Machine Shop Growth

Your shop may be busy…But is it actually growing?In this episode, Mike Fritz breaks down the 5 KPI’s every machine shop should track if they want more control over sales, production, profitability, and long-term growth.Most shops judge success by whether there’s money in the bank, parts are shipping, and customers seem happy. But that only tells part of the story. Without tracking the right numbers, a shop can miss warning signs like low margins, weak RFQ flow, poor follow-up, or dangerous customer concentration.Mike walks through the five growth KPIs that reveal what is really happening inside your shop:You’ll learn how to track:RFQ volume from new, current, and dormant customersWin rate and why you are winning or losing workPO volume and customer concentration riskShipping volume and how it connects sales to the floorMargin and how to improve profit without always raising pricesThis episode also covers why dormant customers need intentional outreach, why OEMs change vendors, how to use KPIs to drive decisions, and why growth should be measured before it becomes a crisis.If you want your shop to stop living and dying by the next PO from your biggest customer, this episode will help you start tracking the numbers that actually drive growth.Subscribe to our 2026 weekly format:Sales & Marketing — 1st & 3rd TuesdaysOperations & Engineering — 2nd & 4th TuesdaysBonus joint episodes on 5th TuesdaysIf this episode helps, please leave a review. It helps more shop owners find the show and grow their business.

Before you buy the robot…Fix the process.In this episode of the Machine Shop Growth Podcast: Operations Edition, Kirk Phelps breaks down what shops need to standardize before they ever think about automation, second shift, or lights-out machining.Because automation sounds exciting.But if your tooling changes every job, your workholding is inconsistent, your programmers are reinventing the wheel, and your shop floor depends on tribal knowledge…That robot may just become an expensive decoration.Kirk covers:How to stop treating every part like a brand-new processWhy standardized tooling reduces errors from programming to the floorHow workholding can make or break unattended machiningWhy high-mix, low-volume shops still need repeatable systemsThe role of CAM standardization and verification softwareWhy lights-out machining comes before full automationIf your shop wants to grow capacity without creating more chaos, this episode gives you the foundation.Start with standardization.Then scale.Subscribe to our weekly format: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays: Sales & Marketing 2nd & 4th Tuesdays: Operations & Engineering Joint episodes: Special industry deep-dives with Mike and KirkIf this episode helps, leave a review. It helps more shop owners find the show.

A second shift sounds like growth.More hours. More output. More revenue.But what if adding a second shift is actually the fastest way to multiply your problems?In this joint episode, Mike Fritz and Kirk Phelps tackle one of the most common ideas floating around machine shops right now: “Should we add a second shift?”On paper, it sounds simple.In reality, it can create more complexity, more liability, more labor pressure, and more process breakdown than most shops are prepared for.In this episode, we break down:Why most sub-$5M shops are not actually ready for a true second shiftThe hidden cost of off-shift managementWhy process refinement should happen before labor expansionHow automation, fixturing, tooling, and better routing can unlock capacity firstWhy lights-out manufacturing is often a better “second shift” than a manned oneHow bad processes duplicated at night only fail fasterThis episode is a must-listen for shop owners who are feeling maxed out, thinking about growth, and wondering whether second shift is the answer—or just a very expensive distraction.Because sometimes the capacity you need is already sitting inside your current shop...You just have not uncovered it yet.Subscribe to our weekly format: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays: Sales & Marketing 2nd & 4th Tuesdays: Operations & Engineering Joint episodes: Special industry deep-dives with Mike and KirkIf this episode helps, leave a review. It helps more shop owners find the show.

Your shop isn’t struggling because you’re too expensive.It might be struggling because you’re still pricing like you’re afraid.In this episode of the Machine Shop Growth Podcast, Mike Fritz breaks down one of the most dangerous habits in manufacturing:USING PRICE AS YOUR MAIN SALES STRATEGY.A lot of shops think lowering prices wins more work.But in reality, it often wins the wrong work.Mike shares why shops without a niche are forced to compete on price, how underpriced jobs quietly destroy your margins, and why “cheap work” can end up being the most expensive work you ever take on.Inside this episode, you’ll learn:Why a shop without a niche is always left arguing on priceHow bad pricing creates chaos, burnout, and cash flow pressureWhy quality and delivery matter more than being the cheapestHow to find your differentiator and attract better-fit customersWhy profitable growth starts with disciplined quotingAnd here’s the twist:One of Mike’s shops increased the price on a part by nearly 80%… and got the PO back almost immediately.That moment says a lot about what customers are really buying.If your shop is constantly busy but still feels squeezed, this episode will help you rethink pricing, quoting, and what it really takes to grow.Subscribe to our weekly format: Sales & Marketing — 1st & 3rd Tuesdays Operations & Engineering — 2nd & 4th Tuesdays Bonus joint episodes on 5th TuesdaysIf this episode helps, please leave a review—it helps more shop owners find the show.

The skilled labor shortage didn’t happen by accident.We built it.In this episode of the Machine Shop Growth Podcast, Kirk Phelps sits down with Andrew Skoog of Machinist X to unpack one of the hardest questions in manufacturing:How did we let the skilled machinist pipeline get this thin — and what do we do now?They dig into the real causes behind the shortage:offshoring and trade shiftsgenerational gaps in the shopgatekeeping of tribal knowledgenegative industry messagingpoor mentorship and broken career pathsBut this conversation doesn’t stop at the problem.It goes into what actually needs to change if manufacturing wants to win the next decade — from how we train and promote people, to how we talk about the trade, to why AI still won’t replace real machinists.You’ll also hear:why the “dying trade” narrative is dead wrongwhat separates operators from skilled machinistswhy effort and initiative still matter more than everhow collaboration may be the missing piece in rebuilding the workforceAnd here’s the twist:The shortage may actually create one of the best long-term opportunities this industry has seen in years… but only for the shops and people willing to adapt.If you care about the future of manufacturing, this is an episode you need to hear.

The Truth About Aerospace Work for Machine ShopsAerospace manufacturing is often seen as the ultimate growth opportunity for machine shops. Higher margins, better customers, and long-term contracts.But here’s the reality:Aerospace isn’t just another industry. It’s a completely different way of running your shop.In this episode of the Machine Shop Growth Podcast, Mike Fritz sits down with Dan Echternkamp of AeroGrowth to break down how machine shops can actually get into aerospace and defense work without overcomplicating the process or making costly mistakes.We cover:How to get aerospace work for your machine shopWhether you really need AS9100 certification to startWhy can many shops enter aerospace industry without 5-axis machiningThe difference between aerospace vs OEM marginsHow to build relationships with aerospace companiesThe importance of GD&T, inspection, and documentationWhy cash flow (not capability) is the biggest riskHow to grow into aerospace without overbuilding your businessIf you’re a machine shop owner, operator, or manufacturing leader looking to grow your business, increase margins, and break into aerospace machining or defense manufacturing, this episode gives you a clear and practical starting point.🎧 Listen now and learn how to position your shop for higher-value work.

Young people aren’t avoiding manufacturing because they hate it.Most of them simply don’t know it exists as a career path.In this episode of the Machine Shop Growth Podcast, Kirk Phelps sits down with Mike Franz of Shop Floor Coffee to explore why fewer young people are entering the manufacturing industry — and what shop owners can do to change that.They discuss the real reasons behind the talent gap and how awareness, community engagement, and leadership inside the shop all play a role in attracting the next generation of workers.You’ll learn:• Why manufacturing still struggles with outdated perceptions• How robotics competitions and STEM programs are feeding the future workforce• Why parents and teachers influence career decisions more than most people realize• How shop culture impacts whether young employees stay or leave• Why machine shops need to market to future workers — not just customersManufacturing offers incredible career opportunities.But if the next generation doesn’t see it, they’ll never choose it.Subscribe to our weekly format:Sales & Marketing (1st & 3rd Tuesdays)Operations & Engineering (2nd & 4th Tuesdays)Bonus joint episodes on 5th TuesdaysIf this episode helps, please leave a review — it helps more shop owners discover the show.

You don’t need more leads.You need the right customers.In this episode, Mike Fritz breaks down one of the most important strategic decisions you’ll ever make for your machine shop: defining your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP).Most shops call themselves “job shops” and try to serve everyone. The result?Price pressure.Clogged capacity.Inconsistent margins.Your ICP changes that.We cover how to:Identify your most profitable work using your last 50–100 jobsStop saying “we make stuff” and start positioning your shop strategicallyUse ICP to filter RFQs and protect your capacityAlign your marketing, hiring, quoting, and equipment decisions around the right customersAnd one of the biggest takeaways:Your biggest customer is not always your ideal customer.If you want clearer messaging, stronger margins, and a shop that grows intentionally instead of reactively — this episode is for you.Subscribe to our weekly format:Sales & Marketing (1st & 3rd Tuesdays)Operations & Engineering (2nd & 4th Tuesdays)Bonus joint episodes on 5th TuesdaysIf this episode helps, please leave a review — it helps more shop owners find the show.

Are you losing money on jobs in your machine shop without realizing it?In this episode of the Machine Shop Growth Podcast, Mike Fritz and Kirk Phelps break down how to identify and fix the 20% of machine shop jobs that quietly destroy your profit margin. From legacy pricing and inaccurate burden rates to poor payment terms and customer concentration risk, we unpack the real reasons job shops struggle with profitability.You’ll learn how to:Calculate your true machine shop burden rateIdentify unprofitable jobs using simple time studiesDecide when to blend margin vs. renegotiate pricingProtect cash flow from long payment termsStay the solution for your customer — even if you don’t machine the partMany manufacturing businesses think they have a sales problem. Often, they have a margin visibility problem.If you run a machine shop, job shop, or manufacturing business and want to improve profitability without sacrificing customer relationships, this episode gives you a clear, practical framework to follow.Because being busy isn’t the goal.Being profitable is.

You don’t have an OEE problem.You have a perfection problem.In this episode, Kirk Phelps breaks down Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and challenges one of the most ingrained beliefs in machining: that zero scrap equals a high-performing shop.We unpack Availability, Performance, and Quality—and explain how fear of scrap quietly kills throughput, adds downtime, and limits growth. This isn’t about being careless. It’s about understanding risk, planning for reality, and operating your shop like a system.You’ll learn how to:Rethink scrap as a byproduct of manufacturing—not a failure Identify how perfection erodes availability and throughput Use OEE to see where capacity is really being lost Apply standardization to reduce setup time and improve performance Balance quality with risk management instead of fearIf your shop is busy, clean, and still stuck, this episode will change how you think about OEE—and what “good” really looks like.Subscribe to our new 2026 weekly format:Sales & Marketing (1st & 3rd Tuesdays)Operations & Engineering (2nd & 4th Tuesdays)Bonus joint episodes on 5th TuesdaysIf this episode helps, please leave a review—it helps more shop owners find the show.

You don’t need more RFQs.You need a better sales system.In this episode, Mike Fritz sits down with Nick Goellner to break down what sales actually look like in manufacturing—and why most machine shops stall at the same revenue ceilings.We cover the real difference between marketing and sales, why prospecting is always important (but rarely urgent), and how to grow without hiring a sales team or chasing bad-fit customers.You’ll learn how to:Build a simple Top 10 target listProspect consistently without sounding salesyReduce customer concentration riskSell like a partner, not a job shopIf your shop is busy but not breaking through, this episode gives you a practical, repeatable approach to growth.Subscribe to our 2026 weekly format: Sales & Marketing (1st & 3rd Tuesdays) Operations & Engineering (2nd & 4th Tuesdays) Bonus joint episodes on 5th TuesdaysIf this episode helps, please leave a review—it helps more shop owners find the show.

You don’t need more machines.You need to stop wasting capacity.In this episode, Kirk Phelps breaks down why most shops misdiagnose growth problems and how operations—not sales—ultimately decide profitability. We dive deep into OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) and explain how availability, performance, and quality reveal hidden capacity, wasted margin, and smarter paths to growth.Learn how to:See where capacity is leaking inside your shopStop defaulting to “more people, more machines”Use OEE to guide smarter planning, budgeting, and reinvestmentGrow your bottom line before chasing top-line revenueIf you’re tired of being busy without getting ahead—and want a shop that’s profitable, disciplined, and intentional—this episode is for you.Subscribe to our new 2026 format: ✅ Sales & Marketing (1st & 3rd Tuesdays) ✅ Operations & Engineering (2nd & 4th Tuesdays) ✅ Bonus joint episodes on 5th TuesdaysIf this episode helps, please leave a quick review—it helps more shop owners find the show.

2026 isn’t about staying busy—it’s about winning on purpose.In this episode, Mike Fritz breaks down a simple, proven framework to grow your shop using Top Line, Bottom Line, and People. Learn how to clarify who your shop really is, cut loser parts, focus on winner work, and pull the lowest-effort, highest-impact levers for growth.If you want to break through plateaus like the $2M ceiling and build a shop that’s profitable, scalable, and intentional—this episode is for you.Subscribe to our new 2026 format: ✅ Sales/Marketing (1st & 3rd Tuesdays) ✅ Operations/Engineering (2nd & 4th Tuesdays) ✅ Bonus joint episodes on 5th TuesdaysIf this episode helps, please leave a quick review—it helps more shop owners find the show.

💡 “It’s not automation. It’s not another machine. It’s one thing that can touch EVERY part of your business.”This week, Mike sits down with Paul Van Metre of ProShop ERP to reveal the #1 system that impacts your shop’s top line, bottom line, and people.From replacing hours of manual tracking to discovering hidden profit leaks. This tool doesn’t just make you more efficient… it makes your entire business more valuable.Tune in to find out how one software born inside a job shop became the secret weapon for manufacturers everywhere.

What if your next big customer came with a whole shop attached?In this episode, Mike Fritz sits down with Mike Payne—shop owner, dealmaker, and host of By the Numbers- to pull back the curtain on how real machine shops grow through acquisitions.From understanding what makes a deal worth it to financing it without millions in the bank. This episode reveals the real-world strategies behind building an empire, one acquisition at a time.Tune in to learn how to avoid costly mistakes, find the right opportunities, and structure deals that actually make money.

Need a new operator yesterday? Or wondering if a recruiter’s worth the 20% fee?In today’s episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the messy, costly, and sometimes surprising world of hiring in machine shops. From sifting through 100+ job board resumes to building career ladders that keep people around, Mike and Kirk break down what really works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to finding good people.If you’ve ever asked, ‘Where do I even start?’… this episode might just change how you think about hiring.”

Hiring can make or break your shop’s growth, but how do you know when it’s the right move? 👀In this episode, Mike and Kirk share their playbook for spotting the signs that it’s time to hire… and the costly mistakes to avoid if you pull the trigger too early. Should you automate first? Push more overtime? Promote from within? Or make that big hire now?Listen in before you post that job ad—you might be looking at the problem all wrong.

How do you attract the next generation of machinists and inspectors?Here’s a hint: it’s not just about offering more money or better hours.In this episode, Mike and Kirk are joined by Nush Ahmed, a young quality inspector who’s making waves in the manufacturing world—not just on the shop floor, but online too. She shares what helped her stay in the industry, how leaders can better support young workers, and why shops need to rethink how they show up—physically, culturally, and digitally.We also dive into what it takes to bring more women into manufacturing—and help them thrive. From mentorship and visibility to updating environments and challenging outdated norms, this episode explores how to build a workplace where everyone feels like they belong.You’ll hear powerful insights about training, inclusion, curiosity, and how to build a culture that actually grows your people—not just expects them to figure it out.This is one of our most energizing episodes yet—tune in and see manufacturing through a fresh lens.

When is the right time to invest in new equipment—before the job is booked or after the PO lands? In this episode, Mike and Kirk are joined by Greg Knox of Knox Manufacturing Solutions to dig into the real decision-making struggles shop owners face every day.They cover the critical difference between buying for capacity vs. capability, why conservative vs. entrepreneurial mindsets approach machine buying differently, and how to use strategy—not guesswork—to guide growth. Greg shares hard-earned insights from 40+ years in the industry, including”How shops are doubling margin with better machine strategyWhy many shops plateau—and how to break throughHow automation and accessory upgrades can eliminate the need for a new machineWhen off-shifts actually cost more than they helpWhy machine investment isn’t just about parts—it’s about people, culture, and momentumWhether you're running a small shop or leading multiple facilities, this episode will challenge how you think about growth—and give you new tools to make smarter investments.

Episode 9: Growing Your Top LineWe’re closing out our 3-part growth series with a deep dive into one of the most asked questions in manufacturing: “How do I actually grow revenue?”In this episode, Mike Fritz and Kirk Phelps sit down with CSO Hank Westerkamp and CRO Steve Mazza to break down what’s really holding shops back from top-line growth—and how to fix it.You’ll learn:Why new customers aren’t always the best starting pointHow to develop outbound systems and inbound strategies that bring in steady leadsThe quoting habits that win (and lose) revenueHow follow-up and CRM systems drive predictable growthA real-world example of doubling throughput and revenue through smart relationship-buildingIf your shop feels stuck—or you’re ready to take the next leap—this episode lays out the roadmap to drive real, sustainable top-line results.

In Part 2 of our three-part growth series, Mike and Kirk tackle the essential—but often neglected—side of machine shop growth: improving your bottom line. Before chasing more revenue, it’s critical to plug the profit leaks that are silently eroding your business.From tooling waste and bloated staff structures to broken quoting systems and inefficient processes, this episode dives deep into real-world strategies to help you keep more of what you already earn.What you'll learn:Why better organization and tooling control can instantly save thousandsHow rethinking cycle times and throughput can double your marginsThe value of third-party engineering audits in uncovering hidden inefficienciesWhen to automate vs. optimize vs. outsourceHow mindset, data, and documentation play into long-term profitabilityWhether you’re running a high-mix job shop or a production-driven operation, this episode is packed with practical advice to make every dollar work harder—and stick around longer.

Episode 7: Growing Your People In this episode, Mike and Kirk shine a spotlight on the most powerful—and often untapped—driver of machine shop growth: your team. Kicking off a three-part series on scaling your business, they explore why developing people isn't optional, it's foundational.From floor operators to future leaders, they discuss how to identify growth potential, build clear progression paths, and overcome common mindset traps like fear of turnover or “doing it all yourself.” Packed with personal stories and proven frameworks, this episode will challenge the way you think about succession, culture, and leadership at every level of your shop.Because real growth doesn’t happen when you do more—it happens when your people do.

If you’ve been leveraging MEP programs for training, grants, or equipment purchases, there’s a chance that these benefits could be going away. Today, we’re talking about the potential changes to these programs, what it means for your shop, and how to prepare if these resources are no longer available.We’re resharing this important discussion from the Making Chips podcast to broaden the discussion and to ensure you’re up-to-date on the latest developments surrounding MEP funding and what it means for your business. It's crucial to understand how these changes could affect your shop and what steps you can take to stay ahead.Tune in to hear insights from the Making Chips team and learn more about the future of these programs.

Big question for shop owners: Where does growth actually start?In this value-packed episode, we bring together our full leadership team—Mike, Kirk, Steve, and Hank—for a high-impact discussion on what it really takes to grow a machine shop.From the shop floor to your inbox, growth opportunities are everywhere… but most owners feel overwhelmed about where to begin. Should you focus on sales? Marketing? Throughput? A new hire? A new machine?We break down the confusion and share a clear framework for identifying your starting point.✅ Learn why “quality and on-time delivery” won’t win you new work ✅ Discover how to uncover your real competitive differentiator ✅ Hear why a simple, clear website can be your #1 marketing tool ✅ Get practical SOPs that boost profit—and increase company value ✅ Learn how to shift your team's mindset from day-to-day to growth-drivenWhether you're just getting started or looking to scale efficiently, this episode will help you move forward with clarity.This is one of our most practical, no-fluff episodes to date—don’t miss it.

Exciting news – we've officially joined the Making Chips podcast family! In this debut episode, we dive into the transformative world of customer acquisition and share innovative strategies to expand your business without diluting quality.Join us as we explore proven tactics for engaging new customers effectively, while maintaining the loyalty of your existing base. We'll discuss how to identify the perfect customer profile, manage the costs associated with new customer acquisition, and why doubling down on quality can often yield better results than broadening your reach. This episode is packed with actionable insights from our experiences in managing multiple machine shops. Don't miss it!

In this episode, we're tackling the dynamic and challenging world of acquiring new customers. As the final installment of our three-part series on customer acquisition strategies, we focus on the most discussed yet misunderstood segment: new customer engagement. We'll break down why pursuing new customers isn't always necessary for growth and how, in some cases, it's possible to double business size without them. Join us as we share our firsthand strategies and insights from managing multiple machine shops, proving that quality often trumps quantity in customer portfolios. From crafting perfect customer profiles to understanding the real costs of new customer acquisition, this episode is packed with invaluable tactics for business owners aiming to expand their reach without compromising their core base. Dive into the conversation with us and discover how to strategically attract new customers and enhance your growth potential.

In this episode, we're diving into the often-overlooked but incredibly valuable topic of re-engaging dormant customers. After exploring how to grow current customer relationships in our previous episode, we're now shifting focus to those who've slipped away. We'll discuss why customers become dormant, how it's not always due to negative experiences, and the subtle art of re-engagement. You'll hear firsthand about the strategic approaches and real-life examples from our own experiences in reigniting these old flames. Whether you're looking to improve on-time delivery, uphold product quality, or navigate pricing changes, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you bring dormant customers back into the fold. Join us as we unpack the tools and tactics necessary to transform lost opportunities into revived partnerships.

The 3 Types of Customers. In Today’s episode of the Machine Shop Growth podcast Kirk Phelps and I talk about the 3 different types of customers.  This is going to be a 3 part series. This week we talk about the first (and most lucrative) customer to work with! Make sure you tune in and enjoy!

Here’s a question for you—are you running your shop, or is your shop running you?In this episode of the Machine Shop Growth Podcast, Kirk and I are diving into the 3 biggest challenges shop owners face—things most of us don’t even realize are slowing us down:1️⃣ Why trying to do it all might be your biggest mistake.2️⃣ How one simple change could completely transform your workflow.3️⃣ The surprising reason your shop down the road is growing faster (hint: it’s not their parts).We’re here to help you break out of the grind, grow your shop, and finally see the profits you’ve been working so hard for.🎧 Pilot Episode is live now—don’t miss it!