News & Insights

Business is booming at CARR Machine & Tool, Inc., a manufacturer of precision machined parts for the aerospace, defense, semiconductor and medical industries.

The Elk Grove Village, Illinois–based company has seen record sales so far this year, and over the past five years, sales have skyrocketed 500%.

Spearheading this growth is Jim Carr, the company’s president and second-generation business owner and host of “my TRUE POSITION” podcast, who has transformed his shop floor by embracing technology, prioritizing culture and thinking outside the box.

In the latest installment of the NAM’s “Forge Your Path” series, Carr talks about how he got started in podcasting, his biggest accomplishments, where he sees his company in the next 10 years and more.

Q: How did you get started in podcasting, and what is the focus of “my TRUE POSITION”?

Carr: “Seeing a growing need for resources for thought leadership in manufacturing, I co-founded the ‘MakingChips’ podcast, which officially launched in January 2015. The podcast provides metalworking leaders content to enhance their careers and businesses, focusing on leadership, operations, technology and culture.

“In early 2022, I left ‘MakingChips’ to launch ‘my TRUE POSITION,’ a 20-minute, introspective show that provides manufacturing professionals immediate and actionable insight into high-level issues of running a small to medium-sized business.”  

Q: What is one lesson or insight you’ve gained in leadership that you haven’t widely shared before but that has been a key part of your company’s success?

Carr: “I was raised in a manufacturing environment with a very poor company culture, so I knew when I took over CARR Machine & Tool in 2004, it was my job to really change the way that I believe a company should be run and to respect your employees. I thought that was very important. It’s been very powerful in the success of the company over the past 20 years.

“The thing that I don’t talk much about is the importance of bringing your personal brand into your corporate brand and having them aligned. Everyone has their true authentic self, but sometimes people are afraid to let others see that. When you can allow that into your corporate brand, it becomes powerful and authentic—and people are attracted to that authenticity.”

Q: Can you share a quote or mantra that defines your approach to leadership? How has this mantra influenced your decision-making and leadership?

Carr: “One that I have learned from my father, Richard, who I worked with for decades, is to keep pushing yourself. That doesn’t mean to work 150 hours a week, but to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Sometimes we get complacent and can be afraid to venture outside of that comfort zone. It only takes a little bit of discomfort to make you grow. If you do that, you’ll have big wins over the long term.”

Q: What accomplishments at your company are you the most proud of and why?

Carr: “Having my son join the company 10 years ago provided a big paradigm shift in how we operate. Bringing him in and reading the book ‘Traction,’ which talks about how to use the Entrepreneurial Operating System as a systematized way to run your business and achieve success, were very impactful in our growth. Getting AS9100 accreditation—meaning that as a true aerospace manufacturing company, we are consistently demonstrating quality and safety in providing products that meet our customers’ needs—has also been important. Prioritizing company culture has been another big thing that has really changed the face of the company.

“One of the best things we did was move to a new 15,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility about two blocks from where our other facility was located. We purchased brand-new five-axis precision machining. We’ve done a great job of implementing robotic automation. We have a quality control department now inspecting parts and documenting tolerances. We implemented a new ERP system, and it’s helped us scale. We’ve gone from a regular ‘mom and pop’ machine shop to a world-class AS9100 company with detailed documentations and mandates.”

Q: Where do you see your company in the next 10 years, and what are you hoping to achieve?

Carr: “We’re working on a 10-year succession plan right now as I hope to be fully retired by then. I’ll probably still be podcasting—if podcasting is still a thing in 10 years. I envision an even more state-of-the-art company where we’re using artificial intelligence technology. Also, achieving cybersecurity maturity model certification for dealing with government and classified information will be important.”

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to a manufacturing leader?

Carr: “I think it’s important to network and have that human experience because there’s nothing like meeting people in person and learning about his or her experiences. Also, if you have the opportunity to join a board, do it as it’s a great way to network with like-minded individuals who know the industry and can help you navigate issues you may be experiencing.”