In this special episode of MakingChips, we broadcast from the EBITDA Growth Systems Double Your Value Planning Event—a gathering designed to pull shop owners out of the day-to-day grind and force intentional thinking about long-term growth. This year's event was hosted at the Sandvik Coromant facility in Mebane, North Carolina, creating a perfect backdrop for conversations about planning, strategy, and culture.

Paul is joined by three key voices who bring decades of hard-earned manufacturing wisdom: Jim Carr, a founding voice of MakingChips; Zach Overton, who is deep in the trenches of leading a multi-generation shop through transition and growth; and David Capkovitz, co-founder of EBITDA Growth Systems, whose strategic coaching framework is the backbone of this entire event. They pull back the curtain on why the event exists, how planning actually becomes actionable, and how shops can double their value in three years.

Together, they dive into the realities every manufacturer faces—financial blind spots, operational challenges, cultural shifts, succession dilemmas, and the emotional weight of leadership. David's perspective as a coach blends seamlessly with Jim and Zach's lived experiences, creating a conversation that's equal parts strategic and deeply human.

This episode highlights why stepping away from the shop floor is often the missing link for achieving the next level of growth. Whether you're planning for 2026, building resilience for a generational handoff, or simply trying to stop fighting fires, the insights shared here offer a clear direction forward. And yes—there's also a Cheerwine Old Fashioned or two.

If you're ready to plan your next chapter with more clarity and confidence, this episode gives you the mindset and the roadmap to get started.

Segments

• (0:00) Setting the scene: EGS happy hour, heaters, and Cheerwine Old Fashioneds
• (1:11) Paul and Jim revisit the origins of MakingChips and Jim's full-circle moment
• (2:35) What the Double Your Value Planning Event is & how it's grown under EGS
• (3:32) Introducing Zach Overton and his connections with Paul & Jim
• (4:36) Jim's memories and insights from advanced machining processes
• (6:38) Grow your top and bottom line with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA)
• (7:14) David explains why EGS created the event and its planning philosophy
• (10:23) The power of peer-to-peer conversations among manufacturers
• (11:54) Identifying obstacles to growth and building criticality assessments
• (13:15) Zach shares his takeaways from stepping out of day-to-day firefighting
• (15:26) Jim describes how EGS supports Carr Machine as a Fractional CFO
• (18:08) Lighter moments: drink taste-testing and event humor
• (19:53) Invest in your business by investing in ProShop ERP
• (21:27) Zach explains how David coaches Overton Industries operationally
• (24:15) How manufacturers can start planning intentionally for 2026
• (28:08) Why shop owners need guidance, accountability, and encouragement
• (30:11) Culture as the foundation of growth: reflections on Mike Hirsh's talk
• (32:13) Jim's transformation story: shifting from a lifestyle business to scalable growth
• (36:21) Why you need to check out the SMW Autoblok catalog
• (37:31) Did older generations only want lifestyle businesses?
• (39:00) Zach on pushing back in automotive to protect margins
• (40:38) Navigating multi-owner family decisions and succession complexity
• (42:12) David reflects on the personal relationships EGS builds with clients

Resources mentioned on this episode

• Connect with EBITA Growth Systems
• Connect with Jim Carr on LinkedIn
• Connect with David Capkovitz on LinkedIn
• Connect with Zach Overton on LinkedIn
• Connect with Mike Hirsh on LinkedIn
• Peter Doyle on Machine Shop MBA and Machine Shop Mastery
• MC070: Leadership, Action, and a British Accent – with Sean Holt
• Invest in your business by investing in ProShop ERP
• Why you need to check out the SMW Autoblok catalog

Connect With MakingChips

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