87. People and Technology: Building an Enduring Shop
Description
When I think about the shops that inspire me most, it’s the ones that balance cutting-edge technology with a deep investment in people. That’s exactly why I loved sitting down with Steve and Eric Van Orden of Paramount Machine in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Steve started Paramount back in 1995 with nothing more than a manual mill and a garage shop. Fast forward nearly three decades, and the company has grown into a 75-person operation with more than 30 machines, including palletized horizontals, multi-spindle lathes, and 5-axis mills. What impressed me most, though, wasn’t the equipment—it was the culture they’ve built.
Both Steve and Eric share how Paramount has become a place where careers are built, young machinists thrive, and innovation is driven by a team that truly feels ownership in the business. With 35% of their workforce under 30 and several families working side by side, it’s clear this is more than just a machine shop—it’s a community.
In our conversation, we dig into the early days of Paramount, the lessons learned along the way, and the practical strategies they’re using now to keep growing in a space- and talent-constrained world. Most of all, we explore what it takes to build a business that can make a lasting impact—on people, families, and future generations.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
- (0:15 ) “RASRAM” and the 7 habits of effective workholding
- (1:35 ) Meet the guests: Steve and Eric Van Orden of Paramount Machine
- (3:26 ) How Steve founded the company in 1995 in a garage with manual equipment
- (4:26 ) Early growth, partnerships, and moving into a rented building
- (8:00 ) Transitioning from partnerships to solo leadership
- (9:03 ) Current snapshot of the business and its growth trajectory
- (10:49 ) How their workforce development program works
- (15:54 ) Collaborating with the NTMA and other local initiatives
- (16:22 ) Mentorship and on-the-job training models
- (17:20 ) Eric’s journey: From unsure beginnings to leading operations
- (21:00 ) How Paramount encourages team ownership and decentralized leadership
- (22:23 ) Flexibility in work hours, overtime, and PTO
(24:47 ) Grow your top and bottom line with CLA - (25:25 ) Letting each cell own their workflow
- (26:29 ) Embracing software, digitization, and writing custom internal tools
- (29:08 ) Transparency with finances and learning from losses without blame
- (33:22 ) Profitability, continuous improvement, and capacity optimization
- (35:44 ) Overcoming space constraints and driving efficiency with smarter equipment
- (39:36 ) Tracking KPIs, spotting bottlenecks, and using software to stay ahead
- (42:52 ) Strategic decisions that fueled growth: hiring, trust, and investing in technology
- (45:51 ) Legacy and impact: changing lives and building a multi-generational business
- (49:55 ) Join us at Top Shops 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina!
Resources & People Mentioned
- Level up your workholding with SMW Autoblok
- Grow your top and bottom line with CLA
- Join us at Top Shops 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina!
Connect with Eric and Steve Van Orden
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