Manufacturing Transformed: Real Shops, Real Stories Podcast Por Paul Van Metre arte de portada

Manufacturing Transformed: Real Shops, Real Stories

Manufacturing Transformed: Real Shops, Real Stories

De: Paul Van Metre
Escúchala gratis

OFERTA POR TIEMPO LIMITADO. Obtén 3 meses por US$0.99 al mes. Obtén esta oferta.
In the bustling world of manufacturing and machining, efficiency and precision are key. The Manufacturing Transformed podcast is your peek into how companies benefit from being #PoweredByProShop.© 2025 Manufacturing Transformed: Real Shops, Real Stories Política y Gobierno
Episodios
  • 39: Driving Excellence and Growth with Jeff Justesen of Oakdale Precision
    Oct 1 2025

    Oakdale Precision, a manufacturing company, transformed after adopting Pro Shop ERP. Previously reliant on a homegrown software system and tools like spreadsheets, whiteboards, and scattered network drives, the company faced challenges in scheduling, quality control, and tribal knowledge transfer. As the company grew, these limitations became unsustainable, prompting leadership to seek a more structured solution.

    Jeff Justesen tells how the transition to Pro Shop was facilitated with onboarding across departments. Floor staff quickly adapted to basic functions like scheduling and clocking in/out, while deeper features such as operation components and part check info were gradually adopted. A phased rollout allowed Oakdale to maintain customer continuity while shifting new work orders into the new system.

    One of the greatest improvements was in lead time reduction. In 2022, the average time from work order creation to shipment was 4.3 weeks; by 2024, it had dropped to 2.7 weeks. This gain was attributed to parallel processing, better scheduling, and proactive quality planning. The ability to move jobs between machines, track tooling, and communicate across departments created a more responsive operation.

    The software also strengthened collaboration between office and shop floor teams. Messaging tools, process development modules, and structured feedback loops gave machinists and logistics staff a voice in continuous improvement. Employees now feel connected, and hiring has become easier thanks to the clarity Pro Shop brings to onboarding and training.

    Pro Shop allowed Oakdale’s management to shift focus to strategic growth. Instead of patching recurring issues, they now concentrate on market expansion, customer relationships, and long-term planning. The system’s ability to capture tribal knowledge and standardize best practices has been critical in preserving expertise and preparing for generational transitions. With over 100 machines and just 65 employees, Oakdale now runs lights-out manufacturing across multiple shifts, maximizing output with minimal staffing.

    Jeff credits Pro Shop with enabling their evolution from a paper-driven shop to a data-driven operation. The ERP system has become the backbone of their business, supporting everything from quoting and scheduling to inspection and training. As they continue to grow and diversify, Oakdale sees Pro Shop not just as a tool but as a strategic partner in building the future of precision manufacturing.

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-justesen-792049b6/

    Email - Jeff Justesen: jj@oakdaleprecision.com

    Oakdale Precision, Inc. - https://oakdaleprecision.com


    Audio and Video Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK

    Más Menos
    58 m
  • 38: From Job Shop to OEM Manufacturer with Matt from Rise Armament
    Sep 17 2025

    Matt Torres is the Founder of Rise Armament, a company that manufactures drop-in triggers, rifles, and other firearm accessories. Rise Armament was founded in 2012 as a job shop specializing in contract work for the oil and gas, as well as aerospace industries. Around 2014 or 2015, Matt began designing a drop-in trigger as a side project, driven more by personal interest than business intent.

    However, when the oil market collapsed in late 2015, the company pivoted fully into firearms manufacturing, launching its own product line under the Rise Armament brand. By 2016, they had phased out contract work entirely and focused exclusively on producing their own products. Since then, the company has experienced steady growth, now employing around 53 people, including 30 in manufacturing. Matt shares how his background as a manufacturing engineer and his desire to build something meaningful led him to entrepreneurship.

    He once believed that philanthropy would only be possible after achieving financial success, but he soon realized that even while scaling a business, there were ways to make a difference. With many veterans on their team, Rise Armament began supporting organizations like Folds of Honor, Wounded Warrior Project, and Equal Ops. Altruism became one of their core company values.

    Throughout the conversation, Matt reflects on the challenges of transitioning from contract work to brand ownership, the pros and cons of each model, and the importance of staying mission-focused. The company’s core values, originally based on Matt’s personal beliefs, evolved through team input and now actively guide hiring and performance reviews, reinforcing culture and accountability.

    He also highlights the value of business coaching and mentorship, noting that readiness to accept feedback is crucial for growth. He also discusses the role of ProShop software in helping manage growth and operations. Matt explains how the team evolved from relying on informal knowledge and instinct to operating through systems and data, enabling more consistent execution and faster decision-making.

    He stresses that ProShop is not just a transactional ERP but a full business system tailored for manufacturers. By embedding quality management, training, and process visibility into daily work, it served as a scalable playbook for the company’s growth.

    LinkedIn: Matt Torres - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewttorres/

    Instagram: Matt Torres - https://www.instagram.com/matttorresrise/

    RISE Armament | Drop-In Triggers, Firearms & AR Parts - https://risearmament.com/


    Audio and Video Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK

    Más Menos
    45 m
  • 37: The 3rd Generation Takes the Reigns at Gurecky Manufacturing
    Sep 3 2025

    Gurecky Manufacturing, a third-generation family-owned machine shop, has evolved from humble beginnings in a garage to a 42,000-square-foot facility with over 60 employees.

    Founded in 1983 by Kellen Montpetit’s grandfather, the company has long served the oil and gas sector, though recent efforts aim to diversify into aerospace and other industries.

    Kellen, now part of the ownership group, and Andrew Sulak, a longtime employee who feels like family, share their journey of modernizing the business while preserving its legacy.

    Despite its size and complexity, the company maintains a close-knit culture, with many employees wearing multiple hats and contributing across departments.

    Kellen and Drew both came from non-manufacturing backgrounds but found their place in the business through a mix of opportunity, burnout, and a desire for stability.

    A major turning point came with the decision to implement ProShop ERP. The previous system was paper-heavy, lacked quality management integration, and couldn’t support remote access.

    ProShop changed all that, streamlining tasks, improving traceability, and enabling digital operations. The transition was challenging but ultimately freed up the team to focus on strategic growth.

    Quoting and estimating have also become more strategic. The post-COVID landscape has thinned out local competition, increasing demand and forcing Gurecky to handle more work in-house.

    Their “first in, first out” philosophy ensures fairness and reliability, and their commitment to on-time delivery remains strong. Customer relationships have deepened thanks to ProShop’s transparency.

    Clients are impressed by the system’s accessibility and real-time data, which helps resolve discrepancies and build trust. The ERP system has become the foundation for future growth. The shift to ProShop also sparked a cultural transformation.

    Transparency and collaboration have increased, bridging the gap between the shop floor and the front office. Veteran machinists, initially resistant to change, have slowly embraced the system, especially as they see their feedback valued and documented through process development tools.

    Younger employees, more accustomed to digital systems, adapted quickly. The team now feels more unified, with clearer communication and shared goals. Ultimately, Gurecky Manufacturing’s journey reflects the power of thoughtful modernization.

    By blending legacy values with cutting-edge tools, they’ve positioned themselves for continued success, being ready to pass the torch to the next generation while staying true to the principles that built the business.

    LinkedIn: Kellen Montpetit - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellen-montpetit-8a363097/

    LinkedIn: Andrew Sulak - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-sulak-a076a9b7/

    Gurecky Manufacturing - https://www.gurecky.com

    Audio and Video Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK

    Más Menos
    1 h y 13 m
Todavía no hay opiniones