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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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

What factors should you consider when forecasting? What questions do you need to ask to determine your next steps? Who gets to make those decisions? We walk you through some common questions to ask yourself—and your company—about your business. We’ll also cover Miles and Snow's Typology of Defender, Prospector, Analyzer, and Reactor to see how your type impacts your decision-making process....

Nick jokes that I have a recession obsession—and it’s true. Recessions are painful. I want to make the experience less painful when a recession comes around again. So in this down-to-earth episode of Making Chips, I’ll share the common causes of most recessions and 8 tips you can use to prepare yourself—and your business—for a recession. Preparedness is key to helping your business survive and...

In round three with Titan Gilroy, we talk about why Titan decided to move his entire business from California to Texas. Was it a smooth transition? Was he able to retain his entire team? Titan also shares more of the “why” behind his business and his passion for serving his audience. Titan continues to go above and beyond the expected as he grows his academy. Listen to learn more. BAM!

This episode takes you (and us) to Texas to speak with Titan Gilroy. He calls himself an advocate for advanced manufacturing, and that’s a huge understatement. He runs two academies that teach what it takes to be a success in manufacturing. His personal story demonstrates that becoming a success in the industry — individually or as an organization — doesn’t happen overnight or without a...

Everyone is familiar with the concept of networking. But how many people actually implement it to grow themselves and their businesses? In this episode of Making Chips, Jim, Jason, and I dive into how networking has impacted our businesses in unexpected ways. To hear the good, bad, and the ugly—give it a listen!

Part of being a machine shop owner—and a business owner in general—is that every day there’s a new challenge to navigate. A machine might break down. Perhaps someone who has been a team member for decades quits. Your factory could burn to the ground. Or your Dad—the owner and manager of the shop—gets sick with cancer. That’s how Nick Sainati was thrust into becoming the GM of Belden Universal....

In this week’s episode of MakingChips, hosts Jim Carr and Jason Zenger bring in Federico Sciammarella, the President & CTO of MxD, to discuss the basics of cybersecurity, including the types of cyber attacks, and how a manufacturing leader can equip their shop with a strategic plan to prevent and deal with potential cyber threats.