87. People and Technology: Building an Enduring Shop
Machine Shop Mastery
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...
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86. Using Business to Build People: Sam Thevanayagam’s Model for Manufacturing Leadership
Machine Shop Mastery
When I think about inspiring stories of resilience and vision in the world of manufacturing, Sam Thevanayagam’s journey is one that stands out. In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I sit down with Sam, the founder of Parts Life Inc. and the leader behind Deval Lifecycle, to unpack his incredible path from Sri Lanka to Philadelphia, from downsizing his home to fund his dream, to acquiring a bankrupt business and transforming it into a thriving, mission-driven company employing nearly 200 people. What struck me most about Sam is not just his sharp business acumen or the bold risks he’s...
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85. Buying a Machine Shop for All the Right Reasons - Scott Bruneau from Delaware Metals
Machine Shop Mastery
What happens when two people with a shared vision for community, craftsmanship, and legacy decide to take the leap into shop ownership? For Scott and his wife, the answer is Delaware Metals. In this inspiring conversation, Scott Bruneau shares how he and his wife purchased a decades-old, well-run machine shop—not as a quick flip, but as a long-term investment in American manufacturing, their team, and their community. With over 20 years in the industry himself, Scott knew the road ahead would be demanding. But armed with a clear “why,” a strong culture-first mindset, and a...
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84. Facing Fears and Building an Emotionally Safe Workplace | Dana Gruber
Machine Shop Mastery
What if the next frontier of manufacturing leadership isn’t on the shop floor—but in the hearts and minds of your people? In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, Paul sits down with Dana Gruber, third-generation owner and president of ATCO Tool & Manufacturing. Dana didn’t grow up on the machines—she came from a career in cosmetology—but found herself drawn back into the family business with a mission that goes beyond precision parts: Creating an emotionally safe and psychologically aware workplace. From investing in cutting-edge technology like 3D metal printing to redefining...
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83. Crafting Success: Insights from Barry Walter Jr. on Company Culture
Machine Shop Mastery
In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I sat down with Barry Walter Jr., and I have to say—this one lit me up. Barry’s a machine shop leader who brings heart, humility, and a whole lot of wisdom to the mic. From rebuilding a multi-generational business to designing a culture where “shit flows uphill” (his words!), Barry has transformed a plumbing parts OEM into an 8-figure, high-mix/low-volume powerhouse with 37 team members, 15 CNC lathes, and a customer service model that makes his buyers the heroes. What struck me most is how intentional Barry is—not just with his machines or...
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82. Belief and Brotherhood with Kelly Denison
Machine Shop Mastery
Every once in a while, I sit down with a guest who reminds me exactly why I started this podcast in the first place. That was the case with Kelly Denison, the second-generation owner of Continental Machine Company in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Kelly is the kind of leader who sees his machine shop not just as a business—but as a vehicle for opportunity, growth, and purpose. In our conversation, we talked about what it means to carry forward a legacy. Kelly’s dad bought the business in 2000, and by 2020, Kelly had earned his way into full ownership—not by entitlement, but by doing...
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81. Perseverance and Processes with Rhys Andersen
Machine Shop Mastery
What would you do if your very first CNC machine didn’t even power on? For most people, that’s where the story would end. But for Rhys Andersen, it was just the beginning. In this episode, I sit down with one of the most determined shop owners I’ve ever interviewed. Rhys is the founder of Method Manufacturing in Austin, Texas — and his journey into precision machining is anything but conventional. From wildland firefighting to architecture school to a series of trial-by-fire business ventures, Rhys took the long road to building a thriving aerospace and defense machine shop. You’ll...
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80. 4x Your Money with Machine Shops with Mike Payne
Machine Shop Mastery
What if you could double—or even quadruple—the value of a machine shop within just 12 months of buying it? For Mike Payne, this isn’t a hypothetical. It’s a repeatable system he’s refined across five acquisitions (and counting). In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, Mike returns to the mic to break down exactly how he transforms tired shops into thriving, high-value operations—without starting from scratch. Mike walks us through his bolt-on acquisition strategy, sharing how he targets shops with legacy customers, retiring owners, and underutilized assets. But the real...
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79. The BTM Blueprint: Collaboration, Culture, and Growth
Machine Shop Mastery
In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I sit down with Kyra Tillman, third-generation owner of BTM Industries. When Kyra returned to the family shop, she inherited more than just machines—she inherited decades of “this is how we’ve always done it.” What she’s done since is nothing short of a transformation. With grit, grace, and a serious knack for finding and using resources, Kyra has turned a quiet, closed-door machine shop into a vibrant, collaborative, culture-driven powerhouse—one where growth and fun coexist, Nerf guns included. We dig deep into how she transitioned...
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78. The Power of Being Mission Driven - Court Durkalski of Truline Industries
Machine Shop Mastery
Most shop owners I talk to are focused on the usual things: keeping the machines humming, staying profitable, maybe planning for growth or succession. But what if the real unlock for your shop wasn’t more tech or tighter margins—but a completely different way of thinking about why your business exists in the first place? That’s what today’s episode is about. I sat down with Court Durkalski, CEO of Truline Industries, and honestly, this conversation hit me harder than most. Court runs a $23 million aerospace machining company with 120 employees—and they give away 10% of...
info_outlineWhat if you could double—or even quadruple—the value of a machine shop within just 12 months of buying it? For Mike Payne, this isn’t a hypothetical. It’s a repeatable system he’s refined across five acquisitions (and counting).
In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, Mike returns to the mic to break down exactly how he transforms tired shops into thriving, high-value operations—without starting from scratch.
Mike walks us through his bolt-on acquisition strategy, sharing how he targets shops with legacy customers, retiring owners, and underutilized assets. But the real magic happens post-purchase. By layering in his tech stack, systems, and leadership team, he’s able to drastically improve efficiency, customer value, and ultimately, the valuation multiple—often turning a 2.5x shop into a 5x performer.
You’ll hear how Mike evaluates potential deals, builds financial models based on his operating costs, and uses simple frameworks to identify untapped value others miss. He also shares practical insights for both buyers and sellers—from structuring seller-financed deals to boosting your multiple with minimal upfront investment.
Whether you’re considering your first acquisition or preparing to sell your shop, this episode is packed with tactical advice and inspiring proof that serious wealth-building in manufacturing is not only possible—it’s within reach.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
- (0:13) Grow your top and bottom-line with CLA
- (1:30) Welcoming Mike Payne back to Machine Shop Mastery
- (7:30) The difference between a 2x and 5x multiple—and how to shift it
- (12:40) The magic of applying ProShop, systems, and talent immediately
- (14:00) How new capabilities drive revenue increases with legacy customers
- (15:07) A real-world example: buying a shop for the price of one machine
- (17:06) How better purchasing power and equipment cataloging create ROI
- (20:12) The market opportunity: thousands of underperforming shops for sale
- (22:24) Advice for sellers: how to move from a 2.5x to a 4x+ valuation
- (25:50) The math of wealth-building via acquisition vs. from-scratch startups
- (28:15) Get fired up for Modern Machine Shop’s Top Shops 2025
- (28:41) Scaling without adding overhead: people + process + systems
- (36:15) How your valuation multiple improves the moment you sign the deal
- (38:59) The importance of clean books and what buyers want to see
- (43:43) Standardizing CAD/CAM without stifling capability
- (45:47) A true story: Why there’s a shop culture fit for everyone
- (53:30) The long game: building equity, opportunity, and value for your team
- (1:00:20) Why you need to listen to the Lights Out podcast
Resources & People Mentioned
- Grow your top and bottom-line with CLA
- Demystifying the Buying and Selling of Machine Shops
- Funding Your Dream Machine Shop
- Machines Are Just the Start (How to Build a Shop That Lasts)
- Get fired up for Modern Machine Shop’s Top Shops 2025
- Listen to the Lights Out Podcast!
Connect with Mike Payne
- Connect on LinkedIn
- The Buy the Numbers podcast
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Audio Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK