Keeping TRAK

What started as a simple project to get an article published in Modern Machine Shop turned into a “best case scenario” when talented editor Brent Donaldson found the true story of how the ProtoTRAK came to be. In this podcast Alyssa reads the feature article that appeared in the July 2025 issue of Modern Machine Shop that stars the ProtoTRAK as none other than “the control that shaped the future of CNC.” Yeah, baby! 

This newly-recorded selling messages podcast includes new details on the machine as well as an interview with two of TRAK’s ace Sales Reps - Brian Napolitano (Massachusetts) and Wayne Shoaf (Michigan). The TRAK TMC is a big opportunity for our customers to get to the next level of productivity and for us to sell a lot of machines to help them do just that. With all those ProtoTRAK Knee Mills and Bed Mills you should be delivering these messages a lot. 

In this episode, Alyssa interviews John Ballent to continue our exploration of the process of making software. John takes us behind the scenes for a fascinating inside look into the world of professional software development. This podcast includes explanations for the origin and resolution of the recent “Blue Screen” problem as well as an explanation for how (and why) Engineering creates and distributes different software versions. 

The Challenges of Creating Sophisticated Software. Part 1 The ProtoTRAK works so well that we take it for granted. But making great CNC software is  difficult and complicated. In this episode, Alyssa reads an essay that was written with the help of software - Chat GPT to be exact - and carefully edited by Steve Pinto and John Ballent, our Senior Software Engineer. In it, we describe the realities of creating and maintaining complex software. 

In this episode Alyssa breaks down the details that explain why TRAK has become the knee mill of choice in thousands of companies and schools. You’ll also get a personal glimpse behind the relationship between Top One and TRAK as she interviews Rita Fong, a member of the family that owns and runs Top One. 

If you’re like most people who have been around the ProtoTRAK for a while, you probably take its ease of use for granted.  This episode will focus on the disciplined process of keeping the ProtoTRAK easy to use that has enabled it to compete and win in the world of giants like Haas, Fanuc and Mitsubishi. 

TRAK’s Service Parts performance through the decades is unmatched. This Podcast lifts the veil on the economics of being in the Service Parts business, including an explanation of why everyone else is so bad at it. 

When you are familiar with the principles of financing, you can help your customers on another level. Chuck Farmer has done more ProtoTRAK financing than any other inhabitant of the planet. He is also an accomplished professional in the field and a really great guy. In this episode, Alyssa interviews Chuck.  You’ll learn valuable information about financing that you can put to use today!Connect with Chuck belowhttps://www.intechfunding.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-farmer-14298612/

In this episode Alyssa reads an essay that outlines key selling messages for TRAK Knee Mills. This product line remains popular with schools and many tool rooms. Knee mills may have become a commodity, but when you know what makes ours the best, you have a great chance of winning sales away from our less enlightened competitors. 

The TRAK TMC is big opportunity for our customers to get to the next level of productivity and for us to sell a lot of machines to help them do just that. Alyssa reads an essay that will supercharge your command of the TRAK TMC selling messages. With all those ProtoTRAK Knee Mills and Bed Mills you should be delivering these messages a lot. 

This episode is a drill of the key specs of the TRAK DPM family of Bed Mills. It is patterned after language drills. Alyssa will read the specification type, pause for you to answer, and then give you the number. It is a great way to help memorize key specifications so that they come easily during conversations with customers.

Want to know Rich Kunze’s secret? You can bet that a lot of people would like to know what has driven Rich to be Sales Rep of the Year 29 times over his career. In this episode, Alyssa interviews Rich on his brilliant career, looking back and also ahead to what is next for him. What secrets will Rich reveal? You’ll have to listen to find out. Connect with Rich on LinkedIn herehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-kunze-405370175/

In this episode, Alyssa reads Sell Sheets that deal with the main selling points of the TRAK VMCsi. The Sheets were submitted by Wayne Shoaf, Senior Sales Rep in Detroit and Kurt Hufnagel, Applications Rep in Connecticut. The Sell Sheets by these skilled professionals will help you to refresh the main selling points for TRAK VMCsi products. 

In the first part of this 2-part episode, Alyssa reads an essay outlining the selling proposition for the VMC2 / XYZ 2op. Following that, Alyssa interviews Mark Takahashi, the Plant Manager for TRAK Machine Tools in Rancho Dominguez. Mark describes how we use the TRAK VMC2 in our own production. 

This episode is a drill of the key specs of the TRAK TRL family of lathes. It is patterned after language drills. Alyssa will read the specification type, pause for you to answer, and then give you the number. It is a great way to help memorize key specifications so that they come easily during conversations with customers.

Love making cold calls? You should! This episode features an interview with Mike McGarry, TRAK’s National Sales Manager and passionate Sales Guru. It also features short testimonials from successful TRAK Sales Reps that reveal the magical effect that cold calls will have on your success. Connect with Mike on LinkedIn herehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mcgarry-66a9611a/