When I think about the shops that inspire me most, it's the ones that balance cutting-edge technology with a deep investment in people. That's exactly why I loved sitting down with Steve and Eric Van Orden of Paramount Machine in Salt Lake City, Utah. Steve started Paramount back in 1995 with nothing more than a manual mill and a garage shop. Fast forward nearly three decades, and the company has grown into a 75-person operation with more than 30 machines, including palletized horizontals, multi-spindle lathes, and 5-axis mills. What impressed me most, though, wasn't the equipment—it was the culture they've built. Both Steve and Eric share how Paramount has become a place where careers are built, young machinists thrive, and innovation is driven by a team that truly feels ownership in the business. With 35% of their workforce under 30 and several families working side by side, it's clear this is more than just a machine shop—it's a community. In our conversation, we dig into the early days of Paramount, the lessons learned along the way, and the practical strategies they're using now to keep growing in a space- and talent-constrained world. Most of all, we explore what it takes to build a business that can make a lasting impact—on people, families, and future generations. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

"RASRAM" and the 7 habits of effective workholding

Meet the guests: Steve and Eric Van Orden of Paramount Machine

How Steve founded the company in 1995 in a garage with manual equipment

Early growth, partnerships, and moving into a rented building

Transitioning from partnerships to solo leadership

Current snapshot of the business and its growth trajectory

How their workforce development program works

Collaborating with the NTMA and other local initiatives

Mentorship and on-the-job training models

Eric's journey: From unsure beginnings to leading operations

How Paramount encourages team ownership and decentralized leadership

Flexibility in work hours, overtime, and PTO

Grow your top and bottom line with CLA

Letting each cell own their workflow

Embracing software, digitization, and writing custom internal tools

Transparency with finances and learning from losses without blame

Profitability, continuous improvement, and capacity optimization

Overcoming space constraints and driving efficiency with smarter equipment

Tracking KPIs, spotting bottlenecks, and using software to stay ahead

Strategic decisions that fueled growth: hiring, trust, and investing in technology

Legacy and impact: changing lives and building a multi-generational business