# Using Business Process as a Differentiator with Paul Van Metre

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2020-12-29
- Length: 34m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2020-12-29-using-business-process-as-a-differentiator-with-paul-van-metre
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com/33

## Summary

Paul Van Metre, co-founder of ProShop, explains how his background founding Pro CNC with Formula SAE teammates led to the creation of a cloud-based ERP platform that integrates MES and QMS functions. He argues that in a market where competitors possess similar machinery, documented business processes and digital transformation serve as the primary differentiator for machine shops. Van Metre details how ProShop eliminates paper travelers and centralizes operations, allowing shops to use their systems as a sales tool to win contracts against competitors with inferior processes. He also shares lessons on seeking business advice and managing reputation in a global software market.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2020-12-29-using-business-process-as-a-differentiator-with-paul-van-metre#t=0) Introduction: Paul Van Metre and ProShop
- [6:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2020-12-29-using-business-process-as-a-differentiator-with-paul-van-metre#t=403) Founding Pro CNC with Formula SAE Teammates
- [12:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2020-12-29-using-business-process-as-a-differentiator-with-paul-van-metre#t=752) Lessons from Pro CNC and Asking for Help
- [15:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2020-12-29-using-business-process-as-a-differentiator-with-paul-van-metre#t=903) Origin Story of ProShop ERP Software
- [19:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2020-12-29-using-business-process-as-a-differentiator-with-paul-van-metre#t=1182) Business Process as a Competitive Differentiator
- [24:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2020-12-29-using-business-process-as-a-differentiator-with-paul-van-metre#t=1482) Eliminating Paper and Digital Transformation
- [27:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2020-12-29-using-business-process-as-a-differentiator-with-paul-van-metre#t=1624) Reputation Management in Global Software Sales
- [30:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2020-12-29-using-business-process-as-a-differentiator-with-paul-van-metre#t=1825) Personal Car Projects and Future Plans

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- ProShop (product)
- Pro CNC (company)
- Wander Brewing (other)
- Haz VF4 (other)
- Formula SAE (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Working On the Business, Not In the Business, w/ Paul van Metre](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-05-11-working-on-the-business-not-in-the-business-w-paul-van-metre) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Building a Digital Backbone for Your Manufacturing Business w/ Paul Van Metre](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-04-16-building-a-digital-backbone-for-your-manufacturing-business-w-paul-van-metre) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [When Your Shop Is No Longer Bound by Geography w/ Sanjeev Singh Sahni](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-08-18-when-your-shop-is-no-longer-bound-by-geography-w-sanjeev-singh-sahni) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [What Manufacturers Truly Need From an MES System w/ Graham Immerman](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-05-27-what-manufacturers-truly-need-from-an-mes-system-w-graham-immerman) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [What Happens When Every Action Becomes A Data Point: EMS@C-Level with FermionX MD Will Patrick](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-10-29-what-happens-when-every-action-becomes-a-data-point-ems-c-level-with-fermionx-md) (EMS@C-LEVEL)

## Citing this page

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