Most leaders in manufacturing are focused on performance, process, and technical competence. But when a team is underperforming, the root cause often has nothing to do with skills or processes like Lean—it's about character.

In this essential episode, the hosts sit down with Mac and Ria, founders of Blue Collar Leadership, live from the Fabtech show floor. Drawing from 20 years on the factory floor and extensive work in the Lean methodology, Mac shares why the most critical investment a company can make is in the personal growth and character development of its frontline employees.

They challenge the notion of "management" and introduce a unique, low-cost method for inspiring and identifying true leaders throughout your organization.

This conversation offers a powerful shift in perspective: leadership is influence, and by helping people become better spouses, parents, and community members, you organically create better employees.

In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why most manufacturing leadership training focuses on management, not influence.
- The personal cost of a career where leaders invested "zero dollars and zero minutes" in character development.
- The simple, non-judgemental "book study" method that leads to personal transformation.
- Why vulnerability and personal stories—especially when you got it wrong—are essential for connecting with blue-collar teams.
- How to let potential leaders self-identify based on their hunger for growth, regardless of their title.
- Why the culture you build must be about the people first, not just the ROI or the company.

Timestamps:
0:26 – The philosophy of "going slow to go fast" in business.
3:15 – The lack of leadership development in manufacturing: "4 or 5 hands" out of 130 attendees.
3:46 – Mac's 20-year journey from CNC operator to Lean Manager.
4:33 – Why the "Blue Collar Leadership" brand is a badge of honor, not a label.
5:40 – Discovering the Seven Habits and finding the missing piece of Lean.
9:01 – Ria's story: leading as a Director of Compliance with influence, not authority.
10:57 – The biggest difference between Blue Collar Leadership and corporate training: the stories.
11:31 – The difference between universal principles and applicable practices.
14:00 – Why blue-collar workers are on alert for inauthentic leaders.
20:42 – The importance of leaders investing in their own development first.
32:41 – Learning the difference between learning about leadership and learning leadership.
33:16 – A free resource: the Book Study Training method.
36:21 – How to use humility and a micro-story to drive personal transformation.
43:36 – Mac's personal transformation after years of teaching others.
51:10 – Blue Collar Leadership's unique business strategy: we don't chase clients.
52:03 – How focusing on character rebuilt Mac's relationship with his estranged son.
57:02 – The results: great leadership will happen in your company if you make it about the people.

Resources:
Join our Facebook Group for conversations that will help grow your business: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Dspnz4Qt5/
Blue Collar Leadership: https://bluecollarleadership.com/
Free Book Study Training: bluecollarleadership.com/bookstudytraining
Free Course - The Five Types of Leaders: https://www.google.com/search?q=TheFiveTypesOfLeaders.com
Lights Out Podcast: https://makingchips.com/show/lights-out/
Buy the Numbers Podcast: https://makingchips.com/show/buy-the-numbers/

Most people see Fabtech as just a trade show.

But for those in the fabrication world, it’s where the entire industry comes together — to connect, learn, and see what’s next.

In this episode, Casey Voelker sits down with Rick Snyder of Multipress and Matt Crosby of Pacific Press live from the Fabtech show floor. Together, they talk about what it’s really like exhibiting, the value of showing up in person, and why networking matters now more than ever.

It’s not just about machines and demos — it’s about people, partnerships, and perspective.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What makes Fabtech more than “just another trade show”
• How networking creates opportunities long after the show ends
• Why showing up in person still matters in a digital world
• The biggest lessons from exhibiting at Fabtech
• How collaboration between competitors drives the industry forward
• What small and mid-size shops can gain from attending next year

Timestamps:
1:17 – What makes Fabtech special for fabricators
3:54 – The value of collaboration over competition
6:12 – How trade shows help companies grow visibility and trust
8:40 – Why you can’t replace in-person networking with online content
12:03 – Exhibiting lessons from Multipress and Pacific Press
15:28 – Favorite booths and standout innovations at Fabtech
18:45 – How the industry’s community keeps getting stronger
21:10 – Final takeaways: why every shop should make Fabtech a priority

Resources:
Join our Facebook Group for conversations that will help grow your business: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Dspnz4Qt5/

Multipress: https://multipress.com/

Pacific Press: https://pacific-press.com/

Lights Out Podcast: https://makingchips.com/show/lights-out/

Buy the Numbers Podcast: https://makingchips.com/show/buy-the-numbers/

Most people think automation replaces welders.
Graham Williams thinks it saves them.

In this episode, recorded live at FABTECH, we sit down with Graham Williams of Vectis Automation to talk about how cobots are changing the game for small and mid-size shops — not by cutting people out, but by helping them do more, learn faster, and stay longer in the trade.

From breaking the stigma around automation to using AI for smarter workflows, Graham shares how the best shops are blending tech and talent to create the next generation of fabricators.

It's not about robots replacing humans. It's about giving humans better tools.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How cobots help small and mid-size shops compete with less overhead

• The biggest misconceptions shop leaders have about automation

• How to get buy-in from your welders before bringing in robots

• Why AI should simplify your work — not overcomplicate it

• How automation can extend careers and attract new tradespeople

• What "crawl, walk, run" really looks like when adopting new tech

1:12 – Matthew introduces Graham and the story behind Vectis Automation
3:40 – How cobots are helping small shops do more with the same crew
6:15 – Breaking the biggest myths about automation in fabrication
8:54 – Why automation isn't just for high-volume production
12:07 – How AI fits into the future of welding and manufacturing
14:48 – Getting buy-in from seasoned welders on new tech
18:22 – How cobots can extend careers and attract young talent
22:50 – What the "crawl, walk, run" approach to automation looks like

Resources:
Join our Facebook Group for conversations that will help grow your business:
👉 https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Dspnz4Qt5/

Connect with Graham on LinkedIn:
🔗 linkedin.com/in/graham-williams-532174b8

Learn more about Vectis Automation:
🌐 https://vectisautomation.com

Lights Out Podcast:
🎧 https://makingchips.com/show/lights-out/

Buy the Numbers Podcast:
🎧 https://makingchips.com/show/buy-the-numbers/