Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Zane Hengsperger, founder and CEO of Nox Metals is focused on fixing one of manufacturing’s most overlooked bottlenecks; getting raw material fast, reliably, and without friction.
In this episode of Just Gonna Send It, Jim and Zane walk through his path from growing up around a machine shop to a brief run in tech, and ultimately back into manufacturing to build something of his own. They get into why software alone is not enough, how applying technology to simple processes creates real leverage, and what it actually takes to stand up a physical operation from scratch. From buying and rigging a massive saw to running the shop themselves after hours, it is a conversation about moving fast, learning by doing, and building where it matters.
Key Takeaways
• Start with the basics. Rebuilding industrial strength often begins with solving unglamorous bottlenecks like raw material access.
• Content matters. Storytelling and distribution can create huge leverage for manufacturing companies.
• Early shop exposure compounds. Floor scrubbing, forklift work, and deliveries teach lessons that stay with you.
• Software can unlock old industries. Even simple operations become powerful when code removes friction.
• Move faster than feels comfortable. Trying to do ten day work in one day teaches more than perfect planning ever will.
• Small teams close to the work learn faster. Real factory experience sharpens judgment in a way spreadsheets cannot.
• Big industrial problems still hide in plain sight. Sometimes the best opportunity is not futuristic, it is foundational.
Additional Resources:
Nox Metals: noxmetals.co
Find Zane on X: https://x.com/zanehengsperger
⏰ Timestamps ⏰
00:00: Introduction
01:58: Starting in manufacturing and early interests
08:11: The importance of marketing for manufacturers
13:26: Early work experiences and lessons learned
17:53: College, entrepreneurship, and initial career moves
21:34: Starting Nox Metals and the motivation behind it
26:30: Acquiring Delta and factory transformation
30:56: Getting into YC and the startup journey
36:41: Buying the large saw and equipment challenges
42:16: First cuts and factory setup
46:28: Future plans and software innovations
48:51: Expansion to California and industry outlook
Custom sheet metal manufacturing and processing. From prototype to large production runs, get sale and assembly ready custom parts shipped in as little as 2 days; No minimum quantities; free US shipping on orders over $39; made In the USA: bit.ly/4dwW6rU
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/sendcutsend
Zane Hengsperger, founder and CEO of Nox Metals is focused on fixing one of manufacturing’s most overlooked bottlenecks; getting raw material fast, reliably, and without friction.
In this episode of Just Gonna Send It, Jim and Zane walk through his path from growing up around a machine shop to a brief run in tech, and ultimately back into manufacturing to build something of his own. They get into why software alone is not enough, how applying technology to simple processes creates real leverage, and what it actually takes to stand up a physical operation from scratch. From buying and rigging a massive saw to running the shop themselves after hours, it is a conversation about moving fast, learning by doing, and building where it matters.
Key Takeaways
• Start with the basics. Rebuilding industrial strength often begins with solving unglamorous bottlenecks like raw material access.
• Content matters. Storytelling and distribution can create huge leverage for manufacturing companies.
• Early shop exposure compounds. Floor scrubbing, forklift work, and deliveries teach lessons that stay with you.
• Software can unlock old industries. Even simple operations become powerful when code removes friction.
• Move faster than feels comfortable. Trying to do ten day work in one day teaches more than perfect planning ever will.
• Small teams close to the work learn faster. Real factory experience sharpens judgment in a way spreadsheets cannot.
• Big industrial problems still hide in plain sight. Sometimes the best opportunity is not futuristic, it is foundational.
Additional Resources:
Nox Metals: noxmetals.co
Find Zane on X: https://x.com/zanehengsperger
⏰ Timestamps ⏰
00:00: Introduction
01:58: Starting in manufacturing and early interests
08:11: The importance of marketing for manufacturers
13:26: Early work experiences and lessons learned
17:53: College, entrepreneurship, and initial career moves
21:34: Starting Nox Metals and the motivation behind it
26:30: Acquiring Delta and factory transformation
30:56: Getting into YC and the startup journey
36:41: Buying the large saw and equipment challenges
42:16: First cuts and factory setup
46:28: Future plans and software innovations
48:51: Expansion to California and industry outlook
Custom sheet metal manufacturing and processing. From prototype to large production runs, get sale and assembly ready custom parts shipped in as little as 2 days; No minimum quantities; free US shipping on orders over $39; made In the USA: bit.ly/4dwW6rU
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/sendcutsend
