Search a title or topic

Over 20 million podcasts, powered by 

Player FM logo
Artwork

Content provided by Nick Goellner and Mike Payne. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Nick Goellner and Mike Payne or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
Player FM - Podcast App
Go offline with the Player FM app!

Inside the Numbers: Roger Atkins’ MTForecast 2025 Preview for Small Manufacturers, Ep #29

32:06
 
Share
 

Manage episode 508407700 series 3608620
Content provided by Nick Goellner and Mike Payne. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Nick Goellner and Mike Payne or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

In this episode of Buy the Numbers, I sit down with Roger Atkins, President of the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA), to talk about the real state of U.S. manufacturing as we close out 2025. Representing more than 1,000 small and medium manufacturers nationwide, Roger brings a boots-on-the-ground perspective to the headwinds, opportunities, and trends shaping the industry right now.

The conversation goes well beyond statistics to explore the forces behind them. Roger shares his preview of the MTForecast conference and NTMA’s ENGAGE event, pulling back the curtain on survey data straight from job shops across America. From tariffs to labor shortages, election-year uncertainty to international trade shifts, he outlines what’s truly affecting shops and where he sees signs of stability.

We also dig into the “new math” of manufacturing leadership — the push to do more with the same workforce, invest in automation and workholding instead of just machines, and partner with builders and integrators to drive productivity. Roger explains why this collaboration between equipment makers and shops is more critical than ever.

Finally, we focus on one of Roger’s favorite topics: benchmarking. He shares a powerful story about how one shop used benchmarking against itself to command a premium sale price, underscoring why every shop owner should measure not just against the competition, but also against their own past performance.

This episode is a blueprint for owners, operators, and leaders who want to thrive despite uncertainty—and who believe small manufacturers make the world go round.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
  • (1:00) Introducing Roger Atkins and the NTMA’s 1,000-member nationwide network
  • (1:50) Previewing NTMA ENGAGE 2025 and MTForecast 2025
  • (3:57) Expectations vs. reality in 2025: Flat performance and sector-by-sector differences
  • (5:32) Get 20% off your MTForecast registration with code MAK20
  • (6:47) Mike’s oil and gas perspective—slow and steady
  • (8:32) Why no shop can depend on one industry anymore
  • (10:22) Tariffs, international pressures, and how uncertainty delays investment decisions
  • (11:28) Why “just make a decision” is Roger’s message to legislators
  • (13:00) Why small manufacturers navigate uncertainty better than anyone
  • (16:20) Forecasting equipment purchases: Bigger interest in workholding and automation
  • (17:22) Grow your top and bottom line with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA)
  • (18:00) Why MTForecast is where builders and users come together to collaborate
  • (19:22) Doing more with the same workforce: automation, quick-change workholding, and better tooling
  • (22:23) Benchmarking: why every shop should start by measuring against itself
  • (24:40) Benchmarking surveys as a top NTMA member benefit (and a sign of top-shop discipline)
  • (28:14) Roger’s call to action: Business as usual no longer works
  • (29:11) This is not your grandfather’s industry—adapt, invest, and collaborate
  • (31:00) Paul’s Top Shops 2025 invitation and MAK20 discount code
Resources & People Mentioned Connect with Roger Atkins Connect With Buy the Numbers

Subscribe to Buy the Numbers

on Apple + Spotify

Audio Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK

  continue reading

30 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 508407700 series 3608620
Content provided by Nick Goellner and Mike Payne. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Nick Goellner and Mike Payne or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

In this episode of Buy the Numbers, I sit down with Roger Atkins, President of the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA), to talk about the real state of U.S. manufacturing as we close out 2025. Representing more than 1,000 small and medium manufacturers nationwide, Roger brings a boots-on-the-ground perspective to the headwinds, opportunities, and trends shaping the industry right now.

The conversation goes well beyond statistics to explore the forces behind them. Roger shares his preview of the MTForecast conference and NTMA’s ENGAGE event, pulling back the curtain on survey data straight from job shops across America. From tariffs to labor shortages, election-year uncertainty to international trade shifts, he outlines what’s truly affecting shops and where he sees signs of stability.

We also dig into the “new math” of manufacturing leadership — the push to do more with the same workforce, invest in automation and workholding instead of just machines, and partner with builders and integrators to drive productivity. Roger explains why this collaboration between equipment makers and shops is more critical than ever.

Finally, we focus on one of Roger’s favorite topics: benchmarking. He shares a powerful story about how one shop used benchmarking against itself to command a premium sale price, underscoring why every shop owner should measure not just against the competition, but also against their own past performance.

This episode is a blueprint for owners, operators, and leaders who want to thrive despite uncertainty—and who believe small manufacturers make the world go round.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
  • (1:00) Introducing Roger Atkins and the NTMA’s 1,000-member nationwide network
  • (1:50) Previewing NTMA ENGAGE 2025 and MTForecast 2025
  • (3:57) Expectations vs. reality in 2025: Flat performance and sector-by-sector differences
  • (5:32) Get 20% off your MTForecast registration with code MAK20
  • (6:47) Mike’s oil and gas perspective—slow and steady
  • (8:32) Why no shop can depend on one industry anymore
  • (10:22) Tariffs, international pressures, and how uncertainty delays investment decisions
  • (11:28) Why “just make a decision” is Roger’s message to legislators
  • (13:00) Why small manufacturers navigate uncertainty better than anyone
  • (16:20) Forecasting equipment purchases: Bigger interest in workholding and automation
  • (17:22) Grow your top and bottom line with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA)
  • (18:00) Why MTForecast is where builders and users come together to collaborate
  • (19:22) Doing more with the same workforce: automation, quick-change workholding, and better tooling
  • (22:23) Benchmarking: why every shop should start by measuring against itself
  • (24:40) Benchmarking surveys as a top NTMA member benefit (and a sign of top-shop discipline)
  • (28:14) Roger’s call to action: Business as usual no longer works
  • (29:11) This is not your grandfather’s industry—adapt, invest, and collaborate
  • (31:00) Paul’s Top Shops 2025 invitation and MAK20 discount code
Resources & People Mentioned Connect with Roger Atkins Connect With Buy the Numbers

Subscribe to Buy the Numbers

on Apple + Spotify

Audio Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK

  continue reading

30 episodes

همه قسمت ها

×
 
Loading …

Welcome to Player FM!

Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.

 

Copyright 2025 | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | | Copyright
Listen to this show while you explore
Play