What does it take to run one of the top-performing machine shops in the country? In this episode of MakingChips, we sit down with Kevin Bowling, COO of Major Tool & Machine, to find out exactly what drives their success—and why it all starts with people.
Kevin isn't just leading a massive operation with 670,000 square feet of manufacturing space and machines that can turn parts up to 40 feet in diameter—he's cultivating a culture of excellence, servant leadership, and continuous improvement. From daily standups to custom-built software tools that empower employees to submit (and track) improvement ideas, Kevin shares how his team fuels a winning environment.
We talk about how Major Tool keeps scrap rates under 1.6%, mitigates multi-million dollar risks, and engages machinists in everything from quoting to process design. But more than that, Kevin reveals why trust, gratitude, action, growth, and excellence aren't just words on a wall—they're the foundation for shop floor performance.
Whether you're running a 3-person shop or leading hundreds, this conversation is packed with ideas you can apply to raise the bar.
Because when leadership is intentional and people are empowered, that's when you start making chips—and making money.
Segments
- (0:00) Nick ditches the t-shirt to interview like an adult
- (0:47) Will we see you at Top Shops 2025?
- (1:51) Paul shares insights from a woodworking leadership forum
- (3:50) Introducing Kevin Bowling from Major Tool & Machine
- (7:40) Overview of Major Tool's massive facility and machine capabilities
- (12:41) Building culture through employee-led process design and daily Kaizen
- (16:24) How culture drives retention—Kevin's team gives Cadillacs at 50 years
- (18:00) Inverted org charts and servant leadership in practice
- (19:32) Custom software and dashboards built around the floor's needs
- (22:39) Grow your top and bottom line with CLA
- (25:05) Aligning improvement ideas with key business KPIs
- (26:50) Making the scoreboard visible: everyone should know if they won today
- (29:48) KPIs that drive engagement and performance
- (31:25) Major Tool's five core values: Trust, Gratitude, Action, Growth, Excellence
- (35:08) Managing massive parts and multi-million dollar risk
- (39:45) Everything is scalable—even if you're just starting out
- (41:13) Real-world Kaizen: from newspaper boards to software tickets
- (44:25) Why every initiative must start with defining the current state
- (46:21) Sustaining improvements through standard work
- (47:39) Integrated systems, employee engagement, and long-term culture
- (50:22) Let Hire MFG Leaders make your next hire smooth and seamless
Resources mentioned on this episode
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