Buy the Numbers

I don't have it all figured out...but I got a whole lot closer in 2024! James Michener said, "The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play. His labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him, he's always doing both." 🤯 💡 I remember reading this many years ago during a different phase of my career. It prompted me to make sure I was following my passion. So, the pursuit began! Looking at 2024, I feel I had a breakthrough year! 💪 I traveled 13 states, combining work and play with some hiking, fly-fishing, golfing, hunting, NASCAR, NFL and some beach time with my wife. 🎣🏌️♂️🏖️ Family milestones added to the adventure: a 21st birthday , a graduate degree, my daughter’s first home, and her engagement. We climbed a Colorado mountain I never thought I’d be able to do again, making my kids the 5th generation to do so in my family. 🏔️❤️ At the shop, we launched new projects, made significant capital investments, processed nearly 3,000 work orders, shipped nearly 100,000 parts, drilled in on a top level team, and added a few strategic new customers. Hill Manufacturing & Fabrication is now bigger, faster, and stronger than in our nearly 50-year history. 🏭💪 Rescued 18 dogs, recorded 42 podcasts, launched Buy the Numbers and attended industry shows like IMTS - International Manufacturing Technology Show and FABTECH Expo, meeting countless new #MFGLeaders and spending valuable time with old friends. 🎙️🐾🤝 It was not all fun and games...economic ups and downs, soured business deals, and personal losses all took their toll. Looking back it was clearly was all about the people I shared these experiences with: family, friends, partners, and peers. You all made this year incredible! Nick Goellner called it integration on a MakingChips episode over the summer. That is my goal. For my life to fuel my work, and my work to fuel my life. I don't guess I will ever fully Master the Art of Living, but the journey is a lot of fun! 🛤️🎉 Here’s to an amazing 2025! 🥃 🍺 🥂 Here's a group of people from the pics that played a part in making this a special year, but there are so many more I couldn't possibly hit everyone! (and LinkedIn told me no more) 👎 Paul Van Metre Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Matthew Nix Brett Thompson Corey Bartmier Rip L Van Winkle Tony Lang Hank Anglin Titan Gilroy Keith Granno Kylie Granno Tom Ritchie Steve Reibert Brock Martin Mike Franz Lindsey Nix Amy Teal Rhett Dawson Chris Luecke Megan Ziemba Mary Cecile Neville Hernan Ricaurte Greg McHale Michael Fritz Nicole Wolter Tony Gunn Nush Ahmed Jennifer Dubose Al Whatmough Manny P. Jace Dawson Bridgette Payne Madeline Payne Andrew Payne Benjamin Kim #MasteringTheArtOfLiving #WorkAndPlay #2025HereWeCome

👉 The debate around New Year’s resolutions is real 👇 Should you commit to change whenever it’s needed—or is the start of the year the perfect time to reflect and reset? Why not leverage this natural pause to evaluate where you’ve been and map out where you’re going? In our latest episode, we’re sharing resolutions that can drive real impact in both business and life: ⚙️ Mike is breaking down KPIs to align his entire team—from the receptionist to the CEO—around actionable goals that truly move the needle. ⚙️ Matthew reflects on how gratitude journaling and annual calendar audits have transformed how he prioritizes what matters most. ⚙️ Jason shares his approach to leading with intention through challenges and reveals his bold vision for 2025. ⚙️ Paul wraps up the conversation with some exciting news you won’t want to miss! What are your goals for 2025? Will you make any changes, or are you happy with your trajectory? Let us know 👇 Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Nick Goellner Mike Payne Matthew Nix Paul Van Metre Jennifer Dubose #MakingChips #BuyTheNumbers #LightsOut #MakingSparks #MachineShopMastery #AtTheBoringBar #MetalworkingNation #ManufaturingLeader

I was there when we recorded this and still learned a ton when listening this morning! 🎧 This was a fun MakingChips to record. We talked about some of our "resolutions" or, better defined, "goals" for 2025. 🎯 I think you'll find a lot of valuable tips you can adapt or adopt for your business! 💡 1️⃣ Aligning KPIs to your goals 📊 2️⃣ Focusing on gratitude 🙏 3️⃣ Auditing your calendar 📅 4️⃣ Transitioning from Manager/Leader to Leader/Owner 👥 5️⃣ Spending time with your All-Stars ⭐ 6️⃣ Some HUGE news from Paul Van Metre and ProShop ERP 🚀 Give this a listen—I am certain you'll learn something you can use! 🎙️ #BusinessGoals #2025Resolutions #Leadership #Productivity MakingChips MakingSparks Buy the Numbers Machine Shop Mastery Lights Out Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Paul Van Metre Nick Goellner Matthew Nix Casey Voelker Jennifer Dubose

🤔How many of your people will stay late on a Friday to take out the trash…without being asked? I’ve talked before about our high school intern, Rhett, and how hardworking and sharp he is. 💪 But let me brag on him again. Late Friday, when everyone else had left, Rhett popped his head into my office and asked if I was staying long enough for him to empty all the trash bins in the shop. 🗑️ Why? Because while he was upgrading some IT equipment and lighting in the shop he noticed the guy who usually does it on Fridays had forgotten. This wasn’t his job, it wasn’t on his to-do list, and nobody would have had 2 thoughts about it...it was simply something he noticed and took ownership of without being asked. 🙌 Rhett’s initiative and attitude are the qualities that will make him successful in life, whatever he decides to do: ✅ Seeing what needs to be done and just doing it. ✅ Taking pride in the work, no matter how small. ✅ Always striving to make a positive impact. That describes Rhett, and we’re lucky to have him on our team. 👏 I’d like to think our culture at Hill Manufacturing & Fabrication has helped instill some of these life lessons, but I think in his case he might be teaching us. PS...I love that he is wearing his Powered by ProShop ERP shirt that Paul Van Metre gave him at IMTS - International Manufacturing Technology Show How do you recognize and nurture young talent in your shop? Let’s hear it!👇 #Manufacturing #WorkEthic #YoungTalent #MFGLeader #MetalworkingNation #MakingChips Jace Dawson Brett Thompson Corey Bartmier Tony Lang Rip L Van Winkle

Can you be successful if your “plan” is not successful?🤔 Yesterday, I received an incredibly gracious email from an entrepreneur who thanked me and a few others for guiding him as he transitioned from the corporate world to business ownership. Thing is, his journey has not taken shape according to his plans but has just as big potential with opportunity he never planned for. 🎉 His journey isn’t all that unique. When stepping into ownership, it’s easy to get laser-focused on what you believe will work. However, success can come from opportunities you hadn’t initially planned for. You need to thrive with perseverance and adaptability.💫 Here’s a few ways you can keep your mind open to the unknown. 🔍 Stay Curious → Keep learning about emerging trends and technologies. This is why shows like IMTS - International Manufacturing Technology Show and podcasts like MakingChips are so important! 👂 Listen to Feedback → Your clients, employees, and even competitors can offer valuable insights. 🧪 Experiment → Try new strategies or products. Some of my best business decisions have come from unexpected places. 🤝 Network → Surround yourself with diverse thinkers. The entrepreneur who reached out did just that by seeking advice from various mentors. 🧘 Assess Regularly → Set aside time to see what’s working and what’s not. I’ve never been on a path to success that was smooth. Embrace the challenges, they might lead you to your next big opportunity.🚀 💬 What’s been your biggest reality check in your journey? Share your story in the comments! 👇 #BuyTheNumbers #GrowingValue #DataDrivenDecisions #NumbersMatter #MFGLeader #MakingChips Buy the Numbers MakingChips MakingSparks Machine Shop Mastery Lights Out Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Nick Goellner Paul Van Metre Matthew Nix Casey Voelker Jennifer Dubose

EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all about it! Mark Cuban is wildly out of touch with reality. 🙄🗞️ Mark Cuban made the post below on X yesterday. He says skilled trades will be replaced by robots within 25 years. 🤖 With all due respect, Cuban is out of touch with reality. 🙄 Automation and AI may change how we work, but they won’t replace the creativity, adaptability, and expertise of skilled professionals. It’s not robots or AI replacing jobs, it’s people who know how to use AI and automation effectively, like any other tool in the toolbox, that will thrive. 🛠️ Wonder if he’s someone that would have argued that using a computer to go to space will replace engineers because we don’t need a slide rule to go to the moon anymore? 🚀 Skilled trades and manufacturing will always require problem-solving and precision that machines simply can’t replicate. It's not about replacing humans with machines. It's about humans using machines to do amazing things! What do you think, #MetalworkingNation? Is Cuban right, or is he missing the bigger picture about the value of skilled work? Let’s hear your thoughts!👇 #Manufacturing #Automation #SkilledTrades #AI #FutureOfWork #GrowingValue #DataDrivenDecisions #NumbersMatter #MFGLeader #MakingChips

Ring our bell! 🔔

Merry Christmas from Buy the Numbers! 🎄🎙️ As the year wraps up, we want to take a moment to thank all of you for tuning in, supporting, and sharing this journey with us! Your engagement fuels us to dive into the numbers that drive success and growth in manufacturing and beyond. Whether you’re at the shop or at home by the tree, we wish you moments of joy, time with loved ones, and opportunities to reflect on the blessings of the year. Here’s to another year of growth, learning, and community together! Merry Christmas 🎄 🎅 ✝️ #MerryChristmas #GrowingValue #DataDrivenDecisions #NumbersMatter #MFGLeader #MakingChips MakingChips MakingSparks Machine Shop Mastery Lights Out Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Nick Goellner Paul Van Metre Matthew Nix Casey Voelker Jennifer Dubose

Merry Christmas from Buy the Numbers! 🎄🎙️ As the year wraps up, we want to take a moment to thank all of you for tuning in, supporting, and sharing this journey with us! Your engagement fuels us to dive into the numbers that drive success and growth in manufacturing and beyond. Whether you’re at the shop or at home by the tree, we wish you moments of joy, time with loved ones, and opportunities to reflect on the blessings of the year. Here’s to another year of growth, learning, and community together! Merry Christmas 🎄 🎅 ✝️ #MerryChristmas #GrowingValue #DataDrivenDecisions #NumbersMatter #MFGLeader #MakingChips MakingChips MakingSparks Machine Shop Mastery Lights Out Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Nick Goellner Paul Van Metre Matthew Nix Casey Voelker Jennifer Dubose

Can you spot the difference? 🔍 Which picture looks more like your shop, or your expectations? 🤔 It is well established and often discussed that one of the root causes of the labor gap is the image manufacturing has had for a long time. So, I tried a little experiment 🔬 Image one AI prompt: “Create an image of Santa in a CNC shop” Image two AI prompt: “Create an image of Santa in a CNC shop that is modern and has implemented advanced manufacturing, automation, etc. “ The difference seemed stark to me. Most days, maybe not all, I am proud to say Hill Manufacturing & Fabrication looks more like image 2. And in my experience, I see a lot more shops that resemble image two than image one. Notice Santa even looks happier in the 2nd photo? 🎅 Image is clearly a problem...even with AI. What can we do to shift this perception? 1️⃣ Showcase Modern Tech → Highlight the use of automation and advanced machinery in your operations. 🚀 (Shoutout to the entire crew at TITANS of CNC MACHINING 2️⃣ Promote Skill Development → Emphasize the opportunities for learning and growth within the industry. 📚 (Shoutout to Titan Gilroy) 3️⃣ Share Success Stories → Tell stories of innovation and progress in manufacturing. 🌟(Shoutout to all my MakingChips buddies and the other amazing podcasts advocating the #MetalworkingNation week in and week out!) 4️⃣ Engage with Youth → Partner with schools to introduce students to modern manufacturing. 👩🏫(Shoutout to Gabriel Kooyers) 5️⃣ Leverage Social Media → Use platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, X, etc to share real-time updates and insights. 💻 (Shoutout to Nush Ahmed!) And shoutout to hundreds more, these were just the first people that popped in my head as I typed those. There is such a lively community working to promote and advocate for the #MetalworkingNation that it would be impossible to hit them all! To bridge the labor/skills gap (or the productivity gap as my friend Al Whatmough describes), we must continue to actively change the discussion around manufacturing...and maybe we need to teach AI what we do too! Let’s paint a new picture of this industry. 🎨 Merry Christmas! 🎄 #BuyTheNumbers #DataDrivenDecisions #NumbersMatter #MFGLeader #MakingChips MakingChips MakingSparks Machine Shop Mastery Lights Out Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Nick Goellner Paul Van Metre Matthew Nix Casey Voelker Jennifer Dubose