Destin Sandlin, an engineer and the mind behind the Smarter Every Day YouTube channel, shares insights into the challenges of manufacturing entirely in America. He sheds light on creating an innovative barbecue scrubber designed for safety, moving away from hazardous metal bristles. Through engaging stories, he highlights the importance of hands-on problem-solving and community involvement in local manufacturing. The discussion touches on the revival of American craftsmanship, the role of vocational education, and the humorous adventures of teenage workers in product assembly.
The podcast highlights the challenges of American manufacturing, emphasizing high costs and the decline of skilled labor in recent decades.
Destin Sandlin's experience illustrates the importance of engineering education and the need to rejuvenate manufacturing skills for future generations.
The Smarter Scrubber project serves as a case study in promoting quality local production while addressing consumer skepticism about pricing and value.
Deep dives
Innovative Performance Apparel
A new perspective on performance apparel is introduced, highlighting the comfort and versatility of workout clothing. This apparel is designed to be suitable for various activities, including workouts, lounging, or casual wear. It emphasizes that traditional workout gear can be uncomfortable, while this new line offers a solution that feels good to wear anytime. The commitment to sustainability is also noted, as the company offsets its carbon footprint and utilizes eco-friendly materials.
Destin's Engineering Journey
Destin Sandlin, an engineer with a popular YouTube channel, shares his early experiences that shaped his engineering mindset. Growing up in a manufacturing environment, Destin was influenced by his parents' blue-collar work ethics and the importance of making things. The decline of American manufacturing due to globalization, such as NAFTA, led to a personal drive in Destin to pursue engineering, aiming to solve problems and build products domestically. His internships during his education provided practical experiences, forging his connection with the manufacturing world.
Challenges of American Manufacturing
Destin and his collaborator face numerous challenges in creating an American-made barbecue scrubber, illustrating the complexities of local manufacturing. They discuss how difficult it has become to produce goods in the U.S. due to the high costs and the disappearance of skills in the manufacturing sector. Destin's determination to make everything in America, from the scrubber's design to its parts, reflects a deep-seated commitment to reviving local manufacturing. This mission encounters skepticism due to the prevailing notion that high-quality production cannot coexist with affordable pricing.
A Quest for Skills and Knowledge
Destin explores the importance of preserving the knowledge and skills related to manufacturing, emphasizing the generational gap in occupational training. Conversations with experienced professionals reveal a shrinking workforce in skilled trades like tooling and die-making, exacerbated by a lack of interest among younger generations. Destin's journey illustrates the necessity of teaching these skills anew to ensure that manufacturing can thrive in America. His partnership with a toolmaker not only advances their project but brings back valuable expertise into the current workforce.
The Smarter Scrubber's Impact
The development and production of the Smarter Scrubber culminate in a product that aims to both be functional and representative of American manufacturing. Despite the higher price point compared to cheaper alternatives, the focus is placed on quality and safety, as the scrubber eliminates risks associated with traditional metal brushes. Success in the marketplace will depend on storytelling and marketing efforts to convey the value of supporting American production. Ultimately, the project seeks to serve as a model or template for future endeavors in reinvigorating local manufacturing and skills.
