Bern Bertsche: Leadership, Generosity, and Investing in People’s Success
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Today on The Servant Leadership Podcast, we sit down with Bern Bertsche, former Owner & President of Camcraft—a world-class precision machining company that has grown into a trusted partner for some of the largest automotive, aerospace, and industrial manufacturing companies around the world—including SpaceX, Caterpillar, Cummins, Bosch, and more. For Bern, success was never just about business. It was about people—investing in Camcraft’s employees, leading with generosity, and using the company as a force for good in the community and around the world. In this episode, Bern shares the incredible story of how he risked everything to buy Camcraft and what it means to build a company that outlasts you. If you’ve ever wondered how to grow a business, learn generosity, or leave a legacy that truly matters, this conversation is for you.

Timestamps:

00:00 Bern Bertsche's Intro

00:57 Welcome Bern Bertsche

01:06 Bern's Career Journey With Camcraft

10:34 Impact of Buying Camcraft

11:33 Dealing With The Pressure Of Owning Camcraft

12:52 Implementing The Latest Technology

14:55 Looking Back On Camcraft's Journey

16:05 The Sales Process - Finding The Right Customers

18:28 Loving and Caring About Your People

21:58 The Importance of Camcraft's Mission Statement

22:47 Investing In The Company Rather Than Selling

24:27 Involving Family In The Company

25:41 Conversations With Family Who Want To Be Involved

27:48 The Future of Manufacturing In America

29:20 Buying Other Companies - Lessons Learned

31:15 Instilling Servant Leadership In Others

32:37 Impact Of Having A Wife With Health Issues

33:14 The Background Story of "Crossroads Kids Clubs"

38:42 The Transformation of Crossroads Kids Club

40:16 Leaving A Legacy of Generosity

41:49 Generosity - Can It Be Learned?

43:07 Instilling An Attitude of Generosity In Future Generations

45:38 The Importance of Friendship - New Canaan Society

47:50 Dealing With Other People's Agendas

49:15 10-Rapid-Fire Questions

53:01 Closing

Want to learn more about Bern? Check out these links:

Cramcraft: https://camcraft.com/

Crossroads Kids Club: https://crossroadskidsclub.com/

New Canaan Society - Chicago West: https://newcanaansociety.org/chicago-west/

Servant Leadership:

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