In this episode, I chat with Wesley Traumbauer of B&W Machine works. We examine what happens when a manufacturing business grows faster than the systems supporting it. As complexity increases, reliance on memory, informal communication, and disconnected tools creates friction that compounds daily. What once felt manageable begins to erode trust in schedules, delivery dates, and capacity, making even simple decisions heavier than they need to be.

When estimating, scheduling, purchasing, and quality exist in separate places, visibility disappears. Work-in-process grows, interruptions increase, and leadership is forced into reactive mode. The episode highlights how uncertainty, not workload, is often the real driver of stress inside a growing shop.

A central theme is the shift toward integrated systems and what that transition actually changes. Centralization doesn't eliminate problems, but it exposes them early and forces clarity. Data replaces assumptions. Accountability becomes visible. Decisions are made with confidence instead of instinct. The discussion reinforces that this shift is less about software and more about operational discipline.

Leadership and culture remain constant threads throughout. Systems only work when they are used consistently. Side spreadsheets, workarounds, and exceptions undermine trust and keep businesses stuck in chaos. Real transformation requires commitment, standardization, and a willingness to let the system surface uncomfortable truths.

The result is not slower work, but calmer work. Planning extends further into the future. Communication improves. Problems live in the system instead of in people's heads. The episode illustrates how structure creates resilience and why sustainable growth depends on visibility, process, and trust in the data. Make sure you give it a listen.

LinkedIn: Wesley Traumbauer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesley-trumbauer-a30953324/

B&W Machine Works Inc. - https://bandwmachine.com/

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When Cody Joy joined Ferrera Tooling Company in 2020, the shop was growing rapidly but struggling with chaotic systems. Scheduling relied on a single Google Sheet, paper travelers cluttered the floor, and quality records were scattered across uncontrolled spreadsheets. Twice-weekly meetings attempted to manage priorities, but inefficiencies threatened to stall the company's expansion into aerospace and space exploration.

Ferrera's leadership recognized the need for a paperless ERP solution. After considering building their own system, they adopted ProShop, which consolidated scheduling, inventory, serial number tracking, and estimating into one integrated platform. The transition eliminated redundant spreadsheets, improved traceability, and gave machinists confidence in their instructions and materials. This confidence translated directly into speed and throughput, reducing delays and boosting productivity.

Quality assurance, once a bottleneck, was transformed. Ferrera expanded from two to eight CMM machines, while ProShop scheduled inspections and integrated static checks to reduce cycle times. Parts no longer piled up waiting for inspection, and audits became smoother, with AS9100 reviews shortened from five days to two. Auditors praised ProShop's robustness, reinforcing customer trust in Ferrera's processes.

Culturally, ProShop became the backbone of Ferrera's operations. Cody, now Director of Systems and Process Engineering, emphasized how the system fostered accountability and teamwork, replacing endless meetings and email chains with a single source of truth. Employees embraced ownership, documenting setups with photos and detailed instructions, further strengthening the company's culture of continuous improvement.

On a personal level, Cody noted that while his hours remain long due to Ferrera's growth, his stress is far more manageable. ProShop allows problems to "live in the system" rather than in his head, reducing the burden he once carried home. He believes that without ProShop, Ferrera would have reverted to chaos, unable to sustain its current scale. Instead, the company now thrives with streamlined scheduling, robust quality control, and reliable traceability.

LinkedIn: Cody - https://www.linkedin.com/in/codyjoy/

Ferrera Tooling - https://www.ferreratooling.com/

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Faircloth Machine Shop's journey is one of remarkable transformation. Founded in the late 1960s as a manual machining operation, it was modernized under David Pannell, who joined in 1994 and helped transition the shop into CNC machining. By 2017, Faircloth adopted ProShop ERP, moving away from paper records and embracing digital systems that enabled growth into aerospace manufacturing.

ProShop proved pivotal, offering built-in AS9100 compliance and integrated tools for audits, documentation, and quality management. Though the shift was a cultural shock, it allowed Faircloth to expand from 10 employees to nearly 40, with advanced CNC, Swiss, and five-axis machines producing complex aerospace assemblies. Lessons in standardization and systematization became critical as the stakes grew higher with expensive equipment, and ProShop's tooling and inspection modules helped prevent costly mistakes while streamlining operations.

The company's success has also been defined by its people. David takes pride in hiring individuals with little experience and training them into skilled machinists and leaders. Employees like Brandon grew into pivotal roles, while mentors like Brian introduced systems that improved efficiency and quality. Even during crises, such as David's near-fatal accident in 2023, the staff kept the business running seamlessly, proving the strength of both the systems and the team.

Today, Faircloth Machine Shop stands as a testament to persistence and tenacity. From humble beginnings with manual equipment and paper records, it has evolved into a certified aerospace manufacturer with advanced technology and a strong workforce. David's philosophy is simple: never give up, adapt to change, and keep building systems that support growth. With ProShop as a trusted partner and a dedicated team, Faircloth has become a thriving business that sustains livelihoods and strengthens American manufacturing.

Email: Brandon B. McKinney - bmckinney@fairclothmachine.com.

LinkedIn: David Pannell - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-pannell-62431a68/

Faircloth Machine Shop - https://fairclothmachine.com

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