The Job Shop Show

Carla Mathiason of American Flexible Products

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.

Noah Graff: Used Machinery Dealer and Host of ”Swarfcast”

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." 

Purchasing a Job Shop

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. 

Bank Lending with Len Morrissey

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

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Program with Bill Berrien & Jason Luce

CMMC is vital for enhancing cybersecurity practices and securing sensitive information within the Department of Defense's supply chain. Its main focus is to set standardized security levels and certification requirements in place for organizations involved in DoD contracts. 

In this episode, Bill Berrien, owner and CEO of Pindel Global Precision and Liberty Precision, shares his first-hand experience implementing the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Also joining us is Jason Luce, Senior Vice President of Engineering Paperless Parts, responsible for ensuring Paperless Parts' customer data is protected per CMMC regulations.

 

The Pricing Series with Justin Quinn of Focused on Machining

In this episode of The Pricing Series, Jay Jacobs and Jeff Gorman are joined by Justin Quinn: President at Focused on Machining. Justin is a previous guest on the show and long-time customer of Paperless Parts.

Earlier this year at Paperless Parts' first-ever user conference, POWER 2023, Justin sat in on a presentation Jeff gave on the platform's Advanced Analytics. Lightbulbs went off, and Justin laid out his vision for a Pipeline Report. Jeff built the report for Justin, and within just a couple of weeks, Justin was able to make better decisions that drove his win rate up by 5%.

Listen as Justin shares why this Pipeline Report was so valuable and everything he walked away with as a result of the event that he wants to impart to others.

Resources

• Watch a snippet of Jeff's presentation at POWER 2023 East on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/SKd9sl9Ow0E

Brandon Lamoncha of Humtown Additive

How are 3D printed sand molds and cores changing the metal casting industry? Brandon Lamoncha is the Director of Additive Manufacturing at Humtown: an organization first established by Brandon's grandfather as a pattern shop in 1959 that has since grown to become the industry’s first conventional sand core and mold manufacturer to commercialize 3D sand printing. Humtown offers both conventional manufacturing (Humtown Products) and 3D printing (Humtown Additive), and they're consistently taking their knowledge of being a successful production shop to find unique ways to succeed with new technology. In this episode, Brandon shares his story of getting started in the business, how technology helps him successfully work remotely, tips for safe global shipping, the benefits of 3D printing over conventional methods, how Humtown optimizes their processes for efficiency, how they've dialed in their tolerances, and more.

To learn more, visit www.humtown.com.

 

Jesse Casto of BetterCNC

Jay sits down with Jesse Casto: owner of BetterCNC in Plano, TX. Spinning out of a legacy of machining, Jesse founded BetterCNC in 2021 on a mission to operate a new kind of machine shop; one that strives for continual improvement and never settles (hence the name "Better" CNC, and not "Best" CNC). In his conversation with Jay, Jesse shares how to get started with cash is a constraint, how he successfully uses tabbing as a machining methodology, and tons of other cool tips and tricks you may not have thought of that makes him more efficient and helps his shop grow. When it comes to the new generation of manufacturers, Jesse is leading the pack. If you're interested in learning more about continual improvement, efficiency, entrepreneurship, or innovation, you won't want to miss this. 

To learn more about BetterCNC, visit www.bettercnc.com.

 

Contact BetterCNC

1909 Platinum Street

Garland, TX 75042

972-836-8422

Mark Barglof of Kinetic Technologies

Mark Barglof is the President and owner of Kinetic Technologies, LLC: a design and fabrication shop just north of Algona, IA. After serving in the military and earning the U.S. Army Ranger Tab, Mark shifted career paths and dove into the world of manufacturing (he grew up the son of a job shop owner, so it wasn't his first rodeo). In this episode, Mark talks to Jay about what drove him to co-found SmartAg: the company that created the first commercially available aftermarket kit to turn a tractor into a fully autonomous vehicle. Mark also shares how Kinetic has evolved over the years, which technologies and people have been integral in their success, and how integrating robots and cobots can not only help drive quality and efficiency, but creative freedom and employee retention. If you're looking to learn more about entrepreneurship, Industry 4.0, and new ways to improve your shop, this episode is a must-listen.

 

Episode Links:

• Click here to see Mark's welding cobot in action
• Read Mark's article on robotic automation for Paperless Parts' blog, In the Shop

Rafal Gliwiak of Pro Fabricating

Rafal Gliwiak Owner at Pro Fabricating Machining and Welding joins us on this episode. Rafals journey embodies the entreprenurial spirit in America. He shares how he got started, obstacles to growth and how he's learning and improving everyday.