Embracing American Dynamism to Upgrade Manufacturing Production With Oden CEO Willem Sundblad

In this episode, Molly O'Shea talks with Willem Sundblad, co-founder and CEO of Oden Technologies which has just announced a $28.5M Series B led by Nordstjernan Growth, a 130-year old Swedish investment institution.

Their conversation covers the massive opportunity in optimizing factory operations and product quality on the ground level, the labor challenge plaguing the industry, why more talent should consider manufacturing operator careers, how Oden found PMF with Process AI, how to sell into manufacturing, and where Oden fits into the paradigm of American Dynamism and US reshoring.

Willem, who grew up on the factory floor, offers a deep dive for those looking to understand granularly what it’s like to work in a manufacturing setting, the tangible problems to solve, and the potential outsized impact one can make working in the field.

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Follow on Twitter 

https://twitter.com/mollysoshea

https://twitter.com/WillemSundblad 

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Resources:

*Check out Oden's demo of Process AI: https://oden.io/

* Subscribe to Sourcery: https://www.sourcery.vc/

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Preview and Intro

(02:09) Oden Technologies' Series B Round Composition

(04:25) Willem's Childhood Journey to Manufacturing

(06:42) How to Sell to the Manufacturing Industry: Oden's Approach and Impact

(09:05) The Huge Challenge of Operator Turnover In Manufacturing

(10:38) What an Actual Day Looks Like for an Operator Inside a Manufacturing Facility

(14:07) The Quality Prediction Problem that Led to Process AI 

(18:19) Selling to Legacy Industries

(24:37) AI-driven Solutions for Manufacturers

(30:37) Labor Challenges

(38:55) Growth Plans for Oden

(44:14) The Larger Impact of Joining the New Wave of Tech-Enabled Manufacturing Companies

(46:44) Wrap