The Real Cost Of Making Things Right With Biesse Expert Mark Trapnell
Yours For The Making with Robin JohnsonShow Notes
Robin Johnson sits down with Biesse Sales Manager Mark Trapnell for a detailed look at manufacturing, production flow, tooling decisions, CNC capability and the practical realities of running a modern workshop. Mark shares his journey from apprentice heavy goods mechanic to senior roles across major manufacturing businesses before moving into machinery consultancy. He explains why understanding process flow, input quality, tooling choices and skill sets matters more than any single machine. This episode gives clear insight into lean thinking, production efficiency, value stream mapping and what small makers should consider before investing in CNC machinery. A grounded conversation full of practical advice for anyone working with wood, materials or complex workshop processes.
Key Topics Covered How Mark moved from heavy goods engineering into large scale wood manufacturing Lessons from mass production and why seconds matter when scaling output How lean thinking applies to small artisan workshops Value stream mapping and why wasted movement destroys efficiency The real cost of poor tooling and why the cheapest cutters can damage quality How to decide if your workshop is ready for CNC Why skill shortages are shaping the future of making Expanding into stone, glass and advanced materials What a first time CNC buyer must evaluate before spending money How Biesse machines support small and mid sized makers with complex workflows
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Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.
Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.
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Key Moments: 00:00 Mark’s background and early career in heavy goods engineering 04:00 Moving into woodworking and large scale pine furniture manufacturing 08:30 Training, City and Guilds progression and early CNC exposure 12:00 Managing teams, production flow and why seconds matter at scale 17:50 Lean principles and the importance of correct input processes 21:30 Cutting waste, skip costs and understanding value stream mapping 25:20 Why lean is pointless without clear information from designers and clients 29:50 The reality of manufacturing for prisons and major tier one contractors 33:40 Lessons from running workshops without formal training 38:30 Complex refurbishment projects including House of Lords benches 42:00 Joining Biesse and why real production experience matters in sales 46:30 Choosing the right CNC and why Mark refuses to oversell machines 49:10 Should small makers consider stone and advanced materials 52:00 What first time machine buyers must understand before investing 55:30 Why skilled labour plus CNC creates the strongest workflow 59:40 Advice for young makers and why you must take opportunities
More from Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson
In this solo episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson answers three of the questions he gets asked most about building Johnson Bespoke: how the business grew, how he manages a team and clients, and how the company wins high value joinery projects. Robin shares how Johnson Bespoke expanded from himself and one employee to a team of 20 working across five workshops, with specialist facilities for CNC machining, veneer production and finishing.
Monique Lucas is the founder and presenter of The New Makers TV, a YouTube series dedicated to telling the stories of British makers, craftspeople and independent creative businesses. After working across interiors, homeware, textiles and content, Monique created The New Makers to give craftspeople a platform to show how their work is actually made and why it matters. In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson and Monique explore the changing world of British craft, the realities of running a maker led business and the growing desire for handmade products as AI and mass production accelerate. Monique shares why understanding materials and production can help people make more intentional purchasing decisions, while the conversation tackles greenwashing, sustainability, social media, influencer culture and the pressure on makers to become content creators. Monique also reveals how The New Makers grew from fewer than 100 views per episode to one video reaching 54,000 views, and why patience, conviction and enjoying the creative process matter when building an audience online.
Interior designer Christian Bense joins Robin Johnson to explore how thoughtful interior design balances architecture, art, history and the personality of the people who live there. Christian shares his journey from South Africa to London, launching Christian Bense Interior Studio shortly before Covid and building a practice recognised by House & Garden. He explains why his studio avoids a fixed house style, how contemporary and traditional interiors can coexist, and why art, proportion, composition and architectural detail matter more than following trends. The conversation also explores designing period properties, creating interiors with longevity, managing residential projects from concept to completion and building a creative business without losing involvement in the work. Christian discusses plans for a furniture collection centred on timeless staple pieces, the thinking behind his interior design platform The Basic Principle, and the lessons learned from 14 years in the industry. Key Topics Covered ✦ Christian Bense’s journey from South Africa to becoming a London interior designer ✦ Building Christian Bense Interior Studio and gaining industry recognition ✦ Why the studio deliberately avoids a signature house style ✦ Combining traditional architecture with contemporary interior design ✦ Using art to create personal, characterful and layered homes ✦ Restoring character and respecting the history of period properties ✦ Designing timeless furniture instead of following interior trends ✦ Building a creative career while learning to enjoy the process
Robin Johnson sits down with woodwork artist Olly Fathers to explore how traditional marquetry, wood veneer and painstaking hand cutting become contemporary geometric art. Olly shares his path from studying fine art and working as an art technician to developing a full time studio practice with his wife, Emma. He explains how years spent installing major artworks, experimenting with woodworking and making art alongside freelance jobs shaped the artist he is today. The conversation goes deep into Olly's creative process, including his use of bog oak dating to around 2500 BC, traditional marquetry techniques, geometric patterns, optical illusion, natural wood grain and heat shading. He reveals the extraordinary planning behind A Drop in Time, including 452 individually cut sections and an approach that turned the remaining veneer into additional artworks with almost zero waste. Olly also opens up about pricing art, imposter syndrome, the risks of becoming fashionable too quickly and why he prefers a slow, steady creative career. He and Robin discuss the realities behind the art world, selling directly to collectors, working with galleries and interior designers, balancing creativity with business and why continually pushing into creative discomfort keeps the work developing.
What makes a building work for the people who actually use it?