# Facing the Future: Automation Truths from 40 Years on the Shop Floor with Mike Gamache, Ep #29

- Show: [Lights Out](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out)
- Published: 2025-11-28
- Length: 1h 02m
- Episode: 29
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-11-28-facing-the-future-automation-truths-from-40-years-on-the-shop-floor-with-mike-ga
- Listen: https://8819970d-2c51-481c-b08a-4d2a806885b2.libsyn.com/facing-the-future-automation-truths-from-40-years-on-the-shop-floor-with-mike-gamache-ep-29

## Summary

Mike Gamache, who founded Gamache Systems before it was acquired by Metalcraft of Mayville, explains how to successfully implement automation in machine shops. He argues that companies must first stabilize processes through lean principles and define clear strategic goals before investing in robotics, warning against buying technology like cobots without a specific application. Gamache details how Metalcraft uses automation to support its Skag lawnmower line and discusses prioritizing bottlenecks by starting at the shipping dock and working upstream.

## Chapters

- [1:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-11-28-facing-the-future-automation-truths-from-40-years-on-the-shop-floor-with-mike-ga#t=112) Introduction and Mike Gamache's Origin Story
- [7:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-11-28-facing-the-future-automation-truths-from-40-years-on-the-shop-floor-with-mike-ga#t=442) From Hall Steel to Cornerstone Design and Gamache Systems
- [18:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-11-28-facing-the-future-automation-truths-from-40-years-on-the-shop-floor-with-mike-ga#t=1087) Metalcraft of Mayville's Automation Strategy and Skag Product Line
- [23:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-11-28-facing-the-future-automation-truths-from-40-years-on-the-shop-floor-with-mike-ga#t=1390) Prioritizing Automation: Starting at the Shipping Dock
- [29:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-11-28-facing-the-future-automation-truths-from-40-years-on-the-shop-floor-with-mike-ga#t=1770) Common Blockers: Legacy Thinking and the 'Gary Method'
- [33:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-11-28-facing-the-future-automation-truths-from-40-years-on-the-shop-floor-with-mike-ga#t=2029) Lean Foundations and Strategic Conviction vs. Short-Term ROI
- [44:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-11-28-facing-the-future-automation-truths-from-40-years-on-the-shop-floor-with-mike-ga#t=2690) Custom vs. Prefabricated Automation Solutions
- [50:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-11-28-facing-the-future-automation-truths-from-40-years-on-the-shop-floor-with-mike-ga#t=3017) Create Holy Moments Philosophy and Final Advice

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up, large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Metalcraft of Mayville (company)
- Gamache Systems (company)
- Skag (product)
- SMW Autoblok (company)
- Verdant Commercial Capital (company)
- Cornerstone Design (company)
- Hall Steel (company)
- Pushcorp (company)
- Triax (company)
- Robotrex (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Robot-Lean: Synthesizing Automation and Lean Manufacturing w/ Alex Webster](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-06-03-robot-lean-synthesizing-automation-and-lean-manufacturing-w-alex-webster) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [The New ROI of Automation w/ Scot Lindemann](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-02-08-the-new-roi-of-automation-w-scot-lindemann) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [276: 2026 Automation Industry Outlook, Live from the A3 Business Forum](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-02-24-276-2026-automation-industry-outlook-live-from-the-a3-business-forum) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [243: Inside Automate 2025: Robotics, Automation Trends, and Expert Insights from Automate LIVE](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-07-01-243-inside-automate-2025-robotics-automation-trends-and-expert-insights-from-aut) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Ep. 10 - Automation Equipment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-12-07-ep-10-automation-equipment) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-11-28-facing-the-future-automation-truths-from-40-years-on-the-shop-floor-with-mike-ga. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Lights Out.