Rapid Fire Manufacturing

From Apprentice to Fives CEO: Harold Schoch on 2008 Survival, the Cincinnati Legacy, and Why People Matter More Than Profit

In 2008, the wheels came off the global economy. Every shop was hurting. Yet, Harold Schoch’s machine tool rebuild business didn’t just survive; they had their best years. How? By refusing to treat customers like transactions. In this episode of Rapid Fire Manufacturing, Dave Turner sits down with Harold Schoch (Board of Directors for Fives North America, former CEO of Cincinnati) at the Schoch Museum to talk about what it really means to anchor a manufacturing business around people instead of just profit. Harold breaks down: * The 2008 Survival Blueprint: Why struggling alongside your customers builds a bond that currency can't buy. * The 3 Questions Every Leader Must Answer: Can I trust you? Are you committed to excellence? Do you care about me personally? * Wartime Grit: The jaw-dropping history of Cincinnati Milling Machine producing a tool every 17 minutes during World War II. * The Fives Academy: The critical need for workforce development and why the skilled trades gap will be solved by investing in people, not relying on AI. Manufacturing isn't powered by iron, automation, or algorithms. Every shop is powered by relationships. Tune in for a masterclass in industrial history, first-principles leadership, and real talk from a guy who went from an apprentice hand-scraping ways to a CEO leading global teams.

The SWAT Mindset: Mission-Critical Leadership in Manufacturing with Johnny Goode at MSP

Johnny Goode did not take the easy path into leadership at MSP. He spent over a decade as a patrol officer, narcotics detective, and SWAT operator before stepping onto the shop floor. He arrived at the family business during a global pandemic when orders were stalling and the team was facing furloughs. As the son of the owner, he knew he had to earn his seat. In this episode, we dive into how Johnny used his tactical background to rebuild the shop’s internal systems and pivot the company into defense and firearms. By leveraging his past experience with the equipment he was now manufacturing, he helped drive MSP to its highest revenue years in nearly a century. This is a masterclass in shifting from a tactical career to a technical one without losing your edge. * Earning Trust: Johnny skipped the speeches and won over a skeptical team by rolling up his sleeves to handle grueling audits and system integrations himself. * The Tactical Pivot: When the aerospace market slowed, Johnny used his military and law enforcement connections to identify new opportunities in defense manufacturing. * The 4:30 AM Standard: We discuss why physical discipline is a non-negotiable. Johnny’s morning gym routine is not just about fitness; it is about clearing brain fog and maintaining the throughput needed to lead. * Culture of Innovation: How MSP encourages employees to think like business owners, creating a "snowball effect" of efficiency and better technology implementation. * Collaborative Competition: A look at why the manufacturing community in Bloomington treats competitors like teammates, especially during times of crisis. Key Takeaways & Notes

From Menards to Modular: Building a Reliable Path to Automation

In this episode of Rapid Fire Manufacturing, I sit down with Eric Nekich, Business Development Director at Advanced Machine and Engineering. Eric shares his unique story of entering the industry in 2010 after selling building materials at Menards and how he applied that sales grit to the world of modular workholding. We get into the hard truth that you cannot automate an unreliable process. Eric explains why automation only amplifies what you already have, meaning if your process is "dumb," the robot will just make it dumber faster. We walk through the three step evolution of a modern shop: building a repeatable foundation, automating that proven workflow, and finally optimizing with adaptive controls to stop guessing on tool life. This conversation is a practical roadmap for anyone looking to scale, run lights out, or improve their shop’s rigidity and accessibility. We also discuss the power of mentorship and why staying teachable is the fastest way to move ahead in manufacturing.

From Warships to Hybrid CNCs: The Evolution of Davenport Machine

What does it take for a manufacturing company to thrive for over 130 years? In this episode of Rapid Fire Manufacturing, we head to Tylok in Cleveland to sit down with Ryan Bavineau of Davenport Machine, along with Scott Hahl and Julia Wasielewski, to discuss the intersection of industrial history and modern production. Ryan shares the incredible story of Davenport’s roots, from its founding in 1894 to the critical role its machines played on warships during World War II. But we also dig into why history alone isn’t enough to stay competitive in 2026. We discuss the reality of keeping a high-production shop running, the shift from the legendary Model B to the new Hybrid platform, and how Davenport is tackling the industry-wide skills gap. Julia and Scott share firsthand accounts of how Davenport’s unique support system—featuring a seven-minute average response time and QR-code-activated FaceTime troubleshooting—is changing the game for operators on the floor. In this episode, we cover: * The strategic history of Rochester manufacturing and the Erie Canal. * How a history major found a home in the world of multi-spindle automatics. * The transition from Acme Gridley machines to modern Hybrid solutions. * The importance of hands-on training and free monthly classes in Rochester. * Building a proactive "knowledge center" through real-world customer feedback. Whether you are a shop owner looking to reduce downtime or a manufacturing enthusiast interested in the heritage of American machining, this conversation offers a deep dive into what it means to build a lasting partnership in the industry.

The CNC Repairman: Why You Pay to Train or Pay for the Lack of It with Aaron Morrill

In this episode of Rapid Fire Manufacturing, I sit down with Aaron Morrill, the CNC Repairman, to discuss the reality of machine tool service in today’s industry. Aaron grew up in the shop and finished nearly 100 machine installs before he was even 16 years old. We dive into why a failed service call is often a symptom of a larger training problem rather than a technician issue. As I said during the show, how you do anything is how you do everything. If you aren’t passionate about the small details, you probably won't be passionate about your spindles. We also explore the shift toward multi axis technology, the pre-call checklist that saves shops money, and what it really takes to move from an OEM role to running your own service business. Aaron is as authentic as they come and is dedicated to keeping American manufacturing running. Aaron Morrill didn’t just join the manufacturing industry; he was raised in it. Known to many as the CNC Repairman, Aaron’s story is incredible when you think about what it means to grow up in the trades. By age 15, he had already finished nearly 100 machine installs while traveling with his father. We spent this episode talking about the critical need for better training in the service world. When a shop is down and a technician is stumped, it is rarely a reflection of the person on the floor. It is usually a reflection of the training and support systems behind them. Key topics we covered include: * The transition from manual machines to complex multi axis technology. * Why the next generation of technicians is finding their spark through online platforms. * The specific pre-call checklist every shop should use to save time and money. * Advice for technicians considering the jump to independent business ownership. * The mindset of passion: why how you do anything is how you do everything. Aaron provides a raw look at the service side of the business and shares why the indus Podcast Show Notes / Write Up