Makingchips | Equipping Manufacturing Leaders

There’s so much wisdom my generation needs to extract from our older colleagues before they retire. Many young people in this industry are naive because it takes time and experience to master a trade. I don’t want someone to retire and still have lingering questions I wished I would’ve asked. That’s why we NEED to document the wisdom of our elders. So how do I extract wisdom from my colleagues before they retire? In this episode of MakingChips, we talk through a few ideas you can use to learn as much as you can from your expert machinists.  We’d like to hear from you—How would you extract knowledge from peers? Reach out to info@MakingChips.com  Segments [3:25] A conversation about retirement [5:34] Why we never learned anything from our dads [7:21] Manufacturing news: Germany is in a recession [12:30] An impromptu ProShop ERP Shoutout [15:55] How to approach a conversation with a veteran machinist [18:52] Four ways to extract knowledge from veteran machinists [25:30] What inspired me to choose this episode’s

How do gaming, programming, and the world of a machinist look intersect? In this episode of MakingChips, Steve Courchane—the CNC Samurai—shares his “origin story,” talks about how programming and gaming are aligned, and how to apply gamification to machining to motivate employees. Because if your employees aren’t making chips, you aren’t making money! BAM.  Segments [2:27] What’s going great in our businesses [4:37] Manufacturing news: Shoe manufacturing shifting to the US [8:00] Becoming the CNC Samurai: Steve Courchane’s origin story [15:02] The convergence of programming and gaming [19:37] The interface between Roblox and machining [24:37] Gaming: Attracting the next generation to manufacturing [26:08] How to apply gaming principles to motivate employees Resources mentioned on this episode Get The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to subscribe! Grow your shop with Xometry - Get 10% off Connect with Steven on LinkedIn or follow him on Instagram Check out Roblox Connect With MakingChips www.Ma

If your business has been slow-growing or stagnant, can you ramp up your growth? Matthew Nix would know—he’s grown his family business by a 100x multiple and spent seven straight years on the Inc. 5000 list. But how do you grow from a small mom-and-pop shop to an acquisition and growth machine? In this episode of MakingChips, Matthew shares how they’ve scaled their business with a three-prong strategy and how you can, too. Segments [3:40] What’s happening in our lives? [6:16] Learn all about Matthew Nix [8:23] What Nix Companies looks like 100 years ago [14:47] How Matthew rapidly grew his business [20:28] The difference between growing and scaling [24:31] Nix Companies’ three-prong approach to growth [26:52] Should you provide your leadership team with equity? [32:22] How to use acquisitions as a growth tactic [35:58] Financial advice for acquiring businesses [40:10] Manufacturing news: lead times & pricing Resources mentioned on this episode Get The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to subsc

Today’s episode of MakingChips is recorded at a special LIVE Tri-State Manufacturing Alliance (TSMA) event in conjunction with the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership. We are joined by three amazing panelists: Leah Curry: The President at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana David Conner: The CFO at Anchor Industries in Evansville, IN Matthew Nix: President at Nix Companies in Poseyville, IN Each panelist shares their perspective on the importance of taking care of your people, implementing the right processes, and how to compel and measure performance. We also have the pleasure of announcing this year's Manufacturing Excellence Award. Don’t miss out on a unique perspective from manufacturing leaders in the trenches! Segments [0:33] Don’t forget to register for IMTS! [1:43] Learn more about each of us! [7:41] Successfully hiring and retaining top talent [25:10] Processes and procedures to meet customer demand [35:55] The PDCA process: Plan, do, check, and act [39:10] The impact of compensation and benef

We’re on a five-hour drive to a speaking event for the Tri-State Machining Association (TSMA) so we thought, why not do an episode on the importance of travel for manufacturing leaders? In this special episode of MakingChips, we cover the benefits of travel, the potential downsides, and how to use your time wisely when you’re on the road. Welcome to MakingTrips.  Segments [0:35] Don’t forget to book a hotel for IMTS 2022! [2:27] Welcome to our special edition: “MakingTrips” [3:16] Is travel necessary for a manufacturing leader? [7:04] Manufacturing news: The price of gas [11:23] The hidden benefits of travel [16:53] Use your time wisely when traveling [18:49] The dangers of traveling too much [21:14] You have to establish travel guidelines [23:41] Weighing the cost of travel against the ROI [26:07] Get out of your cave—go and see for yourself [28:20] Identify and connect with the decision-makers Resources mentioned on this episode Get The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to subscribe! Book a hot

What do you do when an employee resigns? How do you handle their departure in a dignified way? What do you do when you have to let someone go? You have to handle each scenario differently—and sometimes gingerly. So in this episode of MakingChips, we walk through navigating the exit process. Paul Van Metre joins us to share how ProShop ERP can make the transition easier.  Segments [0:26] Come see us at IMTS 2022! [3:14] What’s happening in our worlds [5:07] Manufacturing News: What’s happening in Ukraine? [7:28] What do you do when someone resigns? [10:37] The formalities of the exit process [13:38] Paul shares how ProShop ERP can ease the transition [19:50] What happens when you have to let someone go? [22:10] What Jim’s Dad would have done  Resources mentioned on this episode Get The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to subscribe! Register for IMTS 2022 ProShop ERP Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

What do you expect from your employees? Do you expect them to think like an owner? Or just clock in and get their work done? Are they compensated for your expectations? In this episode of MakingChips, we’ll cover the bonus incentive plan I’ve structured for my core team. I’ll share the goals of the program, how to determine what behaviors to incentivize, what the reward(s) will be, and an easy way to manage it. Don’t miss it! Segments [2:16] ZENGERS new bonus incentive program [2:50] What’s happening in the lives of ZENGERS and Carr [5:59] Illinois and Chicago’s Vaccine and Mask Mandates to End Feb. 28th [9:03] How I structure my bonus incentive program [13:15] The 4 goals of my bonus incentive program [15:39] How to determine what behaviors to incentivize [23:53] The goal of the incentive program is to drive results [26:20] Determine the reward of your incentive program [28:17] How to manage your bonus incentive program [32:33] Are you incentivizing what someone is paid to do? Resources mentioned on this e

As our team begins to grow at Carr Machine & Tool, I believe it’s time to hire for a middle management position. But what is middle management? What does a middle management role consist of? Will implementing this role truly solve our problems? Jason helps me talk through the challenges I’m facing in this episode of Making Chips! Any tips, tricks, or ideas to help me through this? Reach out at Jim@MakingChips.com. I’d love to hear from you!  Segments [2:00] Does my shop need middle management? [4:46] What’s happening in our worlds [7:33] BIG NEWS: Meet us at IMTS 2022! [8:36] Manufacturing is a high-tech frontier [15:48] What does a middle management role consist of? [18:54] How to determine if you need middle management roles [24:49] The core problem we’re trying to solve [30:45] What is the biggest role of a middle manager? Resources mentioned on this episode What Has Led to the Manufacturing Labor Shortage? Why Middle Management is So Exhausting and What to Do about it International Manufacturing Te

How do you keep corporate culture alive when your workforce is completely remote? How do you focus your company on your values, mission, and goals? When a thriving company culture is crucial to retaining your employees, it can’t be neglected. We dissect this problem we’re facing because of the COVID pandemic—and 6 possible ways to promote and maintain your unique company culture—in this episode of MakingChips.  Segments [2:11] How remote work impacts company culture [4:57] What is corporate culture?  [6:27] What’s happening in our worlds [8:09] Celebrating our 50th Anniversary our way [10:05] Artificial intelligence in manufacturing [15:20] Corporate culture in a virtual world [18:23] Tip #1: Populate your social stream [20:38] Tip #2: Start a virtual club [21:34] Tip #3: Embrace video calls [25:40] Tip #4: Gamify your platform [26:56] Tip #5: Create an expert’s area [28:27] Tip #6: Keep your company mission alive  Resources mentioned on this episode Get The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to su

Is the labor shortage accelerating automation? Why is there a perception that automation is both risky and complex? How do you lead your elders with authority yet humility? To dovetail—or not to dovetail? These are the questions that we hash out with Michael Gaunce, the VP of Sales for Tooling and Workholding at SCHUNK. We take a deep look into the technical side of workholding and automation in this episode of Making Chips. Now is the time to embrace automation. Because if you’re not making chips efficiently, you’re not making money! Segments [2:55] What’s happening in our lives [5:23] 2022 Labor and Employment Outlook for Manufacturers [9:09] Learn more about Michael Gaunce [12:47] Is the labor shortage accelerating automation?  [15:20] The perception that automation is risky or complex [19:10] Two ways to do automation machine-tending [27:42] A conversation on workholding [32:55] To dovetail or not to dovetail? [39:01] Leading your elders with authority and humility Resources mentioned on this episode Ge

MakingChips is NOT a cult of personality. We want MakingChips to be about the Metalworking nation. We want to interview you. We want to talk about your problems and how to solve them. We hope we equip, inspire—and sometimes entertain—you. With that being said, some BIG changes are coming. What will the future of MakingChips hold? Listen to this episode to hear our game-changing update for the Metalworking nation.  Segments [3:58] Learn more about the MakingChips hosts [5:22] We’re NOT a cult of personality [7:26] The numerous transitions of MakingChips [11:05] MakingChips 3.0: next steps [14:39] How to apply to become a podcast host [16:06] Jim’s new show: My True Position  [20:00] Nick’s new show: Design. Build. Grow. [22:30] Jason’s new show: At the Boring Bar Resources mentioned on this episode Get The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to subscribe! We want to bring on three new hosts of three NEW shows. If you believe you have a podcast the Metalworking nation can benefit from, connect with us

Your people are the most important part of your business. If they’re not, they should be. When you hire someone, it’s always with the hope that they’ll become a long-term part of the family, right? So you need to cultivate a workplace culture they want to stay and thrive in. So in this episode of Making Chips, we’ll share nine simple tactics that you can implement immediately to transform your company culture.  Segments [5:01] Your culture is the muscle below the muscle [7:56] The good things happening in our lives  [13:30] Tactic #1: Fight for individuals that you care about [14:52] Accelerate your digital transformation with Xometry [16:48] Tactic #2: Get to know your employees [21:58] Tactic #3: Cultivate and promote friendships [23:38] Tactic #4: Don’t overly focus on profit and achievement [27:30] Tactic #5: Reward your people for success [29:06] Tactic #6: Believe in your mission and align everyone to that [30:33] Tactic #7: Be humble and treat everyone as equals [32:10] Tactic #8: Inspire your people

What are the things you HATE about meetings? Moving into 2022, would you like to have better, more productive meetings that don’t waste time and actually get things done? The MakingChips team is discussing the issue on this episode based on a book Nick read recently, called, “Death By Meeting.” Learn 3 steps you can take to make your meetings powerful for 2022. Segments [0:32] Holiday experiences from the guys (good ones) [7:35] Manufacturing news: supply chain issues: trucking, air, ocean, rail trends [13:30] Nick’s resolution: Lead better meetings in 2022 [21:45] How to have better meetings [26:25] Making it safe for participants to share differing opinions [36:19] Asynchronous meetings: what they are, how they work Resources mentioned on this episode Get The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to subscribe! OUR SPONSOR: https://www.xometry.com/makingchips/ BOOK: Death by Meeting MOVIE: The Santa Clause BOOK: Smart, Not Spoiled BOOK: The Advantage Supply Chain article Nick discussed BOOK: No Fail

This is NOT another goal-setting podcast episode. You know, the kind that explains how to effectively set goals for the year… this one is about WHY you need to set goals. No tips and tricks. No newest approaches and apps. We’re going to talk about the impact goal-setting can have on your life and business. Jim and Nick come along for the discussion because this is something important to me, personally. We’re going to cover eight reasons annual goals will benefit you, so be sure to listen. BAM!  Segments [3:57] This episode’s topic [6:19 ] Manufacturing News: Industry Week Article: Taking action, future flexibility  [11:56] Closure of the preceding year  comes from annual planning [13:15] Goal-setting enables you to Identify opportunities [15:09 ] Prioritization flows from goal setting [15:39] Goal-setting enables you to develop an attitude of gratitude [22:26] You can focus on what is important throughout the year when you set goals [23:04] Goals enable you to say “NO” to things  [23:45] You can tell if you

In our previous conversation with Jeff Taylor (episode 292) we introduced the idea of ESOPS (Employee Stock Ownership Plans) as a way to give true ownership to your manufacturing business employees. We invited Jeff back for this episode to tell us more of the journey he’s been on with ESOPs and discovered that the outcome was more than he could have imagined. Going back to the beginning of the process for Jeff, he has spent his adult life working for others and adding value to their companies. But he never received any sort of extended value or equity in the company. His experience led him to think about how he could develop cultures and attitudes among working teams that enabled them to truly have ownership in the company (in terms of mindset AND equity). That’s when the idea of ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans) came onto his radar. This episode explores the topic in greater detail and will open your mind to how your manufacturing business could be organized to leave a legacy through your employees.   S

The “Great Resignation” as it’s been called, has created a wide variety of circumstances that have impacted the American workforce. 55% of workers making under $30K/year say they will be looking for a new job soon. Has this impacted manufacturing? If so, what can we do as manufacturing leaders to mitigate the impact? This episode focuses on what leaders can and should be doing to build the kind of loyalty that will sustain their companies and provide a culture and experience for team members that is “sticky,” keeping them around for years to come.  BAM! Segments [1:20] The Great Resignation: How it impacts manufacturing [6:22] Ripples across the country from this Great Resignation [12:50] Employment news: 55% making under $30K/year expect to look for a new job [16:20] If you lose people on your team, how can it affect your business? [18:45] Why do people leave your company? Why do they stay? [22:06] Hiring process: ways to win candidates and be smart in your process [26:32] How you can improve your retention

There is a paradigm shift happening in the industry: many skilled machinists are retiring. As these long-term skilled machinists are leaving, they’re leaving with intellectual legacy knowledge that’s irreplaceable. Do procurement people sourcing machining parts know what the processes and procedures look like? Do they know the difference between a fabricated, turned, or machined, or five-axis part? What can we do as owners to mitigate the problem or offer solutions? We dive into the discussion in this episode of Making Chips! Segments [1:23] The challenges we face with retiring machinists [4:30] The definition of intellectual property [6:28] What is keeping us awake at night? [14:22] Boosting automation in manufacturing [18:18] A discussion of intellectual property  Resources mentioned on this episode Get The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to subscribe! What is Intellectual Property? Report Outlines Difficulty in Boosting Automation in Manufacturing The Future of Manufacturing is Automated Pro

Finding Solutions to the Supply Chain Chaos, #293 What is the root cause of the supply chain crisis? How can manufacturing businesses mitigate those risks and find realistic solutions that work in the short and long term? Tom Hilaris—the President & CEO of Ergoseal—joins us to share the three things they focus on: risk mitigation, communication, and culture. In this episode of Making Chips we offer real, practical solutions your business can implement to overcome the supply chain chaos. Because—after all—if you’re not making chips, you’re not making money! BAM! – Jason Segments [1:10] Material lead times and pricing [5:10] What’s happening at Carr Machine & Tool [7:07] Manufacturing news related to supply chain issues [14:39] Learn more about our guest—Tom Hilaris [17:16] Step #1: Risk Mitigation [19:46] Managing pricing with redundancy of sourcing [22:58] Step #2: Communicating with your customers is imperative  [29:12] Elmhurst University Supply Chain Masters Program [32:15] Step #3: A great cultur

What is an employee stock ownership plan ESOP? How does it work? How can it transform the buy-in of your team and lead to revenue growth? Jeff Taylor—the President and CEO of Crafts Technology—implemented an ESOP. Listen to this episode to hear about the impact it had on his business—and figure out whether or not it’s right for yours. Employee buy-in can lead to profitability which can lead to Making Chips! BAM! – Jim Segments [4:49] What’s happening at ZENGERS and Carr Machine & Tool [8:20] Disclaimer about implementing an ESOP [10:54] Welcome Jeff Taylor to Making Chips! [12:13] What is an employee stock ownership plan ESOP? [13:45] How Jeff got into manufacturing [20:15] What is Craft’s technology? [21:49] Choosing to create an ESOP [30:00] Who should consider an ESOP? [35:05] Pensions, profit-sharing, and ESOPs [39:45] What kind of return does an ESOP get? [45:36] Are you handing over control to your team? Resources mentioned on this episode Get The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to sub

What does your hiring process look like? Do you even have a hiring process in place? In this episode of Making Chips, we walk through what each of our processes look like and share some useful strategies that anyone can implement. A streamlined process leads to better hires which leads to Making Chips! BAM! – Jason! What are your tips and tricks for the hiring process? Let us know! Send an email to info@MakingChips.com!  Segments [0:30] Check out ProShop ERP for manufacturing software! [3:35] What’s happening in our lives and businesses [6:54] Manufacturing news: A discussion on composite materials [11:44] Shoutout to listeners who’ve left reviews! [14:26] Step #1: It’s all about the setup  [19:10] Step #2: The careers landing page [22:43] Accelerate your digital transformation with Xometry [24:31] Step #3: Screen your candidates  Resources mentioned on this episode Get The Boring Bar Newsletter - Text CHIPS to 38470 to subscribe! 6 of the Most Exciting Trends In Composite Materials Today Join the ZENGERS