By Datanomix
The podcast currently has 13 episodes available.
Adam Gordon is a second-generation leader at Tendon Manufacturing. The sheet metal and fabrication shop, Based in the Cleveland suburb of Warrensville Heights, was co-founded in 1988 by Michael Gordon Sr. and Greg Tench. Both are still very much involved; today, it’s a family affair. Greg’s son heads up programming/engineering, and Adam heads up Operations, working alongside his brother and brother-in-law.
As you listen, you’ll hear Adam’s passion for football, and it’s clear that his years of coaching do come into play when he seeks out new employees. He looks for winning qualities that can’t be taught, like the ability to show up on time, body language, and energy.
He also explains that the employees who suggest the most process improvements can climb the ladder quicker because seeing things differently helps advance the business. His strategy is working, as Tendon has doubled its employees in just a few years.
From squeezing in the odd job to the craziest parts they’ve ever made. Tendon has had quite the history.
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We’ve all heard of him, and you’ve seen him everywhere with his red microphone as he visits manufacturers and suppliers worldwide, but now you’ll get to REALLY know him on this podcast episode!
America’s Manufacturing MC, Tony Gunn, shares how his internal optimism comes from many failures in life. Tony started from very humble beginnings and almost became a professional athlete, but his trajectory changed to machinist out of necessity from an early surprise in life. His passion for manufacturing and entertainment keeps Tony returning to the shop floor to capture the stories of manufacturers as Director of Global Operations for MTDCNC and the host of The Gunn Show Podcast.
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On this episode of Manufacturing Mavericks, Greg McHale interviews Rob Caron of Caron Engineering, a true pioneer and the recipient of the 2024 M. Eugene Merchant Manufacturing Medal from ASME/SME. Rob shares his journey from unexpectedly finding himself jobless to building a company known for its groundbreaking innovations in advanced sensor and monitoring technology. Hear about how his early fascination with CNC controls and a deep desire to do things better led to the creation of Autocomp, TMAC, and even the tool ID systems that have made Caron Engineering a leader in the machine tool industry for over 35 years.
Rob also shares his thoughts on building a strong company culture, meeting customer expectations no matter what, and the transition to an ESOP or employee stock-owned company.
Tune in for a wealth of insights from a leader who has been on the cutting edge of manufacturing technology for over four decades. This episode is packed with inspiration and practical tips. Rob’s advice for shops looking to get into automation is priceless.
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In this episode, Gustavo (Gus) Gutierrez, owner of GC Machining Solutions, takes us through his incredible journey from a 15-year-old who traded coffee for training at his first manufacturing job, to buying his own shop. Gus doesn't shy away from doing the "hard stuff", including moving a shop, implementing an ERP, and is currently managing a shift from 10% medical and dental device manufacturing to 80%. Wow.
Gus talks to Greg McHale about investing in education, making time for family, and the advice he gives his kids. He also shares his experiences across various roles in manufacturing, picking the right team members, building a strong company culture, and why technology is crucial to staying competitive. Gus's insights are a valuable resource for anyone in the industry.
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In this episode, Gustavo (Gus) Gutierrez, owner of GC Machining Solutions, takes us through his incredible journey from a 15-year-old who traded coffee for training at his first manufacturing job, to buying his own shop. Gus doesn't shy away from doing the "hard stuff", including moving a shop, implementing an ERP, and is currently managing a shift from 10% medical and dental device manufacturing to 80%. Wow.
Gus talks to Greg McHale about investing in education, making time for family, and the advice he gives his kids. He also shares his experiences across various roles in manufacturing, picking the right team members, building a strong company culture, and why technology is crucial to staying competitive. Gus's insights are a valuable resource for anyone in the industry.
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Paul Van Metre is the co-founder of ProShop ERP and a true Manufacturing Maverick. Listen in as he talks with Greg McHale about some of the serendipitous moments that completely changed the course of his life and fueled his passion for manufacturing. Some examples include how his Mom saving a car magazine got him into machining, how a random lab partner assignment on his first day of school turned into a 30+ year collaboration, and why a customer’s dream of building a basketball court for his kids helped launched ProShop ERP. Paul’s love of manufacturing and the people who work in it drives him to help make “the hardest business in the world” a little easier. It shows in the hashtag he started #ThankaMachinist
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Greg McHale sits down to talk with Mike Payne, Owner of Hill Manufacturing about his unconventional path to becoming a shop owner. Mike was actually helping the previous owner look for a buyer when he decided to make an offer himself. After 25 years in software and private equity, Mike realized that he really liked the can-do attitude and willingness to help each other that manufacturers share. This episode explores how Mike leveraged his background in private equity and data analysis to double his shop’s size in 5 years - every five years.
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Greg McHale interviews Kylan Hastreiter, Vice President of Hastreiter Industries, located in Marshfield, WI. Kylan’s parents started the shop in the late 1980s in a hog shed with one Makino LeBlond lathe. Today, they specialize in complex parts for the aerospace industry and are a driving force in introducing young people in Wisconsin to manufacturing—even creating a makerspace for students at their facility.
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We launched Manufacturing Mavericks in Late 2023 to tell the stories of people who aren’t afraid to shake things up and stand out from the crowd. We’ve had three fabulous guests so far with many more in the pipeline for 2024:
To close the year, here is a highlight reel of their best insights and advice for growing a business. Enjoy!
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Serial entrepreneur Dave Capkovitz, of EBITDA Growth Systems, shares how his experiences have shaped how his company helps out manufacturers who fall into the “no man’s land” ($1-$30 million in revenue). He outlines the process his company has developed that guarantees they will double a shop’s valuation in three years. Dave attributes their tremendous success rate to getting clients the data they need to understand their revenue and costs better.
Dave also provides a sneak peek into an exciting project aimed at rescuing struggling shops, and it sounds like a Netflix series in the making!
Listen in and get some tips on how to improve your shop’s profitability.
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The podcast currently has 13 episodes available.