We’re always looking for ways to build greater awareness of manufacturing, and we believe the conversation needs to start at an earlier age. That’s why we’re excited to speak with people like Michael (Mike) Nager, who shares our passion for bridging the gap.
Mike is a passionate advocate for raising awareness about manufacturing through children’s literature. As a long-time industry professional, Mike saw a gap in how manufacturing is presented to younger generations. In response, he created engaging, educational books that introduce kids to the exciting world of manufacturing, from automation to smart technologies.
Mike discusses how his books are designed to spark curiosity and inspire future manufacturers by making complex topics accessible, colorful, and fun. He shares why it’s essential for kids, parents, and educators to see manufacturing as an exciting and vital part of our daily lives.
We also dive into the challenges of simplifying manufacturing concepts, the positive feedback Mike has received from parents and educators, and how he’s partnering with organizations to expand the reach of his books. Mike’s mission is to close the "awareness gap" and encourage kids to consider careers in manufacturing.
After all, we need the next generation of makers, thinkers, and innovators to keep MakingChips.
The biggest problem in manufacturing today? Finding and retaining the right talent.
Labor shortages aren’t just about filling positions; it’s about finding people who will truly thrive in your company culture and help drive long-term growth. But how do you accomplish that?
Trevor O'Malley and Myles Rickerd bring a fresh perspective to talent acquisition that is tailored specifically to the needs of manufacturers—and we’re teaming up with them. In this episode, we're excited to introduce Hire MFG Leaders, our new service designed to directly address this challenge.
Gone are the days of sifting through stacks of irrelevant resumes and hoping something sticks. We’ll help you find the right person the first time. This episode will give you a sneak peek at how we’re redefining the hiring process—making it more effective, streamlined, and tailored to manufacturing needs.
Whether you need engineers, machinists, or leadership, Hire MFG Leaders will help you connect with top candidates—even those who aren’t actively job hunting. By leveraging a deep understanding of the industry, we’re able to proactively reach the best talent before your competitors do.
If you’ve been struggling with your own talent search, this episode is a must-listen. We’ll cover why traditional hiring methods fall short and how our innovative approach—backed by experts who understand your business—can lead to better hires, fewer missteps, and less turnover.
Tune in to discover how Hire MFG Leaders is the recruitment solution that will set your shop up for success.
In manufacturing, speed matters—especially when it comes to quoting. If you can’t turn around quotes quickly and accurately, your customers will move on to someone who can. But should you leverage AI, like ChatGPT, to make the quoting process easier?
In this episode of MakingChips, we’re tackling a hot topic: the risks and limitations of using large language models for estimating and quoting.
Jason Ray, the co-founder and CEO of Paperless Parts, joins us to break down why these AI tools might not be the magic solution some shops hope for. From data security concerns to unpredictable costs and AI hallucinations that could lead to costly mistakes, we’ll explain why trusting a general-purpose AI with your quoting process might be more of a liability than a benefit.
Instead, we’ll explore a smarter approach—one that enhances human expertise rather than replacing it. If you care about accuracy, efficiency, and protecting your customers' data, you don’t want to miss this conversation.
Because if you’re not quoting quickly and accurately, you won’t be winning business. And if you’re not winning business, you’re not MakingChips, and you’re not making money. BAM.
Many machinists dream of owning their own shop. But there’s a big difference between being great at making chips and being great at running a business—just like a skilled operator isn’t automatically a great manager.
That’s why we’re launching a new series—think of it as a MasterClass on starting, running, and growing a successful machine shop. Business school teaches general principles, but the real lessons? You learn those on the shop floor, through experience, and sometimes the hard way.
We want to bridge that gap, and we’re dedicating much of this year’s content to making it happen.
If you own or run a shop, we want to hear from you—what worked, what didn’t, and what you wish you had known. If you’re still dreaming of starting your own business, tell us what you want to learn.
And we’re not doing this alone. We’re bringing in industry experts to share their knowledge and experience.
So listen in, and let us know—what do you want to hear? What questions do you have? This series is for you, and we want to make sure it covers everything you need to succeed.