Machine Shop Tour, Closing, and Complete Sale of Worldwide Machining & Welding in Superior Wisconsin
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- Опубликовано: 12 апр 2024
- I have said this many times before that Northern Wisconsin is extremely depressed. I WAS NOT JOKING ABOUT THIS! Over the last 20 years, businesses have been closing or moving out of the area. People struggle to survive here; it is a total economic dead zone. The closure of Worldwide Machining & Welding, Inc. comes as a bit of a surprise, but given the region, it was almost expected.
John Anderson put everything into building his business over the last 20 years, but he just can't keep going on. When he started Worldwide Machining and Welding, Inc. the region had a significantly better economic standing. Over the last 10 years, the economy here started to die. Shipping in the Twin Ports of Superior, WI and Duluth, MN is nowhere near what it was just 20 years ago.
Unfortunately, Worldwide Machining & Welding, Inc. is just another victim of the economic situation of Northern Wisconsin. With this closure, there are no large capacity machine shops left to pick up this work. But then again, there isn't much industry left that needs large capacity work.
Please help John recover some of his losses on the auction. He put everything into trying to keep going and has been left with nothing but debt. The auction is on Premier Machinery Auctions website:
www.premiermachineryauctions....
If you are interested in learning more about Worldwide Machining & Welding, Inc. or interested in purchasing any of the product lines:
wwmwinc.com/
Topper Machine LLC is an entirely manual machine shop located in Spooner, WI. Our videos will highlight some of our shop work.
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Everyone, You keep asking why would I move to California ? First off I have been married living here for 7 years now slowly building a very small shop, so there is a base. I have a wife and children who love me. I know what everyone says about California but I can tell you there are more people and MUCH MORE opportunity than Northern Wisconsin. Plus all the years of working in the Cold Cold weather Welding, Logging, Fixing Equipment, Driving Truck, Pouring Concrete, Farming have taken its toll on me. My back and hands hurt every day, I am tough and will work till I die but that Sun on your body sure is nice. And as an Added Bonus my wife's Family and her Elephant Tribe of Girlfriends have shown me more love than I have ever know. And you should see these girls , everyone BOMBSHELLS !!!! Maybe you can keep this at the top Josh so everyone stops asking why California.
Love you so much ❤😘
Thankful for you. You’re a good man.
Yeah, don't take this the wrong way, John, but the first time I went from Wisconsin (Prescott, across the river from Hastings, MN) to California in 1973 when I went to boot camp.
Off and on, I spent a total of 30 years in a state that I really loved, but over time, I saw the events and changes leading up to the way it is now, and escaped to Maryland in 2005.
So I guess what I'm saying is: it's harder for someone like me who had a lifelong love affair with California to see what it has become now: a place I wouldn't piss on if it were on fire.
Still, you got to make the best decision you can with the information you have for yourself and your family. I wish you all the best, ay.
Best wishes in California.
Cant argue with that.
WOW! Nice to see someone not playing the blame game but picking himself up and looking ahead. Life does go on. God bless him.
John is a Marine I am proud to have served with. He never hesitated, never flinched and always performed at a top level. If I had to go somewhere today, I want John with me.
Hi Everyone, UPDATE ON Auction,,,,,,,, April 30th Start May 7th End My Husband will be on Hand for the inspection day to answer questions. See listing at Premeir Machinery Auctions Blaine Minnesota
Thank you Moira. I'm pinning this comment so everyone will see it first.
What a thoroughly nice guy, and such a terrible shame that his business failed after 20 years. I wish him all the best in whatever venture comes next.
He's a capable man, and a good one, so I don't worry for him.
Didn’t fail just saw a new opportunity
Josh,
This video was a heartbreaker....brings tears to my eyes listening to a proud man that loved his work and his employees, equally and without reservation. Such a real shame but this is just a tip of the iceberg of the shops like this that are closing or already gone from our industry. I'll be watching the liquidation closely and see if I can preserve a bit of his legacy with some items. I encourage others here to do the same.
Hats off in respect for John and what he accomplished with his company, and for you in showcasing all this to us.
Hope Connor will take all he has absorbed from your work ethic and uses it to the best of his ability.
Thanks,
Don
It was a very hard video to make and very sad day. I know exactly how John feels. I have watched this region die. Not a good day for Northern WI.
Is it because you’re not next to the oceans of water, pacific, and Atlantic?😊
Huge respect to John for his hard work pulling this business together and how he has looked after his employees. It is great to see that, despite the sad situation, he is still positive and reflecting on the great work that his company has done and the difference he and his wife have made in people’s lives.
There are a few people that I have worked for that have been fair. Most people don't give two hoots for staff. Thank you for building lives and not just a business WWW rocks. Thank you to John and his wife for looking after people and seeing value there. Keep on going Josh and may you and Connor continue to have great times as you serve the community.
My father was a Journeyman Maintenance Machinist, had small machine shop in our garage when I younger (early 60’s) and although I knew he could fix anything and would rather spend a week making a part that could be easily bought, I never truly appreciated how skilled he was until I started watching RUclips machine shops like this one and others.
Semper Fi Marine, I was in the 1st Battalion 8th Marines Bravo Company 0331 Squad Leader in Beruit when the Barracks Blew Up. Im the Guy Josh is interviewing
@@johnanderson-lb9zi Semper Fi brother, I was the Duty NCO at Comm Co, HQBN, 2d MARDIV that night. Lost to high school classmates (Greener and Cooper) that night.
What size spindle bore lathe is there?
What really blows my mind is the fact that the industries that are going away in this country are the very industries that built this country. our governments should be protecting this kind of thing from happening, but are just happy to standby and watch it come to pass. and it’s not like we don’t need this kind of industry in this country, we absolutely do. not being able to find employees is a sign of the times and it’s really sad to see.
When I started out as a machinist in the late 70s, it was a pretty competitive market and you had to be good at what you did and willing to do it or there was a list as long as your arm of people wanting that job.
Hopefully John and his wife find what they’re looking for elsewhere. As far as California goes… well it wouldn’t be my first choice.
What a wonderful employer, it’s a great pity that more business owners treat their staff like this.
Beyond sad. I’m a retired tool and die maker. I finished my apprenticeship in 1972, simply blows my mind how all of the industry has changed. How many toolmakers are left anymore? I’m originally from PA . I can remember when Bethlehem Steel closed a long time ago. Today it’s simply a challenge to find anyone with skills, let alone ppl period. God blessed me with 3 wonderful sons who have taken over the machine shop I started in 1976. When I bought my first CNC I was scared to death if I could make it payoff. Well it did and year after year I added more and more machines. I hired more and more ppl. Now days you’re lucky to find a warm body to run them. I feel so sad for you John. I really love your attitude plus the fact that you did well for your employees. Your shop is only as good as the ppl who work for you! God bless and best wishes sir.
The big machine shop i worked for. Was sold 3 times while i was there. The third time they left nys. Not one man on the shop floor was asked to move with them. All this after 104 years in our town. God bless your friend.
What a great guy. I wish you all the best in your new chapter.
SO SAD. Thanks for sharing this story, Josh.
I am saddened that another small business owner is going out of business. I admire his honesty, dedication and faith. May he and wife be truly blessed in the next chapter of their lives.
Sorry to hear about this loss.
This reminded me again why multidisciplinary is a must. I have 4 businesses, 3 of which aren't in my field of study(Specialized in Computer Science in Artificial Intelligence), I started businesses in other fields as I saw massive improvements over my competitors as they wouldn't have the expertise in house to compete and would cost an arm and a leg to get the same and started manufacturing products and automated farming and gained massive traction as my products were much better quality and was same price as my competitors and had a significantly better scheduling to when products are available compared to my competitors that clients flocked to me by word of mouth. The only way I would have gotten here is by having a different mindset compared to others, it brings me great sadness to see good hearted people having to close down because of bad economic times and wished I could get more people like this to support with some guidance of being able to do something different as these are good, honest people that are salt of the earth and hard to find. It's really sad to see stuff like this as you can see the passion this man has for his work.
Thanks for sharing this video Josh this is sad news for sure 😢. Take care of yourself and family and friends and be Blessed ❤️.
What a fantastic machine shop, probably one of the best in the world. So sad to see the business closing. I hope all goes well for you in the future John.
Thanks!
Thank you so much Don!
All the best
Can't continue in business without work coming in the door . I've seen quite a few machine shops go out of business for the same reason . Sure is a lot of really nice machinery and other stuff that will probably sell at a reasonable price . Well maintained equipment with paperwork backing up the records is a plus . Getting out of the business while it's still stable is a wise decision . Sad to see the area going down hill is always hard to comprehend but that's the way it is in a lot of areas . Thanks Josh and Connor for shooting and sharing the video .
Yes this is very sad, all this work still needs to be done. We have seen the same thing re in the UK many times.
Very sad. Such a beautiful shop.
Thanks for sharing this.
Connor did a great job on the on the camera.
Yes it is sad. Conner has gotten quite good with the camera.
@@TopperMachineLLC Yeah, I have to laugh when he opened up the fridge. That's cleaner than most in a machine shop! Lol.
@@4GSR yeah, I didn't know he did that. He is a curious kid, and nothing wrong with that.
@@TopperMachineLLC Reminds too much of me at that age!😇
Very Sad indeed, Good luck John on the future, Connor, you did one heck of a job on the video, and Josh, you also shined with your questions.....best wishes to all.....Paul
4 minutes into the video, John is a rock solid guy. Such a nice shop! Such a shame to have to end it.
Thanks, so sad that this kind of shop has to close..
What a beautiful shop. A lifetime of knowledge and skill for sure. Makes me so sad to see all of it go to auction. You have such a great attitude. It must be so hard.
when a large brake and rotor manufacturing plant closed in mid Tennessee a few years ago. dozens and dozens of 5 yr old CNC's and ten times the amount of tooling he has was auctioned off sold for pennies on the dollar.
When things go that cheap, it shows just how much demand there really is. No manufacturing left, no demand. I remember a time when shop auctions brought big money. Not anymore.
ive spent some time in spooner with family there but have not been up there for a number of years after my grandparents died. When it isnt the summer tourist season you are correct on how depressed the area is.
Many career lifetimes ago I worked for a steel company here in Australia. We used to cut steel plate around 12 inches and up. Was amazing to watch those old Oxy machines in action. We also had multi head plasma machines cutting parts for Caterpillar almost day and night. Thanks for the flashbacks.
Josh
This was really good of you to help promote the auction.
It is sad to see another machine shop close down, but hopefully your voice will help get the word out and promote good sales.
Thanks, I hope it helps. I also forwarded this on to our congressman.
Very 😎
Best of luck to John and his wife in their new place, and all his employees going forward. I mentor kids in tech and fabrication and seeing this really hurts my heart because any time something like this happens it harms our country. Yes somebody gets a "great deal at auction", but the overall price to our nation (and our species) is bogglingly high in the long run.
I'm not clicking like, because I do not like this. That is a good man, and he doesn't deserve his business to end this way after what he did and how he helped provide a living and career for people. Makes me sad - people do not understand the need for manufacturing. Real sad. Look at the quality of that shop - when someone looks after their machines and shop that way - you KNOW they are a top class person that believes in quality and work done right. I'll bring these machines up to my company owners - see if we can acquire anything. We could use one of those lathes, honestly.
Thanks Stuart. It is extremely sad to see this. I really struggled to do this video. What's even worse is it is happening more and more in this region. Businesses are closing or moving anywhere else.
@@TopperMachineLLCWhere is all this work going? China perhaps? Surely the oil and gas and other industries that John supplied are not all going under! I strongly suspect it’s a business decision by his clients to purchase parts cheaper offshore instead of in America.
I went through this some years back in powersports machine work, and a friend is now closing a plastic molding shop. But, have to at least have a machine shop in a one car garage until you die!
Conner is a natural with a video camera.
John is so cool, he would be a great boss to have. His shop is more then amazing. Many people are going to be happy, satisfied and content. I’m really interested in what you might get that we’ve seen that video.😅 maybe the large angled plates??
It's heartbreaking to see another machine shop close it's doors regardless of where it is! Where I live in Western New York is feeling this economic crunch too, almost all of the machine shops in our area have closed down. When I was a kid back in the 80s there was at least a dozen of different machine shops that in my hometown now it's just two of us left the rest moved or closed down either bc it wasn't economically viable anymore or bc they couldn't get workers which is extremely disheartening.
It's a beautiful shop with some gorgeous machines that's for sure, and I hope he's able to make it work out in California, bc he seems like a really great guy that's passionate about what he does. I would've loved to work for when I first started out in the trade! Great video as always Josh, and thank you for being who you are and shining a light on this. 👍👍
I could see when you stood by the Horizontal borer you inner child was showing, can I have it Dad all came back. Just a example of interest and happiness.
Seems like a really good, down to earth guy. Sad but it is what it is. Like he says; better to look forward rather than back. I wish him, his wife and the people who work for him all the best.
This story makes me want to cry, the whole damn country is going to crap and those who we "put in charge" don't care for Americans, sure they say they do but actions speak louder than words.
Thanks for the video Josh
I agree 100%
LETS GO BRANDON ❤😅
@@anthonyrivers8395 right LOL
@@anthonyrivers8395 His business started going south 7 years ago……Hmmmmmm?
And our country has been declined for many more years. There has been a very rapid decline. And to be honest, sleepy Joe has been asleep behind the wheel. 😅 god family and country are eroding. I live in New York, and I don’t even know who my neighbors are(immigration)😮.
So sad. I've been in oilfield manufacturing all of my life since I was in diapers! Now 67 and can't afford to retire. I've dealt with many job shops over the years that made parts like those in this video. Most of those shops are no more and they were great shops to deal with, too. It's obvious this shop was one of them. Now have to deal with shops in India! It's no fun. Thanks for sharing Josh. Ken
It is happening all over. This region has seen a lot of closures in the last 10 years of many businesses.
@@TopperMachineLLC Yes, Likewise down here where I am at, too.
I feel for shops shutting down for lack of skilled workers. In my late teens and 20s, I tried getting into dozens of shops in any capacity, nobody would give me the time of day. I finally gave up and got an accounting degree. I'm sure there's immeasurable talent that goes wasted because nobody is willing to give folks a foot in the door.
That was a great walk through . Very nice machines there & look to be well looked after . It happens , i guess . Very unfortunate . 👍
I really like this guy, I wish him well.
Back 24 years ago , I worked out of Milwaukee area driving a truck. Some companies had already slowing down .😮😢
Sending prayers to John and his family. Also hoping the auction is profitable. So sad and what a great hard working man!! God will slip in an upgrade for sure!!! Thank you Josh and Conner for taking time out to highlight John and WorldWide.
So sad to see John close and US manufacturing/machining disappear. Hope Josh stays afloat for a while.
🔥🔥 I passed along this information to a few people who might be interested. Great video! You’re both very smart men. I’m sure the future is bright. Best Regards 🔥
Thank you.
I drove on US 53, I spent 27 days in my truck camper in Solon Springs, drove all over that part of the state, beautiful area...
beautiful, but desolate and depressed.
I seriously looked at moving to northern Wisconsin, I have a lot of family in Wisconsin, found a lot of nice land at some really good prices BUT the property taxes were insane! Wisconsin has become very very liberal and with liberal policies comes very high taxes and excessive regulation to pay for all that socialism. Funny thing is I like the winters, am retired with a very good pension so I don't need to survive on the local economy but I just don't want to go somewhere where the government just wants to keep taking and taking, that's the reason I closed my business and left California 25 years ago and moved to the Midwest.
I live in Wisconsin and I am happy to pay the taxes that support the quality of life that we expect.
Sure you can call it socialism, I call it society. People uniting to advance an ideal. If you don't like it you can go live on a desert island and you can keep all your money in your pockets. But if you want to send your kids to school or go to a good hospital or even just going somewhere, Wisconsin has some of the best schools, hospitals and roads.
Trump blew 8.5 TRILLION bucks. Liberals are fiscally responsible. Republicans bankrupt everything financially and morally. Biden 24
When you tax something you get less of it.
When you subsidize something you get more of it.
You are trading high paying jobs for section 8 welfare recipients from Chiraq.
Keep that up, add in a few million "undocumented new arrivals" and get back to me on the quality of your schools and hospitals in a few years.
Unfortunately, it doesn't matter where you go. Everything is failing.
Give Abom a shout out that he can possibly help network the machinery out-
John, you are a great guy, i believe you are the best boss someone could have. I hope you find peace in california and I think life will be kind to you as you have been to your employees. I wish you all the best! 🤗 Josh, i hope you can continue doing the work you love in the region you love so much even though it would be easier to earn a living elsewhere.😅 And Connor, get outta there 😂
Best wishes to all of you from overseas, the South of Germany, Chris
I’m going crazy pulling my hair out having so many questions to ask and no one to answer them😂😂. Pre-commenting before I watch the whole entire video and it’s entirety.😊
Your friend John knows the world is changing. It’s been changing our entire lives and the rate of change is increasing.
You have to adapt or disappear because no matter what you do changes are going to happen.
Family is the closest thing to a constant and even that changes. Adapt, improvise, overcome is the way forward.
Complaining and mourning the old days doesn’t pay the bills.
Sad to see such nice shop closing.. Totally get the demise of local economics and nationwide as well. Sadist thing is what's going to happen to young families, things are not looking good.
Best wishes for John and family moving forward.
I live in northern Maine and think you are both proof of the possibility of life where you want doing what you like provided you can find and serve a market - with no oil and gas market in Wisconsin, this is a testament to your friend. Hopefully, the dollar will weaken enough to enable this dream for next generation of metal workers.
Oil and gas was just a small portion of his business.
Things change. Businesses come and go. Tech changes. The past is over, there is only the future and it's unique challenges.
I don't think you got the point of this video. We talked a lot about how the industries have disappeared in our region.
none of the processes and machinery in that machine shop are outdated. Industry in the USA is deliberately annihilated by the policies of the federal and state governments. The people at the top do not want manufacturing to exist in the united states.
It's a sad day when you have to give up on something you put everything into best of luck to you in the future
You really cannot explain to others, what it feels like when you are selling off the equipment that you made a living with! The day I broke down the Bridgeport mill and disconnected the power feeds? When I watched that mill being lifted with straps and placed on a moving trailer…..broke me!
I've sold equipment to make room for newer. One I regret was my Warner Swasey turret lathe. Life moves on, but I really wish I had the room to keep it. It did some things so much better than an engine lathe.
@@TopperMachineLLC oh crap are you gonna cry when i load that mill up?
@@candyjanusch3716 LOL, no. It is getting upgraded, and going to someone who deserves it.
@@TopperMachineLLC good cuz i dont think i could bear it
The saddest thing about this video is I don't have enough money to buy it all!
Hi Josh I am from Germany , I have seen that our steel and coal industry shut down, so I feel with you. All what they leave behind , so families look where you can get money. So northern WI shouldn't get the same , what we see .
Very sad buisiness story here about a great manufacturing company. I hope it has a good outcome for John and his wife. When life gives you lemons, you make lemon-aid in Claifornia I guess? When in Rome, do as the Romans do. This story in manufacturing, has been playing out about every 10 years or so since about 1980 IMHO.
It’s a shame to see an error of a Machine Shop of that size end up going down and going away. Sorry to see that happen. I don’t like to see industry fail anywhere in our country but unfortunately it’s happening all over the place. Best of luck to John .
Ill be bidding on that Shibaura
Great! It is an awesome machine. Where would you be taking it?
@@TopperMachineLLC my shops about 25 minutes SE of Madison WI.
My shop is 25 miles SE of Madison, WI
This is a sad day but some fantastic equipment. It must be tempting to bid on some of the equipment even if it means an extension to your shop
I'm really not tempted at all. There is not enough work in this region to even justify buying more.
Sad. Its businesses like these we need. BTW, I didn't see any giant red vises in the shop. I was looking to buy one.😀
These businesses are shut down because the need for them is not there, or not a large enough need anymore
Buy it Josh!
If only there were a future here, I'd consider it.
I guess I never realized you live in Wisconsin, Hi ya neighbor north-east Iowa here :)
Very sad for the region to see this kind of capability disappear.
It is a devastating blow.
Thats a damn shame! Im gonna have our purchasing dept check out that auction.
Thank you.
You should add a link to this video on the auction webpage
It will be suggested to the guys at Premier. They are great to work with.
Heartbreaking.
Would have liked to see more of the on site machining stuff. I do some on site line boring and would have liked to see some of that stuff
It will be up on the auction in the next week. We only had so much time to do this.
I closed my business when I realized I was working to just pay the insurance company. Also, employees loved to fake injuries just to collect workers comp, and workers comp gave employees all the tricks to say and do to collect insurance and not. That was years ago and I have not been happier. All the rules, regulations, taxes, insurance, government forms, licenses, I'll never do it again. I'm out. Walmart greeter here I come.
Back in the 1970s I was a second shift Forman in a very large shop. I worked on many missle parts for tomahawk and others.. I received very nice raise for using insert tooling in a mill. The material would eat end mills per part the alloy hard. Using inserts I was getting at least ten parts before tip rotation. Celmar. Was the company. Name.. 79 I was made a quadraperectic all limbs paralyzed ending my future.
I wish I had enough money to buy that whole shop, but I don't. Looks like fun stuff.
Unfortunately that Cincinnati Milicron lathe will probably end up in the scrap bin. I’ve seen similar machines sell for only scrap value.
I agree with this assumption. People don't see the value of the older equipment, even though it will outlast anything built now days.
It is sad you have to close in such a manner. One wonders what will replace the farming and lumber and marine business that once thrived along the Great Lakes and northern tier states. Upstate NY is in a similar situation from what I understand. Manufacturing, heavy machine and welding shops here in New Hampshire and nearby Vermont where I live are also slowly disappearing and a shadow of what once was. Edit: I am remiss in not saying good luck in your auction John I hope it goes well for you.
This country is in trouble. Small shops are essential. Our region is dying, and fast. I don't know what the future will bring, but I've made steps to ensure my wife and I are secure.
Josh, I was laid off in January of 2010. Fortunately, my wife drove for Children's Aid as a volunteer, but her mileage allowance was generous and enabled some savings. I had a small, one man band woodworking shop in my spare time. I took on contract maintenance with other local radio stations, at one point twelve sites, and made a pretty good go of it. Then, in 2019/20 covid hit, my wife died, and in a year, my business was gone. There are very few techs available to do the work I did in broadcasting for over forty years. I'm 80 now and really don't have the desire to drive for five hours, do an hours work, and then drive five hours home. Fortunately we've owned our home for a long time so I can manage on my pensions, supplements, and savings. I feel for your friend but at the same time he became too big to handle it himself. Hopefully, his California business will let him retire in some comfort.
Thanks for the video. Regards from Canada's banana belt.
🤞🇨🇦🍌🥋🕊🇺🇦🕊🇺🇸👍
While Mr. Anderson worked really hard to keep his business going and took good care of his employees, having a clientele that had continuous business operations, theoretically he should've not been in present situation. Perhaps it's because of the overall depressed area. May he be a great success at the new place. Best regards
I worked in a coal mine years.A goal and John Reeves with Ace o of midcontinent, coal mine.And add a 10 bucks.He put nine in his pocket and won in the company
Unfortunately this is the reality of this industry.. Larger automated machines can churn out parts in a fraction of a time, leaving the smaller shops to do piece-work or 1 off builds. These skills however are still needed, just more appreciated in smaller countries that still rely upon parts being made or repaired locally, where the alternative would be to order from abroad and wait.. let alone the cost of shipping and importing duty. In such locations, machining skills are still required and flourish
Josh, I having been going to the Northwoods for many years. You have certainly not exaggerated the economic situation. As a visitor I don't interact with industry, but I do watch the shops and restaurants. More close every year. A house down the road fro. my cabin has a sign that says 'I support mining. I'm not on vacation I live here." I love the lakes and woods up there with my whole heart, but there has to be a balance which I fear we have lost. Are the politicians in Madison who claim to care about working people watching? And do they even care if they are watching?
I have reached out to some of our politicians, they claim our economy is great. They have zero concept of reality. Every year there is less and less business here. People are moving away for jobs. It is extremely sad, I love it here and there is great potential in this region. But for things to change, people need to take notice.
Dare i say people are waking up to the fact that the system doesn't want you and is actively sabotaging small businesses?
You should see my country 40% taxes and 38% unemployment.
I barely keep the door open together with my father. This was the promised globalization right...
Well thank you for deleting my rant😅 i get carried away sometimes.
I didn't delete anything. I want people to rant. This is happening all over this industry. RUclips probably pulled it.
@@TopperMachineLLC Good to know.
It's becoming so tiresome.
This is a small example of what is happing to America. It some point there will no coming back. May be there now.
we are past saving at this point.
I heard the comments on just how hard it is to get competent people which is a problem we have here in New Zealand. We seem to have stopped training people preferring to import cheep labor in from the third world who's training is questionable at best. Cost has become the overriding factor rather than quality and we are now paying the price for that
It's so sad that industries are going away which made this country would it was back in the day.
I worked for John for a short time, and WWMW let me go. I wasn't performing to my potential at that time due to personal reasons. I have since corrected that in my life, but even though let go by this company, I still want to offer my support to John and his family. Also, want to be in prayerful support for all of the WWMW employees and their families. I also have a serious heart for the Northern WI area of Superior and I will continue to be in prayer for that area after watching this. I am originally from Duluth, and have lived there for a majority of my life and John is right, it is just sad what is taking place in both of those cities. I have NEVER seen so many people who are on the streets homeless in the city of Duluth EVER. So, anyone who is watching this, please send a prayer for this area, and for those who have to live and work there. Thank you!
Oh, Hi Tom! I hadn't watched that far when I left the comment above....
What a pity! It is happening in all branches, of course. Here in Germany job shops usually survive because they stay small. It is just like in the restaurant business; Marco has a small restaurant with 6 tables, run by his wife and himself. People keep telling him he should grow, move into a better building in a better location, more tables, etc. He does and has more customers, but he now has to hire a cook and servers, what's more the rent has tripled and operating costs have exploded. This goes on until he cannot make a profit and he loses everything. Rapid expansion of a small business is usually a path to ruin. I hope for the very best for you, Josh. You are your most valuable asset! We love your videos and enjoy our time with you. Thanks for bringing this sad tale. It is a warning for many.
I had wanted and tried to grow my shop. I struggled to find more work for years, but there just isn't the work in the region and many don't want to ship. My goal was to get to about 2-3 shop guys, no more. John's shop did great until industries started pulling out. There was a lot of work in this region up until about 10 years ago. Then he had to keep looking further and further out. It is sad, now there is nobody left with that kind of capacity.
Absolutely correct. Scaling up does not guarantee success.
That business was rolling large at one point. The tooling, overhead cranes, machines and more. My thoughts right away when he mentioned operations manager, was when the business is scaled to that size, the workers don’t have the passion as the owner does. The sliding bed lathe is beautiful. I love the machine shop auctions for personal gain, but also makes my heart ache to see a place that makes something from nothing go away. Most amazing part to me was shop and business grew to that size in just 20 years. The owner hustled a good little bit and worked hard.
@@ethantracy337 absolutely! Overhead is a killer and a one person shop doesn't have to make nearly as much money to keep the doors open as bigger shops. The company I work for has something like a 25 percent overhead to keep the office running. While they might get away with that when there is tons of work, when it gets slow, the company could be crippled. I think about business owners, such as an exhaust shop I have used for years, and think about what they have to go through to keep the doors open enough days per week and with enough jobs to pay the minimum crew needed. The owner has to ensure the shop can turn a profit when he is off and not watching the shop like a hawk, otherwise he would end up working 6 days per week. Many people, especially customers, underestimate what it takes to run a business, but I have always worked for small businesses and have seen how much work they are.
How a man obviously as intelligent as John would pick Cali to start over is baffling. Of course I don't have any of the facts but the energy costs, the hellish taxes and the horrible state government with all the none business friendly regulations would be a NO. Good luck to you Sir, sincerely. You strike me as a kind, good man, you deserve better than California will give. Sorry for the negative post. Please reconsider locations.
Charles it is a long story that has many layers but bottom line is my wife and step children are here. Many things have worked out to make this happen but California is a great place to make money as there is a lot of money and people here. I know this isn’t mentioned much but it’s true. Much easier to survive here than where I came from.
@@johnanderson-lb9zi Thank You Sir, Good luck and prayers to you
@@johnanderson-lb9zi I hope the pros outweigh the cons for you and it all turns out well. I have always lived here, not far from San Bernardino and an hour or four from LA, but it feels like a foreign land with values that don't match my own. Yes, there is a lot of business and people here if you can put up with them.
This is so sad for the owner and his family and the workers. Its so hard these days to make a living in this industry.
It really is. I've struggled to make it myself.
Well, I guess it's safe to say that the machines won't be the only things feeling "welded" to the floor in Superior, Wisconsin!
Absolutely tragic.
There could be some bargains. You just never know how an auction will play out.. I've seen stuff like welders go for more than they were new.
I hope Conner is going to grab some nice toys?😁
I'm not sure economically depressed is exactly the correct description of NW Wisconsin. If you're comparing Superior or Spooner Wisconsin to Naperville IL than sure it might seem economically depressed. However, many of these nw wi communities hold their own and are operating on skeleton crew of population. Douglas county 44k residents - median family income $64k. Washburn county 16k residents median income $58k. For comparison Dane county median income is 84k with 575k residents and Milwaukee county median family income is $59k with 918k residents. Lack of population is the biggest threat to NW Wisconsin.
Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Superior is a big town and I am surprised that there is not enough work to keep him going. I really do not know much about the area like you do. I love all the cranes. So many nice machines. Where I worked at, the owner had to buy new machines to keep up with the laser industry. It is a small factory and the new laser that they bought replaced my job. I hope that you will be able to pick up some tools or steel that you need for your shop. Everything is so big.
When you visited, Superior was way depressed. Even 10 years ago, it was way better. Sad where this region is headed.
Wonder how local, state and federal taxes have impacted this business to force them to shut down?
Hopefully the machines sell to someone local. Rigging costs have gone up quite a bit past few years.
There is no work left local to sustain such equipment. I'm sure it will be dispersed across the country