The Vibe Inside

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Recorded live on-site at FABTECH 2024, this special episode of The Manufacturing Culture Podcast features Matthew and Lindsay Nix, the dynamic duo behind the transformation of Nix Companies, a fifth-generation family business that has grown into a culture-first manufacturing powerhouse. Host Jim Mayer dives into their remarkable journey—from $5 Saturdays in the shop to 100X revenue growth—unpacking the intentional leadership, deep-rooted values, and community-driven mission that fuel their success.

They share candid insights on building a scalable company culture, launching a franchise model to empower other owner-operators, and balancing legacy with innovation. If you care about what it feels like to work in manufacturing—and how to make that feeling matter—this episode delivers.

Key Takeaways

Culture is the Vibe Inside: It’s more than words on a wall—it’s how it feels when you walk into the shop. And that feeling is built with intentionality, consistency, and values-driven leadership.
From Family to Force: Nix Companies grew from four family members to over 200 employees, proving that small-town roots and big-time vision can coexist.
Hiring with Intention Changes Everything: Drawing a line in the sand on who they hire—and why—transformed their business and laid the foundation for a thriving culture.
Mission, Vision & Values Should Evolve: But they must always be authentic and come from the top—then be reinforced through every level of the organization.
Women in Manufacturing: Lindsay’s journey from accounting to sales to external relations shows how women can lead, influence, and thrive in male-dominated spaces.
Franchising a Fabrication Model: Nix Companies is pioneering a franchise model in manufacturing to support owner-operators with playbooks, back-end systems, and cultural integration.
Community Is Part of the Business Plan: From local schools to Junior Achievement, giving back is not a PR move—it’s who they are.

Chapters

00:00 The Evolution of Nix Company
02:51 Building a Strong Company Culture
05:51 The Role of Family in Business
09:00 Defining Corporate Culture
12:11 Personal Journeys and Career Aspirations
20:48 Evolving Mission, Vision, and Values
23:18 The Formation of Nick's Companies
26:13 Integrating Culture Across Business Units
31:17 Balancing Tradition and Innovation
33:59 Community Engagement and Educational Initiatives
35:46 Future Aspirations and Franchise Model