Be a Doctor, Not a Mortician: My Conversation with Boe Due
On Maintenance & Manufacturing Insights, I talk with Boe Due — general manager of Bitec SMI, an aerospace CNC shop in Dayton, Ohio — about moving small and mid-sized shops from reactive to preventive maintenance, why most shops have no real PM program, and putting the right expert in the right seat.
One line from this conversation stuck with me: give me a chance to be a doctor, not a mortician. That's Boe Due, general manager of Bitec SMI — an aerospace CNC shop in Dayton, Ohio — on this episode of Maintenance & Manufacturing Insights. Boe's point is simple and it's the whole game in maintenance: don't bring him the machine when it's already dead. Catch the problem early.
Own What You Can
Bitec SMI specializes in Inconel, a tough metal used in jet engines. Boe says the team got good at it by owning every part of the process they could control — as long as the part meets fit, form, and function, you own how you get there. That mindset carries straight into how they think about their equipment.
Most Shops Have No Real PM Program
Here's the number that stood out: Boe estimates about 80% of companies don't have a robust preventive maintenance program. Why? Maintenance doesn't show up on the RFQ, so it quietly gets overlooked. His shop is building a program sized for a mid-sized business — tracking things like spindle reps and warm-ups — instead of pretending a big-plant system will fit.
Make the Decision Further Left
Tools wear over time. If a surface keeps creeping toward out-of-spec, something is wearing — and the earlier you see it, the better the decision you get to make. That's the doctor, not the mortician: you want the warning signs while you still have options, not after the machine is down.
Let the Expert Do the Job
In Boe's turnarounds, the most common problem is people doing jobs outside their skill. A machinist should make parts, not fix the machine. A leader should lead, not write purchase orders. Put the expert in the seat, and a surprising number of problems solve themselves.
Results or Excuses
Hiring in a small market is hard, and Boe's take on it is one I liked: creativity is unlimited, and you can spend it on results or excuses. His advice to younger people is just as direct — if you want a real career, go to a small company. You'll sacrifice a little up front and grow fast.
Watch & Listen
Hear my full conversation with Boe Due:
