Tangled in a Trade War

January 2, 2025 - 12:44pm -- Selcuk Gulboy

We had an inquiry last Monday on an expensive CNC turning center from a machinery broker based in Chicago but representing a Chinese firm.

Thinking of a potential profit if we sold it, I asked Noah to quote the machine. His response was, “Dad, we can’t sell it to them. We are at war.”

I immediately knew he was correct. The parts made on this rare machine could be used in a missile or a drone that would threaten the United States or an ally like Taiwan.

Tangled in a Trade War

January 2, 2025 - 12:44pm -- Selcuk Gulboy

We had an inquiry last Monday on an expensive CNC turning center from a machinery broker based in Chicago but representing a Chinese firm.

Thinking of a potential profit if we sold it, I asked Noah to quote the machine. His response was, “Dad, we can’t sell it to them. We are at war.”

I immediately knew he was correct. The parts made on this rare machine could be used in a missile or a drone that would threaten the United States or an ally like Taiwan.

Manufacturing Acquisitions with Purpose, Mike Payne (Part 1)-EP 232

December 19, 2024 - 12:54pm -- Selcuk Gulboy
Mike Payne at His Company, Hill Manufacturing and Fabrication

On today’s podcast, I’m talking with Mike Payne, owner of Hill Manufacturing and Fabrication in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, to peek inside the mind of a prolific acquirer of manufacturing companies.

Before purchasing Hill in 2018, Mike spent 20 years in M&A, orchestrating over 100 deals across nearly every industry.

Since then, Mike has acquired four machine shops, and he’s constantly scouting for more opportunities to expand.

Happy Birthday to Me

December 13, 2024 - 11:59am -- Selcuk Gulboy
Lloyd Graff working on this blog at 9:00 PM last night

I have obsessed over my 80th birthday coming this December 16th. 

I’ve looked at the day with dread, wondering how I can reach it, yet wanting to celebrate it with the hope of sailing past it and moving into a state of happiness.

Your Shop Is Too Slow, with Const Ivanov-EP. 230

November 13, 2024 - 12:38pm -- Selcuk Gulboy
Constantine Ivanov, Founder of DigiFab

You may have noticed that I often talk about friction on this podcast.

That’s because everyone has to fight friction in business—and there is A LOT of friction in the manufacturing business.

Friction from time consuming stuff. Friction from stuff being too hard to figure out. Friction from stuff we’re not qualified to do or just don’t want to do.

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