# Inside the Numbers: Roger Atkins' MTForecast 2025 Preview for Small Manufacturers, Ep #29

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/buy-the-numbers-7058319/inside-the-numbers-roger-atkins-mtforecast-2025-preview-for-small-manufacturers-ep-29.md
Podcast: [Buy the Numbers](https://stenobird.com/podcast/buy-the-numbers-7058319)
Published: 2025-09-25T10:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://dcc033c8-8903-4fb0-9253-67dad5f7e9db.libsyn.com/inside-the-numbers-roger-atkins-mtforecast-2025-preview-for-small-manufacturers-ep-29
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/dcc033c8-8903-4fb0-9253-67dad5f7e9db/BTN029.mp3?dest-id=4723887
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Duration seconds: 1926

## Resource

In this episode of Buy the Numbers, I sit down with Roger Atkins, President of the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA), to talk about the real state of U.S. manufacturing as we close out 2025. Representing more than 1,000 small and medium manufacturers nationwide, Roger brings a boots-on-the-ground perspective to the headwinds, opportunities, and trends shaping the industry right now. The conversation goes well beyond statistics to explore the forces behind them. Roger shares his preview of the MTForecast conference and NTMA's ENGAGE event, pulling back the curtain on survey data straight from job shops across America. From tariffs to labor shortages, election-year uncertainty to international trade shifts, he outlines what's truly affecting shops and where he sees signs of stability. We also dig into the "new math" of manufacturing leadership — the push to do more with the same workforce, invest in automation and workholding instead of just machines, and partner with builders and integrators to drive productivity. Roger explains why this collaboration between equipment makers and shops is more critical than ever. Finally, we focus on one of Roger's favorite topics: benchmarking. He shares a powerful story about how one shop used benchmarking against itself to command a premium sale price, underscoring why every shop owner should measure not just against the competition, but also against their own past performance. This episode is a blueprint for owners, operators, and leaders who want to thrive despite uncertainty—and who believe small manufacturers make the world go round. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (1:00) Introducing Roger Atkins and the NTMA's 1,000-member nationwide network (1:50) Previewing NTMA ENGAGE 2025 and MT…

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## Transcript

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