Matt Bruner, co-founder of American Precision Works (APW), shares the journey of launching a modern machine shop in urban Philadelphia with his partner, John Celley. Founded in October 2024, APW was built on a "clean slate" philosophy, emphasizing automation, streamlined systems, and a people-first approach. With complementary backgrounds (John in machining and Matt in sales and operations) they aimed to create a business that could train individuals without prior machining experience, using standardized processes and advanced technology to empower their workforce.

Their urban location was a strategic choice, allowing them to tap into a younger, more diverse talent pool and stand out from suburban competitors. Matt recounts hiring Tom, a retail worker with no machining background, who quickly adapted to running a five-axis machine thanks to APW's modern systems. This hiring model, focused on potential and attitude over experience, has proven successful and even attracted seasoned professionals eager to work with cutting-edge equipment.

A cornerstone of APW's strategy is its early investment in ProShop ERP, which has helped them avoid the inefficiencies common in older shops. Drawing inspiration from Matt's father (who launched a machine shop with ERP in the 1990s with a design that was less about machines and more about systems) he set out to start a shop that solved common industry problems. APW uses ProShop to manage tooling, job costing, and quality control. Their team eliminated spreadsheets, built custom Chrome extensions for tool management, and integrated CAM data to streamline operations. These systems have enabled APW to operate efficiently and scale without excessive overhead.

Matt emphasizes that while job costing is important, his primary focus is on daily throughput and machine-level performance. ProShop's integration with financial tools like QuickBooks has exceeded expectations, allowing APW to maintain clean financials while keeping operations agile. By starting fresh and embracing modern tools, APW has built a lean, scalable business model that serves both its community and the broader manufacturing industry.

Matt reflects on the support he received from industry peers and expresses a desire to pay it forward. Though he acknowledges the challenges of starting a machine shop, he remains proud of APW's progress and optimistic about its future.

LinkedIn - Matt Bruner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-bruner-9870257b/

American Precision Works - https://www.americanprecisionworks.com/how-we-work

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Snider Precision began as a garage-based machine shop founded by Damon Snider's father in 1978, growing organically over decades through grit, bold decisions, and a passion for machining. Damon started helping as a child, deburring parts and learning CNC operations before joining the Navy. After his father fired an unreliable crew, Damon returned to help and eventually took over the business, bringing fresh energy and a vision for modernization.

Under Damon's leadership, the shop transitioned from paper-based workflows to a fully digital system using ProShop ERP. This shift enabled better planning, streamlined operations, and empowered machinists to work independently. The implementation of AS9100 certification was a turning point, unlocking new opportunities with aerospace clients and leading to the company's largest-ever purchase order (PO), securing half of next year's revenue.

Damon emphasizes the importance of investing in quality systems, hiring the right people, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The shop now operates with a robust quality department, a clean and efficient workspace, and a forward-thinking mindset. Relationships with other local shops, like Next Intent, helped inspire the transition and reinforce the value of collaboration in the industry.

ProShop has become more than just software; it's the backbone of Snider Precision's operating system. It supports everything from inspections and work instructions to planning and quoting, allowing Damon to focus on strategic growth. The team is still expanding its use of modules like tooling management, aiming for full integration and vendor-supported inventory systems.

Snider Precision's journey reflects a generational shift in leadership, where embracing change and technology has transformed the business. With a strong foundation, a growing backlog, and family members involved in operations, Snider Precision is well-positioned for continued success and serves as an inspiring example for other shops considering similar paths.

LinkedIn - Damon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damon-snider-a657102ab/

Snider Precision - https://sniderprecision.com

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Oakdale Precision, a manufacturing company, transformed after adopting Pro Shop ERP. Previously reliant on a homegrown software system and tools like spreadsheets, whiteboards, and scattered network drives, the company faced challenges in scheduling, quality control, and tribal knowledge transfer. As the company grew, these limitations became unsustainable, prompting leadership to seek a more structured solution.

Jeff Justesen tells how the transition to Pro Shop was facilitated with onboarding across departments. Floor staff quickly adapted to basic functions like scheduling and clocking in/out, while deeper features such as operation components and part check info were gradually adopted. A phased rollout allowed Oakdale to maintain customer continuity while shifting new work orders into the new system.

One of the greatest improvements was in lead time reduction. In 2022, the average time from work order creation to shipment was 4.3 weeks; by 2024, it had dropped to 2.7 weeks. This gain was attributed to parallel processing, better scheduling, and proactive quality planning. The ability to move jobs between machines, track tooling, and communicate across departments created a more responsive operation.

The software also strengthened collaboration between office and shop floor teams. Messaging tools, process development modules, and structured feedback loops gave machinists and logistics staff a voice in continuous improvement. Employees now feel connected, and hiring has become easier thanks to the clarity Pro Shop brings to onboarding and training.

Pro Shop allowed Oakdale's management to shift focus to strategic growth. Instead of patching recurring issues, they now concentrate on market expansion, customer relationships, and long-term planning. The system's ability to capture tribal knowledge and standardize best practices has been critical in preserving expertise and preparing for generational transitions. With over 100 machines and just 65 employees, Oakdale now runs lights-out manufacturing across multiple shifts, maximizing output with minimal staffing.

Jeff credits Pro Shop with enabling their evolution from a paper-driven shop to a data-driven operation. The ERP system has become the backbone of their business, supporting everything from quoting and scheduling to inspection and training. As they continue to grow and diversify, Oakdale sees Pro Shop not just as a tool but as a strategic partner in building the future of precision manufacturing.

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-justesen-792049b6/

Email - Jeff Justesen: jj@oakdaleprecision.com

Oakdale Precision, Inc. - https://oakdaleprecision.com

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Matt Torres is the Founder of Rise Armament, a company that manufactures drop-in triggers, rifles, and other firearm accessories. Rise Armament was founded in 2012 as a job shop specializing in contract work for the oil and gas, as well as aerospace industries. Around 2014 or 2015, Matt began designing a drop-in trigger as a side project, driven more by personal interest than business intent.

However, when the oil market collapsed in late 2015, the company pivoted fully into firearms manufacturing, launching its own product line under the Rise Armament brand. By 2016, they had phased out contract work entirely and focused exclusively on producing their own products. Since then, the company has experienced steady growth, now employing around 53 people, including 30 in manufacturing. Matt shares how his background as a manufacturing engineer and his desire to build something meaningful led him to entrepreneurship.

He once believed that philanthropy would only be possible after achieving financial success, but he soon realized that even while scaling a business, there were ways to make a difference. With many veterans on their team, Rise Armament began supporting organizations like Folds of Honor, Wounded Warrior Project, and Equal Ops. Altruism became one of their core company values.

Throughout the conversation, Matt reflects on the challenges of transitioning from contract work to brand ownership, the pros and cons of each model, and the importance of staying mission-focused. The company's core values, originally based on Matt's personal beliefs, evolved through team input and now actively guide hiring and performance reviews, reinforcing culture and accountability.

He also highlights the value of business coaching and mentorship, noting that readiness to accept feedback is crucial for growth. He also discusses the role of ProShop software in helping manage growth and operations. Matt explains how the team evolved from relying on informal knowledge and instinct to operating through systems and data, enabling more consistent execution and faster decision-making.

He stresses that ProShop is not just a transactional ERP but a full business system tailored for manufacturers. By embedding quality management, training, and process visibility into daily work, it served as a scalable playbook for the company's growth.

LinkedIn: Matt Torres - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewttorres/

Instagram: Matt Torres - https://www.instagram.com/matttorresrise/

RISE Armament | Drop-In Triggers, Firearms & AR Parts - https://risearmament.com/

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Gurecky Manufacturing, a third-generation family-owned machine shop, has evolved from humble beginnings in a garage to a 42,000-square-foot facility with over 60 employees.

Founded in 1983 by Kellen Montpetit's grandfather, the company has long served the oil and gas sector, though recent efforts aim to diversify into aerospace and other industries.

Kellen, now part of the ownership group, and Andrew Sulak, a longtime employee who feels like family, share their journey of modernizing the business while preserving its legacy.

Despite its size and complexity, the company maintains a close-knit culture, with many employees wearing multiple hats and contributing across departments.

Kellen and Drew both came from non-manufacturing backgrounds but found their place in the business through a mix of opportunity, burnout, and a desire for stability.

A major turning point came with the decision to implement ProShop ERP. The previous system was paper-heavy, lacked quality management integration, and couldn't support remote access.

ProShop changed all that, streamlining tasks, improving traceability, and enabling digital operations. The transition was challenging but ultimately freed up the team to focus on strategic growth.

Quoting and estimating have also become more strategic. The post-COVID landscape has thinned out local competition, increasing demand and forcing Gurecky to handle more work in-house.

Their "first in, first out" philosophy ensures fairness and reliability, and their commitment to on-time delivery remains strong. Customer relationships have deepened thanks to ProShop's transparency.

Clients are impressed by the system's accessibility and real-time data, which helps resolve discrepancies and build trust. The ERP system has become the foundation for future growth. The shift to ProShop also sparked a cultural transformation.

Transparency and collaboration have increased, bridging the gap between the shop floor and the front office. Veteran machinists, initially resistant to change, have slowly embraced the system, especially as they see their feedback valued and documented through process development tools.

Younger employees, more accustomed to digital systems, adapted quickly. The team now feels more unified, with clearer communication and shared goals. Ultimately, Gurecky Manufacturing's journey reflects the power of thoughtful modernization.

By blending legacy values with cutting-edge tools, they've positioned themselves for continued success, being ready to pass the torch to the next generation while staying true to the principles that built the business.

LinkedIn: Kellen Montpetit - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellen-montpetit-8a363097/

LinkedIn: Andrew Sulak - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-sulak-a076a9b7/

Gurecky Manufacturing - https://www.gurecky.com

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Dan Fifer, Founder of Lane4 Precision, shares his unconventional journey into manufacturing after a 20-year career in medical device engineering. Frustrated by long lead times in R&D, he set out to build a high-performance machine shop to support fast-paced development cycles.

Despite having no prior machining experience, he took a leap of faith, selling his house to buy a Citizen L20 Swiss screw machine after learning his parts required that level of precision. Launching the shop was a risk, but momentum grew quickly.

Dan started part-time while still working at his previous job and initially billed only a few hours. However, once fellow engineers discovered his capabilities, demand increased rapidly. Over the next seven years, Lane4 Precision produced over 1,000 unique parts (mostly tiny, complex components for medical R&D).

His team became known for tackling difficult, low-volume jobs that other shops often declined. From the outset, Dan relied on ProShop ERP to establish a structured and professional operation.

With no preconceived shop habits, ProShop provided the architecture to scale from prototype work to full production. He appreciated its flexibility, allowing users to engage with only the features they needed, while offering full traceability, inspection tracking, tool monitoring, and streamlined workflows.

As the shop grew, so did its capabilities. Dan added machines based on customer needs. Even though he originally considered writing his own shop software, Dan realized ProShop offered a more digital and complete systematic solution, helping to instill confidence in customers with its robust quality tracking.

Despite technical and business demands, the biggest struggle for Dan has been balancing health and family life with work. He reflects that while the work is rewarding and the customer appreciation is fulfilling, the long hours and intensity of running a shop can take a toll.

He credits ProShop with saving him from drowning in paperwork, calling it a 24/7 executive assistant that keeps the business running smoothly. He appreciates how ProShop has aided in the independence and pride that he's found in creating a high-functioning operation accidentally, and from scratch.

LinkedIn: Dan Fifer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-fifer-35621791/

Lane4 Precision - http://www.lane4precision.com/

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Paramount Machine, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a well-established and highly diversified machine shop with around 70 employees and a wide range of machining capabilities. They specialize in CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine work, including complex operations such as multi-axis and five-axis machining, and serve multiple industries, particularly the medical, defense, and x-ray equipment manufacturing sectors.

John Rausch is the general manager at Paramount Machine with a background in machine tool sales, while Eric Van Orden, the founder's son, started from the ground up and now plays a technical leadership role. Their long-term commitment and hands-on experience reflect the company's strong internal culture and emphasis on relationships.

The shop faced challenges with its previous ERP system, including limited visibility, reliance on printed travelers, and inefficient time tracking. These issues affected job scheduling, on-time delivery, and material tracking. Their decision to switch to ProShop stemmed from the need for better visibility, process control, and integration across departments.

Implementing ProShop has not been easy. It required an adjustment from both the office and the shop floor staff. However, they began seeing improvements in scheduling, tracking, and reducing manual errors. The team values features like live part tracking and digital documentation, which reduce the need for physical traveler copies and cut down confusion.

Overall, the transition has been a learning process, but one that Paramount believes is worthwhile. John told me, "It has been hard, but for the right reasons". Paramount Machine continues to invest in its people, technology, and customer relationships. Their emphasis on continuous improvement, collaboration, and adaptability positions them well for future growth and innovation.

LinkedIn: Eric Van Orden - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-van-orden-378795314/

LinkedIn: John Rausch - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rausch-21449261/

Paramount Machine -https://www.paramount-machine.com/

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End 2 End Manufacturing didn't start with high-tech machines or enterprise systems. It began as a contract welding shop focused on responsiveness, trust, and doing right by the customer.

As the company grew, adding CNC machining, design, and prototyping capabilities, it became clear that tribal knowledge and whiteboards couldn't sustain the pace. That's where Gioni Bianchini, General Manager, saw an opportunity for real change.

In this episode, Gioni Bianchini, the General Manager at End 2 End Manufacturing, shares the story of that transformation, how a lean but ambitious team evolved their culture, their operations, and their entire workflow by adopting ProShop ERP.

But it wasn't just about new software. It was about visibility, alignment, and creating space for machinists and fabricators to take real ownership of their work. From improving accountability to breaking down silos, Gioni reflects on what it took to guide his team through change while keeping their hands-on values intact.

Whether you're at the beginning of your digital journey or deep into scaling challenges, this conversation offers a grounded, honest look at what real manufacturing transformation looks like in practice.

LinkedIn - Gioni Bianchini: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gioni-bianchini-4a015b18/

End 2 End Manufacturing - www.e2emfg.com

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