In this episode of Rapid Fire Manufacturing, I sit down with Mark Hillenburg, co-founder of Collective Manufacturing Group.Mark’s manufacturing journey started the hard way. A garage. Manual machines. A Bridgeport mill. Learning firsthand how difficult machining really is. Since then, he’s been a machinist, a CEO, and now a long-term owner focused on building manufacturing businesses meant to last decades, not flip in a few years.We talk about:<ul><li>Why culture matters more than spreadsheets</li><li>What real leadership looks like on the shop floor</li><li>How vulnerability builds trust in manufacturing teams</li><li>Succession, stewardship, and long-term thinking</li><li>The question every leader should ask: Would I want my kids to work here?</li></ul>This is an honest conversation about people, leadership, and creating environments where manufacturing can thrive for generations.

Building a Machine Shop from Zero with Garrett Wolfford

Rapid Fire Manufacturing on Spotify

Welcome to Rapid Fire Manufacturing, the podcast where we spotlight the people, processes, and innovations driving the manufacturing industry forward. Hosted by David Turner, this show is all about quick, engaging conversations with industry leaders, machinists, and experts who make the manufacturing world turn.

Each episode dives into topics like cutting-edge technology, workforce challenges, and the stories behind the tools and techniques shaping modern production.