Draft:Paul Van Metre

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Declined by GoldRomean 11 days ago. Last edited by GoldRomean 11 days ago. Reviewer: Inform author.

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Paul Van Metre is an American entrepreneur, manufacturing advocate, and software executive best known as the co-founder of ProShop ERP, an enterprise resource planning system developed specifically for machine shops and precision manufacturers. A longtime champion of digital transformation in manufacturing, Van Metre is also recognized for his leadership in the CNC machining industry and his role as co-host of the MakingChips podcast and host of the "Machine Shop Mastery" podcast and the "Manufacturing Transformed" podcast.

Early Life and Education

Van Metre studied at the Vehicle Research Institute at Western Washington University, where he was active in Formula SAE, designing and building race cars as part of a collegiate engineering team. This hands-on experience helped spark a deep interest in manufacturing and led to his first ventures in the industry.

Career

Pro CNC

In 1997, Van Metre co-founded Pro CNC, a precision CNC machine shop based in Washington State. The company quickly developed a reputation for high-quality prototyping and production machining services. Facing the challenges of managing a growing manufacturing operation, Van Metre and his team built their own ERP system from scratch to meet their needs—laying the groundwork for what would later become ProShop ERP. Pro CNC was sold to Trulife, an Ireland-based medical device company, in 2014.

ProShop ERP

In 2016, Van Metre and his co-founders spun off their internal ERP system into a standalone software company, ProShop ERP Inc. Under his leadership as Chief Marketing Officer and later as Chief Evangelist, the platform has grown to support hundreds of manufacturers across North America. Van Metre has been a vocal proponent of paperless operations, database-driven quality systems, and integrating ERP, QMS, and MES into a unified platform.

Thought Leadership

Van Metre is a frequent speaker at industry events and contributor to professional publications. He has authored and been featured in numerous articles and podcasts focused on manufacturing innovation, business process optimization, and leadership. Selected contributions include:

“Eight Benefits of a Digital Manufacturing Ecosystem” (ERP Focus^[1]) – Explores how integrated platforms enhance shop efficiency and compliance.
"Making Chips Episode 98" (Making Chips Podcast, February 2017^[2]) - In his first of many appearances on Making Chips, Van Metre shares the origin story of Pro CNC and the birth of ProShop ERP.
“19 Ways B2B Businesses Can Optimize Their Sales Pipeline” (Forbes Business Council, May 2025) – Van Metre contributed insights among a panel of business leaders.
“20 Resources To Hone Your Leadership Skills” (Forbes Business Council, March 2025) – Featured expert commentary on leadership development.
"Created Software for Their Own Business That Turned into a Fast-Growth SaaS Company" (Practical Founders Podcast, March 2024^[3]) – Discusses the transformation from machine shop to software success.
“Using Business Process as a Differentiator in Manufacturing” (Manufacturing Happy Hour Podcast^[4]) – Guest speaker on digital shop efficiency.
"Paul Van Metre – Co-Founder of ProShop ERP" (OpsQC Podcast, May 2021^[5]) – Deep dive into the ERP platform's development.
"Reducing Machine Setup Time up to 50%" (Today’s Machining World Podcast, June 2021^[6]) – Practical shop floor strategies for setup efficiency.
Quoted in Smart Manufacturing Magazine – Commentary on digital recordkeeping in regulated manufacturing.
Featured in "Aerospace: Comply or Die" (SME Magazine, Jan 2020) – Provided expert insights on ERP and QMS for aerospace compliance.

Podcasting and Media

Van Metre is a 3x podcast host, including as co-host of the MakingChips podcast, a leading manufacturing industry show focused on helping machine shop leaders improve their businesses. He also hosts Machine Shop Mastery, where he interviews successful shop owners to share their lessons in growth, leadership, and operational excellence, and Manufacturing Transformed, which explores digital transformation and technology trends in the industry. He has interviewed hundreds of industry leaders, shared insights from his own entrepreneurial journey, and contributed to shaping the national conversation around the future of American manufacturing.

Advocacy and Industry Impact

Van Metre is a strong advocate for the machining and precision manufacturing sectors, often emphasizing the vital role that machine shops play in the U.S. economy. He frequently uses the hashtag #ThankAMachinist and encourages investment in systems and training to help shop owners achieve long-term success and resilience.

Personal Life

Van Metre lives in Washington State and is passionate about outdoor adventure, vintage cars, and cooking. He is also involved with Kimbo Campers, a company producing lightweight, aircraft-style aluminum truck campers.

^ "Eight benefits of a digital manufacturing ecosystem". www.erpfocus.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
^ "Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders: MC098: College in the Past, Chips in their Shoes, Coolant on their Clothes and Success in their Future w/ Paul Van Metre". makingchips.libsyn.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
^ "#87: Created Software for Their Own Business That is Changing Their Industry - Paul Van Metre". Practical Founders. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
^ Luecke, Chris. "33: Using Business Process as a Differentiator with Paul Van Metre | Manufacturing Happy Hour". Retrieved 2025-06-09.
^ warrickjl73 (2021-04-30). "Podcast_011: Paul Van Metre - Co-Founder of Proshop ERP". OPSQC. Retrieved 2025-06-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ "Best of Swarfcast – Ep. 97 – Reducing Machine Setup Time up to 50% with Paul Van Metre – Today's Machining World". todaysmachiningworld.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.

[1] "Eight benefits of a digital manufacturing ecosystem". www.erpfocus.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.

[2] "Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders: MC098: College in the Past, Chips in their Shoes, Coolant on their Clothes and Success in their Future w/ Paul Van Metre". makingchips.libsyn.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.

[3] "#87: Created Software for Their Own Business That is Changing Their Industry - Paul Van Metre". Practical Founders. Retrieved 2025-06-09.

[4] Luecke, Chris. "33: Using Business Process as a Differentiator with Paul Van Metre | Manufacturing Happy Hour". Retrieved 2025-06-09.

[5] warrickjl73 (2021-04-30). "Podcast_011: Paul Van Metre - Co-Founder of Proshop ERP". OPSQC. Retrieved 2025-06-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[6] "Best of Swarfcast – Ep. 97 – Reducing Machine Setup Time up to 50% with Paul Van Metre – Today's Machining World". todaysmachiningworld.com. Retrieved 2025-06-09.

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