107. How to Buy a Machine Shop Well: Nik and Aaron with Mahler Machining

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Buying a machine shop from the outside can sound intimidating. For Nik and Aaron of Mahler Machining, it was also an opportunity.

In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, Paul sits down with the two partners who acquired a precision machining business in Vancouver, British Columbia after spending nearly a decade in corporate finance and private equity. Instead of continuing to advise businesses from the outside, they decided to own and operate one themselves. Their search led them to manufacturing, and ultimately to Mahler Machining, a shop they believed had the foundation to grow into something much larger.

What makes this conversation especially valuable is the playbook they share for buying a machine shop the right way. From structuring the deal with the retiring owners, to spending their entire first year on the shop floor learning the business, to intentionally investing in culture, systems, and leadership, Nik and Aaron walk through how they approached the transition. Their story shows how disciplined operators from outside the industry can successfully step into manufacturing ownership while earning the trust of the team already in place.

Since acquiring the business, they’ve implemented major operational improvements, including adding a third shift, investing in new equipment, building a formal sales engine, implementing ERP, and even completing a tuck-in acquisition of another small shop. The result has been consistent growth while laying the groundwork for entry into aerospace and defense markets.

For anyone thinking about buying a machine shop, scaling one beyond the typical owner-operator ceiling, or preparing their own shop for acquisition someday, this episode provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at how thoughtful operators approach the process.

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

(0:51) Paul introduces Nik and Aaron from Mahler Machining and explains why their acquisition story matters for the future of the industry
(3:29) Growing up together, careers in corporate finance, and the decision to pursue business ownership
(6:25) Why manufacturing and precision machining stood out as the right industry to enter
(9:50) Structuring the acquisition and navigating the transition
(12:25) Why we love SMW Autoblok for workholding
(13:12) Learning the business, early operational improvements, and plans for long-term growth
(19:21) Why diversification across industries and customers is critical to reduce risk
(21:30) Building a disciplined sales engine using CRM, metrics, and persistence
(23:58) Developing machinists through partnerships with technical colleges and apprenticeship programs
(27:31) Shifting company culture toward learning, psychological safety, and clearly defined core values
(31:23) Operational improvements including quality control upgrades and stronger sales efforts
(34:47) Grow your top and bottom line with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA)
(35:28) Managing change and helping employees adapt to ERP implementation
(38:35) Recruiting challenges and building the next generation of machinists
(41:20) The unforgettable first day of ownership…
(42:32) Investing ahead of growth and building a leadership team for scale
(47:12) Integrating employees after acquiring another shop
(48:21) Advice for future buyers: go slow in year one so you can move faster later
(49:26) Why they remain bullish on the long-term future of precision machining
(53:47) Join us at IMTS 2026 in Chicago!