Turn It Up to 11: From YouTube Learning to Aerospace Growth with Nick Preece, 516

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What happens when a college engineering student buys a CNC machine just to experiment… and accidentally builds an aerospace machine shop? That’s exactly what Nick Preece did. What started as a curiosity fueled by YouTube videos and garage tinkering quickly evolved into Preece Machining & Assembly, a fast-growing shop focused on complex, high-mix aerospace work.

In this Gen CNC episode, Nick shares how he bootstrapped the business from a used mill and a $1,200/month goal into a 10+ machine operation. Alongside his brother Tanner, the two built a company rooted in technical problem-solving, disciplined growth, and a willingness to learn everything the hard way, from customer concentration risk to hiring challenges.

The conversation dives into how young shops can compete with larger manufacturers by focusing on complex work, building strong customer relationships, and creating positive sales pressure. Nick also explains how painful lessons around diversification forced them to rethink outreach, refine their quoting strategy, and become more intentional about the work they pursue.

Nick also discusses scaling a team, investing in five-axis capability, and even bringing on strategic partners to accelerate growth. With a vision of building a full “PMA campus” and a culture built on kindness and urgency, Nick offers a real-world look at what it takes for the next generation of manufacturing leaders to grow fast without losing focus.

His advice for anyone starting a shop? Don’t just compete, turn it up to 11 and deliver something exceptional every single time.

Segments

• (0:00) Introduction and welcome to Gen CNC featuring Nick Preece
• (2:24) Preece Machining & Assembly overview and aerospace focus
• (4:22) Origin story: learning machining on YouTube and starting in a garage
• (7:40) Working with family and division of responsibilities with Tanner
• (12:39) Bootstrapping the first machine to multiple machines and five-axis investments
• (15:00) Head to DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits event
• (15:59) How they make decisions on capital equipment
• (17:47) Sales and marketing strategy, customer concentration, and diversification
• (20:15) Building a sales process and generating positive sales pressure
• (21:34) First in, First Order: What is your ideal part profile?
• (27:7) Pricing pressure, margins, and competing during slow periods
• (30:54) Hiring strategy, workforce challenges, and recruiting experienced talent
• (33:55) Shop culture: kindness, urgency, and high performance
• (36:33) Why we love SMW Autoblok for workholding
• (38:48) Long-term vision and building a “PMA campus”
• (42:39) Five-axis strategy and thoughts on automation
• (45:10) Why you need to come see us at IMTS 2026
• (46:04) Bringing on investment partners and scaling the business
• (49:24) Nick’s advice to young founders: “turn it up to 11”

Resources mentioned on this episode

• NYC CNC/John Saunders
• John Grimsmo
• Head to DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits event: DN-Solutions.com
• Paperless Parts: What is your ideal part profile?
• Why we love SMW Autoblok for workholding
• Hire MFG Leaders
• Why you need to come see us at IMTS 2026

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