When I think about the shops that inspire me most, it’s the ones that balance cutting-edge technology with a deep investment in people. That’s exactly why I loved sitting down with Steve and Eric Van Orden of Paramount Machine in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Steve started Paramount back in 1995 with nothing more than a manual mill and a garage shop. Fast forward nearly three decades, and the company has grown into a 75-person operation with more than 30 machines, including palletized horizontals, multi-spindle lathes, and 5-axis mills. What impressed me most, though, wasn’t the equipment—it was the culture they’ve built.

Both Steve and Eric share how Paramount has become a place where careers are built, young machinists thrive, and innovation is driven by a team that truly feels ownership in the business. With 35% of their workforce under 30 and several families working side by side, it’s clear this is more than just a machine shop—it’s a community.

In our conversation, we dig into the early days of Paramount, the lessons learned along the way, and the practical strategies they’re using now to keep growing in a space- and talent-constrained world. Most of all, we explore what it takes to build a business that can make a lasting impact—on people, families, and future generations.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• (0:15) “RASRAM” and the 7 habits of effective workholding
• (1:35) Meet the guests: Steve and Eric Van Orden of Paramount Machine
• (3:26) How Steve founded the company in 1995 in a garage with manual equipment
• (4:26) Early growth, partnerships, and moving into a rented building
• (8:00) Transitioning from partnerships to solo leadership
• (9:03) Current snapshot of the business and its growth trajectory
• (10:49) How their workforce development program works
• (15:54) Collaborating with the NTMA and other local initiatives
• (16:22) Mentorship and on-the-job training models
• (17:20) Eric’s journey: From unsure beginnings to leading operations
• (21:00) How Paramount encourages team ownership and decentralized leadership
• (22:23) Flexibility in work hours, overtime, and PTO (24:47) Grow your top and bottom line with CLA
• (25:25) Letting each cell own their workflow
• (26:29) Embracing software, digitization, and writing custom internal tools
• (29:08) Transparency with finances and learning from losses without blame
• (33:22) Profitability, continuous improvement, and capacity optimization
• (35:44) Overcoming space constraints and driving efficiency with smarter equipment
• (39:36) Tracking KPIs, spotting bottlenecks, and using software to stay ahead
• (42:52) Strategic decisions that fueled growth: hiring, trust, and investing in technology
• (45:51) Legacy and impact: changing lives and building a multi-generational business
• (49:55) Join us at Top Shops 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina!

Resources & People Mentioned

• Level up your workholding with SMW Autoblok
• Grow your top and bottom line with CLA
• Join us at Top Shops 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina!

Connect with Eric and Steve Van Orden

• Paramount Machine
• Steve Van Orden
• Eric Van Orden

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