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Gosiger Blog

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Five Reasons You Shouldn't Say "No" to Automation

November 21, 2023

Are you hesitant about incorporating automation into your small or mid-size machine tool job shop? Despite reservations, even low-volume operations can capitalize on current automation trends. While high-volume machine shops have long embraced automation, it's time for smaller enterprises to recognize the advantages.

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Mastering Change Gracefully in the Evolution of Events

November 21, 2023

Change is inevitable, and to maintain audience interest, one must be skilled at adapting and comfortable with the trial-and-error approach. Learning from events is constant, provided you remain open to criticism.

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Using Fusion 360 and Okuma Super-NURBS To Achieve Superior Machined Surface Finishes

November 2, 2023

Attaining a top-notch, glossy surface through machining requires precise coordination of various elements. The part setup, tool choice, and cutting parameter adjustments all play a role in determining the machining outcome. The motion of the CNC machine tool holds significant importance, with sudden changes in feed rate and irregular movement typically having a negative impact on material cutting and the resulting finish.

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Beyond Ticket Sales: Perfecting Post-Event Feedback

October 27, 2023

Hosting an event is much more personable than you may believe. From coordinating on the back end, it is easy to lose the connection of keeping the audience at the forefront of your planning. When hosting an event, measuring the success lies far beyond just the amount of tickets sold. Attendee engagement and enjoyment are key factors when determining the event’s overall achievement. 

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Networking Efficiency: Getting to the Point and Building Bridges

September 25, 2023

Networking is like building powerful friendships that can supercharge your career. It's the key to meeting people who can open up exciting opportunities for you. In this blog, we'll guide you through the steps to become a networking pro.

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The Art of Planning and Coordinating Events Made Simple

August 21, 2023

Event planning and coordinating sounds like an easy gig until you begin to dive deeper into the logistics behind organizing events. Navigating your event can take more toll on you than you had initially intended. This is why you must be very diligent in your process. From inception to execution, orchestrating an event that leaves a lasting impression demands skill and dedication.

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Maximize Your Productivity and Profitability Today With These 5 Tips.

December 29, 2022

It’s no surprise that the better your machine runs, the more productive and profitable you will become. Through Gosiger's Engineered Systems Division, we provide a wide variety of industry-leading engineering services to our customers to help them overcome their challenges and improve how they manufacture. From turnkey systems to engineering support, we bring multiple solutions to tackle any obstacles you may face. But what can you do to improve your operation today?

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Gosiger Service and Support Provides the Resources to Keep Your Operation Running!

October 4, 2022

No matter how dependable a machine can be, the likelihood of problems occurring is greater than zero. Gosiger provides unmatched technical support for every machine sold while prioritizing keeping your operation running! Purchasing a machine takes planning, energy, and finances to expand your shop floor, so why not make sure you get the most out of that investment? Using Gosiger’s support resources such as preventative maintenance plans, training, spare parts and technical service will help keep your operation running at its best.

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Jingdiao Brings High-Precision Machining to Gosiger's Offering

August 2, 2022

What Brian Stall says about Jingdiao High-Speed Mills

Brian Stall with Jingdiao GRA400

As the Gosiger 3D Application Engineer, I spent over 500 machining hours during an 8-week period evaluating the Jingdiao 5-axis mill at our Dayton headquarters. The Jingdiao engineers supported me during the entire process. If they couldn't answer a question, they would have it the next day. I was extremely impressed with their technical skills and response time.

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Why Swiss Machining and the Firearms Industry Go Hand-In-Hand

July 11, 2022

 

For a firearm to be effective, it needs to be reliable, durable, consistent and accurate. When finished parts have burrs or other defects, the detrimental impact it has on the gun is severe. With Swiss machining, you avoid these issues and provide a product that can be trusted when needed most.

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Gosiger Automation: The Process of Automating Your Operation

May 25, 2022

Deciding if automation is the right fit for your business can be a daunting task. Whether it's your first automation project with us or you're a returning customer, our experts are here for the entire process.

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MODIG Presents the World's First Inverted Machine Tool

March 9, 2021

In January 2021 MODIG Machine Tool applied for a new patent on a paradigm­ shifting machine tool innovation. We are proud to present the world's first Inverted machine tool.

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Does Okuma’s OSP Control Count the Parts You Make?

August 6, 2019

Gosiger’s West Coast applications expert answers a question about parts counting, asked by an Okuma turning machine user, in this video.

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5 Reasons to Join the Gosiger Team

August 1, 2019

Providing machine tools, factory automation, engineering services, applications assistance, and more to manufacturers is a rewarding career choice. It means being part of the fabric of the American economy by helping customers make the products we all need and use.

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Will Your Digital Footprint Come Back to Haunt Your Successors?

July 25, 2019

While none of us like facing our own mortality, as a conscientious CNC shop owner you’ve likely given thought to what would happen if you were suddenly no longer there. Hopefully, you’ve put a succession plan in place, shared your last wishes and financial information with your family, and provided instructions as to where your business successors and heirs can locate the important documents they need going forward.

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How to Achieve a Leaner CNC Shop

July 17, 2019

Although Lean manufacturing is often thought of as the province of major companies like Toyota, the basic concept is applicable to any CNC shop. In essence, Lean is about analyzing a manufacturing process to eliminate wasted time, labor and material.

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Controlling Chip Production Improves Throughput & Part Quality

July 8, 2019

Productivity is an important objective when setting up a part program, and often means maximizing spindle speed and feed rate. However, tools selected strictly on the basis of cutting speeds, may also produce chips that are difficult to manage.

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Automation Solutions Suitable for any Size CNC Shop

July 2, 2019

Two serious challenges for many CNC shops are reducing cost-per-part and finding skilled CNC machine operators and machinists. Both problems can be addressed by applying automation solutions.

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Get Your Fill of German Food, Beer and Serious Manufacturing Solutions at Gosigerfest 2019

June 27, 2019

It happens every 2 years in Dayton Ohio: Gosigerfest – a gathering of manufacturing professionals who are serious about taking their shops to the next level.                              

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What if Something Terrible Happens to Your CNC Shop?

June 18, 2019

No CNC shop or any other business is immune to crisis. Although we hope it never happens, when something goes terribly wrong a company’s very survival may hinge on how well it handles the aftermath. That’s why every CNC shop should have a crisis plan in place. Right now.                                                                            

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Gosiger Partners with Educators to Develop Future Manufacturing Professionals

June 13, 2019

Developing the next generation of manufacturing professionals requires investments in programs that help students learn the real-world skills they need to succeed. As a firm believer in this approach, Gosiger provides equipment and training to several colleges across the country, sponsors lunch-and-learn and other events that bring students and professionals together, and works with tooling, software and other providers to support educational programs.

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Tech Bar Experts are a New Feature of Okuma 2019 Summer Showcase

June 12, 2019

Celebrating 35 years in America, Okuma hosts the 2019 Summer Showcase event on July 24 – 25 in its Charlotte, NC headquarters. Gosiger CNC and automation specialists will be among those meeting one-to-one with attendees in the Okuma Tech Bar. This is an opportunity to discuss critical production challenges with Gosiger experts who draw on 95 + years of manufacturing experience.

In addition, the Summer Showcase includes:
• Industry-specific Okuma machine demos
• Special guest speakers
• Access to applications engineers
• Learning about efficiency-improving APPs

Okuma machines available for up-close-and-personal examination:
• GENOS M460V-5AX
• GENOS M560-V
• LB3000 EX II-MYW
• LT2000 EX-2T1MY
• LU3000 EX
• MU-4000V
• GA26W
• GENOS L2000-e
• MU-5000V
• MU-S600V
• LB3000 EX II BBW
• MB-4000H
• LB3000 EX II Gantry
• 2SP-150H
• MULTUS U3000

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Why Swiss-Style Turning Machines Were Developed & Why You Should Care

June 7, 2019

In the 1870’s the demand for Swiss watches required high volumes of precise parts for their coveted timepieces. Fixed head turning machines of the day were not capable of holding the tight tolerances required for these small diameter parts. So the Swiss watchmaking industry developed a different kind of turning machine.                                           

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Which is Better? 3-jaw or Collet Chucks?

June 4, 2019

Is a standard, 3-jaw chuck or a collet chuck a better choice for your CNC turning machine? The answer is (as is true with so many decisions): It depends.

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How Gosiger Helps Educate the Next Generation of CNC Machinists

May 3, 2019

CNC shops across the country are struggling to find capable machine operators and machinists. Meanwhile, industry leaders project that by 2025 there will be a shortage of 875,000 skilled manufacturing professionals.

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Beware: Loan Sharks are Targeting Your CNC Shop

April 18, 2019

As a business owner, you probably receive unsolicited calls and other contacts from people who want to sell you something on a daily basis. Lately, you may have been inundated with robocalls offering quick and easy access to lines of credit. Many sound like this: “I’m calling to follow up on the offer we sent to you for a $500,000 line of credit…” 

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Step-by-Step Setup of the Okuma Soft Jaw Process

April 9, 2019

All Okuma turning centers with an OSP-P300 or later control include a soft jaw process program. Like many such programs, knowing a few shortcuts can save a lot of trial-and-error time. In this video, a Gosiger West Coast Okuma specialist takes you step-by-step through the setup. 

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Swiss-Type Turning Machine Performance: It’s all in the Details

April 3, 2019

Attention to detail is often what separates exceptional products from those that are simply “good enough.” This is particularly true of machine tools. The more precisely crafted and robust a machine’s components and assembly, the better it will perform initially and in the long run – without requiring undue service. 

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One More Way Okuma Controls Make CNC Programming Quick & Easy

March 26, 2019

Okuma OSP CNC control systems use the Windows®-based open architecture platform to optimize programming efficiency. There are many functions within the systems that provide shortcuts for streamlining production. Among these is the LIB (library) file that holds a group of macros residing within a single program. 

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New Videos Demonstrate Unique Attributes of 4 Nomura Swiss-Style CNC Machines

March 22, 2019

Nomura Swiss-style CNC machines are ideal for precisely machining complex parts, extending tool life, and making it easier to deal with challenging materials. A new series of videos  on the following models clearly demonstrates the abilities of these sliding headstock machines. 

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5 Ways to Protect Your CNC Shop from Cybercrime.

March 18, 2019

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) provides incredible opportunities to improve productivity and increase profit margins for CNC shops. However, just as in our homes, the more machines interconnect, the greater the opportunity for hackers to steal critical information. 

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5 Services that will Boost Productivity & Strengthen Your Bottom Line

March 13, 2019

Getting the most out of CNC machines and other production equipment often requires a careful analysis and refinement of the manufacturing process. Many CNC shops can benefit from working with an engineering services partner that has expertise,  in-house resources and years of experience to apply to virtually any machining challenge. 

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Gosiger High Volume Products Displayed in PMTS 2019 Booth 2012

March 8, 2019

 

For PMTS 2019 Gosiger High Volume presents the latest technologies for precision parts manufacturers. Nomura Swiss-style CNC machine Product Manager, Guy Metz, will make in-booth presentations and answer questions about Nomura Swiss-style CNC machines and applications.

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Gosiger Expands Advanced CNC Technology & Support for Western Michigan Manufacturers

February 27, 2019

Gosiger recently opened a new Manufacturing Technology Center in Wyoming Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids. The 6,000 square foot facility showcases Okuma, Hardinge and Nomura CNC machine tools for customer demonstrations, applications assistance and training.

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See how any Size CNC Shop Benefits from an Affordable Robotic Machine Tending System

February 6, 2019

The new, compact Load & Go self-contained robotic CNC machine tending system is so simple, versatile, reliable and affordable, it fits into any size CNC shop. 

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5 Ways to Protect your Shop From Embezzlement

January 30, 2019

No CNC shop owner wants to believe his trusted employees would steal from the company, but the reality is that employee theft in the US is estimated to be as much as $50 billion annually. 

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Here’s why you should automate part loading and unloading in your CNC shop today.

January 24, 2019
  1. Robots never take breaks, days off or vacations. They never fail to show up or become distracted. They continuously load and unload parts until you tell them otherwise, and modern industrial robots require minimal maintenance. 
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5 Reasons to Revisit CNC Machine Preventative Maintenance

January 17, 2019

 

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3 Myths About Robotic Automation & CNC Shops

January 8, 2019

Over time, the most successful CNC shops are those that adopt new technologies to reduce cost-per-part and improve productivity. Of course, shop owners must always balance risk and reward when considering capital investments.

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3 Family Values that Matter to the Gosiger Team

December 31, 2018

The end of one year and the beginning of another is a good time for reflection. As another successful year serving the manufacturing community closes, it’s important to reaffirm the values that underlie our commitment to customers, Gosiger team members, and supplier partners. 

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See How to Avoid Tool-Related Production Interruptions

December 11, 2018

All Okuma lathes and mills include a Tool Life Management function within the OSP P300 control.The program collects information about specific tools that accurately determines when those tools must be changed. The machine then continues running while the tool is automatically changed, thus eliminating any interruption in production, scrapped parts or damaged tool holders. 

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New 5-axis VMC Delivers Maximum Productivity in Minimum Floor Space

December 7, 2018

The newly introduced Okuma MU-S600V vertical machining center is a flexible 5-axis machine that is a mere 55 inches wide, yet easily handles 600 mm workpieces. Even more impressive is the unique ability to connect multiples of these machines for unattended and lights-out production, utilizing built-in robotics. 

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Considering 5-axis Machining?

November 28, 2018
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5 Attributes to look for in a Machine Tool Supplier

November 22, 2018

Investing in machine tools and other manufacturing equipment is not something any CNC shop can take lightly. Not only is the initial price tag significant, but the wrong choice can be extremely costly in lost production and less-than-desired results. 

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Why Always Putting Your CNC Shop First Could be a Big Mistake

November 15, 2018

CNC shop owners are famous for putting a tremendous amount of time, money, thought and perspiration into starting and running their business. Unfortunately, many are also notorious for neglecting to plan for retirement. According to financial experts, about 1/3 of small business owners don’t have a retirement savings plan. 

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5 Ways to Lead Your CNC Shop to Greater Productivity

October 8, 2018

We talk a great deal about management skills in manufacturing. In fact, many job titles include the word “manager”: Production Manager, Plant Manager, Shift Manager, Parts Manager – you get the idea. The fact is, if your job includes overseeing people as well as things, you need more than basic management skills to be truly successful. You need to be a leader.

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Why 5-axis Machines Make Sense for Almost Every CNC Shop

April 20, 2018

 

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Additive Manufacturing is More Than 3D Printing

January 26, 2018

 

Removing material from a workpiece to make a part or product is a cornerstone of manufacturing, and has been for centuries. Today, in addition to these traditional subtractive processes, manufacturers are looking for opportunities to use additive techniques as well.

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Okuma User Tips: OSP-P300L 3D Graphics Tool

January 25, 2018

 

Okuma’s OSP-P300 CNC control is filled with user-friendly tools to make any machining process easier and more efficient. For example, the Easy Operation run screen displays all operator functions on one screen, and the shared database eliminates redundant data entry.

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The Nigerian Prince is Still Out There & He’s After Your Shop’s Data

January 12, 2018

Nigerian Prince - 1200x628.jpg

Scam artists have been exploiting the power of the Internet from its very beginning. Lately, you see fewer of the signature bogus emails written in broken or misspelled English promising big rewards if you just send money now. This doesn’t mean these phishing schemes have gone away, they’ve simply become more sophisticated.

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Update on Passwords: We’re Doing it all Wrong

January 5, 2018

Now that so much of our personal information has been hacked by cyber criminals, being concerned about password security may seem like closing the proverbial barn door after the horses ran off.

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7 Ways to Hire Better Employees

December 29, 2017

 

Hiring new employees for your manufacturing business can be frustrating. As one shop owner put it: “First you have to find someone who has the right technical skills. Then they have to pass the background check and drug tests. If you hit the trifecta, you hire them on the spot. The problem is, you won’t know if they’re really good until they’re on the job.”

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7 Keys to a Successful Family Business

December 1, 2017

A number of privately owned manufacturing businesses in the U.S. have more than one family member on the payroll. That’s not surprising when you consider that many people who start or buy a business do so for the good of their family.

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Reinvigorating American Manufacturing

November 17, 2017

On Thursday, September 28, 2017 House Speaker Paul Ryan visited one of our customers to highlight how the upcoming proposed tax reform plan can benefit manufacturers. During his speech, Speaker Ryan pointed to a robotically loaded cell designed and built by Gosiger Automation as well as a BTB transfer machine. These are the types of investments that will benefit from the new tax code and help to reinvigorate American manufacturers.

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Should You Ever Let a Customer Go?

October 20, 2017

Every so often you may find it necessary to fire an unproductive or troublesome employee. It’s never a pleasant situation but you recognize that, if done properly, it’s ultimately in the best interests of everyone involved.

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How To Protect Your CNC Shop From Ransomware

September 15, 2017

While cybercrime in many forms continues to escalate, the fastest growing threat is ransomware, in which your data is held prisoner until you pay off the cybercriminals. According to the Web site Fight Ransomware, these attacks increased 300% from 2015 to 2016, with over 4000 attacks now occurring each day.

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Investing in CNC Machines: The Human Factor

August 11, 2017

It’s safe to say that most manufacturers recognize that their greatest asset is their people. They may have the latest and greatest technology, but it is the skills, experience and dedication of those who work for them that make the company what it is.

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3 Ways To Reduce Employee Absences

August 4, 2017

Occasional employee absences or tardiness, although inconvenient, are part of the human condition. However, an employee who habitually arrives late, calls out or simply doesn’t show up is being unfair to everyone who has to take up the slack. Not to mention impacting production schedules, customer deliveries and productivity.

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Here’s How Marketing Can Help You Get More Customers

July 21, 2017

Whether you own a CNC shop or are responsible for bringing in business for your employer, you’ll be more successful if you move beyond basic sales tactics to developing and implementing marketing strategies.

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The Time For Exit Planning Is Right Now

July 7, 2017

Few of us like to think about the end of things, especially a business we’ve just started or have been nurturing for some time. Plus, with all of the other day-to-day workplace challenges, who has time to plan that far ahead?

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Want More Business? Check Your Shop’s Emotional IQ

June 30, 2017

Most of us like to think that the buying decisions we make are based strictly on facts and figures. We look at specifications, evaluate the differences between options and make a perfectly logical choice. The truth is, every buying decision is also influenced by our emotions.

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5 Reasons To Use Social Media To Bring In More Orders

June 16, 2017

Social media is not a panacea for building your business, but it is an important part of an integrated marketing program. Along with personal selling, a strong Internet presence, advertising and public relations, social media can help you increase orders from existing customers and introduce your shop to new ones. Here are 5 other reasons to use social media:

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5 Ways The Fed’s Rate Hikes Could Affect Your Business

May 12, 2017

Confident that the U.S. economy is on firm footing, the Federal Reserve Board has begun gradually increasing interest rates and plans to do so at least two-to-three more times this year with additional increases in 2018. Along with the average consumer, businesses will soon begin to feel the effects in some obvious and not-so-obvious ways. This is especially true for small business (defined as those with 500 or fewer employees) who own or employ about half of the American workforce.

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Should You Offer A 401(k) Plan To Your Employees?

April 28, 2017

There’s no question that finding good employees for your CNC shop is challenging – as is holding onto them. Employees leave companies for a variety of reasons including uncertainty about their financial futures, particularly their ability to someday retire comfortably. One way to relieve this concern is to establish a 401 (k) plan. The IRS has specific guidelines for such plans, but in general here’s how they work:

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7 Ways To Protect Your Shop Data From Cyberattacks

March 31, 2017

Many who run small to mid-size businesses tend to think of cybercrime as only a big business problem. While it’s true that large corporations, governments, banks and retailers are likely targets for Internet based crimes, smaller businesses – including CNC shops – are not immune. According to the 2016 Internet Security Report from Symantec, 43% of cyberattacks last year targeted small businesses.

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5 Things to Consider When Buying An Existing Business

March 10, 2017

Let’s say you’re a CNC shop owner looking for new ways to compliment your existing business. Or, perhaps, you have an itch to add a new business to your portfolio. In either case you can start from scratch, or acquire an existing enterprise.

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What’s Next?

February 10, 2017

Succession Planning Question 10: What will you do after you sell your business?

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What Makes Your Business Unique?

January 20, 2017

Succession Planning Question 9: Are you investing in innovation and R&D?

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How Your Company Culture Adds Value When It’s Time To Sell

January 6, 2017

Succession Planning Question 8: What is your company’s culture?

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How Being A One-Person-Band Can Make It Harder To Sell Your Business

December 23, 2016

Succession Planning Question 7: How dependent is your business on you?

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What Does Insurance Have To Do With Succession Planning?

December 9, 2016

Succession Planning Question 6: What about insurance and buy-sell agreements?

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How Not To Hire a Disruptive Employee for Your CNC Shop

December 2, 2016

Sometimes even an employee with good job skills and experience can create problems with fellow employees that drain enthusiasm and impact productivity. That’s why it’s important to consider a job candidate’s personality and track record before making a hiring decision.

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How to be Sure Your Financial Statements Will Help You Sell Your Business

November 11, 2016

Succession Planning Question 5: How sound are your financial statements?

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How To Retain Key Employees to Protect the Value of Your Shop

October 14, 2016

Succession Planning Question 4: How can you retain key employees.

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How Much is Your Business Worth?

September 16, 2016

Succession Planning Question 3: How much is your business worth?

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Boost Productivity by Leveraging New, Higher Section 179 Caps

September 9, 2016

In the past few years, businesses waited all year long to find out if Congress would increase the standard 179 deduction limited from $25,000 to a larger amount. This made it difficult to plan significant year-end purchases—often leaving buyers scrambling to negotiate deals and take delivery in the midst of the holiday break.

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5 Reasons To Consider Forming An Advisory Board

August 26, 2016

CNC shop owners tend to be independent types. After all, that's why they run their own businesses. For some, this independent streak also means they seldom take advice from others. However, few of us are skillful in every aspect of owning and operating a business. That's why it makes sense to consider developing a board of advisors made up of people with various talents that compliment your own.

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Do You Plan to Sell the Business? If so, to Whom?

August 12, 2016

Succession Planning Question 2: Do you plan to sell the business? If so, to whom?

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What is Your Personal Vision and Timing?

July 15, 2016

Succession Planning Question 1: What is your personal vision and timing?

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Want A Happy Ending? Answer These 10 Questions

July 8, 2016

Most manufacturing business owners are much more interested in starting and running their shop than planning for the day they step away from it.

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All You Really Need to Know About Marketing Your Shop

June 17, 2016

Sometimes we make things more complicated than they need to be. When it comes to bringing in new customers and keeping the ones you have, the simple truths you learned as a child are still the basis for effective marketing. In fact, they’re the foundation for true success in all aspects of business. So take just a moment to remember what Mom, Dad and your teachers told you:

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5 Ways to Improve Cash Flow

June 10, 2016

When you run a CNC machine shop there’s always a lot on your plate. You deal with employee issues, job deadlines, working with suppliers and, of course, keeping the pipeline filled with work.

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5 Roadblocks to Making Good Decisions & How to Avoid Them

May 13, 2016

Business people who run manufacturing companies make many decisions every day. Unfortunately, we don’t always make the best decisions. There are a number of reasons for this, and we’ve listed the top ones here along with some tips to help you improve your decision-making batting average.

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Beware: Cyber Criminals Targeting Businesses Of All Sizes

April 22, 2016

The thieves who use computers instead of weapons to draw money out of business bank accounts are increasingly targeting small to mid-size businesses. Once, if you weren’t a billion-dollar company, you were less likely to be hacked by cyber criminals. That’s no longer the case. Consider these recent statistics:

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5 Ways To Resolve Conflicts in Your CNC Shop

April 15, 2016

As managers we’d like everyone in our workplace to get along and for things to run smoothly. However, whenever you have a group of people working together there are bound to be occasional conflicts. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Healthy conflict can often lead to better ways of making parts or other improvements.

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7 Ways To Coach Your CNC Team

March 4, 2016

In a perfect world a manufacturing company owner or supervisor would simply give employees orders, walk away and enjoy the results. After all, people should be self-sufficient, take pride in their work and always do their best. In the real world, of course, we all have our ups and downs, we make mistakes and we don’t always get along with everyone. In other words: We’re human beings.

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How You Can Write Off $500,000 in Manufacturing Equipment Purchases This Year

February 5, 2016

As has become its pattern, the United States Congress waited until the 11th hour of 2015 to approve the Section 179 deduction of business equipment for 2016. The good news is that this means you can write off up to $500,000 of manufacturing equipment put into service by December 31, 2016. Had this legislation failed to pass and be signed into law by the President, the 179 deduction limit would have been capped at $25,000.

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5 Ways the Bad Guys Can Hurt Your Business

January 27, 2016

It’s challenging enough to run a successful CNC machine shop these days without worrying about people trying to steal from you. Unfortunately, it’s a reality we all must face. Certainly, there have always been thieves and con artists, however today’s technologies and the rapid pace of business provide new opportunities for them to get hold of your hard earned dollars. Following are 5 of the most common scams aimed at businesses of all sizes and what you can do to keep the scammers’ fingers out of your pocket.

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5 Keys to Cyber Security

January 27, 2016

There are lots of big names in the news that wish they weren’t. They’re newsworthy because their databases have been hacked, putting employees and customers at risk. Not only have many major retailers been hit, but also institutions we thought were the most secure, including the Department of Defense, Homeland Security and other government agencies, have recently suffered major data systems breeches.

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How Safe is Your Workplace?

January 27, 2016

While we all want our employees to be safe in the workplace, the fact is there were close to 3 million reports of nonfatal injuries reported to OSHA last year. Over 900,000 cases involved days away from work. FEMA reports that in 2011 there were 85,400 non-residential fires in the U.S. that caused 80 deaths and 1,100 injuries. The dollar loss from these fires amounted to $2,435,700,000.

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CNC Shop Owners: What’s Your Endgame?

January 27, 2016

Typically owners of businesses like CNC machine shops put off thinking about the future of their company once they’re ready to retire, move on to a new challenge, or something unexpected happens. Let’s face it: few of us like to think about these things. We own our business because we like what we’re doing, we enjoy being our own boss, and we don’t want our success to depend on anyone else. We’d much rather focus on resolving today’s challenges, planning for growth and investing in new technology.

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4 Low-Cost Ways to Find New Customers

January 27, 2016

Marketing is typically not on the top of most CNC machine shop owners’ minds. After all, each day is filled with myriad challenges, and the primary goal is to produce more and better parts and products. Unfortunately customers don’t stay around forever, no matter how well we treat them. Companies are bought and sold, go out of business, bring previously outsourced work inside, or simply no longer require the kind of work you provide. That’s why we must constantly add new customers. But where do we find them? And how can we do so cost-effectively? Fact is there are a number of ways you can seek new customers by substituting sweat equity for dollars. Here are 4 of them:

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3 Videos that Drive Customers to Your Machine Shop

January 27, 2016

Video productions are one of the most powerful forms of communications and a proven sales tool. As a consumer you already know the power of video. And you’re not alone. In a 2011 survey, e-commerce consultants, The e-tailing Group, interviewed 1,039 participants about their video habits. Among their findings:

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4 Reasons You Could Lose Good Employees

January 27, 2016

According to a recent survey by Monster.com, nearly half of the employees who responded say they are unhappy in their current jobs and 81% plan to look for a new job this year. That’s a frightening statistic for employers who are likely unaware that they have disgruntled employees.

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3 Simple Ways Manufacturing Managers Can Increase Their Productivity

January 27, 2016

In today’s competitive manufacturing world, productivity is the key to success, so we invest in people and equipment that can make us more efficient. For managers of any kind, from owner or production manager to supervisor or shift leader, getting the most out of our own workday is often a challenge. There are always interruptions, unexpected problems and fires to put out. So how can we juggle all of our responsibilities and still be productive?

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7 Reasons CNC Manufacturers Should Perform Background Checks

January 27, 2016
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7 Key Interview Questions to Ask Job Candidates

January 27, 2016

When a new employee comes on board you commit significant time and money to developing what you hope will be a team member who will make meaningful contributions to your business. Obviously you’ll do your best to check on a candidate’s background and work history, but many times it’s difficult or impossible to get a straight answer from previous employers, or a balanced appraisal from hand-picked references. That’s why the interview questions you ask and the prospective employee’s answers are so important.

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5 Reasons Businesses Fail

January 15, 2016

Keeping any business open is challenging, and CNC machine shops of all sizes are no exception. According to the Small Business Administration 50% of businesses fail within the first five years, and two-thirds fail within 10 years.

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Is Time With Your Family a Priority? Here Are 5 Ways to Make it Happen

November 27, 2015

Running a CNC shop, or any business for that matter, is usually more than a 40-hour-a-week job. In fact there never seem to be enough hours in the day. So how do you make time for family and for yourself?

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7 Things You Need to Know About Millennial Generation Employees

November 13, 2015

Generational differences can have a profound impact on the workplace. The values, drives and personality differences between CNC shop owners/managers from previous generations and their Millennial employees (born between 1980 and 2000) are significant. This is not to say that Millennials are better or worse employees, just different. Which means their supervisors need to understand some basic Millennial characteristics so they can maximize their value to the company and to themselves.

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The Cost of Investment: Training, Skill Set, and ROI

October 30, 2015

There are 170,500 CNC machine shops in the U.S. This is what your business could be up against in finding employees with the skill sets needed for exceptional productivity and quality.

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5 Ways PR Can Grow Your CNC Shop

October 9, 2015

Getting more business for your CNC shop is a lot easier if you let potential customers know who you are, remind past customers you’re still around, and make current customers aware of all of your capabilities. Hopefully you’re doing this through personal contacts, email marketing, and inbound marketing using blogs and your Web site.

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4 Executive Sessions CNC Shop Owners Won’t Want to Miss

September 11, 2015

When Gosiger sponsored the first Executive Roundtable Discussions last February with a dozen shop owners and managers in southeast Ohio, the three top of mind issues that came up were: (1) Finding and keeping good employees; (2) Pricing to be both competitive and profitable; (3) The desire for help from suppliers when tackling difficult problems.

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5 Ways Blogging Can Bring in Jobs

August 14, 2015

A CNC shop owner recently lamented that the machining business is a perfect example of “feast or famine.” It’s true that shop owners have a tendency to actively look for new jobs only when the pipeline is emptying. Otherwise they’re focused on getting work out the door as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.

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The Fine Art of Firing Problem Employees: 5 Suggestions

April 17, 2015

There may be some sadistic types out there who actually enjoy firing people, however most of us don’t look forward to such acts. Certainly if an employee has stolen from our CNC shop or committed an egregious act we’re less likely to feel bad about the firing. Most of the time, though, we have to let people go because their performance isn’t up to standards or their behavior is disruptive. Regardless, firing is stressful, painful and could come back to haunt us if done improperly. So here are 5 important considerations when it’s time to pull the plug:

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7 Tax Planning Tips for CNC Machine Shops

March 6, 2015

As the new Congress takes shape there will likely be a number of tax issues that will be impacted by legislation. Like it or not, new tax laws and extensions or curtailments of existing programs may affect your manufacturing business. It’s best to keep in close contact with your trusted tax advisor as you move into 2015. Here are 7 important areas to keep an eye on:

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7 Ways to Deal with Poor Cash Flow

February 20, 2015

We’ve all been there: That big order was suddenly postponed or canceled. Even our best paying customers take their sweet time sending the check. An unexpected expense drained our cash reserves. Whatever the cause, slow cash flow keeps us up at night.

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5 Ways Email Can Get More CNC Machine Shop Business

January 30, 2015

Although social media, online advertising and other digital promotional tools get star treatment these days, it’s a fact that email is still the most widely used business communications vehicle. As such, email is also one of the most accessible and cost-effective ways to get more CNC machine shop business.

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7 Reasons CNC Machine Shops Should Invest in Employee Training

December 5, 2014

One of the key findings of the annual Top Shops surveys conducted by Gardner Business Media is that the higher performing CNC shops invest more in employee training than their counterparts. Like any other business CNC machine shops must invest in continuing education to stay abreast of current manufacturing practices and technologies. Here are 7 reasons to invest in employee training:

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7 Ways to Handle Problem Employees

November 21, 2014

One of the most unpleasant tasks a manager or shop owner faces is dealing with problem employees. In a more perfect world we’d all come to work with the desire to do our best to help our companies succeed. In fact, most employees do just that. Sure, we all have those days when we’re not at our best, but most of us take pride in our work, so long as it’s appreciated.

Unfortunately, there are exceptions:

  • The Prima Donnas who think they’re better than their co-workers and should be treated “special”
  • The Drama Queens who throw tantrums whenever something goes wrong
  • The Specialists whose mantra is “That’s not my job”
  • Houdini – the worker who has mastered the art of disappearing from his or her work area and magically reappearing just before quitting time
  • Mr. or Ms. Innocent who is never at fault, never takes responsibility, but always finds something or someone to blame when things go wrong
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Beware of These 4 Toxic Traits in New Hires

September 19, 2014

Many business leaders agree that one of the keys to success is having the right people in the right jobs. Therefore we tend to focus on technical expertise, experience and intelligence when evaluating potential employees. Although these are all significant issues, it’s equally important to hire people who have the right personalities and attitudes.

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Think Your CNC Shop is too Small for a Union? Think Again.

August 29, 2014

If yours is a large manufacturing company you may well deal with a union. If not, you most likely have created a work environment in which the employees don’t feel the need to belong to a collective bargaining organization.

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7 Traits to Look for in a New Employee

August 15, 2014

A wise machine shop owner once said that his most valuable assets walk out the door at the end of each shift. We all know that our employees are the lifeblood of our companies and one of our largest investments. Which means making good hiring decisions is critical to our success.

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5 Ways to Reduce Stress in Your Shop & Why You Should Care

July 11, 2014

Life is full of stresses, many of which we can easily handle. In fact, some stress is good for us. What psychologists term Acute Stress is that feeling we sense when met with the unexpected. This is the famous “fight-or-flight” response that helps us work through difficult situations and avoid danger, such as a potential accident. Our heart rate increases, our muscles tighten and we feel that rush of adrenaline that quickens our reaction times. Once the episode passes, our bodies return to a normal state.

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What To Do About Employee Healthcare Plans?

June 20, 2014

The National Small Business Association (NSBA) recently released a survey of 780 small business owners (businesses with 500 or fewer employees) across a number of business types including manufacturing (15%).

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