Alex Troesch is VP of Product at Fulcrum, and the second person from that company Jim has had on the show, because he was impressed enough after talking to co-founder Sonny Han that he wanted to hear from someone else inside it. Alex came up in a small southern Indiana town, started not in manufacturing but at Target corporate, working apparel supply chains and scaling small-format stores, and caught the startup bug helping roll those stores out by literally painting walls. A decade ago, a conversation with Sonny pulled Alex into what was then a scrappy software consultancy called Atlas Solutions. Alex never left.

Alex and Jim get into why culture is a deliberate choice rather than a good-or-bad verdict, why so much software built for this industry fails because its makers were never close enough to a shop floor, and why roughly two-thirds of digital transformations collapse on change management rather than technology. Then it gets to the part that should make every shop owner sit up: AI has flipped the economics of building software so completely that Fulcrum stood on stage at its own user conference and called its current product legacy. Alex explains what that means, why everyone at the company from support to account managers can now write code, and what it was like to stand on a shop floor watching a machinist feel for a microscopic burr with a fingertip, and realize the software should get out of that person’s way.

Key Takeaways

Culture is a choice, not a grade. Alex argues culture is a deliberate set of values specific to an organization, not universally good or bad, and if you don’t set it intentionally, someone sets it for you.

You can’t build for a floor you’ve never stood on. Most manufacturing software fails because its makers underestimate the complexity and stay too far from the customer. Fulcrum’s teams run parts alongside machinists to get it right.

Transformations fail on people, not data. Roughly two-thirds of digital transformations fail, and the hard part is never the data structure. It is changing how people work, which is why implementation speed matters most.

AI flipped the economics of software. When development was expensive, you generalized. Now that it is cheap, the bottleneck is deciding what to build, and niche customization that never made sense is suddenly easy.

Legacy is a moving target. Fulcrum called its own product legacy on stage, because any company starting today is AI-native, and standing still is how you become the old thing.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and the wrong bio
02:18 The correction: not Google, Target
03:27 Icebreaker: a heist movie
06:43 Culture is a choice
10:19 From small-town Indiana to Target corporate
11:00 Scaling stores and catching the startup bug
12:38 Joining Sonny at what was then Atlas Solutions
13:40 Why software gets manufacturing wrong
15:23 When the machines outran the software
17:57 Why most digital transformations fail
21:40 A generalist’s decade inside Fulcrum
24:09 The culture at Fulcrum
28:13 On the floor: feeling a micro-burr by hand
31:04 How AI flipped the economics of software
34:16 Calling their own product legacy on stage
36:15 What makes Alex proud
39:19 Where to find Alex and Fulcrum

Find Alex

LinkedIn: Alex Troesch
Fulcrum

He did not start in manufacturing. He and his brother Richard were software guys at CompuWare in Detroit when Android launched, and they built a phone backup app that spent years in the top five of the Play Store. When that market crowded out around 2013, Roger opened a bar and started hanging around the mold shop where his middle brother Ed had spent sixteen years. One day Ed showed him the machine monitoring software the shop was stuck with, and it was so bad, so wrong, so slow, that a light went on. The whole city was buying this. The three brothers, two coders and a toolmaker, decided they could do it better. They went to a big Windsor mold builder, asked if they would buy it before a line of code existed, got a yes, and built RER.

Roger learned once the software was running: machine monitoring is a people problem long before it is a technology problem. Roger and Jim get into the fear of Big Brother, the brother who made it personal, a story about eyebolts that shows how data changes a conversation, why your best machinist might be the one who looks like he is slacking, and why the owner who buys the bright shiny object without asking the floor ends up with a hundred-thousand-dollar paperweight under a dust tarp.

Key Takeaways

Monitoring is a people problem first. The hard part was never the software. It was earning the trust of people who fear being watched, which is why the brother with sixteen years on the floor was the key to the whole company.

The utilization gap is hidden capacity. Shops that believe they run at eighty or ninety percent often run at thirty. That gap is not a failure, it is room to take on more work, and it is how reshoring actually happens.

Data changes the conversation. A machinist complaining about missing eyebolts gets ignored. A machinist who logs the hours lost looking for them gets every bay restocked in a week. Numbers make the floor’s problems undeniable.

The report card cuts both ways. Monitoring lets the real top performers prove it, and it lets owners see that the guy who looks like he’s slacking may be the one whose machines never stop.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and who Roger is
03:01 Icebreaker: a sci-fi movie
05:34 What culture means to Roger
09:27 Before RER: CompuWare and a top-five app
12:19 From a backup app to a bar to a mold shop
13:19 The bad software that became the opportunity
14:40 What Ed brought from 16 years on the floor
15:20 Idle reasons, and the pop-up that changed everything
17:45 What the early product got wrong, and finding the small shops
21:47 AI, hype, and garbage in garbage out
27:27 A people problem before a technology problem
28:38 You think you’re running at 90 percent
29:14 Capacity, reshoring, and the hidden headroom
32:31 The eyebolts story: how data changes the conversation
36:19 Walking over dollars to pick up pennies
37:32 The report card: career paths and pay for performance
41:44 The machinist everyone misjudged
43:10 What’s next for machine monitoring
45:36 What makes Roger proud
47:13 Why shops resist, and the $150K paperweight
53:02 Close

Find Roger

LinkedIn: Roger Bassous
RER Software

This is the first episode of Fireball & Challenge Flags, a new, unfiltered, occasionally profane segment where disagreement is the whole point. The rules are simple. Somebody makes a claim, and if you disagree, you throw your flag and fight it out. Over forty-odd minutes and a shot, Jim and the Covari crew, co-founders Jackson Zartman and Anthony Giampapa, VP of Operations Josh Parker, CDO Arnoldas Kemeklis, and go-to-market engineer Jimmy Miklos, go after the questions most people in this industry are too polite to touch.

They do not agree on much, and that is the point. Fair warning: there is cursing, there is Fireball, and there is a Lithuanian describing an AI-agent future so dystopian that Jim accuses him of writing for Black Mirror.

The Fights

What hollowed out American manufacturing. Jackson blames private equity rolling up and choking small shops. Jim throws the first flag and traces it to 1973 and the end of the gold standard, which turned offshoring into a tax play.

We didn't lose manufacturing, we lost the cheap stuff. We stopped making toasters and started making jets. The real question is how much of it we even want back, when we can't buy the steel cheaper than overseas and still pay a living wage.

The future of AI, and whether anyone asked for it. Arne paints an agent-run world where your phone and mine clink like Apple Pay and transact business on their own. Jim's response, roughly: this is not the future I want. The table lands on keeping AI away from the customer and pointing it at the repetitive work instead.

Is AI-generated art actually art? Jim says prompting a box takes zero skill, so no. Arne asks how that is different from a painter choosing a brush. Nobody wins, but the Packers memes get a shout-out.

No tech bros profiting off manufacturing by 2030. The hottest take came from the software company itself: Covari's belief that they should never make more than the people actually making the parts.

The hills they'll die on. Josh: you can't automate DFM, so talk to the crusty machinist who marks up your page. Jackson: the tariffs did more harm than good, and only US shops and consumers paid for it. Anthony: AI isn't coming to kill small shops, but they're already years behind and need to start learning now. Jimmy: representation is what moves the needle on women in manufacturing. Jim: we created the skills gap, and the powers that be don't actually want to solve it.

Chapters

00:00 Cracking the bottle: the premise and the rules
03:17 Meet the Covari team
04:00 What actually hollowed out American manufacturing
06:30 The gold standard, 1973, and the offshoring loophole
09:58 Toasters vs jets, and what we actually lost
12:08 The one-man-band shop as the rebuild path
13:40 Trade school vs college, and a round of debt stories
19:16 Hot take: the yellow pages are coming back
24:18 This is not the future I want
26:36 Tired of the slop
30:05 Black Mirror, Skynet, and guardrails for Arnie
31:10 Is AI-generated art actually art?
35:38 No tech bros profiting off manufacturing by 2030
38:39 Lightning round: the hills they'll die on
39:01 Jimmy on women in manufacturing
40:42 Josh on why you can't automate DFM
42:47 Jackson on the tariffs
43:21 Anthony on AI and small shops
44:20 Jim on who really created the skills gap
48:47 Wrap: thanks for letting us swear and drink

Recorded live at the MakingChips booth.

Find Covari

Covari on LinkedIn, and connect with the whole team there

Melinda never planned any of it. She studied journalism, wanted to be Barbara Walters, and was chasing a career on the police beat when her father called and said he needed a quality person right now, and did she know what ISO was. She did not. He told her not to worry about it. She got scammed, in her words, into manufacturing, earned her lead auditor certification, and was a few months into fixing the paperwork when her dad had a stroke and she became the glue that held the shop together. That was more than twenty years ago. Two years ago, she took it all over and told him she was taking Epic from five million to ten.

Epic makes precision tooling for the foundry industry and ships it to twenty-nine states and twelve countries, but the reason to listen is what Melinda built when the skilled people stopped showing up. Tired of waiting, the shop opened its own school inside the building, an intense eight-week course where a student picks mill or lathe and learns to program, set up, and run it for real, smells and fork trucks and broken taps included. She trains for the whole industry, not just her floor, and tells her people to go find the work that means something to them. She runs an open book where everybody has to know everything, and she credits it all to the team on the floor, because she has never machined a thing in her life. On the shop screen is a question she wants everyone to sit with. Do you ever wonder if what you do matters?

Key Takeaways

Interview where people are comfortable. Melinda runs every interview out on the shop floor, not across a desk, because machinists open up around the machines and tooling they know, and both sides learn fast whether it is a fit.

When the talent won't come, build it. Rather than wait for skilled people, Epic opened its own eight-week school that trains one thing well, mill or lathe, and sends graduates into the whole industry.

Train for the industry, not just your shop. She tells people to go find meaningful work wherever it is, because the industry's need for skilled people is bigger than any one company.

Open book beats top dog. Everybody at Epic learns to program, set up, and operate, and nobody hoards knowledge to stay indispensable. Independence makes the whole shop stronger.

Lead from your gaps. Melinda has never machined a part, and she treats that as an advantage, depending on and empowering the experts on her floor instead of overriding them.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and who Melinda is
02:46 Icebreaker: a Parks and Rec mockumentary
04:40 Culture is the vibe
05:26 Why she interviews out on the shop floor
09:16 Her dad, the janitor who bought the company
13:14 From summer jobs to journalism dreams
14:12 Scammed into a quality job
15:59 Taking over, and five to ten million
18:53 A reality show, and removing the gatekeeping
22:30 Do you ever wonder if what you do matters?
25:52 Why Epic built its own school
28:11 Inside the eight-week program
32:05 Building people for the whole industry, not just Epic
35:07 Open book: everybody has to know everything
38:22 What makes her proud
41:37 The legacy she wants to leave
43:26 Lean manufacturing and a shout-out to dad

Find Melinda

LinkedIn: Melinda Keway
Epic Machine (Fenton, Michigan)

Anna Falcon's parents left the Philippines with two little girls and started over in the United States. That is the opening scene of the movie she would cast, and she will tell you everything else is built on it. The persistence, the resilience, the hard work she watched up close became the base for a career she has spent noticing the dynamics between people in every room she has ever walked into.

She studied industrial engineering at Georgia Tech and took her first job on the shop floor of a Lockheed Martin plant, working operations and special projects on the P-3 and C-5 programs and helping carry a multi-year, enterprise-wide ERP conversion. It was there, early, that culture struck her, when leadership answered a program's performance problems not just with process and technology but with the biggest culture of accountability initiative the company had ever run, and she watched the trust and the motivation shift in real time. She has spent the twenty years since in enterprise transformation, a decade at Ernst & Young, a run as a principal, and now vice president of CX Transformation at MCA Connect, recently acquired by Grant Thornton.

This is a conversation about the thing under all of it. Anna and Jim get into why culture is core to how a business operates and not the soft stuff around the edges, why trust and accountability have to travel together, and why most digital transformations fail on change management rather than technology. She talks about leading without a blueprint, about being a data point for the women coming up behind her who did not have many, and about raising four daughters who watch her do hard things and love it. She closes on the line that is her whole operating system: humans at the center, culture first.

Key Takeaways

Culture is core, not soft. Anna argues culture is not the perks and team bonding around the edges. It is how an organization operates, delivers, and shows up, and it drives quality and output on a shop floor as much as anywhere.

Trust and accountability travel together. Accountability without trust breeds fear. The fun stuff without accountability breeds complacency. High performance needs both.

Nobody hands you a blueprint. A mentor told her there is no leadership blueprint, and it freed her to forge her own way and to leave more data points for the people coming up behind her.

Transformations fail on change, not tech. Roughly seventy percent of digital transformations fail, almost always on change management. Anna's teams treat change as end to end and business led from day one, not training bolted on at the end.

Acquisitions live or die on alignment. Her company's acquisition avoided the usual attrition because both sides shared a vision, and MCA's homegrown, high-trust culture believed in the leaders making the call.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and who Anna is
02:56 Icebreaker: an epic period drama
06:00 What culture means to Anna
09:07 Culture as the alignment of values
16:07 Leaving the Philippines and starting over
19:37 The culture of accountability that changed everything
22:13 Finding industrial engineering and Georgia Tech
23:50 The first job on the Lockheed shop floor
25:22 Stumbling into consulting
29:43 Learning to lead without a blueprint
31:54 The mentor who shaped her
36:37 Raising four daughters who watch her work
38:52 On the other side of an acquisition
42:54 What she wants different for the industry
48:26 Why 70% of digital transformations fail
51:21 What makes her proud
52:24 Humans at the center

Find Anna

LinkedIn: Anna Falcon

He grew up in Champaign-Urbana, studied mechanical engineering at Illinois, and earned a Stanford PhD building soft actuators and sensory skins for robots that work alongside humans. Then, almost by accident, a classmate's wild idea and a pandemic made him co-founder and CTO of Mesli, a fully autonomous restaurant he and two friends built and dropped onto a lot in San Francisco. It served about ten thousand grain bowls at better than ninety-nine percent uptime, with customers asking for a monthly meal plan. It also could not raise the money a hardware company needs in a software investor's world, and it closed while it was still winning.

That failure is the hinge of the conversation, and Alex is refreshingly honest about it. Today he is president and co-founder of Tau9 Labs, a semi-bootstrapped Bay Area company that builds custom, AI-accelerated software for manufacturers of every size. He and Jim get into why every factory is a snowflake, why he took the leap into a business he could control after swearing off investors, and the parallel he draws between mountaineering and building a company: calculated risk, exposure a little at a time, and a willingness to be in over your head because that is where you grow. He is also the guy painting Halo miniatures at his desk and bartering for rocks with strangers in Morocco, and he will tell you the hobbies are the point, not a distraction from it.

Key Takeaways

Curiosity is the throughline. From soft robotics to mineral collecting to the engineering of a soda can, Alex treats the whole made world as something worth understanding, and it fuels the work.

Being right isn't enough to survive. Mesli won on food, uptime, and repeat customers, but hardware economics and a software-hungry investor climate closed it anyway. Technical success and fundability are different games.

Every factory is a snowflake. Rather than force a one-size product, Tau9 builds custom software per shop, because AI-accelerated development finally makes bespoke work profitable for both sides.

Ask people about their hobbies. Alex screens for the person, not just the role. Someone who goes deep on things tends to do the same at work, and a shared hobby builds real trust with a customer.

Risk is a muscle, like heights. He beat a fear of heights by exposure, one climb at a time, and he runs a company the same way: calculated risk, a little more each time, comfortable being in over his head.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and the ask
02:34 Icebreaker: a Ryan Gosling action-comedy
04:39 Culture as The Office
07:11 From central Illinois to mechanical engineering
09:47 How the robot restaurant began
13:20 The shipping container that almost fell on him
14:37 Serving 10,000 meals with a robot
17:04 Why a successful restaurant still had to close
21:32 Soul searching, and the road to Tau9 Labs
25:35 The demo that became the first custom build
26:51 Who he builds software for now
29:45 Being in over your head, and missing flights
32:02 Why he asks everyone about their hobbies
34:44 Halo dioramas and collecting minerals
37:33 Overcoming a fear of heights
40:09 What mountaineering and startups share
43:33 Aluminum cans are cathedrals
45:28 What makes him proud

Find Alex

LinkedIn: Alex Gruebele
Tau9 Labs

What kept her at Kraft was the culture, a diverse group of people from all over the world who made each other better, the kind of team every other company tried to poach from. What eventually pushed her out was watching that culture change after the company was bought and merged. So she left, and after a stretch of consulting work that landed in her lap, she built Rebel Success for Leaders, the change leadership firm she has now run for a decade.

The reason to listen is the framework she has been sharpening ever since. Charlotte calls it the judgment gap, the widening distance between an organization's capabilities and its people's capacity to know when something is wrong. Experienced judgment is disappearing as companies retire, thin, and flatten their ranks, and AI is filling the space with polished, confident answers that carry no judgment at all. She and Jim get into why the machine is built to stroke your ego, why the friction of a colleague telling you your work is junk is the thing that builds judgment in the first place, and what a leader actually does about it: name it, track the behavior you want, and reward the friction instead of shutting it down. Her definition of culture doubles as the whole point. It is the reason a person shows up and gives their best work.

Key Takeaways

Culture is why people give their best. Charlotte's definition skips the metrics: culture is the reason you show up, give up time with family, and bring your best. It is also why people stay, or run for the hills.

The judgment gap is widening. As organizations retire, thin, and flatten, experienced judgment disappears, and with it the capacity to sense when something is quietly going wrong.

AI answers without judgment. Generative AI is built to please you and is only as good as what you feed it. If you never prompt it to challenge you or find the failure modes, it just polishes your blind spots.

Friction builds judgment. The colleague who says your work is junk is doing something AI will not. Leaders should reward that friction, not silence it.

People love change they can author. Explain the why so it means something to the individual, involve the front line early, and you stop having to push.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and the ask
01:40 Meet Charlotte Allen
02:27 Icebreaker: a Marvel movie
04:04 What culture means to Charlotte
05:15 Falling into food and beverage
07:03 From respiratory therapist to food science
08:36 Sixteen years at Kraft, and the culture that kept her
09:53 When the merger changed everything
13:10 Leaving corporate to start Rebel Success for Leaders
16:19 Why every mistake is the fast path
20:29 Making the change actually stick
22:47 People don't hate change, they hate change they can't author
25:12 The judgment gap, explained
28:30 AI gives you answers without judgment
34:23 The 51-point gap between belief and reality
40:06 Name it, track behavior, reward friction
44:37 What makes her proud

Find Charlotte

LinkedIn: Charlotte Allen, Ph.D.
Rebel Success for Leaders: rebelsuccessforleaders.com
Newsletter: World's Top STEM Leaders (on LinkedIn, every other week)
Book: Rebel Success for Leaders

Sunny is the founder and CEO of Fulcrum, a manufacturing technology company that connects more than 700 manufacturers with the digital infrastructure they need to compete. He did not grow up on a shop floor. He was a kid writing code at seven, certain he would spend his life playing StarCraft, who drifted into building software for manufacturers and got quietly hooked on the depth of it. The more facilities he toured, the more intoxicating it got: the operator who can feel a microscopic burr with a fingertip, the single crystal of metal grown to survive supersonic speeds. He kept coming back to the well.

But the reason to listen is what Sunny has worked out about AI and trust. He is one of the clearest voices on where artificial intelligence fits on a shop floor and where it does not. He explains why classical computers are deterministic and the real world is not, why these new probabilistic machines are a gift and a hazard at once, and why the answer is deterministic guardrails and a human who stays in the loop, because in a medical device shop that last one percent is the entire world. Along the way he reframes change management, argues that people love change they get to author, and lands on the line that named this episode. The future isn't science fiction. It's manufacturing fiction, and his whole job is turning it into reality faster.

Key Takeaways

The real world is probabilistic. Classical computers give the same answer every time. CNC machines and AI models do not, and understanding that difference is the key to using AI safely on a shop floor.

Deterministic guardrails make AI trustworthy. Let the model generate options, but when the answer has to be exactly right, it looks up the feed and speed chart or the tool database. Creativity where you want it, certainty where you need it.

Keep a human in the loop. Even at ninety-nine percent, the last one percent can be a twenty thousand dollar mistake or worse, so Fulcrum builds evaluation and judgment frameworks that flag what still needs human eyes.

Infrastructure was the missing layer. Fulcrum set out to do cool things with compute and found the orchestration infrastructure under manufacturing barely existed. Build a good one and people plug everything into it.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and the ask
01:20 Meet Sunny Han and Fulcrum
02:42 Icebreaker: life as a sci-fi movie
03:28 Making parts in space, and von Neumann machines
09:40 What culture means to Sunny
12:20 Why a company needs a mission, not just values
14:52 What he thought his life would be
16:23 Stumbling into manufacturing
22:29 What problem Fulcrum set out to solve
26:40 Becoming the orchestration layer
30:43 Breaking into a skeptical industry
34:53 People don't hate change, they hate change they can't steer
37:22 Deterministic guardrails, explained
43:38 Why you still need a human in the loop
45:12 Where manufacturing is headed
47:45 Manufacturing fiction
48:10 What makes him proud: perseverance
49:47 Where to find Sunny

Find Sunny

LinkedIn: Sunny Han (Fulcrum)
Fulcrum: fulcrumpro.com
Email: sunny@fulcrumpro.com

But this conversation is Tiffany's story, and it is a good one. A recently divorced single mom selling houses, she took a job with the creative title director of first impressions, which was really the receptionist, at a manufacturing association. The first time she walked onto a shop floor, she saw behind the curtain, realized none of it just appears at Target and Walmart, and caught a passion she has never shaken. From there she grew the NTMA national associate program into a real revenue stream, took a leap into selling five-axis machines at GROB with no technical background, and found her footing by leaning on the one thing she always did well: connecting people. Today she runs industrial partnerships across the Americas for Blaser Swisslube, the Swiss family company that has made metalworking fluid, the liquid tool, not just coolant, since 1936, and she says it is the first place she can imagine hanging her hat until retirement.

The heart of this one is what Tiffany does with the network she built. She mentors, especially women who were, like she once was, the only one in the room. She opens doors for people who do not yet know which door to knock on. And when Jim asks what she wants to be remembered for, she does not hesitate: she wants to be known for seeing people. This is a conversation about relationships as a career, about paying it forward, and about the friend who saw something in Jim before he saw it in himself.

Key Takeaways

Relationships are a career, not a tactic. Tiffany built every stage of her path on networking done with real intention, and it carried her from receptionist to program owner.

You can learn anything. She jumped into selling five-axis machines with no technical background, and beat the fear by realizing nobody knows as much as you assume, and that you can learn what you need to.

Ask for the tour. The easiest way into a shop relationship is to ask an owner to show you their shop. Nobody says no, and thirty minutes becomes two hours of history, pride, and pain points.

Mentorship is this phase of her life. Tiffany lifts up young people and women in the industry, opening doors so they climb faster than she did, and she says it costs her nothing.

Be known for seeing people. Life beats everyone up. Being the person who genuinely sees someone, personal or professional, is what she wants to be remembered for.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and why this guest is special
04:38 Icebreaker: a murder mystery starring Linda Cardellini
08:19 What culture means to Tiffany
09:56 From single mom selling houses to the shop floor
14:33 Where she and Jim first crossed paths at the NTMA
16:34 Building a career on networking and relationships
19:15 The moment she stopped feeling like a visitor
21:57 Taking the leap to sell five-axis machines at GROB
24:28 What the shops taught her about listening
30:23 This phase of her career at Blaser Swisslube
35:09 Mentoring the next generation
38:34 How Tiffany talked Jim into starting this show
49:05 What she would say to someone outside the industry
50:34 What she wants to be remembered for
53:00 Process in Pints at IMTS, and closing

Find Tiffany

LinkedIn: Tiffany Bryson
Blaser Swisslube: blaser.com

Steve is the founder and owner of Sanitary Welding LLC in Novi, Michigan, where for more than sixteen years he has built the ultra-clean stainless steel systems that food, beverage, and pharmaceutical plants depend on. He came up the way he hopes the next kid will. He was an entrepreneur before he was a welder, hustling odd jobs as a teenager, and he tripped into welding under a teacher who told him something that stuck: with wood, cut it too short and it's scrap, but with metal, you can always weld it back together. You can always make it right.

This is a conversation about the pride in unseen work, about carrying the weight of knowing a single bad weld could mean contamination, and about a man from the middle who can talk to the shop floor and the boardroom in the same breath. Steve is honest about the hard parts, the apprenticeship red tape, the grind of scaling with too few hands, and the fine line between automation and craft. But the through-line is a message he wants the nineteen-year-old with a torch to hear: the door is open. Steve did it, and so can you.

Key Takeaways

The best weld is the one no one sees. Sanitary welding is judged on the inside of the pipe, purged clean and finished to food grade, so nothing can hide and nothing can contaminate.

You can always make it right. The lesson that pulled Steve into the trade is also his philosophy on mistakes: be proud of them, pass your inspection, and keep going.

The door from welder to owner is open. Steve bought his domain while still working under the hood and built his own shop. He wants the next kid to know the same path is there.

Culture is treating a welder like a thinker. His twenty-first century weld shop pays people to think and treats the place like a second home, which is how he competes for scarce, high-care talent.

Red tape is part of the skills gap. Steve is trying to hire and train through apprenticeships and keeps hitting bureaucratic roadblocks, a piece of the workforce problem that gets too little attention.

Chapters

00:02 The invisible weld, and what sanitary welding protects
01:01 Meet Steve Feamster and Sanitary Welding
02:33 Icebreaker: a boat and a sunset
04:13 What culture means to Steve
05:29 Finding welding: you can always make it right
06:34 The high school apprenticeship at a five-hour energy plant
07:22 An entrepreneur since thirteen
08:00 The road home from California and the new shop
11:05 What makes Sanitary Welding different
12:06 Be proud of your mistakes
13:34 Pride, grinding, and the line between craft and automation
17:55 What sanitary welding actually is
18:37 The weight of a bad weld
21:39 Building a twenty-first century weld shop
22:39 The red tape choking apprenticeships
28:02 What keeps him going
30:01 A Detroit point of view
32:01 Where to find Steve and who he's hiring
33:01 3D printing stainless and Project Diamond
34:08 The message to the kid with a torch

Find Steve

LinkedIn: Steve Feamster
Sanitary Welding LLC: sanitarywelding.com (careers: apply@sanitarywelding.com)
Novi, Michigan

The heart of this one is a simple idea Jim has spent thirty years proving out: the best robot you can buy is the machine that makes the part. Precision Tool Technologies runs lights-out, nearly around the clock on a single labor shift, because Jim chased unattended manufacturing back when the industry still thought a mill was a mill and a lathe was a lathe. When coolant became the weak link that stood between him and a true 168 hours, he invented a full-shop coolant sensing and top-off system, now running in shops around the country.

But the number that tells you who Jim is has nothing to do with spindles. He has never laid off a single person to a technology improvement, not once. He took hand deburring off his people because it hurt to do, not to cut heads. And for a crew of 23, the company 401k will clear five million this year. This is a conversation about automation done with a conscience, about a dad who came from Germany with nothing and instilled a work ethic in ten kids, and about why the unglamorous work, done with pride, is the work that builds something noble.

Key Takeaways

The best robot is the machine that makes the part. Jim's whole approach is to buy equipment that runs unattended rather than bolting automation onto old habits.

Automation without layoffs. In thirty years he never cut a person for a technology gain. He removed the jobs people dreaded, like hand deburring, not the people.

Necessity invented a product. Coolant was the weak link in running 168 hours, so he built a full-shop coolant sensing and top-off system that now sells nationwide.

Culture is telling people the truth. Good news or bad, Jim tells the whole group, so his people are part of the solution instead of blindsided by it.

Do more to get more. The accountant's logic underneath it all: every incremental part spreads your fixed costs thinner, and affordable automation is how you get there.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and meet Jim Goerges
02:36 Icebreakers: your life as a movie, and what culture means
05:05 The accountant who fell for a machine shop
07:30 The PettyEgg and inventing to help people
11:41 Four products in 1993, six thousand today
15:30 Learning lights-out before the industry figured it out
20:08 Why the company is named 168 Manufacturing
22:37 Changing your thinking to change your outcome
28:58 Automation without a single layoff
31:40 What he is most proud of, and his father's story
37:35 The sprint car and working hard the right way
39:26 The future of PTT and the coolant automation story
47:10 The future of American manufacturing
53:09 Say yes to a great idea, and closing thoughts

Find Jim

LinkedIn: Jim Goerges
Precision Tool Technologies: Brainerd, Minnesota
168 Manufacturing: 168mfg.com

Ronak Gandhi grew up in Fort Worth, where Memorial Day means fifty people in the backyard, dinner cooked by friends who brought their own coolers, and a clock that somehow reads midnight before anyone notices. He explains the difference between that and a New York Memorial Day, all brunch reservations and itineraries, and in doing so tells you most of what you need to know about why he built Structify the way he did.

His grandfather came to this country in the 1960s, took his first job at a fish processing plant, stayed thirty years, and retired there. That story, and the values under it, loyalty, integrity, and showing up in person, shaped Ronak's decision to leave an isolating skyscraper job and build a company for the people he calls the backbone of the country. Structify helps manufacturers find real ROI for AI, lays the foundation to implement it, and captures the institutional knowledge that walks out the door when a key person retires. The promise is blunt: a path to ROI in sixty days or your money back.

Recorded in person with Jim at ATD in Phoenix, Ronak and Jim get into why Silicon Valley gets manufacturing wrong, why you cannot serve this industry from a desk on the coast, why 65% of digital transformations fail, and why the problems on a shop floor are the most exciting part of the work, not the thing to hide. It closes on the line that could be Structify's whole reason for existing: he does not want the industries that built this country to get left behind in the next technological leap.

Key Takeaways

AI fails without a foundation. Most digital transformations fail because people rush to the solution. Structify maps the business first, then finds where AI actually drives ROI.

Capturing institutional knowledge is the real win. The workforce crisis bites hardest when a key person retires, and their knowledge leaves with them. Day one is about capturing it.

You cannot serve manufacturing from the coast. Ronak lives on the road, and he argues every shop is different, so no off-the-shelf solution works for everyone.

Change is not the enemy. People do not resist change; they choose it every day. Give operators the tools to build their own solutions and adoption follows.

Relationships beat transactions. The values he learned in Fort Worth, loyalty and integrity, are what he says the coast gets wrong and what manufacturing gets right.

Chapters

00:00 Meet Ronak: two Memorial Days, Fort Worth vs New York
01:47 The moment he knew manufacturing needed Structify
05:01 The isolating skyscraper and why he left
08:39 His grandfather's fish plant and the pride in making things
11:30 Why build for a physical industry Silicon Valley ignores
16:02 A hidden industry and what outsiders should know
19:28 What Silicon Valley gets wrong about manufacturing
22:45 The workforce crisis and two narrative battles
26:21 The shop that detonates bombs to fuse metal
28:03 Why 65% of digital transformations fail
31:50 What Structify actually does
33:05 How it differs from a consultant
36:20 Why people actually love change
38:22 Finding real ROI, not AI for its own sake
40:17 What day one looks like
43:56 The five-year vision: make manufacturing badass
45:36 What he's most proud of, and why Structify exists

Find Ronak

LinkedIn: Ronak Gandhi
Structify: structify.com

The company he chose is Dalen Products, a third-generation, 100% family-owned lawn and garden manufacturer in Knoxville that just crossed 51 years. It started when Neil Caldwell raided his kids' college funds and took a small business loan to build inflatable snakes and, later, the plastic great horned owl you have probably seen in a garden. Dalen has sold 9.3 million of them, and in 1995 NASA bought eighteen to guard a space shuttle from woodpeckers.

Bob's real work is the culture. He walked into a place that felt frozen in 1982, time cards written out by hand, morale low, a wall between the office and the floor. His answer was to learn every name, take a lap on the floor every single day, and lead by one rule he states plainly: he worked for a lot of assholes, and he tries hard not to be one. He hires out of halfway houses, has kept six of the seven people he has brought in that way, and is bringing production back from China, now 85% made in Knoxville. He calls the whole project Dalen 2.0, building the next fifty years without breaking the first fifty, and he frames it not as ownership but as stewardship. He did not build this. His job is to hand it back stronger.

Key Takeaways

• Stewardship over ownership. Bob did not build Dalen and does not treat it as his. The goal is to hand a stronger company back to the family and the next generation.
• Culture is what happens when leadership leaves the room. He rebuilt a broken one by learning names, walking the floor daily, and tearing down the wall between office and shop.
• Second chances are a hiring strategy. Building relationships with halfway houses gave him loyal, motivated workers and a six-of-seven retention rate.
• Reshoring is a decision, not a slogan. A new injection molder brought 15% of production back from China, moving Dalen to 85% made in the USA.
• Nobody wants to work is a myth. People want to work, they want to be treated like human beings, and they want to be told they belong.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and Bob's unconventional road
03:07 Icebreaker: the underdog movie
05:50 Success is the only option
06:53 What culture means to Bob
08:42 A hard start in Syracuse
10:03 College at 26 and the two teachers who believed in him
15:13 Becoming a CPA and learning to network
19:01 What ten years of turning wrenches taught him
21:02 From advisor to operator
23:02 Finding Dalen
26:13 Walking into a broken culture
30:47 Leadership is stewardship, not ownership
33:07 Dalen 2.0: building the next fifty years
33:50 Hiring out of halfway houses
42:23 The owl that saved a NASA launch
48:07 Bringing production back to Knoxville
49:25 On the front page of the New York Times
53:40 The next five to ten years
55:39 What he wants to leave the next steward
57:21 Dream big

Find Bob

LinkedIn: Bob Teska
Dalen Products: dalenproducts.com

Then he and his co-founder Benny got tired of begging investors for money to build complex hardware, and went looking for a problem they could solve with software. They found it inside the tens of thousands of small high-mix shops across the country. Before writing a line of code, they spent three months inside twenty to thirty machine shops, trying to be flies on the wall and failing, because curiosity got the better of them.

What they learned shapes the best part of this conversation. Shops don't dislike software because they're behind. They dislike it because software has never served them. And work doesn't leave the country over the labor rate anymore. It's energy and materials, it's tariffed machine tools, it's the two or three people in a nine-person shop tied to a desk doing paperwork, and it's the friction of getting a quote out of your local shop when someone overseas will answer the phone.

Alex and Jim don't agree on everything, and the episode is better for it. It ends where Alex's work lives: a barbecue and a cooler of beer in a square mile north of the San Jose airport that holds more than a hundred machine shops, most of which have never met each other.

Key Takeaways

• It isn't the labor rate anymore. The gap has narrowed to two or three times on skilled labor. The real drivers are energy, materials, equipment, and overhead.
• Speed is the product. Engineers source overseas because someone answers. Responsiveness and a firm lead time often beat a lower unit price.
• Overhead is the quiet killer. In a nine-person shop, two or three people sit at a desk doing paperwork, a ratio you do not see overseas.
• We should not be tariffing machine tools. If the goal is a domestic base, equipment should be incentivized, not taxed.
• Ecosystems beat isolation. A hundred shops sit within one square mile near San Jose and most have never met.
• You can't argue people into the trade. Kids follow visible, successful people in their own communities, not campaigns.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and who Alex is
02:19 Icebreaker: if your life were a movie
03:43 What culture means to Alex
06:30 Why culture is an alignment of values
08:22 Choosing mechanical engineering
10:03 Graduating into 2010 and the first job
12:43 Four hardware startups in a row
14:55 Why some people are wired for startups
17:49 How Uptool started
22:54 Three months inside thirty machine shops
25:35 Building software shops will actually use
26:20 Why US shops lose work to Asia
29:24 Energy, materials, and tariffed machine tools
30:52 The overhead nobody counts
33:42 Where the hollowing out really started
35:15 The workforce problem underneath it all
37:46 You can't convince people to care
40:42 Why Uptool shows up in person
42:57 A hundred shops in one square mile
45:11 The future: a lot of little SpaceXs
47:30 Where to find Alex

Find Alex

LinkedIn: Alex Huckstepp
Uptool: uptool.com
Shop map: usamachineshops.com
Catch Uptool at IMTS in September, their first show as a startup, in the software section

Key Takeaways

• The building is part of the process. Purpose-built factories, labs, and clean rooms are engineered around what happens inside them, and the best of them function like machines themselves.
• A warehouse is not a factory. Wide open space does not mean it's right for production. The first question is always the process, then the power, the slab, and the steel.
• Small moves change a shop floor. Lighting, color temperature, painted white structure for light reflectance, and any daylight you can introduce cost little and change how a place feels to work in.
• Architecture is a retention strategy: safe design, a clean, quiet place to step off the floor, a cafeteria, closer parking. Small things signal that the people inside matter.
• The building tells the story. A well-made facility gives employees a reason to say I work there and I build things there, and pride follows.

Chapters

• 00:00 Welcome and who Todd is
• 01:59 Icebreaker: If your life were a movie
• 4:36 What culture means to Todd
• 06:43 Wanting to be an architect at ten years old
• 10:12 The road to HED
• 12:14 Detroit roots, steel mills, and the draw to manufacturing
• 17:04 Buildings as machines
• 17:41 The first thing he looks for on a plant floor
• 18:52 When the building is wrong for the work
• 21:57 What a building does to the people inside it
• 24:07 Detroit, the middle class, and what a factory builds
• 27:27 Architecture as a retention strategy
• 30:12 Doubts, waste, and the things that drive him crazy
• 33:20 The future: robotics, AI, and keeping the human connection
• 36:55 What makes him proud
• 38:04 Defense tech, drones, and R&D spaces
• 40:40 Where to find Todd

Find Todd

LinkedIn: Todd Drouillard, AIA
HED: hed.co

Decades later, that same resolve is the foundation of Ship & Shore Environmental, the Long Beach company she has built and grown organically for more than twenty-five years. Today, the firm designs and fabricates custom air pollution control systems for manufacturers across the country and around the world, and Anoosheh sits on the South Coast Air Quality Management District committee that helps write the very rules her machines are built to meet.

This is a conversation about grit, reinvention, and what it costs to be the only woman CEO in a room full of men. Anoosheh talks about the people who underestimated her, the young engineers she now mentors, the planet she is trying to leave cleaner than she found it, and why, after everything, she still believes the American dream is real. Challenging, of course. Difficult, of course. Impossible, never.

Key Takeaways

• Resilience is a discipline, not a moment. From arriving alone at fourteen to building a business overnight, Anoosheh's story is about deciding to move forward and refusing to be derailed.
• She bet everything on herself. Draining her 401 (k) to cover payroll and rent for two months, she insisted on doing it on her own, and 25 years of organic growth followed.
• She writes the rules and builds the solution. Sitting on the SCAQMD committee, Anoosheh helps shape air quality regulations and then engineers custom systems that enable manufacturers to meet them.
• Clean air has no borders. Her work spans the US and China because pollution migrates, and the goal is a cleaner planet, not a cleaner zip code.
• Representation changes the room. As the only woman CEO she knows in her field, Anoosheh mentors young women, opens her shop to interns, and proves what is possible by standing in the room and speaking her mind.

Chapters

• 00:00 Welcome and what this show is about
• 00:59 Meet Anoosheh Oskouian and Ship & Shore Environmental
• 03:30 Icebreaker: if your life were a movie
• 05:47 What culture means to Anoosheh
• 08:59 Leaving Iran alone at 14
• 11:31 The revolution, being a target, and going it alone
• 14:25 University of Colorado and a love of chemistry
• 15:49 Fluor Daniel and the road to Long Beach
• 18:30 The overnight bet that started the company
• 20:33 Growing the team and opening in China
• 22:32 What Ship & Shore designs and builds
• 26:58 Inside the process, from assessment to clean air
• 30:39 Writing the rules and building the technology
• 34:57 Being the only woman CEO in the room
• 38:13 Mentoring the next generation
• 41:23 A tour of the shop floor
• 44:03 The future of American manufacturing
• 49:38 Where to find Anoosheh

Find Anoosheh

LinkedIn: Anoosheh Oskouian
Ship & Shore Environmental: shipandshore.com

The night started where every honest manufacturing conversation starts: what keeps you up at night. The answers came back fast. People. Speed and scale. Schedule. From there, the room worked through the question on everyone's mind: what AI really does on a shop floor today, and the panel was refreshingly grounded in it. AI is a sharp assistant and a strong learning tool, but it's only as good as the data and the people behind it. Garbage in, garbage out. The real skill, they agreed, is knowing how to ask.

What makes this session worth the listen is where it lands. Under all the pressure of cost, supply chain, cybersecurity, and a shrinking talent pipeline, every panelist circled back to the same answer. You cannot buy your way out with the bright shiny object. You invest in your people, you fix your process, and you let the technology amplify both. Then the conversation turns to the pipeline itself: why the fix starts in high school rather than the want ads, and why the best recruiter you have is already standing on your floor. This is session one, recorded live in Dallas.

Key Takeaways

• People are still the answer. Across speed, scale, cost, and AI, every panelist came back to the same conclusion: you invest in your people and your process, not just the next machine.
• AI is only as good as the data behind it. The heavy lifting is structuring the data and learning to prompt well; prompt engineering is the real skill.
• Cybersecurity shapes everything. From CMMC 2.0 to a buried chip caught in incoming hardware, aerospace and defense shops run their own internal tools and vet every device before it touches the network.
• The bright, shiny object is a trap. Buying a machine feels safer than betting on a person, but technology without skilled, empowered people never delivers the return.
• The pipeline starts before college. The fix is to reach kids in high school and middle school, partner with community colleges, and lean on referrals, because your best recruiters already work for you.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to the Shop Floor Social
02:00 Meet the panel: Firefly, Lockheed Martin, and SPM
04:00 What keeps you up at night: people
05:00 Speed and scale, and a 41-month build cycle
08:00 AI as the assistant that remembers everything
11:00 Garbage in, garbage out: the data behind the answer
12:30 Ignorance is a choice: AI as a learning tool
14:00 Building agents that think like you
18:00 Why prompt engineering is the real skill
20:00 Please, thank you, and the drone that fought back
22:00 Capturing the silver tsunami before it leaves
24:00 Cybersecurity, CMMC, and the black box problem
30:00 Good, fast, cheap, and the cost squeeze
32:00 The supply chain is squeezed from both sides
37:00 Bright shiny object syndrome
39:00 People and technology, together
41:00 The leg nobody talks about: process
43:00 The skills gap and fixing the pipeline

The Panel

Chase Auker, Quality Metrologist, Firefly Aerospace
Andy Mears, Intelligent Factory Integration, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control
Fernando Castaneda, Quality Leader, SPM Oil & Gas
Presented by Hexagon

What makes Becca different is not that she built Mill Spec Manufacturing. It's that she refuses to hide any part of how she did it. In a trade built on protecting what you know, she writes and films the mistakes, the crashed sensors, the four o'clock mornings, and the fear of signing a first industrial lease, because she believes the only way to rebuild American manufacturing is to stop gatekeeping and hand the next person a map.

This is the North Carolina stop in the fifty-state shop series, and it's a conversation about culture in the truest sense: an environment where people feel free to be themselves without judgment. Becca and Jim get into why she started, why she shares, the community she's building shop by shop and meeting by meeting, what it felt like to be trusted with work that matters, and the one thing she wants to be remembered for.

Key Takeaways

• Anti-gatekeeping is the strategy. Becca shares her failures publicly because the fastest way to rebuild American manufacturing is to help the next shop owner go further and faster than she did.
• Authenticity is a competitive advantage. Showing the crashes and the hard mornings validates every machinist who has made a mistake and makes the trade feel reachable.
• Community is infrastructure. From the Machining Summit to her own monthly manufacturing meetings, Becca builds third spaces where shop owners trade work, tooling, and support rather than competing in isolation.
• Small shops rebuild capacity. The mom-and-pop shops with fewer than ten employees are where offshored capacity comes back, one garage and one Tormach at a time.
• Education is the next chapter. Becca wants to spotlight schools, bring manual machines back, and teach the basics the curriculum skips, because everyone starts somewhere.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and what this show is about
00:57 Meet Becca Wolfinger and Mill Spec Manufacturing
02:54 Icebreaker: if your life were a movie
05:38 What culture means to Becca
06:18 Why she started a machine shop
09:30 Why she shows the mistakes, not just the wins
11:03 Saving people headaches and heartaches
12:18 Her most memorable failure
13:43 Why rebuilding American manufacturing matters
16:24 How do we get more people to start shops
19:33 The power of community
23:39 What made the Machining Summit different
26:47 Building community in North Carolina
28:11 Being a mom and "balancing" it all
29:11 The win she's most proud of
31:16 The future of Mill Spec and Becca
35:35 The mark she wants to leave
36:25 Where to find Becca

Find Becca

LinkedIn: Rebecca Wolfinger
Instagram: @rebecca.wolfinger
Mill Spec Manufacturing: mil-spec-manufacturing.com

Key Takeaways

• You can tell the culture of a shop within five minutes of walking on the floor. Watch the faces, not the framed values on the wall.
• Good culture looks boring. Spindles turning, pallets full, no fires. That's the goal.
• The best thing Erich learned from the Peace Corps wasn't engineering. It was how to find common ground with people you have nothing in common with.
• If a shop with a full staff and multiple machines is competing with a guy who just started with one mill and a harbor freight saw, the problem isn't the new guy.
• You don't need to spend money to improve your margins. Most shops can go from three percent to thirty percent just by cleaning up the processes they already have.
• Don't guard your knowledge so close. The supply of shops is going to start dwindling and connection is going to matter more than competition.
  
  Chapters
• 00:00:01 — Introduction to Erich Baur
• 00:04:10 — Icebreaker: Deadpool, film noir, and a montage of conversations
• 00:07:10 — Defining culture: the vibe doesn't lie
• 00:08:29 — What to look for when you walk into a shop
• 00:11:25 — What kept pulling him back to precision manufacturing
• 00:13:40 — Starting at a Fortune 100 shop sweeping floors
• 00:16:08 — Engineers Without Borders and the Peace Corps in Guatemala
• 00:21:36 — How networking set the stage for starting Nordstrand
• 00:35:01 — Where the name Nordstrand comes from
• 00:38:40 — What Nordstrand actually does: machining and consulting
• 00:43:06 — Why he's not a competitor, he's the guy with the shovel
• 00:46:38 — How to scale Nordstrand without settling
• 00:50:36 — Investing in people and building a home for talent
• 00:50:43 — What makes him proud
• 00:52:15 — Legacy: handing it off the right way
• 00:54:08 — Final thoughts: become part of the conversation

Key Takeaways

• Good culture is a supportive environment where accountability is investigative, not finger-pointing. How you treat people is everything.
• Don't confuse good luck with good tactics. Just because something hasn't been a problem doesn't mean it isn't one.
• Bonus structures don't motivate everyone. Find out what actually matters to your people and build around that.
• Putting a poor performer next to your best performer destroys culture faster than almost anything else.
• The best months at MSP have sometimes been the ones when Johnny was out of the office. That's the goal.
• You can do 10 small things in a year and be in a completely different league than where you started.

Chapters

• 00:00:23 — Introduction to Johnny Goode
• 00:02:15 — Icebreaker: Chris Pine, drama, and starting the movie at the best moment
• 00:04:18 — Defining culture: respect, accountability, and talking to people straight
• 00:06:02 — From San Diego to the police academy to the National Guard
• 00:11:58 — Joining the family business during one of the hardest seasons of his life
• 00:14:45 — What it's like to work with your dad and build something together
• 00:18:32 — Succession planning and raising sons who find their own passion first
• 00:21:57 — What SWAT and the military actually taught him about leadership
• 00:25:27 — Dismantling a toxic culture from the inside
• 00:30:25 — Developing young talent and getting people into the right seats
• 00:32:04 — Bringing his sons into the shop and exposing them to manufacturing early
• 00:34:27 — The future of MSP: expansion, talent pipelines, and never being satisfied
• 00:38:12 — Career pathing and why stagnation is the real reason people leave
• 00:40:32 — Final thoughts: the team gets all the credit

Key Takeaways

• Culture is alignment around shared values, goals, and behaviors, and the behaviors tell you more than anything else.
• 79% of industrial teams haven't reduced unplanned downtime despite massive advances in technology. That's a people problem, not a tech problem.
• People don't leave for fifty cents more an hour. They leave because something opened the door, and that something is usually a lack of development.
• You can't buy your way out of a culture gap. Ben Horowitz said it, and Chris has lived it.
• The greatest leadership accomplishment isn't the P&L story. It's the 25-plus people you developed who are now leading organizations of their own.
• Don't push your vendors away. The best ones are subject matter experts and deserve a seat at the table.

Chapters

• 00:00:26 — Podcast Introduction
• 00:01:05 — Guest Introduction: Chris Hutson
• 00:02:01 — Icebreaker: Jack Nicholson, mystery, and a compelling saga
• 00:03:14 — Defining culture: values, goals, and behaviors
• 00:05:08 — The importance of coaching and leadership development
• 00:06:56 — Why employees leave, and it's not the money
• 00:07:36 — 79% of teams still haven't reduced unplanned downtime
• 00:09:23 — Chris's path into manufacturing
• 00:12:53 — Readiness for leadership: prepared technically, not always for people
• 00:15:06 — Lessons from vendors as subject matter experts
• 00:16:23 — The division president with the two-inch binder
• 00:20:14 — What causes the people, process, and technology alignment to break down
• 00:22:39 — The silver tsunami and the knowledge transfer crisis
• 00:24:07 — Why Chris joined MaintainX
• 00:25:16 — Career pride: developing people into leaders
• 00:30:55 — Final thoughts: you can't buy your way out of a culture gap

Key Takeaways

• Culture is the feeling you have on Sunday night before Monday morning. You know immediately whether you've got it or not.
• Manufacturing isn't usually the plan. It's the destination people stumble into and never want to leave.
• There's private equity, and then there's private equity. Addtronics' investors don't just ask about EBITDA, they ask how the families are doing.
• The numbers mean nothing without the people. You don't have EBITDA without people who feel valued enough to show up.
• Career pivots aren't failures. They're signals. Adam's OR experience wasn't a dead end.
• The legacy isn't the last deal you closed. It's the messages people send years later saying you changed how they lead.

Chapters

• 00:00 — Pride in Manufacturing: the orange juice container speech
• 00:19 — Podcast Introduction
• 02:51 — Icebreaker: Matthew McConaughey, action movies, and club sodas
• 04:53 — What culture means to Adam Crandall
• 08:05 — From Pre-Med to Sales: the OR story
• 12:31 — Embracing the pivot: man plans, God laughs
• 15:04 — Non-linear paths into manufacturing
• 18:19 — Why manufacturing is the unplanned destination people never leave
• 20:30 — Addressing private equity misconceptions
• 26:36 — Addtronics' diverse portfolio: six companies, one mission
• 32:41 — Protecting company culture during rapid growth
• 37:08 — What makes Adam proud
• 40:14 — The emotional weight of mentorship
• 42:35 — A call for talent: Addtronics is hiring

Key Takeaways

• Culture is an unspoken language — it's not what you say, it's how you move, decide, and live.
• Transformation has three levels: changing how people do things, how they collaborate, and ultimately how they think. The hardest one is the last.
• Germany plans everything. China executes fast. The US is proactive. Same technology, completely different playbook in each country.
• For every 10 transformation initiatives, you will fail more than you succeed — and that's okay. The modules you build from those failures become your foundation.
• The engineering capacity crisis is real: the best engineers in the world are aging out, and not enough are coming in behind them.
• Steven left Tesla not because something was wrong, but because he knew a 10X opportunity doesn't come twice — and he saw the window.

Chapters

• Introduction to the Podcast (00:00:28)
• Icebreaker: Life as a Movie (00:01:26)
• Defining Culture (00:02:42)
• Early Life in China (00:03:14)
• Choosing Mechanical Engineering (00:04:11)
• Education in China and Germany (00:05:49)
• Early Career and Internships (00:06:59)
• Working for General Motors in China (00:10:25)
• Joining Tesla's Gigafactory (00:11:37)
• Solving Problems at Tesla (00:14:16)
• Cultural Differences in Transformation (00:16:24)
• Challenges of Data-Driven Manufacturing (00:18:33)
• Leaving Tesla to Co-Found a Company (00:22:56)
• Building an AI Manufacturing Engineer (00:26:54)
• Pride in Engineering (00:30:28)
• Leaving a Legacy (00:32:35)
• The Future of AI in Engineering (00:34:06)

Key Takeaways

• Culture eats strategy for breakfast — and Dustin heard it from the most strategic person he'd ever met, which made it land harder.
• People don't show up to work wanting to do a bad job. When someone is struggling, something else is going on. Take ten minutes to find out what.
• You could be right all day and it won't matter if trust hasn't been earned first.
• Faster isn't always better. If you don't take care of your equipment, it breaks. Same goes for your people.
• The real problem in most shops isn't output — it's that leaders are asking people to change lagging indicators instead of giving them control over the input measures that actually drive results.
• No heroes. One team, one dream.

Chapters

• 00:00 — Introduction
• 01:06 — How Jim and Dustin met at MD&M South
• 03:27 — Icebreaker: If your life were a movie
• 07:39 — What does culture actually mean?
• 10:10 — Is there such a thing as bad culture?
• 14:26 — When people stop rowing — and what leadership owes them
• 19:45 — Have we lost sight of the humanness of our employees?
• 24:15 — Dustin's origin story: The Bahamas, a pilot's dream, and a P&G plant tour
• 31:18 — The hardest lesson from his first leadership role: trust before credibility
• 38:32 — No heroes: why Superman culture kills teams
• 40:16 — The hire that changed how he sees people
• 44:35 — Why he walked away from stability to start a software company
• 49:45 — What the software actually does and the problem it solves
• 55:43 — What legacy Dustin wants to leave on this industry

Jim sat down with Kieth Bieger, Global Metrology Specialist and CMM Programmer at Destaco; Todd Prettyman, Director of Global Quality at Gibson; and Michelle Bangert, Managing Editor of Quality Magazine. The room was full of quality professionals, and that shaped everything.

What started as a conversation about the challenges manufacturers face turned into something more honest than most panels allow. The group covered why quality always takes the blame, why the skills pipeline for quality engineering is broken, why standardization and craftsmanship are not opposites, and what it actually costs to hold the line when nobody's watching.

By the end, the conversation moved into territory that doesn't usually make it onto a stage — psychological safety, the experience of women in manufacturing quality roles, and what the next generation is asking for that the industry hasn't figured out how to give them yet.

This is Part 1 of a two-part live recording. Part 2 — the solutions conversation — releases on The MFG Connector Show.

KEY TOPICS

• Why quality only gets noticed when something fails — and what that costs the people doing the work
• The CMM vs. layout misunderstanding that Kieth has been fighting for 25 years
• Todd's take on why standardization is what enables craftsmanship at Gibson, not what kills it
• Why there's no quality engineering degree — and how that breaks the talent pipeline
• GD&T: who actually understands it, and why it matters more than most shops admit
• Quality as the fall person — the structural reason it keeps happening and what to do about it
• The personality traits that make someone good at quality work, and why they're hard to hire for
• Psychological safety on the shop floor and what happens when it's missing
• The specific experience of women in quality roles — what the panel said out loud that most stages don't
• What Gen Z and Gen Alpha are asking for from manufacturing that the industry hasn't answered yet.

Chapters

• 00:00 — Welcome and introductions
• 02:27 — Panel introductions
• 07:45 — The problems that don't get solved
• 12:00 — Quality takes the blame
• 15:15 — The quality management system conversation
• 17:29 — The skills gap in quality
• 22:00 — Audience questions begin
• 35:00 — Culture as the hardest thing to change
• 38:37 — The conscience of the company
• 41:00 — What it takes to be a good quality engineer
• 46:00 — Psychological safety and women in manufacturing quality
• 49:06 — Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and the new expectations
• 52:49 — Close

Four years and hundreds of facilities later, he's Area Sales Manager at Banner Engineering, still walking in doors, still paying attention to what he finds inside. In this conversation, Sam discusses why he entered the industry, what kept him there, and what he thinks manufacturing gets wrong about attracting the next generation.

His answer to Jim's question about what it would take to leave: I don't think you could take it from me.

Key Takeaways

• Manufacturing didn't recruit Sam. He stumbled in through a sales job and fell in love with what he found. That's the story the industry needs to tell more of.
• The lobby tells you everything. Sam looks at what manufacturers put in their lobbies before he says a word. Awards about being a great place to work hit different than industry certifications.
• Good culture is loud. Bad culture goes quiet. The shops where people trust each other are the ones where grown men are tickling each other in the middle of a sales call. The ones that are struggling get very professional very fast.
• The talent shortage is a storytelling problem. Sam never heard the word PLC in four years of mechanical engineering school. He ended up in factory automation by accident. So did a lot of his classmates.
• The work's tangibility is what keeps him. He can go back to a customer and see his sensor doing something real. You don't get that selling HR software.
• His goal isn't to headline a comedy club. It's to do stand-up at Pack Expo, for a room full of manufacturing people who will get every inside joke.

Chapters

• 0:00 — Intro
• 1:06 — If your life were a movie
• 4:54 — What is culture?
• 7:58 — Growing up a Fritz
• 10:53 — The moment sales made sense
• 15:00 — The Keyence years
• 18:48 — The moment manufacturing clicked
• 21:46 — What he notices when he walks in
• 24:04 — When culture is misfiring
• 26:40 — The Bad Boy of Connectivity
• 34:31 — Why the industry can't find young people
• 40:16 — Why he stayed
• 49:12 — The future of manufacturing
• 52:06 — What he wishes Jim had asked

Connect with Sam

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sfritz27/

This isn’t about hype or digital buzzwords. It’s about reality. Better data doesn’t fix broken systems. It exposes them. It changes how people make decisions, how teams communicate, and how work actually gets done.

The panel digs into real issues shops deal with every day. Incomplete RFQs, shifting demand, inspection headaches, and the constant pull between production and process improvement. Then they get into what it really takes to solve them.

Not more tools. Not more software. Better leadership, clearer systems, and people who are aligned and accountable.

They also break down what modernization actually looks like inside a shop, how data reshapes how employees are evaluated, and why automation isn’t replacing people. It’s changing their role.

This is a conversation about the gap between knowing the problem and actually doing something about it.

Key Topics

• What actually changes after tech is implemented
• Why data alone doesn’t improve outcomes
• The real friction in manufacturing: RFQs, inspections, volatility
• Leadership as the root cause of most shop problems
• Utilization vs throughput and what actually matters
• Standardization, planning, and finishing what you start
• Technology investments that move the needle
• Automation and the shift from operator to orchestrator
• AI as a decision support tool, not a replacement
• Training, apprenticeships, and building internal talent
• Getting employee buy-in and managing change
• The future of manufacturing: integrated, human-driven, and evolving

Chapters

• 00:00 – Intro and live event setup
• 02:00 – Panel introductions
• 09:30 – Customer challenges and real friction
• 13:30 – Before modernization
• 17:00 – Defining moments for change
• 24:30 – Leadership vs shop floor
• 30:00 – Digital transformation stories
• 36:00 – Data, utilization, and throughput
• 40:00 – Game-changing technology
• 47:00 – Automation and workforce shift
• 52:00 – AI and future state
• 56:30 – One word: the future of manufacturing
• 59:00 – Audience Q&A on training

Manufacturing Intelligence | Hexagon

Next Shop Floor Social Nashville

Key Topics

• Kerry Burns' diverse career path in manufacturing and farming
• The importance of hands-on skills and DIY in manufacturing
• The role of local manufacturing communities and small shops
• The impact of technology and AI on manufacturing skills
• The culture of safety, creativity, and innovation in industry

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest Kerry Burns
• 01:42 Kerry Burns' Background and Current Roles
• 03:27 If Your Life Were a Movie: Show or Home Improvement
• 04:47 Defining Manufacturing Culture: Safety and Support
• 06:49 Kerry Burns' Farming and Manufacturing Roots
• 11:40 First Manufacturing Job and Career Progression
• 12:57 Transition from Leadership to Hands-On Work
• 14:29 Mason Road Manufacturing: Ideas and Prototyping
• 20:34 Selling Designs and Creating Future Products
• 30:14 The Accessibility of Manufacturing Tools Today
• 32:01 Encouraging Young People to Enter Manufacturing
• 35:57 The Small Shop Revolution and Local Industry
• 37:20 The Joy of Making and Tangible Results
• 37:26 Supporting Local Manufacturing and Community
• 39:03 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Resources

Mason Road Manufacturing

LinkedIn

Key Topics

• Manufacturing leadership journey
• The role of culture and mentorship
• Resilience and overcoming overwhelm in leadership

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Manufacturing Culture Podcast
• 02:53 Aaron Kolosic's Journey in Supply Chain Management
• 05:24 Defining Culture in Manufacturing
• 08:19 Early Career Decisions and Mentorship
• 11:11 Overcoming Early Career Challenges
• 13:56 The Importance of Peer Support
• 16:27 Reflections on a Long Career at P&G
• 19:10 Career Reflections and Transitions
• 21:26 Finding Purpose Beyond Corporate Life
• 24:35 Lessons from Leadership Mistakes
• 26:46 Misconceptions of Leadership Roles
• 28:59 Aha Moments in Coaching
• 32:16 Success Stories and Achievements
• 34:11 Takeaways for Future Leaders
• 36:09 The Importance of Personal Operating Systems

Resources

Aron Kolosic's Website

LinkedIn

Key Topics

• Todd Smith's career journey from law to manufacturing
• The importance of a say-do ratio in company culture
• Private equity's impact on manufacturing companies
• The future of localized regional manufacturing
• Investing in skills and technology for industry resilience

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Jim Mayer and the Manufacturing Culture Podcast
• 01:02 Introducing Todd Smith, CFO of AMFT
• 02:25 Todd's movie genre and opening scene analogy
• 04:26 Defining company culture: say-do ratio and accountability
• 07:04 Todd's early life in Australia and career aspirations
• 09:02 Transition from law and banking to manufacturing
• 11:41 Overview of AMFT and private equity involvement
• 12:28 Private equity's influence on manufacturing and employee perceptions
• 15:22 Todd's role in private equity acquisitions and company growth
• 18:35 Building trust with long-term employees
• 20:39 The importance of pride and culture on the manufacturing floor
• 35:04 The future of manufacturing: automation, localization, and innovation
• 38:09 Addressing misconceptions about manufacturing industry
• 39:06 Investing in people and skills development in manufacturing
• 42:25 Jim's closing thoughts and episode wrap-up

Resources

Todd Smith's LinkedIn - Todd Smith | LinkedIn

AMFT Official Website - https://amft.com

Takeaways

• Kyle Ellis transformed a machining business into Torque Manufacturing.
• Craftsmanship and strategic thinking are essential for modern manufacturing.
• Culture is about shared values and support among team members.
• Kyle's journey into machining began with a passion for building things.
• Rebranding to Torque reflected the company's mechanical focus.
• Building relationships with customers is key to success.
• Hiring the right people is crucial for a positive culture.
• Entrepreneurship in manufacturing requires resilience and adaptability.
• Kyle takes pride in overcoming challenges in his career.
• He hopes to inspire the next generation of manufacturers.

Chapters

• 00:00 Transforming Identity in Manufacturing
• 05:36 The Essence of Culture
• 06:47 Journey into Machining
• 08:23 Rebranding for Authenticity
• 11:54 Products and Customer Relationships
• 15:55 Building a Culture of Trust
• 17:32 Hiring for Fit and Passion
• 18:52 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
• 20:00 Pride in Overcoming Challenges
• 21:27 Legacy and Impact
• 24:16 Promoting the Machining Industry

Takeaways

• Most people never think about the thousands of decisions it takes to get products on time.
• Culture is about how your people feel towards each other and their work.
• Every problem in supply chain management is unique in some way.
• Incremental improvements can lead to significant changes in manufacturing processes.
• Innovation is about enabling people to make mistakes and learn from them.
• Robotics and automation introduce a new set of challenges in supply chain management.
• It's important to enable teams to adopt new technologies and tools.
• Understanding the logistics behind warehousing can change perceptions.
• The rate of change in technology is exciting for the future of supply chain.
• Continuous learning is essential in the ever-evolving field of supply chain management.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Supply Chain Challenges
• 06:25 Defining Culture in the Workplace
• 11:46 Steve's Journey into Supply Chain
• 18:23 Consulting and Real-World Applications
• 20:13 Common Misconceptions about Warehousing
• 23:48 Building Better Manufacturing Processes
• 26:01 Impact of Culture on the Shop Floor
• 28:14 Learning from Failures in Implementation
• 31:22 Innovation and Risk in Warehouse Management
• 36:46 The Role of Robotics in Modern Manufacturing
• 42:25 Legacy and Empowerment in Leadership

Takeaways

• Factories are run by machines but steered by people.
• Culture is defined by actions, not just words.
• Leadership development is crucial for organizational success.
• Succession planning should focus on potential, not just performance.
• Soft skills are essential for effective leadership.
• AI is changing the landscape of manufacturing leadership.
• Leaders must build credibility to be effective.
• Personal growth is a key outcome of leadership development.
• Assessments can provide valuable insights into leadership capabilities.
• Leadership is about making more leaders.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Leadership in Manufacturing
• 04:36 Defining Culture in Organizations
• 11:03 The Importance of Defined Values
• 12:56 Understanding Industrial and Organizational Psychology
• 16:28 The Development of Leaders
• 18:16 Challenges in Leadership Promotion
• 21:56 Assessing Leadership Strengths
• 24:14 Effective Succession Planning for Manufacturers
• 27:39 Changing Perceptions in Leadership
• 29:26 The Importance of Credibility in Leadership
• 33:48 Navigating Leadership Dynamics in Family-Owned Businesses
• 36:53 Assessing Leadership Potential through Simulations
• 39:32 Misconceptions about Leadership Assessments
• 41:51 The Evolving Nature of Leadership
• 43:09 The Broader Impact of Leadership Skills
• 47:29 Legacy and Impact of Leadership Development
• 50:22 Debunking Myths about Manufacturing and Change
• 53:08 The Intersection of AI and Human Leadership

Takeaways

• Justin Keskel emphasizes the importance of community in manufacturing.
• Culture in manufacturing is defined by the alignment of people and values.
• Mentorship serves as a shortcut for learning in the trades.
• Attention to detail is crucial for successful machining.
• Processes in manufacturing help improve efficiency and profitability.
• No two manufacturing shops operate the same way, highlighting the diversity in the industry.
• Awareness of the skilled trades is essential for attracting new talent.
• The future of manufacturing will likely involve more advanced technology and AI.
• Changing perceptions of manufacturing is necessary to attract younger generations.
• Justin aims to contribute to the next generation of skilled workers.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Modern Manufacturing and Community Building
• 03:36 Justin's Journey into Machining
• 05:47 The Importance of Culture in Manufacturing
• 08:29 Sharing Experiences on LinkedIn
• 10:39 Memorable Moments in Trade Shows
• 13:16 Attention to Detail and Process Flow
• 15:44 Challenges Facing Modern Shops
• 18:22 The Role of Mentorship in Manufacturing
• 20:40 Visiting Other Shops and Learning
• 23:08 Raising Awareness for Manufacturing Careers
• 25:21 Dispelling Myths About Manufacturing
• 27:49 The Future of Manufacturing and AI
• 30:11 Conclusion and Legacy

Takeaways

• Manufacturing is essential for national security.
• Company culture is a strategic differentiator.
• Investing in leadership development is crucial for maintaining culture.
• The trades are vital for the economy and should be valued.
• Digital engineering must be balanced with skilled trades.
• People want to feel valued and make a difference.
• Leadership requires being others-focused and empathetic.
• The future of manufacturing depends on resilience and purpose.
• We need to change the narrative around skilled trades.
• Manufacturers should highlight their impact on local communities.

Chapters

• 00:00 Rebuilding America's Manufacturing Backbone
• 09:15 The Importance of Culture in Organizations
• 17:36 Transitioning from Military to Manufacturing
• 24:09 The Role of Digital Engineering in Manufacturing
• 30:15 Navigating Digital Transformation in Engineering
• 33:10 The Importance of Measured Growth and Acquisitions
• 33:57 Valuing Skilled Trades and Their Impact
• 36:33 Addressing Misconceptions About the Trades
• 39:10 The Role of Culture in Manufacturing
• 42:19 Engaging Communities and Families in Trades
• 45:42 Building a Stronger Nation Through Manufacturing

The conversation delves into the culture of manufacturing, the significance of mentorship, and the need for skilled tradespeople to embrace their roles in a rapidly evolving industry. Jared shares insights on the future of manufacturing, advocating for smaller, high-performance shops that can maintain quality while keeping costs low. He also touches on the mental health challenges faced by tradespeople and expresses a desire to support his peers through potential future endeavors in therapy. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of the machinist's life, the pride in craftsmanship, and the importance of community in the manufacturing sector.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Jared Reining
• 06:40 Defining Manufacturing Culture
• 08:02 Jared's Journey into Machining
• 14:45 Working at PharmaMed Automation
• 17:56 The Difference Between Job Shop and PharmaMed Work
• 19:28 Mistakes Young Machinists Make
• 23:40 Networking and Building Connections
• 26:59 The Pride of Craftsmanship
• 30:51 Exploring Mental Health in Manufacturing
• 35:05 The Future of Skilled Trades

The episode also highlights the significance of networking through platforms like LinkedIn, which has allowed Daniel to connect with industry veterans and expand his knowledge. He discusses the intricate processes involved in circuit board manufacturing, the challenges the industry faces, and the importance of fostering a supportive culture within manufacturing companies. Daniel's insights provide a refreshing perspective on the realities of the industry, encouraging listeners to embrace their unique journeys and redefine their personal definitions of success.

Takeaways

• Work becomes meaningful when you find your passion.
• Curiosity can lead to unexpected career paths.
• Authenticity in sharing struggles can inspire others.
• Networking is crucial for growth in the industry.
• The manufacturing landscape faces both challenges and opportunities for innovation.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Daniel Stanphill
• 05:08 Defining Workplace Culture
• 11:17 Daniel's Journey into Manufacturing
• 18:08 The Role of Networking in Growth
• 21:36 Understanding Circuit Board Manufacturing
• 27:15 Challenges in the Electronics Manufacturing Landscape
• 31:23 Culture at Aurora Boardworks
• 34:13 The Impact of Podcasting on Community
• 40:33 Lessons Learned from Podcasting
• 46:02 The Future of Manufacturing

Takeaways

• Manufacturing leaders must abandon pre-2000 thinking.
• Culture is about how employees feel in the workplace.
• Differentiation is key in a commoditized market.
• Customer experience can set a company apart.
• The buyer's journey has changed significantly.
• Companies must adapt to new market realities post-2020.
• E-commerce can revolutionize the buying process.
• Frontline workers play a crucial role in company success.
• Alignment across departments is essential for growth.
• Trust and accountability are vital in leadership.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Manufacturing Culture Podcast
• 01:52 Understanding Culture in the Workplace
• 07:53 Chuck's Origin Story and Career Path
• 11:08 The Shift from Pre-2000 Thinking
• 16:45 Transformative Changes in Business Post-2020
• 22:39 Revolutionizing the Buyer’s Journey
• 25:24 Applying the Framework to Job Shops
• 30:07 Empowering Frontline Workers
• 34:11 Achieving Alignment Across Departments
• 36:30 Creating Systems for Bold Growth
• 41:34 The RF Frontiers Podcast
• 43:52 Future of Differentiation in Industry
• 46:35 Final Thoughts and Advice

Takeaways

• Culture represents the norms in a workplace.
• Understanding workplace culture is crucial for success.
• Problems are often system problems, not people problems.
• Leadership gaps exist in manufacturing due to poor promotion practices.
• Cultural differences impact how work is done.
• Transitioning to nonprofit work can be fulfilling and impactful.
• Identifying performance issues requires understanding the system.
• Super performance focuses on celebrating wins, not just fixing failures.
• Performance reviews should focus on extending periods of success.
• Creating a respectful work environment is essential for employee retention.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Operational Excellence
• 04:09 Understanding Culture in the Workplace
• 05:47 Leadership Gaps in Manufacturing
• 12:39 Cultural Differences Across Regions
• 14:31 Transitioning to Nonprofit Work
• 17:11 Identifying Performance Issues
• 20:31 Defining Super Performance vs. Hustle Culture
• 26:08 The Prison of Expectations
• 31:13 Operational Excellence and Employee Empowerment
• 36:02 Rebuilding Trust Through Excellence
• 39:47 The Value of Donating Talent
• 45:17 Envisioning the Future of Work

Takeaways

• Most supply chain conversations focus on systems, margins, and speed.
• Culture in a work context is all about authenticity.
• Failures in early career can lead to valuable lessons.
• Family dynamics can complicate business operations.
• Innovation requires clear communication and employee buy-in.
• The evolution of ShelfAware was driven by customer needs.
• Change management is crucial in the manufacturing sector.
• American manufacturing is on the brink of a renaissance.
• Investing in trades can provide job stability and fulfillment.
• Innovation must focus on creating better, stronger products.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Family Business Dynamics
• 05:04 Understanding Culture in Manufacturing
• 07:17 Lessons from Early Career Failures
• 13:12 Rebuilding Culture After Setbacks
• 15:29 Influences from Family Business Leadership
• 17:56 Navigating Family Dynamics in Business
• 21:32 Evolution from O-Rings to ShelfAware
• 28:15 Change Management in Industrial Settings
• 29:56 Innovation vs. Tradition in Manufacturing
• 34:18 The Role of Leadership in Change Management
• 37:09 The Renaissance of American Manufacturing
• 37:36 Heavy Tech: A New Venture in Manufacturing
• 47:12 Rebuilding American Manufacturing: Challenges and Opportunities

Takeaways

• Sustainability is essential for the future of manufacturing.
• Culture defines the identity and purpose of a company.
• Investing in people leads to better business outcomes.
• The manufacturing industry faces a skilled labor shortage.
• Mindset shifts are crucial for embracing sustainability.
• Technology and AI can enhance efficiency in manufacturing.
• Sustainability is linked to rebuilding the middle class.
• Balancing technological needs with environmental sustainability is vital.
• Time management is a key factor in business success.
• Personal responsibility and community contribution are important for change.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Mark Van Der Werf
• 07:09 Defining Culture in Manufacturing
• 08:18 Early Experiences Shaping Growth and Sustainability
• 13:54 The Need for a New Exchange in Manufacturing
• 17:11 The Skilled Labor Dilemma
• 21:39 Abundance vs. Scarcity Mentality
• 26:37 Investing in People for Future Success
• 28:37 Reframing Sustainability in Manufacturing
• 36:06 The Role of Technology in Empowering Workers
• 41:31 AI's Impact on Business Efficiency
• 45:49 Sustainability and the Middle Class
• 50:21 Balancing AI Needs with Sustainability
• 54:39 Mindset Shifts for a Better Future

In this conversation, Dr. Erica Armstrong discusses her journey from traditional healthcare to founding Root Functional Medicine, a virtual clinic focused on treating root causes of chronic diseases. She emphasizes the importance of nutrition, the role of dietitians, and the need for a new approach to healthcare that prioritizes employee wellness and addresses the underlying issues affecting the American workforce. Dr. Armstrong also shares insights on the future of healthcare in America and the potential for functional medicine to become mainstream.

Takeaways

• Dr. Erica Armstrong is transforming healthcare by focusing on root causes.
• Root Functional Medicine aims to treat chronic diseases effectively.
• Nutrition plays a crucial role in overall health and wellness.
• The healthcare system often overlooks the importance of diet and lifestyle.
• Functional medicine provides a more personalized approach to health.
• Early detection and prevention can significantly reduce healthcare costs.
• Employee wellness programs can enhance workplace culture and productivity.
• Access to functional medicine can empower patients to take control of their health.
• The integration of technology in healthcare can improve patient outcomes.
• Healthcare reform is essential for rebuilding the middle class.

Chapters

• 00:00 Revolutionizing Healthcare: Dr. Erica Armstrong's Journey
• 09:07 The Shift to Root Cause Medicine
• 18:23 The Role of Nutrition in Health
• 27:28 Functional Medicine: A New Approach
• 36:15 The Future of Healthcare in America

Takeaways

The importance of culture in manufacturing is about infusing values into the workforce.

Personal journeys in manufacturing often involve unique paths and experiences.

Speed and precision are critical in the semiconductor industry, impacting production and quality.

Engaging the next generation requires innovative approaches and hands-on experiences.

The semiconductor industry is facing a talent shortage that needs to be addressed.

AI and technology are reshaping the manufacturing landscape, leading to new opportunities.

Trade programs in schools are essential for fostering interest in manufacturing careers.

Misconceptions about the industry can hinder recruitment and understanding of roles.

Collaboration and teamwork are vital for success in manufacturing environments.

The future of manufacturing will rely on a diverse range of skills and backgrounds.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Panel and Icebreaker

06:43 Defining Culture in Manufacturing

10:09 Personal Journeys in Manufacturing

16:15 Current Roles and Responsibilities

24:59 Speed and Precision in Manufacturing

33:36 Engaging the Next Generation in Manufacturing

44:31 Audience Q&A and Misconceptions in the Industry

Takeaways

• Elvin Hurst's journey began with a table saw that his wife gifted him.
• Country Craft started in a garage and grew into a large facility.
• The company's motto is to provide quality at a fair price.
• Finding skilled craftsmen is a challenge in today's workforce.
• Family values play a crucial role in the business's success.
• Elvin's children now run the company, continuing the legacy.
• Technology has been embraced while maintaining craftsmanship.
• Support from family and community was vital in the early days.
• The importance of staying positive during economic challenges.
• Elvin hopes for a future where his grandchildren can take over the business.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Background
• 02:49 The Birth of Country Craft
• 05:30 Challenges in Craftsmanship and Workforce
• 08:15 Navigating Economic Challenges
• 10:43 Family Business Dynamics
• 13:29 Memorable Moments and Values
• 16:12 Future Concerns and Legacy

Takeaways

• Willemijn Schneider is challenging the status quo in manufacturing.
• Collaboration requires more intent than compromise.
• Diversity leads to faster problem-solving and better outcomes.
• Empowering frontline workers is essential for operational success.
• A flat organizational structure fosters collaboration and innovation.
• Recognizing and valuing contributions from all employees is crucial.
• Continuous improvement is driven by open communication and sharing mistakes.
• Technology should simplify tasks and empower workers, not control them.
• Intentional hiring practices can create a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
• Curiosity and questioning the norm can lead to significant change.

Connect with Willemijn on LinkedIn

takeaways

• Culture will make or break an organization.
• Creating a healthy culture requires constant effort.
• Mentorship is crucial for personal and professional growth.
• Customer satisfaction should always be the priority.
• Resilient supply chains are essential for business success.
• Investing in inventory is key to customer service.
• Transparency fosters a healthy work environment.
• Accountability drives performance and team cohesion.
• Automation creates better jobs and enhances skills.
• Finding the right cultural fit is vital for organizational success.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Culture in Manufacturing
• 02:47 Defining Culture in Manufacturing
• 05:29 Sean Walters' Journey into Manufacturing
• 08:24 The Role of Mentorship in Business Development
• 11:23 Customer-Centric Focus in Business Development
• 14:14 Building Resilient Supply Chains
• 17:32 Fostering a Customer-Centric Culture
• 20:10 The Importance of Transparency in Leadership
• 23:13 Mentorship and Coaching in Leadership
• 25:12 Navigating Startup Challenges
• 27:18 Balancing Work and Personal Life
• 29:31 Finding the Right Company Culture
• 33:24 Innovations at Captron
• 35:23 The Four Disciplines of Execution
• 42:44 Understanding Generational Differences in the Workplace

Takeaways

• Digital marketing can enhance company culture by aligning company values with actions and showcasing them internally and externally.
• Investing in leadership training and development can improve communication and create a positive work environment.
• Understanding individual personality profiles, such as the DISC assessment, can help improve communication and collaboration within a team.
• Creating an authentic and consistent culture in both personal and professional settings leads to greater job satisfaction and employee engagement.
• If a company's culture does not align with personal values, it may be worth exploring other job opportunities. Company culture in the manufacturing industry is crucial for success and employee satisfaction.
• Authenticity and organic change are key to building a positive culture.
• Values alignment between the organization and employees is essential.
• Hiring slow and firing fast helps maintain a positive culture.
• Digital marketing can enhance and transform company culture.
• The Marketing Schematic podcast serves as a platform for education and learning from manufacturing marketers.

Connect with Anne and Chad on LinkedIn

Key Takeaways

• Diversity and representation are crucial in the manufacturing industry to inspire and support the next generation.
• Tell a diverse range of Black stories that go beyond stereotypes and portray the full spectrum of experiences.
• Recognizing the contributions of black inventors throughout history is essential to inspire future generations and foster a sense of pride and achievement.
• Innovation and advancements in manufacturing have been made possible by individuals from diverse backgrounds. Recognize and celebrate the contributions of Black innovators in various fields.
• Acknowledge the challenges faced by Black trailblazers and the importance of accurate historical education.
• Support and appreciate the significant role of Black women in innovation.
• Create space for Black stories and ensure that education includes diverse perspectives.

Connect with Drew on Linkedin

A big shoutout to Speroni, the leader in tool management systems. Their dedication to precision and innovation in the manufacturing industry is unparalleled. Speroni is not just a sponsor; they are integral to advancing manufacturing excellence. Their support allows us to bring these valuable insights and discussions to you.

We're also thrilled to welcome our new partner, ShopFloor Coffee. More than just a coffee brand, ShopFloor Coffee is a cause-driven business dedicated to supporting workforce development efforts. A portion of their proceeds goes towards apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing, making every sip count towards a brighter future for the industry.

 And here's something exciting for our listeners! Use the promo code "SkillUpAZ" to get 10% off your order at ShopFloor Coffee. Not only do you get a great deal on your coffee, but you also contribute to supporting apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing. It's a win-win – enjoy fantastic coffee while helping to skill up the next generation of manufacturing professionals.

Kate Glantz joins the show to talk about building a culture-first movement that puts real tradeswomen at the center of the story.

We get into why representation changes decisions, how a print magazine in schools can beat the algorithm, and why AI might shrink some white-collar roles while exploding demand for blue-collar work.

Kate shares the why behind Move Over Bob, the plan to go beyond construction into semiconductors, data centers, mining, and civil infrastructure, and a practical path for companies, schools, and parents to get involved.

What You’ll Hear

• How Kate’s through line is helping women reach financial independence and why that domino changes families and communities

• Why storytelling is not fluff and how culture speeds up real change on the ground

• Why recruiting women is part of a bigger youth awareness gap and the messenger problem in the trades

• How Move Over Bob uses tactile print to reach students, libraries, nonprofits, and even women’s prisons

• The winter issue plan that connects welding, ironworking, and heavy equipment to data centers, chips, mining, and civil projects

• How AI and automation can erase some office jobs while creating a massive need for electricians and craft labor

• Leadership lessons from tech and Hollywood to construction and workforce

• A five-year outlook where the trades get a glow-up without sugarcoating the work

• Exactly how to support the mission and why this is pro-Bob, not anti-Bob

Topics Covered

Culture as catalyst, not garnish

Representation, role models, and behavior change in teens

CTE awareness, apprenticeships, and the cost myths around college

Workwear, PPE, and making safety and self-expression compatible

Semiconductor and data-center build-outs and what they mean for craft careers

AI’s impact on labor markets and why electricians matter more than ever

Partnership models for associations, contractors, and brands

Key Quotes

“Culture is the lens through which everything happens.”

“We tell ourselves stories in order to live.”

“Entrepreneurs don’t see problems. They see opportunities.”

“If not us, then who.”

“We’re not asking Bob to leave. We’re asking him to scoot over so we can build the table together.”

About the Guest

Kate Glantz is the co-founder of Move Over Bob, a culture-driven platform bringing tradeswomen into the center of mainstream culture and into schools at scale.

Her background spans Peace Corps, tech, Hollywood, and national policy work, all pointed at a single why: helping women reach financial independence.

Website: https://moveoverbob.com

How to Get Involved

• Profiles and school visits for tradeswomen who want to demo and speak

• Advertisers, sponsors, and associations who want to expand the talent pool

• Educators, CTE directors, and librarians who want copies for students

Start at moveoverbob.com

Sponsor

Med Device Boston is your go-to med-tech sourcing and education expo on September 30 to October 1 at the BCEC in Boston.

Over 200 suppliers, 1,500 attending professionals, and OEM decision-makers.

Explore 3D printing, AI, materials, regulatory tech, and contract manufacturing under one roof.

Register at meddeviceboston.com

Watch & Listen

Full episode on The Manufacturing Connector website and on YouTube.

Guest:

Natalie Macias, student engineer from Los Angeles, senior capstone lead, robotics team veteran, and Future Faces of Manufacturing feature with AMT. She’s using LinkedIn to learn directly from practitioners and find mentors across the industry.

What you’ll hear:

How a DOD Starbase program quietly introduced CAD, chemistry, and flight simulation to a curious kid from South Central

Why FIRST Robotics felt like a real company under deadline, with design, programming, assembly, and manufacturing all moving together

The jump from loving law to choosing engineering, then finding home in manufacturing

A classroom set up like DARPA, complete with two “companies” competing for a contract under a mentor who worked at Northrop Grumman

Why opportunity before college is the missing bridge and how dual-enrollment and apprenticeships could fix it

Leadership as knowing your people, staying open to feedback, and bending for the needs of the group without becoming a people-pleaser

Creating space in schools so students can actually grow rather than learn inside a box

Failure as pruning a lemon tree so the next season grows stronger

Using LinkedIn for mentorship and perspective, not just job hunting

The ask to our audience for college experience stories from programs that truly delivered hands-on engineering

Key quotes:

“If you keep showing up, even if you didn’t do well, you’re showing that you want to be there. That goes a long way.”

“Manufacturing is phase one. Piece by piece, chip by chip, you’re contributing to something bigger.”

“Failure isn’t to stop us. It’s pruning the dead branches so the tree can grow.”

“Be firm where it matters and flexible where it helps the group.”

“Create space for growth. Don’t keep students in a box, then act surprised when they don’t grow.”

Topics covered:

Early STEM ignition through Starbase and school projects

FIRST Robotics as a training ground for teamwork and urgency

Hands-on access for high schoolers versus the current college-first gate

How industry perceptions can intimidate newcomers and how to fix that welcome

Leadership habits students will actually follow

Natalie’s college search and what she’s looking for in an engineering program

The pace of automation and why that excites her

Natalie’s ask to listeners:

If you studied engineering or work in manufacturing, message Natalie on LinkedIn with what your university actually did to prepare you. What labs, co-ops, shops, or professors made the difference. Short stories beat brochures.

Sponsor note:

Med Device Boston is the go-to Med Tech sourcing and education expo on September 30 through October 1 at Boston’s VCEC. 200 plus suppliers. 1500 plus attending professionals and OEM decision makers. Explore 3D printing, AI, materials, regulatory tech, and contract manufacturing under one roof. Register and plan your visit at meddeviceboston.com.

Resources mentioned:

Starbase STEM program

FIRST Robotics Competition

Project-based capstone with a Northrop Grumman mentor

Dual-enrollment and apprenticeship models for high school students

How to support Natalie:

Share a warm intro to mentors who welcome high school talent into labs, job shops, and build teams

Invite her to tour your facility or shadow an engineer for a day

Send those honest college experience notes she asked for

About the Manufacturing Connector Network:

We help brands and builders turn trade shows, plant tours, and expert interviews into a steady pipeline of video, audio, and social content. On-site capture, mobile studio, short-form editing, podcast production, and distribution that stays consistent week after week. If you’re heading to a show or launching a product, we’ll bring the cameras and do the heavy lifting.

What you’ll hear

Why culture is a set of guiding principles you can act on, lessons from the AB InBev acquisition years and getting comfortable with constant change, a candid failure story and what clunky multi-consultant programs miss, systems thinking across tech and manufacturing, agile mindsets meeting lean and PDCA, practical AI use cases for quoting, planning, and buy decisions, the shift from analyst work to relationship work, and how to build multi-level client alignment that survives real life.

Topics covered

Behavior-driven culture and purpose, change management beyond slide decks, ERP friction and inventory truth, cross-functional governance, agile plus lean in the same room, AI agents for sourcing and planning, leadership communication and trust-but-verify, turning workshops into action logs people actually own.

Key quotes

“Culture is a set of guiding principles and behaviors that help me make the right decisions day to day.”

“Most transformations fail where the behavior stops. Values without actions are just posters.”

“Let people author the change. IT can’t do it to the organization and expect it to stick.”

“AI should be your analyst and sidekick. People still make the calls and hold the relationships.”

Jim’s take

Change sticks when the shop floor can see themselves in it. If your governance cannot clear a bottleneck by Tuesday, it isn’t governance. Bring agile curiosity to lean rigor, and stop pretending culture happens after go-live. It starts at scoping.

Amy’s take

Design for behavior first. Set decision rights, create real feedback loops, and wire your principles into the tools. Start small with AI where pain is obvious, prove value fast, then expand. Systems thinking beats heroics.

Connect with us

Subscribe to Manufacturing Culture for more conversations at the intersection of people, process, and progress. Say hello, pitch a guest, or share a story where culture actually changed something.

Sponsor

Spend two high-impact days at Med Device Boston, September 30 - October 1 at Boston’s BCEC. Explore 200+ suppliers, hands-on workshops, curated matchmaking, and education sessions built for the next generation of med tech innovation. Register now at https://www.medeviceboston.com/en/home.html

What You’ll Hear

How Ian went from writing music to building brands in manufacturing

Why he believes “you can’t hype up a spring” and what that says about honesty in marketing

What culture really means inside an industrial business

How family-owned manufacturers can turn values and pride into their strongest brand asset

Why too many manufacturers are still “allergic to marketing”

The difference between performative culture and real culture

How to pull real company values from leadership to the shop floor

Why brand voice matters even when buyers only care about specs

How to make digital feel authentic without fluff

The future of manufacturing culture, community, and education

Topics Covered

Authenticity and culture in manufacturing

Industrial marketing and branding

AI’s role in marketing and creativity

Bridging creative and engineering mindsets

Defining company values with honesty

Community and workforce development in the trades

Key Quotes

“Culture is the level of authenticity people can bring with them to work.”

“You can’t hype up a spring. It either works or it doesn’t.”

“Some manufacturers are allergic to marketing—but that’s exactly where the opportunity is.”

“Pretty is easy. Authentic is hard.”

“The future of manufacturing is stronger communities and better futures for our kids.”

Jim’s Take

Ian brings a mix of humor, depth, and hard truth that’s rare in branding conversations. He reminds us that the best marketing doesn’t try to make manufacturing look cool—it shows the real pride and people behind the work.

Connect with the Manufacturing Culture Podcast

Follow for weekly conversations with the people shaping culture across the industrial world.

Takeaways

• Lynn McMahon's journey from mechanical engineering to PLC programming
• Challenges faced by women in engineering and the need for change
• Advancements in the manufacturing industry, including cloud-based systems and virtualization
• The importance of sustainability and Lynn's work in helping companies achieve their goals
• Lynn's passion for preserving the environment, particularly the lakes in her hometown, and the importance of modernizing process controls and automation in various industries to improve efficiency and sustainability.
• Engineers must be adaptable and open to change to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving field.
• The significance of considering the long-term impacts of engineering projects and prioritizing sustainability.
• The value of pursuing hobbies and passions outside of work to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Connect with Lynn on LinkedIn

The conversation dives into the importance of maintaining a positive and productive company culture in the fast-paced world of manufacturing, exploring the core values that drive Paperless Parts' culture. Jason also shares three key cultural initiatives that have been instrumental in shaping his company's culture.

Through his experience and leadership, Jason provides valuable insights on how to drive innovation, build a thriving company culture, and transform the manufacturing industry. Join us for an inspiring episode filled with practical tips and strategies for success.

 Looking to improve your employee retention? Start by
perfecting your onboarding and training experience for new hires! Check out Trainual to see how they can help you scale your growth and make onboarding easier and
more efficient than ever. Use this link https://start.trainual.com/mcp  

Garret shares how his experiences in team sports shaped his leadership philosophy, why he believes culture is an organization’s greatest competitive advantage, and how failure is not just inevitable—it’s essential for growth. He also discusses the evolving role of AI in manufacturing, what he’s learned from building products that serve manufacturers, and why great teams create great leaders—not the other way around.

Takeaways

• • Culture is often underrated in organizations.
  • Team success is more important than individual accolades.
  • Leadership should empower teams rather than micromanage.
  • Failure is a crucial part of growth and innovation.
  • AI will enhance jobs rather than replace them.
  • People take pride in their work, which drives success.
  • Building relationships and trust is key to effective leadership.
  • The journey from intern to product manager is filled with learning opportunities.
  • Understanding customer needs is vital for product success.
  • A strong company culture leads to better performance.

Chapters

• 00:00 Connecting Diverse Industries Through Culture
• 08:47 Lessons from Team Sports
• 20:52 The Role of Manufacturing in the Economy
• 30:21 Leadership in Manufacturing: A Team Mentality
• 37:16 The Importance of Embracing Failure
• 44:24 Goals for 2025: Balancing Personal and Professional Life
• 50:45 Final Thoughts and Reflections

From the moment Kris starts speaking, you'll be captivated by her infectious energy and passion for all things tech-savvy. She's breaking barriers left and right, transforming the way OEMs conduct business and service their equipment and parts online. It's like she's waving a magic wand and making manufacturing dreams come true!

But Kris doesn't stop there. She's also a fierce advocate for women in the industry, and she's here to talk about the importance of mentorship programs and the need for visibility and representation. She's paving the way for future generations of women to conquer the manufacturing world, one innovation at a time.

And let's not forget about the evolution of the industry itself! Kris dives into the exciting world of digitalization and how it's shaping the future of manufacturing. She spills the beans on employee well-being, responding to failures gracefully, and fostering a culture of feedback that will make your workplace feel like a party every day.

By the end of this episode, you'll be on the edge of your seat, eagerly awaiting what's next for the manufacturing industry. Kris and our host, Jim Mayer, wrap things up by reminding us of the importance of a positive and enjoyable workplace culture. Because let's face it, anything is possible when work feels like a dance party!

So grab your headphones, turn up the volume, and get ready to be inspired by Kris Harrington and her electrifying journey in the manufacturing industry. This episode will leave you feeling motivated, empowered, and ready to conquer the world! Let's dive in!

• Hiring veterans brings numerous benefits to companies, including a safety mindset, operational discipline, leadership skills, and technical aptitudes.
• Being veteran ready means having systems in place to attract, hire, and retain veteran talent, as well as building relationships with sources of veteran talent.
• Civilians can support veterans by building personal relationships, offering assistance, and creating a sense of belonging.
• Small to medium-sized manufacturers have untapped potential in hiring veterans and can benefit from their unique skill sets.
• It is important to go beyond words and take action to support veterans in the workforce and the community.

Connect with Kathy on Linkedin

A big shoutout to Speroni, the leader in tool management systems. Their dedication to precision and innovation in the manufacturing industry is unparalleled. Speroni is not just a sponsor; they are integral to advancing manufacturing excellence. Their support allows us to bring these valuable insights and discussions to you.

We're also thrilled to welcome our new partner, ShopFloor Coffee. More than just a coffee brand, ShopFloor Coffee is a cause-driven business dedicated to supporting workforce development efforts. A portion of their proceeds goes towards apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing, making every sip count towards a brighter future for the industry.

 And here's something exciting for our listeners! Use the promo code "SkillUpAZ" to get 10% off your order at ShopFloor Coffee. Not only do you get a great deal on your coffee, but you also contribute to supporting apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing. It's a win-win – enjoy fantastic coffee while helping to skill up the next generation of manufacturing professionals.

• Building diverse teams and empowering employees are crucial for success in the automation industry.
• The intersection of marketing communications and company culture plays a significant role in creating a positive work environment.
• Implementing automation and robotics in manufacturing can improve efficiency, employee satisfaction, and competitiveness.
• Metal manufacturers should consider implementing automation technologies, such as collaborative robots, to address labor shortages and improve productivity. Adapting to automation in the fab shop requires enabling the team and starting small to test the technology's effectiveness.
• Improving company culture involves talking to employees, creating conditions for connection, and fostering vulnerability.
• Collaboration and communication are essential for successful teamwork and problem-solving.
• Engaging in community impact initiatives can enhance employee engagement and build stronger bonds within the team.

Connect with Sami on Linkedin

A big shoutout to Speroni, the leader in tool management systems. Their dedication to precision and innovation in the manufacturing industry is unparalleled. Speroni is not just a sponsor; they are integral to advancing manufacturing excellence. Their support allows us to bring these valuable insights and discussions to you.

We're also thrilled to welcome our new partner, ShopFloor Coffee. More than just a coffee brand, ShopFloor Coffee is a cause-driven business dedicated to supporting workforce development efforts. A portion of their proceeds goes towards apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing, making every sip count towards a brighter future for the industry.

 And here's something exciting for our listeners! Use the promo code "SkillUpAZ" to get 10% off your order at ShopFloor Coffee. Not only do you get a great deal on your coffee, but you also contribute to supporting apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing. It's a win-win – enjoy fantastic coffee while helping to skill up the next generation of manufacturing professionals.

• Follow your passion and pursue a career in manufacturing, even if it goes against traditional expectations.
• Networking and building connections on platforms like LinkedIn can open doors and create opportunities in the industry.
• Challenge misconceptions and stereotypes about women and people of color in manufacturing.
• Embrace automation and technology advancements in the industry for future growth and success. Manufacturing should be promoted as a field with diverse opportunities beyond traditional stereotypes.
• Creating mobile manufacturing tours can inspire students and generate interest in the industry.
• A career in manufacturing can lead to financial freedom and stability.
• Networking and meeting industry professionals can open doors and create valuable connections.
• Attending trade shows and events like IMTS provides opportunities for learning, networking, and personal growth.

Connect with Nush on Linkedin

A big shoutout to Speroni, the leader in tool management systems. Their dedication to precision and innovation in the manufacturing industry is unparalleled. Speroni is not just a sponsor; they are integral to advancing manufacturing excellence. Their support allows us to bring these valuable insights and discussions to you.

We're also thrilled to welcome our new partner, ShopFloor Coffee. More than just a coffee brand, ShopFloor Coffee is a cause-driven business dedicated to supporting workforce development efforts. A portion of their proceeds goes towards apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing, making every sip count towards a brighter future for the industry.

 And here's something exciting for our listeners! Use the promo code "SkillUpAZ" to get 10% off your order at ShopFloor Coffee. Not only do you get a great deal on your coffee, but you also contribute to supporting apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing. It's a win-win – enjoy fantastic coffee while helping to skill up the next generation of manufacturing professionals.

Takeaways

• Culture is what gets people to thrive or leave an organization.
• Renan grew up moving frequently due to his father's military career.
• He transitioned from a career in violin to mathematics and consulting.
• Renan discovered his passion for manufacturing while at McKinsey.
• OSS Ventures aims to revolutionize manufacturing through technology.
• The future of manufacturing will involve gigafactories and small factories.
• Renan believes in paying shop floor workers as well as tech workers.
• OSS Ventures has a mission-driven approach from day one.
• Values are crucial for guiding company culture and decision-making.
• Renan emphasizes the importance of listening to shop floor workers.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Renan de Villiers
• 01:55 Defining Organizational Culture
• 02:41 Renan's Unique Background and Education
• 04:40 Career Path: From McKinsey to Manufacturing
• 08:35 Discovering the Entrepreneurial Spirit
• 09:51 The Allure of Manufacturing
• 11:50 OSS Ventures: Revolutionizing Manufacturing Tech
• 14:05 The Future of Manufacturing and Reshoring
• 16:42 Personal Growth and Leadership in Startups
• 18:11 Mission-Driven Approach at OSS Ventures
• 19:20 Core Values and Their Impact
• 24:48 Staying True to Values in Business
• 30:53 Beliefs Guiding OSS Ventures
• 35:10 The Future Landscape of Manufacturing
• 37:59 Opportunities at OSS Ventures
• 40:02 Embracing Change in Manufacturing

Don't forget to register for MEDevice Boston!

Tune in to discover Matt's thoughts on open communication, employee growth and development, and fostering a sense of belonging within the company. We also dive into the challenges he's faced in shaping BMG's culture and the three game-changing initiatives he's implemented to make a lasting positive impact.

Don't miss out on this high-speed adventure through the world of manufacturing as we learn how Matt Antenucci's passion and dedication have driven him to rev up company culture and propel Brennan Manufacturing Group to new heights.

Takeaways

• Translating complex technical information into clear and compelling messages is crucial in marketing for the manufacturing industry.
• Cross-functional collaboration is essential in developing marketing content that resonates and drives results.
• Leadership roles require balancing multiple responsibilities and motivating oneself through challenges.
• The future of the manufacturing industry is exciting, particularly in the development of automation.
• IQ Manufacturing has an energetic and innovative culture that fosters collaboration and growth.

Connect with Hallie on LinkedIn

Takeaways

• Vince Sassano has over 30 years of experience in manufacturing.
• The culture of manufacturing has evolved from old management styles to data-driven approaches.
• Empowering frontline workers is crucial for success in manufacturing.
• Technology has become more affordable, making it accessible for manufacturers.
• Effective communication is key to solving operational problems.
• Data trustworthiness is a significant challenge in manufacturing.
• Understanding the needs of the plant floor is essential for technology integration.
• Culture in manufacturing means every employee matters and has a role to play.
• Newcomers should not be afraid to identify and propose solutions to problems.
• Leadership should focus on helping employees help themselves.

Takeaways

• Demi Knight Clark is a trailblazer in the construction industry.
• Empowering women in trades is crucial for diversity.
• The legacy of female pioneers in trades inspires future generations.
• Welding is a viable and lucrative career path.
• We need to inspire the next generation to consider skilled trades.
• Third spaces are essential for community building and connection.
• Trade tech is evolving and offers new opportunities for women.
• The narrative around trades needs to change to attract more talent.
• Career transitioners can find fulfillment in skilled trades.
• Exploring hands-on classes can lead to new career paths.

Takeaways

• Treat others the way you want to be treated.
• Darryl's career path was unconventional; he didn't grow up in trades.
• Leadership requires a different skill set than technical expertise.
• Cultural turnaround is essential for a thriving workplace.
• Attracting the next generation to skilled trades is crucial.
• Virtual reality training can engage younger audiences.
• Collaboration among companies can enhance the industry.
• Government support is increasing for skilled trades training.
• Perception of trades needs to change to attract talent.
• Darryl is passionate about promoting the skilled trades.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker
• 04:16 Understanding Culture in Manufacturing
• 08:18 Darryl's Journey into Tool and Die
• 12:14 Transitioning to Leadership
• 15:14 Cultural Turnarounds in the Workplace
• 19:08 Hiring for Culture and Skills
• 19:59 Building Career Pathways for Young Machinists
• 21:36 Perceptions of the Trade and Community Engagement
• 23:04 Innovative Approaches to Attracting Youth
• 24:45 Challenges in the Skilled Trades
• 26:10 The Value of Skilled Trades in Today's Economy
• 27:39 Government Support and Future Opportunities
• 30:53 Changing Perceptions of Skilled Trades
• 34:04 Personal and Professional Growth in the Industry

Don't forget to check out MEDevice Boston!

Takeaways

• Culture is a collective energy and vibe within an organization.
• Lori's journey began with a passion for art and sociology.
• Education is a core value for Lori and her organization.
• Integrity and creativity are essential in business.
• AI should be seen as a tool to enhance creativity, not replace it.
• Storytelling is crucial for manufacturers to differentiate themselves.
• Community involvement is a priority for Lori and her team.
• Digital marketing can significantly impact manufacturing sales.
• Personal hobbies provide mental clarity and focus.
• Mentorship and paying it forward are important values for Lori.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Icebreakers
• 05:08 Understanding Culture in Organizations
• 06:11 Lori's Journey into Marketing and Manufacturing
• 10:34 Starting a Business During a Recession
• 12:44 Core Values and Organizational Culture
• 15:10 The Role of AI in Creativity and Education
• 18:37 Leveraging AI in Education and Workforce
• 19:28 The Importance of Future Thinking
• 21:16 The Drive to Teach and Share Knowledge
• 22:47 Helping Businesses of All Sizes
• 24:01 Impactful Marketing Success Stories
• 31:45 AI's Role in Shaping Industry Culture
• 33:19 The Future of Marketing in Manufacturing
• 34:53 Understanding the Customer Journey with AI

In this unforgettable episode, Jim Mayer sits down with HR Huntsman: speaker, strategist, and founder of Leader’s Edge. From a turbulent childhood in the New Mexico desert to building global humanitarian projects and mentoring the next generation of leaders, HR’s journey is a masterclass in intentional transformation.

You’ll hear how a single conversation reshaped his definition of success, why mindset matters more than circumstances, and how real leadership means empowering others—not commanding them. Along the way, HR delivers raw insights on creative conflict, workplace culture, and what it takes to architect a future worth building.

If you’ve ever wondered how to lead with more purpose, create a culture people believe in, or leave a legacy that actually means something—this episode is for you.

Takeaways

• Culture is how your people feel about work on Sunday.
• HR's childhood shaped his desire to change the world.
• Success is not the goal; being useful is.
• Leadership is about empowering others, not commanding them.
• Investing in young leaders is crucial for future success.
• Work is a noble endeavor that should be respected.
• Creative conflict is essential for innovation.
• You can architect your own future intentionally.
• Public speaking is a privilege to inspire others.
• Mindset is key to personal transformation.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker Fun
• 07:22 Defining Culture in the Workplace
• 09:46 HR's Early Life and Influences
• 15:04 The Impact of John Simmons
• 18:38 Evolution of Leadership Philosophy
• 20:52 Creating Leaders Edge Program
• 24:19 Influential Leaders and Mentors
• 25:19 The Essence of Leadership
• 26:58 The Impact of Public Speaking
• 28:40 Mindset and Personal Transformation
• 34:56 Architecting a New Future
• 38:38 The Future of Leadership in Manufacturing
• 45:36 Creative Conflict and Workplace Dynamics

Her journey to leading Electro Soft, Inc. wasn’t about following in her father’s footsteps—it was about earning her place in an industry that wasn’t built for everyone.

From building her own e-commerce company from scratch to taking over the family business and fighting to close the wealth gap in manufacturing, Karla’s story is about legacy, leadership, and breaking barriers.

In this episode, Jim Mayer sits down with Karla for an unfiltered conversation about:

• The reality of family business—why inheriting one doesn’t mean it’s yours to lead.
• Her early years in manufacturing—from cutting wire as a kid to running the company.
• The hard truth about ownership and generational wealth—and why minority-owned businesses face steeper challenges.
• Why she left a successful corporate career to return to Electro Soft, Inc.
• What manufacturing gets wrong about culture, leadership, and inclusion.
• The power of building something bigger than yourself.

This episode is for you if:

• You’re an entrepreneur, business owner, or leader navigating legacy and leadership.
• You believe in building generational wealth and breaking barriers in business.
• You want an inside look at how manufacturing is changing—and who’s leading the way.

Listen now and hear Karla’s powerful story.

Visit themfgconnector.com for more episodes.

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram to join the conversation.

Chapters

• 00:00 – What It Really Takes to Build a Legacy
• 03:05 – Culture Isn’t Perks—It’s the Foundation of Everything
• 04:47 – From Cutting Wire as a Kid to CEO
• 08:33 – Why She Left Corporate to Take Over the Family Business
• 12:46 – Belly Button Boutique: The Side Hustle That Changed Everything
• 16:55 – Family Business is a Responsibility, Not a Right
• 18:33 – How to Build Generational Wealth in an Industry That Resists Change
• 26:06 – Why Manufacturing’s Reputation is Holding It Back
• 34:39 – Fixing Culture from the Inside Out
• 37:20 – Diversity is More Than a Buzzword—It’s an Economic Imperative
• 46:25 – No One is Going to Hand You Success—You Have to Build It
• 54:16 – The Future of Manufacturing Belongs to Those Who Create It
• 59:58 – One Final Truth About Leadership and Legacy

Born and raised in Montreal, Jordan studied Mechanical Engineering at McGill and spent 13 years at C&D Aerospace, later becoming Zodiac Aerospace and Safran Aerospace. During his time in the industry, Jordan worked in design, change management, installation support, manufacturing engineering, projects, and engineering supervision.

In this episode, Jordan shares his journey into entrepreneurship, how he found Emlu Precision, and the challenges he faced in aligning the company culture with his values and vision.

We explore the importance of culture and values in manufacturing, his strategies to address cultural challenges and differences, and how he involved his employees in shaping the company culture.

This episode is a must-listen for building a positive company culture. So join us for this exciting international episode of the Manufacturing Culture Podcast!

Are you looking to improve your employee retention? Start by perfecting your onboarding and training experience for new hires! Check out Trainual to see how they can help you scale your growth and make onboarding easier and more efficient than ever. https://start.trainual.com/mcp

Why this conversation matters

If you lead a manufacturing team or run a business, your world is shaped by taxes whether you notice it or not. Nik lays out how incentives in the tax code ripple through hiring, layoffs, wages, infrastructure, and the decline of the American middle class. He explains why trades are rising again, why offshoring hollowed out capacity, and how culture starts with servant leadership rather than command-and-control. This is a rare conversation that connects factory floors, tax strategy, political history, and the lived experience of an immigrant family into one cohesive picture of where we are and what needs to change.

What you’ll hear

• Why “every day is tax day” if you touch money

• Jim’s tax-induced heart palpitations versus Nik’s calm love of paperwork

• Nik’s life-as-a-movie: middle school bullying, Jonah Hill, and learning to laugh at everything

• His definition of culture built around ownership, servant leadership, and leading by example

• Why rules for thee but not for me destroys culture — and what his HR-leader wife taught him about consistency

• Growing up between America and India, and why the contrast taught him gratitude, discipline, and risk calculation

• How scarcity abroad reframed what “risk” really means in America

• Why going to college can be a bigger gamble than going into the trades

• The surge of Gen Z and Gen Alpha entering the trades and rejecting the old college playbook

• Offshoring, the collapse of vo-tech, and how we quietly kneecapped our own middle class

• How tax cuts incentivized bad business, short-term hiring cycles, and underinvestment in people

• The 1950s wealth distribution Americans still prefer — and how far we’ve drifted

• Why wealth concentration is dangerous, not just unfair

• The forgotten history of charitable foundations exploding when tax rates were high

• How small businesses pay the price because they don’t have tax departments

• Why a kid would be better off buying a Haas machine and starting a job shop than taking on six-figure student debt

• The infrastructure crisis — and why we’re not ready to bring manufacturing back onshore

• Politics, social media, and how outrage culture destroyed our ability to talk to one another

• Why Americans should be critical of every administration, not cheerleaders for a team

• The simple fixes: higher corporate taxes, better incentives for small business, and fully funded vo-tech

• Nik’s parting message about being better to each other and limiting social media for your own sanity

Nik’s take

We’ve got to stop dividing ourselves and start thinking clearly again. Limit your social media. Be better to your neighbor. And stop cheering for politicians — they work for you.

Jim’s take

There aren’t many people who can connect tax code, culture, and the collapse of the middle class and make it interesting, but Nik does it. This one goes way off the rails in the best way.

But that's just scratching the surface. Ever wondered how you navigate the cultural waters when your team is scattered across different time zones? Steven shares personal insights from the trenches on managing a global team and creating a culture that sings in harmony, from San Francisco to Geneva.

We'll also tackle the big, gnarly questions haunting the industry—Is automation taking our jobs? How do we retrain our skilled labor force? And can robots help make the manufacturing scene more diverse and inclusive?

Steven gives us a backstage pass to Industrial Next's playbook on how to challenge the status quo while embracing ethical and humane practices. From the first gear to the last line of code, this episode is all about how innovation and human ingenuity come together to build a brighter, more inclusive future.

Don't miss this game-changing dialogue—packed with fresh perspectives, heartening real-world stories, and actionable strategies for any forward-thinking professional!

• Courtney Tate's journey from a challenging background to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the manufacturing industry.
• The importance of bringing jobs back to underrepresented communities and offering opportunities for growth and careers in manufacturing.
• Using innovative approaches like Autodesk Fusion 360 and video game concepts to engage young people and spark their interest in manufacturing.
• The vision of franchising OnTime Quality Machining to create machine shops in every neighborhood, providing employment and legacy opportunities. Embrace diversity and different ideas in the manufacturing industry.
• Connect with people in the industry to support underrepresented groups.
• Come together as a human race to create positive change.
• Invest in workers and create a culture of appreciation.
• Find ways to get workflow from big companies to support minority-owned businesses.

 Connect with Courtney on Linkedin

Please visit his website OnTime Quality Machining

A big shoutout to Speroni, the leader in tool management systems. Their dedication to precision and innovation in the manufacturing industry is unparalleled. Speroni is not just a sponsor; they are integral to advancing manufacturing excellence. Their support allows us to bring these valuable insights and discussions to you.

We're also thrilled to welcome our new partner, ShopFloor Coffee. More than just a coffee brand, ShopFloor Coffee is a cause-driven business dedicated to supporting workforce development efforts. A portion of their proceeds goes towards apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing, making every sip count towards a brighter future for the industry.

 And here's something exciting for our listeners! Use the promo code "SkillUpAZ" to get 10% off your order at ShopFloor Coffee. Not only do you get a great deal on your coffee, but you also contribute to supporting apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing. It's a win-win – enjoy fantastic coffee while helping to skill up the next generation of manufacturing professionals.

But we're not just talking shop; we're exploring innovation. Find out how WIMTS 2023 is spotlighting advancements in robotics and automation that could very well change the game for manufacturers everywhere. Discover how these events are more than just a spectacle—they're a rich tapestry of networking, knowledge sharing, and eye-opening seminars designed to bridge the skills gap in the industry.

If you've ever wondered what fuels the buzz and innovation at a major industry event, or if you're looking to get the most out of your trade show experience, this episode is your golden ticket. Tune in and be inspired!

Connect with the Show and Guests

• WIMTS Website: https://www.wimts.com/
• Email Elizabeth: elizabeth@epishows.com
• Phone: 262-367-5500
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wisconsin-manufacturing-technology-show/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WIMTSSHOW/

Have you ever wondered what it takes to bring a hard tech idea from prototype to market? Laura spills the secrets! With FORGE's laser-focused support, over 700 startups in sectors like climate tech, medical devices, and robotics have experienced transformative growth. Listen in as Laura demystifies how FORGE zeroes in on startups that are the 'right fit' and supercharges them through strategic partnerships with manufacturers.

We'll also delve into FORGE's remarkable synergy with Greentown Labs, its unique collaborations with top-tier universities, and the pioneering impact metrics that keep them at the cutting edge.

Today's episode is generously sponsored by Speroni. To learn more about their incredible offerings, visit Speroni's website.

🔗 Connect with Laura Teicher:

• FORGE's Website
• Laura Teicher's LinkedIn

Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation that's set to turbocharge your understanding of hard tech startups' journey from inception to impact. Share the episode with friends who'll love it as much as you do, and don't forget to rate and review us!

Takeaways

• Culture is crucial for organizational success.
• Intellectual curiosity drives personal and professional growth.
• Destigmatizing skilled trades is essential for attracting talent.
• Collaboration among stakeholders is key to solving workforce issues.
• Generational trauma affects perceptions of skilled careers.
• The skilled trades offer viable career paths with good pay and opportunities.
• Leadership should focus on creating a culture of learning and acceptance of failure.
• Engaging youth through authentic content can inspire interest in skilled careers.
• The coalition aims to increase the number of students in skilled trades education.
• Philanthropy should focus on significance over mere fundraising success.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to the Manufacturing Culture Podcast
• 01:49 Mark Hedstrom's Journey and Background
• 04:39 The Importance of Culture in Organizations
• 11:59 Overview of the Skilled Careers Coalition
• 16:33 Challenges and Rewards in Skilled Careers
• 21:51 De-stigmatizing Skilled Careers
• 28:08 Addressing Generational Trauma in Skilled Careers
• 30:45 Understanding the Skilled Trades Gap
• 33:02 The Future of Skilled Careers
• 35:16 Building Coalitions for Change
• 37:29 Lessons in Leadership
• 40:53 The Human Experience in Career Choices
• 44:58 Significance Over Success
• 48:45 Advice for Career Seekers

Takeaways

• Culture is a result and a lag measure of organizational health.
• Leadership is not just about hard work; it's about inspiring others.
• The military experience teaches valuable lessons about pressure and leadership.
• Transitioning to civilian life can be challenging, especially in finding community.
• Manufacturing has a unique opportunity to create positive change in people's lives.
• Effective leadership requires understanding and developing relationships.
• Organizations must focus on higher levels of Maslow's hierarchy to retain talent.
• Leadership should be treated as a profession with proper training and development.
• Community and support are crucial for leaders to succeed.
• The future of manufacturing depends on creating environments that inspire and engage employees.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker
• 05:55 Understanding Culture
• 08:03 Early Life and Background
• 10:19 Choosing West Point
• 11:49 Military Experience and Leadership
• 19:41 Transitioning to Civilian Life
• 22:59 Finding Community in Manufacturing
• 24:10 Building Community in Manufacturing
• 25:17 The Birth of Operation Lead
• 26:12 Challenges in Military and Manufacturing
• 29:21 Understanding Labor as a Commodity
• 31:37 Tapping into Maslow's Hierarchy
• 33:21 The Gap in Leadership Development
• 35:12 Leadership as a Profession
• 39:57 The Importance of Internal Culture
• 42:24 Opportunities in Manufacturing
• 44:12 Encouragement for New Leaders

Hear the inspiring story of how Emily worked with Peters Heat Trading to create a powerful tagline that encapsulates their ethos, a testament to her philosophy of intertwining a company's values with its marketing strategies. She also delves into how she involves employees in the marketing process, fostering a vibrant culture while simultaneously strengthening marketing outcomes.

In an industry where leadership is paramount, Emily highlights the importance of positive and proactive direction from the top. She reveals her secrets to building marketing strategies that align with a company's core values and culture and boost its appeal to potential customers and employees.

Throughout the conversation, Emily's commitment to understanding each company's unique character shines through. She underscores the importance of listening, asking probing questions, and getting beneath the surface to discover what truly makes each job shop unique.

By showcasing a job shop's personality, approach to work, and deeply-held values, Emily illustrates how differentiation in the manufacturing sector is about far more than just a company's products or services. As she guides us through the art of attracting the right customers and employees through targeted marketing efforts, you'll be inspired to see your own business through a new lens.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to reshape their marketing strategy, redefine their company culture, and, ultimately, transform their business success.

When Stephanie Chrystal walked into her first machine shop, she had no idea she’d one day be named ANCA’s Female Machinist of the Year. But according to her, the real story isn’t about the award—it’s about the team behind it.

In this episode of The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, host Jim Mayer sits down with Stephanie, a geometric grinding specialist at Sandvik Coromant, whose leadership helped grow a small, post-COVID crew into a record-breaking, high-performing team. Together, they dig into how she landed in machining almost by accident, why she believes true leadership starts with empathy, and what it means to build a culture where everyone plays a role and no one is left behind.

From tinkering on cars to training new machinists, Stephanie’s story is a powerful reminder that you don’t need a title to lead—just a commitment to your people.

Top Takeaways

• Leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about action. Stephanie never asked to lead, she just stepped up when her team needed her most.
• Culture thrives when everyone has a role. Whether you’re an operator or upper management, shared success depends on teamwork.
• Work-life balance isn’t a buzzword—it’s how you build long-term productivity and morale.
• Asking questions is a leadership skill. Stephanie empowers her team by making curiosity safe.
• Recognition is great—but team success is greater. Stephanie may have won the award, but she insists the spotlight belongs to everyone.
• Manufacturing needs more leaders who care about people as much as performance.

Chapters

• 00:00 – A Precision Shop and a Powerful Leader
• 02:49 – Stephanie Chrystal: Culture Starts with the Team
• 06:14 – From Best Buy to Machining: An Unexpected Career Path
• 08:48 – Discovering Her Passion for Grinding and Problem-Solving
• 10:47 – COVID, Consolidation, and a Skeleton Crew
• 12:40 – Tripling the Team and Building Momentum
• 15:23 – Life Outside the Shop: Coaching, Disc Golf, and the Outdoors
• 17:00 – Winning the ANCA Female Machinist Award
• 18:34 – Why She Believes the Team Deserves the Credit
• 21:14 – Overcoming Bias and Proving Herself in the Shop
• 23:29 – Advice for Anyone Who Doesn’t Think They “Fit” in Manufacturing
• 24:58 – The Future of Manufacturing: Technology and Human Craft
• 27:46 – What Needs to Change in Manufacturing Culture
• 29:32 – Final Reflections and How to Connect with Stephanie

Dive into her unique strategy of interviewing subject matter experts within the industry—yes, right from the factory floor to the C-suite—for content that's as authentic as it gets. The conversation turns unflinchingly honest as they tackle the gritty challenges of evolving culture and driving change in the manufacturing realm. Get ready to rethink change management as they discuss why every department, no matter how 'insignificant,' holds the key to success.

Have you ever struggled with perfectionism as a leader? Nicole shares a game-changing decision that revolutionized her team's culture and spurred them toward shared responsibility. She explains why humility and vulnerability aren't buzzwords but pillars of transformative leadership.

Worried about sales and marketing living in silos? Nicole dishes on her ideal clients for a marketing transformation journey and breaks down why sales and marketing are better together—way better.

Don't miss the exclusive peek into her podcast, 'Tales of Misadventure,' where the narratives of resilient entrepreneurs take center stage. From the role of AI to the power of unique branding, Nicole doesn't shy away from the trends shaking the foundations of marketing and culture.

And because let's face it, we've all goofed up—Nicole dishes on why your failures aren't setbacks; they're your secret weapon. Get set to be awestruck and maybe, just maybe, see your world a little differently. Trust us, this is the audio adrenaline shot you didn't know you needed!

Throughout the conversation, Steve shares his insights into the importance of core values in creating a successful business. He also shares his thoughts on the future of the manufacturing industry, the importance of investing in workforce development, and how companies can stay competitive in a constantly evolving market.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the manufacturing, leadership, and workforce development culture from one of the industry's most experienced and knowledgeable leaders. So, tune in to the Manufacturing Culture Podcast to learn from Steve's experience and expertise.

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What you’ll hear

Adam’s path from philosophy major to three-time founder, culture as what happens when you’re not in the room, value alignment versus values on a wall, why traditional CRMs fail frontline teams, the Her movie spark that led to Spiro, why manufacturing became the focus and how ERP context changes sales calls, how to make digital transformation stick by letting people author the change, AI’s near term impact on white collar work and the boomer knowledge gap, keeping retirees on retainer to transfer territory knowledge, and building products people adopt instantly.

Topics covered

Company culture and behavior, change management in factories and field sales, CRM fatigue and alternatives, AI copilots for meetings and follow ups, workforce demographics and succession, product adoption and simplicity, founder resilience and rough exits.

Key quotes

“Culture is what happens when you’re not in the room.”

“I’m a materialist. What people do beats what people say.”

“Nobody gives a shit. Pivot if you must and get back to work.”

“Sales didn’t need another system. They needed Scarlett Johansson whispering what to do next.”

“AI should do the crap work. People do the human work.”

Jim’s take

If you want change to last, stop spraying money at shiny tech and start asking your people to co author the solution. Culture shows up in behavior, not slide decks. The sales side of manufacturing is overdue a rethink and the anti CRM idea is pointing the right way. Also, that pivot line belongs on a T shirt.

Adam’s take

Make powerful things stupid simple. If your tool needs a playbook and an offsite to adopt, it’s probably not the tool. Remove the admin tax, surface the right cues at the right time, and let the humans sell.

Connect with us

Subscribe to Manufacturing Culture for more conversations at the intersection of people, process, and progress. Say hello, pitch a guest, or share your story about culture that actually changed something.

Sponsor

Spend two high-impact days at Med Device Boston, September 30–October 1 at Boston’s BCEC. Explore 200+ suppliers, hands-on workshops, curated matchmaking, and education sessions built for the next generation of med tech innovation. Register now at 

https://www.medeviceboston.com/en/home.html

Bill opens up about his journey from rural New York to the world of private equity, and why he believes real value in manufacturing comes from understanding people—not just profit. He shares the story behind his investment in AutoTool, a robotics integrator in Columbus, Ohio, and what it’s really like to help a founder-led company transition into its next chapter.

This conversation goes far beyond financials—it’s about culture, legacy, leadership, and what it means to build something that lasts. Whether you're a founder, an operator, or someone navigating the future of automation and supply chain innovation, this episode will leave you thinking deeply about how we define success in manufacturing—and who we build it for.

Takeaways:

• The best deals aren’t just financial—they’re personal. Bill shares why long-term relationships and cultural alignment matter more than spreadsheets.
• Culture isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s built on trust, clarity, and a commitment to doing things right—even when it’s hard.
• Transitioning from founder-led businesses takes humility. Success often means helping founders stay involved and honoring what they’ve built.
• Leadership isn’t about control. Bill talks about the power of a “quiet ego” and knowing when to step back and let others lead.
• Automation and sustainability aren’t buzzwords. They’re the backbone of a competitive, resilient manufacturing industry.
• Private equity can be a force for good—if it’s done right. Bill breaks down how hands-on partnerships can create lasting value.
• Failure is part of the journey. Bill reflects on tough calls, missed opportunities, and how those moments made him a better leader.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Building a Lasting Legacy in Manufacturing
• 03:30 The Journey of Bill Ross: From Investor to Operator
• 07:20 Defining Culture: A Personal Perspective
• 13:40 The Path to Private Equity: Bill's Story
• 19:04 Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship
• 20:15 A Hands-On Approach to Private Equity
• 23:17 The AutoTool Story: Quality and Innovation
• 29:01 Traits of Successful Founder-Led Companies
• 29:05 The Role of Founders in Business Transitions
• 30:22 Leadership Lessons from Experience
• 35:08 Learning from Failures
• 38:43 The Future of Automation in Manufacturing
• 41:09 Challenges in Innovation and Sustainability
• 43:42 Motivation and Personal Mission46:16 Humanizing Private Equity

We go back to her origin story… blue collar roots, a transportation management elective that lit the fuse, and a career that ran through Solar Turbines, defense work, Hewlett Packard, Big Four consulting, and finally her own firm. When the 2012 election turned China into a punching bag, Rosemary pivoted from moving factories out to helping leaders bring work back in a way that actually pencils. She founded the nonprofit, nonpartisan Reshoring Institute and now advises with data instead of slogans.

We dig into what really changed. Labor in China is no longer cheap. Geopolitics now sits beside cost on the decision tree. Carbon footprint matters when your supply chain stretches across oceans. The grid cannot power a sudden factory boom even if you build it. And the workforce of today is not lining up for low skill, mind numbing assembly. The path forward looks like automation where it fits, contract manufacturing for flexibility, and a cold look at labor mix and total landed cost before anyone signs a lease.

Mexico’s rise gets a clear-eyed review… proximity, lower carbon, easier logistics, and a young workforce make Central Mexico compelling. Vietnam is full. India brings time and inventory penalties on the water. Demographics matter. So do hurricanes, wildfires, and the ability to shift production when the world throws a brick through your window.

We also talk wages, the hole blown in the middle class, and why the new middle class is built on writing, computing, and mechatronics rather than grease and punch presses. Rosemary explains her expert witness work inside global supply chain disputes and leaves us with a simple truth… strategy beats sentiment, and the best decisions use both spreadsheets and context.

Sponsor note:

Med Device Boston is your go-to Med Tech sourcing and education expo, September 30 through October 1 at Boston’s BCEC. 200 plus suppliers. 1500 plus attending professionals and OEM decision makers. Explore 3D printing, AI, materials, regulatory tech, and contract manufacturing under one roof. Visit meddeviceboston.com to register and plan your visit. Links in the show notes.

Guest:

Rosemary Coates, Executive Director of the Reshoring Institute, global supply chain strategist, expert witness, and author of five books on sourcing and manufacturing.

Why this conversation matters

Culture is a team sport and leadership is the lever. Katie shows how cross-functional respect between engineering, maintenance, and operations speeds projects up, how good documentation creates confidence on the floor, and why automation does not erase jobs. It raises the skill ceiling and demands better training.

Conversation highlights

Meeting story at IMTS and a friendship that started in an elevator.

Katie’s rom-com life pitch featuring a 2013 baby blue Beetle and a bee.

Switching from social work to industrial engineering and learning resilience the hard way.

From receptionist to project engineer to sales engineer and why talking to customers clicked.

The coolest project sighting, a towering broadcast robot and the crews that build stages for NASCAR, ESPN, and even the Super Bowl.

Safety projects move first and fast, and the scheduling whiplash that brings.

SOPs that actually teach, pictures over jargon, and testing docs with non engineers.

Women navigating a male heavy field, boundaries, and a shoutout to mentor Kimberly Pelke.

Why new adopters of automation are the next wave and how AI will show up on the plant floor.

Topics covered

Company culture as daily behavior, not a poster on the wall.

Leadership modeling communication and teamwork.

Sales engineering as translator between customers and controls teams.

Budget timing, stakeholders, and the real blockers to moving from design to execution.

Operator training that matches the tech.

Automation as job shifter and skill builder, not a job eraser.

Women in STEM, representation that changes decisions, and early pipeline programs.

Quotes

“I do not mind being the dumbest in the room. It just means I am learning.”

“Good culture feels like a team that actually communicates and still pulls toward the same goal.”

“Automation does not eliminate people. It asks them to learn new skills.”

“Great SOPs should read like fifth grade science. Pictures help people keep the line running.”

Guest

Katie Friday is a sales engineer working across pharma, food and beverage, rubber and tire, and other regulated environments. She graduated from West Virginia University in industrial engineering, cut her teeth in project engineering, and now helps manufacturers scope, justify, and deliver automation upgrades with Industrial Automated Systems and sister company Triune Electric.

Shoutouts and resources mentioned

Industrial Automated Systems and Triune Electric.

Mentor Kimberly Pelke, director of business development.

Move Over Bob, a culture first magazine introducing young women to trades.

Rosie Riveters, early STEM confidence through productive struggle.

Vendors seen on the floor, including Siemens, Rockwell, and Schneider Electric.

WVU, the scene of the pivot and the grind.

Sponsor

Med Device Boston is a sourcing and education expo at Boston’s BCEC, September 30 to October 1. Two hundred plus suppliers, hands on workshops, and expert led sessions focused on the next generation of med tech. Register at meddeviceboston.com and plan your visit. The link is in the show notes.

Connect

Host, Jim Mayer. Subscribe to Manufacturing Culture on YouTube and your favorite podcast app. Share the episode with a friend who is wrestling with training and documentation after an automation upgrade.

• The Non-Ferrous Foundry Society (NFFS) is a trade association representing non-ferrous foundries and aims to advance the manufacturing, recycling, and use of non-ferrous castings.
• NFFS provides resources, networking opportunities, industry news, advocacy work, technical and safety training, and programs with strategic partners to support its members.
• The foundry industry faces challenges in workforce development, including a shortage of skilled labor and the need to attract younger generations to careers in foundries.
• Automation is crucial in the foundry industry, particularly in secondary processing and finishing tasks. However, the small lot batch manufacturing nature of many foundries presents unique challenges for full automation. The foundry industry is filled with people who are passionate about making things and possess technical abilities.
• Foundries utilize advanced technology, such as computer simulation modeling and real-time visual inspection, to improve their processes.
• Foundries have a long history of recycling metal and scrap, making them a sustainable industry.
• The ICON platform provides opportunities for business development and connects manufacturers with Department of Defense contracts.
• Manufacturing offers excellent career opportunities for young people, and initiatives like foundry summer camps can help introduce them to the industry.
• NFFS aims to continue growing and enhancing its benefits, fostering cross-industry collaboration and addressing industry challenges.

Connect with Jerrod on Linkedin

Connect with Matt on Linkedin

Visit the NFFS at YouTube

A big shoutout to Speroni, the leader in tool management systems. Their dedication to precision and innovation in the manufacturing industry is unparalleled. Speroni is not just a sponsor; they are integral to advancing manufacturing excellence. Their support allows us to bring these valuable insights and discussions to you.

We're also thrilled to welcome our new partner, ShopFloor Coffee. More than just a coffee brand, ShopFloor Coffee is a cause-driven business dedicated to supporting workforce development efforts. A portion of their proceeds goes towards apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing, making every sip count towards a brighter future for the industry.

 And here's something exciting for our listeners! Use the promo code "SkillUpAZ" to get 10% off your order at ShopFloor Coffee. Not only do you get a great deal on your coffee, but you also contribute to supporting apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing. It's a win-win – enjoy fantastic coffee while helping to skill up the next generation of manufacturing professionals.

Nate is a third-generation manufacturing pro who's fought through the trenches to transform Genuine Machine's culture from good to great. He shares the gritty, real-world challenges he's navigated—from open communication to decoding behavioral types—spilling the secrets that have not only empowered his employees but also elevated the company's mission of serving America's defense.

Don't miss this eye-opening episode filled with practical insights, heartwarming stories, and a dash of patriotic pride. Whether you're a manufacturing veteran or a newcomer, you'll walk away with a new understanding of what it means to build a culture that's truly 'Made in America, For America.'

If you're ready to up your game in manufacturing leadership or just looking to be inspired by someone who truly understands the nuts and bolts of both company culture and patriotic duty, this is an episode you can't afford to miss. So sit back, hit play, and let Nate Ankrum's blueprint for cultural excellence inspire you today!

The conversation covers how culture is shaped by the small choices leaders make every day, the importance of seeing employees as individuals, and how resilience grows when people feel supported. Nicki shares lessons from her own career about staying in organizations as culture shifted, and what she learned about power, trust, and the conditions that help people thrive.

They also discuss the challenges of generational differences, the risks of losing knowledge as experienced workers leave, and how mentorship and co-creation help teams build lasting cultures.

Takeaways

• Resilience grows when leaders create conditions of trust and safety.
• Culture is shaped by everyday interactions, not slogans or policies.
• Leaders need to see their employees as individuals, not just as resources.
• Generational gaps can create tension, but also opportunities for learning and mentorship.
• Knowledge transfer is essential as experienced workers retire.
• Real change happens when leaders and employees co-create their environment.

Chapters

• 00:00 — Cold open
• 01:00 — Welcome
• 03:00 — What culture looks like in practice
• 05:30 — Generational differences and shared understanding
• 08:00 — Co-creation and shared responsibility
• 10:45 — The role of mentorship in building trust
• 13:20 — Nicki’s early jobs and lessons about leadership
• 23:00 — When mission and culture start to drift apart
• 25:30 — The connection between culture and mental health
• 28:45 — What resilience means at work
• 30:20 — Why Nicki stayed when others left
• 36:45 — Helping leaders reclaim their power in healthy ways
• 39:15 — Building environments where people can thrive
• 41:00 — The value of personal contribution
• 43:00 — Helping others see their potential

Takeaways

• Culture is an environment where you're helping and lifting others.
• Leaders should never be the smartest person in the room.
• Delegation is crucial for effective leadership.
• Communication is key to building trust and relationships.
• Growing up in Alaska provided a unique perspective on life.
• Personal experiences shape our professional paths.
• Women have a vital role in the manufacturing industry.
• Engaging youth is essential for the future of manufacturing.
• Innovation in technology can significantly improve efficiency.
• Being authentic attracts the right people into your life.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Joni Cunningham and the Podcast
• 02:21 Defining Culture in the Workplace
• 05:13 Leadership and Delegation Challenges
• 08:04 Personal Growth Through Communication
• 10:29 Growing Up in Alaska: A Unique Perspective
• 13:31 Career Journey: From Healthcare to Manufacturing
• 16:13 The Importance of Connection in Manufacturing
• 19:00 Navigating the Challenges of Parenthood
• 21:56 The Role of Women in Manufacturing
• 24:35 Innovations in Manufacturing Technology
• 27:13 The Future of Manufacturing and Youth Engagement
• 29:36 Final Thoughts and Authenticity

Make sure to register for MEDevice Boston today!

Takeaways

• • Culture revolves around appreciation and collaboration.
  • Alignment of values is crucial for organizational success.
  • The journey into manufacturing can be driven by various motivations.
  • Early experiences shape perspectives on industry challenges.
  • Leadership requires understanding and supporting team members.
  • Partnerships are essential for driving innovation in manufacturing.
  • AI and data monitoring will shape the future of the industry.
  • Unbiased reporting can foster trust in manufacturing solutions.
  • Continuous improvement is key to long-term success.
  • Personal experiences can enhance the understanding of industry dynamics.

Chapters

• 00:00Introduction to Manufacturing Innovation
• 06:06Arthur's Journey into Manufacturing
• 11:16Transitioning to Machining
• 17:08Leadership Lessons Learned
• 22:44The Path to MTD CNC
• 30:18The Excitement of Building Partnerships
• 35:39Memorable Partnerships and Innovative Solutions
• 43:01Future Aspirations and New Ventures

As an active member of the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA), Chris also discusses his passion for developing a strong and skillful team around him and his drive to impact an industry that has treated him so well. Join us as we explore the world of manufacturing and the people who make it happen in this insightful and inspiring episode.

Listen as Corey uncovers the pressing challenges the military and manufacturing sectors face, where honoring the time-tested norms must be balanced with evolving workforce demands. Discover the pivotal role of empathy, respect, and positive culture in retaining valuable employees and fostering an environment where innovation thrives.

Dive into Corey's insights on how Brightly seamlessly infuses cultural values into their cutting-edge products and solutions, accentuating collaboration and open communication. From hackathons to handling resistance in technology adoption, Corey sheds light on the nimbleness required in today's rapidly transforming industrial world.

Wrapping up with a profound discussion on 'extreme ownership' and the universal significance of human respect, this episode is an inspiring exploration of the cultural complexities and the uncharted territories of the manufacturing industry. Whether you're a military enthusiast, manufacturing professional, or a curious listener, this journey with Corey promises to enrich your perspective on leadership, innovation, and the timeless essence of culture.

Tune in and let Corey's narrative inspire you to bridge the traditional with the contemporary and lead with empathy and excellence in your professional endeavors.

In the Manufacturing Culture Podcast episode, host Jim Mayer speaks with Janelle McGrath, CEO of MarketVeep, about the importance of happiness in business and workplace culture. Janelle shares her journey as an entrepreneur, her unique approach to fostering a positive work environment, and her innovative practices at MarketVeep, including a dedicated wellness day for employees. The conversation also touches on the future of manufacturing, leadership, and the evolving role of technology in the workplace. In this conversation, Jennelle shares her insights on happiness, the importance of community, and the journey of personal and professional growth. She discusses her podcast, 'Boundless Life', and how it aims to spread happiness by showcasing diverse life experiences. Jennelle emphasizes the significance of travel, especially for children, and how it broadens their perspectives. The discussion also delves into marketing strategies for manufacturers, the challenges of leadership, and the importance of building a supportive community. Jennelle's journey reflects a commitment to creating a legacy that encourages individuals to live their happiest lives, regardless of their professional roles.

Takeaways

• Happiness should be at the core of business culture.
• Company culture is more than perks; it's about genuine happiness.
• Value alignment between employees and organization leads to fulfillment.
• Innovative workplace initiatives can enhance employee well-being.
• Community and collaboration are vital in the manufacturing industry.
• Personal branding is becoming increasingly important in marketing.
• Leadership requires adaptability and a focus on human-centric approaches.
• Finding your people can lead to a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Life is too short to settle; pursue what makes you happy.
• The journey of happiness is ongoing and requires constant reflection.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Happiness-Driven Business Model
• 08:43 Defining Culture Through Happiness
• 18:08 Janelle's Entrepreneurial Journey
• 26:16 Innovative Workplace Practices
• 35:06 The Future of Manufacturing and Leadership
• 36:23 Exploring Boundless Life
• 41:04 Navigating Doubts and Finding Support
• 46:42 Leadership Lessons and Team Dynamics
• 51:56 Building a Legacy in Manufacturing
• 55:55 Advice for the Next Generation

Takeaways

• Culture starts with alignment of values.
• The seafood industry presents unique challenges.
• Self-sufficiency is crucial in remote operations.
• Leadership requires being present on the shop floor.
• Change management is essential for successful automation.
• The future of manufacturing will focus on workforce development.
• Emotional intelligence is key in leadership roles.
• Attracting talent requires understanding their needs.
• Automation should not solely focus on cost-cutting.
• Continuous improvement is vital for success.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker Fun
• 05:43 Defining Culture in Manufacturing
• 09:30 Early Influences and Career Beginnings
• 13:42 Adventures in the Alaskan Seafood Industry
• 17:42 Transitioning to Broader Manufacturing Challenges
• 21:26 Lessons Learned and Unlearning Myths
• 24:59 Current Role and Company Overview
• 26:43 The Importance of Leadership in Manufacturing
• 29:51 Balancing Automation with Human Presence
• 31:43 Change Management and Employee Involvement
• 34:56 Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace
• 36:14 Future Trends in Manufacturing
• 39:26 Leveraging Data for Workforce Improvement
• 41:41 The Need for Continuous Learning and Adaptation

Throughout the episode, Meaghan and Jim discuss the unique challenges women face in manufacturing, including biases and stereotypes, and how companies can work to overcome them by building more inclusive cultures that encourage young women to join the industry. They also explore the role of mentorship and networking in supporting women in manufacturing, the benefits of having a diverse and inclusive workforce, and the impact of technology on the industry.

Join us for this inspiring and informative conversation with Meaghan Ziemba, and learn how you can help close the skills and gender gaps in manufacturing and create a more inclusive industry.

Scott and Ashley also discuss the company's commitment to staying at the leading edge of manufacturing technology, the impact of robotics and technology on the industry, and how MetalQuest has utilized these advancements to remain competitive. Additionally, they share three initiatives they have implemented to improve their company culture and the importance of balancing efficiency and productivity with safety in the workplace.

Join Jim, Scott, and Ashley for a lively and exciting conversation about the fascinating world of manufacturing and how to build a culture that drives success. From technology to empowerment initiatives, MetalQuest Unlimited is a shining example of a company that genuinely prioritizes its people and its culture. So, tune in and discover the secrets to success in the manufacturing industry!

Join us as we explore Magdalena's journey from her early days at Com40 Limited in Poland to her current role as HR Director at Spartanburg Steel Products in the United States. Discover the cultural shifts she navigated along the way and the strategies she's implemented to foster a positive, engaging culture at SSP.

Whether discussing the complexities of compensation and benefits or the delicate work-life balance in the manufacturing industry, Magdalena's insights offer a refreshing take on what it means to lead and inspire in today's manufacturing world. Don't miss this captivating episode filled with wisdom, global perspectives, and a whole lot of heart!

• Discussion of Their Respective Student-Run Manufacturing Businesses: Craig and Chris reveal the inner workings of their successful programs, Cardinal Manufacturing and Eagle Manufacturing, providing unique insights into their creation, growth, and overall operation.

• Models and Skills Provided by Their Programs: Learn how these visionary teachers offer an incredible hands-on learning environment, equipping students with essential manufacturing skills and the adaptability and problem-solving capabilities that the industry demands.

• Importance of Teaching Employability Skills: Our guests highlight their programs' crucial role in teaching real-world skills, marrying traditional education with tangible experiences that prepare students for the workforce.

• Challenges Faced in Building and Establishing Their Programs: Craig and Chris candidly share the hurdles they've overcome to create and grow their unique educational models, painting a picture of persistence and innovation.

• Setting High Expectations for Students and Building a Positive Culture: Discover how both instructors set the bar high, cultivating a culture that fosters achievement, teamwork, and a sense of purpose within their student-run businesses.

• Roles and Responsibilities of Students in Their Businesses: Gain insights into how students take on roles that mimic real-world jobs, transforming classrooms into thriving microcosms of the manufacturing world.

• Impact of Student-Run Businesses on Students' Futures and Entrepreneurial Spirit: Learn how these programs are not just about grades or projects; they're launch pads for future success, instilling an entrepreneurial spirit that follows students long after graduation.

• Promotion of Their Programs and Available Resources: Craig and Chris share how they have championed their programs locally and nationally, creating a ripple effect that inspires others in education.

• Advice for Starting Student-Run Manufacturing Businesses: If this episode ignites a spark, don't miss the expert advice on how to start a similar program in your school or community.

This episode is not just a behind-the-scenes look at an education model; it's a blueprint for the future, a rallying cry for innovation, and a testament to the power of hands-on, student-centered learning. Whether you're an educator, a parent, or simply someone passionate about the future of manufacturing, this episode offers an inspiring glimpse into what education could be. Join us in exploring the future today!

As a founding member of Titans of CNC Academy, he became a programming and machining virtuoso. His talent knows no bounds, conquering realms from aerospace to medical tech. Fast-forward to today, he's an industry analyst, a content creation dynamo, and a rallying voice for Gen Z in manufacturing. But that's not all; this episode tackles burning topics like mental health, building a thriving company culture, and bridging the generational gaps that challenge our industry.

This electrifying episode is brought to you by Speroni, pioneers in delivering state-of-the-art tool lmanagement systems. They're as committed as we are to propelling the industry into the future.

Don't miss out on Jacob's transformational insights! Tune in and ignite your passion for manufacturing!

Together, they dig deep into the playbook to reveal the hidden strategies that make a manufacturing team championship-worthy. From mentorship and interdependence to crystal-clear communication, Chris shares the invaluable lessons his sports background bestowed on him. But that's not all—discover how these principles can revolutionize intergenerational collaboration and cultivate a caring, supportive work environment.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, this episode delivers actionable insights you can apply directly to your team, ensuring you're always playing at the top of your game.

A special shoutout to our fantastic sponsor, Speroni. They're the real MVPs behind this episode, ensuring we bring you quality content that inspires and motivates.

Want to connect with Chris? Find out more about his game-changing approaches and connect with him on LinkedIn.

So, grab your glove, dust off those cleats, and get ready to be inspired. Trust us—you won't want to miss this one!

In a world where digital technology is rapidly transforming the manufacturing landscape, Ryan stands at the forefront, navigating through challenges and leading the charge toward a brighter, more connected future. He shares his riveting story from his early days in automotive manufacturing to spearheading Pico MES, a beacon of innovation in digital manufacturing technology.

Dive deep into the heart of what makes Pico MES tick – from its mission to bridge the digital divide for small to midsize manufacturers to the transformative company culture that propels them forward. Ryan's insights into their unique hiring process, the embrace of technological evolution, and the power of cultural shifts will leave you inspired and ready to think differently about the manufacturing world.

The episode crescendos with Ryan's invaluable advice on the art of continuous improvement and the strategic importance of laying solid foundations for lasting benefits in the manufacturing industry.

A must-listen for those eager to catch a glimpse of manufacturing's future, where culture and technology intertwine to create something truly spectacular!

Sponsored by Speroni: Leaders in tool presetting and measuring systems.

Connect with Ryan Kuhlenbeck on LinkedIn

• Data-driven decision-making can unlock the potential of the workforce and improve company culture.
• Frontline supervisors play a crucial role in a company's success and need tools to navigate their responsibilities effectively.
• Simplifying performance reviews with AI can make the process easier for both supervisors and employees.
• Company culture can vary within industries and even within different departments of the same company.
• Reducing turnover requires a strategic approach that addresses the root causes and engages employees.
• AI has the potential to automate administrative tasks and improve efficiency in manufacturing.
• Implementing changes to company culture requires listening to employees, addressing their concerns, and taking action. Building a strong company culture can lead to generational change and positively impact employees' lives.
• Creating relationships and fostering a sense of community at work can significantly contribute to building a solid culture.
• Volunteer projects and involving families in work activities can help create a paradigm shift and change colleagues' perceptions.
• The right values, mission, and caring about others are essential for building a positive culture.
• Work can be meaningful and transformative, and focusing on the work itself can significantly impact individuals and the company as a whole.

• 00:00Introduction and Sponsor Shoutout
• 01:27Introduction of Guest: Mike White
• 03:20Secchi: Providing Guidance for Frontline Supervisors
• 06:09Simplifying Performance Reviews with Secchi
• 08:43Making Performance Reviews Easier with AI
• 10:33Mike White's Journey to Founding Secchi
• 13:44The Impact of Company Culture on Employee Engagement
• 16:46The Influence of Industry on Company Culture
• 18:33The Variability of Culture within Companies
• 20:17The Role of Leadership in Shaping Company Culture
• 22:21The Importance of Frontline Leaders in Company Culture
• 24:34Overcoming Resistance to Using Data in Manufacturing
• 34:40Reducing Turnover in Manufacturing
• 39:55The Role of AI in Manufacturing and Company Culture
• 45:11Using Data to Develop Strategic Strategies
• 47:24The Impact of AI on Administrative Jobs in Manufacturing
• 52:02Implementing Changes to Impact Company Culture
• 53:24Generational Change and Impact
• 54:20Building Culture through Relationships
• 55:33Creating Paradigm Shifts
• 56:02Values, Mission, and Caring
• 56:59Perseverance and Work as Meaning
• 58:08Summary

A special thanks to our sponsor, Speroni, for their support in bringing this insightful discussion to you.

Stay connected with Mike White and learn more about Secchi:

• Mike White's LinkedIn
• Secchi Website

• Cultural change in the manufacturing industry requires leadership commitment and modeling of desired behaviors.
• Creating a learning culture is essential for continuous improvement and staying ahead of the competition.
• The learning model maturity cycle consists of unconscious incompetence, conscious incompetence, conscious competence, and unconscious competence.
• The danger zone of pseudo-competence is a critical area where individuals may believe they are competent but lack the necessary knowledge and skills.
• Awareness is key in learning and decision-making, allowing individuals to make informed choices and consider potential outcomes. Understanding the theory is crucial before applying it in practice.
• Managers often get stuck in the danger zone and need to go through the journey of learning.
• Applying the theory and creating standards are essential for gaining understanding.
• Management is critical in creating a learning culture and driving cultural transformation.
• Unconscious competence is the ultimate level of mastery.
• The awareness spectrum and the simplicity on the other side of complexity are essential concepts to consider in cultural transformation.

• A productive struggle is a powerful tool in STEM education as it builds confidence and empowers young girls.
• Continued engagement and creating opportunities for girls to explore STEM fields are crucial for their success.
• The perception of math as difficult or intimidating needs to be changed to encourage more girls to pursue STEM.
• Public-private partnerships play a significant role in expanding access to STEM education and resources.
• Individuals can get involved locally by supporting organizations like Rosie Riveters and promoting inclusivity in the manufacturing industry.

Takeaways

Curiosity and empathy are essential in understanding and honoring different perspectives.
Engaging in in-depth and sincere conversations can lead to personal growth and connection.
Leadership involves building community trust and empowering others.
Making a positive impact often requires stepping outside comfort zones and taking risks. Accessing emotional range allows for a deeper connection with others.
Becoming emotionally aware is the first step towards emotional intelligence.
Befriending sorrow and suffering enables empathy towards others.
Exploring the depth of life leads to a greater appreciation for its beauty and challenges.
Asking for help is essential for personal growth and transformation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Sponsorship
01:19 Adrian Kahler's Background and Expertise
04:38 Adrian's Journey and Childhood
08:00 Sports and Competitive Mindset
11:16 Curiosity and Empathy
13:46 Desire for Depth and Sincerity
18:18 Transition to Nursing and Pediatric Intensive Care
21:39 Passion for Helping Marginalized People
25:24 Transition to Leadership and Community Building
29:16 Engagement in Activism and Philanthropy
34:42 Impact of Ready for Life Program
34:47 Shifting from a victim mindset to a responsible mindset
36:10 Finding purpose and dignity in prison
37:31 Creating a vision for life after prison
38:25 The impact of leadership training in prison
40:13 Transitioning to coaching
42:25 Challenges of leadership in high-profile organizations
45:26 The process of coaching and leadership development
52:41 Identifying leadership aspects that impact company culture
58:28 Changing the leadership dynamic in small organizations
01:01:40 Navigating leadership dynamics in family-owned businesses
01:08:08 Leadership in small manufacturing organizations
01:10:16 The role of emotional intelligence in leadership and company culture
01:10:22 Accessing Emotional Range
01:11:45 Becoming Emotionally Aware
01:12:57 Befriending Sorrow and Suffering
01:14:11 Empathizing with Others
01:15:06 Exploring the Depth of Life
01:17:49 Creating a Miraculous Year
01:18:31 Asking for Help

Scott Peters is one of those guests who reminds you why the industry still matters. He came up in the late seventies, learned the trade before CNC was common, built model-kit molds that ended up on Kmart shelves, moved into medical devices where your mistakes affect real lives, and eventually ran a 300-person plant in Guangzhou where “yes-boss culture” smashed into his belief that people should think for themselves.

This conversation isn’t polished. It’s real. Offshoring. Apprenticeships. Pay. Responsibility. Pride. And the uncomfortable truth that young people won’t line up for jobs that pay less than McDonald’s.

Scott argues that culture isn’t a slogan. It’s whether people feel safe enough to tell you you’re wrong and proud enough to stand beside the work they produce. If you care about the future of plastics, the trades or the next generation coming up behind us, this one is worth the time.

What you’ll hear

Scott’s jump from the Marines to an apprentice mold maker after his mother spotted a classifieds ad and pushed him toward it.

What mold shops looked like in the late seventies and early eighties when CAD wasn’t an option and everything ran on skill, graphite smudges and problem solving.

Why seeing his designs turn into products on store shelves changed how he viewed responsibility and pride in the trade.

How managing a Chinese plant forced him to break top-down culture and build a team willing to challenge him instead of nodding along.

Why he thinks shops are losing young talent to Amazon warehouses and fast food, and how transparent pay ladders used to keep apprentices motivated for years.

The generational damage caused by offshoring and why communities still don’t trust manufacturing jobs even as the work returns.

How to build culture that works on the floor instead of in HR decks: respect, honesty, disagreement and shared ownership of deadlines.

Where to listen

Available on all platforms. Search “Manufacturing Culture Podcast.”

#manufacturingculture #manufacturing #trades #skilledtrades #plastics #injectionmolding #moldmaking #manufacturingjobs #engineering #operations #leadership

• Defining values and collaboration is crucial for organizational culture.
• Fostering innovation and creativity in traditional organizations requires creating space for employees to provide feedback and improve processes.
• Utilizing technology effectively can enhance organizational culture and minimize mistakes.
• Sustainable changes to company culture require hiring for culture fit, defining core values, and providing space for constructive conflict.
• Initiatives to change company culture include personal development, defining core values, and creating space for creativity and constructive conflict.

• The manufacturing industry is undergoing significant changes, with a focus on automation and optimization.
• There is a growing recognition of the importance of diversity and inclusion in the industry, particularly in increasing the representation of women.
• LinkedIn is a valuable platform for personal branding and building professional relationships in the manufacturing industry.
• Engaging with others on LinkedIn and providing value can lead to meaningful connections and opportunities. Women often face challenges and discrimination in the industry, but building relationships and finding a supportive community can help overcome these obstacles.
• QuoteBeam is a platform that aims to streamline the procurement process for industrial automation parts, connecting distributors, manufacturers, and buyers.
• Changing company culture is essential for growth and success, and it requires a shift in mindset and a focus on collaboration and efficiency.
• Balancing personal values and business goals is crucial for finding fulfillment in your career and building authentic relationships.
• If you're unhappy in your current job, it's important to assess your own mindset and consider finding a company that aligns with your values and goals.

• Leaders should have an open mind, be open to change, and seize opportunities.
• Culture is a symptom of other problems and can be a measure of the health of an organization.
• Hiring for values is as important as hiring for skills.
• Leadership is about balancing different dynamics and managing a balance between various aspects of the job.
• Companies should invest in managing their talent ecosystem and collaborate with educational institutions to develop the skills and values needed in the workforce. Timing and sequencing are crucial for success. Doing things in the right order and at the right time can have a disproportionate impact on business.
• Leadership should be curious and ask questions to engage employees and solve problems. Good listening starts with curiosity.
• To change culture internally, leaders should live their values and ensure their actions align with their words.
• Patience is the truest form of confidence. Waiting for the right time to take action can lead to greater success.
• Stories and analogies are memorable and effective in conveying messages.

The episode emphasizes the role of leadership in shaping company culture, particularly in manufacturing. The guests discuss how BTFA, by understanding and managing human behaviors, can transform culture and engage employees, enhancing performance and success in the manufacturing industry. They stress the importance of balancing logic with emotional understanding and how leadership styles significantly impact team success and company culture. The success of BTFA at GKN Aerospace is a testament to its effectiveness in bridging gaps in understanding people, processes, and systems within the manufacturing sector.

Key Takeaways

• Introduction of the BTFA model (Believe, Think, Feel, Act) in manufacturing culture
• Individual journeys and experiences of the guests in the manufacturing industry
• Impact of neuroscience on understanding human behavior and its influence on company culture
• Role of leadership in shaping and forming company culture
• Implementation of the BTFA model in lean leadership and change management
• Challenges and successes in implementing the BTFA model in manufacturing organizations
• Importance of understanding servant leadership and the brain's role in driving successful change
• Recommendations for fostering a deeper understanding of human behavior and change management in the manufacturing industry
• Emphasis on the significance of language, beliefs, and emotions in shaping company culture

Chapters

• David Bovis' Journey (00:00:01) David Bovis discusses his 37-year journey in the manufacturing industry, from hands-on roles to shaping manufacturing culture and strategy.
• Levent Turk's Journey (00:02:53) Levent Turk shares his 37-year career at Toyota, lean transformation roles at leading automotive OEMs, and his pursuit of creating a high-performance culture.
• Edwin van den Berg's Journey (00:04:17) Edwin van den Berg describes his 26-year career development from chief design engineer to lean methodology involvement at Royal Philips and leadership at GKN Aerospace.
• Introduction to BTFA Model (00:23:11) David Bovis explains the BTFA model, emphasizing its role in bringing knowledge around the people piece up to the same level as processes and systems in the manufacturing industry.
• Neuroscience and BTFA Model (00:24:27) Explanation of how neuroscience has filled the gap in understanding human behavior, leading to the development of the BTFA model.
• Believe, Think, Feel, Act (00:26:13) Detailed explanation of the BTFA model and its components: believe, think, feel, and act, and how they influence behavior.
• Leadership and Company Culture (00:35:13) Discussion on the vital role of leadership in shaping and forming company culture, especially in the manufacturing industry.
• Impact of BTFA at GKN (00:47:14) Explanation of the impact of the BTFA model on the culture at GKN, including the before and after scenario and the overall impact of BTFA.
• Believe, Think, Feel, Act (00:47:29) Introduction to the BTFA model and its impact on leadership mindset and change management in manufacturing.
• Implementing Lean Operating Model (00:48:22) Using the PDCA approach and discussing the success and failure of change management programs.
• Behavioral Based Safety (00:50:39) Using BTFA to address safety culture and behavioral changes in manufacturing.
• Shift in Leadership Mindset (00:52:42) Transformation of leadership beliefs and mindset towards effective change management.
• Psychological Aspects of Change Management (00:58:58) Discussion on the psychological impact of change and the role of BTFA in addressing it.
• Challenges in Implementing BTFA (01:03:22) Challenges faced in implementing BTFA and changing the language and mindset in the manufacturing industry.
• BTFA as a Common Language (01:08:03) BTFA as a common language for business and culture, similar to the universality of mathematics.
• Learning through Animation (01:11:14) Encouraging manufacturers to embrace animation for learning and discussing emotions and beliefs.
• Know Thyself (01:12:05) Understanding oneself through neuroscience to enhance personal and professional growth.
• Choosing Emotions (01:14:15) Empowering oneself to choose emotions and understanding the brain's workings through the BTFA model.

Guest LinkedIn Profiles:

• David Bovis
• Levent Turk
• Edwin van den Berg

BTFA from Dux in a Roe

A big shoutout to Speroni, the leader in tool management systems. Their dedication to precision and innovation in the manufacturing industry is unparalleled. Speroni is not just a sponsor; they are integral to advancing manufacturing excellence. Their support allows us to bring these valuable insights and discussions to you.

We're also thrilled to welcome our new partner, ShopFloor Coffee. More than just a coffee brand, ShopFloor Coffee is a cause-driven business dedicated to supporting workforce development efforts. A portion of their proceeds goes towards apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing, making every sip count towards a brighter future for the industry.

 And here's something exciting for our listeners! Use the promo code "SkillUpAZ" to get 10% off your order at ShopFloor Coffee. Not only do you get a great deal on your coffee, but you also contribute to supporting apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing. It's a win-win – enjoy fantastic coffee while helping to skill up the next generation of manufacturing professionals.

Takeaways

• Ann Wyatt is a pioneer in talent acquisition for the manufacturing industry, focusing on metals, pulp, and paper.
• She is passionate about workforce development and bridging the skills gap in manufacturing.
• Ann helps companies by advocating for workforce development programs and implementing new technologies.
• She uses Boolean search strings to find qualified candidates and enjoys the screening process. Advocate for short-term training and identify transferable skill sets to address training challenges in the manufacturing industry.
• Recognize the automation culture paradox and the need for cultural readiness to embrace automation in manufacturing facilities.
• Utilize data to measure workforce performance and make informed talent acquisition and retention decisions.
• Value people as a capital investment in manufacturing and prioritize their well-being and development.
• To create a positive and engaging work culture, focus on the entire employee experience, from recruitment to exit interviews.

Connect with Ann on Linkedin

Watch Workforce 4.0 on YouTube

Are you ready to elevate your team's skills to the next level? Check out Baltu Technologies! They specialize in advancing workforce development through intuitive micro-learning platforms. Whether in manufacturing or education, Baltu provides tailored upskilling programs and software solutions designed to boost efficiency and expertise. Empower your organization with the tools it needs for tomorrow's challenges. Visit Baltu Technologies today and start your journey towards a smarter workforce.

Imagine a workplace where every team member feels recognized and valued. That's the promise of Secchi, the leading Employee Relationship Management solution. Secchi empowers frontline leaders to effectively inspire, recognize, and coach their teams. With Secchi's system, you can enhance performance through strategic decision-making, impactful recognition, and real-time process control. Ready to transform your organizational culture? Visit Secchi now and see how it can affect your team's dynamics.

Takeaways:

• Representation and Diversity: Emphasize the importance of representation and diversity in the manufacturing industry to inspire and empower underrepresented communities.
• Champions of Champions Tour: Highlight the vital role of initiatives like the Champions of Champions Tour in educating and inspiring future generations, showcasing the potential of manufacturing as a career path.
• Addressing the Skills Gap: Collaboration between industry and community partners, as well as mentorship and advocacy, is crucial in addressing the skills gap.
• Intentional Outreach: Being intentional in outreach efforts is essential to connect with underrepresented communities and provide them with opportunities in manufacturing.
• Connecting to Young People: Making manufacturing relatable to young people's interests can make the industry more attractive as a career path.
• Telling Diverse Stories: Emphasize the importance of telling a variety of Black American stories to provide a more accurate and inclusive representation of the community's contributions to manufacturing.
• Role of Allies: Allies play a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and supporting underrepresented communities in the industry. Being open to feedback and continually learning is key to being an effective ally.
• Creating Sustainable Career Paths: Working with schools and organizations to create accessible and sustainable career paths is essential for reaching communities that are underserved or have limited access to technical education.

Connect with Drew on Linkedin

A big shoutout to Speroni, the leader in tool management systems. Their dedication to precision and innovation in the manufacturing industry is unparalleled. Speroni is not just a sponsor; they are integral to advancing manufacturing excellence. Their support allows us to bring these valuable insights and discussions to you.

We're also thrilled to welcome our new partner, ShopFloor Coffee. More than just a coffee brand, ShopFloor Coffee is a cause-driven business dedicated to supporting workforce development efforts. A portion of their proceeds goes towards apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing, making every sip count towards a brighter future for the industry.

 And here's something exciting for our listeners! Use the promo code "SkillUpAZ" to get 10% off your order at ShopFloor Coffee. Not only do you get a great deal on your coffee, but you also contribute to supporting apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing. It's a win-win – enjoy fantastic coffee while helping to skill up the next generation of manufacturing professionals.

Takeaways

• JARC is a nationally recognized workforce development organization that provides sector-based job training programs, business and workforce services, and support for working families.
• Regan Brewer Johnson's background and experiences drive her passion for creating economic security and opportunities for individuals and communities.
• JARC works to change the perception of manufacturing by offering exposure events, field trips, and hands-on training programs that showcase the exciting and rewarding aspects of advanced manufacturing.
• The programs at JARC range from 8 to 20 weeks, and participants receive industry certifications and develop essential soft skills before entering the workforce. JARC works with a diverse range of individuals, including those who have been incarcerated, people experiencing homelessness, and those in retail or fast food jobs.
• They provide training programs in welding and machining, financial education and work readiness workshops.
• JARC focuses on data-driven outcomes and tracks factors such as placement rates, retention rates, wages, and financial stability.
• They vet the organizations they place employees into and have a strong industry advisory council to stay updated on industry trends.
• JARC plans to expand to other cities through partnerships and understanding the local market and demographics.

Connect with Regan on Linkedin

Visit the JARC at their Website

A big shoutout to Speroni, the leader in tool management systems. Their dedication to precision and innovation in the manufacturing industry is unparalleled. Speroni is not just a sponsor; they are integral to advancing manufacturing excellence. Their support allows us to bring these valuable insights and discussions to you.

We're also thrilled to welcome our new partner, ShopFloor Coffee. More than just a coffee brand, ShopFloor Coffee is a cause-driven business dedicated to supporting workforce development efforts. A portion of their proceeds goes towards apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing, making every sip count towards a brighter future for the industry.

 And here's something exciting for our listeners! Use the promo code "SkillUpAZ" to get 10% off your order at ShopFloor Coffee. Not only do you get a great deal on your coffee, but you also contribute to supporting apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing. It's a win-win – enjoy fantastic coffee while helping to skill up the next generation of manufacturing professionals.

Takeaways

• • Elite Automation is a leading player in the automation industry, known for its cutting-edge solutions and commitment to redefining the boundaries of automated systems.
  • Automation can transform education and play a significant role in industry and society.
  • Culture is crucial in automation, and it can shape a company's success. Clear vision, goals, and leadership are essential in creating a culture that embraces automation.
  • Tailored conversations and buy-in from all levels of the organization are necessary when implementing automation.
  • The role of automation in manufacturing is evolving, and there is a growing trend of job-shop-like facilities implementing automation to improve productivity and competitiveness. Automation can be complicated by cultural resistance and lack of automation-ready process issues.
  • Advanced automation technologies, such as vision systems and robotics, enable companies to overcome process challenges and shift towards automation.
  • Automation enhances safety by eliminating dangerous tasks and can improve work-life balance by freeing employee time.
  • Companies can improve their culture by creating excitement around automation, involving engineers in automation initiatives, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and advancement.
  • Automation has the potential to transform education and training by providing opportunities for hands-on learning and upskilling in the industry.

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Background

02:51Malachi's Journey and the Creation of Elite Automation

09:59The Importance of Company Culture

16:44Standout Projects and Innovation at Elite Automation

17:44The Evolving Role of Automation in Manufacturing

19:42Automation's Impact on Workplace Culture

24:26Advanced Automation Technologies and Collaboration

26:39Automation's Role in Safety and Work-Life Balance

32:55Transforming Education through Technology

35:10Advice for Getting into the Industry

38:12Improving Company Culture through Automation

40:01Striving to Be the Best Version of Yourself

Takeaways

Software is driving cultural change in the manufacturing industry, not just in operations but in the very culture of workplaces.
TeamForce AI is an employee intelligence platform that amplifies the voice of frontline workers and ties their feedback to measurable business outcomes.
The platform uses tablets or kiosks in manufacturing facilities to collect employee feedback in the natural workflow.
Organizations can reduce turnover, improve safety, and increase productivity by engaging employees and valuing their opinions. Giving employees a voice and valuing feedback is crucial for driving cultural change in the manufacturing industry.
Software platforms like TeamForce enable effective communication and engagement with the workforce.
Cultural readiness and targeting organizations that value their people are important factors in implementing technology in the manufacturing sector.
The future of manufacturing involves the coexistence of humans and technology, with AI and robotics serving as enablers and helpers rather than replacements for human workers.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
00:57 Introduction of Guest: Vivek Kumar
09:01 TeamForce AI and the Kiosk Solution
11:54 Content on the Tablets
27:29 The Importance of the Voice of Humans
28:28 Utilizing Technology to Drive Cultural Change
31:01 Challenges of Implementing TeamForce in Manufacturing
35:46 The Future of Manufacturing and the Role of Technology
37:19 The Workforce Automation Paradox
42:03 Cultural Readiness for Robotics and Automation
43:05 What's Next for TeamForce and Vivek
43:34 The Power of Collective Problem Solving
49:12 Outro

Connect with Vivek on LinkedIn

Check out Teamforce AI

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Is your company aligned with your business goals? At The Manufacturing Connector, we offer a comprehensive two-day employee engagement and cultural assessment designed to transform your organization from the inside out. Our process includes leadership team meetings, employee interviews, facility tours, and engagement surveys, all aimed at providing you with actionable insights and strategic recommendations. Ready to enhance your organizational dynamics? Visit themfgconnector.com to learn more about our assessment and start your journey toward a more engaged and productive workplace.

Takeaways

• Software can drive cultural change in the manufacturing industry by providing the right tools for the job.
• 1Factory's software helps manufacturers overcome challenges in quality control by streamlining processes and automating tasks.
• Cultural hurdles in manufacturing can be overcome by listening to employees, educating them about new technologies, and involving them in decision-making.
• 1Factory's tools encourage and facilitate continuous improvement by providing a platform for feedback and implementing customer suggestions.
• Critical features of 1Factory's software include automated drawing revision comparison, tracking changes, and streamlining information flow. 1Factory's software automates data collection, analysis, and collaboration in manufacturing, streamlining processes and improving product quality.
• The software enables real-time monitoring of production lines, automatic generation of inspection reports, and proactive notifications of potential issues.
• The focus shifts from data collection to data utilization and continuous improvement, fostering a culture of accountability and success.
• 1Factory addresses cybersecurity concerns through high-security standards and encryption protocols, ensuring the protection of sensitive data.
• Collaboration is facilitated by sharing inspection data between suppliers and customers, reducing errors and improving efficiency.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Overview
• 08:08 Challenges of Implementing New Technology
• 14:33 Streamlining Information Flow
• 28:26 Driving Cultural Change through Collaboration

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn

Unlock your leaders' potential with Duxinaroe's innovative BTFA program, where neuroscience meets leadership development. The Believe, Think, Feel, Act framework is designed to enhance leadership skills and improve organizational performance through cutting-edge neuroscience principles. Transform your leadership approach and achieve remarkable business outcomes with Duxinaroe. Interested in elevating your leadership team? Visit themfgconnector.com and discover how Duxinaroe can lead your organization to new heights.

Using Speroni's advanced tool management solutions, you can take control of your tooling with precision and efficiency. Known for their meticulous attention to detail, Speroni offers the INTELLIGO Tool Management Software and the UBI Location Manager, designed to optimize your tool organization and maximize operational efficiency. Don't let tool management slow you down. Visit themfgconnector.com today to learn more about Speroni's industry-leading solutions and start enhancing your production capabilities.

Takeaways

• Amper Technologies helps manufacturers track and improve their operations by providing real-time data and enabling teams to make better decisions.
• Implementing Amper can lead to a shift in culture within manufacturing companies, such as valuing operators as key contributors and improving resource allocation.
• The culture at Amper is characterized by values such as embracing reality, obsessing over customer success, and being lean.
• Amper's dispersed workforce focuses on autonomy, collaboration, and communication to maintain a healthy culture.
• Customers have experienced aha moments when implementing Amper, such as realizing the importance of operators and gaining visibility into machine utilization. Trust and teamwork are crucial in manufacturing, where efficiency and safety are paramount.
• Technology plays a significant role in the learning journey of manufacturing customers.
• The future of manufacturing will involve increased efficiency, automation, and connectivity.
• Employee engagement and company culture are intertwined concepts that contribute to a successful manufacturing environment.
• Amper's platform facilitates feedback and communication between the shop floor and management.
• Improving systems is essential for creating a winning culture in manufacturing.

Connect with Akshat on Linkedin

Connect with Katrina on Linkedin

Visit the Amper on their website

Partners

Need to make your manufacturing business stand out? Discover Marketing Metal, the specialized marketing agency for the manufacturing industry. Whether you operate a machine shop, fab shop, or a custom manufacturing firm, Marketing Metal has the expertise to build your brand and craft marketing strategies that cut through the noise. Ready to elevate your business? Visit themfgconnector.com today and learn how Marketing Metal can help you succeed.

Are your tools organized and protected? Discover Kaiser Manufacturing, the ultimate solution in tool management. Their Kaizen Shadow Foam® allows you to create custom foam inserts tailored exactly for your needs, and their Tool Caddy offers a safe, compact storage option for all your tool holders. Improve your efficiency and protect your investments with Kaiser Manufacturing. Visit themfgconnector.com today and start organizing like a pro!

Takeaways

• Transmission is a software platform that revolutionizes communication in the manufacturing industry.
• Effective communication is crucial in the manufacturing industry, especially with the evolving workforce and the need for real-time information.
• Transmission's platform helps drive data-driven decisions by providing real-time communication and ensuring that important information reaches all employees.
• The platform empowers employees by giving them access to important information and allowing them to contribute to improving processes and safety.
• Transmission's platform accommodates different communication preferences, including digital signage, employee kiosks, and mobile devices. Effective communication is crucial in the manufacturing industry and can be facilitated through the use of technology such as digital signage and kiosks.
• Digital signage and kiosks improve productivity, safety, and engagement in the workplace.
• Companies should link engagement metrics with productivity metrics and create a culture of recognition and celebrating small wins.
• Investing in the workforce and building a robust manufacturing base is essential for the future of manufacturing in America.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Overview
• 11:05 The Challenges of Workforce Innovation in Manufacturing
• 25:33 The Challenges of Information Overload
• 32:14 The Impact of Little Things on Job Satisfaction
• 38:17 Capturing Employee Feedback

Connect with Jeff on Linkedin

Visit the Transmission at their website

Is your company culture aligned with your business goals? At The Manufacturing Connector, we offer the Foundations Assessment, a comprehensive two-day employee engagement and cultural assessment designed to transform your organization from the inside out. Our process includes leadership team meetings, employee interviews, facility tours, and engagement surveys to provide actionable insights and strategic recommendations. Ready to enhance your organizational dynamics? Visit themfgconnector.com to learn more about our Assessment and start your journey toward a more engaged and productive workplace.

Imagine a workplace where every team member feels recognized and valued. That’s the promise of Secchi, the leading Employee Relationship Management solution. Secchi empowers frontline leaders to effectively inspire, recognize, and coach their teams. With Secchi's system, you can enhance performance through strategic decision-making, impactful recognition, and real-time process control. Ready to transform your organizational culture? Visit Secchi now and see how it can affect your team’s dynamics.

Takeaways

• The importance of continuous learning and personal growth in precision manufacturing
• The value of hands-on experience and starting from the bottom
• The impact of culture on employee retention and success
• The power of visualization and positive thinking in achieving goals Culture starts at the top and is influenced by leadership.
• The alignment of values between an organization and its employees is crucial for a healthy culture.
• Consider more than just the money when making career decisions.
• There is a shortage of skilled machinists, and starting a CNC machine school can help address this issue.
• B&B serves various industries, including healthcare simulation and magicians' props. Creating a positive work environment and fostering a strong company culture are crucial for success in the manufacturing industry.
• Smaller shops will likely see a resurgence as more people seek alternatives to working for big corporations.
• Networking and building relationships within the manufacturing community can lead to opportunities and support.
• Producing high-quality parts is essential for the reputation and growth of American manufacturing.
• Giving back to the community and supporting workforce development programs are important ways to contribute to the industry.

Takeaways

• Implementing open-book management can engage employees and create a culture of trust and accountability.
• Continuous improvement is essential for staying competitive and driving growth in the manufacturing industry.
• Giving back to the community and inspiring young people to pursue careers in manufacturing are essential for the industry's future.
• The manufacturing industry in America is experiencing a renaissance, with technological advancements and growth opportunities. Reflect on history and be proud of being an American.
• Rebuilding the middle class through manufacturing is crucial for the nation's strength.
• Take risks and leverage opportunities for personal and business growth.
• Embrace technology and self-sufficiency for future success in manufacturing and construction.
• The next decade holds excellent opportunities for the industry, including low interest rates, the adoption of AI and technology, and government investment in infrastructure.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 03:17 Robert Griggs's Journey in the Steel and Fabrications Industry
• 06:11 Implementing Open Book Management
• 13:17 The Power of Continuous Improvement
• 13:36 Giving Back to the Community
• 21:21 Inspiring Young People in Manufacturing
• 25:49 The Value of Skills in Manufacturing
• 29:37 The Future of Manufacturing in America
• 30:46 Reflection on History and Patriotism
• 31:03 Rebuilding the Middle Class
• 31:44 Lessons Learned and Future Plans
• 32:06 The Next Decade of Opportunities
• 32:42 Closing Remarks and Contact Information
• 33:12 Introduction and Employee Reviews
• 34:57 Job Openings at Trinity Products
• 36:17 Building a Community at Trinity Products
• 37:09 Testimonials from Team Members
• 38:03 Conclusion and Call to Action

Connect with Robert on LinkedIn

Check out Trinity Products and their job openings.

This week's collaborative partner is Teamforce AI. Looking to boost engagement in your workplace? Meet Teamforce.ai, your partner in transforming employee experiences. Their innovative kiosk-based solution is designed especially for deskless workforces in manufacturing, distribution, and healthcare. Teamforce.ai measures and enhances engagement, ensuring every team member is heard and valued. Ready to see the difference? Visit themfgconnector.com and learn more about how Teamforce.ai can elevate your organization."

Takeaways

• Discovering a passion for programming at a young age can shape a career.
• Transitioning from technical roles to leadership requires preparation and willingness.
• AI has the potential to solve real operational problems in manufacturing.
• Generational differences impact how employees are motivated and managed.
• Building a positive company culture is essential for innovation and engagement.
• High expectations should be paired with coaching and support.
• Empowering employees to solve problems fosters a proactive work environment.
• Capturing expertise before it is lost is crucial for organizational knowledge.
• AI should enhance human capabilities, not replace them.
• Continuous learning and preparation are key to seizing opportunities.

Manufacturing leaders love to talk about Lean, AI, and operational excellence, but few truly understand how to bring those ideas to life. Kevin Claxon does.

In this episode, Toyota-trained Lean expert Kevin Claxon shares how he went from the factory floor to leading high-stakes operational transformations—including a million-dollar mistake that became his greatest leadership lesson.

We dig into:

• Why continuous improvement fails at most companies—and how to fix it
• How AI and automation will impact jobs and the middle class
• The leadership mindset needed to drive real change in manufacturing
• What companies must focus on to stay ahead in 2025 and beyond

This episode is packed with real-world insights on culture, technology, and the future of manufacturing leadership. Don’t miss it!

Takeaways:

• Continuous improvement must be embedded in organizational culture, not treated as a project.
• Leadership buy-in is critical—without it, change efforts will fail.
• Mistakes are learning opportunities, not failures—Toyota’s approach to root cause analysis proves this.
• AI should be used to eliminate non-value-added activities, not replace jobs.
• Communication is key—teams must align on goals and track measurable progress.
• Understanding customer needs is essential—both for internal operations and external success.
• Technology adoption must consider people and processes first—bad processes plus tech = bigger problems.
• The future of manufacturing will demand skilled workers who can adapt to evolving technologies.
• A growth mindset and curiosity are vital for professional success.
• Manufacturers must prepare for 2025’s supply chain risks, new regulations, and evolving workforce demands.

Chapters:

• 00:00 – Introduction to Kevin Claxon and his expertise
• 02:43 – Why culture is the foundation of continuous improvement
• 05:29 – Kevin’s journey: From Toyota to consulting
• 08:29 – Lessons from launching a greenfield Toyota plant in Tupelo, MS
• 11:26 – The defining moment that led Kevin to Lean Six Sigma
• 15:11 – A high-stakes operational integration project that pushed Kevin’s limits
• 18:43 – How middle-market manufacturers can scale and improve operations
• 21:07 – Overcoming leadership challenges and building buy-in
• 23:19 – Balancing quick wins vs. long-term improvements
• 25:28 – Kevin’s leadership philosophy: Building trust and clear communication
• 27:28 – How to align teams with company goals and mission
• 29:28 – What excites Kevin about the future of manufacturing
• 31:26 – AI and automation: Does AI take jobs, or create new ones?
• 34:02 – How AI should be used to eliminate inefficiencies, not workers
• 37:58 – Will technology rebuild or shrink the middle class?
• 40:18 – What’s next for Kevin and his career
• 44:07 – Kevin’s million-dollar mistake at Toyota and the leadership lesson it taught him
• 48:23 – What manufacturers need to focus on in 2025

In this episode of the Manufacturing Culture Podcast, Jim Mayer sits down with Clare Epstein, General Manager, Commercial at Vector Solutions, for a raw and grounded conversation on what it really takes to lead in manufacturing today.

Clare shares how her path—from urban planning to safety tech leadership—was anything but linear. She opens up about the hard lessons that shaped her leadership style, why empathy isn’t optional, and how treating safety like a checklist is costing companies more than they realize.

This is a story about learning to lead with humility, listening more than talking, and doing the real work of building culture from the inside out.

Whether you’re in operations, safety, HR, or the C-suite, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership—and remind you what matters most.

Key Takeaways:

• Safety isn’t compliance—it’s culture.
• Empathy is a learned leadership skill, not a personality trait.
• A strong safety culture drives retention, engagement, and performance.
• Leaders must model the behavior they expect—especially when things get hard.
• Technology is a powerful tool, but it can’t replace human connection.
• Training should meet workers where they are: mobile, fast, and relevant.
• The future of manufacturing depends on leaders who prioritize people.
• Grace—for yourself and others—matters more than you think.

Chapters:

• 00:00 – Why Safety Isn’t Just About Rules
• 02:50 – Clare’s Unexpected Path to Manufacturing Leadership
• 06:12 – What Culture Means (and Why It’s Hard to Build)
• 09:05 – From Urban Planning to EHS Software
• 13:40 – The Evolution of a Leadership Style
• 17:00 – Lessons in Empathy and Accountability
• 20:00 – What Most Leaders Get Wrong About Safety
• 23:50 – Technology’s Role in Safety (and Its Limits)
• 26:57 – Turnover, Training, and Meeting Workers Where They Are
• 30:15 – Apprenticeship Models and Generational Shifts
• 32:00 – Outdated Mindsets That Still Hurt Manufacturing
• 33:12 – What Keeps Clare Going (And What She’s Proud Of)
• 36:41 – What the Future of Safety Training Looks Like
• 41:01 – The One Thing She Wishes She’d Done Sooner
• 42:35 – Final Thoughts and a Challenge to Leaders Everywhere

Stay Connected:

• Reserve your seat for the Lead the Change Tour
• Full archive + resources: themfgconnector.com
• Follow us: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram (and occasionally TikTok)
• Want solutions? Watch The Manufacturing Connector on YouTube

Takeaways

• Culture is the engine of manufacturing. Leaders must shape culture purposefully.
• The human side of change is essential for success.
• Digital transformation requires a clear vision and strategy.
• Safety must be prioritized in manufacturing environments.
• The wisdom gap poses a significant challenge for organizations.
• Effective change management involves connecting the right people.
• Leaders need to be self-aware and vulnerable.
• Manufacturing is crucial for building the middle class.
• Embracing digital transformation is necessary for future success.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Manufacturing Culture Podcast
• 03:08 Understanding Organizational Culture
• 5:15 Evolution of Cultural Perspectives
• 7:22 Ron Crabtree's Journey in Manufacturing
• 17:59 Defining Moments in Career
• 20:55 The Human Side of Change
• 22:15 Formula for Sustainable Change
• 23:44 Understanding Change in Organizations
• 24:37 Driving Digital Transformation
• 30:45 Building Trust for Transformation
• 33:33 Closing the Skills Gap
• 39:59 The Future of Manufacturing

Join the Lead the Change Tour

They share candid insights on building a scalable company culture, launching a franchise model to empower other owner-operators, and balancing legacy with innovation. If you care about what it feels like to work in manufacturing—and how to make that feeling matter—this episode delivers.

Key Takeaways

• Culture is the Vibe Inside: It’s more than words on a wall—it’s how it feels when you walk into the shop. And that feeling is built with intentionality, consistency, and values-driven leadership.
• From Family to Force: Nix Companies grew from four family members to over 200 employees, proving that small-town roots and big-time vision can coexist.
• Hiring with Intention Changes Everything: Drawing a line in the sand on who they hire—and why—transformed their business and laid the foundation for a thriving culture.
• Mission, Vision & Values Should Evolve: But they must always be authentic and come from the top—then be reinforced through every level of the organization.
• Women in Manufacturing: Lindsay’s journey from accounting to sales to external relations shows how women can lead, influence, and thrive in male-dominated spaces.
• Franchising a Fabrication Model: Nix Companies is pioneering a franchise model in manufacturing to support owner-operators with playbooks, back-end systems, and cultural integration.
• Community Is Part of the Business Plan: From local schools to Junior Achievement, giving back is not a PR move—it’s who they are.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Evolution of Nix Company
• 02:51 Building a Strong Company Culture
• 05:51 The Role of Family in Business
• 09:00 Defining Corporate Culture
• 12:11 Personal Journeys and Career Aspirations
• 20:48 Evolving Mission, Vision, and Values
• 23:18 The Formation of Nick's Companies
• 26:13 Integrating Culture Across Business Units
• 31:17 Balancing Tradition and Innovation
• 33:59 Community Engagement and Educational Initiatives
• 35:46 Future Aspirations and Franchise Model

In this episode of The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, host Jim Mayer sits down with Gina Tabasso, a powerhouse in industrial marketing whose career spans trade publications, Lean Six Sigma certifications, welding credentials, and a deep respect for the people who make manufacturing work.

Gina shares how she learned to speak the many “languages” of the industry—sales, marketing, operations, and shop floor realities—and why that fluency matters more than ever. From her time managing publications like Welding Design & Fabrication to launching her own firm, Barracuda B2B, Gina unpacks what makes great marketing in manufacturing—and why so much of what’s out there misses the mark.

They talk culture, storytelling, the future of the workforce, and the tension between compassion and success in a field that’s both evolving and enduring.

Whether you're on the floor, in the front office, or helping companies grow from the outside, this is a conversation about connection, clarity, and the kind of leadership this industry needs now.

Takeaways:

• Culture in manufacturing needs to evolve—and that shift starts with listening.
• Certifications like Lean Six Sigma and Sandler Sales create a strong foundation for marketing that works.
• Sales and marketing can’t operate in silos—they need to collaborate, and speak the same language.
• Storytelling is more than branding—it’s how manufacturers make themselves understood.
• Applying process discipline (like Lean) to marketing builds measurable, sustainable growth.
• Resilience isn’t just a business trait—it’s a human one. And it’s everywhere in manufacturing.
• Automation is coming, but people—especially a well-supported workforce—remain central to the future.
• Compassion and professionalism are not opposites; they’re both essential for long-term success.
• Building a strong network is just as strategic as any marketing funnel.
• Self-care matters—even in a high-pressure, production-driven world.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Manufacturing Culture

05:39 Gina's Journey into Manufacturing

08:30 The Role of Certifications in Marketing

11:29 Insights from Trade Publications

14:26 Marketing Strategies for Manufacturers

17:21 The Importance of MEPs in Manufacturing

19:55 The Future of Manufacturing and Marketing

26:16 Emotional Investment in Work and Client Relationships

26:50 The Unique Story of Each Business

27:48 Understanding Customer Perception

28:40 Addressing Internal Culture and Client Relationships

30:06 Strategic Planning for Business Growth

31:54 Building a Valuable Network

33:02 Challenges in a Male-Dominated Industry

35:36 Navigating Job Loss and Career Transitions

39:03 Influential Figures in Gina's Journey

42:15 The Resilience of Manufacturing

46:55 Personal Insights and Advice for Marketers

From his unexpected journey from public accounting into the manufacturing world, to building a business focused on organizational alignment, Josh shares the real-world lessons that shaped his leadership philosophy. They dive into the human side of operations — from tackling turnover and hiring proactively, to creating environments where employees stay, grow, and thrive.

Josh also opens up about the risks of entrepreneurship, the role of mentorship, and his newest venture: writing a children’s book. This conversation is packed with practical takeaways for leaders at any level who want to build stronger teams and a better future for the industry.

Key Takeaways

• Collaboration isn’t just a soft skill — it’s how real work gets done.
• Strong cultures lead to lower turnover and higher engagement.
• Hiring should be proactive and aligned with company values.
• Organizational health is the foundation for long-term success.
• Leadership is shaped by both mentorship and personal experience.
• A growth mindset helps leaders navigate uncertainty and change.
• The cost of poor culture is often hidden — until it shows up in results.
• The future of manufacturing depends on how we lead today.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 – Introduction to The Manufacturing Culture Podcast
•  01:10 – Josh McKain's Journey: From Accounting to Manufacturing
•  03:04 – Defining Culture in the Workplace
•  04:32 – Early Career Lessons and Transition into Manufacturing
•  07:58 – What Drives Employee Engagement
•  09:02 – Mentorship and Its Lasting Impact
•  10:42 – How Positive Leadership Experiences Shape Culture
•  14:58 – Proactive Hiring vs. Hiring in Crisis
•  17:13 – The Real Cost of Turnover in Manufacturing
•  19:41 – What Parenting Taught Josh About Leadership
•  25:26 – Advice for People Starting in the Industry
•  27:13 – Launching Henry Rose Consulting
•  27:41 – Risk, Fear, and the Leap into Entrepreneurship
•  31:39 – Business Development and Building Trust
•  32:37 – Team Alignment and the Importance of Vision
•  35:21 – Culture as a Competitive Advantage
•  41:21 – Employee Engagement and Leadership That Works
•  43:53 – Josh’s Take on the Future of U.S. Manufacturing
•  47:50 – A Lighthearted Close: Josh’s Children’s Book Journey

Takeaways

• Culture is essential and should be considered table stakes for any organization.
• Good culture varies from organization to organization, but respect and positive behaviors are key.
• Behavioral change requires time, practice, and accountability among team members.
• Consultants must engage deeply with clients to foster real change, not just surface-level fixes.
• Generational differences impact workplace dynamics and behaviors significantly.
• Humor can be a powerful tool in navigating workplace challenges and fostering connection.
• The Boulder Company was born from a shared passion for applied improvisation and culture work.
• Effective communication is crucial for a thriving workplace culture.
• People need to focus on personal growth and deeper understanding rather than just accumulating knowledge.
• The podcast aims to elevate the voices of women in manufacturing and promote the industry as a viable career path.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Icebreakers
• 04:25 Defining Culture in Organizations
• 07:40 Personal Journeys and Early Experiences
• 12:36 The Birth of the Boulder Company
• 16:42 Behavioral Change and Effective Training
• 21:56 The Evolution of Manufacturing Support
• 23:34 Embracing Uniqueness and Personal Growth
• 25:40 Going Deeper in Leadership Skills
• 28:21 The Reality of Behavioral Change in Organizations
• 31:05 Finding the Right Fit in Consulting
• 33:12 Vetting Clients for Effective Change
• 35:54 Generational Dynamics in the Workplace
• 39:20 Highlighting Women in Manufacturing
• 41:46 Lightening Up in the Workplace
• 47:13 Building Trust and Connection

Don't forget to check out MEDevice Boston and join the fun!

This episode of the Manufacturing Culture Podcast is a crash course in what real culture looks like from someone living it. Sydney’s take is simple: great culture means communication, teamwork, and quality. Most shops have one or two of those — rarely all three. She shares what it’s like being the only woman on the floor, the extra proof she’s had to carry into every new job, and why too many people get comfortable doing things “almost right” for 20 years.

We get into failure as a teacher — how welding forces you to face mistakes and learn faster than any classroom. Sydney talks about integrity, leadership, and the shops that cover bad welds instead of fixing them. She lays out the difference between a leader who checks in, listens, and teaches versus one who just points and barks orders.

If you run a team, hire apprentices, or manage training programs, you’ll want to hear her take on trade schools too — how they teach to plate instead of teaching to reality. She argues that students should weld on rusted, greasy, and painted metal, not perfect coupons, if they’re expected to survive their first week on the job.

Sydney is now balancing school with work at Tenco Hydro in Sugar Grove, Illinois, helping bring metal fabrication in house and ship their first stainless wastewater tank. She’s seen the gaps firsthand — and she’s building the bridge from within.

It’s an honest, sharp conversation about what manufacturing culture really needs: leaders who communicate clearly, care about quality, and build environments where new talent wants to stay.

Sponsor

Med Device Boston is your go-to Med Tech sourcing and education expo, September 30 through October 1 at Boston’s BCEC. With 200+ suppliers, 1,500+ attending professionals, and expert-led workshops on 3D printing, AI, materials, regulatory tech, and contract manufacturing, it’s built to advance the next generation of medical device innovation. Visit meddeviceboston.com to register.

Connect

Find Sydney Mrowczynski on LinkedIn

Subscribe to the Manufacturing Culture Podcast on YouTube and your favorite platform.

Why this conversation matters

If you sell complex, capital equipment under NDA, the usual playbook won’t carry you. Julie shows how to earn trust when buyers need confidence more than content, and how to build culture around the people you want to attract.

What you’ll hear

How journalism skills, parenting, and resourcefulness translated into an effective solo marketing role.

Why kindness from the founder set the tone for culture and risk-taking.

The limits of digital in NDA-heavy environments and how in-person proof fills the gap.

Inside the lab concept and how cross-vendor collaboration builds end-to-end confidence.

Using ClickUp and simple SOPs to turn tribal knowledge into systems.

Handling the “I’m in over my head” moments by finding the skill, the person, or the room that solves it.

Topics covered

Culture as the environment you create for the people you want.

Experimenting, failing forward, and deciding what actually works for your business.

Sales cycles that run from a year to many years, and how to stay relevant in the meantime.

Bringing vendors, engineers, and customers together to test and train before purchase.

Storytelling that focuses on outcomes, not features.

Letting the next generation toss the box aside rather than just think outside it.

Quotes to pull

“When you buy a drill, you’re buying holes. Our buyers need confidence their problem will be solved.”

“In tough moments it’s usually a system problem, not a human problem.”

“The lab is our proof. People can see parts move, get training, and leave with answers.”

“Kindness from leadership makes everything else solvable.”

Guest

Julie Runez is the marketing lead for a custom automation and machine-building company serving life sciences and other regulated industries. She built an in-house lab program that lets manufacturers and vendor partners test concepts, train operators, and de-risk projects at zero cost.

Sponsor

Med Device Boston at the BCEC, September 30 to October 1. A sourcing and education expo with suppliers, workshops, and expert-led sessions for the next generation of med-tech.

• Leadership plays a crucial role in building healthy company cultures and driving success in the manufacturing industry.
• Companies should strive to eliminate bias and create inclusive environments that celebrate diversity, including supporting previously incarcerated individuals and individuals from underrepresented communities.
• Training programs like the Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC) provide valuable opportunities for individuals to gain certifications and skills in manufacturing.
• Mentoring and coaching the next generation of black manufacturers is essential to help them navigate the industry and overcome challenges.
• Manufacturing companies should actively seek out and celebrate the contributions of the black community within their organizations. Diversity, inclusivity, and culture are crucial in the manufacturing industry.
• Being a well-rounded machinist with additional skills like CPR and Stop the Bleed instruction makes one more marketable.
• Perseverance, skill, and community play a significant role in shaping the future of manufacturing.
• Tradespeople should continuously practice and strive for growth in their craft.

Connect with Danny on Linkedin

A big shoutout to Speroni, the leader in tool management systems. Their dedication to precision and innovation in the manufacturing industry is unparalleled. Speroni is not just a sponsor; they are integral to advancing manufacturing excellence. Their support allows us to bring these valuable insights and discussions to you.

We're also thrilled to welcome our new partner, ShopFloor Coffee. More than just a coffee brand, ShopFloor Coffee is a cause-driven business dedicated to supporting workforce development efforts. A portion of their proceeds goes towards apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing, making every sip count towards a brighter future for the industry.

 And here's something exciting for our listeners! Use the promo code "SkillUpAZ" to get 10% off your order at ShopFloor Coffee. Not only do you get a great deal on your coffee, but you also contribute to supporting apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing. It's a win-win – enjoy fantastic coffee while helping to skill up the next generation of manufacturing professionals.

Takeaways

• Uberos is revolutionizing the way we think about robotic packaging with its soft gripper technology.
• The soft gripper allows for the delicate handling of objects with the precision and care of a human touch.
• The technology has applications in various industries, including food packaging, e-commerce warehousing, medical device handling, and humanoid robotics.
• Leadership styles differ between large multinational organizations and startups, with startups requiring a more focused and agile approach. Aligning values within an organization is crucial for creating a solid culture.
• Being vulnerable as a leader can foster open communication and trust.
• Having hobbies outside of work can clear the mind and improve productivity.
• Taking action on ideas is more important than just thinking about them.
• Embracing the unknown and taking risks is a key aspect of entrepreneurship.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Background
• 02:13 Soft Robotics and the Soft Gripper Technology
• 08:49 Applications of Soft Gripper Technology
• 14:11 Soft Robotics and Cultural Change
• 26:29 The Power of Culture
• 28:42 The Power of Values
• 30:11 Leadership and Vulnerability
• 32:46 Building a Team of Experts
• 34:01 Challenges in Hiring
• 36:35 Effective Communication and Feedback
• 37:29 The Influence of Acting and Judo
• 42:40 The Support of a Spouse
• 46:14 Advice for Entrepreneurs
• 49:49 The Importance of Hobbies
• 52:00 Closing Remarks

Connect with Onder

Check out Ubiros

Thank you to our Collaborative Partners

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• Is your company culture aligned with your business goals? At The Manufacturing Connector, we offer the Assessment, a comprehensive two-day employee engagement and cultural assessment designed to transform your organization from the inside out. Our process includes leadership team meetings, employee interviews, facility tours, and engagement surveys to provide actionable insights and strategic recommendations. Ready to enhance your organizational dynamics? Visit themfgconnector.com to learn about our Assessment and start your journey toward a more engaged and productive workplace.

Together, they unpack what culture means beyond the walls of a company, how leadership grounded in empathy can transform performance, and why AirPro’s employee-owned model has created one of the most authentic examples of modern manufacturing culture today.

What You’ll Hear:

Chris’s early years in machining and how vocational education shaped his career

The “quarter-life crisis” that changed his perspective on work and purpose

Why every manufacturing job supports six others and how that drives community impact

Lessons from the rifle industry on culture, stress, and leadership

How AirPro Fan & Blower built a thriving employee-owned culture around love of neighbor

The difference between condemning managers and leaders who come alongside

Why culture, not compensation, is the real key to long-term retention

How manufacturing can reclaim its image and attract the next generation

The future of manufacturing through technology, AI, and purpose-driven leadership

Key Quotes:

“Manufacturing supports my community. That realization changed everything for me.”

“Love of neighbor is a culture driver. It changes how you lead, how you sell, and how you care for people.”

“People remember who you are, not just what you did.”

“When a company puts care at the center, success takes care of itself.”

Topics Covered:

Manufacturing culture, leadership, purpose, employee ownership, community, vocational education, business development, supply chain, culture change, mentorship, AI in manufacturing, future of work.

Jim’s Take:

Chris’s story is a reminder that culture isn’t a policy — it’s people caring for each other. His journey from shop floor to business development shows how purpose evolves but never disappears when it’s built on the right foundation

Med Device Boston — The go-to med tech sourcing and education expo, September 30th–October 1st at Boston’s BCEC. Explore the next generation of medical device innovation at meddeviceboston.com.

From discussing the various challenges and innovations in the heat treating industry to investigating the adoption of digitalization and ERP systems for job tracking and quality control, Charlie reveals the cutting-edge techniques that drive Phoenix Heat Treating.

He talks about their customer-facing approach and the implementation of real-time job tracking, allowing unprecedented transparency and collaboration with clients. This leads to a rich discussion on balancing innovation with the limitations intrinsic to the heat-treating process and how Phoenix Heat Treating continually evolves to meet these challenges.

Charlie emphasizes the importance of company culture, continuous improvement, and how the evolution of the company's vision, mission, and values plays a central role in shaping a vibrant work environment.

The episode examines new management strategies like introducing the "performance snapshot" approach for performance reviews, outcome-based roles and responsibilities, and a keen focus on core values. It also uncovers how Phoenix Heat Treating identifies and nurtures leaders while managing the multi-generational workforce dynamics.

Charlie shares the importance of continuous improvement of leadership skills through asking questions and seeking different perspectives. A thread running throughout the conversation is the company's relentless pursuit of excellence in all areas of its business.

Witness the fusion of creativity and technology at WIMTS 2023! Discover a dazzling array of breakthroughs from additive manufacturing to robotics, machining centers to welding. Explore the endless possibilities of the future and the role you can play in shaping it. Don't miss your chance to be at the forefront of innovation. Register now at www.wimts.com. Together, let's turn dreams into realities!

Joe’s path from supply chain management to technology was anything but traditional. Along the way, he explored psychology, education, and leadership—building a unique perspective on why company culture is the real driver of improvement and how technology can empower people rather than replace them.

In this conversation, Jim and Joe discuss:

• The myths holding manufacturing back—and why questioning them is the key to progress.
• Why company culture isn’t just a leadership talking point—it’s the foundation of every organization.
• How psychology and education influence problem-solving, leadership, and workplace culture.
• The role of technology in democratizing continuous improvement and why Joe’s new venture, See/Eye, is focused on making these tools accessible to all.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever looked at a process, a policy, or even a leadership approach and thought, “There has to be a better way.”

Resources & Links:

• Learn more at themfgconnector.com
• Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram
• Check out The Manufacturing Connector on YouTube for insights on solving real manufacturing challenges.
• Explore leadership and workplace culture on our new podcast, Work, But Make It Human.
• Connect with Joe on Linkedin

How to Support the Show:

Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend, rate, and review the podcast on your favorite platform—it helps us continue bringing you conversations that challenge the status quo in manufacturing.

Chapters

00:00 - Challenging Sacred Truths: Joe Hungerman’s Journey Begins

• Jim introduces Joe Hungerman and his journey of reinvention.
• The importance of curiosity in shaping a career across industries.

04:17 - Why Company Culture Is the Company

• Joe shares why culture isn’t a side initiative—it defines everything.
• How culture impacts trust, leadership, and improvement in manufacturing.

06:06 - Early Influences: Psychology, Problem-Solving, and Breaking the Mold

• Joe’s early curiosity and how psychology shaped his problem-solving mindset.
• How questioning “the way things are done” led him into continuous improvement.

08:28 - The Road to Reinvention: From Supply Chain to Technology

• Joe’s experience in supply chain management and operations.
• How discovering lean, Six Sigma, and Deming set the stage for his career evolution.

10:01 - Education vs. Real-World Learning: The Gaps No One Talks About

• Joe’s perspective on higher education vs. hands-on experience.
• Why education needs mentorship and real-world application to be effective.

15:09 - The Psychology of Business: Understanding People to Drive Change

• How psychology and leadership intersect in problem-solving.
• Why knowing how people think and work is critical for real transformation.

19:08 - Continuous Improvement as a Mindset, Not a Process

• CI is more than a set of tools—it’s a way of thinking.
• Why real improvement requires challenging outdated beliefs.

22:10 - From Supply Chain to Tech: The Moment Joe Knew It Was Time to Pivot

• Joe’s transition into agile and technology.
• The surprising connections between manufacturing principles and tech.

30:12 - The Birth of See/Eye: Making Continuous Improvement Accessible for Everyone

• Why Joe launched See/Eye to democratize knowledge.
• The barriers that keep organizations from truly embracing CI.

35:53 - The Lean Startup vs. Lean Manufacturing: Understanding the Difference

• Why agile and lean manufacturing aren’t the same thing.
• How startup culture is reshaping how we think about CI.

42:05 - Building a Culture That Supports Real Continuous Improvement

• Why most companies fail at sustaining CI initiatives.
• How leaders can create an environment where real improvement happens.

50:53 - Advice for Future Leaders: What Joe Wishes He Knew Sooner

• Joe shares his biggest career lessons and advice for the next generation.
• Why curiosity and questioning everything is the key to growth.

01:02:14 - Partnering with Education to Shape the Future of CI

• Joe’s vision for partnering with universities and businesses to build better training.
• Why mentorship and hands-on learning will define the next wave of CI.

Takeaways

• Live chat is crucial for capturing potential customers.
• 97% of website visitors leave without taking action.
• Workplace culture is about the energy exchanged between employees and the company.
• Personal experiences shape professional outlooks.
• The internet's evolution has transformed marketing strategies.
• Success requires a balance between high energy and calmness.
• Responding rather than reacting is key in leadership.
• Building relationships leads to better business outcomes.
• Niche marketing can yield better results than broad approaches.
• High average sales make it easier to demonstrate ROI. 94% retention rate is impressive for any company.
• Authenticity is key in building relationships.
• Self-investment leads to continuous improvement.
• People prefer human interaction over chatbots.
• Live chat can significantly increase sales inquiries.
• Manufacturing is a diverse and vast industry.
• Niche markets exist within the manufacturing sector.
• AI can enhance but not replace human chat solutions.
• Websites should offer chat as a communication option.
• Building a brand is an ongoing mission.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Event Highlights
• 03:05 Removing Friction in B2B Buying Processes
• 05:56 Defining Culture in the Workplace
• 09:05 Personal Journey and Influences
• 12:07 Career Path and Early Experiences
• 14:49 Evolution of Digital Marketing
• 18:03 Lessons on Success and Leadership
• 20:54 Impact of Generated Revenue for Clients
• 21:48 Building Relationships in Business
• 24:34 The Power of Perseverance and Self-Investment
• 26:59 Understanding the Manufacturing Community
• 30:08 Niche Markets in Manufacturing
• 34:14 The Role of AI in Live Chat Solutions
• 39:45 Conclusion and Future Collaborations

Key Highlights:

Marcus's early experiences in the family business and his path to leadership. The development and impact of the Fair Chance program at JBM. Insights into building a culture of collaboration and learning. The importance of aligning company values with personal growth and community impact.

Takeaways

• Every business has a culture, whether intentional or not.
• Collaboration and support are key to a positive workplace culture.
• Transitioning from family business to leadership can be challenging.
• Experiences outside the family business can provide valuable insights.
• Effective communication is crucial in leadership roles.
• Asking questions is a strength, not a weakness.
• Purpose-driven programs can enhance employee engagement.
• The Fair Chance program has transformed JBM's workforce.
• Building trust with employees is essential for success.
• Investing in community and employee well-being is beneficial for business.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Marcus Sheanshang
• 03:51 Defining Culture in Business
• 05:59 Marcus's Journey in the Family Business
• 08:51 Early Experiences on the Shop Floor
• 11:25 Transitioning to CEO
• 13:36 Doubts and Leadership Challenges
• 15:58 Building a Purpose-Driven Culture
• 21:19 Operationalizing Core Values
• 24:21 Reinvigorating Company Culture
• 30:27 Enhancing Employee Engagement and Performance
• 31:37 The Genesis of the Fair Chance Program
• 33:41 Building Bridges: From Prisons to Employment
• 35:15 Transforming Perspectives on Rehabilitation
• 38:43 Establishing Trust with Fair Chance Employees
• 40:09 Support Systems for Successful Reintegration
• 43:57 Criteria for Inclusion in the Fair Chance Program
• 45:17 Training and Development for Fair Chance Employees
• 49:47 Vision for the Future: A Sustainable and Inclusive Workplace
• 01:03:13 Building a Purpose-Driven Culture
• 01:04:09 Leadership and Second Chances

Don't miss this episode! Hit the subscribe button and turn on notifications to stay updated with more inspiring stories from industry leaders. Visit themfgconnector.com for more episodes and connect with us on social media.

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What you’ll hear

How Emily defines culture as “what you feel in the air” when you walk into work, and why it can either energize you or quietly drain you.

The story of how Japanese fluency opened the door at CCS, sent her to headquarters in Japan, and what she learned from that office culture.

Practical tips for doing business and filming content in Japan, from privacy expectations to simple etiquette that changes how you show up.

What it is really like to be the person who turns hardcore machine vision physics and jargon into useful stories and content.

Why leadership asking for ROI without clear goals is such a common pattern, and how she tries to navigate that tension.

How CCS Americas had to reset expectations after the Covid boom and get sales, marketing and engineering genuinely aligned again.

Why industrial marketing is still behind B2B SaaS, and what manufacturers can borrow without repeating old mistakes.

How the book “Our Iceberg Is Melting” turned into required reading and gave everyone a way to see themselves in the change story.

Topics covered

Culture as lived experience versus official “values”

Working in Japan, unspoken rules and privacy around filming

Translating technical machine vision and lighting concepts

AI hype in inspection and why fundamentals still matter

Getting leadership, engineers and marketing on the same page

Remote and hybrid culture in a small, spread out team

Designing a distributor program as a culture project, not just a sales program

The messy reality of modern industrial marketing

Key quotes

“Culture is what you feel in the air when you walk into work. Do you feel ready to do what you set out to do, or like there’s a pressure sitting on your mind all day”

“Marketing is much messier than people want. You rarely get a perfect straight line between what you did and the deal that closed.”

“Sometimes the decision is no decision. Staying in the status quo feels safer than making a move that might go wrong.”

“AI did not make lighting irrelevant. If bad lighting did not matter, those AI companies would not keep coming back to us for help.”

“You do not always get the insight you want by asking the question directly. Sometimes you have to go the long way round to reach the part of the customer that actually decides.”

• The Profit First system can help manufacturers improve their financial health and profitability.
• Financial strategy plays a crucial role in shaping company culture.
• Aligning financial goals with company values can lead to a more cohesive and motivated workforce.
• Creating a positive and effective workplace culture requires intentional effort and a focus on employee well-being.

Connect with Susanne on Linkedin

Please visit her website Profit First

A big shoutout to Speroni, the leader in tool management systems. Their dedication to precision and innovation in the manufacturing industry is unparalleled. Speroni is not just a sponsor; they are integral to advancing manufacturing excellence. Their support allows us to bring these valuable insights and discussions to you.

We're also thrilled to welcome our new partner, ShopFloor Coffee. More than just a coffee brand, ShopFloor Coffee is a cause-driven business dedicated to supporting workforce development efforts. A portion of their proceeds goes towards apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing, making every sip count towards a brighter future for the industry.

 And here's something exciting for our listeners! Use the promo code "SkillUpAZ" to get 10% off your order at ShopFloor Coffee. Not only do you get a great deal on your coffee, but you also contribute to supporting apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing. It's a win-win – enjoy fantastic coffee while helping to skill up the next generation of manufacturing professionals.

During our conversation, Tiffany takes us on a journey through her impressive career trajectory, shares insights about the High School Development Program she spearheaded, and discusses her strategies for cultivating meaningful partnerships across diverse institutions. We also explore the metrics of success in workforce development and how she's fostered a sense of community among Boeing's employees.

Packed with wisdom, inspiration, and practical tips, this episode promises to elevate your perspective on workforce development and leadership in the manufacturing industry. Don't miss it!

Journey with us as Joey peels back the layers on his unique career path, from entrepreneurial hustles as a kid to steering the course of Emmet. Get ready to be captivated by his keen insights into the ever-changing landscape of company culture, shaped by his work across diverse fields and industries.

In this unmissable conversation, we explore:

• The future-forward vision for Emmet
• Joey's knack for cultivating a vibrant company culture
• The game-changing power of proper employee incentives
• The seismic shift from gig economy ventures to a stable yet disruptive manufacturing platform
• The indispensable role of technology in fueling Emmet's vision and the broader manufacturing scene

Don't miss this chance to dive deep into the mind of a leader poised to disrupt the status quo and usher in a new era of manufacturing culture.

So grab a seat, tune in, and get ready to rethink everything you know about manufacturing!

Takeaways

• It's better to show up imperfectly than not at all.
• Culture is built by those who show up.
• Overcoming personal challenges can lead to unique perspectives.
• Hands-on experience in technology can spark passion.
• Education systems can greatly influence career paths.
• The job market can be tough, especially during crises.
• Half-assing can sometimes be better than procrastinating.
• Creativity plays a crucial role in technology and marketing.
• Focusing on people can differentiate companies in manufacturing.
• Internship programs can have a significant community impact.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Background
• 04:24 Defining Culture in the Workplace
• 09:50 Overcoming Early Challenges
• 14:54 Educational Journey and Career Path
• 19:37 Lessons Learned and Personal Growth
• 23:15 Diverse Professional Interests
• 29:11 Challenging Marketing Norms
• 37:16 Innovative Internship Programs

In this episode, we will delve into Bill's unique perspective on manufacturing industry culture and how he advocates for policies and funding to support workforce development and promote manufacturing as a career option for the next generation. Don't miss it!

Matt Kownick shares the proactive approach of Left Hand Engineering in educating employees about business operations and emphasizes the critical importance of preparing for the era of automation. He also discusses the necessity of transparency in manufacturing processes and envisions how AI and machine learning will likely transform office jobs.

Additionally, the conversation takes a personal turn as Kownick shares his journey, passion for water skiing and beer, and unique experiences at various trade shows.

We extend our gratitude to Speroni for sponsoring this episode and supporting the exploration of these vital topics in manufacturing.

For more insights into Matt Kownick’s philosophy, visit Left Hand Engineering's website and connect with Matt on LinkedIn.

Tune in to this episode of the Manufacturing Culture Podcast for an enlightening experience that bridges the gap between personal passions and professional advancements in the manufacturing world.

Takeaways

• Jesse Casto's upbringing in his father's machine shop instilled a passion for innovation and problem-solving.
• BetterCNC's mission is to revolutionize the manufacturing industry by constantly finding a better way and focusing on process efficiency.
• The company serves multiple industries, including automotive, aerospace, electronics manufacturing, and robotics automation.
• Jesse emphasizes the importance of diversifying the business to mitigate the impact of industry fluctuations. Continuous learning and improvement are essential in the manufacturing industry.
• Fostering a culture of innovation in the workplace is crucial for success.
• Having a well-designed website is important for attracting customers.
• Planning and having a clear vision for your business are key.
• Balancing work and personal life is important for productivity and well-being.

Connect with Jesse on LinkedIn

Mark shares his cultural journey at Spartanburg Steel Products, discussing where the culture was when he joined, where it is now, and where he wants to take it in the future. He also offers insights into his leadership style, the challenges of building a positive culture in the manufacturing industry, and the role of technology in enhancing workplace culture.

Throughout the episode, Mark provides practical advice for listeners looking to improve their organization's culture. He shares three initiatives he has implemented at Spartanburg Steel Products to drive positive change and discusses their impact on the company and its employees.

Tune in to this episode for valuable insights from an experienced leader who knows how to drive success through a positive workplace culture. And don't forget to visit manufacturingculturepodcast.com for more episodes and resources.

• TakeawaysCreating a culture of support and opportunity is crucial for individuals to thrive and for organizations to succeed.
• Leadership is about helping others succeed and creating a positive and inclusive environment.
• Empathy plays a crucial role in talent acquisition and building a strong organizational culture.
• Setting goals and continuously evolving as a leader is important for personal and professional growth.

Chapters

• Shaun's Journey (00:00:01) Shaun's journey from childhood challenges to professional success.
• Professional Growth (00:01:15) Shaun's career progression and passion for vocational readiness.
• Diverse Passions (00:02:32) Shaun's impact beyond professional achievements, including stand-up comedy and outdoor cooking.
• Introduction and Warm Welcome (00:03:09) The podcast host's warm welcome and introduction to the conversation.
• Early Life and School Experience (00:04:25) Shaun's experiences at the Indiana School for the Blind and the challenges he faced.
• Challenges in the Workplace (00:07:01) Shaun's early work experience at McDonald's and the challenges he encountered as a blind employee.
• College and Career Development (00:08:37) Shaun's college experience, fraternity involvement, and career development.
• Impactful Work Experience (00:10:22) Shaun's pragmatic approach to job hunting and impactful experiences in various roles.
• Mission of the Lighthouse (00:14:16) An overview of the Lighthouse for the Blind Inc.'s mission and employment statistics.
• Organization's Services (00:16:46) Details about the services and programs provided by the Lighthouse for the Blind Inc.
• Bold Thinking and Impact (00:17:43) The organization's commitment to bold thinking and creating employment opportunities for people who are blind.
• Historical Background and Manufacturing (00:18:13) The historical evolution of the organization and its current manufacturing capabilities.
• Recruitment and Training (00:20:15) Challenges in recruiting blind and low vision individuals and the training process for manufacturing roles.
• Career Development and Accommodations (00:23:21) Strategies for career development, continuous improvement, and accommodations for employees with vision loss.
• The timestamp's title (time it starts) short description, with max 20 words, of what is covered in this topic.
• Leadership Philosophy and Empathy (00:25:50) Discussion on leadership philosophy, empathy, and creating a culture of opportunity and belonging in organizations.
• Evolution of Leadership Style (00:27:12) Reflection on the evolution of leadership style, learning from failure, and the importance of trust and a holistic view.
• Incorporating Empathy into Talent Acquisition (00:28:15) Incorporating empathy into talent acquisition, onboarding processes, and creating a sense of belonging in the organization.
• Goals for the Lighthouse (00:37:13) Discussion on the goals for the Lighthouse, expansion plans, and advancing opportunities for people who are blind.
• Passions and Hobbies (00:39:51) Conversation about outdoor cooking, grilling, and exploring different hobbies, including stand-up comedy and brewing beer.
• Closing Remarks and Job Opportunities (00:45:05) Inviting individuals to explore job opportunities at the Lighthouse and expressing gratitude for sharing the organization's story.

Connect with Shawn on Linkedin

A big shoutout to Speroni, the leader in tool management systems. Their dedication to precision and innovation in the manufacturing industry is unparalleled. Speroni is not just a sponsor; they are integral to advancing manufacturing excellence. Their support allows us to bring these valuable insights and discussions to you.

We're also thrilled to welcome our new partner, ShopFloor Coffee. More than just a coffee brand, ShopFloor Coffee is a cause-driven business dedicated to supporting workforce development efforts. A portion of their proceeds goes towards apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing, making every sip count towards a brighter future for the industry.

 And here's something exciting for our listeners! Use the promo code "SkillUpAZ" to get 10% off your order at ShopFloor Coffee. Not only do you get a great deal on your coffee, but you also contribute to supporting apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing. It's a win-win – enjoy fantastic coffee while helping to skill up the next generation of manufacturing professionals.

• Manufacturing can have a significant impact on people's lives and should be promoted as a viable career option.
• The industry needs to focus on reaching young people and their parents to change perceptions about manufacturing.
• Education plays a crucial role in getting more young people interested in manufacturing.
• Companies should provide opportunities for young people to gain experience and learn about the industry.

Connect with Shae on Linkedin

Watch Manufacturing Muscle on YouTube

A big shoutout to Speroni, the leader in tool management systems. Their dedication to precision and innovation in the manufacturing industry is unparalleled. Speroni is not just a sponsor; they are integral to advancing manufacturing excellence. Their support allows us to bring these valuable insights and discussions to you.

We're also thrilled to welcome our new partner, ShopFloor Coffee. More than just a coffee brand, ShopFloor Coffee is a cause-driven business dedicated to supporting workforce development efforts. A portion of their proceeds goes towards apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing, making every sip count towards a brighter future for the industry.

 And here's something exciting for our listeners! Use the promo code "SkillUpAZ" to get 10% off your order at ShopFloor Coffee. Not only do you get a great deal on your coffee, but you also contribute to supporting apprenticeships and scholarships in Advanced Manufacturing. It's a win-win – enjoy fantastic coffee while helping to skill up the next generation of manufacturing professionals.

• Building a positive culture in manufacturing is crucial for success.
• Clear communication and organizational structure are essential for a thriving workplace culture.
• Leadership plays a key role in driving and shaping company culture.
• Valuing personal attributes and creating a supportive environment are important in the hiring process.
• Creating a culture that values each person and promotes well-being and growth leads to success.
• Listening to and learning from those on the front lines is valuable for driving change.
• Company culture is built on the alignment of organizational values and employee values.
• Innovation, resilience, and inclusivity are important aspects of manufacturing culture.
• Creating a culture of innovation and growth requires active shaping and nurturing.
• Kindness, respect, and letting people be themselves contribute to a positive workplace culture.

Takeaways

• Praxi is pioneering the future of digital transformation in manufacturing by providing a low-cost, customizable software platform.
• The culture at Praxi emphasizes respect, collaboration, and a focus on solving customer problems.
• The platform helps improve culture at manufacturing facilities by digitizing lean processes, promoting continuous improvement, and providing real-time visibility into performance.
• Digital transformation is a joint effort between the human aspects and technology, and Praxi offers coaching support throughout the journey. Start simple and focus on key metrics and lean methodologies when undergoing digital transformation.
• The Praxi platform offers flexibility in digitizing processes and utilizing AI to optimize workflows.
• Embrace digital transformation to stay competitive and take advantage of productivity gains.
• Lifelong learning is essential in acquiring new skills and knowledge.
  Company culture can be improved through anonymous interviews, flattening the organization, and clarifying cultural norms.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
00:54 Michael Lynch's Journey
05:13 Praxi and Digital Transformation in Manufacturing
08:31 Culture at Praxi
10:57 Praxi's Impact on Manufacturing Culture
17:35 Advice for Manufacturers on Digital Transformation
20:35 Staying Ahead of the Curve in Manufacturing and Tech
31:45 Attracting People to Manufacturing
34:04 Improving Company Culture
34:46 Flattening the Organization
35:10 Clarifying Cultural Norms
35:44 Contact Information
36:22 Closing Remarks

Connect with Michael on Linkedin

Watch Michael on this amazing clip from the TV show, General Hospital on YouTube

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Discover how Al, with his extensive experience in product development and leadership, and Abby's diverse background in professional sports, artistic endeavors, and marketing, are shaping the company culture at VersaBuilt. Hear firsthand how their dynamic relationship influences their work environment and how they are steering VersaBuilt toward an innovative future.

This episode dives deep into the cultural journey at VersaBuilt, its challenges, and their vision for the future. It's a remarkable exploration of innovation, family dynamics, and the ongoing transformation of manufacturing culture. Tune in to this inspiring conversation that will ignite new ideas and spark discussions about the manufacturing industry's future.

Takeaways

• Culture is the foundation of a successful manufacturing environment.
• Engaging employees leads to better problem-solving and innovation.
• Learning from experiences at Toyota shaped Bob's leadership style.
• Automation must be culturally accepted for successful implementation.
• Consultants should empower organizations to learn and grow, not do the work for them.
• Continuous improvement is essential for long-term success.
• Understanding the process is key to effective leadership.
• Cultural readiness is crucial for adopting new technologies.
• The future of manufacturing will heavily involve AI and automation.
• Flexibility and adaptability are vital in a changing industry.

Chapters

• 00:00 Transforming Manufacturing Culture
• 16:08 Innovations in Problem Solving
• 30:08 Engaging Employees for Success
• 36:31 Integrating Customer Feedback into Standard Work
• 44:36 The Role of Consultants in Business
• 50:25 Cultural Readiness for Change
• 55:40 The Future of Lean and Automation
• 01:04:26 Pushing Boundaries in Leadership

Devin's inspiring leadership style and his unique approach to incorporating the outdoor lifestyle of Kootenay into the company culture is a lesson in innovative management. From his extensive experience in steel trades and manufacturing to his successful hunting podcast, "Come Out Heavy," Devin brings the spirit of Kootenay into every aspect of his life and work.

In our chat, we jump into Devin's journey at DROP Sprockets, explore how he's helped shape the company culture, and discuss his passion for hunting and the BC wilderness. We also explore how he has nurtured his team's growth, helping each member carve out a meaningful career path.

Join us in discovering how Devin Gassoff masterfully combines manufacturing, culture, and the great outdoors to create a unique and successful working environment at Drop Sprockets. It's a tale of innovation, teamwork, and the transformative power of a strong company culture. You don't want to miss it!

Takeaways

• Ashleigh transformed Onex into a people-first organization.
• Cultural change is essential before any other improvements can be made.
• Storytelling is crucial for attracting new talent to manufacturing.
• Employee ownership can ensure the longevity of a company in its community.
• Leaders should empower their teams to solve problems.
• Hiring for cultural fit is as important as skills.
• Leadership styles can evolve through experience and necessity.
• Succession planning should start early and involve trusted advisors.
• Training and development are fundamental for future leaders.
• Creating thriving communities is the responsibility of manufacturers.

Takeaways

• Jason's passion for employee engagement began in childhood.
• Cultural challenges in large organizations often stem from scale and complexity.
• Effective communication requires a personal touch, especially in large firms.
• The evolution of employee engagement reflects changing workplace dynamics.
• Leadership plays a crucial role in fostering a positive workplace culture.
• Cohesion and Audacity focus on improving employee experiences.
• The Connect conference was created to fill a gap in internal communications training.
• The 'What Employees Want' initiative emphasizes employee feedback.
• Riding Shotgun is a storycast sharing lessons from Jason's career.
• The future of internal communications will prioritize human connection over technology.

Takeaways

• Work culture is essential, even in small family businesses.
• Communication is key in balancing work and family life.
• Transitioning into a new role can be challenging but rewarding.
• Building relationships with customers is crucial for business success.
• Women in manufacturing can bring valuable skills to the table.
• Fitness routines can enhance productivity and mental clarity.
• Social media has created a supportive community for women in manufacturing.
• It's important to instill strong values in the next generation.
• Finding a niche can help small businesses thrive.
• Embracing change and challenges can lead to personal growth.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Rachel Marshall and Excel Machine Manufacturing
• 02:38 The Importance of Work Culture in Family Businesses
• 06:39 Rachel's Journey into the CNC World
• 11:29 Transitioning a Legacy Business
• 16:24 Challenges of Running a Family Business
• 18:23 Niche Focus and Business Strategy
• 21:13 Lessons Learned in the CNC Industry
• 25:09 Teaching Values to the Next Generation
• 26:25 Exploring Alternative Education Paths
• 28:21 The Importance of Physical and Mental Fitness
• 31:23 Building a Supportive Community in Manufacturing
• 34:49 Future Aspirations for Excel Machine
• 36:59 Personal Touch: Mac and Cheese Preferences
• 37:59 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement

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Takeaways

• Hardware drives cultural change in the manufacturing industry.
• Automation improves the quality of life for employees and increases production and quality.
• Hiring smart people and empowering them to take ownership is crucial for success.
• The future of manufacturing lies in driving down costs, increasing flexibility, and automating high-value human-intensive jobs.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Sponsorship
• 01:49 Aerobotics: Revolutionizing Manufacturing and Culture
• 06:18 Keith Pfeiffer's Journey to Aerobotics
• 11:24 The Culture at Aerobotics
• 20:30 The Impact of Automation on Manufacturing Culture
• 23:30 Automation Innovation and the Manufacturing Industry
• 28:44 The Paradox of Culture and Automation
• 32:12 The Future of Manufacturing
• 34:22 Advice for Changing Culture in Manufacturing
• 35:57 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Connect with Keith

Check out Aerobotix

Thanks to this week's partner, Pico MES!

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Takeaways

• Catherine Bitting's journey from Philadelphia to Wichita is a fascinating blend of love, relocation, and a deep passion for the manufacturing industry.
• Building relationships and pushing projects forward are key aspects of Catherine's career in manufacturing.
• Soft skills, such as communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and conflict resolution, are essential for success in the manufacturing industry.
• There is a disconnect between blue-collar and white-collar workers in terms of the perception and value of soft skills.
• Bridging the gap between blue-collar and white-collar workers requires understanding, empathy, and breaking down biases. Building mutual respect across blue and white-collar lines is crucial in the manufacturing industry.
• Recognizing and appreciating the different skills and contributions of both sides is essential.
• Leaders should create a culture of respect and inclusivity, particularly for women in the industry.
• Providing resources and support for working mothers is important for attracting and retaining women in manufacturing.
• Understanding different temperaments and using tools like the temperament quiz can improve communication and collaboration within teams.

Connect with Catherine on LinkedIn

Takeaways

• Manufacturing has been a part of Eric's life since childhood.
• The perception of manufacturing as dark and dirty is changing.
• Continuous learning is essential in the manufacturing industry.
• Tinkering and hands-on experiences are crucial for youth engagement.
• Teaching others is one of the greatest joys in Eric's career.
• Digital transformation is vital for modern manufacturing.
• AI and technology must be accessible to shop floor workers.
• Balancing work and personal life is key to success.
• The future of manufacturing relies on embracing new technologies.
• Everyone in the industry should be seen as a main character in their own story.

Connect with Eric on LinkedIn

Takeaways

• Amy Teal's journey into manufacturing was winding, from studying drafting and design to working in project management and 3D printing.
• ShopFloor Coffee supports workforce development programs by donating 20% of its proceeds to organizations that impact the manufacturing community.
• Amy emphasizes the importance of aligning values with company culture and finding the right fit for employees to thrive.
• Choosing which organizations to support and make an impact with ShopFloor Coffee is a challenge due to the many significant initiatives in workforce development.
• Plans for ShopFloor Coffee include product innovation and participation in trade shows like IMTS. Having a strategy is crucial when starting a business. It helps define goals and guide decision-making.
• Leaders should prioritize listening and truly understanding what others are communicating.
• Emotional intelligence is essential for effective leadership. It involves recognizing and validating one's own emotions and understanding the feelings of others.
• Leaders should adapt and adjust their strategies based on feedback and industry needs.
• Supporting local businesses like Shop Floor Coffee can positively impact the community.
• Collaboration and networking with others in the industry can provide valuable insights and support.
• Taking care of personal health and wellness is important for maintaining work-life balance.
• Continuous learning and self-improvement are essential to personal and professional growth.

Connect with Amy on LinkedIn

Buy good coffee and support Skill Up Arizona. Use code SkillUpAZ for 10% off.

A massive shoutout to Speroni, our fantastic sponsor, for making this enlightening conversation possible. Speroni, like us, believes in challenging the status quo and taking innovation to the next level.

Connect with Dr. Ivan Rosenberg on LinkedIn and learn more about the Uniquely Abled Project on their website.

This episode is a treasure trove of insights that will inspire you to reconsider your views on talent and ability. From groundbreaking training methods to cultivating workplaces that don't just include but celebrate every individual's unique abilities, this is more than a conversation—it's a call to action. You'll also discover the broader impact of the Uniquely Abled Project as it begins its exciting journey of expanding its reach to diverse diagnoses and vocations.

Don't miss this life-altering episode. The future is not just inclusive; it's innovative. Here's to building it together!

Phil unpacks emotional intelligence's critical role in our fast-paced, ever-evolving world, highlighting its contrasts with intellectual intelligence. He explains the strong connection between emotional intelligence and accountability, a concept that's key to effective leadership.

We also explore the intriguing concept of the "five monkeys," which illustrates the importance of elevating our consciousness to inspire transformative change. Discover the two primary motivators for change - pain and passion, as Phil discusses the courage required to step out of the comfort zone and confront ego fear.

In an era where business landscapes are getting more complex, Phil emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence within the corporate world, focusing on the manufacturing industry. He provides insightful tips on incorporating emotional intelligence into hiring processes and how creating a more open environment can foster collaboration and positive energy in the workplace.

The episode concludes with a stimulating discussion on how Phil's work on emotional intelligence is revolutionizing leadership practices within the manufacturing industry. His narrative is a testament to resilience, dedication, and the power of understanding our emotional dynamics.

Whether in the manufacturing industry or any other sector, this episode is a goldmine for anyone seeking to understand the transformative power of emotional intelligence. Tune in to be inspired and enlightened!

In this episode of The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, Jim Mayer sits down with Stephanie Pryor—entrepreneur, writer, and founder of LANC Marketing—to explore why the most prolific industry in the U.S. is still struggling to be seen. From her upbringing in the Lehigh Valley, shaped by the legacy of Bethlehem Steel, to helping manufacturers land features in Forbes, CNN, and The New York Times, Stephanie has made a career out of telling the stories that rarely get told.

They unpack why manufacturing is viewed as “dead,” how culture and visibility go hand-in-hand, and why the next generation of workers won’t show up unless the industry does. This isn’t just about marketing—it’s about leadership, identity, and what it means to build something worth believing in.

If you're in manufacturing, this conversation will challenge how you see your company—and how the world sees you.

Key Takeaways from this Episode:

• Visibility is not vanity—it’s survival. Manufacturers who stay invisible risk falling behind in hiring, sales, and culture-building.
• Marketing is still misunderstood. Too often seen as a cost center, strategic communication is actually a growth engine when aligned with purpose.
• Culture is more than perks. It’s psychological safety, shared values, and the ability to show up authentically at work.
• Bethlehem Steel is more than a memory. Stephanie’s upbringing in its shadow shaped her mission to change how we talk about manufacturing.
• The workforce gap is a visibility gap. If Gen Z and Gen Alpha don’t see your company, they won’t consider working there.
• Telling your story is a leadership act. The companies winning today are the ones willing to be vulnerable, human, and bold.
• You don’t have to be loud—just consistent. Building a brand doesn’t mean being flashy. It means showing up, over and over again.

Takeaways

• Tom's journey began with a passion for the environment and hands-on work.
• Select Tech focuses on creating products from recycled materials.
• Innovation in flooring includes adhesive-free interlocking systems.
• Company culture is about fostering a positive, problem-solving environment.
• Mentorship plays a crucial role in entrepreneurship.
• Resilience and adaptability are key to overcoming business challenges.
• Tom believes in trying new ideas, even if they fail.
• Sustainability is at the core of Select Tech's mission.
• The future of Select Tech includes expanding into healthcare static control solutions.
• Tom's proudest accomplishments are his family and their joint business ventures.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to the Manufacturing Culture Podcast
• 02:52 Tom Ricciardelli: Journey from MIT to Select Tech
• 10:40 Innovating with Sustainability in Flooring Solutions
• 18:01 Company Culture and Leadership Philosophy
• 21:09 Balancing Work and Personal Life
• 25:43 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
• 29:25 Proudest Accomplishments and Future Aspirations

Terry opens up about his strategic decision to sell the company and passionately discusses his involvement with CHAMPION Now!, an initiative dedicated to reshaping the narrative around manufacturing careers. He also gives us an insider's view of his influential books that challenge and change perceptions in the manufacturing realm.

The conversation takes a deeper dive into the crucial topics of diversity and technology in the manufacturing sector. Terry shares insights about his innovative initiative, Camp CHAMP, which ignites a passion for manufacturing among students, introducing them to the field in an engaging and hands-on manner.

This episode is not just a journey through Terry's illustrious career but also a profound exploration of the vital role of manufacturing in today's world and the urgent need for inclusivity within the industry.

A special thank you to our sponsor, Speroni, for their support in bringing this enlightening conversation to our listeners.

Discover Terry Iverson and his groundbreaking work by visiting his website and connecting with him on LinkedIn.

Tune in for an episode that's as educational as it is inspiring, underscoring the undeniable importance of manufacturing and the collective effort required to drive the industry forward.

Lisa brings over 25 years of experience as a performance-driven leader and shares her expertise in cultivating and executing business strategies, formulating long-term strategic client relationships, and developing business solutions for ongoing competitiveness.

Together, Jim and Lisa explore how robotics in manufacturing can lead to a more positive company culture, foster collaboration and inclusivity in the workplace, and address health and safety concerns common in the industry. They discuss specific examples of how employees benefit from working alongside robots, the kind of training and support employees need to work effectively with robots, and the impact of robotics on company culture in terms of diversity, inclusivity, and talent attraction.

If you're interested in learning about the future of manufacturing culture and how robotics is revolutionizing the industry, then this episode is for you! Tune in to the Manufacturing Culture Podcast now and join the conversation.

Takeaways

• Manufacturing is often perceived negatively, but it has a lot of creativity and innovation.
• Storytelling can change the perception of manufacturing and highlight its impact.
• Many manufacturers are unaware of the positive effects they have on the world.
• AI is democratizing content creation, making it accessible to all companies.
• A strong organizational culture is essential for attracting and retaining talent.
• Marketing strategies often lack a clear direction and understanding of the customer.
• Vulnerability in leadership can build trust and improve company culture.
• Internal and external communications should align to reflect company values.
• The manufacturing industry needs to overcome outdated narratives to attract new talent.
• Knowledge transfer from experienced workers to younger generations is crucial for the industry's future.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to the Manufacturing Culture Podcast
• 01:13 The Excitement of Industrial Marketing Summit
• 03:07 Danny Gonzalez's Unique Perspective on Life
• 06:53 Defining Culture in the Manufacturing Context
• 09:19 Danny's Journey from Accounting to Video Production
• 12:08 The Wonder of Manufacturing Facilities
• 14:09 Overcoming Negative Perceptions in Manufacturing
• 17:41 The Importance of Authentic Storytelling
• 19:50 The Shift in Manufacturing Narratives
• 21:29 The Role of AI in Content Creation
• 24:06 The Rise of Generative AI in Marketing
• 26:38 Authenticity in AI-Driven Storytelling
• 28:17 Balancing Human and AI Content
• 32:43 Common Pitfalls in Industrial Marketing
• 34:39 Leveraging Company Culture in Storytelling
• 39:12 Vulnerability and Transparency in Manufacturing
• 40:57 Future Success Metrics for Industrial Marketing

Takeaways

• Yushiro Kato's journey reflects hard work and thoughtful leadership.
• Understanding customer pain points is crucial for innovation.
• Company culture should align with core values.
• Success is defined beyond monetary gains.
• AI has the potential to revolutionize manufacturing processes.
• Fostering talent is essential for product evolution.
• Cultural influences shape leadership styles.
• The importance of hands-on experience in manufacturing.
• Continuous learning and adaptation are key to success.
• Building a supportive infrastructure is vital for growth.