MakingChips LLC

Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders

Business EN ↓ 530 episodes

Manufacturing is tough—but you don't have to go it alone. If you're leading a manufacturing business, you face constant pressure: staying competitive, adopting new tech, managing people, and driving growth. MakingChips helps you tackle those challenges head-on. Since 2014, we've been equipping manufacturing leaders with the knowledge and inspiration they need to succeed. With hundreds of episodes and over a million downloads, MakingChips is a top resource for the metalworking nation—covering leadership, operations, technology, and workforce development. If making chips is part of your daily gr...

Author

MakingChips LLC

Category

Business

Podcast website

makingchips.com

Latest episode

Jul 6, 2026

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Episodes

Talking About Talking About Politics 26.01.2021

In this week's episode of MakingChips, Jim and Jason discuss how and when to talk about politics in the workplace, and why it should never affect business relationships. 0:00 | Jason talks about the 6 different showcases at IMTS Spark 2021 1:40 | Jim and Jason share their thoughts about political discussions in the workplace 4:05 | Jim discusses the new CMM in his shop 7:40 | Jason shares articles...

How Does Your Manufacturing Company Go To Market? 19.01.2021

In this week's episode, Jim, Jason, and Nick talk about the different sales channels that you can utilize for your manufacturing company, and their strengths and weaknesses. Segments: 0:00 | Nick explains how he sees ProShop ERP on shop floors across the country. 5:15 | The hosts share manufacturing news and purchasing trends for 2021 15:21 | Nick introduces different sales channels and how they f...

Lessons Learned While Running a Manufacturing Company During a Pandemic 12.01.2021

As we move forward into 2021, the MakingChips podcast hosts look back at 2020, the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and share more lessons they learned as a result. Segments: 6:06 | Jim shares information on the characteristics of a visual learner. 9:37 | The hosts discuss the potential usage of wearable technology in machine shops. 13:26 | The hosts emphasize the importance of cybersecurity, a...

Committing to Details and Tap Testing with Guest John Miller (Part 2) 04.01.2021

Part 2 of this 2-part series continues the interview with special guest John Miller, founder of Way of the Mill, an education platform for CNC milling. In this episode, John shares more of his manufacturing knowledge that machine shops can benefit from. 3:38 | John shares his thoughts on how a commitment to details can improve a shop 10:20 | John explains how shops may need to be more open to hybr...

Milling Advice from Apple with Guest John Miller (Part 1) 28.12.2020

In Part 1 of this 2-part series, the MakingChips hosts welcome guest John Miller, founder of Way of the Mill, an education platform for CNC milling. In this episode, John shares his background in the manufacturing industry, including his time at Makino and Apple, and why he chose to start Way of the Mill. 6:09 | Jason shares current news about the near future of the manufacturing industry due to C...

Estimating in a Digital World 21.12.2020

In the 250th episode of MakingChips, the hosts discuss new factors and trends in the estimation process, especially when utilizing an ERP system. Jim Carr also shares his quoting process, and the tips and tricks he has used over the years that other manufacturing leaders should take into account. 3:30 | Nick tells a story about quoting 9:00 | Jim shares manufacturing news about the surge in metal...

Leading, Learning, and Lessons From 2020 14.12.2020

In this week's podcast, hosts Jason Zenger, Jim Carr, and Nick Goellner share the new leadership principles and processes they adopted during 2020 to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how other manufacturing leaders can benefit by doing similar. 6:20 | The hosts share recent manufacturing news, plus Nick has his own special announcement 13:20 |  Jason explains how he focused on growing his compa...

Is Imposter Syndrome Limiting Your Growth as a Manufacturing Leader? 07.12.2020

In this week's episode, we share our experiences with imposter syndrome and discuss what it means. We talk about how it affects different generations and how to rise above the feeling that you aren't qualified or don't know what you're doing. 5:01 | Nick covers general manufacturing news - and improving market trends 8:55 | Nick defines imposter syndrome 10:05 | Jason brings up a bible verse that...

Listen In: MakingChips as Guest Speakers at DMG MORI National Sales Meeting 23.11.2020

In this week's episode, we share our experience as guest speakers at DMG Mori's sales conference this year. We touched base on the evolving sales process during COVID, how DMG really sells, and what old school techniques you can implement in today's new normal. 3:53 |   DMG MORI's team announces keynote speakers - MakingChips 5:17 | Nick discusses the sales challenges brought on by COVID and how h...

A digital destination for a connected manufacturing community 18.11.2020

In this week's podcast, hosts Jason Zenger, Jim Carr, and Nick Goellner invite guest Peter Eelman, Vice President & CXO at AMT to discuss how IMTS pivoted into an online digital destination for Manufacturers. Segments: Missing IMTS - Everybody gets together (2:15) Good News with Jim Carr (6:30) Manufacturing News: Smart manufacturing platform revenue to pass $32B annually by 2025 (7:04) Introducin...

Wraparound Blankets for the small manufacturer 27.10.2020

In this week's podcast, hosts Jason Zenger and Jim Carr invite guest Jenn Ryan, SVP of Global Network Operations at Xometry to discuss how they pivoted during COVID and how it helped them transform who they are as a business. Segments: Jim and Jason's businesses thriving when the industry is down (1:44) Good news at Carr's: 4th new CNC machine (6:06) Jason Discusses the Manufacturing News: Foxconn...

Changing ERPs will change your company culture 20.10.2020

In this week's podcast, hosts Jim Carr and Jason Zenger invite guests Paul Van Metre, Co-Founder of ProShop ERP, and Matt Gawlik, President of 3D Industries to discuss what it takes to properly implement a new ERP in a machine shop, and how it can change your culture. Segments: How the ERP revolution shifted our culture (1:47) Teasing our special guests (2:56) Putting on makeup is fun? IMTS interv...

What is Your Legacy? 08.10.2020

In this week's podcast, hosts Jason Zenger and Jim Carr discuss the process of building the right legacy you want to leave behind as a Manufacturing Leader. Segments: Getting morbid for a minute (0:45) Leaving a legacy after a transition (2:10) Jim compares MakingChips hosts to past music greats (3:30) Another new CNC machine at Carr Machine (5:06) Jason, the business coach? (6:27) Manufacturing N...

Wisdom + Technology/ Strategic Ideas for Reducing Machine Set Up Time 02.10.2020

In this week's episode, we get a look into Carr Machine's setup process. Hosts Jim Carr and Nick Goellner invite guests Ryan Carr, Operations Manager at CARR Machine and Tool, Inc., and Paul   Van   Metre , Co-Founder of ProShop ERP on to discuss the challenges they face with long setup times and explore how ProShop has helped them refine the process while providing measurable analytics for future...

Rapid Fire/ Old School Machining Tips that Never Get Dated 28.09.2020

In this week's podcast, hosts Jim Carr and Jason Zenger discuss old school manufacturing tips that still equip & inspire their team on the shop floor. Segments: The guys discuss this week's manufacturing news. (8:41) Solving today's shop problems with "old school" techniques: Tapping (18:10) Flatness on prints/Material Science (23:38) Using oversized materials for better accuracy (26:12) Bringing...

How to Use Lean Manufacturing Concepts to Connect Marketing Strategy with Execution 15.09.2020

This week on the MakingChips podcast, Host Nick Goellner, Jim Carr, and Jason Zenger discuss the Agile Marketing Process and how to have a marketing program in place that allows you to pivot when the time comes!   Segments: The guys discuss this week's manufacturing news. (6:12) What is ProShop: (10:40) What great marketing is and what great marketing isn't. (16:05) GPCT Workshop: Goals. Plans. Ch...

Prototypes to Production/ Tips on How CARR Made the Move 09.09.2020

This week on the MakingChips Podcast, Jim Carr shares 6 tips on what CARR Machine & Tool has done to pivot from prototypes to becoming a full production machine shop.   Jim shares this week's manufacturing news - "Making Robots Smarter & Safer."  (7:05) Tip #1: How do you quote a production job? (17:44) Tip #2: The importance of manufacturing planning . (21:25)  Tip #3: Determining the correct amo...

The Secrets of Motor City Marketing Success on LinkedIn that Generates 5 Leads Per Day 26.08.2020

This week's guest, Ted Ladzinski from Motor City Spindle Repair joins co-hosts Jim Carr, Jason Zenger, and Nick Goellner to discuss ways to increase your spindles' longevity, how to know when to replace your spindle, as well as how to use short- and long-term social media strategies to generate leads. The Boring Bar  Newsletter - Text  CHIPS  to 38470 to subscribe! Segments: Nick shares this week'...

Solving the Diversity Gap by Manufacturing a Fruit Salad 18.08.2020

Co-host Jim Carr, Jason Zenger and Nick Goellner are joined by Andrew Crowe, Ranken Technical College Instructor and Senior Machinist at Seiler to discuss the diversity and skills gap the manufacturing industry is facing today. Tune in as you learn Andrew's vision to create a more diverse manufacturing community and a ways recruiting, educating, and funding are impacting the skills gap we face tod...

A Year With No Manufacturing Trade Shows 11.08.2020

A year without IMTS, FabTech, etc. have you wondering what comes next for industry tradeshows? In this episode, Jim, Jason, and Nick talk all about the year without tradeshows. They cover everything from attendees to exhibitors and ways you can still market yourself without using large tradeshows. Connect with us:   www. MakingChips.com/contact The Boring Bar  Newsletter - Text  CHIPS  to 38470 to...

How's the Health of your Entrepreneurial Operating System 04.08.2020

What exactly is EOS, and what is an L10 meeting? This week on the MakingChips podcast, co-hosts Jim Carr, Jason Zenger, and Nick Goellner share their experiences and discuss how to use the Entrepreneurial Operating System for leadership success.    Segments: Jason and Nick share their thoughts on expansion. (3:33) Jim announces 'Chiptober Fest' for the MakingChips Grand Opening event.  (5:45) Jim...

Effective Communication for Manufacturing Leaders 28.07.2020

Are you communicating with your team effectively? Step up your communication skills this week as Jason Zenger shares 10 effective tips to improve your communication as a leader.  Connect with us: www. MakingChips.com/contact The Boring Bar  Newsletter - Text  CHIPS  to 38470 to subscribe!   Segments: Jason discusses "miscommunication" (1:02) Jim shares good news about Carr Machine & Tool. (5:28) T...

Setting the Standard for your Manufacturing Brand 21.07.2020

In this episode, MakingChips hosts, Jim Carr, Jason Zenger, and Nick Goellner interview MakingChips Agency Director Jessica Peterson about what it means to have brand standards for your manufacturing business and why having a logo doesn't translate to having a brand.    Segments: The guys discuss this week's manufacturing news. (5:08) The guys introduce this week's topic of Brand standards with sp...

How to Get Your Sales Management in Order 14.07.2020

When it comes to managing a sales team, it's important not to confuse efforts with results. In this episode, co-host Nick Goellner draws on his experience as AME Sales & Marketing Director to discuss key sales results and metrics as they relate to manufacturing sales team management, customer service, and marketing efforts.   Segments: Co-host Jim Carr discusses what is keeping him positive at wor...

How to be a Change Agent for your Business with Robin Johnson 07.07.2020

Times are changing and as manufacturing leaders, we need to adjust with these times. "In business, if we don't change, we don't grow and we don't survive." - Robin Johnson, a change agent, with a passion for helping organizational leaders move their organizations from current to future state joins MakingChips to discuss how to become emotionally intelligent as a leader during these changing times....

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