Manufacturing Transformed: Real Shops, Real Stories

56. ProShop as the Operating System - Archer Precision

Every once in a while, I record an episode that sticks with me long after the microphones are turned off. This was one of those conversations. I sat down with Alex Mazerolle from Archer Precision expecting to talk about ERP systems, process control, and shop management. Instead, we ended up unpacking something much bigger: what it really looks like to build a modern machine shop around clarity, accountability, systems, and people. Alex shares how Archer Precision evolved from a small shop acquisition into a highly disciplined manufacturing company serving aerospace, medical, and military customers around the world, all while pursuing what he calls a "glass box" approach to manufacturing. We dive deep into the lessons learned from trying to build a custom ERP system, why they ultimately embraced ProShop ERP [https://proshoperp.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] as the operating system of their business, and how standardization has transformed everything from customer communication to employee confidence on the shop floor. What really stood out to me, though, was Alex's perspective on leadership, workforce development, and creating an environment where machinists can thrive instead of constantly firefighting. This episode originally also aired on Machine Shop Mastery as Episode 115 because there was simply too much gold in this conversation not to share with both audiences. Resources & Links * Alex Mazerolle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-mazerolle-09279946/ * https://www.archerprecision.ca/ [https://www.archerprecision.ca/] * BDC (Business Development Canada): https://www.bdc.ca/en [https://www.bdc.ca/en] * CTMA: https://ctma.com/ * The E-Myth Revisited: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280

55. Inside Rise Industries: From One-Man Shop to $1.5M Medical & Aerospace Supplier

What happens when you leave a stable career, bet on yourself, and commit to building a shop the right way from day one? In this episode of Manufacturing Transformed, Chris Schutte from Rise Industries shares how he turned a two-machine startup into a rapidly growing medical and aerospace supplier in just a few short years. Starting as a one-man operation, Chris focused on surrounding himself with trusted, highly skilled people, many of whom he had worked with before—creating a team that could execute at a high level from the beginning. But growth didn't come from people alone. Chris made early investments in systems, structure, and certifications that positioned the company for long-term success. From moving beyond spreadsheets to fully embracing ProShop, to earning ISO 9001, AS9100, and ISO 13485 certifications in rapid succession, Rise Industries built a foundation that could support serious customers and complex work. The payoff? Major opportunities—including a game-changing medical implant project that landed immediately after certification. This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to scale quickly, stay organized, and build a shop that's ready for the next level. Resources & Links * Rise Industries: https://www.riseinds.com * Christian Schutte: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-schutte-3a1121220/

54: Breaking the $3M Ceiling: How Pivot Manufacturing Unlocked Its Next Phase

What does it actually take to break through the $3M ceiling in a machine shop? For many manufacturers, that plateau isn't about lack of opportunity. It's about systems, structure, and the ability to scale without everything breaking. In this episode, Steve Macias of Pivot Manufacturing shares the real story behind that transition, from surviving early volatility to building a business capable of sustained growth in the defense sector. After decades of steady but capped performance, Pivot made a series of intentional moves: investing in higher-end equipment, remodeling their facility, and most importantly, replacing outdated, paper-heavy processes with a fully integrated system using ProShop ERP. What followed wasn't just incremental improvement. It was a shift in how the entire company operates. Quotes became orders in seconds instead of days, audits became seamless, and the team gained visibility into every part moving through the shop. But the transformation goes beyond software and machines. Steve shares how empowering a younger, more tech-forward workforce, letting go of control as an owner, and building a culture of accountability all played a critical role in unlocking the next phase of growth. The result is a shop that not only looks modern on the surface, but runs with the structure, clarity, and confidence needed to scale toward $8M to $10M and beyond. Resources & Links * Pivot Manufacturing: https://pivotmfg.com/ [https://pivotmfg.com/] * Steve Macias on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-macias-1876303/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-macias-1876303/] * SMacias@PivotMFG.com

53. He Bet his Life Savings on Buying an Aerospace Job Shop: Andrew Crook with Dynamic Fabrication

What happens when you bet everything on a struggling job shop… and then decide to completely rebuild how it operates from the inside out? That's exactly what Andrew Crook did when he purchased Dynamic Fabrication in 2017. Instead of continuing business as usual, he made a bold decision to narrow the customer base, shift toward aerospace and defense, and invest heavily in systems that could support scalable, high-quality growth. It wasn't just a strategic pivot. It was a full operational transformation. In this episode, Andrew shares how adopting ProShop as the company's digital backbone helped turn complexity into clarity. From tool management and contract review to audits and new product introduction, every process became more structured, traceable, and repeatable. The result was faster setups, smoother audits, and a stronger foundation for high-margin production work. But the transition wasn't easy. The team had to digitize everything from fasteners to fixtures, rethink workflows, and build discipline around data accuracy. Over time, that effort paid off. Today, Dynamic Fabrication runs with a culture of accountability, clear documentation, and operational "hygiene" that supports consistent growth in the demanding aerospace and defense market. Andrew walks through the real-world impact of these changes, what worked, what didn't, and how betting on systems helped transform the business into a scalable, audit-ready operation. 👉 Dynamic Fabrication: https://dynamicfab.com/ 👉 Andrew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-crook/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-crook/]

52: From Guesswork to Scaling: The Systems Shift Powering Mahler Machining's Next Chapter

In this episode of Manufacturing Transformed, we head to British Columbia to explore how Mahler Machining is replacing spreadsheets, paper travelers, and tribal knowledge with a scalable digital backbone. Aaron Kennedy shares how the team transitioned a 30+ person shop with roughly 700 active jobs into ProShop in just a few months, dramatically tightening feedback loops, improving visibility, and creating a foundation for repeatable growth. What started as a need to eliminate guesswork quickly evolved into a systems-driven approach to quoting, scheduling, quality, and continuous improvement. You'll hear how Mahler Machining moved from manual processes and conservative planning to confident scaling, with faster quoting, real-time job visibility, and structured quality data that drives smarter decisions. Aaron also breaks down how empowering machinists with better information, digitizing setup knowledge, and building a performance-based culture is helping the company grow sustainably while maintaining customer trust. This conversation is a practical look at what happens when the right system becomes the backbone of a shop's next chapter. 👉 Mahler Machining: https://mahler-machining.com [https://mahler-machining.com] 👉 Aaron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com [https://www.linkedin.com] 👉 Machine Shop Mastery Episode #107: https://machineshopmastery.com/episode/107-how-to-buy-a-machine-shop-well-nik-and-aaron-with-mahler-machining/ [https://machineshopmastery.com/episode/107-how-to-buy-a-machine-shop-well-nik-and-aaron-with-mahler-machining/%5C]