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Their Army of Hammer Swinging Allies | Dan Mattingly of NCW

NCW’s Dan Mattingly breaks down the reality of scaling a skilled trades staffing agency during a national labor shortage. From culture to strategy, here’s what it takes to win in the “hammer-swinging” world.

Podcast Summary

I got to chat  with Dan Mattingly, VP and owner of NCW, a staffing and recruiting firm predominantly focused on "hammer swinging stuff." (Skilled Trades)   

We did a deep dive into the company's 25-year journey, including significant growth phases, struggles during the Great Recession, and the key strategies that led to their national success. 

Dan shares personal anecdotes about joining NCW in 2010, pivotal moments that shaped the firm's trajectory, and the core values that guide their operations. 

The conversation highlights the importance of relationships in staffing, the challenges of managing a decentralized workforce, and the future directions for NCW in diversifying their services within the construction, engineering, and manufacturing sectors.

You are going to learn about:

  • Navigating the challenges of a rapidly growing business

  • Building positive company culture and community impact

  • Opportunities in the skilled trades

Thank you to our partners:
HC Tavern
Warm Glow
Greek’s Pizzeria

Check out these great clips from the show:
01:22 Meet Dan Mattingly: The Journey Begins
01:43 NCW's Early Days and Growth
03:15 Challenges and Strategies in Staffing
08:51 Dan Mattingly's Background and Entry into NCW
12:11 Navigating Early Wins and Expansions
27:47 The Struggles and Lessons of Entrepreneurship
34:49 Impressive Growth and Expansion
35:23 Opening New Markets
37:44 Core Values and Company Culture
39:18 Community Impact and Long-Term Goals
40:22 Competing and Industry Challenges
50:26 The Importance of Skilled Labor
55:24 Advice for the Next Generation
01:00:57 Celebrating Success and Future Plans
01:07:12 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

Guest(s)

Dan Mattingly

Date Published

April 15, 2025

This podcast is sponsored by

Sweetwater

Sweetwater, located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a large music store and online retailer that specializes in musical instruments and pro audio equipment. It's known for its extensive inventory, expert staff, and dedication to customer service.

Sweetwater, located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a large music store and online retailer that specializes in musical instruments and pro audio equipment. It's known for its extensive inventory, expert staff, and dedication to customer service.

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A person in casual attire poses with a person in a vibrant red mascot costume wearing a baseball jersey that reads "Indians," both against a blue backdrop with text promoting "Get Indiana" with Nate Spangle.
A person in casual attire poses with a person in a vibrant red mascot costume wearing a baseball jersey that reads "Indians," both against a blue backdrop with text promoting "Get Indiana" with Nate Spangle.