116. 80+ Years Strong: The Reinvention Playbook Behind Jergens' Growth

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There are certain companies in manufacturing that are so woven into the fabric of the industry that you almost stop noticing just how influential they’ve been. That was my realization after sitting down with Matt Schron from Jergens. Like a lot of machinists, I’ve spent decades around Jergens products without fully appreciating just how deep their roots go, from workholding and lifting solutions to aerospace fasteners and even the origins of what eventually became Tooling U.

What stood out most in this conversation was how intentional Jergens has been about reinvention. After more than 80 years in business, they haven’t survived by protecting the status quo. They’ve evolved alongside manufacturing itself. Matt shares how the company started making airplane seat components during World War II, transitioned into supporting the growing job shop economy after the war, and has now come full circle by becoming deeply embedded in aerospace and defense manufacturing again.

We also spent a lot of time talking about what growth actually requires behind the scenes. This episode dives into the operational discipline that comes with certifications like AS9100, not as a marketing checkbox, but as a framework for building a stronger company. Matt explains how implementing aerospace-level process control improved everything from material traceability to on-time delivery across the entire organization. It’s a great reminder that the best systems don’t just open doors to new business, they elevate the business itself.

Another part of this conversation I really appreciated was the focus on people and culture. Matt shares how Jergens approaches workforce development in some incredibly thoughtful ways, including programs for special needs students and formerly incarcerated individuals looking for a second chance. Combined with their long-term commitment to EOS, accountability, and continuous reinvestment into the business, it paints a picture of a company that understands sustainable growth is ultimately about developing people as much as products.

And of course, we couldn’t help but geek out on workholding, machine tending, automation, and ways shops can squeeze more productivity out of the equipment they already own. Whether you’re a small job shop owner or leading a much larger operation, there are practical lessons throughout this episode about reinvention, operational excellence, culture, and staying relevant in an industry that never stops changing.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in…

(0:00) How AS9100 certification helped strengthen Jergens beyond aerospace work
(1:18) Introduction to Matt Schron and the legacy of Jergens
(3:25) Meeting through AMT and the value of manufacturing associations
(4:57) The history of Jergens and its roots in World War II aerospace manufacturing
(6:12) How Jergens evolved from workholding into aerospace and defense fasteners
(9:00) We share more about SMW Autoblok’s world-class workholding products
(10:14) Reinventing a fourth-generation manufacturing business
(12:28) Expanding into aerospace through customer demand and market opportunities
(15:30) Using AS9100 to improve operations, quality, and traceability company-wide
(17:36) The importance of leadership staying connected to the shop floor
(18:34) Check out the Hennig WorkFlow automation pallet delivery solution
(19:27) Jergens’ “SOLVE” culture and the values driving the organization
(23:55) Creative workforce development programs for special needs students and second-chance employees
(27:46) How EOS helped create accountability and organizational alignment
(38:17) Why Matt prefers the term “machine tending” over automation
(39:23) Why you need to listen to the Lights Out podcast
(39:51) Building workholding systems that make automation more accessible for shops
(47:06) Why listening closely to customers drives the best product innovation
(51:25) Advice for machine shops trying to grow and stand out in competitive markets