What happens when a shop owner refuses to accept the tradeoff between developing people and driving efficiency? In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, Brian Kippen shares a story that feels less like a linear journey and more like a carefully engineered system—one where workforce development and automation aren't competing priorities, but deeply connected levers for growth.
Brian's path into manufacturing didn't follow a traditional script. From his early days working in a one-man prototype shop to co-founding KAD Models & Prototypes, he built his business with a bias toward action, experimentation, and learning by doing. Along the way, he navigated partnership transitions, expanded across the country, and made bold bets—like launching a second facility designed for automation from day one.
But what truly sets Brian apart is his commitment to the future workforce. While running two shops, he stepped into the classroom as a manufacturing instructor, gaining firsthand insight into the gaps between education and industry. What he discovered reshaped how he thinks about hiring, training, and building teams—and ultimately reinforced why automation isn't about replacing people, but enabling them.
This conversation brings those two worlds together. Brian breaks down how standardization, pallet systems, and lights-out machining can unlock capacity in even the most complex prototype environments. At the same time, he makes a compelling case that the real ROI of automation isn't just spindle uptime—it's the time and space it creates to develop the next generation of machinists.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
- (0:00) The collaborative nature of manufacturing and why asking for help is critical to survival
- (3:55) Brian's origin story and the founding of KAD Models & Prototypes
- (7:23) Navigating a partner buyout and the realities of business ownership
- (10:26) Expanding to a second facility in Vermont and entering a new market
- (12:35) Building an automation-first prototype shop with pallet systems and 5-axis machining
- (16:17) Surviving COVID while managing two facilities and maintaining operations
- (17:41) Differences in workforce dynamics between California and Vermont
- (22:27) Why manufacturing culture thrives on relationships and shared problem-solving
- (25:48) Why you need to check out the SMW Autoblok workholding catalog
- (26:36) Brian's experience stepping into education as a manufacturing instructor
- (32:15) Gaps in technical education and the need to modernize training for CNC environments
- (35:41) The challenge of outdated equipment and bringing real-world technology into the classroom
- (40:10) Barriers to improving manufacturing education, including cost and lack of experienced instructors
- (41:49) Why you need to join us at IMTS 2026!
- (42:41) Hiring students directly from the program and building a young, scalable workforce
- (45:00) Coaching young employees, building confidence, and helping them navigate early career challenges
- (47:03) Why you need to listen to the Buy the Numbers podcast
- (48:02) Using quoting automation and digital tools to increase speed and efficiency
- (50:36) Standardizing tooling, workholding, and processes to enable scalable automation
- (54:09) Running high-mix, low-volume parts lights out through smart process design
- (55:36) Balancing risk and efficiency when automating complex prototype work
- (58:16) The true ROI of automation: creating time to invest back into people
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