Jim Mayer: A maker who wears many hats and machining and community building how modern manufacturing lives through craftsmanship, clarity and connection. Justin Keskel brings practical CNC experience and thoughtful industry insight to a conversation about skills, culture and building better systems. Hello and welcome back to the manufacturing culture podcast. I'm your host, Jim Maher. Today we've got Justin Keskel. as our guest and he's a manufacturing professional that's known as a maker and CNC machining expert with a broad footprint in modern metalworking culture itself. He describes himself as a person with many roles in machining and fabrication with deep experience in CNC machining and practical manufacturing. Justin is active on LinkedIn, that's how we connected, sharing insights about process work. culture, aerospace, tour shops, and leadership topics in manufacturing. He connects with shops all across the country, meeting teams and learning what makes advanced facilities run well. Justin writes a ton and posts about the challenges in developing strong operating processes and mentorship in manufacturing. His online presence reflects a desire to build community, share knowledge, and help people see manufacturing as a valuable and meaningful career. His journey represents the blend of technical skill, practical problem solving and personal outreach that defines the modern makers voice. Without further ado, Justin Kesco, welcome to the manufacturing culture podcast. How are you doing today, man?

Justin Keskel: I'm doing great Jim, happy to be here.

Jim Mayer: Awesome. I'm pretty excited. We've been, I think we've been talking about this since IMTS 24, man. So at least we got it in before IMTS 26. Are you going this year?

Justin Keskel: Yep. Yep. I'm hoping to. We'll have to see if I can get some time off of work.

Jim Mayer: Okay. I think you just need to ask your boss or your boss just needs to send you as part of work.

Justin Keskel: Yeah, of course.

Jim Mayer: feel free to isolate that comment and send it directly to him. So Justin, you've listened to the show, so probably know what the next question is. It's my icebreaker that I love on this show. It's, if your were a movie, what genre would it be? Who would play you? And what's the opening scene?

Justin Keskel: Hahaha So the genre. kind of hard to describe. It would be a lot of character development. So kind of like a, just a exploration of someone's life kind of deal. As far as who would play me, I kind of liked the idea of having someone who's like just getting their first break. Like I don't really have a name in mind, but like someone who like they're just, their talent just screams when you see on screen, like, okay, this guy's different.

Jim Mayer: Okay.

Justin Keskel: And the opening scene would be something along the lines of like a ⁓ ball of string, right? And all together ⁓ and you start like seeing a pair of hands trying to fiddle with it, trying to unravel it. there really isn't an end to pick at. So they just start taking scissors. And as soon they make that first cut, you get a flashback some point in my career.

Jim Mayer: All right. I like it. All right. Very, very cerebral. I like it. All right. second question, second question. What's your definition of culture?

Justin Keskel: And that's kind how it starts. Yeah. Culture me is... I kind of want to take what I've heard from many episodes in the past and just say it's the alignment of people and values in an organization. I don't have a lot of original ideas, I tend just kind of glean from all the I consume and it just sounds right to me.

Jim Mayer: Yeah. Okay. I like it. I like it. And for most part, you're not alone in that. mean, Brene Brown have an thought. None of her frameworks are new and ⁓ novel, right? Simon none of his work is new and novel. Any of the leadership development people on my bookshelves behind me, None of those are original thoughts, right? They have taken other's philosophies, other's ideas and packaged it for the audience that they are intending to reach. Right? I do no different. when I talk about my definite by of culture, right? when I talk about how to be a good leader, all of that stuff that it's out there. It's, to your point, it's things I've consumed. I just package it in a way that people in manufacturing seem to understand. Right. So ⁓ ⁓ don't fault you in that at all, man. We all do that. Everybody does that. We, ⁓ anybody who consumes information, that's, that's ⁓ what they do that, that shapes and, forms their, their thought processes. I think the challenge though is are you open to changing your mind about things if faced with new information, right? And that's, that's, guess, where, uh, that sets people apart. Anyway, not to get, go down an entire rabbit hole here. Uh, this is the show about Justin Keskel, not my own personal feelings. Um, so Justin, what first drew you into machining?

Justin Keskel: Right. you

Jim Mayer: fabrication this this world of metalworking what what first was what was the reason the impetus behind you getting involved into the trades

Justin Keskel: So it, like a lot of people, my, my journey did not start with manufacturing. my first jobs were in retail. worked at a cell phone store and then I worked at Walmart for a period of time. after a while ⁓ I I just applied for a job as a operator at an aerosol production facility. And through that, met a friend mine who. kind of introduced me to what other kinds of manufacturing was. And when he ended up leaving that company, I kind of followed him where he went to. And that's how I ended up in machining and just metalworking and that type of thing.

Jim Mayer: Got it. what's that journey been like so far? I mean, you've had a couple of jobs since since we've been connected on LinkedIn. ⁓ Talk to us about ⁓ about journey in the trades, why you stayed all those kinds of fun things.

Justin Keskel: Mm-hmm. So aerosol place, I was at that company for about four years. Like I I started in machine operating, which was more or less like loading cans onto a conveyor belt and that type of thing. After a couple of years in that type of position, they offered me a chance to be in quality control. So I was more in the testing and making things were according to spec and things like that. ⁓ And then.

Jim Mayer: Got it. Yeah.

Justin Keskel: Once I started the company, very quickly they determined that I had a high technical aptitude. So they me learning the CNC plasma torch on the first day, which was awesome. Yeah. And then about a month later, they started training me on a vertical turning center. So I was running that. Yeah.

Jim Mayer: Wow, that's awesome. So that was just accelerated.

Justin Keskel: Yeah, it was a lot of learning very quickly. had no idea about measurements or blueprints or anything like that. I barely knew what a tape measure was at that point. I didn't know what CNC stood for. So I just kind of got thrown into the fire and off I went.

Jim Mayer: That's awesome. I dig it. I dig it. where are you now? What are you doing now?

Justin Keskel: So now I work for a company called Tenco Hydro. We manufacture wastewater treatment tanks. big sheet enclosures with mechanisms inside. do like skimming mechanisms and sorts of like that. a lot of welding and fabrication with a handful of machined parts inside and I kind of have a hand in all of that.

Jim Mayer: Why did make the decision, the intention to sharing experiences ⁓ LinkedIn in such a very vulnerable and way?

Justin Keskel: So was kind of the act I would call it as far as social with in terms of manufacturing. Before I really got active on LinkedIn, I was following a lot of content creators on Instagram ⁓ around manufacturing. And just kind of picked up that LinkedIn was the place to like really make connections with people. So I just kind of.

Jim Mayer: Okay.

Justin Keskel: made the mental decision like, okay, going over here. We're going to meet everyone. Yeah.

Jim Mayer: That's awesome. I dig it. now you're traveling to shows when can and you're meeting a lot of people. What has been one of the most memorable experiences at a show or conference?

Justin Keskel: Of course. Mm-hmm. So as far as conferences go, I've really only been to IMTS one time. So that was kind of my golden ticket, I guess you call it. At time I was still working at the last company and I I wanted to take a week off and just meet all of the people I had connected with online and put names to faces and shake people's hands and say, hey.

Jim Mayer: Okay.

Justin Keskel: I'm here in the industry and I'm here to learn and you know, however I can be of service, you know, that's what I'm here for.

Jim Mayer: That's awesome. let me ⁓ I'll follow that up with, was there a most memorable moment at IMTS 24?

Justin Keskel: you know, it was, it was honestly a great week overall. just to connect with people in person was just, it was a great time, but if I had to pick one moment, it's probably the karaoke event you held. ⁓

Jim Mayer: Yes, and gentlemen, I did not pay him to say that I was secretly hoping that he was going to say it. But there so many great events. mean, from Chris, ⁓ Chris, Lukey's, Battle of the night to some of the other hosted for caddy and Kenna metal and all those parties. It was just a great time. But I secretly I'm very happy and very honored that that karaoke night was was that moment for you. So walk us through ⁓ typical ⁓ for you ⁓ and what you're looking for, maybe on the machining side, maybe your your current job, but how do ensure that you get the that you're looking to get out of the parts that you're producing?

Justin Keskel: So a typical day, I mean, it just kind of depends on what stage of the tanks that we're on. it's in terms of machining, I'm running a Tormach CNC mill. And then we also have a manual lathe that I make certain parts with. Once parts are done, it's a lot of kind of filling in the gaps of whatever else needs done. So there's sometimes I'm taking a hand drill and drilling holes in the C channel or bending things with the ⁓ press things like that. it just of, it goes in I guess you could

Jim Mayer: Got it. Got it. like, it's building a house. You got to go in stages. Yeah, got it. What do you think the hardest part of being a machinist is that your average average American ⁓ or citizen doesn't

Justin Keskel: Yeah. Yeah. I mean, to me, it starts with attention to detail. have to pay attention to how you're setting things up and making sure you're, if you're using CNC, that your programs are dialed in and that, you know, it's going to make the tool path that you want it to do. It's just, ⁓ a lot of details that need to just pay attention to. And it come to everyone. Thankfully it does for me. ⁓ I kind of have a knack for it. And as far as the technical side of things, I've been, you know, working with technology since I was, you know, four feet tall. So.

Jim Mayer: That's awesome. so to detail. You're ⁓ very active again on LinkedIn, but you talk a lot about processes and flow, ⁓ workflow, cetera. that attention to detail part of those processes ⁓ attention and flow? Or when talk about processes ⁓ and workflow ⁓ it something altogether? Because I see a lot of shops struggle with processes, internal processes, and that's where ⁓ bottlenecks occur. Talk to about your experiences.

Justin Keskel: Yeah. So in terms of processes, it definitely plays into the attention to detail. I kind of look at it as when you're getting ready to make whatever you're trying to make. a very crawl, run type of process where you have to figure out how to do it according to the print. And then once you do that, you just build upon that and get faster and faster and make sure that you're off of. ⁓ what you've learned previously because you're not going to get it right the first time on a lot of things. once figure out the right way, then it's like, okay, now I can do it right. Then do it fast is kind of how I think about it. So once you get to be, you know, having a dialed in process that you can just repeat over and over, you start getting a lot faster and you start making more money.

Jim Mayer: Yeah, got it. What do you think the biggest problem facing shops right now in the US are? Or is?

Justin Keskel: mean, it's to vary from shop to shop. I, I've heard a lot, of course, a lot of stories about, you know, workforce development ⁓ and people to, you know, actually make the things. Some of going to be logistical issues where, you know, this part or this isn't available for X number of days or weeks or whatever. So, I mean, it kind of varies the shop that I'm now. We're actually kind of. ⁓

Jim Mayer: Yeah.

Justin Keskel: relatively new in terms of actually manufacturing. So the company, it's been around for like 50 some odd years from what I hear. It got acquired by the new owner a couple of years ago. And when the new owner bought the company, they decided that they were going to start making everything in house. Whereas before it was basically just engineering and like they spit out the prints and had everything else outsourced. So it's still a lot of

Jim Mayer: Mm-hmm. Got it.

Justin Keskel: building up those processes of, are we gonna, you know, attach everything and like what tools do we need and all of that sort of thing. Like it's basically a brand new facility as of a few months ago. So yeah, it's, yeah, it's lot to learn and ⁓ it's than what I was doing before because.

Jim Mayer: Wow, that's kind of cool. You

Justin Keskel: Previously, the machines were already there. The tooling was already there. The work was already there. A lot of it was already figured out. It was just, OK, load in the part, push the button, take it out, measure it, that type of thing. And now it's like, OK, we have to figure out how to make the parts and how to hold on to it. And how does it fit with everything else in the assembly?

Jim Mayer: Yeah. Yeah. What's the the is there a moment in your career that a major sense of pride for you? And what is it if there is?

Justin Keskel: Good question. Sense of pride. I mean... Probably just the factor of, know, once I figure out how to do something once I've done it like the wrong way and then I figure out how to do it the right way, the way typically doesn't happen again. So, you know, I learned from my experiences, I guess, would be probably the best thing that I've learned so far.

Jim Mayer: That's awesome. that is definitely something that you should be proud of, right? I mean, when, when you look at pride and, and a lot of people downplay pride and, and, but we have to be proud of what we do, right? We, because when proud of what we do, that breeds purpose and passion for what we do. And so love that your pride is tied to learning from your mistakes and making sure you don't repeat them again. ⁓ like that. ⁓

Justin Keskel: Yeah. And there's a lot of things that can mess you up. So once you learn it, it's like, OK, better not do that again.

Jim Mayer: so you are the man of many hats. how you up that distinction? What, what made you, or, did somebody else ⁓ w the man of hats and, what led to this?

Justin Keskel: I mean, it's kind of a topic that's come up a number of times throughout, know, not just my career, but just living. Cause basically the of Man of a Thousand Plus Hats came about. I've done like lot of things ⁓ and not all those things I've gotten paid for, but I've still got a lot of ⁓ life experiences that of it kind of just adds up to who I am today. If there's somebody who needs help around stuff around the house, like I'm capable of doing that. I'm a lot of people's tech support when it comes to different technology. Obviously, manufacturing and machining, if you need help moving furniture, I'm there. So yeah, it's a lot of things.

Jim Mayer: Got it. So you're a jack of all trades.

Justin Keskel: More or less, yeah. Yeah.

Jim Mayer: I like it. mean, that was me as well, man, for a long time in my life probably still is. I like it. Talk to me a little bit about mentorship because that's something that you talk a lot about on LinkedIn. ⁓ And so why is mentorship such an important topic for

Justin Keskel: Yeah. So I look at mentorship like kind a shortcut, I guess. It helps when you're to something new and somebody else has already been there, done that, got the t-shirt. If I can learn from there's a whole lot less headache on my end. it's, If it's, you know, a type of ⁓

Jim Mayer: Yeah. Yeah.

Justin Keskel: then if I can pick up on it from somebody who's it hundreds of times, then it gets a whole lot easier. ⁓

Jim Mayer: Yeah, absolutely. Has there been a ⁓ mentorship moment for you that that has really you your career that that was meaningful that want to talk about on the show?

Justin Keskel: I mean, I've had a number of mentors, I guess you could call them. one that probably most comes to mind, his name is Mike. We used to work together at the last job I had. Him and I used to be like right next to each other on different machines. he had been in the industry for like 10 plus years when I had just basically gotten started. And I ⁓ to... talk a lot with him and learn about like, what actually matters it comes to setting things up and like what he's experienced in the industry. And it very helpful that someone to talk to that's in there in the thick of it with you.

Jim Mayer: Yeah. Yeah, awesome. Have you gotten to a point in your career where people are seeking mentorship from you?

Justin Keskel: Here and there, mean, a lot of times it's or less like if it's, you a machine I've worked on, like at my last job with the plasma torch and the turning center, if somebody else had to learn how to run it, they came me for, you know, whatever questions they had. And it's something enjoy ⁓ of helping the person

Jim Mayer: Got it.

Justin Keskel: while I keep going myself.

Jim Mayer: Yeah. I like it. I mean, that's how that's how that knowledge is transferred, right? From generation to generation. Part of the reason we're in some of the situations workforce development wise we done a great job of asking our

Justin Keskel: Yeah.

Jim Mayer: veterans that are looking to retire soon to document lot of the processes that they know like the back of their hand ⁓ for the younger people who are coming in behind them, right? ⁓ And to me ⁓ creates a of legacy to go with the pride that we talked about earlier.

Justin Keskel: course. Mm-hmm.

Jim Mayer: Because if you're documenting it, you're going to shape the way people are doing processes for upon workers to come. So think that that would be a really neat thing to do. So you've also visited a lot of shops, other shops, right? mean, that's something you do like to do. ⁓ What's one of the biggest takeaways you've had?

Justin Keskel: Yeah. Yeah.

Jim Mayer: uh... in visiting those other shops and talking with other machinists and uh... that kind of thing

Justin Keskel: I mean, the biggest takeaway for me would probably be that no two shops are the same. Like they're all got different parts, they all got different machines, they all got different ways of doing things. Not to say one is better than the other by any means, but you know, whatever works for that situation, it's good to see different perspectives of to do things. And gotten a visit.

Jim Mayer: Yeah.

Justin Keskel: you know, shops in other states. that there's more here in Illinois that I've visited. So it's ⁓ just seeing how things get done.

Jim Mayer: Yeah, awesome. do we make manufacturing better? How we make it so it's seen as a meaningful career outside of the industry chamber we both exist in on social media?

Justin Keskel: I think comes down to getting in front of students like and earlier so that they're at least aware ⁓ of some the opportunities that are in the industry. As many people said, machining is just one aspect of manufacturing. I mean, there's leadership there's accounting, there's

Jim Mayer: Okay. Yeah.

Justin Keskel: purchasing, there's all kinds of other things. So doesn't have to be someone who's incredibly technical like I am ⁓ make an impact in this industry. So just getting in front of the next generation, which obviously is something that we talk about a lot in our chamber, but yeah, but it seems to be the right answer to me.

Jim Mayer: Right. Okay. ⁓ I like that. I mean, part of the is, I, me, used to value the skilled trades manufacturing as a societal contract than ⁓ do now. And so how can change that dynamic in your opinion right is there a way that we're able to at your average run-of-the-mill and ⁓ and them place more value the skilled trades

Justin Keskel: I as far as placing value on it, gonna, I like it comes down to awareness. I feel like there's just a lot of people who just take for that things just show up at the store and they have no idea how it gets there. They have no idea how it starts as a piece of flat material and just shape it and put holes in it and it magically becomes a thing. So, I mean, awareness is gonna be a big part of that. I feel like there's just a lot of who just take for granted that things just show up at the store and they have no idea how it gets They have no idea how it starts as a piece of ⁓ flat material and you just shape it and put holes in it and it magically becomes a thing. I awareness is gonna be a big part of that.

Jim Mayer: Yeah. Yeah. Yep.

Justin Keskel: And whether that's through social media or, you know, pop culture, what have you, there just needs to be more awareness around the industry and to show that it's a vibrant and fulfilling industry for those that find a home in it. And whether that's through social media or, you know, pop culture, have you, there needs to be more awareness around the industry and to that it's a vibrant and industry for those that find a home in it.

Jim Mayer: Okay. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Got it, got it, I like it. What's one that ⁓ thing you think is thought about or perceived about manufacturing that you want to

Justin Keskel: I mean, we've all heard the dirty, dangerous, all nonsense. And it's just not anymore. It's well-lit facilities. can off the in some of these places. It's not the same manufacturing that your grandfather grew up with. we just, again, that needs to be communicated to the masses, I guess.

Jim Mayer: Yeah. Yeah, totally get it. What do you think the future of manufacturing holds? What's industry look like in five, 10 years?

Justin Keskel: You know, I have a hard time trying to predict the future. It's the reason I play fantasy football this year, because like, I'm just I'm done this. Like everyone's going to hurt anyway. Like I have no idea what's coming. As if I had take educated guess, though, I'm going to say, you know, the CNC technology, it's getting better and better. Like it's getting more precise. There's, you know. However many axes on however many machines now, like you've got, know, Swiss blades doing what? Like 20 some odd axes or something, I don't know anymore. It's a lot. It's a lot. I'm barely used to three at this point. I feel like AI is of course big push and it's going get better time. feel like it's kind of.

Jim Mayer: I, yeah, it's beyond my knowledge. Yeah.

Justin Keskel: somewhat usable at this point. I haven't had a lot of, you know, just type in a thing and it's just like the perfect thing that you want. You know what I mean? So it's going to grow the more people start to use it. And I think that's the point why everyone's making a big deal is because it ⁓ from the collective, right? So AI is probably going to be a big part of it. If I had to guess.

Jim Mayer: Right. Right. Okay, interesting. Justin, what do you want your legacy to be?

Justin Keskel: It's, it's hard to kind of pinpoint one thing. I, I want to keep bringing up, you know, the next generation, obviously like the, the talent pipeline, it's fragmented. Like it's not the easiest industry to get into. And if I can help in some small part of that, in whatever organizations I'm a part of that, that would be amazing. Um, someday I. I would like to into leadership and potentially lead a company at some point. it's going to take a lot to get there. So I've got a lot to learn and a lot to hopefully pass on. And that's kind of what I'm focused on.

Jim Mayer: Awesome. I dig it, What haven't I asked you that you want to share with the audience?

Justin Keskel: You didn't ask me about karaoke. How long I've been in.

Jim Mayer: Okay. Yeah. How long have you been singing karaoke?

Justin Keskel: a few years, I say it's, ⁓ it's a hobby of mine, kind of not necessarily karaoke, but you know, I've been musically involved since I was 10 years old. I started learning how to play different instruments and things like that. And then as I grew older, I started getting into, you know, different kinds of music. And of course, you know, singing along with it in the car and that type of thing. And, know, ⁓

Jim Mayer: Okay.

Justin Keskel: It's just kind of been a thing for most of my life. So yeah, it's fun.

Jim Mayer: you saying I'm trying to remember now but it was something that that literally my socks off as far as like I was not expecting what was it

Justin Keskel: you So there was like four songs that night and you're probably thinking of the last one, which was Bleed It Out by Linkin Park.

Jim Mayer: Right. Yes, crushed that song man. ⁓ absolutely crushed it, You did a great job.

Justin Keskel: You Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Jim Mayer: Do you do that? Do you karaoke often?

Justin Keskel: Here and there when I have the opportunity, to be honest, that's the last time I did karaoke was at IMDS, but I've done it a handful of times before then too. So it's fun.

Jim Mayer: Okay. So that I mean, that's some natural talent then that you have there. I'm impressed. I'm impressed. There is there is going to be another manufacturing mic drop this year. At IMTS Wednesday night sandwiched in between other events. So Wednesday night, if you do make it come to the karaoke night, it'd be a blast to have you sing again.

Justin Keskel: Thank you. Okay. Awesome. We'll have to get it recorded this time too, because there's no footage from last time.

Jim Mayer: I there are photos but zero video and and I feel like that was a major miss on my part. You're right. We need to have some video. I'm even thinking of you know, there was that corner booth or the back room. ⁓ I'm thinking of doing like some sort of podcast thing we're too. I mean, they're both microphones involved in both those anyway.

Justin Keskel: Mm-hmm. Right.

Jim Mayer: I don't know yet, but there will be that event. you make it. Man, this has been a lot of fun, Justin. I really appreciate this conversation. Thanks for being here,

Justin Keskel: Yeah. Of course, thanks for having me, Jim.

Jim Mayer: Absolutely. Ladies and gentlemen, Justin. the voice of modern the ⁓ modern manufacturing He has blended the technical ⁓ know how he has learned and he possessed coming into this industry with ⁓ a massive commitment community. through doing that, he shows that machines and sharing knowledge builds shops, careers, and humans. I really respect Justin for his with people on LinkedIn in real life, his vulnerability and for people to mentor him his ability to reach across shop floors. help normalize manufacturing as a place of growth and purpose. So Justin, great work, really enjoyed this conversation. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here. Before you go, please take two seconds on whatever platform you're on and rate review show. It's not for my ego. It's not for Justin's ego. It's to help other people find the show every time you rate and review some funky algorithm thing makes it fun and you are able to other people find us so help other people find us help other people find this conversation you don't have to write anything great about in the right man of a thousand hats and we'll leave at that so until next time ladies and gentlemen thanks for being here keep making things