Machine Shop Mastery

著者： 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
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あらすじ・解説

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
マネジメント・リーダーシップ リーダーシップ 経済学
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エピソード
  • 75. I’ve Seen It All: From Apprentice to Cars, Rockets, Implants & Robots – Jim Cooney

    75. I’ve Seen It All: From Apprentice to Cars, Rockets, Implants & Robots – Jim Cooney
    2025/03/26
    How do you go from being the kid who couldn’t sit still in class to leading the machine shop for one of Elon Musk’s most ambitious ventures? In this gripping and often jaw-dropping episode, I sit down with Jim Cooney—Head of the Machine Shop at Neuralink—for a raw and refreshingly honest conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the unconventional road to mastery in machining. While Jim isn’t a shop owner (my usual guest profile), his story offers every bit of the leadership lessons, grit, and insight that Machine Shop Mastery is known for. From his humble beginnings as a high school co-op student in Canada, Jim details how a lack of direction became fuel for a deeply hands-on journey into the world of machining. With stories of brutal old-school shop cultures, tools thrown across the room, and managers who trained with tough love (and zero patience), Jim paints a vivid picture of how adversity shaped his technical excellence and emotional resilience. But what really sets this episode apart is Jim’s transition from traditional tool & die work to the heart of Silicon Valley innovation. His career path took him from automotive stamping in Ontario to leading critical manufacturing efforts at Tesla, Apollo Fusion, and now Neuralink. He shares what it’s like building high-stakes, high-tech parts under pressure—and how working insane hours during Tesla’s “production hell” made him sharper, faster, and more adaptable. If you want a peek into the mindset and muscle it takes to thrive in a fast-paced, bleeding-edge manufacturing environment—or you're looking for inspiration on how to grow through adversity—this episode delivers in spades. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… (0:00) Jim kicks off with a fun story about getting a missile export license(0:14) Why you should complete the Modern Machine Shops Top Shops Survey(1:42) Learn about Jim Cooney and his unique journey in manufacturing(4:35) Jim shares how struggling in school led him to discover machining(8:00) Stories from his early days in tough, old-school Canadian machine shops(10:44) Jim explains Canada’s apprenticeship system and earning his Red Seal(14:19) Jim’s first exposure to CNC and CAM at Massiv Die Form(20:04) Why Jim quit on the spot after being massively undervalued(22:13) How Jim moved into machining instruction at a college(25:46) How teaching machining and coaching hockey built his leadership skills(28:27) A surprise text leads Jim to Tesla during “production hell”(31:17) Wild stories from Tesla’s stamping department and nonstop chaos(34:21) Navigating the die process at Tesla (repair work)(38:15) Creating a game-changing apprenticeship program inside Tesla(40:41) Moving into the startup world with Apollo Fusion and later Astra(46:00) Facing burnout, broken promises, and the tough side of acquisitions(48:58) Quitting Astro and joining Neuralink the day he got his green card(51:49) Jim’s experience working at Neuralink (and their trajectory)(57:12) Jim’s process choosing the machinery they needed(1:00:15) Building and growing a team with a high standard of excellence(1:03:37) Skills to acquire if you aspire to be in leadership(1:06:33) Why you need to check out the Lights Out podcast Resources & People Mentioned Complete the Modern Machine Shops Top Shops SurveyTeslaNeuralink Connect with Jim Cooney Connect on LinkedIn 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 時間 7 分
  • 74. From Employee to Employer - Adam Zimmer from Zimmer Design & Manufacturing

    74. From Employee to Employer - Adam Zimmer from Zimmer Design & Manufacturing
    2025/03/12
    Have you ever thought about what it takes to make the leap from employee to employer in the machining world? In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I’m joined by Adam Zimmer, the founder of Zimmer Design & Manufacturing. Adam’s journey is a remarkable one—he went from working as a tool and die maker to owning and growing his own successful machine shop in just three years. What started as a one-person shop is now an operation with 11 employees, nine machines, and three shifts running. In our conversation, Adam reveals how he made this transition, from learning the ropes as an employee to becoming an employer and leader. Adam explains how he built a company culture based on trust and autonomy, while networking and community involvement played a key role in his success. He also highlights how strategic investments in technology, such as ERP systems and automation, have fueled his rapid growth. Adam also talks about the value of working with a business coach to refine his management and financial strategies. If you're considering making the jump from employee to employer, or simply looking for ways to scale your own machine shop, Adam’s insights into hiring, process optimization, and leadership are sure to inspire you. This episode offers practical lessons from a business owner who has experienced it all firsthand. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Adam’s transition from musician to machinist(3:53) How Adam started Zimmer Design & Manufacturing(7:06) Diving in and acquiring a business and customers(11:21) The importance of networking to grow your customer base(13:31) Building a company culture based on trust and autonomy(16:01) Delegation and leadership: Adam’s approach(18:25) Using technology and automation to scale the business(20:57) How Adam finds and hires the right people(26:21) Why you need to check out Buy the Numbers(28:14) How Adam builds trust with his team(35:41) Overcoming challenges in the early stages of growth(42:58) Adam’s strategic moves and biggest wins(45:37) Advice for new shop owners or those looking to scale their business(49:40) Why Adam decided to hire a business coach Resources & People Mentioned Zimmer Design & Manufacturing StoreAdam on Manufacturing Transformed DiSC® ProfileProShop ERP Connect with Adam Zimmer Zimmer Design & ManufacturingConnect with Adam on LinkedIn 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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    52 分
  • 73. A Recipe for Winning High-Volume Work - Marvin Rodriguez of True Precision Machining

    73. A Recipe for Winning High-Volume Work - Marvin Rodriguez of True Precision Machining
    2025/02/26
    What if understanding the true cost of every part you produce could be the key to scaling your machine shop? In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, Paul Van Metre is joined by Marvin Rodriguez from True Precision Machining to explore the strategies that have driven the company’s remarkable growth. Marvin shares his journey from starting with little formal education to leading a high-performance machine shop that blends cutting-edge technology with a deeply rooted commitment to craftsmanship. The conversation covers essential topics that all machine shop owners and managers should consider to scale their operations while ensuring quality and profitability. Marvin reveals how they use activity-based costing for accurate pricing, the importance of offering competitive yet fair quotes, and how to manage production shifts effectively. One of the key highlights of this episode is Marvin's discussion on how True Precision improved its profitability by understanding and adjusting their pricing models, not just for prototype work but also for high-volume production. He emphasizes the importance of paying attention to administrative and operational costs, which often get overlooked in traditional pricing models. They also delve into building a sustainable work culture, from offering six-figure salaries to top employees to providing clear communication and growth paths for all staff members. This approach has allowed True Precision to maintain quality while attracting and retaining top talent. Additionally, Marvin takes us through their innovative use of AI to streamline quoting and estimating processes, something that is transforming the way they handle administrative work. He talks about how automation and technology have enabled them to make smarter decisions, improve efficiency, and stay competitive in an ever-evolving manufacturing landscape. Whether you run a small shop or are looking to grow a larger operation, this episode offers invaluable insights into optimizing processes, building strong relationships with customers, and ensuring that your business can thrive for years to come. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Introduction to Marvin Rodriguez and True Precision Machining(2:48) Marvin’s journey into the machining industry and his experience in various shops(4:50) True Precision's evolution from 10 CNCs to 17 CNCs and 45 employees(8:19) Activity-based costing and how it improves the company's pricing structure(10:52) Operational efficiency and the benefits of running multiple shifts(15:02) How True Precision improved its customer relationships(18:07) Strategies for managing R&D and prototype jobs while scaling production(24:32) Converting customers from R&D to high-production orders (27:05) Improving on-time delivery with ProShop ERP(28:10) The challenges and rewards of adding multiple shifts(33:04) Building a positive shop culture by recognizing and supporting employees(37:04) The management metrics that True Precision prioritizes(40:04) How True Precision approaches sales and marketing(45:12) The importance of paying employees well and offering clear growth paths(48:14) Key takeaways for shop owners looking to grow their business Resources & People Mentioned ProShop ERP Connect with Marvin Rodriguez True 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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    54 分

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