Podcast
capacity
Hosted by fulcrum · EN
Capacity is where small, vitally important manufacturers finally tell their stories. Hear how small business owners, entrepreneurs, and operations leaders overcome challenges to build amazing manufacturing businesses. Hosted by Fulcrum CEO Sunny Han. Learn more at fulcrumpro.com.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Rhys Andersen of Method MFG
Dec 900:53:57Tap to summarizeWildland firefighter turned aerospace shop owner.In this episode of Capacity, Sunny Han sits down with Rhys Anderson, Founder & CEO at Method MFG in Austin, Texas, to unpack how he’s built a high-mix, high-requirement aerospace machine shop around systems, communication, and careful technology bets.Rhys shares:How a childhood in a Montana sewer and fab business led to a love for making thingsWhat thousands of hours on wild land fires taught him about checklists and communicationThe story of buying and rebuilding an enormous used CNC machine with no prior experienceLessons from early business partnerships and planning the “exit” on day oneMethod MFG’s path into aerospace and operating as if they were AS9100 from the startWhy front-end quoting and reading quality clauses deeply is so criticalHow he avoids single points of failure by cross-training machinists on everything—even the nicest five-axis machinesUsing data on machine performance, floor space, and automation cells to decide what stays and what goesConstantly trialing CAM, ERP, and automation tools while refusing to be trapped by sunk costsHis view on robotics and AI as a way to let machinists do more interesting, higher-level workIf you lead a machine shop or sheet metal fabrication business and you’re thinking about quality, scalability, and modern workflows, Rhys’s story offers a grounded look at what it takes to evolve without losing control.Connect with Rhys & Method MFGMethod MFG: https://www.methodmfg.com/Rhys on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhys-andersen-austintx/Learn more about Fulcrum at https://fulcrumpro.comFollow Capacity for more conversations with manufacturers who are pushing toward more dynamic, agile shops.
Transcribe →Luigi Sposito of A.G. Miller
Oct 2100:59:07Tap to summarizeWhat does it mean to be a steward of a century-old sheet metal shop?Luigi “Lou” Sposito, Owner and President of A.G. Miller in Springfield, MA, joins Sunny Han to talk about legacy, data, and the next generation of fabrication.Lou shares why he sees himself not as an owner, but as a caretaker of a long-standing manufacturing business built on people, relationships, and precision. He explains how documenting tribal knowledge, adopting automation, and using modern software like Fulcrum can help small shops evolve without losing what makes them unique.In this episode:→ Defining stewardship and leadership in manufacturing→ Turning shop-floor know-how into measurable data→ Balancing tradition with automation and robotics→ Building culture through empathy and accountability→ Managing generational change in fabricationAbout the Guest:Luigi (Lou) Sposito — Owner & President, A.G. Miller, a full-service sheet metal manufacturer providing cutting, bending, welding, powder coating, painting, silk screening, and plating.agmiller.com | Lou@agmiller.comSubscribe for more real-world conversations with shop owners, fabricators, and builders redefining manufacturing.Learn more: fulcrumpro.com#Manufacturing #SheetMetal #Fabrication
Transcribe →Carlos Fernandes of ACP
Sep 1900:44:03Tap to summarizeIn this Capacity episode, Sunny visits ACP (Formely ACP Waterjet - west of Boston) to talk with founder Carlos Fernandes about starting a shop in a recession with no manufacturing background, scaling through smart risk, building instant quoting and e-commerce, wiring systems together with APIs, and creating a culture where AI and automation add jobs by boosting throughput.Carlos shares the early grind (phones, faxes, midnight runs), an amicable founder split, sequencing capabilities (press brake → lasers → machining), when equipment bets don’t pay off, and why “days, not weeks” is the north star for customer experience.Listen if you care about: job shop scaling, waterjet & laser cutting, quoting speed, SOPs, leadership, and the practical side of AI on the shop floor
Transcribe →Hernan Ricaurte of Ricaurte Precision Inc.
Sep 400:47:42Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to turn a small, family-run shop into a precision powerhouse? In this episode of Capacity, Fulcrum CEO Sunny Han talks with Hernan Ricaurte, President of Ricaurte Precision Inc., about how the company scaled nearly 4× in just 8 years while serving some of the most demanding industries: aerospace, defense, medical devices, and even rocket components.From achieving AS9100-certified operations to making bold seven-figure bets on automation and 5-axis machining, Hernan explains what it takes to build a disciplined, growth-minded team in precision machining.🔑 Highlights from this episode:• The challenges of stepping into a family business without a manufacturing background• Lessons from Japanese and American business cultures• Building strong teams and empowering shop-floor decision-making• How bold investments in technology and people fueled growth• The role of automation, ERP, and AI in the future of precision manufacturingIf you’re in precision machining, considering an AS9100-certified path, or curious how a small shop can transform into a key aerospace and defense supplier, you’ll want to hear this story.
Transcribe →Chad Jones of Turbine Supply Co
Aug 2100:48:36Tap to summarizeEngineer-turned-owner Chad Jones bought a 40-year-old manufacturer, nearly sank it in year one, then rebuilt culture and systems to double revenue with one new hire. Hear his playbook: fair-value deal math, cash discipline, profit sharing, and ops upgrades.
Transcribe →Joe Osborn & Michael Langston of OMW Corporation
Jul 2901:01:31Tap to summarizeWhat happens when a violin-making hobbyist builds one of the most trusted machine shops in the aerospace world? In this episode, Sunny Han sits down with Joe Osborn and Michael Langston of OMW Corporation to uncover how a tiny garage startup became a key AS9100 supplier for the private space and satellite industry. Discover how OMW scaled without selling out, why they turn away customers who don’t share their values, and how radical transparency became their secret weapon.
Transcribe →Fritz & John Schlabach of Rock Run Industries
Jul 1400:55:42Tap to summarizeWhat happens when you trade stability for risk and lead with faith instead of fear? In this episode, Chris sits down with Fritz and John of Rock Run Industries, a father-son duo who turned a garage hobby shop into a thriving sheet metal fabrication powerhouse with over 150 employees and #35 on thefabricator.com’s FAB 40 list this year. From bold equipment bets and low turnover to a culture rooted in values over profits, they share the real, raw story behind their 24-year journey.Hit play to hear what it really takes to build a business that people never want to leave.
Transcribe →Scott & Courtney Johnson of Johnson Metal Works
Feb 14, 202501:16:20Tap to summarizeJohnson Metal Works is a specialty subcontractor for structural fabrication, erection, and industrial manufacturing in Bozeman, Montana. In this conversation, husband-and-wife duo Scott and Courtney Johnson walk us through their journey from traditional employment to running their own metal fabrication business — sharing the risks, rewards, and real-life lessons along the way.They share about the emotional and practical sides of entrepreneurship: planning for growth, managing risk, and navigating the balance between family and business. Scott and Courtney also detail how they’ve scaled Johnson Metal Works, emphasizing team culture, open communication, and maintaining a collaborative environment.Listen in for insights on fostering a strong company culture, fueling sustainable growth, and embracing change—both personally and professionally. If you’re looking to grow a fabrication business, their story offers plenty to learn and apply.Learn more about how JMW is “manufacturing Montana” at https://www.johnsonmetalworks.com/
Transcribe →Grady Cope of Reata Engineering & Machine Works, Inc.
Jan 7, 202500:58:56Tap to summarizeHow did Grady Cope go from working on oil rigs to running a machine shop? And how did he grow from operating a manual mill and lathe to managing a 25,000 sq. ft. facility filled with advanced CNC machines? Fulcrum Founder & CEO Sunny Han sits down with Grady to hear the story of how he started and grew Reata Engineering & Machine Works—and the lessons he’s learned along the way. ⌲ Find out more about Reata: https://reataeng.com/ ⌲ Explore Fulcrum: https://fulcrumpro.com ——— About Grady: Grady Cope is the President & CEO at Reata Engineering & Machine Works in Englewood, Colorado. Grady started his career as a mechanic working on offshore oil rigs but found his way into machining through the advice of a friend. He started his shop with a manual mill and lathe in 1993, and grew the shop to become the customer service oriented, tech focused business Reata is today. Reata is a high-mix, low-volume job shop, specializing in complex parts and assemblies for the medical, aerospace, and semiconductor industries. The combination of multi-axis CNC machines, lights-out capabilities, and digital manufacturing tools allows Reata to offer short lead times to customers. Grady is an active leader in the manufacturing community, having served as: - Former Chairman, National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) - Former Chairman, Colorado Advanced Manufacturing Association (CAMA) - Board Member, National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS). He is passionate about addressing the skilled labor gap by inspiring the next generation of manufacturers. Grady works with local schools and colleges to help students and parents understand the importance and excitement of careers in manufacturing.
Transcribe →Cody Goff of Vilonia Metal Works
Dec 2, 202400:47:13Tap to summarizeCody Goff is the 3rd-generation owner of Vilonia Metal Works in Vilonia, Arkansas. Vilonia Metal Works specializes in laser cutting, forming, and fabricating for the restaurant industry. Learn more at www.viloniametalworks.com.
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