Tony Gunn shares a unique perspective shaped by decades on the shop floor and years spent visiting hundreds of manufacturing facilities worldwide. This episode covers the real difference between successful and struggling shops, what cleanliness and organization reveal about operations, and how global trends in automation and technology are impacting manufacturing everywhere.

The conversation addresses the myths and realities of American manufacturing, including what the U.S. does well, where other countries lead, and how lessons from international shops can inform better practices closer to home. Topics include workforce challenges, how compensation compares to other industries, the critical role of trust in vendor relationships, and practical ways automation can help bridge skills gaps.

With stories from visits to shops in Brazil, Germany, Japan, India, Switzerland, and beyond, the episode highlights what each manufacturing culture excels at—from education and automation to precision, respect for the trade, and the willingness to invest in new tech. Listeners also get advice for making the most of trade shows like IMTS and insight into what manufacturing professionals really complain about (and how some of those issues could actually be easier to address than expected).

Whether you're a machinist, shop owner, or industry newcomer, this conversation brings honest perspective on where manufacturing stands today and where it's headed.

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Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaurbans/

Connect with Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinacasanova/

Connect with CNC Underground on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cnc-underground

Connect with CNC Underground on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@midwestcamsolutions

Connect with Tony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theworldwidemachinist/

Connect with Tony on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealworldwidemachinist

Connect with Tony on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWorldWideMachinist

The Machinists Club: https://www.themachinistsclub.com/

———Join CNC Underground Newsletter! https://swiy.co/cncunderground

Join CNC Underground — the go-to weekly newsletter read by 6,000+ elite machinists and programmers. Get cutting-edge tips, tooling strategies, CAM shortcuts, and industry updates in one tight, no-fluff email.

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About Midwest CAM Solutions:Midwest CAM Solutions is the world’s largest GibbsCAM reseller, helping manufacturers boost productivity with expert CAM software solutions, training, and support.

Learn more at: www.midwestcamsolutions.com

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Across the skilled trades, the hiring crisis has taken center stage but is it really only a shortage of applicants, or are businesses struggling just as much with retention? This episode breaks down why the trades are facing not just a hiring gap, but a “90-day problem,” where new hires often leave within weeks or months.

The discussion confronts common misconceptions, the power and pitfalls of mentorship, generational divides, and evolving workplace expectations. Listeners get both practical perspectives and real-world advice on making the trades an “option A,” not just an option B.

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Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaurbans/

Connect with Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinacasanova/

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-brown-b1736a5/

Andrew Brown’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/andrewbrowntrades

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Join CNC Underground Newsletter! https://swiy.co/cncunderground

Join CNC Underground — the go-to weekly newsletter read by 6,000+ elite machinists and programmers. Get cutting-edge tips, tooling strategies, CAM shortcuts, and industry updates in one tight, no-fluff email.

————

About Midwest CAM Solutions:Midwest CAM Solutions is the world’s largest GibbsCAM reseller, helping manufacturers boost productivity with expert CAM software solutions, training, and support.

Learn more at: www.midwestcamsolutions.com

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Chapters:00:00 The Skilled Trades Labor Crisis: By the Numbers00:37 Redefining the Problem: Retention vs. Hiring01:51 The “90-Day Problem” and Mismatched Expectations03:54 Realities of Working in the Trades05:35 Onboarding and Setting Expectations06:16 The Role and Impact of Mentorship08:03 Team Mentality, Knowledge-Sharing, and Obstacles09:29 Identifying True Mentors: Skills vs. Disposition11:38 Culture, Leadership, and Who Should Lead12:46 “Ghosting,” Work Ethic, and Generational Differences14:22 Can the Next Generation Fill the Gap?15:55 Skill vs. Will: What Makes a Retainable Employee16:53 Toxic Cultures and the Importance of Fit17:51 Building the "Perfect Apprentice": What Matters Most21:47 Experience vs. Culture: Rethinking the Hiring Process23:12 Gen Z in the Trades: Stereotypes and Reality24:32 Adapting to Generational Learning Styles26:13 The Impact of Technology and Industry Change27:00 Patience, Feedback, and Development in the Modern Workforce28:29 What Young Workers Are Really Asking For30:38 Pitching the Trades: Scenarios for Youth and Parents33:59 Are the Trades a Step Backwards? Considering Options35:57 Looking Ahead: The Cost of Inaction37:39 Industry Leadership and the Backbone of the Economy38:41 Guest Resources and Where to Learn More39:13 Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts

America’s manufacturing sector faces critical decisions on reshoring, workforce development, and automation. In this episode, Harry Moser, founder of the Reshoring Initiative, shares more than 50 years of industry experience and a practical look at what it will take to strengthen US manufacturing.

Harry breaks down why short-term thinking hurts manufacturers, how Total Cost of Ownership changes sourcing decisions, where reshoring opportunities exist, and why workforce development, automation, and smarter purchasing decisions all matter. If you run a machine shop, manage supply chains, or care about the future of American manufacturing, this conversation is packed with real examples, useful tools, and actionable ideas.

Connect with Jess:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaurbans/

Connect with Christina:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinacasanova/

Connect with Harry:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-moser-58a8024/

Reshoring Initiative:
https://reshorenow.org/

Total Cost of Ownership Calculator:
https://reshorenow.org/tco-estimator/

Import Substitution Program:
https://reshorenow.org/isp/

Join CNC Underground:
https://swiy.co/cncunderground

CNC Underground is the weekly newsletter read by 6,000+ machinists and programmers for practical CAM tips, tooling strategies, shop-floor insight, and manufacturing news.

About Midwest CAM Solutions:
The world’s largest GibbsCAM reseller, helping manufacturers improve productivity through CAM software, training, and support.
www.midwestcamsolutions.com

CHAPTERS

00:00 Short-Term Mentality in US Manufacturing
00:57 Harry Moser’s Background and Motivation
03:14 Family Legacy and Industry Changes
04:17 Founding the Reshoring Initiative
06:00 Early Resistance and the Role of TCO
06:43 What Surprises Manufacturers about TCO
07:57 Geopolitical Risks and Supply Chains
09:10 Partnerships vs. Vendors
10:26 Long-Term Workforce Investment
11:01 US vs. Europe Investment Patterns
12:04 Why the Workforce Shortage Isn’t a Surprise
13:15 Attracting Young Workers
15:27 Visibility and Exposure in Manufacturing
16:59 Manufacturing’s Image Problem
19:42 Stories of Factories Closing
21:02 Societal Costs of Manufacturing Decline
21:46 Lowest Price vs. Total Cost
22:18 How Many Manufacturers Use TCO
23:34 TCO Examples That Changed Decisions
25:05 Inventory Reduction and Hidden Benefits
25:58 Other Overlooked TCO Factors
27:58 Engineering and Manufacturing Proximity
28:58 Bringing Programming Back In-House
29:02 Advice for Shops Losing Bids
30:02 Pricing, Freight, and Tariffs
31:06 Competing with Overseas Providers
32:21 Automation for Competitiveness
33:02 Speed of Delivery as an Advantage
34:03 Consumer Buying Habits
35:07 Quality vs. Price
36:06 Buying Decisions and US Jobs
37:13 Apprenticeship Programs
38:38 Building the Workforce Pipeline
41:07 Can AI Make US Manufacturing Competitive?
42:21 China vs. US Productivity
43:11 Congressional Testimony and Tariffs
44:31 Capital Equipment Tariffs
45:32 US Steel Decline
47:43 Industry Structure, Unions, and Change
49:13 Generational Workforce Shifts
51:56 Wage Pressure and the Dollar
52:23 TCO and True Cost Differences
54:06 Lightning Round
55:19 Reshoring Success Stories
58:08 Sourcing Decisions and US Jobs
59:21 “Made in China” on American Symbols
1:00:07 Reshoring Initiative Resources
1:01:34 How Job Shops Can Find Opportunities
1:04:01 Optimism and Next Steps
1:04:41 IMTS and Where to Connect