202: What is MxD? The Digital Manufacturing and Cybersecurity Institute That's Fortifying U.S. Manufacturing with CEO Berardino Baratta

U.S. manufacturing is on a roll right now. And organizations like MxD – The Digital Manufacturing and Cybersecurity Institute are on a mission to help manufacturers build the things they need to build in the modern digital world.

In this episode, we sit down with Berardino Baratta, CEO of MxD, to explore the evolution of digital transformation in manufacturing and its impact on the industry. First, Berardino shares his career story, which takes us from healthcare AI to operating a café during a sabbatical to now helping manufacturers thrive in a digital world.

As MxD celebrates its 10th anniversary, Berardino shares insights on how the organization has evolved over the years as new technology progresses. We dig into the challenges faced by small businesses, the importance of cybersecurity in the digital age, and how MxD is shaping the future of American manufacturing. Berardino shares his perspective on how manufacturing is changing for the better, including a more collaborative approach to improving supply chains and the democratization of data and insights.

In this episode, find out:

• Berardino explains what MxD does to help manufacturers and how its scope has evolved as new technology advances
• Some backstory on Berardino’s varied career from being the CEO of an AI healthcare company to now working as the CEO of the U.S.’s leading digital manufacturing innovation center
• What Berardino learned during his long sabbatical about modernizing operations at a café and how he applied that to his work in manufacturing
• Berardino takes us through MxD’s project history, including working with the Department of Defense and Manufacturing USA
• How modern manufacturing companies feel about creating something that will be democratized vs. maintaining competitive advantages
• Why the industry has become more collaborative over making supply chain improvements
• How manufacturing has changed in the past ten years in line with technological innovations
• What’s working when it comes to fortifying the strength of U.S. manufacturing
• Improvements the industry needs to make when it comes to adopting digital assets

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Tweetable Quotes:

• “We quickly realized cybersecurity is critical. We went from being the Digital Manufacturing Institute to the Digital Manufacturing and Cybersecurity Institute. Two sides of the same coin, right? If you're going to adopt digital, it better be secure.”
• “98% of U.S. manufacturing companies are small and medium. 75% have less than 20 employees. What's starting to work is that those small and medium businesses are starting to adopt digital to improve their operations.”
• “With the café, we modernized their entire operations. Right from production in the back house through building their front of the house. We modernized it with technology, not that dissimilar to a digital transformation of a manufacturer.”

Links & mentions:

• MxD, the digital manufacturing and cybersecurity institute; MxD advances economic prosperity and national security by strengthening U.S. manufacturing competitiveness through technology innovation, workforce development, and cybersecurity preparedness; in partnership with the Department of Defense
• Manufacturing USA, a network of regional institutes, each with a specialized technology focus; Manufacturing USA institutes like MxD convene business competitors, academic institutions, and other stakeholders to test applications of new technology, create new products, reduce cost and risk, and enable the manufacturing workforce with the skills of the future
• Chicago Cut Steakhouse, a stylish modern steakhouse with a patio overlooking the Chicago River where Berardino and Chris have both dined before
• Hardware Sustainable Gastropub and Brewery, avant-garde haunt in Aurora, IL with seasonal, creative entrées, whiskeys from around the world, and outdoor seating

Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.