MakingSparks – MakingChips Podcast

A dedicated podcast for professional welders and fabricators.

Meet the Hosts

Matthew Nix

Casey Voelker

MakingSparks: Why Numbers are Important for Your Ma ...

You need to know the “numbers” in your business. Every business owner needs to know that they’re making enough to pay their employees, make and deliver their products, and grow the business. That’s just good business.

MakingSparks: Oklahoma Meets Indiana – A Manu ...

Mike Payne has spent the last 20+ years deeply entrenched in the M&A process with dozens of companies throughout Oklahoma. Early in his career, he realized he loved the world of manufacturing. He also learned that he enjoyed operating a business. He was just waiting for the right opportunity to unfold.

How Businesses Can Collaborate with Technical Educa ...

What are the benefits of working closely with a local career & technical education center? You can have a huge impact on the local community, education system, and businesses. If you partner with a local technical center, it could have a far-reaching impact—and it just might help you recruit the next generation.

MakingSparks: Staying Connected through Your Front ...

In this episode of MakingSparks, we delve into the innovative strategies employed by Nix Companies to bridge the gap between leadership and the shop floor, fostering a culture of collaboration and empowerment.

MakingSparks: Growing Shop Floor Front Line Leaders ...

How do we recruit more young talent to fabrication? How do we navigate rapid growth balanced with training and development? How do we help develop young talent into our future leaders? These are just a few questions we wrestle with in this episode of MakingSparks with special guests Dakota Hunt and Jack Henry Hagan.

MakingSparks: Manufacturing Precision and Processes ...

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of nuclear reactor component production with a behind-the-scenes look at BWXT Mount Vernon. Join us as we explore the intricacies of their sprawling facility, home to cutting-edge CNC machine tools and sophisticated welding and heat-treating equipment.

MakingSparks: How Technology Drives Innovation on t ...

What are the pros and cons of plasma cutters vs. water jets vs. lasers? How does cutting with nitrogen differ from cutting with oxygen? How is technology driving innovation in fabrication? R.J. Reed and Brendon DiVincenzo join us in this episode of MakingSparks to cover all things lasers and fabrication.

MakingSparks: Expanding and Transitioning a Family ...

Every family business that’s growing and expanding runs into some challenges. From navigating tough conversations with family to determining a centralized versus decentralized model, there are numerous things to consider. Joe Patterson’s family business overcame the challenges that came their way and expanded globally.

MakingSparks: Embracing the Family Aspect of Busine ...

Running a family business is full of unique challenges—and successes—that many other businesses don’t have to think about. But navigating those challenges doesn’t have to be difficult. Tad Dickel returns in this episode of MakingSparks to cover it all.

MakingSparks: Navigating a Family Business in Manuf ...

Nix Companies is a fifth-generation family business in an industry that’s predominantly privately held and family-owned. Family-owned businesses are the fabric of our economy. Today’s guest on MakingSparks, Tad Dickel, is a Leadership & Strategy Consultant with a special interest in family-owned businesses. He helps them with everything from governance to succession planning.