Makingchips | Equipping Manufacturing Leaders

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 Alt

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 Aerostructure

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 Res

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+ [

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 epis

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 Cas

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 Sec

Recruiting in manufacturing can be difficult. Many students are taught the traditional “Graduate high school and go to college for four years” mentality. While there’s nothing wrong with taking that route, how do we capture the attention of young talent? How do we make them see the career trajectory available in welding or fabrication? Lindsey Nix and Angela Kirlin share some actionable tactics and strategies in this episode of MakingSparks! – Matthew Nix  Segments [1:13] Lindsey’s dad joke [2:35] Create a Thomas™ profile [5:02] The internship programs at Nix Companies [9:53] Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security [12:21] How Nix is investing in recruiting  [15:57] The benefits of video marketing  [19:54] Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security [23:13] Spark of Knowledge: Try candidate tryouts [24:16] Leverage social media for recruiting [31:22] Now trending: work/life balance [34:23] Show children different career options [36:34] Register for IMTS 2024 [37:42] Be authentic and consistent  Resources me

Most mom-and-pop shops don’t have to worry about recruiting, hiring, and retaining talent until they decide they want to grow. When you find yourself needing to recruit and hire talent, where do you start? Start with your core values. Your company needs core values and a clear mission and vision to hire the right people, build the right culture, and retain your team long-term. Lindsey Nix and Angela Kirlin weigh in on what it takes to recruit top talent in this episode of MakingSparks. Segments [1:10] Introducing Lindsey Nix and Angela Kirlin [2:30] Casey’s dad joke of the day [4:02] Hiring and recruiting in the beginning [6:37] Sign up for a Thomas™ program! [9:38] How Angela learned the culture [12:18] Spark of Knowledge: Core Values [13:38] Angela’s role encompasses retention  [15:35] Recruiting women in fabrication  [18:15] Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security  [17:23] The importance of core values  [28:23] Join the AMT community Resources mentioned on this episode Matthew Nix on LinkedIn Lindsey

MakingSparks has officially arrived! Matthew Nix and I, Casey Voelker, are here to speak to the welding and fabrication industry. And just like MakingChips, we want to equip and inspire while attracting the next generation. Everyone will have some takeaways from MakingSparks. In this episode, Matthew shares more about Nix Companies and their explosive growth over the last 20 years. We’ll also cover what you can expect from MakingSparks, who should listen, and give you a sneak peek at our next episode.  – Casey  Segments [3:24] Learn more about Matthew Nix and Nix Companies [5:33] Recruiting and talent retention in fabrication [7:27] Spark of Knowledge: Branding and marketing [9:25] Growing the company to 100x revenue [10:21] Who should listen to the MakingSparks podcast? [13:50] Learn more about IMTS+ [15:13] What should we talk about? [16:25] What’s happening in our next episode?  Resources mentioned on this episode Casey Voelker on LinkedIn Matthew Nix on LinkedIn Can You Scale Rapidly After 100 Years o

Are you in welding or fabrication? Are you a long-time listener of MakingChips who’s just been waiting for content that speaks directly to you? The wait is over. In this episode of MakingChips, Casey Voelker and Matthew Nix join us to introduce a brand new addition to the MakingChips lineup: MakingSparks. Casey and Matthew will be hosting the show that will bring even more industry voices to the mic. Tune in to this episode to learn exactly what to expect from this new podcast! Because if you’re not MakingSparks, you’re not making money. BAM! — Jason  Segments [2:24] Why we created the MakingSparks podcast [6:19] What’s going to be different about MakingSparks? [7:16] Spark of Knowledge: Strategic planning [10:23] Free KPI checklist from Netsuite by Oracle [14:46] The evolution of Nix Companies  [18:44] What we want your takeaway to be [20:36] IMTS 2024: Sept 9th-14th in Chicago [21:57] Who will MakingSparks speak to? Resources mentioned on this episode Netsuite by Oracle: FREE KPI checklist  IMTS 2024: Se

You’ve found your acquisition target. They’ve committed to selling you the business. Now the real work begins. It’s time for due diligence. Where does due diligence start? What factors should you consider? How do you build a checklist?  Jason, Nick, Adam Schmitt, and I tackle due diligence in this episode of MakingChips. Because if you’re not doing due diligence, you may miss important factors that will impact your ability to make chips. And if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM!  – Matthew Nix Segments [0:57] Where does due diligence start?  [6:43] Don’t be afraid to walk away [9:33] Will leaders and employees stay? [11:01] Take a deep dive into processes [12:26] Asset purchase vs. stock purchase [15:45] Don’t stop asking questions [18:46] How to develop your own checklist Resources mentioned on this episode FabTech Adam Schmitt Matthew Nix ProFab Alliance Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

How do you increase your capacity, make more chips, and bring on new clients without buying a new machine or pitching yourself to a single end user? Buying a company. Acquisitions are a large part of how we’ve all built our companies. But how do you start acquiring companies? Why would you want to?  In this episode of MakingChips, Adam Schmitt—the Managing Partner of ProFab Alliance—joins Jason, Nick, and I (Matthew Nix) to dive into the starting point of acquisitions. Because if you’re not making acquisitions, you’re not MakingChips, and if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM! – Matthew Nix Segments [3:43] Manufacturing News: Trade School Programs [9:39] Why should you make acquisitions?  [16:04] How should you look for acquisitions?  [23:35] Buyout conversations gone wrong [26:39] Why you need to pay attention to due diligence Resources mentioned on this episode FabTech Adam Schmitt ProFab Alliance Trade School Programs Thrive Amid Overall College Enrollment Decline Connect With MakingC

Once you’ve implemented lean manufacturing, how do you sustain a lean culture? How do you motivate your team to focus on continuous improvement? How do you inspire them to keep reaching and passing their goals?  In this episode of MakingChips—part 2 of a live panel discussion at TSMA with special guests Doug Bawel, Femi D-Etti, and Jake Ward—we dive into what it takes to maintain a lean culture. It can be so easy to fall back into old patterns but it’s important to stay the course.  Because if you can’t sustain a lean culture, you won’t be MakingChips efficiently, and if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM! – Jason Segments [0:52] Leading measures for lean manufacturing [5:34] Balancing day-to-day with improvement projects [11:46] Learn more about NetSuite by Oracle [13:17] How to sustain a lean culture [17:40] Their biggest wins in the lean process [24:58] Some final thoughts on lean manufacturing  Resources mentioned on this episode Tri-State Manufacturers Alliance (TSMA) Doug Bawel: Pr

What is your definition of lean manufacturing? One definition of lean is “Maximizing the flow of value through your business to your customer.” We all want our business to be customer-centric, right? It’s a given that we all want to reduce waste and improve efficiency. But how do you do that? On this episode of MakingChips, we recorded a live panel discussion at TSMA with special guests Doug Bawel, Femi D-Etti, and Jake Ward. Each of them shares how they’re finding unique ways to build a lean culture through strategic leadership.  Because if you’re not implementing a lean culture, you’re not MakingChips efficiently, and if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM! – Nick Segments [2:50] What does lean manufacturing mean? [7:09] Introducing Doug Bawel, Femi D-Etti, and Jake Ward [14:50] The most important factor when introducing lean into your culture [22:33] How to use gamification to move your teams toward a goal Resources mentioned on this episode Tri-State Manufacturers Alliance (TSMA) Doug

What is going on with the economy? We’re all feeling a slowdown in the manufacturing industry. So what gives? What happens in the economy can be directly impacted by politics. It can be impacted by war. It can be impacted by interest rates and the rising costs of consumer goods. Nicole Wolter—the President and CEO of HM Manufacturing—joins us again to dissect what we see happening with the economy and what you can do to start marking more chips. Because if you aren’t MakingChips, you aren’t making money. BAM! – Jason Segments [0:15] Netsuite by Oracle  [4:04] Nicole’s experience representing manufacturing at the white house [9:25] Lessons from manufacturing leaders: How AI will help manufacturing [15:23] What is the manufacturing economy like right now?  [18:27] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop [26:05] Why are we in our current economic position?  [31:01] What should you do when the economy is down? Resources mentioned on this episode Nicole Wolters on LinkedIn Oracle Netsuite: FREE CFO's Ultimate KPI Che

Today’s controversial topic: What is a woman…in manufacturing? We need to inspire the next generation of women to pursue a career path in manufacturing. But is the “sex sells” movement killing any chance of that? I’m Nicole Wolter—the President and CEO of HM Manufacturing. In this episode of MakingChips, I share how we can attract more women to manufacturing. Because if you’re not making chips, you’re not making money. BAM! Segments Segments [0:19] Netsuite by Oracle  [2:44] Introducing Nicole Wolter [3:35] What’s the chip on your shoulder? [8:57] Is “Sex sells” corrupting the women in manufacturing movement? [13:06] How do we attract more women to manufacturing?  [15:17] Everyone is welcome in manufacturing [18:45] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop [19:24] The “booth babe” rant [24:58] Getting girls interested in manufacturing  [27:38] What is a Woman in Manufacturing? [31:40] How to support other women in manufacturing Resources mentioned on this episode Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn HM Manufacturing 

Many companies strive to move toward digital transformation. Some struggle with the process. Others—like JJR Fabrication—see remarkable results. They’ve seen enormous efficiency and throughput improvements by embracing digital workflows while ensuring the physical side of their shop is in full alignment.  This includes doing things like lean manufacturing work, Kaizen activities, and really embracing the ProShop way of doing things. Kevin Richards and Lynne DuBose from JJR Fabrication join us in this episode of MakingChips to share how their leap toward a digital transformation was a game-changer for their business.  Because if you’re not being efficient, you’re not making chips, and if you’re not making chips, you’re not making money. BAM! – Paul Van Metre Segments [0:12] Learn more about Netsuite by Oracle [4:44] Lessons for manufacturing leaders [7:47] Introducing Kevin Richards and Lynne DuBose [11:09] How I met Kevin and Lynn [12:41] Making the transition to ProShop [20:20] The physical changes they’ve

How do you grow a business while raising a family? When you and your spouse are business partners, how do you choose what to prioritize and when? Matthew and Lindsey Nix have been navigating this challenging road together for years. In the second part of a two-part episode (check out episode #1 first), Matthew and Lindsey share some of the lessons they’ve learned about leadership and family life. Because if you aren’t making chips, you aren’t making money—and you aren’t providing for your family. BAM! – Jason Segments [0:20] Learn more about Oracle Netsuite [3:00] The BIG news: Baby #4 is on the way! [4:47] What’s more important: The business or the marriage? [6:11] What’s the chip on your shoulder? [9:34] Set boundaries for each other [12:50] Overcoming the negative voice in your head [14:49] “Treat people like you would want your kids to be treated.” [17:56] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop [18:36] Balancing the kids and the business Resources mentioned on this episode Netsuite by Oracle The Lean Setup