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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: April, 2023
Apr 24, 2023

Automation continues to be a popular and divisive topic in the manufacturing world. Automation is important for attracting and retaining young talent and growing your business. So we’ve been working hard to highlight the importance of automation—and where you can dive in—with our Lights Out series. 

Chris Luecke—the host of Manufacturing Happy Hour—has a similar goal. We’re using our platforms to squash the rumors, lessen fears, and highlight how automation can and will benefit your business. Because if you’re not automating, you’re not making enough chips, and you’re missing out on money. BAM!

Segments

  • [0:20] The lean setup guide
  • [2:26] When we embraced automation (and why)
  • [4:03] Manufacturing News: NAM CEO Interview
  • [7:33] Chris’s thoughts on our pre-show banter
  • [10:38] How Chris got started in Manufacturing
  • [19:53] Chris’s advice to sales management about new projects
  • [22:38] Why automation has become a popular topic
  • [26:07] Is the allure that automation has become more affordable? 
  • [31:00] Automation 101: Where do you start?
  • [34;21] Automation doesn’t take people’s jobs away
  • [36:40] IT/OT convergence and why it’s important
  • [43:25] Chris’s assessment of cybersecurity in automation 

Resources mentioned on this episode

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Apr 17, 2023

Titan Gilroy wanted to create a platform where aspiring machinists could hone their skills, share their work, and connect with leaders in the industry to get hired. So he launched CNC Expert. You can share projects, get hired (or hire someone), receive free training to get certifications, and much more

CNC Expert certifications are based on real-world skills and aren’t just a piece of paper. Because at the end of the day, it’s about parts—not paper. You have to be able to machine top-notch parts. Because if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM! 

Segments

  • [0:15] The Industrial Buying Engine with Thomasnet™
  • [3:37] Manufacturing leadership lessons
  • [5:14] Titan intentionally created a great culture 
  • [11:46] What inspired the vision for CNC Experts
  • [19:54] A conversation about influence
  • [23:25] The future of CNC Experts
  • [26:48] Making a certification legitimate 
  • [31:26] How to become an inspector
  • [32:54] Does CNC Expert replace NIMS? 
  • [35:15] Can Titan bench-press Jason?
  • [37:16] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop

Resources mentioned on this episode

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Apr 12, 2023

Lights out manufacturing isn’t only a large topic of conversation but it’s also the way of the future. Shops around the world are embracing automation. Are you? If you haven’t become part of the automation conversation, don’t miss our first lights-out-focused episode with Special guest Titan Gilroy. He shares how automation has progressed, the mindset you need to embrace to be successful, and how to mitigate the risks. Because if you’re not automating, you’re not MakingChips. And if you’re not MakingChips, you’re not making money. BAM!

– Jason

Segments

  • [0:10] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop
  • [2:08] Manufacturing news: OK, Mexico, Save Me
  • [7:09] How automation technology has progressed 
  • [9:49] The use of robots in automation
  • [11:38] Will robots replace machinists?
  • [15:51] The Industrial Buying Engine with Thomasnet™
  • [16:23] Check out the Oracle NetSuite ERP
  • [22:57] How to mitigate the risks of lights-out manufacturing 
  • [27:20] If you don’t automate, you’ll get left behind
  • [28:30] What’s next for Titans of CNC and automation?
  • [31:53] How automation is different around the world
  • [36:00] There is a place for everyone in manufacturing

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Apr 3, 2023

Steve Burkett has been in global aerospace manufacturing for 30 years. One year ago, he bought a well-established local shop and is now the President and CEO of Auto-Turn Manufacturing. Steve transitioned from being a big MFG leader to a small MFG owner. In this episode of MakingChips, Steve covers the good, bad, and the ugly of the transition. Is he MakingChips? Is he MakingMoney? There’s only one way to find out. BAM!

– Mike

Segments

  • [1:56] Our warm MakingChips welcome for Steve Burkett
  • [3:10] What’s the chip on your shoulder?
  • [7:34] Big MFG leader to small MFG Owner
  • [14:26] What Steve’s learned that benefits his company
  • [17:23] The Industrial Buying Engine with Thomasnet™
  • [21:08] Why Steve chose to purchase Auto-Turn
  • [27:03] How Steve connected with a private equity firm
  • [28:07] Steve’s advice for those considering ownership 
  • [31:01] The next steps for Auto-Turn Manufacturing
  • [34:33] The Lean Setup Guide from ProShop

Resources mentioned on this episode

Connect With MakingChips

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