Manufacturing Culture Podcast

Sydney Mrowczynski didn’t plan to end up under a welding hood. As a teenager she dreamed of fashion design — until a boyfriend told her she couldn’t weld. Challenge accepted. A few years later, she’s worked across multiple shops, learned how things really get built, and is now studying industrial management and applied engineering at Southern Illinois University to bridge the gap between the floor and the front office.This episode of the Manufacturing Culture Podcast is a crash course in what real culture looks like from someone living it. Sydney’s take is simple: great culture means communication, teamwork, and quality. Most shops have one or two of those — rarely all three. She shares what it’s like being the only woman on the floor, the extra proof she’s had to carry into every new job, and why too many people get comfortable doing things “almost right” for 20 years.We get into failure as a teacher — how welding forces you to face mistakes and learn faster than any classroom. Sydney talks about integrity, leadership, and the shops that cover bad welds instead of fixing them. She lays out the difference between a leader who checks in, listens, and teaches versus one who just points and barks orders.If you run a team, hire apprentices, or manage training programs, you’ll want to hear her take on trade schools too — how they teach to plate instead of teaching to reality. She argues that students should weld on rusted, greasy, and painted metal, not perfect coupons, if they’re expected to survive their first week on the job.Sydney is now balancing school with work at Tenco Hydro in Sugar Grove, Illinois, helping bring metal fabrication in house and ship their first stainless wastewater tank. She’s seen the gaps firsthand — and she’s building the bridge from within.It’s an honest, sharp conversation about what manufacturing culture really needs: leaders who communicate clearly, care about quality, and build environments where new talent wants to stay.SponsorMed Device Boston is your go-to Med Tech sourcing and education expo, September 30 through October 1 at Boston’s BCEC. With 200+ suppliers, 1,500+ attending professionals, and expert-led workshops on 3D printing, AI, materials, regulatory tech, and contract manufacturing, it’s built to advance the next generation of medical device innovation. Visit meddeviceboston.com to register.ConnectFind Sydney Mrowczynski on LinkedInSubscribe to the Manufacturing Culture Podcast on YouTube and your favorite platform.

In this episode of The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, Jim sits down with Chris Humphrey, Business Development Manager at AirPro Fan & Blower Company, to explore how purpose, people, and love of neighbor shape lasting manufacturing cultures. From growing up in a motorcycle dealership to hiking the Appalachian Trail during a “quarter-life crisis,” Chris shares how his journey through machining, engineering, and leadership led him to rediscover the true purpose behind manufacturing — building communities, providing meaningful work, and caring for people along the way.Together, they unpack what culture means beyond the walls of a company, how leadership grounded in empathy can transform performance, and why AirPro’s employee-owned model has created one of the most authentic examples of modern manufacturing culture today.What You’ll Hear:Chris’s early years in machining and how vocational education shaped his careerThe “quarter-life crisis” that changed his perspective on work and purposeWhy every manufacturing job supports six others and how that drives community impactLessons from the rifle industry on culture, stress, and leadershipHow AirPro Fan & Blower built a thriving employee-owned culture around love of neighborThe difference between condemning managers and leaders who come alongsideWhy culture, not compensation, is the real key to long-term retentionHow manufacturing can reclaim its image and attract the next generationThe future of manufacturing through technology, AI, and purpose-driven leadershipKey Quotes:“Manufacturing supports my community. That realization changed everything for me.”“Love of neighbor is a culture driver. It changes how you lead, how you sell, and how you care for people.”“People remember who you are, not just what you did.”“When a company puts care at the center, success takes care of itself.”Topics Covered:Manufacturing culture, leadership, purpose, employee ownership, community, vocational education, business development, supply chain, culture change, mentorship, AI in manufacturing, future of work.Jim’s Take:Chris’s story is a reminder that culture isn’t a policy — it’s people caring for each other. His journey from shop floor to business development shows how purpose evolves but never disappears when it’s built on the right foundationMed Device Boston — The go-to med tech sourcing and education expo, September 30th–October 1st at Boston’s BCEC. Explore the next generation of medical device innovation at meddeviceboston.com.

Katie Friday is a sales engineer who took the scenic route into manufacturing. She started in social work, battled through an engineering pivot at WVU, worked her way from project engineering to sales, and now lives at the intersection of customers, controls, and culture. We talk about resilient learning, why great SOPs read like fifth grade science, the reality of safety projects, and how leadership sets the tone for teams. There is a rom-com opening scene, a baby blue Beetle, and a giant robot in Wilmington. Most of all, there is a clear picture of how supportive culture turns new hires into future leaders.Why this conversation mattersCulture is a team sport and leadership is the lever. Katie shows how cross-functional respect between engineering, maintenance, and operations speeds projects up, how good documentation creates confidence on the floor, and why automation does not erase jobs. It raises the skill ceiling and demands better training.Conversation highlightsMeeting story at IMTS and a friendship that started in an elevator.Katie’s rom-com life pitch featuring a 2013 baby blue Beetle and a bee.Switching from social work to industrial engineering and learning resilience the hard way.From receptionist to project engineer to sales engineer and why talking to customers clicked.The coolest project sighting, a towering broadcast robot and the crews that build stages for NASCAR, ESPN, and even the Super Bowl.Safety projects move first and fast, and the scheduling whiplash that brings.SOPs that actually teach, pictures over jargon, and testing docs with non engineers.Women navigating a male heavy field, boundaries, and a shoutout to mentor Kimberly Pelke.Why new adopters of automation are the next wave and how AI will show up on the plant floor.Topics coveredCompany culture as daily behavior, not a poster on the wall.Leadership modeling communication and teamwork.Sales engineering as translator between customers and controls teams.Budget timing, stakeholders, and the real blockers to moving from design to execution.Operator training that matches the tech.Automation as job shifter and skill builder, not a job eraser.Women in STEM, representation that changes decisions, and early pipeline programs.Quotes“I do not mind being the dumbest in the room. It just means I am learning.”“Good culture feels like a team that actually communicates and still pulls toward the same goal.”“Automation does not eliminate people. It asks them to learn new skills.”“Great SOPs should read like fifth grade science. Pictures help people keep the line running.”GuestKatie Friday is a sales engineer working across pharma, food and beverage, rubber and tire, and other regulated environments. She graduated from West Virginia University in industrial engineering, cut her teeth in project engineering, and now helps manufacturers scope, justify, and deliver automation upgrades with Industrial Automated Systems and sister company Triune Electric.Shoutouts and resources mentionedIndustrial Automated Systems and Triune Electric.Mentor Kimberly Pelke, director of business development.Move Over Bob, a culture first magazine introducing young women to trades.Rosie Riveters, early STEM confidence through productive struggle.Vendors seen on the floor, including Siemens, Rockwell, and Schneider Electric.WVU, the scene of the pivot and the grind.SponsorMed Device Boston is a sourcing and education expo at Boston’s BCEC, September 30 to October 1. Two hundred plus suppliers, hands on workshops, and expert led sessions focused on the next generation of med tech. Register at meddeviceboston.com and plan your visit. The link is in the show notes.ConnectHost, Jim Mayer. Subscribe to Manufacturing Culture on YouTube and your favorite podcast app. Share the episode with a friend who is wrestling with training and documentation after an automation upgrade.

Culture is the lens through which everything happens.Kate Glantz joins the show to talk about building a culture-first movement that puts real tradeswomen at the center of the story.We get into why representation changes decisions, how a print magazine in schools can beat the algorithm, and why AI might shrink some white-collar roles while exploding demand for blue-collar work.Kate shares the why behind Move Over Bob, the plan to go beyond construction into semiconductors, data centers, mining, and civil infrastructure, and a practical path for companies, schools, and parents to get involved.What You’ll Hear• How Kate’s through line is helping women reach financial independence and why that domino changes families and communities• Why storytelling is not fluff and how culture speeds up real change on the ground• Why recruiting women is part of a bigger youth awareness gap and the messenger problem in the trades• How Move Over Bob uses tactile print to reach students, libraries, nonprofits, and even women’s prisons• The winter issue plan that connects welding, ironworking, and heavy equipment to data centers, chips, mining, and civil projects• How AI and automation can erase some office jobs while creating a massive need for electricians and craft labor• Leadership lessons from tech and Hollywood to construction and workforce• A five-year outlook where the trades get a glow-up without sugarcoating the work• Exactly how to support the mission and why this is pro-Bob, not anti-BobTopics CoveredCulture as catalyst, not garnishRepresentation, role models, and behavior change in teensCTE awareness, apprenticeships, and the cost myths around collegeWorkwear, PPE, and making safety and self-expression compatibleSemiconductor and data-center build-outs and what they mean for craft careersAI’s impact on labor markets and why electricians matter more than everPartnership models for associations, contractors, and brandsKey Quotes“Culture is the lens through which everything happens.”“We tell ourselves stories in order to live.”“Entrepreneurs don’t see problems. They see opportunities.”“If not us, then who.”“We’re not asking Bob to leave. We’re asking him to scoot over so we can build the table together.”About the GuestKate Glantz is the co-founder of Move Over Bob, a culture-driven platform bringing tradeswomen into the center of mainstream culture and into schools at scale.Her background spans Peace Corps, tech, Hollywood, and national policy work, all pointed at a single why: helping women reach financial independence.Website: https://moveoverbob.comHow to Get Involved• Profiles and school visits for tradeswomen who want to demo and speak• Advertisers, sponsors, and associations who want to expand the talent pool• Educators, CTE directors, and librarians who want copies for studentsStart at moveoverbob.comSponsorMed Device Boston is your go-to med-tech sourcing and education expo on September 30 to October 1 at the BCEC in Boston.Over 200 suppliers, 1,500 attending professionals, and OEM decision-makers.Explore 3D printing, AI, materials, regulatory tech, and contract manufacturing under one roof.Register at meddeviceboston.comWatch & ListenFull episode on The Manufacturing Connector website and on YouTube.

Rosemary Coates, founder of the Reshoring Institute, brings over 30 years of experience in global supply chains to the conversation. She discusses the real impacts of reshoring versus offshoring, emphasizing that while offshoring surged due to low labor costs, the tide is shifting slowly as factors like carbon footprints and automation influence decisions. Mexico emerges as a competitive alternative due to proximity and lower costs. Rosemary also highlights the need for new skills in manufacturing and how community colleges can play a key role in rebuilding the workforce.

A candid conversation with high school engineer and FIRST Robotics alum Natalie Macias about curiosity, consistency, and carving out room for young makers inside a sometimes closed-off industry. We talk early exposure to CAD and flight sims, why manufacturing is the first mile of everything, the lemon tree lesson on failure, and how leaders can be firm yet flexible. Natalie wants more hands-on opportunities before college and a more welcoming on-ramp for students who are ready to show up.Guest:Natalie Macias, student engineer from Los Angeles, senior capstone lead, robotics team veteran, and Future Faces of Manufacturing feature with AMT. She’s using LinkedIn to learn directly from practitioners and find mentors across the industry.What you’ll hear:How a DOD Starbase program quietly introduced CAD, chemistry, and flight simulation to a curious kid from South CentralWhy FIRST Robotics felt like a real company under deadline, with design, programming, assembly, and manufacturing all moving togetherThe jump from loving law to choosing engineering, then finding home in manufacturingA classroom set up like DARPA, complete with two “companies” competing for a contract under a mentor who worked at Northrop GrummanWhy opportunity before college is the missing bridge and how dual-enrollment and apprenticeships could fix itLeadership as knowing your people, staying open to feedback, and bending for the needs of the group without becoming a people-pleaserCreating space in schools so students can actually grow rather than learn inside a boxFailure as pruning a lemon tree so the next season grows strongerUsing LinkedIn for mentorship and perspective, not just job huntingThe ask to our audience for college experience stories from programs that truly delivered hands-on engineeringKey quotes:“If you keep showing up, even if you didn’t do well, you’re showing that you want to be there. That goes a long way.”“Manufacturing is phase one. Piece by piece, chip by chip, you’re contributing to something bigger.”“Failure isn’t to stop us. It’s pruning the dead branches so the tree can grow.”“Be firm where it matters and flexible where it helps the group.”“Create space for growth. Don’t keep students in a box, then act surprised when they don’t grow.”Topics covered:Early STEM ignition through Starbase and school projectsFIRST Robotics as a training ground for teamwork and urgencyHands-on access for high schoolers versus the current college-first gateHow industry perceptions can intimidate newcomers and how to fix that welcomeLeadership habits students will actually followNatalie’s college search and what she’s looking for in an engineering programThe pace of automation and why that excites herNatalie’s ask to listeners:If you studied engineering or work in manufacturing, message Natalie on LinkedIn with what your university actually did to prepare you. What labs, co-ops, shops, or professors made the difference. Short stories beat brochures.Sponsor note:Med Device Boston is the go-to Med Tech sourcing and education expo on September 30 through October 1 at Boston’s VCEC. 200 plus suppliers. 1500 plus attending professionals and OEM decision makers. Explore 3D printing, AI, materials, regulatory tech, and contract manufacturing under one roof. Register and plan your visit at meddeviceboston.com.Resources mentioned:Starbase STEM programFIRST Robotics CompetitionProject-based capstone with a Northrop Grumman mentorDual-enrollment and apprenticeship models for high school studentsHow to support Natalie:Share a warm intro to mentors who welcome high school talent into labs, job shops, and build teamsInvite her to tour your facility or shadow an engineer for a daySend those honest college experience notes she asked forAbout the Manufacturing Connector Network:We help brands and builders turn trade shows, plant tours, and expert interviews into a steady pipeline of video, audio, and social content. On-site capture, mobile studio, short-form editing, podcast production, and distribution that stays consistent week after week. If you’re heading to a show or launching a product, we’ll bring the cameras and do the heavy lifting.

Jim sits down with Amy Julian to dig into culture as lived behavior, not wallpaper. From early days in AB InBev’s purchasing team through years of complex change, Amy unpacks why command-and-control stalls digital projects, how cross-industry thinking opens doors, and where AI is already moving the needle for mid-market procurement and supply chains. Expect straight talk on failed implementations, governance that actually clears roadblocks, and translating values into daily decisions on the floor.What you’ll hearWhy culture is a set of guiding principles you can act on, lessons from the AB InBev acquisition years and getting comfortable with constant change, a candid failure story and what clunky multi-consultant programs miss, systems thinking across tech and manufacturing, agile mindsets meeting lean and PDCA, practical AI use cases for quoting, planning, and buy decisions, the shift from analyst work to relationship work, and how to build multi-level client alignment that survives real life.Topics coveredBehavior-driven culture and purpose, change management beyond slide decks, ERP friction and inventory truth, cross-functional governance, agile plus lean in the same room, AI agents for sourcing and planning, leadership communication and trust-but-verify, turning workshops into action logs people actually own.Key quotes“Culture is a set of guiding principles and behaviors that help me make the right decisions day to day.”“Most transformations fail where the behavior stops. Values without actions are just posters.”“Let people author the change. IT can’t do it to the organization and expect it to stick.”“AI should be your analyst and sidekick. People still make the calls and hold the relationships.”Jim’s takeChange sticks when the shop floor can see themselves in it. If your governance cannot clear a bottleneck by Tuesday, it isn’t governance. Bring agile curiosity to lean rigor, and stop pretending culture happens after go-live. It starts at scoping.Amy’s takeDesign for behavior first. Set decision rights, create real feedback loops, and wire your principles into the tools. Start small with AI where pain is obvious, prove value fast, then expand. Systems thinking beats heroics.Connect with usSubscribe to Manufacturing Culture for more conversations at the intersection of people, process, and progress. Say hello, pitch a guest, or share a story where culture actually changed something.SponsorSpend two high-impact days at Med Device Boston, September 30 - October 1 at Boston’s BCEC. Explore 200+ suppliers, hands-on workshops, curated matchmaking, and education sessions built for the next generation of med tech innovation. Register now at https://www.medeviceboston.com/en/home.html

Jim sits down with serial founder and anti CRM evangelist Adam Honig. They dig into what culture really is, why most digital transformation falls flat, and how AI can strip out the crap work without gutting good jobs. Adam walks through building and selling three companies, including the painful first exit that taught him more than any win. Expect honesty, laughs, and sharp takes on manufacturing sales, change management, and shiny tool syndrome.What you’ll hearAdam’s path from philosophy major to three-time founder, culture as what happens when you’re not in the room, value alignment versus values on a wall, why traditional CRMs fail frontline teams, the Her movie spark that led to Spiro, why manufacturing became the focus and how ERP context changes sales calls, how to make digital transformation stick by letting people author the change, AI’s near term impact on white collar work and the boomer knowledge gap, keeping retirees on retainer to transfer territory knowledge, and building products people adopt instantly.Topics coveredCompany culture and behavior, change management in factories and field sales, CRM fatigue and alternatives, AI copilots for meetings and follow ups, workforce demographics and succession, product adoption and simplicity, founder resilience and rough exits.Key quotes“Culture is what happens when you’re not in the room.”“I’m a materialist. What people do beats what people say.”“Nobody gives a shit. Pivot if you must and get back to work.”“Sales didn’t need another system. They needed Scarlett Johansson whispering what to do next.”“AI should do the crap work. People do the human work.”Jim’s takeIf you want change to last, stop spraying money at shiny tech and start asking your people to co author the solution. Culture shows up in behavior, not slide decks. The sales side of manufacturing is overdue a rethink and the anti CRM idea is pointing the right way. Also, that pivot line belongs on a T shirt.Adam’s takeMake powerful things stupid simple. If your tool needs a playbook and an offsite to adopt, it’s probably not the tool. Remove the admin tax, surface the right cues at the right time, and let the humans sell.Connect with usSubscribe to Manufacturing Culture for more conversations at the intersection of people, process, and progress. Say hello, pitch a guest, or share your story about culture that actually changed something.SponsorSpend two high-impact days at Med Device Boston, September 30–October 1 at Boston’s BCEC. Explore 200+ suppliers, hands-on workshops, curated matchmaking, and education sessions built for the next generation of med tech innovation. Register now at https://www.medeviceboston.com/en/home.html

In this episode of the Manufacturing Culture Podcast, Joni Cunningham shares her unique journey from growing up in Alaska to becoming a pivotal figure in the manufacturing industry. She discusses the importance of workplace culture, effective leadership, and the challenges of communication. Joni emphasizes the need for authenticity and connection in both personal and professional realms, while also highlighting the role of women in manufacturing and the significance of engaging youth in the industry. The conversation is filled with insights on innovation, personal growth, and the future of manufacturing.TakeawaysCulture is an environment where you're helping and lifting others.Leaders should never be the smartest person in the room.Delegation is crucial for effective leadership.Communication is key to building trust and relationships.Growing up in Alaska provided a unique perspective on life.Personal experiences shape our professional paths.Women have a vital role in the manufacturing industry.Engaging youth is essential for the future of manufacturing.Innovation in technology can significantly improve efficiency.Being authentic attracts the right people into your life.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Joni Cunningham and the Podcast02:21 Defining Culture in the Workplace05:13 Leadership and Delegation Challenges08:04 Personal Growth Through Communication10:29 Growing Up in Alaska: A Unique Perspective13:31 Career Journey: From Healthcare to Manufacturing16:13 The Importance of Connection in Manufacturing19:00 Navigating the Challenges of Parenthood21:56 The Role of Women in Manufacturing24:35 Innovations in Manufacturing Technology27:13 The Future of Manufacturing and Youth Engagement29:36 Final Thoughts and AuthenticityMake sure to register for MEDevice Boston today!

In this episode of the Manufacturing Culture podcast, Jim Mayer interviews Renan Devilliers, co-founder of OSS Ventures. Renan shares his unique journey from a military upbringing to becoming a leader in the manufacturing technology industry. He discusses the importance of organizational culture, his experiences at McKinsey, and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives him. Renan emphasizes the need for innovation in manufacturing, the mission-driven approach of OSS Ventures, and the core values that guide their work. He also explores the future of manufacturing, the impact of technology, and the opportunities available within the industry.TakeawaysCulture is what gets people to thrive or leave an organization.Renan grew up moving frequently due to his father's military career.He transitioned from a career in violin to mathematics and consulting.Renan discovered his passion for manufacturing while at McKinsey.OSS Ventures aims to revolutionize manufacturing through technology.The future of manufacturing will involve gigafactories and small factories.Renan believes in paying shop floor workers as well as tech workers.OSS Ventures has a mission-driven approach from day one.Values are crucial for guiding company culture and decision-making.Renan emphasizes the importance of listening to shop floor workers.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Renan de Villiers01:55 Defining Organizational Culture02:41 Renan's Unique Background and Education04:40 Career Path: From McKinsey to Manufacturing08:35 Discovering the Entrepreneurial Spirit09:51 The Allure of Manufacturing11:50 OSS Ventures: Revolutionizing Manufacturing Tech14:05 The Future of Manufacturing and Reshoring16:42 Personal Growth and Leadership in Startups18:11 Mission-Driven Approach at OSS Ventures19:20 Core Values and Their Impact24:48 Staying True to Values in Business30:53 Beliefs Guiding OSS Ventures35:10 The Future Landscape of Manufacturing37:59 Opportunities at OSS Ventures40:02 Embracing Change in ManufacturingDon't forget to register for MEDevice Boston!