Machine Shop Mastery Podcast Por Paul Van Metre arte de portada

Machine Shop Mastery

Machine Shop Mastery

De: Paul Van Metre
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The Machine Shop Mastery Podcast helps to elevate the importance of the machine shop industry and reveal the secrets of success for machine shops, to inspire other shop owners or would-be shop owners to follow their passions, start and grow their shops to be an economic driver for our economy and their stakeholders.© 2025 Machine Shop Mastery Economía Gestión y Liderazgo Liderazgo
Episodios
  • 107. How to Buy a Machine Shop Well: Nik and Aaron with Mahler Machining

    107. How to Buy a Machine Shop Well: Nik and Aaron with Mahler Machining
    Mar 11 2026
    Buying a machine shop from the outside can sound intimidating. For Nik and Aaron of Mahler Machining, it was also an opportunity. In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, Paul sits down with the two partners who acquired a precision machining business in Vancouver, British Columbia after spending nearly a decade in corporate finance and private equity. Instead of continuing to advise businesses from the outside, they decided to own and operate one themselves. Their search led them to manufacturing, and ultimately to Mahler Machining, a shop they believed had the foundation to grow into something much larger. What makes this conversation especially valuable is the playbook they share for buying a machine shop the right way. From structuring the deal with the retiring owners, to spending their entire first year on the shop floor learning the business, to intentionally investing in culture, systems, and leadership, Nik and Aaron walk through how they approached the transition. Their story shows how disciplined operators from outside the industry can successfully step into manufacturing ownership while earning the trust of the team already in place. Since acquiring the business, they've implemented major operational improvements, including adding a third shift, investing in new equipment, building a formal sales engine, implementing ERP, and even completing a tuck-in acquisition of another small shop. The result has been consistent growth while laying the groundwork for entry into aerospace and defense markets. For anyone thinking about buying a machine shop, scaling one beyond the typical owner-operator ceiling, or preparing their own shop for acquisition someday, this episode provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at how thoughtful operators approach the process. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:51) Paul introduces Nik and Aaron from Mahler Machining and explains why their acquisition story matters for the future of the industry(3:29) Growing up together, careers in corporate finance, and the decision to pursue business ownership(6:25) Why manufacturing and precision machining stood out as the right industry to enter(9:50) Structuring the acquisition and navigating the transition(12:25) Why we love SMW Autoblok for workholding(13:12) Learning the business, early operational improvements, and plans for long-term growth(19:21) Why diversification across industries and customers is critical to reduce risk(21:30) Building a disciplined sales engine using CRM, metrics, and persistence(23:58) Developing machinists through partnerships with technical colleges and apprenticeship programs(27:31) Shifting company culture toward learning, psychological safety, and clearly defined core values(31:23) Operational improvements including quality control upgrades and stronger sales efforts(34:47) Grow your top and bottom line with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA)(35:28) Managing change and helping employees adapt to ERP implementation(38:35) Recruiting challenges and building the next generation of machinists(41:20) The unforgettable first day of ownership…(42:32) Investing ahead of growth and building a leadership team for scale(47:12) Integrating employees after acquiring another shop(48:21) Advice for future buyers: go slow in year one so you can move faster later(49:26) Why they remain bullish on the long-term future of precision machining(53:47) Join us at IMTS 2026 in Chicago! Resources & People Mentioned The Gap and the GainSMW AutoblokJoin us at IMTS 2026 in Chicago! CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) Connect with Nik and Aaron with Mahler Machining Mahler MachineNik PaukkunenAaron Kennedy Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The websiteLinkedInYouTubeInstagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify
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    55 m
  • 106. Building Craftsmen with Character with Dave Hataj from Edgerton Gear

    106. Building Craftsmen with Character with Dave Hataj from Edgerton Gear
    Mar 4 2026
    In this deeply personal and powerful episode of Machine Shop Mastery, Paul sits down with Dave Hataj, third-generation leader of Edgerton Gear in Wisconsin. What begins as a conversation about a custom gear job shop quickly unfolds into something much larger — a story about culture change, humility, sabotage, burnout, mentorship, and the responsibility manufacturers carry in shaping the next generation. When Dave returned to his family's shop in the early 1990s, he walked into a deeply dysfunctional environment. Alcohol flowed freely in the lunchroom. Leadership was fragmented. Trust was thin. When he began making changes, the resistance was immediate and intense — including internal sabotage from senior employees and the loss of key team members. What followed was years of long hours, strained relationships, and hard-earned lessons about leadership and character. Instead of doubling down on control, Dave made a different choice. He committed to building a culture centered on humility, trust, mentorship, and service. Over time, that commitment reshaped not only Edgerton Gear but also his vision for workforce development. Out of that journey came Craftsman with Character — a program that connects high school students with real manufacturers while intentionally developing virtues like responsibility, purpose, teachability, and excellence. What started as a local experiment in one Wisconsin community has expanded across multiple states and reached hundreds of students. This episode explores how character-driven leadership can create both cultural transformation and business growth — and why manufacturing may be one of the most powerful vehicles we have to restore dignity, purpose, and opportunity in our communities. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Introduction to Dave Hataj and Edgerton Gear(3:52) Edgerton Gear today: custom gear capabilities and industries served(4:54) The origin story: how Dave's parents started the company in 1962(10:09) Get a free list of opportunities in your industry from FacturMFG.com/chips(12:00) Returning to a toxic culture, beginning transformation, and rebuilding(16:01) The personal toll of leadership and lessons from burnout(19:37) Why humility became the defining hiring trait(23:25) Studying character: The doctoral work that shaped Dave's philosophy(29:14) Why you need to use Hire MFG Leaders(29:43) The launch of Craftsman with Character(35:17) How the program works: job shadowing paired with character development(39:40) Expanding the model nationally with U.S. Navy support(41:46) Transitioning from grant funding to a sustainable model(43:37) Building a mentoring culture inside Edgerton Gear(46:05) How ProShop ERP can help you achieve on-time delivery(47:01) The profitability impact of servant leadership and community investment(52:14) Radical rest, health struggles, and long-term sustainability(55:56) Why blue-collar businesses are foundational to civilization(1:00:36) Purpose and relationships as the foundation of a meaningful life(2:03:22) Succession planning and passing leadership to the next generation Resources & People Mentioned Becoming Good by David Gill78. The Power of Being Mission Driven – Court Durkalski of Truline IndustriesGet a free list of opportunities in your industry from FacturMFG.com/chipsWhy you need to use Hire MFG LeadersHow ProShop ERP can help you achieve on-time delivery Connect with Dave Hataj CWCharacter.orgEdgertonGear.comDaveHataj.comGood Work: How Blue Collar Business Can Change Lives, Communities, and the WorldThe Craftsman's Code: A Blueprint for Building a Meaningful Life and an Enduring Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The websiteLinkedInYouTubeInstagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify Audio Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK
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    1 h y 4 m
  • 105. Making Racecars and Chips: Going all in on machining with TKO Precision Machining

    105. Making Racecars and Chips: Going all in on machining with TKO Precision Machining
    Feb 25 2026
    What happens when a high-performance race shop decides to jump into aerospace and defense manufacturing — and goes all in? In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I sit down with Marty Moran of TKO Precision Machining and TKO Motorsports in Reno, Nevada. What started in 2008 as a motorsports-focused shop building custom race cars and high-end components evolved into a serious aerospace and defense manufacturing operation about eight years ago. Marty shares how the team leveraged deep motorsports and aerospace experience to enter defense manufacturing, earn AS9100 certification, and build a thriving 15-machine shop. But what stands out most isn't just their growth — it's their culture. Communication is constant. Training is intentional. Hiring is rigorous. And everyone is expected to succeed. We talk about workforce development, cross-training machinists into race crew roles, the realities of AS9100 compliance, building depth through mentorship, and the painful ERP lesson that ultimately led them to ProShop. Marty also shares why aerospace certification doesn't just open doors — it makes you a better shop. If you're trying to build a resilient, team-driven shop in today's manufacturing environment, this conversation is packed with insight. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Introducing Marty Moran and the origins of TKO Motorsports(2:18) How the business evolved from a race shop into contract machining(4:02) Launching TKO Precision Machining as a focused aerospace operation(6:05) Current shop size, equipment mix, and aerospace capabilities(9:40) How the motorsports division operates alongside contract machining(14:35) Integrating machinists into race team operations(19:10) Breaking into aerospace and defense manufacturing(22:40) Starting with prototype work to build long-term customers(25:05) Navigating ITAR and NIST 800-171 compliance(29:20) Revenue diversification between motorsports and defense work(32:05) Building culture through cross-training and accountability(36:10) Hiring philosophy and what TKO looks for in new employees(41:20) Peer-driven hiring process and extended evaluation periods(45:00) Developing operators into machinists through internal training(48:55) Measuring spindle utilization and operational efficiency(52:05) Communication rhythm and leadership accessibility(54:30) Lessons learned from ERP implementation and systems discipline(56:20) Advice for smaller shops on training, retention, and culture(58:00) Final reflections on teamwork and what's next for TKO Resources & People Mentioned Grow your top and bottom-line with CliftonLarsonAllenWhy we love SMW Autoblok for workholdingMark your calendars and come see us at IMTS 2026 Connect with Marty Moran Connect on LinkedInTKO Precision Machining Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The websiteLinkedInYouTubeInstagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify Audio Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK
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    59 m
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Hello! I feel honored to be the first person to rate this podcast. The host is very inclusive and I find that VERY COOL since I am a female starting off in a field very dominated by men. The biggest takeaway I have learned so far from this podcast is to never stop learning new things. I didn't realize that even people who have been in Machinery for decades still need to keep learning and that learning something new is intimidating for even them! Thanks so much for this podcast and I wish you all the best in future episodes. Keep it coming !

Just starting out.

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