The Job Shop Show

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Sherry Davies, who transitioned from a career in education to leading T.J. Davies Company, Inc., a veteran-founded, woman-owned manufacturer of retention knobs. Discover how her commitment to growth and innovation has propelled the company to new heights in the manufacturing industry.

In this episode, we delve into how fostering a strong company culture is essential for success in metal fabrication. Discover strategies to engage employees, enhance teamwork, and build a sense of pride in producing high-quality work.

In this episode, AI Jay and co-host Jonathan Friedl talk about the recent Modern Machine Shop article on Superior Joining Technologies.  We explore the incredible journey of a small garage shop that transformed into a leading aerospace supplier. Hear firsthand how innovation, technology, and perseverance fueled their rise in precision manufacturing.

Our new mini series generated by AI

In this episode, host Jay Jacobs speaks with Cody Lee. At 29 years old, Cody acquired Everyday Technologies—a Western Ohio-based metal fabrication shop established in 1928—becoming its sole owner alongside his wife. Cody, now serving as both owner and CEO of Everyday Technologies, shares his deliberate journey into business ownership, including his process of evaluating and purchasing the company...

Rhett Ross, with over 30 years in aerospace and industrial manufacturing, acquired Leech Industries in 2021, bringing his extensive experience to the company. Under his leadership, Leech Industries has emphasized workforce development through apprenticeship programs and partnerships with local schools, fostering the next generation of manufacturers. Ross has also implemented Lean Manufacturing pri...

In this episode, Jay interviews Michael Gimbel, founder and CEO of Gimbal Automation. Michael's entrepreneurial journey is truly remarkable. At 19, he decided to leave Johns Hopkins and start a 3D printing company. Today, he leads a rapidly growing automation business.  Listen as Michael discusses the challenges of building his company, key lessons in management and delegation, and the innovative...

In this episode, we sit down with Jamie Goettler, Chief Revenue Officer of BTX Precision, a leading family of precision manufacturing organizations. Jamie's journey to BTX marks a significant shift from his 23-year tenure at MSC Industrial, where he gained extensive experience on the supply side of the manufacturing industry. Join us as Jamie shares his insights from visiting over a thousand shops...

In this episode, Jay interviews Mark C. Winters: teacher, coach, and facilitator who spends most of his time directly engaged with entrepreneurial leadership teams as an Expert EOS Implementer. The EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) is a comprehensive business framework designed to help organizations clarify, simplify, and achieve their vision through a set of practical tools and principles. A...

Dynamic Metal Innovations (DMI) was founded by Mark Sternat and Scott Hartrick in 2019 and is located in Emmaus, PA. Being digital natives and not having legacy equipment and systems has allowed Mark and Scott to jump feet first into technology as a pillar of shop growth. In this episode, Jay, Mark, and Scott get into pricing, including how and why they have embraced expedites. Plus, they'll dive...

In this episode, we explore the remarkable journey of American Flexible Products with their dynamic CEO, Carla Mathiason. Discover the pivotal moment in 2008 when the company embraced full employee ownership through an ESOP, unraveling the inner workings of share allocation and valuation. Carla's engaging narrative not only reflects the company's growth but also emphasizes the profound cultural fo...

Our guest today is Noah Graff, is a third-generation, worldwide used machinery dealer at Graff-Pinkert & Co., and self-described treasure hunter based outside of Chicago. Noah also hosts the popular podcast, " Swarfcast ." 

In this episode, we introduce a mysterious guest who is currently navigating the complex process of acquiring a job shop. To protect their identity due to ongoing employment, our guest remains anonymous, but their experiences and wisdom are anything but hidden. Our guest initially set out to find a small shop, but soon expanded their search to larger ventures. They share their strategies for finan...

Len Morrissey is back again to discuss current trends in the banking world. Len spent many years as a loan officer at several Boston-area banks, before joining Jay at RAPID Manufacturing as the CFO. Most recently, Len co-founded and now runs a business loan underwriting practice: Morrissey Metcalfe and Associates. Here, Len and Jay discuss current events in the banking world as they relate to inte...

CMMC is vital for enhancing cybersecurity practices and securing sensitive information within the Department of Defense's supply chain. Its main focus is to set standardized security levels and certification requirements in place for organizations involved in DoD contracts.  In this episode, Bill Berrien, owner and CEO of Pindel Global Precision and Liberty Precision, shares his first-hand experie...

In this episode of The Pricing Series, Jay Jacobs and Jeff Gorman are joined by Justin Quinn: President at Focused on Machining. Justin is a previous guest on the show and long-time customer of Paperless Parts. Earlier this year at Paperless Parts' first-ever user conference, POWER 2023, Justin sat in on a presentation Jeff gave on the platform's Advanced Analytics. Lightbulbs went off, and Justin...

How are 3D printed sand molds and cores changing the metal casting industry? Brandon Lamoncha is the Director of Additive Manufacturing at Humtown: an organization first established by Brandon's grandfather as a pattern shop in 1959 that has since grown to become the industry’s first conventional sand core and mold manufacturer to commercialize 3D sand printing. Humtown offers both conventional ma...

Jay sits down with Jesse Casto: owner of BetterCNC in Plano, TX. Spinning out of a legacy of machining, Jesse founded BetterCNC in 2021 on a mission to operate a new kind of machine shop; one that strives for continual improvement and never settles (hence the name "Better" CNC, and not "Best" CNC). In his conversation with Jay, Jesse shares how to get started with cash is a constraint, how he succ...

Mark Barglof is the President and owner of Kinetic Technologies, LLC: a design and fabrication shop just north of Algona, IA. After serving in the military and earning the U.S. Army Ranger Tab, Mark shifted career paths and dove into the world of manufacturing (he grew up the son of a job shop owner, so it wasn't his first rodeo). In this episode, Mark talks to Jay about what drove him to co-found...

Rafal Gliwiak Owner at Pro Fabricating Machining and Welding joins us on this episode. Rafals journey embodies the entreprenurial spirit in America. He shares how he got started, obstacles to growth and how he's learning and improving everyday.

Lance Thrailkill is the third generation owner and CEO of All Metals Fabricating located outside Dallas, Texas. All Metals vision statement is serving people with excellence and a goal of becoming the most automated shop in the world. Lance dives into all that they do for their employees and how the employees reciprocate. How it started day one with Lance's grandfather and has continued and expand...

In this episode, Jeff and Jay revisit the theme of seasonality in custom manufacturing.  As manufacturing tends to trend busier this time of year Jeff and Jay explore strategies to use pricing to manage demand.

Jeff and Jay sit down with Nick Mosey of Moseys Production Machinist in Anaheim, California. Nick and Jay had a conversation a few weeks back about how to reduce accounts receivables, and after some great discussion, we agreed to have Nick come on the podcast so that some of his other questions could be captured for you. We touch upon a  really  wide variety of topics, including how to prioritize...

James Fitch is the Vice President of Engineering at  Nu-Way Industries, Inc. , a leader in designing and fabricating precision metal products serving many industries worldwide. With a manufacturing career spanning five decades, James oversees Estimating, the Product Development Group, the Manufacturing Engineering Group, and the Prototype Shop from Nu-Way’s headquarters in Des Plaines, Illinois. ...

Happy New Year! Jeff and Jay sit down and chat about how a shop might plan for 2023. Jeff shares what he has heard shops say about the previous year and how they can use this reflection to set goals and aspirations for the new year!