Makingchips | Equipping Manufacturing Leaders

What does it take to run one of the top-performing machine shops in the country? In this episode of MakingChips, we sit down with Kevin Bowling, COO of Major Tool & Machine, to find out exactly what drives their success—and why it all starts with people. Kevin isn’t just leading a massive operation with 670,000 square feet of manufacturing space and machines that can turn parts up to 40 feet in diameter—he’s cultivating a culture of excellence, servant leadership, and continuous improvement. From daily standups to custom-built software tools that empower employees to submit (and track) improvement ideas, Kevin shares how his team fuels a winning environment. We talk about how Major Tool keeps scrap rates under 1.6%, mitigates multi-million dollar risks, and engages machinists in everything from quoting to process design. But more than that, Kevin reveals why trust, gratitude, action, growth, and excellence aren’t just words on a wall—they’re the foundation for shop floor performance. Whether you're runnin