Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders

Mike Payne has spent the last 20+ years deeply entrenched in the M&A process with dozens of companies throughout Oklahoma. Early in his career, he realized he loved the world of manufacturing. He also learned that he enjoyed operating a business. He was just waiting for the right opportunity to unfold. Then it happened: Six years ago, Mike was able to purchase Hill Manufacturing. In this episode of MakingSparks, we chat with Mike about his work in the M&A space, why he made acquisitions close to home, and what led to his passion for manufacturing. – Matthew Nix Segments Resources mentioned on this episode Warren Buffett's 2024 Annual Letter To ShareholdersGet NetSuite by OracleThe Six Types of Working Genius Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.comFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterYouTube

Are you the type of manufacturing leader who prefers to do everything yourself? You learn and innovate as you go, right? We’ve learned from experience: There is an art and a science to recruiting. I’ve muddled through using LinkedIn Recruiter to make some hires. And while it’s a great tool, it can only do so much. So in this episode of MakingChips, Trevor O’Malley joins us to discuss all aspects of recruiting, from finding the right technical fit to the right person for your culture. Because if you can’t recruit the right people, you won’t be MakingChips, and you won’t make money. BAM! Segments Resources mentioned on this episode AMT CommunityProShop ERPCiderSceneLinkedIn Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.comFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterYouTube

My shop has been restoring a 1959 Ford F10. When we decided to recreate a digital dash for the truck, we decided to ask the LinkedIn world for help. That’s when I met Ira Laughy with rapid3D. Rapid3D exists to solve complex measurement challenges to empower confident decision-making. We scanned the space and current dash and Ira and his team helped us reverse-engineer the process to design a CAD model to ultimately create the part we need. Ira shares how you can use a 3D scanner to reverse engineer a part in this fascinating forward-thinking episode of MakingChips. Because if you can’t make the part you need, you won’t be MakingChips, and you won’t be making money. BAM! — Mike Payne Segments Resources mentioned on this episode Rapid3D.ca LinkedInCreaform 3D scannersGeomagic Design XAutodesk InventorSOLIDWORKSNetsuite by Oracle Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.comFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterYouTube

How important is building relationships and trust with your vendors? When you do have established relationships, are you placing too much trust in them? How do you balance being business savvy and trusting? Mark McCormack is known for saying “All things being equal, people will do business with a friend; all things being unequal, people will still do business with a friend.” How much does this matter in the supply chain? Let’s see if we have an answer. We dissect the topic in this episode of MakingChips. – Nick Segments Resources mentioned on this episode AMT CommunityProShop ERPWhat They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.comFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterYouTube

What are the benefits of working closely with a local career & technical education center? You can have a huge impact on the local community, education system, and businesses. If you partner with a local technical center, it could have a far-reaching impact—and it just might help you recruit the next generation. Nix Partners with a local career & technical education center in Southwest Indiana. David St. Clair and Hannah Lang join us in this episode of MakingSparks to share how collaboration can benefit the students, the community, and your business. Segments Resources mentioned on this episode NetSuite by OracleLinkedInLinkedIn Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.comFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterYouTube

POV: You’re a woman with an entrepreneurial edge. You want to start a business. Why not consider the manufacturing industry? There are only 6,431 women-owned manufacturing businesses in the United States (representing just 2% of all manufacturing companies). 20% of them are minority-owned. This industry needs a woman’s perspective and expertise. So what does it take to get into the industry? Nicole Wolter—the President & CEO at HM Manufacturing—shares her advice for budding female entrepreneurs in this episode of MakingChips. Segments Resources mentioned on this episode AMT CommunityWhat is a Woman Manufacturing Leader?LinkedInU.S. Women-Owned Manufacturers Infographic Benefits of Becoming a Certified Women-Owned BusinessNetSuite’s KPI Checklist Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.comFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterYouTube

POV: You’ve decided to start the process of implementing automation in your machine shop—but it isn’t as easy as flipping a switch. It’s a process that consists of failing forward and learning from every mistake. Tom Schroeder—the Executive Vice President at PBC Linear—joins us in this episode of Lights Out to share how to prioritize flexibility when you invest in and begin to implement automation in your shop. Because if you’re not making the right chips, you’re not making money. – Nick Segments Resources mentioned on this episode free KPI checklistLinkedInLinkedInDo We Need More Manufacturing Entrepreneurs? Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.comFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterYouTube

There are around 17,000 contract manufacturing job shops in the US. That sounds pretty great, right? The truth is that growth is down 16% since 2008. Now, more than ever, we need new entrepreneurs in the manufacturing industry. Matthew Nix, Paul Van Metre, Drew Crowe, and Mike Payne join me in this roundtable discussion to talk about the vast opportunities available, how to take advantage of them, and why manufacturing leaders should encourage and grow entrepreneurs from within their businesses. Because if manufacturing isn’t growing, we aren’t MakingChips, and we aren’t making money. BAM! – Nick Goellner Segments Resources mentioned on this episode the AMT community ProFab Alliance Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.comFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterYouTube

How can leadership remain connected to what’s happening on the shop floor? At Nix, we’ve found a creative way to bridge a gap that many businesses experience. We’ve implemented a program that allows our front line to address problems and propose solutions so that their everyday real-world problems are being fixed. Dakota Hunt and Jack Henry Hagan return to share how this program has positively impacted them and the business. – Matthew Nix Segments Resources mentioned on this episode CFO's Ultimate KPI Checklist Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.comFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterYouTube

How do we recruit more young talent to fabrication? How do we navigate rapid growth balanced with training and development? How do we help develop young talent into our future leaders? These are just a few questions we wrestle with in this episode of MakingSparks with special guests Dakota Hunt and Jack Henry Hagan. – Matthew Nix Segments Resources mentioned on this episode AMT online communityProFab Alliance Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.comFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterYouTube

BWXT Mount Vernon produces components for naval nuclear reactors, used in submarines and aircraft carriers. Their sprawling facility is home to CNC machine tools and sophisticated welding and heat-treating equipment. In this episode of MakingSparks, General Manager Nate Foote shares more about their commitment to processes, their recruiting practices, and why the work they do is incredibly important. – Casey Segments Resources mentioned on this episode AMTKPI ChecklistConnect with Nate on LinkedInBWXT Mount Vernon Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.comFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterYouTube

What are the pros and cons of plasma cutters vs. water jets vs. lasers? How does cutting with nitrogen differ from cutting with oxygen? How is technology driving innovation in fabrication? R.J. Reed and Brendon DiVincenzo join us in this episode of MakingSparks to cover all things lasers and fabrication. Because if you’re not MakingSparks with the right tool, you’re not making money. BAM! – Nick Segments Resources mentioned on this episode FREE IMTS 2024 Exhibitor WorkshopWhen the Machine StoppedBrendon DiVincenzoR.J. ReedUltimate KPI ChecklistThe GoalFABTECH 2024 Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.comFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterYouTube

On December 7th, 2023, Jason had a heart attack, the type well-known as the “widow-maker.” Miraculously, Jason survived. Then he survived a heart transplant. January 19th, 2024, he went home. Jason beat the odds. In this episode of MakingChips, we’ll share Jason’s miraculous story. We’ll also share some of the lessons we’ve learned throughout the last couple of months. Be ready to be awe-struck. – Nick Segments Resources mentioned on this episode Jason’s CaringBridge pageNetsuite by Oracle KPI ChecklistIMTS 2024 Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.comFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterYouTube

Every family business that’s growing and expanding runs into some challenges. From navigating tough conversations with family to determining a centralized versus decentralized model, there are numerous things to consider. Joe Patterson’s family business overcame the challenges that came their way and expanded globally. However, they had lofty goals for the business and ultimately needed more capital to realize those goals. Joe shares how they expanded their family business and why they sold the majority of their shares to private equity in this episode of MakingSparks. Listen to learn how you can help your family business make sparks, grow, and make money. Segments Resources mentioned on this episode Palo Alto Zero Trust OT SecurityNetsuite by Oracle KPI ChecklistChahn@AMTOnline.orgAMT OnlineLinkedInFlanders Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.comFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterYouTube

communication with your family? How do you foster open communication in difficult conversations? Running a family business is full of unique challenges—and successes—that many other businesses don’t have to think about. But navigating those challenges doesn’t have to be difficult. Tad Dickel returns in this episode of MakingSparks to cover it all. – Matthew Nix If you missed part 1, go back and listen HERE. Segments Resources mentioned on this episode LinkedInT.A. Dickel GrouppodcastPalo Alto Zero Trust OT SecurityThe Family Business Consulting GroupThe Legacy JourneyThomasnet Programs Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.comFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterYouTube

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 Resources mentioned on this episode LinkedInT.A. Dickel GroupCFO's Ultimate KPI ChecklistThe Ideal Team Player Palo Alto Zero Trust OT Security Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.comFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterYouTube

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 Resources mentioned on this episode Andy Mueller Missouri ToolsPalo Alto Networks Industrial OT Security5 Keys to A Successful Cutting Tool Manufacturing Business with Mike Polizzi Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.comFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterYouTube

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 Resources mentioned on this episode Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT SecurityAndy Mueller Thomas™ Programs Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.comFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterYouTube

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 Resources mentioned on this episode Palo Alto Networks Industrial OT SecurityBrandon DempseygoBRANDgo!LinkedInInstagram pageComFluxSZN1: #ThankAMachinist, 367 Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.comFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterYouTube

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 Resources mentioned on this episode LinkedInLinkedInThomas™ ProgramsPalo Alto Networks Industrial OT SecurityRegister for IMTS 2024STL GRILLZZUltimate KPI Checklist Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.comFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterYouTube