The Manufacturing Executive
The Manufacturing Executive explores the strategies and experiences that drive midsized manufacturers forward. Host Joe Sullivan talks with manufacturing leaders about their successes and struggles, as well as with B2B sales and marketing experts about effective business development. Episodes cover industrial marketing and lead generation, manufacturing sales strategy, technology, and innovation in the industrial sector. The show is aimed at executives and professionals looking for actionable ideas to grow their manufacturing businesses.
Episodes
Let the Experts Be the Experts: Leading Without Every Answer w/ Amy Mercante
PPG's General Manager of Specialty Products, Amy Mercante, will tell you that leadership is not about proving you know more than the people who work for you. A research chemist turned business leader, she's often been the most senior person in the room without being the most knowledgeable. In this episode, we'll unpack what it looks like when a leader lets the experts be the experts. You'll hear w
Why Manufacturing Marketing Is Different and The Event to Support Your Team w/ Wendy Covey
Manufacturing marketers are often isolated in their roles, working inside sales-driven organizations and sorting through marketing advice that wasn't written for them. That's why Gorilla 76 and TREW Marketing host the Industrial Marketing Summit, an annual in-person event in Austin, Texas, just for B2B marketers in the industrial sector. In this episode, originally recorded for TREW's Content Mark
Always Be Exiting: How Manufacturers Build Value Years Before a Sale w/ Eric Wiklendt
When a private equity firm buys a manufacturing business, closing the deal isn't completion. It's commencement, the start of five to seven years of work to make the company worth more than it was. Eric Wiklendt, Managing Director at Speyside Equity, has done that work from both sides, first as a plant manager and CEO inside manufacturers, now as the buyer.
In this episode, he lays out the two-ph
Growing Women Leaders in Manufacturing w/ Allison Grealis
Manufacturing has spent years asking how to get more women into the industry. Allison Roberts Grealis, founder and president of the Women in Manufacturing Association, says the harder question is what happens after they get there. In this episode, she'll talk about why retention is where companies lose the people they worked hardest to hire, what it actually takes to grow someone into a leadership
The Next Chapter of SEO: How Manufacturers Get Recommended by AI w/ Grace Wright
There's a new acronym for it every week: AEO, GEO, LLMO, AI SEO. Grace Wright, VP of Innovation at Gorilla 76, will tell you that regardless of what you call it, the job is the same. Your buyers are searching for what you sell, and ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude are answering with three or four company names. Yours is either on that list or it isn't. In this episode, we trace how 20 years of search en
Why Your Toughest Parts Still Use 50-Year-Old Materials w/ Fazal Mahmood
Co-founder and CEO of Phaseshift Technologies, Fazal Mahmood, will tell you that much of modern industry still runs on metal alloys introduced half a century ago. Better ones are possible. Proving one works is harder and far more expensive than inventing it, and that's where most new materials die.
In this episode, we explore why that's finally changing. You'll hear where additive manufacturing l
How Safety Drives Your Bottom Line and Why It Starts With You w/ Brian Fielkow
Ask everyone in your company one question: who's responsible for safety? About half will say the safety manager, and Brian Fielkow, consultant and author of Making Safety Happen, will tell you that half has it wrong. In this episode, we'll unpack why safety is a bottom-line business decision that starts with the leader, and why a safety failure really costs about five times what your insurance los
It's Not a Workforce Issue, It's a Workflow Issue w/ Alex Torrey
The headlines say American manufacturing has a workforce crisis. Alex Torrey, co-founder and CEO of AIC, America's Innovation Corporation, will tell you the real constraint is workflow. He sees component shops running at 20 to 50 percent utilization when world class is north of 90, held back by decision-making infrastructure built for a world that doesn't exist anymore. In this episode, we'll expl
When Your Shop Is No Longer Bound by Geography w/ Sanjeev Singh Sahni
Books are more than 80% bought online. Electronics, more than 50%. Custom manufactured parts? Less than 1%. CEO of Xometry, Sanjeev Sahni, believes that gap makes custom parts the most underpenetrated e-commerce category in the world, and that closing it has less to do with manufacturing capability than with speed and data. In this episode, we'll explore why an engineer can design a part in an aft
Six Facilities, Three Countries, One Culture w/ Darragh de Stonndún
Robots rarely break. Vision systems keep getting smarter. In automation, the technology has gotten so good that it's no longer what separates one company from another. Darragh de Stonndún, CEO of Automated Industrial Robotics, will tell you what does: the people and the culture behind it. In this episode, we unpack how he built AIR across six facilities in the US, UK and Ireland by evaluating ever
The Success Trap: How Winning the Big Contract Can Also Break You w/ Chris Hale
Founder and CEO of Klear, Chris Hale, will tell you that companies rarely fail for lack of demand. They fail when capital falls out of sync with operations. In this episode, we dig into what Chris calls the success trap: the moment a manufacturer finally lands the transformational contract it's been chasing for years and discovers that's where the hard part begins. You'll hear why a career-making
Using AI to Right-Size Inventory and Kill Shortages w/ Richard Lebovitz
Founder and chief strategy officer of LeanDNA, Richard Lebovitz, will tell you that one of the biggest causes of part shortages isn't what you'd expect. It's failing to tell your suppliers what you don't need. In this episode, we dig into why supply chain teams get stuck firefighting shortages while executives chase working capital, and how those two goals drift out of sync. Richard makes the case
Turning the E-Waste Stream Into a National Asset w/ Matt Bedingfield
CEO of Mint Innovation, Matt Bedingfield, will tell you there's a gap in America's reshoring push that almost nobody's talking about. We're rebuilding the muscle to make things again, but we skipped the raw materials those plants run on, and the country now faces a million-ton copper shortfall it fills by exporting scrap and re-importing the same metal refined. In this episode, we explore why a so
Governance: Aligning Product, Project and the Plant Floor w/ Richard Broo
Most manufacturers are good at planning a product and good at planning a project. Where launches fall apart is everything in between. Founder and principal of True North PMP Consulting, Richard Broo, will tell you that operations, quality, logistics and finance get left out of the room until it's too late. By the time manufacturing hears about a launch, the line's already booked out for months. In
Building Stronger Relationships With Your Manufacturing Reps w/ Chris Atwell
Leadership coach Chris Atwell, founder of Mindset Conquest, will tell you that 100 sales calls a month proves your reps are busy. It doesn't prove your business is growing. After two decades selling through and alongside manufacturers rep agencies, he's seen the same trap over and over: activity reports that look productive but never tie back to revenue.
In this episode, we dig into how manufactu
The Real Threat to Tribal Knowledge Isn't Just Retirement w/ Jamie Marzilli
Most manufacturers are bracing for the silver tsunami: the wave of retiring veterans taking decades of know-how out the door. Founder of Marzilli Machine and host of the Raw Material podcast, Jamie Marzilli, will tell you that's only part of the problem. In this episode, we explore the bigger piece most shops overlook: the tribal knowledge that slips away every day in what you don't write down. Yo
Turning Around a Struggling Manufacturing Operation w/ George Murray
Business transformation expert and author of nine books, George C. Murray, will tell you that most manufacturing turnarounds fail before they even start. And often, it's because leaders ignite fear of change with the wrong language and wrong approach.
In this episode, we’ll unpack what it really takes to revive a struggling operation, from assessing cash flow and margins to building genuine trust
When Legacy Thinking Gets in the Way of Manufacturing Innovation w/ Annie Lu
What happens when the experts tell you something can't be done? Today's guest built a company by questioning assumptions that had gone largely unchallenged inside a massive legacy industry for decades. Annie Lu, co-founder and CEO of Laminar, joins me to talk about challenging conventional wisdom, earning credibility as an outsider, and why manufacturers who stay open to new ways of solving old pr
What the Last Four Industrial Revolutions Teach Us About Today w/ Paul Lachance
Chief Industry Strategist, Technologist and Evangelist at Software Equity Group, Paul Lachance, believes the AI revolution we're living in belongs in the same conversation as steam power, electricity and robotics. In this episode, we explore the lessons manufacturers can learn from past eras of disruption, why some companies emerge stronger while others get left behind and how leaders can cut thro
From Make-Use-Throw Away to Circular: Plastics Manufacturing’s Next Chapter w/ Ross Eisenberg
In today’s conversation, we’re exploring a shift in the plastics industry – from the old “make, use, throw away” model to a future focused on circularity. At the heart of this transformation is the rise of advanced, or chemical, recycling technologies. My guest today, President of America’s Plastic Makers, Ross Eisenberg, will tell you why these innovative processes are key to tackling plastics th
7 Steps for Manufacturing Leaders to Take Off the Sales Hat w/ Mike Huey
In today’s conversation, we’re tackling a challenge manufacturing leaders know all too well: wearing too many hats. In particular, we'll be talking about the sales hat, and why taking it off is often harder than it sounds. My guest, author and sales advisor Mike Huey, will share a proven framework to help you transition from founder-led sales to a scalable, repeatable system that doesn’t depend on
Advancing Battery Innovation for a Power Grid Under Pressure w/ Arwed Niestroj
In today’s episode, we’re diving into one of the most critical bottlenecks in the electrification revolution: batteries.
With the rapid explosion of AI and the data centers powering it, the strain on our power grid has never been greater.
Yet, beneath the surface, few realize just how challenging and intricate battery manufacturing really is – in a world where chemistry is king, precision is eve
Moving From Generative to Physical AI on the Manufacturing Floor w/ Etienne Lacroix
In this conversation, Founder and CEO of Vention, Etienne Lacroix, points to two fast-moving trends that are impacting manufacturing: the growth of “physical AI,” which brings autonomy to machines on the factory floor, and the real-world impact of software-defined automation.
In this episode, you’ll hear what’s actually working with these technologies, and what still falls short.
We’ll get into
Supporting Advanced Manufacturing at a State Level w/ Bryce Carpenter
In today’s conversation, we dive into what it takes for digital adoption to take root in the manufacturing sector. More specifically, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations and Strategy Officer at Conexus Indiana, Bryce Carpenter, will tell you how state-level organizations like Conexus are stepping up to support manufacturers of all sizes, why simply chasing the latest technology rarely wo
Thinking in Decades Rather Than Quarters: Leading with a Long-Term View w/ Kelly Thomas
President & CEO of Vista Metals, Kelly Thomas leads her manufacturing organization with a different mindset – thinking in decades rather than quarters. In this episode, she'll tell you how building for the long term impacts company culture, strengthens resilience and prepares teams for industry shocks. She’ll share real-world lessons in leading through uncertainty, from adapting to global market c
The Hard Truths About Reshoring American Manufacturing w/ Eddy Azad
We hear a lot about reshoring these days. But bringing manufacturing operations back to the U.S. isn’t as simple as flipping a switch.
In today's conversation, CEO at Parsec Automation, Eddy Azad, will talk about the real-world complexities and strategic decisions manufacturers face when considering reshoring.
He'll offer his perspective on where reshoring actually makes sense, why manufacturing
How Quality and Innovation Roles are Changing in Data-Rich Manufacturing Environments w/ Daniel First
In today's conversation, Founder and CEO of Axion, Daniel First, will share his observations about how data-rich manufacturing environments are transforming the roles of quality and innovation.
He'll tell you how manufacturing leaders are starting to leverage AI to turn overwhelming streams of customer, device and service data into opportunities for faster product development and smarter collabor
The Arrival of High-Volume Metal Additive Manufacturing w/ James DeMuth
In today's conversation, Co-Founder & CEO at Seurat Technologies, James DeMuth, will share how a different approach metal additive manufacturing can radically increase throughput, disrupt industry economics and reshape supply chains.
He’ll offer his perspective on where additive manufacturing stands today, discus applications and share his perspective on what’s needed for U.S. manufacturing to st
Getting Out of Break-Fix Mode: Using Maintenance Data for Better Manufacturing Decisions w/ Paul Ross
So many manufacturers find themselves stuck in break-fix mode, constantly reacting to machine maintenance problems instead of staying ahead of them.
If this sounds familiar, what's it costing your business, your team and your ability to plan for the future?
In this episode, CMO of Limble, Paul Ross, shares insights not only from his own experiences, but also from an extensive survey of manufact
AMRs in Manufacturing Environments: Safety, Data Security and Other Considerations w/ Shari Brown and Krystal Mattich
Imagine robots moving freely alongside your team, navigating unpredictable spaces and handling tasks once reserved only for people. In this conversation, Shari Brown and Krystal Mattich of Brain Corp pull back the curtain on the role autonomous mobile robots, or AMRs, can play in manufacturing environments. More specifically, they'll talk about safety considerations, data security and earning the
Surging AI and Data Center CapEx: Are We on the Verge of a Bubble? w/ Wasif Khan
Manufacturers everywhere are doubling down on data centers and AI infrastructure, fueling a surge in investment that has many asking: are we living in a bubble, or is this the start of long-term, transformative growth? In today’s conversation, CFO and Co-Founder of viaPhoton, Wasif Khan, will share his perspective about what's really driving this wave of capital, where the risks (and opportunities
From Paper and Spreadsheets to Connected Data: Making the Digital Leap w/ Ian Burns
Why do so many manufacturers still rely on paper, spreadsheets and disconnected systems to run complex operations?
And what unfolds when they step into fully integrated, data-driven environments?
In this episode, President at Applied Control Engineering, Inc, Ian Burns, will answer these questions.
He'll also explain how digital twins are impacting everything from operator training to faster, s
Solving Labor Challenges the Simpler Way: A Fresh Look at Robotics w/ Ken Macken
Manufacturing automation isn’t what it used to be.
Today, robots can be controlled from an iPad, set up with zero training and be up and running almost immediately – even in high-mix, high-variability manufacturing environments that once seemed impossible to automate.
In this episode, CEO and Founder of Workr Labs, Kevin Macken, will tell you how they're eliminating traditional automation barrie
Systematizing Machine Shops to Strengthen National Security w/ Justin Baucum
Justin Baucum of Isembard brings a unique perspective shaped both by years of military service and a passion for the resurgence of American manufacturing. In this conversation, he’ll tell you why veterans are uniquely equipped for careers in manufacturing, how teamwork and mission-driven execution are more critical than ever and why our national security depends on revitalizing domestic supply cha
How Humanoid Robots Are Already Transforming Production Lines w/ Colin Webb and Paul Baker
At this point, we've all seen our share of entertaining videos where humanoid robots are doing backflips or taking on opponents in the boxing ring.
But what about production-ready humanoid robots operating alongside people, driving measurable results and transforming daily operations inside of real businesses?
In this conversation, Founder/CEO of Avatar Robotics, Colin Webb, and CFO of Productiv
A 100-Year Manufacturing Journey: Navigating Change While Honoring Legacy w/ Matthew Feldman and Mike Feldman
What does it take for a third-generation manufacturer to thrive for a full century in a market where so many competitors have packed up and left? In today’s conversation, cousins and Co-Presidents of Yula Corporation, Matthew and Michael Feldman, dig into the strategies and mindset shifts that have fueled growth, modernization and resilience for their family manufacturing business. You’ll hear abo
Hosting a Niche Event and Building a Community Around It w/ Wendy Covey
In today’s episode, CEO of TREW Marketing, Wendy Covey, and host, Joe Sullivan use their upcoming event, The Industrial Marketing Summit, as an example to talk about the benefits of designing a niche event for your specific audience. Specifically, they dive into how hosting an in-person gathering can create a sense of community, spark meaningful conversations and build valuable relationships. Lear
The 6-Step Framework for Rescuing a Manufacturing Business w/ Dean Svarc
Author and consultant Dean Svarc rebuilt himself after his multimillion-dollar business collapsed, rising to develop a framework that’s now rescued multiple struggling companies. From overlooked basics to culture missteps, he'll share how hidden threats often lurk within a business – undermining growth from the inside out. And one at a time, he'll take you through his six-step blueprint for turnin
How Employee Financial Literacy Supports a Healthy Culture w/ Natalie Kaddas
Natalie Kaddas, CEO of Kaddas Enterprises, believes investing in employees means empowering them with lifelong skills. After discovering financial literacy gaps were holding her team back, she launched a transformative program focused on helping them understand money, set goals, and build financial stability. In this episode, she shares how teaching essentials like budgeting and credit scores led
Building a High-Value, Buyer-Ready Manufacturing Operation w/ Renita Wolf
Founder and CEO of Poe Wolf Partners, Renita Wolf, will tell you that exit planning isn’t just a final step before selling your business. It’s something smart owners build toward from the very beginning.
She’ll explain why building transferable value and reducing owner dependency are crucial from the start, setting the stage for higher valuations and a smoother sale when the time comes.
You’ll h
Preserving Brand Legacy While Expanding Global Footprint w/ Todd Smith
With supply chain disruptions, shifting geopolitical risks and increasing pressure for efficiency, today’s manufacturing leaders face operational challenges that go far beyond simply making parts.
In today's conversation, President and CFO of Associated Metal Forming Technologies (AMFT), Todd Smith, explores the opportunities and complexities of weaving multiple specialized legacy brands into a u
Bringing Lean Manufacturing to Life Through Visual Workspaces w/ Steve Riley
Why do so many continuous improvement and lean initiatives start with excitement, only to stall out or disappear entirely months later? What distinguishes organizations that truly embed these principles into their culture from those that just go through the motions?
In today’s episode, COO of Bespoke, Steve Riley, will share his firsthand perspective from decades in manufacturing leadership. Spec
5 Strategic Manufacturing Marketing Plays for 2026 w/ Peyton Warren
In this conversation with Gorilla 76 Marketing Director, Peyton Warren, we'll dive deep into five things we believe b2b manufacturers should consider doing to move the needle through marketing in the new year. They are:
1. Events and in-person opportunities
2. Building an audience you own through community development
3. Distribution and reach
4. Streamlined content creation (repurposing and AI e
Finding Manufacturing’s Invisible Workforce w/ Simba Jonga
What if every skilled worker in manufacturing suddenly became searchable? In today's episode, Founder and CEO of Laborup, Simba Jonga, shares his perspective on how the manufacturing labor gap might be less about a lack of people, and more about a lack of access to those individuals.
He'll talk about why millions of machinists, welders, and technicians remain hidden from traditional job boards,
Scaling a Family Manufacturing Business to $100M with Jenn Barlund
How do you scale a family-owned manufacturing business to $100M in sales without losing the family feel?
From building a culture where employees feel seen and valued, to transforming the customer experience, to raising the bar for operational excellence, in this episode, President of Falcon Plastics, Jenn Barlund, shares what it means to focus on both people and profitability.
You’ll hear why cho
Creating Manufacturing Environments Where Engineers Can Thrive w/ Josh Tarbutton
What happens when engineers have the space and freedom to actually solve problems their way?
And what does that mean for innovation on the factory floor?
In today's conversation, Chairman and Chief Innovator of Bravo Team, Josh Tarbutton, will get into the real challenges and rewards of giving engineering teams more agency, why trust matters and how even small changes can have a big impact on yo
Leveraging Government as Regulator, Funder and Customer w/ Terry Szmagala
Manufacturers often see government as a nuisance. Or, at best, a rescuer in times of trouble. But my guest today, Founder and Principal of TGS Advisory, Terry Szmagala, will argue that we need to instead think about government as a key stakeholder. Specifically, he'll share his perspective on three ways government can play a role in your business: 1) as a regulator 2) as a funder and 3) as a custo
How Extended Reality Can Revolutionize Operator Training and Equipment Service w/ Gilad Tzori
COO of Frontline.io, Gilad Tzori, has spent years inside of manufacturing organizations, witnessing firsthand how complexity, workforce shifts and rapid technological change have upended traditional service and training models.
In today’s conversation, he’ll explain why step-by-step PDFs and classroom lectures are no longer sufficient, and what a new era of immersive training looks like for the m
The Dirty Little Secret of Digital Manufacturing: Why People Still Matter w/ Rush LaSelle
As the manufacturing sector faces both a generational workforce shift and rapid advancements in AI and automation, today’s conversation reveals the “dirty little secret” behind digital manufacturing, and why human-centered thinking remains the heart of successful change.
My guest today, CEO of Fathom Digital Manufacturing, Rush LaSelle, will discuss the realities of labor shortages, explain what
Chocolate Castings, Apprenticeships and the Future of Manufacturing Careers w/ Mike Kubacki
The workforce crisis in US manufacturing isn’t just a challenge – it’s a national security risk. This is particularly true in casting and forging, where today's guest Mike Kubacki has spent two decades. In our conversation, he explores the urgent need to rebuild America’s industrial base, the reality behind modern manufacturing environments and how innovative programs are connecting hands-on learn
"What's the ROI?" is the Wrong Question: Measuring Marketing Impact w/ Joe Sullivan
Any business owner, CEO or President wants to feel confident that the dollars they spend will produce a positive return. But sometimes focusing on ROI too soon forces you to abandon your long-term business strategy in favor of short-term wins. In this conversation, we'll look at how to measure marketing impact in two different business scenarios: 1) for a manufacturer that needs a short-term sales
The Right and Wrong Use Cases for AI in Supply Chain Recruiting w/ Friddy Hoegener
As artificial intelligence creeps into so many facets of our personal and professional lives, it's easy to lose sight of when it's actually working in our favor.
In this conversation, Co-Founder and President of SCOPE Recruiting, Friddy Hoegener, discusses the use of AI specifically in the context of recruiting for supply chain and manufacturing roles.
He'll share insights about where and how AI
Growing a Profitable Manufacturing Business Without Outside Investors w/ Kyle Ewing
How do you take a boring product in a declining industry and build a powerhouse business around it, all while refusing outside funding? In this conversation, Chairman and CEO of TerraSlate, Kyle Ewing talks through the gritty and sometimes unconventional principles behind his business model – from demanding prepayments, to mastering cold calls, to holding cash reserves. The result? A playbook for
Nearshoring Manufacturing from Asia to Mexico: Risks, Rewards, and Realities w/ Matt Hannula
Relocating manufacturing operations from Asia to Mexico isn’t just about a change in location. It’s a bold strategy shift for manufacturers seeking greater control and speed. In this conversation, CEO of Tinker Tin, Matt Hannula, will explore everything from cultural differences to quality control to legal hurdles. And he'll share actionable insights for any manufacturing leaders considering the m
From Blueprints to Automation: Revolutionizing Work Instructions w/ Fil Aronshtein
Imagine assembling a complex product with only scattered notes and fading tribal knowledge to guide you. In this conversation, we're talking about manufacturing work instructions.
Despite their importance in passing expertise from veterans to new hires, most work instructions are outdated, manual, and hard to keep current – often putting entire production lines at risk.
My guest, Founder and Pre
The Industrial Robotics Race: Why the US Is Falling Behind China w/ Rishabh Agarwal
A widening gap exists between industrial robot deployment in the US and China, even as American manufacturers grapple with rising labor costs and persistent worker shortages.
So why does the adoption of domestic manufacturing automation adoption lag behind – especially among small and medium-sized businesses? And what are the real barriers holding them back?
In this conversation, Co-Founder an
Objectives, Hypotheses, Learnings: Smarter Problem Solving for Complex Manufacturing w/ Radhika Dutt
Today's guest, entrepreneur, speaker, and product leader Radhika Dutt, will challenge a core business belief that many of us have probably held for years – that traditional goal-setting frameworks like OKRs, KPIs, or SMART goals, are the surest path to performance and progress.
In fact, she'll argue that focusing so intently on numbers and targets can actually backfire.
So what instead then?
I
AI Agents and Humans: The Future of Factory Teams w/ Karan Talati
Imagine a factory floor where specialized AI agents tackle real manufacturing roles – from inventory planning to quality inspection, each with their own set of tasks and responsibilities.
Today, CEO and Co-Founder of First Resonance, Karan Talati, will dig into the practical side of agentic AI: how these intelligent systems are moving beyond theory to fill very specific job functions inside mode
MEP Impact: Empowering Small Manufacturers with Training, Partnerships and Advocacy w/ Pete Connolly
In today’s conversation, you'll hear from CEO of the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, Pete Connolly.
Pete has spent over 40 years navigating the manufacturing landscape – from running divisions at a global defense company to leading a statewide organization dedicated to empowering small and midsize manufacturers.
He’ll break down what the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) netw
How Soft Skills Drive High-Impact Engineering Teams w/ Aaron Moncur
What separates high-performing engineering teams from the rest?
In this conversation, founder of Pipeline Design & Engineering, Aaron Moncur, will talk about the often overlooked drivers of engineering success, from the power of clear communication to the role of psychological safety and trust within teams.
He'll explain why technical expertise alone isn’t enough to thrive, and how practical t
Agentic AI and the Future of Asset Lifecycle Management w/ Kendra DeKeyrel
In today's conversation, Vice President, Asset Lifecycle Management Products and Engineering at IBM, Kendra DeKeyrel, shares how AI is already making a difference on factory floors – from visual inspections that spot defects in real time to smart software that optimizes field service and work orders.
But what happens when AI can act autonomously, as an agent, linking workflows and amplifying pro
Workforce as Critical Infrastructure: Following North Carolina's Model w/ John Loyack
In today’s conversation, Vice President of Economic Development for the North Carolina Community College System, John Loyack, will use the success of his home state to illustrate what it takes to become a thriving manufacturing hub today.
You’ll hear why the workforce itself must be treated as critical infrastructure – every bit as important as roads or utilities.
We'll dig into what’s driving
Rapid Reshoring: Building a Reliable North American Supply Chain w/ Mike Wynn
From a global pandemic to kick off this decade to the tariff rollercoaster of 2025, recent history has created plenty of reasons for American manufacturers to assemble a base of credible, responsive suppliers right here in North America.
In today's conversation, Vice President at Advanced Purchasing Dynamics, Mike Wynn, will discuss why purchasing teams – often accustomed to low-cost overseas sou
Lessons from Toyota: Building Aligned Manufacturing Organizations w/ Mark Reich
In today's episode, senior coach at Lean Enterprise Institute, Mark Reich, dives into a Japanese strategic planning methodology that was born out of Toyota.
Known as Hoshin Kanri, this system is focused on building alignment from the executive suite down to the shop floor, and driving meaningful action at every level.
In our conversation, we'll discuss the pitfalls that manufacturing organizatio
How Manufacturers Can Engage Website Visitors in Real Human Conversations w/ Nelson Bruton
How can you transform a website visit from a qualified prospect into a real, human conversation?
This is the question my guest, President of ManufacturingChats.com, Nelson Bruton, will be answering in today's episode.
Specifically, he'll explain how a human-powered website chat function can drive that engagement.
In this conversation, we'll explore the misconceptions around live chat, the impac
Finding the Root Causes of Success Rather Than Failure w/ George Pesansky
George Pesansky has spent more than 30 years driving operational excellence and performance improvement in the manufacturing sector.
And his perspective turns some conventional wisdom on its head.
In this episode, he’ll reveal why focusing on the root causes of SUCCESS (rather than failure), leads to breakthrough results on the shop floor and beyond.
He’ll challenge the notion that copying i
Reshaping the Homebuilding Industry with Advanced Robotics and Microfactories w/ Vikas Enti
Imagine a future where homes are built faster, more affordably, and with the flexibility to meet the needs of any community—all while tackling the immense challenge of climate change.
Today’s conversation is centered on rethinking one of the world’s oldest industries: construction.
Co-Founder and CEO of Reframe Systems, Vikas Enti, will explore why building more homes, more sustainably, isn’t j
Industrial DataOps and Rise of AI Agents w/ Aron Semle
In this conversation, Chief Technology Officer of HighByte, Aron Semle, dives into the concept of Industrial DataOps. He talks about some of the unique challenges with collecting and managing data in manufacturing environments and the importance of contextualizing it all to drive action.
Aron also touches on the the rise of AI agents. He explains how agents can automate complex tasks, capture tri
Fair Chance Hiring: Transforming Businesses and Lives w/ Marcus Sheanshang
In today's conversation, CEO of JBM Packaging, Marcus Sheanshang, will share how his company's Fair Chance Hiring program – focused on recruiting, hiring and training previously incarcerated individuals – has not only filled critical staffing gaps but created transformational second chances in their lives.
From setting up training equipment inside prisons to providing comprehensive support servic
Stronger Relationships, Stronger Manufacturing: The Power of Trust w/ Michael Kornuta
In this episode, founder and CEO of NORAMARK, Michael Kornuta, shares how his experiences in design and fabrication have led him to observe a lack of connectivity among U.S. manufacturers – particularly when compared to the Chinese manufacturing ecosystem.
And he'll offer a perspective on why stronger networks that are rooted in trust will be key to the future of American manufacturing.
Lessons from China: Competing on Innovation, Energy and Agility w/ Drew Allen
Is American manufacturing falling behind?
In this episode, Drew Allen, CEO of Grace Technologies, warns that the rise of advanced manufacturing in China is creating urgency.
From extensive investments in solar and nuclear power to the expansive rise of dark factories, China’s manufacturing facilities are running faster and smarter.
We'll talk about why upgrading our energy infrastructure, em
Robot-Lean: Synthesizing Automation and Lean Manufacturing w/ Alex Webster
Alex Webster, Founder and CEO of SDMS Robotics, shares his unconventional journey from film school graduate to CNC machinist and ultimately to robotics entrepreneur.
In this conversation, Alex pulls back the curtain on the real-world challenges facing machine shops today, from labor shortages to high operational costs of floor space.
He also illustrates how success in modern machine shops isn’t
What Manufacturers Truly Need From an MES System w/ Graham Immerman
In this conversation, Chief Revenue Officer at MachineMetrics, Graham Immerman, unpacks the evolution of manufacturing software — from the early challenges of “blind” factory operations to the power and pitfalls of MES systems today.
Most importantly, he breaks down what he believes manufacturers TRULY need in their production software – from downtime tracking and OEE to scheduling and work orde
Exit Planning for Manufacturing Leaders and How to Protect Your Legacy w/ Amy Julian and Bryan Graiff
For so many owners of midsized B2B manufacturing organizations, their companies are like children to them. For years (or often decades) they've nurtured them and watched them grow.
And inevitably, the time comes to prepare for an exit from the business. It's an overwhelming prospect with so much to consider.
Amy Julian and Bryan Graiff of Armanino are here to talk about all of those factors, in
Obstacles to Quickly Reshoring American Manufacturing w/ Rylan Pyciak
With the reshoring of American manufacturing all over the headlines during this first half of 2025, the question from inside the industrial sector seems to be, "How are we supposed to make that happen on such an fast timeline?"
In today's conversation, Founder and President of Cleveland Automation, Rylan Pyciak, will talk about some of the obstacles in our manufacturing infrastructure that will i
Planning For and Managing Successful Projects w/ Clint Padgett
When you've got five projects on your plate and a sixth one gets added, but it's not due for another year, how worried are you about getting it done?
Rhetorical question of course.
But my guest today will tell you why we need to change that mindset.
In today's episode, Clint Padgett, CEO and President of Project Success, Inc, will talk about how to plan for and manage successful projects that f
Defunding of the MEPs and How YOU Can Help Stop It: A Special Episode
Last week I was approached by some of my manufacturing leader friends about a panel they just recorded on the MakingChips podcast about a critical issue that's likely familiar to many of you by now. And that is:
Defunding of the MEPs or Manufacturing Extension Partnerships.
In case you're not familiar, the MEPSs are public-private partnerships that exist in every state throughout the US. These
Planning For a New Manufacturing Facility w/ Pat Reilly
Whether you're packing up shop and moving to a new location or you're expanding your manufacturing operation, opening up a new facility is no small deal.
From planning the timeline of events to scouting a new geographic location to assuring the on-site requirements meet your needs to mitigating downtime during a move, there's a lot to account for.
Pat Reilly, Executive Vice President and indust
Resilience Over Four Generations of a Family-Owned Manufacturing Business w/ Melanie White
From COVID (and the labor and supply chain obstacles that came along with it) to the recent challenges we're now facing with tariffs, the current generation of manufacturing leaders has fought through quite a bit in just a short period of time.
My guest today, Melanie White, will talk about the current manufacturing landscape specifically, but in the context of her 79-year old family-owned busine
The Emerging Role of AI Agents in Manufacturing w/ Naresh Ram
A handful of years ago, we started to see primitive forms of chat bots on company websites.
Fast forward to today and not only is this kind of AI technology more advanced, but it's learning how to replicate human behaviors.
In this episode, Naresh Ram, Chief Science Officer at AAXIS, will talk about the emerging power of AI "agents". And if that's a term you and those around you are NOT familia
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