Leadership, Generosity, and Investing in People’s Success with Bern Bertsche

Today on The Servant Leadership Podcast, we sit down with Bern Bertsche, former Owner & President of Camcraft—a world-class precision machining company that has grown into a trusted partner for some of the largest automotive, aerospace, and industrial manufacturing companies around the world—including SpaceX, Caterpillar, Cummins, Bosch, and more. For Bern, success was never just about business. It was about people—investing in Camcraft’s employees, leading with generosity, and using the company as a force for good in the community and around the world. In this episode, Bern shares the incredible story of how he risked everything to buy Camcraft and what it means to build a company that outlasts you. If you’ve ever wondered how to grow a business, learn generosity, or leave a legacy that truly matters, this conversation is for you.Timestamps:00:00 Bern Bertsche's Intro00:57 Welcome Bern Bertsche01:06 Bern's Career Journey With Camcraft10:34 Impact of Buying Camcraft11:33 Dealing With The Pressure Of Owning Camcraft12:52 Implementing The Latest Technology14:55 Looking Back On Camcraft's Journey16:05 The Sales Process - Finding The Right Customers18:28 Loving and Caring About Your People21:58 The Importance of Camcraft's Mission Statement22:47 Investing In The Company Rather Than Selling24:27 Involving Family In The Company25:41 Conversations With Family Who Want To Be Involved27:48 The Future of Manufacturing In America29:20 Buying Other Companies - Lessons Learned31:15 Instilling Servant Leadership In Others32:37 Impact Of Having A Wife With Health Issues33:14 The Background Story of "Crossroads Kids Clubs"38:42 The Transformation of Crossroads Kids Club40:16 Leaving A Legacy of Generosity41:49 Generosity - Can It Be Learned?43:07 Instilling An Attitude of Generosity In Future Generations45:38 The Importance of Friendship - New Canaan Society47:50 Dealing With Other People's Agendas49:15 10-Rapid-Fire Questions53:01 ClosingWant to learn more about Bern? Check out these links:Cramcraft: https://camcraft.com/ Crossroads Kids Club: https://crossroadskidsclub.com/ New Canaan Society - Chicago West: https://newcanaansociety.org/chicago-west/Servant Leadership:URL: https://servantleadershippodcast.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ServantLeadershipPodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/servantleadershippodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/servant-leadership-podcast/X (Twitter): https://x.com/servant_podcast