Episode #10: Is it time to buy a new machine?

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When is the right time to invest in new equipment—before the job is booked or after the PO lands?

In this episode, Mike and Kirk are joined by Greg Knox of Knox Manufacturing Solutions to dig into the real decision-making struggles shop owners face every day.

They cover the critical difference between buying for capacity vs. capability, why conservative vs. entrepreneurial mindsets approach machine buying differently, and how to use strategy—not guesswork—to guide growth. Greg shares hard-earned insights from 40+ years in the industry, including”

• How shops are doubling margin with better machine strategy
• Why many shops plateau—and how to break through
• How automation and accessory upgrades can eliminate the need for a new machine
• When off-shifts actually cost more than they help
• Why machine investment isn’t just about parts—it’s about people, culture, and momentum

Whether you’re running a small shop or leading multiple facilities, this episode will challenge how you think about growth—and give you new tools to make smarter investments.

Segments

• (0:00) The age-old debate: buy the machine before the work, or wait for the PO?
• (1:40) Greg shares how he got into the industry and founded Knox Machinery
• (6:57) The difference between buying for capacity vs. capability—and why it matters
• (12:08) Real examples of betting on new machines before the work existed—and winning
• (18:13) How to test new capabilities without buying the machine (yet)
• (20:30) Most customers don’t know what they actually need—your job is to figure it out
• (23:45) Most shops don’t have a strategy—and it’s holding them back
• (28:00) Machines can lead your growth—or follow it—but you need the plan either way
• (33:49) How a single machine purchase turned a 20% margin job into a 60% winner
• (35:28) Holding price and improving service is often the best way to “give back”
• (39:00) Don’t be a quote dropper—follow up and build a relationship
• (42:40) Second shifts vs. automation: why automation is often the better investment
• (50:30) Don’t default to buying more machines or hiring more people—optimize what you have first
• (55:40) The guys dig into the cultural shift required for lights-out and automated operations
• (1:07:18) As we automate, will we need more machinists?