16. Rapidly Growing a Machine Shop with Mitch Free from ZYCI

16. Rapidly Growing a Machine Shop with Mitch Free from ZYCI

Author: Paul Van Metre November 30, 2022 Duration: 1:10:05

16. Rapidly Growing a Machine Shop with Mitch Free from ZYCI

Mitch is a machinist turned entrepreneur with an amazing story to tell. He started his career as a machinist in the 80s and eventually went on to found MFG.com, FastRadius.com, and most recently ZYCI.com which serves the aerospace, space, defense, and industries among others.  Mitch has had a unique perspective having visited hundreds of shops around the world and he shares incredibly useful advice on the attributes of a shop and business owner that are important for success. Enjoy this rare chance get to hear firsthand from someone who knows the machining trade very well and has also founded companies that went public.

About ZYCI:
ZYCI is AS9100 certified and provides CNC machining services to the aerospace, defense, robotic and commercial industries. Their customers have high expectations, require attention to detail, consistent communication, and a sense of urgency.
Machining capabilities are extensive ranging from 3 to 5 axis milling (up to 84"), 2-axis turning, 4-axis turning with live tooling, Wire EDM, EDM drilling, riveting and assembly. In addition to all standard inspection tools, they have a 2018 Hexagon CMM, 2019 Keyence Instant Measurement Vision System with Light Probe and Depth Probe, X-Ray Fractometer for material verification, hardness testers, conductivity testers, laser micrometers and a digital thread check system.


Follow Mitch and ZYCI:
Personal LI: /mfree
Company LI: /zyci-cnc-machining
Website: www.zyci.com


Paul Van Metre hosts Machine Shop Mastery, a conversation grounded in the real-world challenges and triumphs of running a precision manufacturing business. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a deep dive into the shop floor, focusing on the practical strategies that turn a technical skill into a sustainable and growing enterprise. Each episode pulls back the curtain on the operational, financial, and personal leadership aspects that define a successful shop, moving beyond the blueprints to talk about building a resilient business. You'll hear candid discussions about navigating client relationships, managing cash flow, investing in the right equipment, and developing a team that can execute complex work. The podcast aims to underscore the critical role these businesses play as community anchors and economic engines, often overlooked in broader industry talks. For current shop owners, the insights offer a path to refine their operations and boost profitability. For aspiring entrepreneurs with a passion for machining, these conversations provide a clear-eyed look at what it truly takes to launch and scale. Tune in for straightforward advice and stories that connect the craft of machining with the art of building a lasting legacy.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Machine Shop Mastery
Podcast Episodes
93. A Builder at Heart Pivots and Buys a Machine Shop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:57
Buying a machine shop is never simple — and for Matt Fortner, it was a leap into the unknown. Coming from backgrounds in plumbing, industrial fittings, product development, and even scrap metal buying, Matt felt a pull t…
91. Passion and Excellence Personified with Ty Haguewood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:23
As a host, I've met hundreds of shop owners, but every once in a while, I meet someone whose story stops me in my tracks. Ty Haguewood, General Manager and CFO of Manufacturing Technologies, Inc. (MTI) and Stone Mather D…
90. Burnout Killed This Machine Shop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:54
When you've poured 46 years of your life into building a thriving precision machine shop—one that grew from a one-man garage to 50 employees, world-class equipment, and top-tier aerospace customers—you don't expect it to…
89. Lessons Learned from Buying & Losing a Machine Shop | Mark Heston [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:26
In this powerful and deeply candid conversation, I sat down with Mark Heston, who first appeared on Episode 51 to share his story of buying and rebuilding an aerospace machine shop specializing in landing-gear components…
88. Learning, Building & Teaching with John Saunders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:15
I've admired John Saunders for a long time. Most of you probably know him as the force behind the NYC CNC YouTube channel, the Business of Machining podcast, and of course, Saunders Machine Works. John has been creating…
87. People and Technology: Building an Enduring Shop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:18
When I think about the shops that inspire me most, it's the ones that balance cutting-edge technology with a deep investment in people. That's exactly why I loved sitting down with Steve and Eric Van Orden of Paramount M…