Brett Lister and Blaine Radie, co-owners of B&B Dynamic Machining, share their journey in precision manufacturing. Brett started in landscape architecture but quickly realized it wasn't for him and pursued mechanical drafting. He gained experience in tool and die shops and learned CNC programming. Blaine discovered his passion for metal and woodworking in high school and worked his way up from being a part deburrer. They met at a previous employer and decided to start their shop, focusing on continuous learning and personal growth. In this part of the conversation, Brett discusses the importance of culture in a company and shares his experiences with poor leadership and toxic work environments. He emphasizes aligning values between an organization and its employees to create a healthy culture. Brett also talks about his vision of starting a CNC machine school and the industries that BNB Precision serves, including healthcare simulation and magicians' props. Brett and Blaine discuss the importance of positive work environments, the role of leadership in shaping company culture, and the future of American manufacturing. They emphasize the need for smaller shops to thrive and support each other in the industry. They also highlight the significance of networking and building relationships within the manufacturing community. The conversation touches on the challenges of finding skilled machinists and the importance of producing high-quality parts. They express their passion for American manufacturing and the desire to give back to their community.

Takeaways

• The importance of continuous learning and personal growth in precision manufacturing
• The value of hands-on experience and starting from the bottom
• The impact of culture on employee retention and success
• The power of visualization and positive thinking in achieving goals Culture starts at the top and is influenced by leadership.
• The alignment of values between an organization and its employees is crucial for a healthy culture.
• Consider more than just the money when making career decisions.
• There is a shortage of skilled machinists, and starting a CNC machine school can help address this issue.
• B&B serves various industries, including healthcare simulation and magicians' props. Creating a positive work environment and fostering a strong company culture are crucial for success in the manufacturing industry.
• Smaller shops will likely see a resurgence as more people seek alternatives to working for big corporations.
• Networking and building relationships within the manufacturing community can lead to opportunities and support.
• Producing high-quality parts is essential for the reputation and growth of American manufacturing.
• Giving back to the community and supporting workforce development programs are important ways to contribute to the industry.