At the heart of every successful machine shop isn’t just the parts it produces—it’s the experience it delivers to its clients. In this episode of MakingChips (part of our Machine Shop MBA series), we sit down with Andy Reinwald, President of Ripley Machine, to unpack what it really takes to deliver an excellent client experience in manufacturing.

Andy shares his journey of stepping into leadership at a young age, navigating the challenges of declining sales, and transforming Ripley Machine into a recognized Top Shops award winner. His story proves that client experience doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built intentionally through systems, communication, and values that shape the culture of the entire shop.

From implementing ISO and ProShop ERP, to instilling a daily rhythm of accountability and continuous improvement, Andy reveals the practical steps his team has taken to turn Ripley into a trusted partner for its customers. Along the way, he highlights how something as simple as quick communication—or as complex as restructuring internal systems—can make all the difference in retaining clients and earning their loyalty.

Whether you’re a seasoned shop owner or just starting out, this conversation will challenge you to look at your business through the lens of your customers. Because at the end of the day, consistency, transparency, and responsiveness aren’t just “nice to have”—they are the foundation of growth and profitability.

Segments

• (0:32) How Phoenix Heat Treating provides next-level transparency
• (2:18) Why client experience is the capstone of the Machine Shop MBA series
• (3:39) Introducing guest Andy Reinwald of Ripley Machine
• (5:00) Family business history, early days in the shop, and finding a passion for manufacturing
• (8:47) Becoming shop foreman at 19, buying the business at 21, and facing business challenges
• (12:11) Lessons learned: Poor customer experiences and the wake-up call
• (17:26) The values of transparency, accessibility, and responsiveness
• (20:00) Practical changes: communication, customer-specific notes, quoting with Paperless Parts, and implementing ProShop ERP
• (27:04) Investing in ProShop is an investment in your shop
• (28:39) The power of quick, honest communication and technology that supports it
• (35:05) Building culture: consistency, details that matter, and systems that allow Andy to step away
• (37:23) How Andy roots his business values on his faith
• (39:10) Going above and beyond for customers (42:38) How Andy hires according to a fit for his culture
• (44:54) Implementing daily drumbeat meetings and lean principles
• (50:04) Ripley Machine’s Top Shops award journey and continuous improvement
• (55:42) Joins us at the Top Shops 2025 Conference in Charlotte, NC

Resources mentioned on this episode

• Could Phoenix Heat Treating solve your bottleneck?
• Investing in ProShop is an investment in your shop
• Joins us at the Top Shops 2025 Conference in Charlotte, NC

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