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Artwork for Machine Shop Mastery

Machine Shop Mastery

Paul Van Metre
Machine Shop Industry
Manufacturing
Aerospace
Workforce Development
Automation
Lean Manufacturing
Family Business
Entrepreneurship
Job Shops
Business Diversification
Bankruptcy
Leadership
Networking
Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Oil and Gas
Machine Shops
Aerospace and Defense
Aerospace Manufacturing
Cash Flow Management
Machine Shop Mastery

The Machine Shop Mastery Podcast helps to elevate the importance of the machine shop industry and reveal the secrets of success for machine shops, to inspire other shop owners or would-be shop owners to follow their passions, start and grow their shops to be an economic driver for our economy and their stakeholders.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes124Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BusinessEntrepreneurship

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Artwork for Machine Shop Mastery

Latest Episodes

Most shop owners who hit 50 employees, steady profit, and a fourth generation coming up behind them would be tempted to coast. Andrew Borg decided to double down instead. Not because he has to, he's quick to say the shop is profitable right where it ... more

Almost every shop owner I talk to wants to grow. Far fewer build something that can survive a real downturn. That's the thread running through my whole conversation with Chris Welch of Swissomation, and it's why I wanted him on after we met at Machin... more

In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I got to sit down with Kenny Williams of Native Aerospace and Defense. Kenny has a really interesting background because he did not come into manufacturing through the traditional path. He started in technolog... more

When Ashley Parent first appeared on Machine Shop Mastery, Mills Machine Works was fighting for survival. After the unexpected loss of her father, who founded the company in 1995, Ashley and her siblings inherited not only a family business but also ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Matt Schron
Executive/owner at Jergens, Inc. (guest on the episode)
Jergens, Inc.
Episode: 116. 80+ Years Strong: The Reinvention Playbook Behind Jergens' Growth
Alex Mazerolle
Owner of Archer Precision, Ottawa-based five-axis/multi-axis precision machining specialist
Archer Precision
Episode: 115. Building a Valuable, High Performance Shop
Brian Kippen
Owner of KAD Models & Prototypes, expert in prototyping and automation
KAD Models & Prototypes
Episode: 114. Success at the Convergence of Workforce Development & Automation with Brian Kippen
Sven Klatt
General manager and part owner of Vineburg Machining
Vineburg Machining
Episode: 113. Inside a Defense Shop's Lights-Out Automation Build
David Dussault
Co-founder of P1 Industries
P1 Industries
Episode: 112. From Zero to $50 Million: The Incredible Growth Story of P1 Industries
Joel Lape
Co-founder of P1 Industries
P1 Industries
Episode: 112. From Zero to $50 Million: The Incredible Growth Story of P1 Industries
Jean Pitzo
President of Ace Metal Crafts
Ace Metal Crafts
Episode: 111. "Create Joy Through Kindness": A Radical Approach to Manufacturing Success
Skip Markley
Owner of Die Craft Machining & Engineering
Die Craft Machining & Engineering
Episode: 110. From Carbon Paper to Digitization: Standardizing Your Shop for Success with Skip Markley
Billy Banks
Owner/Operator of General Machine, former COO in manufacturing
General Machine (Freeburg, IL)
Episode: 109. New Owner, New Energy, New Vision: Billy Banks of General Machine

Host

Paul Van Meter
Host focused on growing and valuing machine shops, with a background in leadership and entrepreneurship within the machining community.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 80 ratings
  • Great Content!

    I really appreciate Paul’s interview approach with this podcast and the reason why he’s doing. I’ve learned so much about the challenges that this industry is facing. A huge help as I continue to work with clients in this industry.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BriOn!
    United States4 months ago
  • Great leaders sharing wisdom

    I can’t get enough of this show. The guests (and Paul 😂) are so real and relatable. If you’re in the machining industry, or any for that matter, the leadership lessons are gold.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Machineshopdude
    United States6 months ago
  • Love these stories

    I like that this is less tech focused and is more the stories and people who run these shops. Paul is authentic with his style and I appreciate that.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JudyCNC12
    United States7 months ago
  • Extremely valuable Mfg podcast

    If you own/operate a manufacturing facility, you need to constantly be educating yourself with the latest and greatest methodologies others are deploying across the sector. There is no better place to do that than Machine Shop Mastery.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    johnnydr@ma
    United States7 months ago
  • MakingChips

    Great podcast! I’m excited to see how this show will grow now that it is a part of the MakingChips series of manufacturing shows.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ToolingGuy
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the host's interview approach and practical industry insights.
People appreciate relatable guests and leadership lessons for manufacturing leaders.
Audience notes the show focuses on stories and people running shops, with authentic hosting.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

118. From a Garage Bridgeport to 5-Axis Growth: CazTek's 22-Year Journey
Q: What does your business look like today and what are you doing for customers?
We provide end-to-end engineering and manufacturing support, from napkin sketches to final product, including prototyping, DFMs, and manufacturing, with a focus on complex, high-skill projects and rapid iteration.
111. "Create Joy Through Kindness": A Radical Approach to Manufacturing Success
Q: Do you work with local community colleges, and how do you grow people as they enter the business?
We rely on internal development, mentoring, and hands-on training rather than formal apprenticeships. We recruit for culture and potential, then teach people on the job, including sending a Mastercam programmer to school and developing welders with dedicated mentors and higher pay to attract talent who want to teach others.
107. How to Buy a Machine Shop Well: Nik and Aaron with Mahler Machining
Q: How did you structure buying the business and manage risk?
They used a contingent payment structure tied to performance, upfront cash, and kept exiting owners partially involved to ensure a smooth transition while decoupling risk over time.
115. Building a Valuable, High Performance Shop
Q: What did Archer Precision look like when you started?
We started with a mix of old machines and a plan to modernize, eventually moving to a brighter facility and investing in an ERP that could support a glass-box model for clients.
117. 12,000 Work Orders a Year: Managing Growth with Systems That Work
Q: What are the top two or three decisions that moved the business forward the most?
Always be available to customers and avoid saying no when possible; learn to take advice from others and humility; and most importantly, trust the team and delegate, enabling growth without micromanagement.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Machine Shop Mastery

What is Machine Shop Mastery about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Typically features leaders and owners from the machining and manufacturing world, with episodes focused on growing value in machine shops, leadership culture, cash flow, succession, and strategic investments. Conversations often explore real-world lessons from acquisitions, lean transformations, cybersecurity, workforce development, and the role of technology—from automation to additive manufacturing—in shaping the industry. A standout aspect is the emphasis on human-centered leadership and resilient business practices, offering actionable insights for shop owners aiming to scale, diversify, or weather downturns. The format tends to blend personal storytelling with practical guidance, making it helpful for listeners seeking credible, experi... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Machine Shop Mastery?

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How many listeners does Machine Shop Mastery get?

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What are the audience demographics for Machine Shop Mastery?

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How many subscribers and views does Machine Shop Mastery have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Machine Shop Mastery has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Machine Shop Mastery?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Machine Shop Mastery:

1. Machine Shop Growth
2. Buy the Numbers
3. Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders
4. Manufacturing Transformed: Real Shops, Real Stories
5. Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChips

How many episodes of Machine Shop Mastery are there?

Machine Shop Mastery launched 4 years ago and published 124 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Machine Shop Mastery?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Machine Shop Mastery?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Machine Shop Mastery from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Machine Shop Mastery?

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What guests have appeared on Machine Shop Mastery?

Recent guests on Machine Shop Mastery include:

1. Matt Schron
2. Alex Mazerolle
3. Brian Kippen
4. Sven Klatt
5. David Dussault
6. Joel Lape
7. Jean Pitzo
8. Skip Markley

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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