Rhett Ross, with over 30 years in aerospace and industrial manufacturing, acquired Leech Industries in 2021, bringing his extensive experience to the company. Under his leadership, Leech Industries has emphasized workforce development through apprenticeship programs and partnerships with local schools, fostering the next generation of manufacturers. Ross has also implemented Lean Manufacturing principles to enhance operational efficiency, addressing common issues like space utilization. A recent investment in marketing has led to significant business growth, demonstrating the impact of strategic marketing in the manufacturing sector.

To learn more, visit www.leechind.com

In this episode, we delve into the global manufacturing landscape with Alfonso Aramburo, a seasoned leader at ESL Power Systems and BRECHER Manufacturing. Drawing from his extensive experience in Mexico, Germany, and the United States, Alfonso offers a comparative analysis of each region's manufacturing strengths. He highlights Germany's unwavering commitment to quality, the U.S.'s emphasis on timely delivery, and Mexico's competitive edge in assembly and continuous improvement. Alfonso also shares invaluable advice for shop owners, emphasizing the importance of embracing technology, cultivating skilled teams, and building trust for sustained success. 

In this episode, Jay interviews Michael Gimbel, founder and CEO of Gimbal Automation. Michael's entrepreneurial journey is truly remarkable. At 19, he decided to leave Johns Hopkins and start a 3D printing company. Today, he leads a rapidly growing automation business. 

Listen as Michael discusses the challenges of building his company, key lessons in management and delegation, and the innovative automation solutions his company offers to manufacturers. This episode is essential listening for anyone in the manufacturing industry looking to explore smart, cost-effective automation strategies.

In this episode, we sit down with Jamie Goettler, Chief Revenue Officer of BTX Precision, a leading family of precision manufacturing organizations. Jamie's journey to BTX marks a significant shift from his 23-year tenure at MSC Industrial, where he gained extensive experience on the supply side of the manufacturing industry.

Join us as Jamie shares his insights from visiting over a thousand shops during his time at MSC, offering a unique perspective now that he's on the manufacturing side of the fence. We dive into MSC Industrial's capabilities and some of the lesser-known services they provide that could be game-changers for your shop.

Jamie also indulges us in a fascinating discussion about the future of manufacturing, including the potential impact of humanoid robots. His knowledge and passion for American manufacturing shine through in our conversation, and we hope you’ll find it as inspiring as we did.

In this episode, Jay interviews Mark C. Winters: teacher, coach, and facilitator who spends most of his time directly engaged with entrepreneurial leadership teams as an Expert EOS Implementer.

The EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) is a comprehensive business framework designed to help organizations clarify, simplify, and achieve their vision through a set of practical tools and principles. As a teacher, coach, and facilitator, Mark C. Winters spends most of his time directly engaged with entrepreneurial leadership teams as an Expert EOS Implementer—helping them implement EOS® in their own companies. 

Episode Resources

• Vist Mark's website: https://www.markcwinters.com/

Dynamic Metal Innovations (DMI) was founded by Mark Sternat and Scott Hartrick in 2019 and is located in Emmaus, PA. Being digital natives and not having legacy equipment and systems has allowed Mark and Scott to jump feet first into technology as a pillar of shop growth.

In this episode, Jay, Mark, and Scott get into pricing, including how and why they have embraced expedites. Plus, they'll dive into how technology helps them recruit team members, what they looked for in selecting an ERP system, getting a co-bot running on the shop floor, and much more. Whether you're a small shop looking for suggestions to grow or an established larger shop trying to freshen up, this episode has something for you.

Visit www.dynamicmetalpa.com to learn more.

In this episode, we explore the remarkable journey of American Flexible Products with their dynamic CEO, Carla Mathiason. Discover the pivotal moment in 2008 when the company embraced full employee ownership through an ESOP, unraveling the inner workings of share allocation and valuation. Carla's engaging narrative not only reflects the company's growth but also emphasizes the profound cultural foundation of AFP—built on employee empowerment and robust customer relationships, making employee ownership a key competitive advantage.

Our guest today is Noah Graff, is a third-generation, worldwide used machinery dealer at Graff-Pinkert & Co., and self-described treasure hunter based outside of Chicago. Noah also hosts the popular podcast, "Swarfcast." 

In this episode, we introduce a mysterious guest who is currently navigating the complex process of acquiring a job shop. To protect their identity due to ongoing employment, our guest remains anonymous, but their experiences and wisdom are anything but hidden. Our guest initially set out to find a small shop, but soon expanded their search to larger ventures. They share their strategies for financing a significant purchase despite limited funds and reveal what makes a shop truly appealing to them. Moreover, they candidly discuss deal-breakers that would prompt them to walk away. 

Len Morrissey is back again to discuss current trends in the banking world. Len spent many years as a loan officer at several Boston-area banks, before joining Jay at RAPID Manufacturing as the CFO. Most recently, Len co-founded and now runs a business loan underwriting practice: Morrissey Metcalfe and Associates. Here, Len and Jay discuss current events in the banking world as they relate to interest rates and loans, and take a deep dive into a term sheet for a current mortgage Jay is applying for. Len helps us understand what banks are looking for and where you can negotiate when looking for loans.

Resources

• Get in touch with Len: https://www.morrisseymetcalfe.com/contact