Buy the Numbers

When Section 179 and bonus depreciation come back into play, it's easy to get swept up in the excitement of "saving on taxes." Every year around this time, I start hearing from shop owners who are ready to buy a new machine before the end of Q4—sometimes for the right reasons, but often for the wrong ones. Don't get me wrong, I love a good deduction as much as anyone. But if you wouldn't buy that...

When tariffs, trade policy, and cash flow collide, manufacturers are forced to think creatively—or risk being crushed by uncertainty. That's exactly where Mary Buchzeiger, CEO of Lucerne International and Lucerne Global Solutions, found herself. With skyrocketing tariffs on imported automotive components, Mary realized the solution wasn't to absorb the hit—it was to rewrite the playbook altogether...

In this episode of Buy the Numbers , host Mike Payne sits down with continuous improvement coach and Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt  Brian Karp  to dig into the metrics that matter most for manufacturing leaders. Together, they explore how data can be used not just to measure performance, but to transform culture, drive engagement, and spark meaningful improvement across every department. For mo...

In this episode of Buy the Numbers, I sit down with Roger Atkins, President of the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA), to talk about the real state of U.S. manufacturing as we close out 2025. Representing more than 1,000 small and medium manufacturers nationwide, Roger brings a boots-on-the-ground perspective to the headwinds, opportunities, and trends shaping the industry right now...

When you're buying a machine shop for the first time, it's easy to feel like you're lost in the dark. I've been through more than 150 transactions in my career, but I still remember what it was like sitting across from my first seller—wondering if I was asking the right questions or if I was missing something important. That's why I love conversations like this one. In this episode of  Buy the Num...

In this episode of Buy the Numbers , Mike Payne sits down with  Dave Necessary , Executive Vice President of Products and Markets at Gardner Business Media, to dig into the power of benchmarking and the  Top Shops  program. For more than a decade, Top Shops has been the definitive survey that shows manufacturers where they stand—highlighting the practices, strategies, and investments that consiste...

Selling a business is rarely just about the numbers—and in this episode of  Buy the Numbers , we explore why. Recorded at the CLA Connect Center in Minnesota, Mike Payne and guest co-host Erin Mickels sit down with two sets of owners who have recently gone through the process of selling their companies. From fielding unsolicited offers to choosing between 26 potential buyers, their stories highlig...

If you think selling your business is just about getting the highest number, think again. In Part II of my conversation with the all-star team at CLA—Erin Mickels, Mike Britten, and Mike Pohl—we dig into the fine print that can make or break your deal  after  the handshake. From LOIs to sales price allocations to working capital battles, this is where the real money is won or lost. We start with w...

If you've ever thought,  "I'll sell when I'm ready" —you're already behind. In this episode of  Buy the Numbers , I sit down with three powerhouse advisors from CLA—Erin Mickels (owner transition expert), Mike Britten (tax wizard), and Mike Pohl (wealth whisperer)—to unpack what it really takes to set yourself up for a successful exit from your manufacturing business. We talk through the overlooke...

When I first heard about the "One Big Beautiful Bill," I knew we had to break it down for the MakingChips audience. This isn't just another tax update—it's a massive, 900-page piece of legislation with real implications for manufacturers like us. Whether you're thinking about buying equipment, expanding your facility, hiring more people, or selling your business down the road, the OBBB touches nea...

I'm halfway through the year and, like many of you, I feel as if it's still February. Orders are steady but not spectacular, and every headline seems designed to keep shop owners awake at night. That's why I invited my friend and financing partner  Ty Willis  back on  Buy the Numbers —because cautious optimism only works if your cash flow can keep up with your ambitions. Ty funds machine tools eve...

What happens when a former MLB.com writer ends up leading marketing for one of the most complex machine tool portfolios in the country? You get a masterclass in translating business goals into real marketing ROI.  In this episode of  Buy the Numbers , Jon Star—Director of Marketing at Methods Machine Tools—joins us for a conversation about data-driven marketing, building trust with job shops, and...

What if I told you that your accounting function could be your greatest weapon in the fight for better margins, smarter decisions, and stronger growth? Too often, we treat accounting like a chore—just another box to check, another invoice to send. But if you're serious about building a resilient, efficient, and scalable manufacturing business, then it's time to look at accounting as a strategic fu...

Most golfers obsess over their gear—but almost none of them build it. Jared Doerfler did. After playing college golf and spending years in sales, he found himself pulled back into the game he loved—but this time, through the lens of product creation. With zero machining experience, he quit his job, bought a beginner CNC mill, and decided to manufacture putters himself, from his garage. In this epi...

Most of us shop owners tend to keep compensation pretty simple: pay ourselves what the business can afford, pay our team what feels fair, and hope that keeps everyone happy. But I've learned over the years that this approach can quietly hurt the very business we're trying to grow.  In this episode, I sit down with John Jones from Scissortail Executive Advisors to dig into how owner and executive c...

Most of us would never machine a part without checking the tolerances first — so why do so many shop owners sign off on financing agreements without understanding the performance "tolerances" our banks are quietly measuring us against?  In this episode of Buy the Numbers, commercial banker Danny O'Keefe returns to break down two terms that sound like dry legal jargon but carry real operational con...

Tariffs aren't just a line item buried in your supply chain—they're a fast-moving, often misunderstood force that could have a massive impact on your profitability, pricing, and even your global strategy. In this eye-opening episode of Buy the Numbers, Jennifer Clement and Leslie Boyd from CLA join me for a masterclass in tariff mitigation strategies. As volatility re-emerges on the global trade f...

Most small manufacturers don't realize they're being quietly supported by one of the most impactful public-private partnerships in the country. The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) has long been the hidden backbone behind training programs, grant facilitation, process improvements, and critical tech upgrades for shops across the U.S. But recent Federal decisions to defund these programs—w...

If you're still thinking of culture in your manufacturing shop as a side dish instead of the main course, you're already behind. In this episode of Buy the Numbers , I sat down with Jim Mayer to unpack what shop culture really looks like on the floor—and why we need to start talking about it differently. This isn't about breakroom ping-pong tables or slogans on the wall. Those things are fine, but...

This conversation will  transform  how you think about machine tool investments. Keith Granno, a seasoned expert with over three decades of experience in the machine tool industry, offers invaluable insights on the delicate balance between machine selection and long-term profitability. From choosing the right machines to understanding when it's time to upgrade, Keith dives into the critical factor...

In today's episode of  Buy the Numbers , we're diving into the key metrics that help a company scale successfully. Growth can be both exhilarating and overwhelming, especially when you're managing multiple locations and divisions.  How do you ensure that each part of your business is operating smoothly while also keeping a strong grip on the culture and values that made your company successful in...

How do you secure the cash you need to run your manufacturing business?  In this episode of  Buy the Numbers , I sit down with Dan O'Keefe, Senior Vice President at Busey Bank, to explore the crucial steps in securing a line of credit for your business. If you're a manufacturer looking for financing, this episode is packed with essential advice on how to prepare. We walk through the specific finan...

What if you could save thousands on your taxes with a few strategic changes to your business? In this episode, Nick Romanelli and Dylan Valentyn from Clifton Larson Allen share key tax strategies that many manufacturers overlook. We dive into the R&D tax credit, showing how manufacturers—whether small job shops or larger factories—can qualify by innovating in ways they may not have considered, suc...

What can you do to impact your tax liability for 2024? With tax season right around the corner, manufacturers are faced with the crucial task of optimizing their tax strategies to both reduce liabilities and unlock future growth potential. In part one of a two-part series, I sat down with tax experts Dylan Valentyn and Nick Romanelli from CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) to explore the critical tax-saving...

Many manufacturing businesses hit a plateau around $2 million in revenue, and breaking through that ceiling can feel overwhelming.  According to Paul Van Metre, it's not just about working harder—it's about building systems that work harder for you. In this episode, Paul, a manufacturing entrepreneur and co-founder of ProShop ERP, uncovers why so many businesses get stuck at this threshold—and how...