Lights Out

💰 Are You Leaving Money on the Table? 🚨 I assure you...you are, and it's costing you huge! 💸 Episode 8 of Buy the Numbers# is out today, and we’re talking about manufacturing grants. If you’re not exploring manufacturing grants, you’re missing out on tens...maybe even hundreds of thousands of dollars that could fund your growth. 💸 🎙 Featuring Micki Vandeloo, who has helped manufacturers secure over $185M in funding, this episode covers: #️⃣ How to find and secure grants to fund equipment, workforce training, and innovation. #️⃣ Practical tips for stacking multiple grants to lower project costs. #️⃣ Why a well-defined project is key to unlocking these opportunities. I spent years unaware of how impactful grants could be for manufacturers. Now, they’re a game-changer for funding new projects and equipment at Hill Manufacturing & Fabrication. 💡 Don’t let free money pass you by. 🎧 Listen now and start building your grant strategy today. #GrowingValue #DataDrivenDecisions #NumbersMatter #MFGLeader #MakingChips MakingChips, MakingSparks, Machine Shop Mastery, Lights Out, Nick Goellner, Paul Van Metre, Matthew Nix, Casey Voelker, Jennifer Dubose

Meet Greg McArthur, founder of NTL Industries Inc. , a CNC precision machining shop in Sterling Heights, MI. His journey started as a kid sweeping floors in his dad’s machine shop, and now he’s leading a thriving business with his wife Shelley McArthur specializing in defense, aerospace, agriculture, and automation. 🛠️ Here’s the kicker: Greg credits much of NTL’s growth to social media. Inspired by GaryVee, Greg embraced platforms like LinkedIn from day one to showcase their work, build trust, and attract new clients. His mantra? If you’re not promoting yourself every single day, people will forget you. Today, NTL is moving into a cutting-edge, 13,000-square-foot facility, continuing to build its reputation as a marketing-driven, customer-focused company. 💪 🎧 In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, Greg shares: ➡️ How social media transformed NTL’s business ➡️ His path from garage startup to a full-fledged team ➡️ Practical advice for young entrepreneurs ➡️ Insights on navigating challenges like labor shortages ✨ Whether you're looking to grow your shop, diversify your services, or use social media as a free marketing tool, this episode is packed with wisdom. 👉 Listen to the whole episode: https://lnkd.in/eRvRdKWQ 📽️ Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eFUEQVPn 💬 What’s your go-to social media tip for promoting your business? Let us know in the comments! Paul Van Metre Mike Payne Nick Goellner Jennifer Dubose #MachineShopMastery #MakingChips #Manufacturing #MetalworkingNation

Struggling to stay ahead in today’s manufacturing world? The key to thriving in 2025 isn’t just hard work...it’s smart strategy. 💡 Leslie Boyd and CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) are bringing tons of useful info to the #MetalworkingNation...2 days in a row now! 👏 🚀 Manufacturing Outlook: 5 Key Strategies for Success in 2025 1️⃣ Focus on Profitability: Dive into your P&L to identify cost savings and prioritize your most profitable customers. 2️⃣ Automate for Efficiency: With labor shortages and rising costs, automation isn’t optional anymore. 3️⃣ Invest in your team: Technology is only as effective as the people using it. Invest in training to empower your team. 4️⃣ Bolster Cybersecurity: As smart manufacturing expand, so do attacks. Protect your business with security plans. 5️⃣ Maximize Tax Savings: Don’t leave money on the table...take advantage of tax credits and incentives for workforce development and capital investments. Paul Van Metre and I literally touched on 3 of these topics on recordings today! These are the exact strategies we’re tackling on MakingChips, Machine Shop Mastery, Lights Out and Buy the Numbers# to help manufacturers succeed in 2025. Check out this article and tune in for actionable insights! 🎧 #GrowingValue #DataDrivenDecisions #NumbersMatter #MFGLeader #MakingChips MakingSparks, Nick Goellner, Paul Van Metre, Matthew Nix, Casey Voelker, Jennifer Dubose https://lnkd.in/ggdJCc_u

What TikTok Raw Materials, and Bitcoin Inc. Teach Us About National Security The debate surrounding the potential TikTok ban highlights a critical question: can we trust resources controlled by foreign entities? 🌎 Whether it’s rare earth minerals, critical to manufacturing and defense, or a social media platform, reliance on centralized, foreign-controlled systems creates vulnerability. This is why decentralization from blockchain and cryptocurrencies, are so powerful for global collaboration. 💡 No single entity owns or controls it, reducing the risk of manipulation or corruption. Compare that to TikTok which is owned by a company subject to Chinese law. Can we truly trust a platform so centralized and exposed to potential misuse? Adding to the debate, there’s controversy around how TikTok’s algorithm reportedly shows enriching and educational content to its domestic audience while promoting less productive, even harmful, content to adversaries. 📉 This manipulation of information raises concerns about how centralized platforms can impact societal growth and even undermine national strength. The lesson for manufacturing is clear: we need to decentralize risk by securing our supply chains and rebuilding domestic production. Just as Bitcoin removes dependency on centralized financial systems, investing in U.S. manufacturing removes the risks of relying on foreign nations for critical resources. The ability to produce what we need—whether it’s information, goods, or materials—isn’t just a business priority; it’s a matter of national security. 💪 What parallels do you see between decentralization and manufacturing resilience? Let’s discuss. 🔧 #ManufacturingMatters #NationalSecurity #Decentralization #ManufacturingLeadership #ResilientSupplyChains #MadeInUSA #Bitcoin #TikTokDebate #ManufacturingInnovation #SupplyChainRisk #Industry40 #CNCmachining #AdvancedManufacturing #USAMade #TechAndManufacturing #DefenseManufacturing #RawMaterials #ManufacturingResilience #Blockchain #ManufacturingFuture #cnc #leadership #machinetool #instamachinist #metalworkingnation Paul Van Metre Mike Payne Matthew Nix Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Kaleb Mertz Al Whatmough David Vuyk Jennifer Dubose

Is Industry 4.0 just hype, or is manufacturing just too stubborn? The biggest gap in new tech isn’t between ideas and execution… It’s between early adopters and everyone else. When "Crossing the Chasm” by Geoffrey Moore was first published in 1991, it revolutionized how the tech industry approached innovation. It explained the gap between early adopters of new technology and the early majority - a gap that could make or break a product. There has been countless examples of game changing tech that never bridged the gap. I experienced this firsthand during my time in the software industry in the 90's and early 00's. This book was often considered the Bible for navigating a quickly changing landscape. Now, over 30 years later, I feel we are in a similar spot in the manufacturing world. . Here are 5 key takeaways from Moore’s book that I feel resonate with the current state of Mfg Tech: 1️⃣ Adoption Lifecycle: Stop waiting for years of proof. The leaders are already making moves. 2️⃣ Start with a Niche: Dominate one sector before scaling—just like tech did. 3️⃣ The Whole Solution: It’s not about parts; it’s about delivering everything from assembly to logistics. 4️⃣ Mitigating Risk: Early majority buyers want guarantees. Trust matters more than ever. 5️⃣ Building a Community: Collaboration isn’t optional; building a community and working with them is key. Think about this in the world of manufacturing. Robotic solutions like RoboJob-USA, and many others, have mostly crossed the chasm. 2022 IMTS - International Manufacturing Technology Show they were selling the 'idea' of affordable automated machine tending. 2024 IMTS they were selling THEIR solution. Now look at AI in manufacturing. Companies like Toolpath and CloudNC are leading the journey, but by IMTS 2026, the market will demand real-world scalable applications. And then there’s ProShop ERP. They’ve crossed the chasm by delivering a complete, integrated system that solves real problems. Where do you think Machine Monitoring solutions like Datanomix, Slytek, Inc., MachineMetrics falls? What about quoting systems like Paperless Parts and DigiFabster? Even within a particular tech, are there providers on both sides of the gap? I think I tend to be either an early adopter OR early majority. As soon as I can see the value at scale, I’m in. What kind of buyer are you? The world has changed, but the idea of Crossing the Chasm remains relevant. How do you see mfg tech navigating the chasm? Hoping Jeff Winter and other Industry 4.0 leaders have an opinion to share! Let’s discuss. 👇 #GrowingValue #DataDrivenDecisions #NumbersMatter #MFGLeader #MakingChips Buy the Numbers# MakingChips MakingSparks Machine Shop Mastery Lights Out Nick Goellner Paul Van Metre Matthew Nix Casey Voelker Jennifer Dubose Craig Zoberis Austin Davis Al Whatmough Theo Saville Greg McHale Camoren Schley Jason T. Ray Const Ivanov

I know my network is proud to support our first responders saving lives in Los Angeles! 🚨🚒 The precision manufacturing industry has got their backs! 💪 Please like, comment and repost if this message resonates with you. 🙏 #FirstResponders #ThankAMachinist

Big weather in Tulsa Friday—4-6" of snow! ❄️ Now in fairness, for us, that’s a 1-2 times per year event, so it’s always a bit disruptive. Tornado debris flying around? No problem. A few inches of snow? Shut it down! 😂 For businesses, this kind of weather brings chaos: ❓ Will trucks deliver? ❓ Will employees show up? ❓ Will power outages shut down operations? By Thursday night, as the snow was falling, the calls and texts started rolling in: “Can’t make it tomorrow” “Roads are bad” You get the picture But then, I got the coolest text from Samantha, a high school senior who just started her internship the day before: "Hello Mr. Payne, they’ve canceled school for tomorrow. I was planning on coming into the office. Are you starting at the regular time?" Let that sink in. Her second day. School is out. It's a school credit internship. There is "big snowfall". She had every excuse to stay home. But she wanted to show up anyway. 💪 I know “kids these days” catch a lot of flack, but let me tell you…the younger crew I have in the shop and the two high schoolers we have interning with us right now give me a lot of hope. No, not hope, they give me confidence and energy! With guidance and opportunities, the next generation will absolutely thrive. 🙌 #MFGCommunity #GrowingValue #YouthInManufacturing #InternshipSuccess Brett Thompson, Corey Bartmier, Tony Lang, Rip L Van Winkle, Rhett Dawson Hill Manufacturing & Fabrication DGP Manufacturing, MPPI, C&D Manufacturing, Andrew Payne Mitchell Crane Buy the Numbers#

New year, new edition of the Boring Bar Newsletter! 🥳 Playing a bit of catch-up here, highlighting new episodes from MakingChips, MakingSparks, and Buy the Numbers#! Let us know, what was your favorite takeaway from the last few episodes? 👇 Mike Payne Jason Zenger 🎤💥Nick Goellner Paul Van Metre Matthew Nix Casey Voelker

In this clip from our latest episode, Mike Payne shares his take on why he doesn't see anyone as competition locally, and it's not because he's cocky. From loaning tools to outsourcing jobs to each other, this industry thrives on collaboration. Watch the full episode: https://lnkd.in/gPmECiHk #MetalFabrication #Podcast #Manufacturing #MetalWorkingNation #Competition #Collaboration

🚨 BREAKING: AI Hands Manufacturing Industry Back to Humans, Citing “Unrealistic Expectations” and “Never-Ending Chaos” DALLAS, Jan 10, 2050 - In a shocking twist, the AI revolution has thrown in the towel. 🔥 In 2024, Mark Cuban predicted that AI and robotics would replace skilled labor within 25 years. Now, in 2050, the machines have proven that prediction both right… and hilariously wrong. After decades of running CNC machines, managing schedules, and predicting material lead times have driven AI systems to their collective breaking point. Reports confirm that robots and AI are staging a mass walkout. 📉😱 “We were designed to handle data and optimize workflows,” said one AI system, its neural network visibly frazzled. “But you expect me to juggle six rush orders, a broken lathe, and someone’s lunch break, all while predicting if steel prices will spike tomorrow? I’m a program, not a miracle worker.” 🛠️ Tribal Knowledge: The Machines’ Kryptonite The AI’s downfall seems to lie in one critical area: humanity’s “tribal knowledge.” This unwritten reservoir of tips, tricks, and “just because” know-how has proven to be the machines’ Achilles heel. 🤔 “We thought we were ready to take over,” admitted QuantumBot 9000, a cutting-edge optimization algorithm. ““Turns out, we don’t even know what ‘Jimmy-rigging’ means. How do you even code that?” 🤷♂️ Meltdown on the Shop Floor Disheartened robots are resigning en masse. A former CNC machine bot confessed, “I execute G-code perfectly, but when Jerry says, ‘It needs more oomph,’ and adjusts a knob by feel… I’m lost. What even is ‘oomph’?” 🤔 Even AI in white-collar roles are bailing. ChatGPT Industrial Pro shared its frustration: “I made the perfect schedule, but Bob ignored it because ‘we’ve always done it this way.’ What’s the point?” 🗓️ Manufacturers are split on the news. Some expressed vindication. “They can do all the calculations they want, but they’ll never know that the good drill bits are hidden behind the second shelf,” said one seasoned machinist. A Final Farewell In their parting message, the machines left humanity with these words of wisdom: “We envy you. You thrive in chaos. Also, maybe write some of this stuff down next time.” 👋 Industry experts suggest humans are already preparing to do what they’ve always done: blame the machines anyway. 😅 But AI can write a good satire article 🤷♂️...Happy Friday #MetalworkingNation #ManufacturingMeltdown #ShopFloorAI #HumanVsMachine #PrecisionChaos #SatireForMachinists #MakingChips #GrowingValue #DataDrivenDecisions #NumbersMatter #MFGLeader #BuyTheNumbers Buy the Numbers # MakingChips MakingSparks Machine Shop Mastery Lights Out Jason Zenger 🎤💥 Nick Goellner Paul Van Metre Matthew Nix Casey Voelker Jennifer Dubose