The Manufacturers' Network

In this episode of the Manufacturers Network Podcast, host Lisa Ryan introduces Stephen Gold, the President and CEO of the Manufacturers Alliance since 2001. Stephen, who has transformed the Alliance into a leading network for manufacturing leadership, shares insights from his diverse career and the challenges facing the manufacturing sector today. Stephen started his career in government relations, communications, and law before moving into manufacturing associations in 2000 and joining the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) in 2001. Recognizing the essential role of manufacturing in the economy, he joined the Manufacturers Alliance in 2011.Stephen highlights the top challenges for manufacturing leaders, including finding skilled workers, technological advancements, cybersecurity threats, supply chain complexity, and global market volatility. The workforce challenge is paramount, as finding workers with the right skills for modern, technologically advanced factories is difficult. Technological changes such as digitalization, robotics, cloud computing, and AI rapidly evolve, and manufacturers struggle to integrate these technologies into legacy systems. Cybersecurity is another significant concern, with manufacturers being a primary target for cybercriminals due to the potential for extorting money by shutting down production lines.Stephen explains that manufacturers are collaborating with high schools and technical schools to build a skilled workforce, though it's a piecemeal and long-term approach. Additionally, manufacturers are leveraging new technologies to create more transparent supply chains and adapt to disruptions caused by global and political shifts. He also emphasizes the increasing importance of peer-to-peer networking in solving industry challenges, with the Manufacturers Alliance facilitating these connections through meetings, benchmarking surveys, webinars, and online discussion boards.Lisa and Stephen also discuss the evolving role of manufacturing CEOs. The new generation of leaders is expanding their leadership capacities, focusing on self-awareness, relatability, and adaptability, and seeking guidance from board members and senior leadership teams. Finally, Stephen encourages listeners to visit the Manufacturers Alliance website for a wealth of research and insights, noting that anyone can contact him directly via email for further information.

In this episode of The Manufacturers Network Podcast, host Lisa Ryan and guest Ron Crabtree, Founder and CEO of Meta Ops and Meta Experts, talked about the critical topic of shaping organizational culture and talent management strategies for manufacturers. Ron Crabtree emphasized the importance of shaping organizational culture as leaders, focusing on creating an attractive workplace and a safe work environment, encompassing both physical and emotional safety. The discussion also shed light on addressing mental health challenges in the workplace and the need for employees to feel safe to speak up.The decreasing importance of pay and increasing significance of access and openness within the C suite were highlighted, as well as the rising trend of digitization in the workforce. Ron Crabtree stressed the pivotal role of leveraging computers and lean practices to drive continual improvement and eliminate waste in processes within an organization. The importance of understanding processes before embarking on digital transformation and utilizing techniques such as value stream mapping for process improvement was also discussed.Lisa Ryan raised the concern about employees' comfort levels and familiarity with technology, inquiring about how companies are addressing skill development and buy-in for digital transformation and AI adoption. The conversation concluded with a focus on workforce development strategy, the significance of self-driven employee development programs, and the value of engaging employees in visualizing the future state of work.Key Takeaways:1. Shaping Organizational Culture: Leaders need to focus on creating a safe, attractive workplace and fostering open communication to address mental health challenges and alleviate employee disengagement.2. Digital Transformation and Lean Practices: The trend of digitization in the workforce calls for leveraging computers and implementing lean practices to drive continuous improvement and eliminate waste in processes within an organization.3. Workforce Development Strategy: Planning for future work requirements, self-driven employee development programs, and engaging employees in visualizing the future state of work are vital for preparing employees for future skills and job requirements.Actionable Ideas:- Implement value stream mapping to deeply understand processes and identify areas for improvement while considering the impact of IT systems on workflow.- Encourage employees to recognize and acquire new skills, create a safe environment for change, and incentivize their involvement in workforce development.- Provide avenues for contact with experts like Ron Crabtree through LinkedIn or email for further discussion and information on shaping organizational culture and talent management strategies for manufacturers.

In this episode, host Lisa Ryan welcomes Marilyn Rosa-Green, an executive coach and strategist specializing in food and beverage manufacturing, to discuss the essential role of empathy in leadership within the manufacturing industry.Lessons Learned:1. The Importance of Reframing and Nurturing Oneself: Marilyn emphasizes the importance of reframing and nurturing oneself to live a more fulfilling life, highlighting the different relationships with mental health. She shares her personal experience of caring for a brother with severe brain injury and the impact on emotional management.2. Investing in Well-Being and Resisting Change: Marilyn underlines the significance of investing in well-being and resisting change, both for oneself and the team, to address challenges in manufacturing environments.3. Fostering Better Communication and Relationships: Key themes for fostering better communication and relationships within the team include self-awareness, understanding core values and motivation, consistent and constant communication, and being visible and collaborative.4. Self-Compassion and Reenergizing: Marilyn emphasizes self-compassion and reenergizing as better ways to approach employee self-care, shedding light on the importance of training and self-care for leaders and employees in the manufacturing industry.Actionable Ideas for Leaders:- Actively provide resources and education for mental health discussions in the workplace.- Offer proactive measures and support for employees' mental well-being.- Demonstrate empathy and support employees in emotional situations such as bereavement or family reasons.- Incorporate empathy in leadership styles to better support frontline workers' mental health and well-being.- Leverage empathy effectively to increase productivity and build employee loyalty.This conversation illuminates the imperative need for empathy in manufacturing leadership. Through personal experiences, expert insights, and actionable strategies, leaders in the manufacturing industry can foster a culture of empathy, ultimately creating more supportive, productive, and successful teams.Remember to connect with Marilyn Rosa-Green on LinkedIn for further discussions and insights on cultivating empathy in manufacturing leadership.

In this episode, Jeremy Parker, the co-founder and CEO of swag.com, shared some fascinating insights into the world of promotional products and swag. He mentioned that his background as a documentary filmmaker led him to the realization that he wanted to pursue a different career. This ultimately led him to start a T-shirt company, which served as a valuable learning experience in manufacturing, marketing, PR, branding, and e-commerce.Parker shared how swag.com was born out of his observations of the changing promotional products industry. He noticed that the industry was growing, but the buyers were getting younger, and they desired a more efficient and streamlined experience for purchasing promotional products. This led him to envision and build the next-generation promotional product company, where the front-end experience was highly automated, while the back-end operations involved a lot of manufacturing and coordination.An interesting highlight was when Parker described the launch of SwagSpace, a division under custom ink. They provided the technology developed over nine years at swag.com for free to allow anyone to sell swag to their audience. This initiative aimed to simplify swag sales and open a new revenue stream for various businesses, such as screen printers, event planners, and designers.The conversation delved into how Swag.com monetized the free technology it provided to partners, leveraging its buying power and dynamic pricing to maintain margins while increasing sales for its partner distributors.Another key highlight was Parker's discussion on integrating AI into their systems. He detailed their upcoming AI helper tool, allowing the system to curate offerings, automatically create mock-ups, and interact with clients to streamline the entire product selection and design process, making it faster and more efficient.The dialogue also touched on the importance of quality and the significance of swag that people actually want to keep, emphasizing the impact of meaningful and practical swag on enhancing brand connection.Additionally, Parker shared anecdotes of unique and unconventional swag requests, such as the case where a company wanted to customize high-quality backpacks for employees, with the logo subtly placed on the inside lining, creating an exclusive, personal connection to the brand.Overall, the episode provided valuable insights into the evolving world of promotional products and swag, the role of technology, and the importance of connecting with an audience through thoughtful and purposeful swag.To get in touch with Jeremy, you can visit swag.com or swag.place. Use swag.com. If you want to buy swag or if you're a manufacturer and want to work them. Use wwag.space if you want to start selling swag to your audience. Jeremy's email is jeremy@swag.com.

In this episode, I'm joined by Kerrie Jordan, the Group Vice President of Product Management at Epicor and host of the Manufacturing the Future podcast. With her extensive software technology and manufacturing background, Kerrie provides valuable insights into the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the manufacturing industry.The key theme of this episode is the vital importance of upskilling for organizations to remain competitive and retain top talent. Kerrie emphasizes the need to invest in employees' training and development, highlighting the alarming decline in the commitment to upskilling, as revealed by The Voice of the Manufacturing Worker report. She underlines the significance of empowering frontline workers with technology, predicting a shift towards technologies that enhance shop floor operations, particularly generative AI. Moreover, she stresses the increasing emphasis on sustainability and upskilling in the manufacturing sector.Lessons learned from Kerrie Jordan’s expertise include the need for leaders to tie technology investments to clear outcomes and pragmatic value, reignite interest, and effectively integrate new technologies. Furthermore, the podcast delves into the importance of engaging with younger generations in the workforce, seeking their perspectives on new technology, and leveraging their insights to drive higher retention and engagement.As a special takeaway from this episode, managers are encouraged to actively seek and act on younger or newer employees' suggestions, as they often bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that can drive organizational growth and success.To connect with Kerrie Jordan and tap into her knowledge, visit epicor.com or find her on LinkedIn at Kiejordan. Don’t forget to check out her Manufacturing the Future podcast for even more valuable insights and discussions on the evolving landscape of manufacturing technology.In conclusion, this episode has shed light on vital strategies for boosting workplace morale, the growing significance of technology in manufacturing, and the imperative need for upskilling and sustainability initiatives. With the actionable insights provided by Kerrie Jordan, organizations can navigate the evolving manufacturing landscape with confidence and drive tangible benefits for their workforce and operations.Tune in to The Manufacturers Network Podcast for more engaging discussions and expert insights from industry leaders like Kerrie Jordan as we continue to explore the future of manufacturing technology and its impact on businesses worldwide.

Contact Micki Vandeloo: micki@lakeviewconsulting.netIn this episode of The Manufacturers Network Podcast, Micki Vandeloo and I discussed the challenges manufacturers face in accessing grants, specifically regarding limited representation from state economic development organizations and the difficulty in finding comprehensive grant information on their websites. These challenges are compounded by the complex application process, which varies in complexity based on the size of the grant.Micki Vandeloo is President of Lakesview Consulting, and she shared invaluable expertise in helping manufacturers secure grants, drawing from his 25 years of experience in manufacturing and grant writing. Through Lakesview, Micki and her team have successfully obtained over $100,000,000 in grant funding for manufacturing clients, shedding light on the crucial role of consulting services in navigating the intricacies of grant applications.The podcast also highlighted the significance of grants in various areas such as workforce and training, high technology equipment purchases, facilities and capital, energy efficiency, proof of concept, exporting, and recycling. The discussion shed light on the importance of fostering interest in manufacturing careers early on, as exemplified by initiatives like the STEM Goes Red for Girls program and summer camp programs introducing students to manufacturing careers.Lessons Learned:1. Grant Application Complexity: The grant size corresponds to the level of detail and documentation required. Manufacturers must pay careful attention to specific application requirements, such as word count, font size, and inclusion of relevant information, to avoid rejection.2. Importance of Consulting Services: Professional grant consulting services, like those offered by Lakesview, play a vital role in helping manufacturers navigate the grant application process, increasing their chances of securing funding.3. Early Career Exploration: Initiatives focusing on engaging students in manufacturing and STEM fields from a young age can significantly influence career paths and address the talent gap in these industries.Key Themes:- Manufacturers' Challenges: Accessing grants can be challenging due to limited representation from economic development organizations and the complexity of the application process.- Professional Assistance: Grant consulting services are crucial for manufacturers to successfully obtain grants, allowing them to fund initiatives and drive success.- Early Engagement: Initiatives targeting middle and high school students aim to spark interest in manufacturing and STEM fields, tackling the talent gap at its roots.This episode underscores the significance of grant funding for manufacturing and STEM education, providing valuable insights for manufacturers and industry professionals seeking to secure grants and develop talent pipelines. For more information and to access consulting services, visit their website or reach out via email at micki@lakeviewconsulting.net

In this episode of the Manufacturers Network Podcast, host Lisa Ryan chats with John Conafay, co-founder and CEO of Integrate, about leveraging digital platforms to enhance collaboration, streamline processes, and drive efficiency in manufacturing. John shares insights from his background in the space industry and how it led to the creation of Integrate, emphasizing the importance of effective communication and context in the hardware engineering landscape.You can contact John Conafay personally on LinkedIn. Alternatively, you can visit the Integrate website at integrate.co and sign up for a free trial. During the trial, you will have access to online training, an onboarding process, and live demos to learn more about the platform.Key Themes:1. Collaboration in Hardware Engineering: John highlights the crucial role of collaboration in building ambitious machinery and the challenges posed by existing software tools designed primarily for software engineering.2. Digital Platform Benefits: The discussion revolves around the impact of digital platforms in improving communication and project management and reducing risks associated with fragmented systems and lack of context.3. Real-world Case Studies: John shares a compelling case study demonstrating how implementing a digital platform streamlined communication between customers and manufacturing engineers, enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction.4. Integration Solutions: The conversation delves into integrating disparate systems, how they benefit organizations, and the importance of considering scalability in choosing a digital platform.Lessons Learned:- The significance of context and effective communication in manufacturing processes.- Recognizing signs of operational inefficiencies due to fragmented systems.- Considerations for integrating digital platforms and the impact on production speed, accuracy, and cost efficiency.- Leveraging technology, such as cloud computing and AI, for simulation, security, and institutional knowledge retrieval.Fun Fact:John Conafay's background includes a diverse journey from the US Air Force to the space industry, highlighting his unique perspective on integrating software solutions in hardware engineering.#ManufacturingEfficiency #DigitalPlatforms #CollaborationInEngineering #HardwareEngineering #CloudComputing #AIInManufacturing #IntegratedSystems #OperationalEfficiency #BusinessOptimization #InnovationInProduction

The episode features guest Jason Anthoine, a leading expert in internal communications and culture change with over 35 years of experience. Jason started by sharing his background and the motivations that have led him to his current role.Lessons Learned and Key Themes:1. Understanding Employee Experience: Jason recounts his upbringing and how his fascination with work led him to delve into internal and employee communications fields. His insights emphasize the importance of creating a work environment where employees feel valued and recognized for their contributions.2. Challenges of Engaging Manufacturing Employees: Jason highlights the challenges manufacturing companies face in reaching employees who are not digitally connected throughout their workday. He emphasizes the significance of face-to-face communication and its impact on frontline employees.3. Reimagining Organizations to Attract and Retain Talent: Jason challenges the common misconception that turnover in organizations, particularly in manufacturing, depends solely on external factors like higher-paying job offers. He discusses the importance of helping employees understand their contributions to the organization's larger purpose, building engagement and pride in their work.4. Advantages and Lessons for Companies of Different Sizes: Jason draws comparisons between large and small manufacturing companies, highlighting the advantages each possesses in employee engagement. He emphasizes the need for smaller companies to adapt strategies from larger organizations to create impactful internal communication practices.5. Employee Engagement vs. Trust: Jason offers a unique take on employee engagement, questioning its common understanding and measurement. He emphasizes the significance of fostering trust within organizations and the impact of genuine, open communication in building and maintaining it.6. Creating an Open Dialogue Around Culture: Jason stresses the importance of involving employees in shaping the organizational culture. He discusses the importance of initiating conversations with employees to understand their aspirations for the company's culture, emphasizing the significance of collective input and dialogue.Contact Information for Jason:- Website: Jason Anthoine, https://www.jasonanthoine.com- LinkedIn: Jason Anthoine on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonanthoine/- Podcast: Riding Shotgun with Jason AnthoineThis episode of The Manufacturers Network Podcast offers valuable insights into the significance of trust, open dialogue, and employee involvement in shaping a positive workplace culture.

In this episode of the Manufacturers Network podcast, Alex Kinderknecht provides valuable insights into enhancing gas analysis and emissions monitoring products, which are crucial for industries such as steel and refineries. He shares his journey from manufacturing analyzers in Germany to his role in research and development, technical support, and eventually becoming the president of the American office.Alex discusses some common mistakes consumers make, such as neglecting regular maintenance of gas analyzers. He emphasizes the importance of understanding regulatory changes and the need for continuous monitoring and maintenance of emissions. Further, he talks about the growing regulations on emissions monitoring and the need for companies to adapt rapidly.He delves into new advancements in gas analyzer technology, emphasizing the development of wireless data communication capabilities to analyze data and provide a comprehensive diagnostic feature for preventive maintenance. He also highlights the importance of customer service and strong after-sales support in optimizing the industry's processes.The significant role of gas analyzers in promoting environmental sustainability becomes evident in Alex's explanations of how the raw data provided by their products can help companies optimize their processes and reduce their environmental impact. Examples of how their products have helped clients optimize their processes and comply with regulatory standards showcase the impact of their work.The conversation offers valuable lessons about the evolving regulatory landscape, the need for continuous monitoring and maintenance of emissions, and the crucial role of gas analyzers in promoting environmental sustainability. Additionally, Alex's emphasis on customer service as a key component of their offerings highlights the importance of strong after-sales support for industrial products.Key themes include the crucial role of gas analyzers in ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, the evolving regulatory landscape in emissions monitoring, and the importance of customer service and support in optimizing industry processes for environmental sustainability.You can contact Alex Kinderknecht on LinkedIn to learn about gas analysis and emissions monitoring. Additionally, you can reach out through their website at mruinstruments.com for inquiries about MRU Instruments' products and services. Alex actively monitors customer feedback to ensure that everyone is well-served, and he is always ready to assist with any inquiries or support needs.

In this episode of The Manufacturers Network Podcast, Lisa Ryan interviews Berk Birand, the CEO of Fero Labs, about the intersection of manufacturing and explainable AI. Berk shares his background as an engineer and his journey from developing algorithms for telecommunications to co-founding Fero, where the focus is on sustainability in the manufacturing industry.Key takeaways from our conversation with Berk Birand:1. The Importance of Sustainability in Manufacturing: Sustainability is a significant concern for manufacturing companies, and many are working hard to reduce their emissions and improve efficiency. Berk explains how Fero's mission is to help companies achieve both profitability and sustainability through the use of AI and data.2. Efficiency and Sustainability: Berk describes how Fero's AI-driven approach helps reduce waste and improve efficiency in manufacturing, citing examples within the steel and chemicals sectors. Companies can use AI to optimize processes to enhance their profitability while reducing their carbon footprint.3. Understanding AI in Manufacturing: Berk demystifies AI, explaining that it is a tool for extracting complex patterns from large datasets. He emphasizes the role of machine learning in deciphering intricate manufacturing data and providing valuable insights for optimization.4. Continuous Learning in AI: AI models in the industrial sector need continuous retraining to adapt to production, raw materials, and asset degradation changes. This ongoing learning process ensures that the AI's predictions remain accurate and valuable for manufacturers.5. Challenges and Opportunities in AI Adoption: Convincing the manufacturing industry to adopt AI technologies requires building trust through explainable, white-box machine learning models. Berk emphasizes the need for AI to be a reliable and transparent tool that supports, rather than replaces, the expertise of engineers and operators.Actionable ideas for listeners:1. Start from the Problem: Identify specific challenges in manufacturing processes, such as quality issues, and assess the potential for leveraging explainable AI to complement existing tools.2. Data Assessment Verify the availability of reliable data that can drive AI solutions, ensuring that the quality of input data aligns with the desired accuracy of AI predictions.3. Exploring AI Solutions: Consider contacting experts and conducting feasibility studies to understand how AI technologies, like Fero's, can be tailored to specific production needs.Fun facts:- Fero Labs focuses on a wide range of industries, including steel, chemicals, and general process industries, showcasing the broad applicability of AI in diverse manufacturing sectors.- Berk highlights the potential for AI to assist in knowledge transfer within the manufacturing industry, leveraging the expertise of experienced workers and aiding in the training of new engineers.Engage with Fero Labs:If you're interested in exploring AI solutions for your manufacturing processes, contact Fero Labs via their website at ferolabs.com. Their team is ready to discuss the feasibility of integrating AI into your production environment.