18. A Machine Shop Turnaround Story, Solving People and Technical Problems with Fred Stipkovitz from UltraTech Aerospace

18. A Machine Shop Turnaround Story, Solving People and Technical Problems with Fred Stipkovitz from UltraTech Aerospace

Author: Paul Van Metre December 28, 2022 Duration: 1:13:39

18. A Machine Shop Turnaround Story, Solving People and Technical Problems with Fred Stipkovitz from UltraTech Aerospace

When Fred Stipkovitz was hired as the president of UltraTech Aerospace, they were looking at steep losses and had a toxic culture.  In less than 1 year Fred and the team turned the place around to profitability and improved the culture significantly.  They also risked it all by pushing back on a very large client who had caused them significant financial losses with some drawing errors.  There are some really great takeaways from this interview that all leaders should hear.

About UltraTech Aerospace:
UltraTech Aerospace is a leader in providing OEM aerospace products and services to the commercial and defense industries.  Located in Kansas City, Kansas, their philosophy is to achieve the highest quality standards in the aerospace industry, while creating efficiencies when producing our products—from the management level, all the way down to day-to-day operations.

Follow Fred and UltraTech Aerospace:
Personal LI: /fred-stipkovits-2057862a
Company LI: /ultra-tech-aerospace
Website: www.utaero.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…