Making Things Happen with Eric Van Orden

Manufacturing Mavericks

In this episode, Gustavo (Gus) Gutierrez, owner of GC Machining Solutions, takes us through his incredible journey from a 15-year-old who traded coffee for training at his first manufacturing job, to buying his own shop. Gus doesn't shy away from doing the "hard stuff", including moving a shop, implementing an ERP, and is currently managing a shift from 10% medical and dental device manufacturing to 80%. Wow.

Gus talks to Greg McHale about investing in education, making time for family, and the advice he gives his kids. He also shares his experiences across various roles in manufacturing, picking the right team members, building a strong company culture, and why technology is crucial to staying competitive. Gus's insights are a valuable resource for anyone in the industry.

SHOW NOTES:

• Got bit by the manufacturing bug at 15 when he would buy coffee for people and clean their machines if they would share some knowledge (5:53)
• A desire to learn something new everyday led him to a lot of oddball jobs, but manufacturing just kept calling his name. (11:16)
• Working third shift and being a full-time electrical engineering student was a challenge, How Gus got it done with the help of a tape recorder! (13:29)
• Taking his daughter to IMTS starting when she was 9 really paid off in the long run (20:08)
• Taking a job he didn’t really want to be able to Project Manage moving 30 CNCs and 15 pcs of equipment. (23:39)
• Gus was at the top of his game as a plant manager with 325 people under him, but he wasn’t happy. So he followed a little whisper (27:55)
• The difference between a good employee and an engaged employee (29:28)
• Letting the team pick the new team members helps build a strong culture (33:20)
• Technology: It’s important to give people the right equipment, the right tools for success. (37:21)
• In medical devices, everything is critical, especially keeping the end-user top of mind (41:30)
• Advice to his impatient younger self: Change the glasses you use to view life, and you’ll get to this success. (45:07)