42] Spark of Knowledge: The Ideal Team Player [13:57] Casey’s dad joke [14:25] Tad’s hope for this episode [17:43] Palo Alto Zero Trust OT Security [21:33] Using a Venn diagram to think through family dynamics Resources mentioned on this episode Connect with Tad Dickel on LinkedIn T.A. Dickel Group Netsuite by Oracle: CFO's Ultimate KPI Checklist The Ideal Team Player by Patrick M. Lencioni Palo Alto Zero Trust OT Security Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Cutting tool manufacturers have to remain on the cutting edge. If you do so, it’s possible to stay competitive. We know that a solid education and training for new talent is the best first step. But you also have to learn to embrace grit to make it through. We cover what else is important to remain successful and competitive in this episode of MakingChips.  – Drew Crowe Out call-to-action: Bring us someone who can talk about innovation in the tooling industry in North America.  Segments [0:13] Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security [2:32] Why collaborations are important [9:02] Manufacturing fuels grit  [11:18] Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security [14:58] The future of American manufacturing Resources mentioned on this episode Andy Mueller Missouri Tools Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security 5 Keys to A Successful Cutting Tool Manufacturing Business with Mike Polizzi Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Andy Mueller is a seasoned vet in manufacturing, one of the real OGs. I’ve leaned on him for advice and support throughout the years because he’s been through the seasons and weathered the storms. Andy was able to step in and teach my students things that I couldn’t with my limited resources. That’s why, in this episode of MakingChips, we have a conversation with Andy about inspiring the next generation and teaching them what they can’t learn in classes. Because if they aren’t MakingChips, they aren't making money. BAM! – Drew Crowe Segments [0:12] Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security [6:58] Drew’s passion for the metalworking nation [7:42] Where in the world is Tony Gunn? [12:36] Introducing Andy Mueller [16:00] Impacting the future of manufacturing [23:59] Check out Thomas™ Programs [25:18] Get your team invested in the process [27:00] Andy’s start in manufacturing  [29:37] The value Andy brought to Ranken students [39:00] What are you trying to achieve?  Resources mentioned on this episode Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security Connect with Andy Mueller on LinkedIn Check out Thomas™ Programs Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Kyle Stoff spent his high school years doing parkour and making butterfly knives by hand. By the end of his Junior Year in high school, he’d decided he wanted to get into manufacturing to perfect his knife-making process. He skipped his Senior Year and dove into a full-time program at Ranken, becoming one of my best—and youngest—students.  Now, Kyle works full-time for Orizon Aerostructures and makes his knives on days and weekends. His knives typically sell starting at $1,800—many are auctioned off even higher. He shares his story and why he’s passionate about manufacturing in this episode of MakingChips. Because if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making knives, and you’re not making money. BAM! – Drew Crowe Segments [0:17] Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security [3:08] How MakingChips launched Drew’s career [8:40] Shoutout to Mark Bosworth at Southwestern Illinois College [11:12] Celebrating MakingChips hitting 1,000,000 downloads [17:11] Introducing today’s guest: Kyle Stoff with Orizon Aerostructures [24:07] Check out Thomas™ Programs [26:52] Shifting to making knives on a CNC machine [31:47] Kyle inspired a curriculum change [42:12] Kyle’s message to aspiring machinists [44:03] The trajectory of Kyle’s future Resources mentioned on this episode Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security Brandon Dempsey with goBRANDgo! Kyle Stoff on LinkedIn Kyle’s Instagram page ComFlux SZN1: #ThankAMachinist, 367 Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Do you express gratitude for your team members? Do they know their work is appreciated? Do you help guide them through their career so they can continue to learn and improve? Too many shops overwork good employees because they achieve excellence. That’s a mistake. It’s one of many reasons machine shops struggle with retention.  In part II of our conversation with Drew Crowe and Dan Borders, we talk about the importance of showing appreciation. We also cover why it’s important for account managers to offer value, and how to retain young talent. Because if you’re not appreciating your talent, you won’t retain them. And if you can’t retain them, you’re not MakingChips, and definitely you’re not making money. BAM! – Nick Segments [0:21] Register for IMTS 2024 [2:22] We need to express gratitude [7:38] Recap of part I [8:16] Transitioning to Edge Technologies [15:35] Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security [17:19] What we look for when we hire [20:39] Recruiting the next generation [25:58] Thomas™ Programs Resources mentioned on this episode Drew Crowe on LinkedIn Dan Borders on LinkedIn Thomas™ Programs Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security Register for IMTS 2024 STL GRILLZZ Oracle Netsuite: Ultimate KPI Checklist Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

How can we attract the next generation to machining? How can small shops attract and retain talent? How can we fuel greatness? In this episode of MakingChips, guest host Drew “The MFG” Crowe—the force behind the American Manufacturing Renaissance—brings on Dan Borders with Edge Technologies to start to tackle these questions. Because if you’re not attracting and retaining top talent, you won’t have a team to make chips. BAM! – Nick Segments [0:16] Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security [1:50] Introducing Drew “The MFG” Crowe  [8:43] Why “Y’all” is universal [9:50] The Chip on Drew’s shoulder: Influencers [19:17] Netsuite by Oracle [20:47] Introducing Dan Borders [31:50] How Dan landed at Davis Tool & Die Co. [40:51] Thomas™ Programs Resources mentioned on this episode Drew Crowe on LinkedIn Dan Borders on LinkedIn Thomas™ Programs Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security IMTS+ STL GRILLZZ Oracle Netsuite: Ultimate KPI Checklist

What separates successful shops from unsuccessful ones? The people. As a leader, taking care of your people is paramount. So how do you manage and lead your people better? By following the Golden Rule. How do you apply the “Golden Rule” in business? Mike Ruge—the Integrator and Experience Director at ZENGERS—shares what that looks like and it can transform your business in this episode of MakingChips. Because if you aren’t taking care of your people, they won’t be MakingChips and if they’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM!  Segments [0:16] Take advantage of Thomas™ programs [4:10] Manufacturing News: Tesla is changing perspectives  [8:45] Applying the Golden Rule in your business [14:33] Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security [16:07] Ask questions to collaborate on a solution  [22:26] How to shift your culture in the right direction [25:34] How to address underperformance  [35:02] Some BIG changes at ZENGERS and Hennig  [37:06] Learn how to be more empathetic [38:06] Learn more about IMTS+ [39:31] How to keep yourself accountable Resources mentioned on this episode Mike Ruge on LinkedIn Thomas™ Programs Tesla on YouTube Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security Marketplace Chaplains IMTS+ Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

How do you select the right ERP for your business? What should the implementation process look like? What are some mistakes you must absolutely avoid making? In this episode of MakingChips, Paul Van Metre shares some of the lessons he’s learned from failed ERP implementations. Because if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM!  – Nick  Segments [0:17] Take advantage of Thomas™ programs [2:20] The definitions of ERP, QMS, and MES [6:08] Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security [7:47] The chip on my shoulder: Weaponizing contracts [11:02] Paul Van Metre’s background in the industry  [12:47] You need to involve every impacted department  [17:13] Choose a system that works for the whole shop [19:53] Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security [21:27] Use real data and processes in demos [23:34] The implementation process: Let go of the past [29:43] Overcoming analysis paralysis in the implementation process [36:46] Register for the exhibitor workshop for IMTS 2024!  Resources mentioned on this episode Paul Van Metre Thomas™ Programs Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security Westec IMTS 2024 Exhibitor Workshop Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Why do you need to create video content, both for recruiting team members and bringing in new business? How do you get started when you don’t have the budget to hire a production company? Casey Voelker and Matthew Nix share what you can do to kickstart video marketing for your shop—and why it’s incredibly important—in this episode of MakingChips! Because if you aren’t Making videos, you’re losing out on money. BAM! – Nick Segments [0:16] Sign up for a Thomasnet™ program [3:11] Manufacturing News: Short-form video trends [9:12] How Casey started working with Nix Companies [13:27] Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security [16:16] How to get started creating videos  [22:33] Integrate video marketing into your business [24:16] Content marketing in manufacturing [27:57] A day in the life of a craftsman [29:05] Incorporating video into MakingChips [29:44] Join the AMT Community [32:00] Why you need to create video content Resources mentioned on this episode Thomasnet™ programs Matthew Nix on LinkedInLinkedIn Casey Voelker on LinkedIn 7 Short-Form Video Trends to Watch in 2023 Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security CapCut Video Editor Manufacturing Transparency: How Ken Parent is Inspiring the Industry Documentary: The Story of Content: Rise of the New Marketing Full Time Filmmaker  Join the AMT Community Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

What is FabTech? Why should anyone in welding, fabrication, metal forming, or finishing attend FabTech? They not only hold seminars and have booths and exhibitors to visit. You won’t only learn about trends in technology and meet with potential suppliers. Most importantly, you’ll be able to network. In this episode of MakingSparks recorded live at FabTech 2023, we interview a couple of people we met at FabTech whose careers were positively impacted because they showed up. Don’t miss it. – Matthew Nix Segments [1:16] Why you should go to FabTech [2:35] Netsuite by Oracle [4:06] Networking opportunities at FabTech [6:13] Casey’s dad joke  [7:04] FabTech will help rejuvenate you  [11:38] What stood out at FabTech 2023 [13:38] Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security [16:27] Spark of Knowledge: Use a CRM  [17:49] Stephanie Hoffman with the AWS [22:39] Learn more about Weld.com [27:32] Check out Thomas™ services Resources mentioned on this episode FabTech Netsuite by Oracle Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security Stepanie Hoffman on LinkedIn and Instagram Chris Ewing on LinkedIn Metal Shop Masters Weld.com Weld.com on YouTube Check out Thomas™ services Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube