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Artwork for Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders

Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders

MakingChips LLC
Manufacturing
Automation
IMTS
Manufacturing Industry
Artificial Intelligence
Workforce Development
Financial Management
Proshop ERP
Engineering
CNC Machining
Manufacturing Technology
Work-Life Balance
ERP Systems
AI In Manufacturing
Quality Control
Proshop
Lean Manufacturing
Entrepreneurship
Mergers and Acquisitions
Trade Shows

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 ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes540Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
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Artwork for Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders

Latest Episodes

Most machine shops start thinking seriously about workforce development when they already need someone. A machinist quits, capacity jumps, the backlog grows, and suddenly finding skilled people becomes an emergency.

MSP Manufacturing has taken a ve... more

A lot has changed since the last time we pulled up chairs around the Boring Bar. For our fourth edition, eight manufacturing leaders joined us in the MakingChips studio ahead of the IMTS pre-party to talk about where the industry is headed and, after... more

Website traffic is falling across the board, and it's tempting to read that as a marketing problem. It usually isn't. AI summaries now answer the generic top of funnel questions people used to click into your site to answer, so the casual browsers ne... more

Six jobs waiting on a first article means six spindles sitting still. That is the math Mike lives with at Hill, running around 58 jobs a day where nearly every one needs an internal or external first article before parts can ship. When inspection bec... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Johnny Goode
Rep from MSP Manufacturing involved in the ROI Uplands apprenticeship program
MSP Manufacturing
Episode: Build Your Workforce Before You Need It: MSP's Apprenticeship Pipeline | Ep. 539
Mary Cecile Neville
Director of Strategic Partnerships and Industry Relations
AMT
Episode: At the Boring Bar: AI, Automation, and the Machine Shop We'd Build Today | Ep. 538
Jennifer Clement
Industry Leader, Manufacturing
CLA
Episode: At the Boring Bar: AI, Automation, and the Machine Shop We'd Build Today | Ep. 538
Mike Padilla
Senior Manager for System Sales Support
DN Solutions
Episode: At the Boring Bar: AI, Automation, and the Machine Shop We'd Build Today | Ep. 538
Jamie Marzelli
Launched a new AI company related to machine shops
Unspecified
Episode: At the Boring Bar: AI, Automation, and the Machine Shop We'd Build Today | Ep. 538
Mehul Shah
Co-founder of GroundControl
GroundControl
Episode: GroundControl: Turning First Articles From a Bottleneck Into an Advantage | Ep. 536
Andrew Henry
Lean Guru, founder of Henry's Holsters
Henry's Holsters
Episode: Lean, AI, and One-Piece Flow: How Henry Holsters Ships Same-Day | Ep. 535
Dave Hataj
Creator of Craftsman with Character program
Edgerton Gear / Craftsman with Character
Episode: Craftsman With Character: How to Mentor the Next Generation of Machinists | Ep. 534
Bonnie Gurney
Team member from Amt and IMTS sponsor/partner
Amt / IMTS
Episode: IMTS 2026 Preview: What's New, How to Plan It, and Why It's Worth the Trip | Ep. 533

Hosts

Paul Van Metre
Host of Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders; focus on leadership, operations, and manufacturing strategy
Mike Payne
Host emphasizing practical shop-floor improvements and growth playbooks
Nick Goellner
Co-host bringing industry insights and guest coordination

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 167 ratings
  • Such an important show

    This podcast is so important for the industry. The guys do a great job. I listen to every episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JudyCNC12
    United States10 months ago
  • Great podcast for the manufacturing leaders of today and tomorrow

    Podcast Addict
    blue_bleeder
    3 years ago
  • Great Podcast

    This show brings me insight and joy thank you so much

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    @TheYechGuy
    United States3 years ago
  • Moved to thank you.

    Just finished listening to your episode with Ken Parent. I am still in Northern Michigan and my story sounds a lot like Ken’s! Thanks so much for sharing Ken’s story with Metal Working Nation.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Naton 2
    United States3 years ago
  • Highly recommend

    That’s the podcasts I wait every week. Awesome vibe by the hosts and great content. A valuable source for someone on the research and academic side of manufacturing (and, especially, if you are international). Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Eldarik11
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critique shows a more promotional branding around marketing topics, but value remains high for most listeners.
Many find the show essential for manufacturing leadership and growth.
Listeners praise practical, actionable insights and strong guest lineups.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Build Your Workforce Before You Need It: MSP's Apprenticeship Pipeline | Ep. 539
Q: What does a day for an apprentice look like at MSP?
Apprentices rotate through production, shop floor, and sometimes assembly or quality, with hands-on training on CNC machines, OSHA-10, measurement tools, and progressively more responsibility based on individual pace.
GroundControl: Turning First Articles From a Bottleneck Into an Advantage | Ep. 536
Q: What inspired the name GroundControl and how did you land on it?
The founders explored many names with generators and discussions, but the GroundControl identity clicked after considering aerospace connotations, a domain that was available, and a simple, memorable tie to control and communication with the ground station—ultimately becoming a distinctive brand for their mission‑critical manufacturing software.
Why Starting a Machine Shop Felt Less Risky Than Another Corporate Job, Ep #529
Q: What were the first machines you chose and why?
He picked a broad envelope: a Lynx 2100 lathe and a DNM 4500 mill to cover small parts and a wide range for customers.
Why Starting a Machine Shop Felt Less Risky Than Another Corporate Job, Ep #529
Q: What prompted you to start your own shop rather than continue in corporate roles?
He saw the risk of being laid off and believed entrepreneurship offered more control over his destiny, despite the upfront challenges.
The AI Everyone Will Actually Care About at IMTS 2026, Ep #530
Q: What would you advise a shop owner to frame their AI search so it's tactical and meaningful rather than just buzzwords?
Evaluate the problem first, bring the problem to the vendor, and treat AI like any other capital investment—assess readiness, data foundations, and the potential ROI before committing.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two- to three-host conversations mix leadership, operations, and technology insights for small-to-mid size manufacturers. Episodes frequently explore lean principles, automation, AI applications on the shop floor, workforce development, and practical growth playbooks for family-owned and independent shops. Notable strengths include hands-on case studies, a focus on real-world scaling, and a consistent emphasis on making manufacturing more accessible through practical strategies, vendor partnerships, and community-oriented programs.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

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

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 12 years ago and published 540 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Johnny Goode
2. Mary Cecile Neville
3. Jennifer Clement
4. Mike Padilla
5. Jamie Marzelli
6. Mehul Shah
7. Andrew Henry
8. Dave Hataj

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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