💡 “It’s not automation. It’s not another machine. It’s one thing that can touch EVERY part of your business.”

This week, Mike sits down with Paul Van Metre of ProShop ERP to reveal the #1 system that impacts your shop’s top line, bottom line, and people.

From replacing hours of manual tracking to discovering hidden profit leaks. This tool doesn’t just make you more efficient… it makes your entire business more valuable.

Tune in to find out how one software born inside a job shop became the secret weapon for manufacturers everywhere.

What if your next big customer came with a whole shop attached?

In this episode, Mike Fritz sits down with Mike Payne—shop owner, dealmaker, and host of By the Numbers- to pull back the curtain on how real machine shops grow through acquisitions.

From understanding what makes a deal worth it to financing it without millions in the bank. This episode reveals the real-world strategies behind building an empire, one acquisition at a time.

Tune in to learn how to avoid costly mistakes, find the right opportunities, and structure deals that actually make money.

Need a new operator yesterday? Or wondering if a recruiter’s worth the 20% fee?

In today’s episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the messy, costly, and sometimes surprising world of hiring in machine shops. From sifting through 100+ job board resumes to building career ladders that keep people around, Mike and Kirk break down what really works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to finding good people.

If you’ve ever asked, ‘Where do I even start?’… this episode might just change how you think about hiring.”

Hiring can make or break your shop’s growth, but how do you know when it’s the right move? 👀

In this episode, Mike and Kirk share their playbook for spotting the signs that it’s time to hire… and the costly mistakes to avoid if you pull the trigger too early. Should you automate first? Push more overtime? Promote from within? Or make that big hire now?

Listen in before you post that job ad—you might be looking at the problem all wrong.

How do you attract the next generation of machinists and inspectors?

Here’s a hint: it’s not just about offering more money or better hours.

In this episode, Mike and Kirk are joined by Nush Ahmed, a young quality inspector who’s making waves in the manufacturing world—not just on the shop floor, but online too. She shares what helped her stay in the industry, how leaders can better support young workers, and why shops need to rethink how they show up—physically, culturally, and digitally.

We also dive into what it takes to bring more women into manufacturing—and help them thrive. From mentorship and visibility to updating environments and challenging outdated norms, this episode explores how to build a workplace where everyone feels like they belong.

You’ll hear powerful insights about training, inclusion, curiosity, and how to build a culture that actually grows your people—not just expects them to figure it out.

This is one of our most energizing episodes yet—tune in and see manufacturing through a fresh lens.

When is the right time to invest in new equipment—before the job is booked or after the PO lands? 

In this episode, Mike and Kirk are joined by Greg Knox of Knox Manufacturing Solutions to dig into the real decision-making struggles shop owners face every day.

They cover the critical difference between buying for capacity vs. capability, why conservative vs. entrepreneurial mindsets approach machine buying differently, and how to use strategy—not guesswork—to guide growth. Greg shares hard-earned insights from 40+ years in the industry, including”

• How shops are doubling margin with better machine strategy
• Why many shops plateau—and how to break through
• How automation and accessory upgrades can eliminate the need for a new machine
• When off-shifts actually cost more than they help
• Why machine investment isn’t just about parts—it’s about people, culture, and momentum

Whether you're running a small shop or leading multiple facilities, this episode will challenge how you think about growth—and give you new tools to make smarter investments.

Episode 9: Growing Your Top Line

We’re closing out our 3-part growth series with a deep dive into one of the most asked questions in manufacturing:

 “How do I actually grow revenue?”

In this episode, Mike Fritz and Kirk Phelps sit down with CSO Hank Westerkamp and CRO Steve Mazza to break down what’s really holding shops back from top-line growth—and how to fix it.

You’ll learn:

• Why new customers aren’t always the best starting point
• How to develop outbound systems and inbound strategies that bring in steady leads
• The quoting habits that win (and lose) revenue
• How follow-up and CRM systems drive predictable growth
• A real-world example of doubling throughput and revenue through smart relationship-building

If your shop feels stuck—or you’re ready to take the next leap—this episode lays out the roadmap to drive real, sustainable top-line results.

In Part 2 of our three-part growth series, Mike and Kirk tackle the essential—but often neglected—side of machine shop growth: improving your bottom line. Before chasing more revenue, it’s critical to plug the profit leaks that are silently eroding your business.

From tooling waste and bloated staff structures to broken quoting systems and inefficient processes, this episode dives deep into real-world strategies to help you keep more of what you already earn.

What you'll learn:

• Why better organization and tooling control can instantly save thousands
• How rethinking cycle times and throughput can double your margins
• The value of third-party engineering audits in uncovering hidden inefficiencies
• When to automate vs. optimize vs. outsource
• How mindset, data, and documentation play into long-term profitability

Whether you’re running a high-mix job shop or a production-driven operation, this episode is packed with practical advice to make every dollar work harder—and stick around longer.

Episode 7: Growing Your People

In this episode, Mike and Kirk shine a spotlight on the most powerful—and often untapped—driver of machine shop growth: your team. Kicking off a three-part series on scaling your business, they explore why developing people isn't optional, it's foundational.

From floor operators to future leaders, they discuss how to identify growth potential, build clear progression paths, and overcome common mindset traps like fear of turnover or “doing it all yourself.” Packed with personal stories and proven frameworks, this episode will challenge the way you think about succession, culture, and leadership at every level of your shop.

Because real growth doesn’t happen when you do more—it happens when your people do.

If you’ve been leveraging MEP programs for training, grants, or equipment purchases, there’s a chance that these benefits could be going away. Today, we’re talking about the potential changes to these programs, what it means for your shop, and how to prepare if these resources are no longer available.

We’re resharing this important discussion from the Making Chips podcast to broaden the discussion and to ensure you’re up-to-date on the latest developments surrounding MEP funding and what it means for your business. It's crucial to understand how these changes could affect your shop and what steps you can take to stay ahead.

Tune in to hear insights from the Making Chips team and learn more about the future of these programs.