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Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders

Manufacturing is challenging, but if you are connected to a community of leaders, you can elevate your skills, solve your problems and grow your business! MakingChips was launched in 2014 to equip and inspire the metalworking nation. Hundreds of episodes and a million downloads later, it’s an industry-leading source of information, inspiration, and entertainment for manufacturing leaders of all types. It’s hosted by Jason Zenger and Nick Goellner, two multi-generational manufacturing leaders, and they’re joined by a rotating panel of expert guests – including Titan Gilroy (TITANS of CNC), John Saunders (NYC CNC), Mark TerryBerry (Haas Automation), and many more. Join us as we tackle the topics that keep you up at night - leadership, operations, technology, growth, workforce development and culture.
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Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders
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Now displaying: December, 2015
Dec 23, 2015

Some people think additive manufacturing will radically change the face of manufacturing. Although it is still a relatively new technology, additive manufacturing (also referred to as 3D Printing) has caused quite the buzz in the manufacturing community. Will additive manufacturing eventually become the way of the future, or has it's usefulness been overhyped?

“Additive can not do its adding anywhere near as fast as machining can do it’s subtracting." - Peter Zelinski

In this episode of MakingChips, we welcome back Peter Zelinski of Modern Machine Shop Magazine. Peter, Jim, and Jason discuss all things Additive Manufacturing, as well as the importance of manufacturing discussion among the presidential candidates.

“Manufacturing happens in small facilities.” -Peter Zelinski

Episode Outline:

  • [00:17] - Episode Preview
  • [01:26] - Welcome Back Pete
  • [02:00] - What Guided Pete to Manufacturing?
  • [05:30] - Additive Manufacturing
  • [07:50] - Is Additive Manufacturing Overhyped?
  • [11:30] - Additive Manufacturing Under the Radar
  • [13:00] - Modified Machines
  • [15:01] - Can Additive Encourage Domestic Production?
  • [18:00] - Presidential Candidates and Manufacturing
  • [22:40] - Prototyping vs Production
  • [24:00] - Additive vs Machining
  • [27:30] - Call to Action for Listeners
  • [29:45] - How to Reach Peter Zelinski

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Dec 16, 2015

This is MakingChips Episode 50!

In this episode of MakingChips, Jim and Jason recap some of their favorite episodes and interviews from the last year. This episode highlights the story behind MakingChips, as Jim and Jason share their experiences from the beginning to where they are today.

“Jason and I really want to thank each and every one of you for tuning in every week, listening to us, being with us, and taking this ride with us. We had no idea that it was going to be as popular and successful as it has been so far. We’re really working hard (very hard) to make it even better.”

Episode Outline:

  • [00:08] Episode Preview
  • [01:52] The Story Behind MakingChips
  • [05:15] Hiccups along the Way
  • [06:40] Episode 1
  • [07:50] Episode 2
  • [08:20] Recession
  • [09:20] One of our Favorite Episodes
  • [10:00] It’s Not Your Dad’s Machine Shop
  • [11:25] The Power of Networking
  • [12:24] Robots in your Shop
  • [13:00] Skip Generation
  • [13:20] Fernando Ortiz
  • [14:00] Most Downloaded Episodes
  • [15:00] San Diego
  • [15:45] Michelle Mabry
  • [16:30] Patricia Miller
  • [18:09] Jon Baklund
  • [18:18] Eric and Heidi Schmid
  • [19:30] Focus on What You’re Good At
  • [20:00] Tom Hilaris
  • [20:25] Workshops for Warriors
  • [22:45] Julie Poulos
  • [23:30] LinkedIn
  • [25:20] Thank You Listeners
  • [25:45] Jason’s Call to Action
  • [26:24] Thank You Guests
Dec 9, 2015

What makes a good leader? Leadership is the single most important factor in the success or failure of any business. Great leaders use their leadership traits to motivate, inspire, and build high performance teams around them. The role of an innovative leader greatly differs from the conventional image that many people hold of good leadership. What kind of qualities do these innovative leaders share?

“The innovators in this industry, (machining, desecrate part production) are engaged together in this huge open source effort at figuring manufacturing out.” – Peter Zelinski

In this Episode of MakingChips, we sit down with Peter Zelinski of Modern Machine Shop Magazine. Peter has been a writer and editor for Modern Machine Shop for more than a decade. Peter regularly visits machining facilities to learn about the manufacturing technology, systems and strategies they have adopted, and the successes they’ve realized as a result. He shares many of his insights from these experiences with us, including 4 Traits of Modern Manufacturing Leaders and 3 Deep Level Trends in Manufacturing.  

“Even making metal parts is ultimately a people business.” – Peter Zelinski

Peter Zelinski’s 4 Traits of Modern Manufacturing Leaders:

  • Authenticity
  • Persistence
  • Love
  • Genuine Regard for People

3 Deep Level Trends in Manufacturing:

  • Automation
  • Additive
  • Atmosphere

Episode Outline:

  • [00:07] Intro/Preview
  • [01:36] Manufacturing News
  • [04:30] Welcome Peter Zelinski
  • [07:45] Leadership Characteristics
  • [09:10] Authenticity
  • [10:32] Persistence
  • [12:50] Baby Steps
  • [13:35] Process Improvement
  • [19:40] Love What You Do
  • [22:15] Regard for People
  • [25:00] Value of the Employee
  • [26:22] Bad Traits
  • [29:20] Culture Changes (Atmosphere)
  • [33:10] Jason’s Call to Action for Listeners

Shops Mentioned in this Episode:

  • Rekluse Motor Sports in Idaho
  • Baklund R&D in Minnesota
  • C&A Tool in Indiana
  • Byrne Tool and Die in Michigan
  • Tech Manufacturing Co in Missouri

Also Mentioned in this Episode:

Dec 2, 2015

The thought of leaving your machine shop for even a few hours can be enough to cause anxiety for many manufacturing leaders, so it may seem impossible to imagine running your business from halfway across the country.

“To make manufacturing work, to make money, you feel like you have to grab it so hard it slips through your fingers.” – Eric Schmid

In this extended episode of MakingChips, we sit down with brother and sister Eric Schmid and Heidi Schaefer of Schmid Tool and Engineering. Eric and Heidi share their story of how and why they made the decision to work remotely, while still maintaining their respective roles in the company. There were many important decisions that they needed to make along the way in order to ensure a seamless transition. This episode covers a range of topics that can help manufacturing leaders decide if working remotely is the right move for them. Topics include Letting Go of Control, Planning the Transition, Bumps in the Road, Being Accessible, Holding Accountability, and Mastering Fear.

Episode Outline:

  • [0:07] Intro/ Preview
  • [1:34] Manufacturing News
  • [5:00] Welcome Heidi and Eric
  • [6:10] The Roots of Schmid Tool
  • [7:40] Roles in the Business
  • [9:30] Working Remotely
  • [11:40] Letting Go of Control
  • [14:00] Planning the Transition
  • [14:50] Bumps in the Road
  • [17:00] Being Accessible
  • [19:00] How Do You Let Go?
  • [22:30] Cultural Consistencies
  • [24:00] Making the Move
  • [27:20] Management and Leadership
  • [29:20] Steps to Working Remotely
  • [31:25] The Illusion of Control
  • [33:00] Accountability
  • [35:30] Mastering Fear
  • [37:00] Give and Take
  • [38:40] Helping the Owners
  • [40:00] Conclusion
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