We’re closing out 2025 by spotlighting the leaders who aren’t just talking about the future of manufacturing—they’re building it in real time.

This wrap-up episode features five voices who are rewriting what modern leadership on the shop floor actually looks like today—and where it's headed.

Hear from five industry leaders, Adam Gordon, Daniel Anglemyer, Rebekah Colligan, Eric Van Orden, and Randall Leac—leaders who are rebuilding culture, elevating teams, and using data as a competitive edge instead of a quarterly report.

Each guest shares their take on accountability, continuous improvement, and what happens when you care more about progress than hierarchy.

Forget the old command-and-control playbook. This crew proves that when people and processes are prioritized, and information flows freely, everything else starts to accelerate.

Show notes:

02:00 – Adam Gordon, Tendon Manufacturing

How hiring with heart and building a culture of ownership drives real performance for Tendon Manufacturing.

05:45 – Daniel Anglemyer, Hipschman

Daniel talks about his hands-on leadership, process discipline, and developing the next wave of shop-floor leaders.

​

11:25 – Rebekah Colligan, Phoenix Mecano

Standardization, data visibility, and the engineering mindset are behind Rebekah’s major productivity gains.

​

26:40 – Eric Van Orden, Paramount Machine

Eric believes that ownership, accountability, and high expectations as the fuel for a winning shop culture.

​

30:50 – Randall Leach, Riccarte Precision

Randay shares why digital visibility, flexibility, and proactive decision-making define next-gen leadership.

The Datanomix Difference: What Makes It Work?

It’s not just what you see. It’s how fast you see it, how clearly it shows up, and how easily your team acts on it.

• Simple machine and data connectivity, handled by us
• Data that makes sense on day one
• No Operator Input™ means zero burden on your team for data entry
• Product Tracks built for actual shop floor behavior
• Stay connected to your shop floor with the Datanomix Mobile App
• Kick-Ass Coaching that walks the shop floor with your team and keeps you winning
• Best-in-class partnerships and integrations
• The Datanomix Community built on real relationships and real wins
• Mountains of success stories with manufacturers just like you
• Every customer starts with our Pilot Program

Learn more at www.datanomix.io

What does PMPA leadership in modern manufacturing really look like? In this episode of Manufacturing Mavericks, we sit down with Brian Adams, President of the Precision Machined Products Association (PMPA), for a candid and wide-ranging conversation, recorded live at Datanomix HQ in Nashua, NH.

Brian shares his personal journey from sweeping the shop floor at his family business to eventually leading PMPA at the national level. One handwritten letter to his uncle set the course for a lifelong career in precision manufacturing, and Brian has carried that legacy forward with humility, heart, and a focus on people.

We dive into the evolution of the industry, the pressing need for skilled talent, and how PMPA’s mission of “Better Together” continues to shape shop culture across the country. As Brian puts it, true PMPA leadership in modern manufacturing means investing in relationships, education, and the next generation of craftsmen and women.

Show Notes:
(01:27) – Starting on the Shop Floor

(04:23) – The Classic Broom & The Bridgeport

(14:08) – Succession and Second-Generation Leadership

(15:46) – Why PMPA Matters

(17:20) – Adopting Technology to Stay Competitive

(19:45) – Advice for the Next Generation

The Datanomix Difference: What Makes It Work?

It’s not just what you see. It’s how fast you see it, how clearly it shows up, and how easily your team acts on it.

• Simple machine and data connectivity, handled by us
• Data that makes sense on day one
• No Operator Input™ means zero burden on your team for data entry
• Product Tracks built for actual shop floor behavior
• Stay connected to your shop floor with the Datanomix Mobile App
• Kick-Ass Coaching that walks the shop floor with your team and keeps you winning
• Best-in-class partnerships and integrations
• The Datanomix Community built on real relationships and real wins
• Mountains of success stories with manufacturers just like you
• Every customer starts with our Pilot Program

Learn more at www.datanomix.io

In this episode of Manufacturing Mavericks, we're heading to Salt Lake City to talk with Steve Van Orden and Eric Van Orden —father and son leaders at Paramount Machine. Steve started the company in the family garage with a manual lathe and a bold vision. Now, Eric is helping lead the next chapter of growth with a focus on automation, people-first culture, and smart investments in technology.

Eric opens up about why his dad made him start at the bottom and how that decision shaped his leadership style. From sweeping the shop floor to now helping run a 70-person team, Eric shares his perspective on generational transitions, developing trust within the team, and what it takes to modernize without losing your core.

Together, Steve and Eric talk about the balancing act of family and business, the turning points in Paramount’s growth, and why listening to employees is a competitive advantage.

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to grow a shop across decades and do it with heart, humility, and smarts—this one’s for you.

Show Notes:

2:20 — The garage days: How Paramount started with a manual lathe and a vision
4:03 — Why Eric started with a broom, not a title
7:43 — Choosing the shop over law school
10:43 — Why Steve invests based on employee feedback
14:25 — Betting on Swiss machines changed the game
19:25 — Developing new talent without a programming department
23:30 — Navigating the tension and trust of a family business
37:39 — Datanomix's positive change on Paramount's culture

The Datanomix Difference: What Makes It Work?

It’s not just what you see. It’s how fast you see it, how clearly it shows up, and how easily your team acts on it.

• Simple machine and data connectivity, handled by us
• Data that makes sense on day one
• No Operator Input™ means zero burden on your team for data entry
• Product Tracks built for actual shop floor behavior
• Stay connected to your shop floor with the Datanomix Mobile App
• Kick-Ass Coaching that walks the shop floor with your team and keeps you winning
• Best-in-class partnerships and integrations
• The Datanomix Community built on real relationships and real wins
• Mountains of success stories with manufacturers just like you
• Every customer starts with our Pilot Program

Learn more at www.datanomix.io