Makingchips | Equipping Manufacturing Leaders

In the wake of 9/11, the aerospace and defense industry experienced a dramatic transformation, with new regulations like the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 reshaping how manufacturers handled sensitive data.  For many small shops, it was a turning point—forcing them to adapt while navigating a surge in defense demand. Companies either thrived or struggled under tighter compliance and rising production needs.  Today, the industry faces new hurdles: a looming skills gap, escalating production requirements, and the ever-present threat of data breaches. To remain competitive, manufacturers must embrace automation, invest in robust systems, and prioritize building strong customer relationships. Those prepared to align with these demands will be positioned to succeed in this evolving landscape. Panelists Matt Torres, Mitch Free, and Heidi Schaefer join Mike Payne and Paul Van Metre in this special episode recorded live at IMTS to address what can be done to meet the challenges the manufacturing

Theo Saville was frustrated by the lack of real-world applications for 3D printing. Then it struck him: Why not make CNC machining as simple as 3D printing? What if we could make machines smarter by installing more sensors? What if we gave the software more inputs to work with? Theo immediately set out to disrupt a 600-billion-dollar industry and, together with Chris Emery, founded CloudNC. When Jeff Maki and Austin Whitmer came across CloudNC and their CAM Assist software, they knew they had to implement it immediately.  In this episode of MakingChips, they share the real-world impact of CAM Assist on a machine shop’s efficiency, quoting, and ability to win new business.Because if you can’t quote quickly enough, you won’t win business. And if you’re not winning new business, you’re not MakingChips, and you’re not making money. BAM! Segments [0:51] Introducing Theo, Jeff, and Austin  [3:52] The origin story of CloudNC [13:35] Learn about Maki CNC [15:00] Why you need ProShop ERP [16:08] Implementing CloudNC

Wouldn’t it be amazing to come up with a design for anything and turn it into a physical reality as easily as you can create something in Photoshop? What would people build if it were that easy? And what if you had machine monitoring in place for every piece of machinery, regardless of its age?  In this special episode of MakingChips recorded live at IMTS, Mike and Nick sit down with Theo Saville, CEO of CloudNC, and Camoren Schley, the Founder of Slytek. They dive into practical ways every shop can leverage AI to improve efficiency and make more chips. Because if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM! Segments [4:06] Learn more about Theo Saville and Camoren Schley [7:10] The future of AI in the manufacturing industry  [8:41] The practical use cases of AI with CloudNC  [11:07] How ProShop ERP can improve your business [12:12] The practical use cases of AI with Slytek  [13:08] Is AI going to replace humans? [17:57] Theo and Cameron’s success stories [19:21] The biggest challenges of adopting A

The two biggest complaints in any business are always the quality of the toilet paper and the coffee. Joking aside—coffee is a crucial part of any shop’s function. You need to have good coffee on the shop floor.  Mike Franz and his Co-Founder Amy Teal set out to do two things when they created ShopFloor Coffee. Their first goal was to create an amazing coffee that any shop would proudly serve. Their second mission was to support workforce development programs to bring more people into manufacturing. Mike shares how they’re working to achieve those goals in this fun episode of MakingChips. Because if your shop floor isn’t caffeinated, they won’t be efficiently MakingChips, and they won’t be making money. BAM! Segments [4:45] Introducing today’s guest, Mike Franz [6:37] The Chip on Nick’s Shoulder [9:44] The origin story of ShopFloor Coffee [16:10] Standing out in a crowded marketplace [20:35] Learn about ShopFloor Coffee [25:25] Graduate to NetSuite by Oracle [27:27] Fueling workforce development  [29:42] The

In the final segment of the first edition of At The Boring Bar, our expert panel of guests return to dive into the future of manufacturing and why manufacturing leaders need to embrace technology. They discuss the application of 3D printing and additive manufacturing and how they can be used to attract the next generation.  Jason Zenger, Nick Goellner, Mike Payne, Paul Van Metre, Peter Eelman, Nicole Wolter, Chris Luecke, and Manny Pasillas also take a look at the challenges the national security and defense industry are facing because of a lack of partnerships.  We believe hosting round-table discussions of these important issues can help move the manufacturing industry toward a solution. Don’t miss this conversation.  Segments [0:25] Learn about IMTS 2024 ELEVATE programs [2:28] The application of 3D printing  [13:34] 3D printing a car at IMTS [15:21] Why we need to embrace emerging technology [16:30] Listen to the Manufacturing Transformed podcast! [17:57] National security and the defense industry  [19:4

How do you grow a machine shop through acquisitions? What is it like working in a legacy family business? How do you find and hire talented engineers? Where does AI fit into the daily grind? These are all questions that this team of industry experts and friends seek to answer over a glass of bourbon At the Boring Bar. Jason Zenger, Nick Goellner, Mike Payne, Paul Van Metre, Peter Eelman, Nicole Wolter, Chris Luecke, and Manny Pasillas share their unique perspectives on the manufacturing industry—and how it must adapt—in part II. Check it out! Segments [0:37] Manage your cutting tools with ProShop ERP [2:25] Embodying entrepreneurial spirit [7:02] Carrying on a family business [12:15] Overcoming the fear of technology [19:34] NetSuite: The CFO’s Guide to AI and Machine Learning [20:35] Shifting the conversation to AI [38:09] Gamifying adaption of new technology  Resources mentioned on this episode ProShop ERP NetSuite: The CFO’s Guide to AI and Machine Learning CNC Expert Peter Eelman  Manny Pasillas Nicole

Some of the greatest ideas in manufacturing don’t happen in boardrooms but over a drink with peers. In At the Boring Bar, Jason aims to cut deeper into the conversations that matter most to manufacturing leaders. So pull up a chair, grab a drink, and join Jason as he uncovers the insights that drive the manufacturing industry forward.  In this inaugural episode of At the Boring Bar, join Jason, Nick Goellner, Mike Payne, Paul Van Metre, Peter Eelman, Nicole Wolter, Chris Luecke, and Manny Pasillas At the Boring Bar. They cover everything from the exciting new exhibits at IMTS to one of the biggest problems the manufacturing industry faces: a mass exodus of Baby Boomers.  You’ll laugh, you may cry, and you’ll undoubtedly hear something that will provoke you to think about the future of the industry and your impact on it. Don’t miss it.  Segments [0:20] Learn about IMTS 2024 ELEVATE [2:51] Why Jason is taped to a mannequin  [3:47] Learn more about “At the Boring Bar” [6:12] The evolution and legacy of IMTS [13

“Inspiring the extraordinary” is the theme for this year’s IMTS and that’s exactly what they’re doing. The Emerging Technology Center will showcase extraordinary advances in technology (including an exhibit by BlueForge Alliance and Apptronik's AI-Powered General Purpose Humanoid Robot). They’re offering specific ELEVATE programs for job shops, women in manufacturing, and the first-ever ELEVATE LATAM: A half-day conference for the Spanish-speaking manufacturing technology community. For the first time, Microsoft, AWS, and Google Cloud will be at the show in the automation sector. This year’s IMTS is a can’t-miss event. Show Boss Peter Eelman shares all of the amazing details in this episode of MakingChips.  Segments [0:20] Manage your cutting tools with ProShop ERP [3:17] The amazing Manufacturing Happy Hour Event [5:14] Introducing the "Show Boss" Peter Eelman [8:52] Machine Shop Masterclass: Taming the Chaos  [18:04] The Past, Present, and Future of IMTS [22:46] How Peter’s experience impacts his process [

Maintenance is something that’s essential to protect the longevity of your machines but rarely something regularly implemented in shops. It’s often a huge and costly mistake. Don’t know where to start?  In this episode, Manny Pasillas—a machine tool maintenance expert and the Founder and VP of Business Development for Tech CNCs—shares a simple yet exhaustive checklist anyone can use to properly clean and maintain their machines.  Because if you’re not cleaning your machines, they will break down, and you won’t be MakingChips, and you won’t be making money! – Nick Goellner AND - to get the full checklist, subscribe to our email newsletter! Segments [5:04] Manny’s origin story [25:55] Leadership Spotlight [30:17] The three tiers of machine maintenance  [33:52] ProShop ERP’s Manufacturing Transformed Podcast [34:25] Category #1: Lubrication  [36:21] Category #2: Hoses and lines [37:09] Category #3: Electronics [39:15] Category #4: Backlash checks  [40:02] Category #5: Safety  [41:29] Category #6: Way covers [43

What do you need to know before you launch automation in your shop? What would be signs that you’re not ready to automate? If you’re launching the process, how can you use your ERP/MRP to the fullest?  Even the smallest mistakes—like not having a process in place to deal with the chips your machines are creating while running lights out—can be costly. We want to help you avoid those costly errors.  That’s why Paul Van Metre and Mike Payne join me to tackle the important things you need to consider before you run lights out. Because if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM! Segments [0:35] Why you need ProShop ERP [5:08] What’s new with the crew [6:43] Manufacturing Leadership Spotlight [13:52] Do you have a repeatable process?  [19:03] NetSuite by Oracle [20:31] Do you have a chip management process? [23:48] Cutting tool management features [26:24] Are you making adjustments for accurate costs? [34:06] Do you have training in place for your team?  [37:16] Do you have a preventative maintenance

Here’s our controversial take: We believe that “automated” is more important than “operated”. It’s a stance that scares a lot of operators—but it shouldn’t. In this episode of MakingChips, Mike Payne and Kaleb Mertz return to dive into part loading and pallet loading, a mixed vs fixed mindset, and why predictive is better than reactive. We’ll connect all of it back to every shop's end goal: business results. Don’t miss it! Segments [0:18] Learn about IMTS 2024 Sectors [4:03] Part loading vs pallet loading [9:53] Embrace a mixed vs fixed mindset [16:00] Manufacturing Transformed [17:32] Predictive is better than reactive  [22:29] If you can sense it, you can do it Resources mentioned on this episode IMTS Sectors IMTS Community Go listen to the Manufacturing Transformed podcast Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Machine monitoring can give us insights into our machines that can and should change how we’re operating. The end goal is to drive better business results. But how should monitoring be paired with advanced business strategies to help you achieve those results? Mike Payne, Kaleb Mertz and I connect the dots in this episode of MakingChips. Because if you’re not efficiently MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM!  – Nick Goellner Segments [0:20] Learn more about IMTS 2024 Elevate [2:28] What we listen to at work [7:00] Manufacturing News: Technology Orders Grow [13:08] Latin America Conference at IMTS [15:02] Using ProShop for cutting tool management [16:11] Coaching is more important than monitoring [21:21] Adaptive controls and tooling optimizations  Resources mentioned on this episode IMTS Elevate ChillHop Radio Pop Goes Classical on Spotify Erica Violet on Spotify Manufacturing Technology Orders Grow Despite Sustained High Interest Rates Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On Lin

What if your life has little distinction between work and play? What if you’re so passionate about what you do that the time you spend on it is inconsequential? We began to explore the idea of work-life integration in part 1 of this series.  In part 2, we dive into the creative ways we integrate our work and personal lives so that we can be fully present whenever possible. Because when we take a break from MakingChips, our business must still be MakingChips to make money! – Nick Goellner Segments [0:37] Improve On-Time Delivery with ProShop [2:00] Little distinction between work and play [9:43] Switch to NetSuite by Oracle [11:01] You have to love what you do [16:01] Bookending our time off [21:20] Our biggest takeaways [23:38] Come to the MakingChips party!  Resources mentioned on this episode Improve On-Time Delivery with ProShop NetSuite by Oracle Eat That Frog! Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Work-life balance. It’s a phrase that’s often thrown around. Many of us struggle feeling like we’ll never achieve some sort of balance. Work usually fills a greater space than we think it should. But what if that’s okay?  Everyone’s heard the adage, “Find something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” What if you love your work? What if you don’t mind when work bleeds outside of designated work hours? Is it ever a problem?  That’s the topic that Mike and I dive into in this episode of MakingChips. Especially because you have to be MakingChips to be making money. BAM! – Nick Goellner Segments [3:04] Mike’s family vacation in Colorado  [4:44] Machine Shop Masterclass: Lean Manufacturing  [14:38] Is there such a thing as work-life balance? [19:25] Manage your cutting tools with ProShop ERP [20:33] Life is a series of seasons [25:04] Achieving work-life integration Resources mentioned on this episode 2 Second Lean Get ProShop’s Lean Setup Guide The 5AM Club Connect With MakingChips www.MakingC

There are over 1 billion users on LinkedIn worldwide, 200 million of which are in the United States. Manufacturing is one of the largest industry segments represented on LinkedIn. Interestingly, LinkedIn is rewarding people who create content and share it on their platform. Why? It’s simple—they need more content. It’s time for manufacturing and fabrication businesses to take advantage of these facts. But how? In this episode of MakingSparks, Preston Hadley—the President & Founder of Envision Automation & Controls—shares how his content strategy on LinkedIn not only grew his following but transformed his business.  – Matthew Nix Segments [3:11] Preston’s background in the industry  [2:05] Achieve on-time delivery with ProShop  [2:52] Envision Automation & Controls [6:02] Learn more about ProFab Alliance  [6:45] Casey’s dad joke [8:10] Growing a LinkedIn presence [13:50] Finding a balance with content [19:43] Graduate to NetSuite by Oracle [26:59] How to write on LinkedIn [30:03] Getting started o

What’s keeping you up at night? What are you excited about? It’s important to reflect on the good, the bad, and the ugly. Why? First and foremost, to learn from our mistakes. But secondly, to embrace gratitude. Even despite challenges and setbacks, there’s always room for gratefulness and thankfulness. So in this episode of MakingSparks, Casey and I sit down to discuss the challenges we’re facing and exciting changes happening in our businesses. We also share why we don’t let worry consume us and instead, practice gratitude.  – Matthew Nix Segments [2:39] What’s keeping Matthew up at night?  [3:28] How ProFab Alliance can help you [4:11] Issue #1: Safety concerns in the shop [5:37] Issue #2: On-time delivery and customer service [7:24] Why you can’t let worry consume you  [10:31] Using ProShop ERP to manage cutting tools [11:45] Strategic planning for Captivated Content [14:14] Practicing gratitude at all times [15:32] What’s happening at NIX Industrial [19:26] Launching a franchising business Have question

Gamification. Gamification is a highly successful strategy in the world of marketing. It’s used all the time to enhance engagement in children’s education. How can we apply gamification concepts to manufacturing education?  Mike Payne, Paul Van Metre, Gabe Kooyers, and Chris Townsend joined me in this discussion and nailed down some incredible ways to leverage gamification. Because if you’re not motivating your students (or employees), then you’re not MakingChips. If you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM! – Nick Goellner Segments [0:27] Check out the Manufacturing Transformed podcast! [3:04] Introducing Chris Townsend [4:14] The Chip on Nick’s Shoulder: Being “pitch-slapped” [7:02] Chris’s background in engineering [9:46] Creating Eagle Manufacturing  [13:27] Using gamification with students [16:07] Gamifying ProShop [20:00] Graduate to NetSuite by Oracle! [21:26] Simulating a business for education [28:10] Teaching employability skills Resources mentioned on this episode Netsuite by Oracle

How do we train the next generation of manufacturing leaders so employers are ready to hire them immediately? Do students still need to learn manual machinery? Or do employers only want skilled CNC machinists?  These are just a few questions we dissect in this conversation with special guest and long-term educator Gabe Kooyers. Because if we’re not properly training machinists to make chips, they’re not getting hired, and no one’s making money. BAM! – Nick Goellner Segments [0:25] Achieve on-time delivery with ProShop ERP [3:48] Introducing Gabe Kooyers [5:44] Why promoting students is a game-changer [9:01] Manufacturing News: Declining interest in the trades [11:50] Learn more about Gabe and his students  [18:37] Do students need experience with manual machines? [23:00] How to revitalize an apprenticeship program [26:27] On the clock and off the clock training  [30:22] What’s important for students to know  Resources mentioned on this episode Get ProShop ERPs free guide Stemming the STEM Decline Connect w

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

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