29. Launching a Machine Shop with Zero Experience with Nick Preece from Preece Machining and Assembly

29. Launching a Machine Shop with Zero Experience with Nick Preece from Preece Machining and Assembly

Author: Paul Van Metre May 31, 2023 Duration: 57:56

29. Launching a Machine Shop with Zero Experience with Nick Preece from Preece Machining and Assembly

Nick Preece launched his machine shop, Preece Machining & Assembly (PMA) with no industry experience at all. He had gotten bitten by the machine shop bug by watching YouTube videos about machining and knew that was his path.  At the age of 22, he bought a small machine, rented a tiny space, and started taking on projects - and learning a huge amount along the way. As a self-taught machinist and business owner, he admits he made a lot of mistakes, but learned from every single one. Today, PMA is a fast-growing and thriving shop. Nick's approach to his business was inspiring for me to hear and I know you'll be similarly inspired by his story. 

About Preece Machining and Assembly:
Established in 2018, Preece Machining & Assembly is a precision milling shop that consistently pushes the limits of our machines. We enjoy working closely with our customers to provide the parts they need. In a fast-growing economy and industry, we work personally with our customers to give them superior products at a superior price.

Follow Nick and Preece Machining & Assembly on social media:
Personal LI: /nick-preece-760b21174
Company LI: /preece
Website: www.machineandassembly.com
IG: @pma_llc
FB: @machineandassembly


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
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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…