The Manufacturing Automation Podcast

In Episode 61 of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast, Michael Gimbel and Matt Moseman check in on a busy week inside two growing automation businesses. They talk through real-world challenges around machine installs, troubleshooting communication issues, hiring engineers and machinists, forecasting workload, and balancing growth with capacity. The conversation also dives into marketing realities...

In Episode 60 of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast , Michael Gimbel (Gimbel Automation) and Matt Moseman (Developed LLC) dive deep into the real-world challenges and wins of scaling industrial automation companies. From hiring high-caliber engineering talent to fixing production bottlenecks, this episode is packed with insights for anyone in manufacturing, CNC automation, robotics integration,...

Hosted by: Michael Gimbel (Gimbel Automation) & Matt Moseman (Developed LLC)Platforms: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • YouTubeThe Manufacturing Automation Podcast is where two automation-obsessed founders pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build, scale, and lead modern industrial automation companies. Every week, Michael and Matt jump into an open, unfiltered conversation about:• Grow...

Matt and Michael compare notes on a surprising truth: pushing lead times out actually improved close rates —and sanity. Michael shares how a few e-commerce fixes (cleaner checkout, aggressive email capture) plus Meta + Google PMax ads are finally delivering real ROAS, while Matt walks through shop-floor wins—from 1701’s palletized case-packing speeds to kicking off a multi-robot project. They dig...

Matt and Michael open up about the hardest phase of growth yet—scaling while exhausted. From sorting through 500+ job applicants to navigating burnout, trade show fatigue, and the fine line between serving customers and setting boundaries, this episode gets real about what it takes to run a growing manufacturing business. They cover trial-day hiring tests, customer scope creep, and the chaos of be...

Matt and Michael dive into the real-world challenges of scaling a manufacturing company—from letting go of control to navigating tough customers and trade show ROI. Michael reflects on learning to delegate, setting boundaries with unreasonable clients, and choosing which orders to take as demand grows. Matt, fresh off the MD&M trade show , shares how live events pressure-test both product and...

Matt and Michael sit down to unpack the growing pains that come with scaling from builder to CEO. From juggling trade shows and staffing shortages to fixing water jets and optimizing Shopify conversion rates, this episode captures what it really looks like to grow a manufacturing company in real time. They discuss the balance between speed and control, the discipline of hiring slowly, and the stru...

Matt and Michael talk about what it really takes to show up well—at trade shows and in business. They break down their evolving trade show strategy : why it’s not just about leads, but about relationship-building, visibility, and operational readiness . From planning booth logistics and displays to clarifying who’s in the booth (and why), they share how events like WESTEC are forcing better system...

Matt and Michael get candid about what it takes to scale manufacturing companies in 2025. Michael shares how “caring less” and enforcing reciprocity with customers —matching their cadence and demanding payment before implementation—has improved both cash flow and relationships . They discuss dealing with late invoices from billion-dollar corporations , the reality of tiered customer rules , and wh...

Matt and Michael unpack how they’re shifting from firefighting to systems. They talk about rewriting core values around reciprocity (no pay, no play—match the customer’s cadence), and how fixing a broken mobile checkout button quietly tripled Shopify conversions. They share an SOP that lets the team turn complex proposals in under 24 hours (11 proposals in ~10 days), prep for an A3 certification a...

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast , Michael and Matt reflect on how accountability—both with customers and within their teams—is reshaping the way they operate. From confronting delayed payments and setting clearer boundaries, to revising sales strategies and rethinking when to say yes to massive projects, they dig into the hard lessons of staying disciplined. The conversatio...

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast , Michael and Matt open up about the stress of balancing heavy workloads with cash collection delays, vendor issues, and rising trade show costs. Michael shares how short staffing and delayed payments collided to create a frustrating crunch, while Matt reflects on managing questions from the team and keeping operations moving despite fatigue....

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast , Michael and Matt recap a whirlwind couple of weeks—from the headaches of a misconfigured turnkey install to the stress of managing short staffing and nonstop work. Michael shares how deals are finally starting to move after a slow stretch, while Matt reflects on team growth, updated marketing content, and refining sales SOPs. Together they...

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast , Michael and Matt dive into the strange paradox of rising inquiries but fewer deals actually closing. They share the grind of following up on slowed decision-making, why the economy might be driving hesitation, and how they’re responding by refining processes, tightening supply chains, and pushing continuous improvement. From CI experiments...

In this episode, we break down how to keep jobs moving efficiently from the moment a quote is issued to final delivery. We discuss ways to tighten scheduling, align team priorities, and ensure execution stays on track — all while reducing bottlenecks and meeting customer deadlines. Whether it’s coordinating resources or fine-tuning the quoting process, you’ll hear practical strategies to improve t...

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast , Michael and Matt explore the often-overlooked “middle game” of business growth—the stage where old systems start to break, but the new ones aren’t fully in place yet. They share lessons on recognizing the signs of outgrown processes, evolving leadership approaches, and turning friction into fuel for the next phase.

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast , Michael and Matt unpack the hidden cost of trying to be too helpful. They talk through how well-meaning customer interactions can quickly spiral into distractions—and what it takes to stay focused on your core business. From learning when to say no, to redesigning how help is offered, this episode dives into the hard work of protecting team...

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast , Michael and Matt explore what happens when communication volume becomes its own problem. From flooded Slack threads to endless requests for clarity, they unpack how overcommunication often points to broken systems. The conversation touches on leadership stress, channel fatigue, and the need to adjust both mindset and infrastructure when sig...

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast , Michael and Matt talk through the kinds of breakdowns that happen when decisions are delayed and responsibilities aren't clearly owned. They explore how uncertainty in one part of the workflow—whether quoting, job release, or planning—can ripple across the team. The conversation highlights the importance of proactive clarity, consistent...

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast , Michael and Matt unpack the leadership tension between saying yes to opportunities and staying focused on what actually moves the business forward. They discuss the challenge of delegating without creating confusion, how to recognize when systems need to mature before taking on more, and what happens when clarity breaks down. A grounded loo...

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast , Michael and Matt dive into the nitty-gritty of improving quoting workflows as the team grows. They talk about reducing rework, creating better internal documentation, and helping team members quickly understand what’s already been quoted and why. Whether it’s through easier access to notes or structuring customer conversations more clearly,...

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast , Michael and Matt discuss how to lead through uncertainty without overreacting. They dive into improving quoting workflows, building systems that support consistency, and the mindset shift from reactive fixes to resilient infrastructure. From setting up long-term CRM structure to maintaining discipline when momentum feels unclear, this episo...

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast , Michael and Matt shift gears to talk about building marketing infrastructure with the same rigor and iteration as product development. They cover how to create feedback loops using performance data, the importance of consistency over sprints, and what it looks like to preserve brand voice while testing new tactics. Whether you’re trying to...

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast , Michael and Matt reflect on what it takes to build a company that doesn’t rely on daily firefighting. They explore how developing repeatable habits, systems for information-sharing, and consistent team rituals leads to more predictable outcomes. Michael shares leadership insights on calibration, communication cadence, and the shift from ind...

In this episode of the Manufacturing Automation Podcast , Michael and Matt talk through the tradeoffs of staying heads-down in execution versus reigniting marketing efforts. They unpack the importance of team initiative, define clearer quoting expectations, and explore what accountability should look like across roles. Michael reflects on how leadership mindset evolves as the company scales, and h...