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

Matt Dvoracek | Why Manufacturing Needs You to Tell Its Story

Everything you touch in your daily life started in a machine shop. If it was not made on a CNC machine, it was likely made in a mold that was. We build the tractors that break the ground for our homes and the gear that keeps first responders safe. Yet, the people powering this engine often act like the best kept secret in the trades. I recently sat down with Matt Dvoracek, the Machine Tool Maniac, to pull back the curtain on how to change that. Matt grew up in the shop and worked his way up to becoming an applications engineer. During our talk, we cover how to bridge the gap between technical expertise and modern growth. In this episode, we discuss: * Stop stressing about the brand: People get hung up on specific controls like Fanuc, Haas, or Okuma. At their core, they all require you to set offsets and load programs. Do not let a preference for one control keep you from learning the capabilities of another. The buttons might move, but the driver is still in control. * Word of mouth is not a strategy: The old way of making a good part and waiting for the phone to ring is a dangerous way to run a business. You have to actively market your shop. If you are not showing your face or sharing your process, you are leaving money on the table. * The power of documentation: You do not need to be a polished "guru" to succeed on social media. You just need to be real. If you are watching and not contributing, you are missing a massive opportunity. Momentum builds the moment you hit post.

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.