Manufacturing Mavericks

Next Gen Leadership in Manufacturing

We’re closing out 2025 by spotlighting the leaders who aren’t just talking about the future of manufacturing—they’re building it in real time. This wrap-up episode features five voices who are rewriting what modern leadership on the shop floor actually looks like today—and where it's headed. Hear from five industry leaders, Adam Gordon [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-gordon-m-a-a-63881b122/], Daniel Anglemyer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-anglemyer-7ba678251/], Rebekah Colligan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekah-collogan/], Eric Van Orden [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-van-orden-378795314/], and Randall Leac [https://www.linkedin.com/in/randalleach/]—leaders who are rebuilding culture, elevating teams, and using data as a competitive edge instead of a quarterly report. Each guest shares their take on accountability, continuous improvement, and what happens when you care more about progress than hierarchy. Forget the old command-and-control playbook. This crew proves that when people and processes are prioritized, and information flows freely, everything else starts to accelerate. Show notes: 02:00 – Adam Gordon [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-gordon-m-a-a-63881b122/], Tendon Manufacturing [https://www.tendon.com/] How hiring with heart and building a culture of ownership drives real performance for Tendon Manufacturing. 05:45 – Daniel Anglemyer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-anglemyer-7ba678251/], Hipschman [http://hibshman.com/] Daniel talks about his hands-on leadership, process discipline, and developing the next wave of shop-floor leaders. 11:25 – Rebekah Colligan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekah-collogan/], Phoenix Mecano [https://datanomix.io/2024/07/30/phoenix-mecano-achieves-40-increase-in-parts-produced-using-datanomix/] Standardization, data visibility, and the engineering mindset are behind Rebekah’s major productivity gains. 26:40 – Eric Van Orden [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-van-orden-378795314/], Paramount Machine [https://www.paramount-machine.com/] Eric believes that ownership, accountability, and high expectations as the fuel for a winning shop culture. 30:50 – Randall Leach [https://www.linkedin.com/in/randalleach/], Riccarte Precision [https://www.ricaurteprecision.com/] Randay shares why digital visibility, flexibility, and proactive decision-making define next-gen leadership. The Datanomix Difference: [https://datanomix.io/the-datanomix-difference/] What Makes It Work? It’s not just what you see. It’s how fast you see it, how clearly it shows up, and how easily your team acts on it. * Simple machine and data connectivity, handled by us * Data that makes sense on day one * No Operator Input™ [https://www.nooperatorinput.org/] means zero burden on your team for data entry * Product Tracks [https://datanomix.io/tracks/] built for actual shop floor behavior * Stay connected to your shop floor with the Datanomix Mobile App [https://datanomix.io/mobile-app/] * Kick-Ass Coaching [https://datanomix.io/kick-ass-coaching/] that walks the shop floor with your team and keeps you winning * Best-in-class partnerships and integrations [https://datanomix.io/partners/] * The Datanomix Community [https://datanomix.io/community/] built on real relationships and real wins * Mountains of success stories [https://datanomix.io/category/customer-spotlight/] with manufacturers just like you * Every customer starts with our Pilot Program [https://datanomix.io/request-a-pilot/] Learn more at www.datanomix.io [https://datanomix.io/]

From the Shop Floor to the National Stage

What does PMPA leadership in modern manufacturing really look like? In this episode of Manufacturing Mavericks [https://datanomix.io/mavericks/], we sit down with Brian Adams [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-adams-455a817/], President of the Precision Machined Products Association (PMPA) [http://www.pmpa.org], for a candid and wide-ranging conversation, recorded live at Datanomix [http://datanomix.io]HQ in Nashua, NH. Brian shares his personal journey from sweeping the shop floor at his family business to eventually leading PMPA at the national level. One handwritten letter to his uncle set the course for a lifelong career in precision manufacturing, and Brian has carried that legacy forward with humility, heart, and a focus on people. We dive into the evolution of the industry, the pressing need for skilled talent, and how PMPA’s mission of “Better Together” continues to shape shop culture across the country. As Brian puts it, true PMPA leadership in modern manufacturing means investing in relationships, education, and the next generation of craftsmen and women. Show Notes: (01:27) – Starting on the Shop Floor (04:23) – The Classic Broom & The Bridgeport (14:08) – Succession and Second-Generation Leadership (15:46) – Why PMPA Matters (17:20) – Adopting Technology to Stay Competitive (19:45) – Advice for the Next Generation The Datanomix Difference: [https://datanomix.io/the-datanomix-difference/] What Makes It Work? It’s not just what you see. It’s how fast you see it, how clearly it shows up, and how easily your team acts on it. * Simple machine and data connectivity, handled by us * Data that makes sense on day one * No Operator Input™ [https://www.nooperatorinput.org/] means zero burden on your team for data entry * Product Tracks [https://datanomix.io/tracks/] built for actual shop floor behavior * Stay connected to your shop floor with the Datanomix Mobile App [https://datanomix.io/mobile-app/] * Kick-Ass Coaching [https://datanomix.io/kick-ass-coaching/] that walks the shop floor with your team and keeps you winning * Best-in-class partnerships and integrations [https://datanomix.io/partners/] * The Datanomix Community [https://datanomix.io/community/] built on real relationships and real wins * Mountains of success stories [https://datanomix.io/category/customer-spotlight/] with manufacturers just like you * Every customer starts with our Pilot Program [https://datanomix.io/request-a-pilot/] Learn more at www.datanomix.io [https://datanomix.io/]

The Next Mountain: Paramount’s Multi-Generation Growth Story

In this episode of Manufacturing Mavericks [https://datanomix.io/mavericks/], we're heading to Salt Lake City to talk with Steve Van Orden [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-van-orden-63864b264/] and Eric Van Orden [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-van-orden-378795314/] —father and son leaders at Paramount Machine [https://www.paramount-machine.com/]. Steve started the company in the family garage with a manual lathe and a bold vision. Now, Eric is helping lead the next chapter of growth with a focus on automation, people-first culture, and smart investments in technology. Eric opens up about why his dad made him start at the bottom and how that decision shaped his leadership style. From sweeping the shop floor to now helping run a 70-person team, Eric shares his perspective on generational transitions, developing trust within the team, and what it takes to modernize without losing your core. Together, Steve and Eric talk about the balancing act of family and business, the turning points in Paramount’s growth, and why listening to employees is a competitive advantage. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to grow a shop across decades and do it with heart, humility, and smarts—this one’s for you. Show Notes: 2:20 — The garage days: How Paramount started with a manual lathe and a vision 4:03 — Why Eric started with a broom, not a title 7:43 — Choosing the shop over law school 10:43 — Why Steve invests based on employee feedback 14:25 — Betting on Swiss machines changed the game 19:25 — Developing new talent without a programming department 23:30 — Navigating the tension and trust of a family business 37:39 — Datanomix's positive change on Paramount's culture The Datanomix Difference: [https://datanomix.io/the-datanomix-difference/] What Makes It Work? It’s not just what you see. It’s how fast you see it, how clearly it shows up, and how easily your team acts on it. * Simple machine and data connectivity, handled by us * Data that makes sense on day one * No Operator Input™ [https://www.nooperatorinput.org/] means zero burden on your team for data entry * Product Tracks [https://datanomix.io/tracks/] built for actual shop floor behavior * Stay connected to your shop floor with the Datanomix Mobile App [https://datanomix.io/mobile-app/] * Kick-Ass Coaching [https://datanomix.io/kick-ass-coaching/] that walks the shop floor with your team and keeps you winning * Best-in-class partnerships and integrations [https://datanomix.io/partners/] * The Datanomix Community [https://datanomix.io/community/] built on real relationships and real wins * Mountains of success stories [https://datanomix.io/category/customer-spotlight/] with manufacturers just like you * Every customer starts with our Pilot Program [https://datanomix.io/request-a-pilot/] Learn more at www.datanomix.io [https://datanomix.io/]

The Impact of Betting on Yourself

What happens when you decide to bet on yourself and back it up with clear goals, data, and follow-through?  In this episode of Manufacturing Mavericks, Greg sits down with Dan Plath [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-plath-6a978068/], VP of Operations at MedFab Precision Solutions [https://medfabinc.com/], to talk about what it means to take ownership of your career and your company’s future. Dan shares how he went from being a bored student to driving cultural and operational change on the shop floor. One meeting, metric, and mindset shift at a time. They explore why trusting yourself is only part of the equation and how pairing that drive with data and the right technologies creates real momentum. Dan shares his mindset on automation, the tools he’s using to unlock more from his team, and why embracing change is the key to staying competitive. You’ll also hear how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) is helping MedFab align every part of the business, from leadership to the shop floor, and how data is driving smarter decisions, clearer priorities, and continuous improvement at every level. Highlights:  * 1:30 – How a CNC class sparked Dan’s passion for manufacturing * 5:30 – Comparing big company structure vs. small company impact * 7:30 – Why Dan left stability behind to bet on himself * 12:00 – How life stages influence career decisions in manufacturing * 14:00 - How adding an EOS drove positive cultural change * 25:30 – Using data to drive smart decisions and avoid missteps * 32:50 – Inside Med Fab’s test of in-machine automation * 38:00 – Dan’s advice to anyone unsure of where they’re headed The Datanomix Difference: [https://datanomix.io/the-datanomix-difference/] What Makes It Work? It’s not just what you see. It’s how fast you see it, how clearly it shows up, and how easily your team acts on it. * Simple machine and data connectivity, handled by us * Data that makes sense on day one * No Operator Input™ [https://www.nooperatorinput.org/] means zero burden on your team for data entry * Product Tracks [https://datanomix.io/tracks/] built for actual shop floor behavior * Stay connected to your shop floor with the Datanomix Mobile App [https://datanomix.io/mobile-app/] * Kick-Ass Coaching [https://datanomix.io/kick-ass-coaching/] that walks the shop floor with your team and keeps you winning * Best-in-class partnerships and integrations [https://datanomix.io/partners/] * The Datanomix Community [https://datanomix.io/community/] built on real relationships and real wins * Mountains of success stories [https://datanomix.io/category/customer-spotlight/] with manufacturers just like you * Every customer starts with our Pilot Program [https://datanomix.io/request-a-pilot/] Learn more at www.datanomix.io [https://datanomix.io/]

From Mud to Metal - A Grit-Fueled Journey in Manufacturing

Manufacturing Manager, Daniel Anglemyer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-anglemyer-7ba678251/], didn’t take the traditional path into manufacturing, and that’s exactly why you’ll want to hear his story. From hog barns and cage fights to union shops and now leadership at Hibshman [http://hibshman.com], Daniel brings grit, humility, and a clear-eyed approach to modern manufacturing! In this episode, he opens up about how culture, not just equipment, drives real change on the shop floor. You’ll hear how personal setbacks have transformed into leadership lessons, and why identifying and empowering emerging leaders in the industry is important. Additionally, he shares how technology is supporting the creation of a team-first, process-driven operation at Hibshman, where people show up, speak up, and take ownership. If you care about building strong teams, growing future leaders, and creating a shop culture that works, this episode is for you. Show Notes 01:54 — From Farming Roots to a Fourth-Generation Machinist 06:17 — Losing a Job But Finding a Path 10:51 — What MMA Taught Daniel About Leadership 13:42 — NTMA's Emerging Leaders program  22:21 — Turning Core Values into Action 26:51 — The Tools Behind Hipschman’s Smart Shop Transformation The Datanomix Difference: [https://datanomix.io/the-datanomix-difference/] What Makes It Work? It’s not just what you see. It’s how fast you see it, how clearly it shows up, and how easily your team acts on it. * Simple machine and data connectivity, handled by us * Data that makes sense on day one * No Operator Input™ [https://www.nooperatorinput.org/] means zero burden on your team for data entry * Product Tracks [https://datanomix.io/tracks/] built for actual shop floor behavior * Stay connected to your shop floor with the Datanomix Mobile App [https://datanomix.io/mobile-app/] * Kick-Ass Coaching [https://datanomix.io/kick-ass-coaching/] that walks the shop floor with your team and keeps you winning * Best-in-class partnerships and integrations [https://datanomix.io/partners/] * The Datanomix Community [https://datanomix.io/community/] built on real relationships and real wins * Mountains of success stories [https://datanomix.io/category/customer-spotlight/] with manufacturers just like you * Every customer starts with our Pilot Program [https://datanomix.io/request-a-pilot/] Learn more at www.datanomix.io [https://datanomix.io/]