When Coastal Machine & Supply joined NTMA in Q4 of 2025, the decision wasn’t made lightly.
Like many companies in our machine shop ecosystem, Coastal is focused on growth. But sustainable growth requires more than new equipment or increased demand; it requires training and a long-term plan.
For Coastal, NTMA offered the right path forward. Stay tuned for some of the main takeaways from our conversation with Chandler Credeur, Director of Sales and Marketing, and Kody Guidry, General Manager, about why they made the decision to get involved with NTMA.
A Thriving CNC Business Looking Toward the Future
Located in Carencro, Louisiana, Coastal Machine & Supply was founded in 2004 with a focus on delivering quality products and personalized service.
Originally serving the Gulf Coast oil and gas industry, the company’s reputation for quality quickly expanded its reach. Today, Coastal supports customers across the United States and around the world.
But like many growing CNC machine businesses, success brings new challenges, especially when it comes to workforce development and scaling operations.
Why Did Coastal Machine & Supply Join NTMA?
For Coastal, one priority stood above the rest: building a pipeline of skilled talent.
As the company considered the next three to five years, leadership recognized that scaling production would depend heavily on attracting and training new employees.
That’s where they looked to NTMA.
The impact of a structured apprenticeship program
NTMA’s formal, registered apprenticeship program became a key driver in Coastal’s decision to join.
Unlike less structured or one-size-fits-all approaches to training, NTMA provides a clear framework built on real industry expertise. With a combination of online coursework and hands-on learning, the program helps shops create consistent, scalable training systems.
Additionally, one of the most valuable aspects of NTMA’s approach is flexibility. Coastal is actively working with NTMA to tailor the apprenticeship structure to fit their specific needs, ensuring it supports their long-term strategy.
For Coastal, this aligned perfectly with their goals. They are now working to connect local trade school internships with the apprenticeship program, creating a pathway where new talent can develop skills and grow within the company.
Leveraging the larger manufacturing network
Beyond training, another major factor in Coastal’s decision was access to NTMA’s vast network.
Historically, many manufacturers operated in silos, keeping processes and strategies close to the chest. Today, things are completely different. Leaders are recognizing that collaboration drives improvement and innovation across the board.
For Coastal, the opportunity to connect with other shops and learn from peers was incredibly appealing. The Coastal team now has access to a community of manufacturing professionals who are willing to share knowledge and support one another. These relationships can be invaluable in helping to solve a technical challenge or navigate major business decisions.
This trusted network can make all the difference.
Aligning strategy and planning for growth
For Coastal, joining NTMA was more about long-term planning than immediate benefits.
As they continue pursuing initiatives within new areas of growth or expanding their capabilities, having a clear strategy for workforce development and operational scalability is critical.
The combination of training resources and shared knowledge helps ensure they’re proactively preparing for change, not simply reacting to it.
Looking to Future-Proof Your Company? Lean In
Manufacturers aren’t gaining value by going it alone. Instead, they’re investing in people and processes and sharing knowledge, all with the common goal of supporting long-term success.
Through NTMA, companies like Coastal are actively contributing to a stronger, more connected manufacturing industry. And in today’s environment, that kind of collaboration is critical.
Looking to gain value from our manufacturing network? Join NTMA today!