Manufacturing Happy Hour

What happens when you put five podcasters in a room together at one of the biggest events of the year for innovative industrial tech? A super broad view of what’s happening in the industry and what we’ve got to look forward to.Recorded live from Hexagon’s 2025 event, we welcomed four friends of Manufacturing Happy Hour, returning to the show to talk about the innovations we were most excited to see at the event. But for the main part of our conversation, we do a mid-year check-in on the industry to hear their thoughts of what we have in store in the future.Say hello to our panel:Jim Mayer – Founder of The Manufacturing Connector and Host of the Manufacturing Culture PodcastNikki Gonzalez – Director of Business Development at Weintek USA plus Co-Founder and Host of the Automation Ladies podcastMike Payne - President & Owner of Hill Manufacturing & Fabrication and Co-Host of MakingChipsNick Goellner - VP of Sales & Marketing at Hennig, and Co-Host of MakingChipsTune in to hear about 3D printed body parts, how scientists are turning ocean trash into surfboards, and how new mentor programs are revolutionizing how we train the next generation.We each take stock of what we’ve been seeing in the industry lately and why uncertainty isn’t dampening our optimism. While investing in new tech is naturally a big part of our conversation, we also widen the topic to investing in ourselves and our teams, highlighting the importance of relationships and staying true to company values.In this episode, find out:The tech that stood out the most to us at Hexagon’s 2025 eventA mid-year check-in: Jim, Nikki, Mike and Nick share their thoughts on manufacturing in 2025Why Jim’s optimistic about the industry and how technology adoption is fueling thatHow Mike’s balancing his optimism with concern over the access to capital challengeHow manufacturers can weather the storm in uncertain times (some lessons from COVID)What it means to invest in yourself as a manufacturer and company leader and why it’s about more than just adopting new techWhy you should overlook working on relationships and partnerships in the industryJim explains why we all need to reassess company values and make sure we’re staying true to what we believe inEnjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!Tweetable Quotes:“Make sure everybody's looking at the same scoreboard. Train and coach your team to think like a business owner.” - Nick“Build the foundation on values and relationships. When one of those numbers changes, you work it out together.” – Nikki“The shops that adopt the new technologies will be the ones who really start to expand their capacity and workforce.”- Jim“All these solutions that are coming to market, whether it's hardware or software, help to fill that productivity gap. The concern that I have relates back to the current funding crisis with the MEP networks because if those grant dollars are going away, how do we adopt this stuff?” - Mike Links & mentions:Manufacturing Culture Podcast, hosted by Jim Mayer, this podcast explores the culture of manufacturing with different manufacturing leaders The Manufacturing Connector, connecting manufacturers through training and storytelling, founded by JimAutomation Ladies, Nikki’s podcast for women in industrial automationHill Manufacturing & Fabrication, high-precision CNC machining and advanced fabrication services MakingChips, a podcast hosted by Mike and Nick that aims to bridge the gap between the shop floor and the online worldHexagon Live, an event bringing visionaries, industry disruptors and technical pros to explore the latest in AI, robotics, and digital twinsMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Pittsburgh’s success in the robotics space didn’t happen overnight. It’s been over 40 years in the making, with education, business, and new innovations all coming together to make the city one of the big robotics hubs alongside Boston and San Francisco.The Pittsburgh Robotics Network has been a key player in that success, giving individuals, companies, and universities the opportunity to collaborate on projects and business opportunities. Executive Director, Jennifer Apicella, joins us on the podcast to give us a background on Pittsburgh’s industry and to share her take on the commercialization of robotics and automation.A key theme in this episode is how you don’t have to replicate the success of the big cities. Every place is different, and part of Pittsburgh’s success has been to lean into its unique strengths and industry challenges. In other words, you don’t need your city to become the next Silicon Valley to be successful. In this episode, find out:A recap of the great bars, restaurants and bowling alleys we explored around PittsburghJennifer explains what the Pittsburgh Robotics Network does and how it’s helping to support new technology and industry growthSome background on why the Pittsburgh Robotics Network was started and built by the community it now representsHow the group measures success and why commercialization is key to developing technologies that solve real problemsHow other cities and regions can learn from what Pittsburgh has done without needing to copy the same formulaThe challenges of working in a non-profit in a for-profit industry and how Jennifer balances different prioritiesJennifer’s advice for becoming a better part of the local technology communityWhy the key to commercialization is about looking beyond the tech and focusing instead on problemsPlans and predictions for Pittsburgh’s industry in the next five years Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!Tweetable Quotes:"I think it's just really important that you stop being obsessed with the technology... rather than being inspired by the technology, be inspired by the problem that it's solving."“Like any kind of industrial revolution, this is going to be largely highly disruptive to all humans. Society is going to change. People are going to change, businesses are going to change. Are you on the right side of that change?”“Commercialization is key. The world is sitting by waiting to see what robotics and autonomy look like at scale. How do you take something and not need it to be custom-built?”Links & mentions:Pittsburgh Robotics Network, a community that connects more than 125 advanced technology companies across multiple industriesIndustrial Solutions Network, an interconnected group of manufacturing technology companies working on a common missionGrapperia Pittsburgh, a cocktail bar with a huge selection of speciality cocktails, grappa and amariUmami Izakaya, a Japanese restaurant and bar serving modern Asian cuisine in PittsburghArsenal Bowl, originally Arsenal Lanes, this bowling alley combines unique décor with live music and bowlingMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

In this engaging conversation, Aaron Prather, Director of Robotics & Autonomous Systems Program at ASTM International, dives into the pivotal role of safety standards in robotics. He discusses the complex hurdles preventing humanoid robots from entering daily life, emphasizing the need for tailored regulations across various industries. The talk unfolds exciting possibilities for robots in healthcare and personal care, underlining the importance of collaboration between technical experts and social scientists to navigate challenges ahead.

Chris Nolte, Co-Founder of Bloom and an Iraq war veteran, discusses the reindustrialization movement in Detroit, emphasizing its potential to revive American manufacturing. He shares how COVID exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains and the urgent need for localized production. Chris advocates for leveraging new technologies and inter-industry collaboration to accelerate progress. The conversation highlights Detroit's transformation into an innovative hub, attracting talent and fostering a community-centric approach to manufacturing.

What if accepting failure was the key to entrepreneurial success? Mark DeSantis has built and sold multiple companies over the years and like any entrepreneurial journey, it’s been a mixture of ups and downs, failures and successes. But in this episode, we hear that acknowledging the possibility of failure is what gave him the courage to keep on going.Mark shares his entrepreneurial story – why he began it, how he stays motivated, and some of the best lessons he’s picked up over the years. One of the top points he makes in this episode is to be problem-focused, not solutions-focused. When building tech solutions, it’s easy to get lost in the tech itself and lose sight of the real problems you want it to solve. But to make anything commercially viable, especially something as “new” as robotics, it needs to solve real problems.Mark also sings the praises of Pittsburgh, which he says is one of the best cities for robotics innovation today. He’s seen the city decline and grow over the years into what’s now a college town that’s thriving in the tech space.In this episode, find out:Mark shares what he’s been up to recently, after seeing Bloomfield Robotics acquired by Kubota CorporationThe challenge of living with uncertainty as an entrepreneur and the story that inspired him to embrace fearWhy entrepreneurship is like climbing Mount Everest in that you should look in front of you, not at the summitMark’s secret to enjoying the journey of entrepreneurship and the moment he decided he wanted to do this for the rest of his lifeWhy AI and robotics are perfect for the “big and boring” problems in our livesWhy we might need a Henry Ford-style revolution to take robotics to the next levelHow Pittsburgh is growing in the tech and robotics spaceWhy asking if someone wants to buy your solution is the wrong question for an entrepreneur to askEnjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!Tweetable Quotes:“Where technology, particularly AI, can make a difference is in the big and boring problems. The places where nobody thinks to take an advanced technology."“Go where everyone else isn't with advanced solutions and make sure the problem's big enough where you can make a difference.  “If you’re frozen with fear because you're worried about the failure of the company, or your personal failure and the humiliation that that might bring, you're not going to make good decisions. You're gonna fail. It's like playing not to lose in sports. Entrepreneurship’s all offense, no defense.”Links & mentions:Mark DeSantis, his bio is stackedBloomfield Robotics, combining plant-level imaging and deep learning to assess the health and performance of every plant, at any scale continuouslyKubota, manufacturing and assembling Kubota lawn tractorsPittsburgh Robotics Network, facilitating commercial business growth and economic development opportunities for the Greater Pittsburgh region's robotics, autonomy, and AI clusterWatch this episode on YouTubeMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

You’ll want to grab yourself a pilsner for this episode. Manufacturing Happy Hour heads overseas to sample some fine German beer in the city of Munich…and we also headed to automatica 2025 while we were there.Europe’s biggest AI and automation event is a must-visit if you can get over there. But if not, this episode has you covered.Between event talks, demos, and trips to the beer garden, we met some amazing people behind robotics and AI companies in Germany and beyond. Chris Luecke and Jake Hall (The Manufacturing Millennial) speak to company founders, innovators, and robotics pioneers, including:Wendy Tan White, CEO, IntrinsicDayana Ramirez Gutierrez, Chief of Innovation, TUMNicole Ebner, Head of Robotics/AI Startup Incubator, TUMDr. Martina Kohlhuber, Scientific Director TUM CampusAlwin Heerklotz, CEO, Innok RoboticsNikolas Roessler, CCO/CFO, Innok RoboticsDr. Christian Liedtke, Principal Consultant, KUKAPatrick Schwarzkopf, Managing Director, VDMAYou’ll hear what makes Germany, specifically Bavaria, a rising star in robotics innovation, how AI is powering robotics’ evolution (and vice versa), and how European businesses approach innovation. In this episode, find out:Wendy gives us background on Intrinsic and explains what AI adds to robotics’ potential todayWhy we’re at an inflection point with AI and robotics and the top trends that are driving the demandWhy hardware and software are both equally important and why we need to think about the physical world as much as the digitalThe importance of hybrid skills and how a “confluence of knowledge” will drive more creativity and breakthroughs in tech  What we can learn about the innovation ecosystem in MunichHow we can empower startups to bring tech from academia into the working worldWhy collaboration is the key thing that the world can learn from Bavaria and German manufacturingA background on Innok Robotics and why the founders decided to focus on AMRs in outdoor applicationsWhy a niche market focus makes Innok Robotics stand out in their fieldWhy growth in new markets depends on the customers’ approach to risk tooWhat Germany brings to innovation – smart engineersWhy AI is the push that robotics needs (and vice versa) so we can start doing more with physical AIWhy more people should come to Automatica and see the reflection of European entrepreneurship and innovationThe challenges facing innovative startups in Europe, and why investors should be more open to riskEnjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!Tweetable Quotes:“The thing AI can do for traditional robotics is add vision, touch, dexterity in a way we've never been able to provide with sensors before or at least in a cost effective way.” – Wendy Tan White“Our customers in Germany are forward-thinking and they take not only the risk but also the pain to start with a product that’s not finished yet. I think that’s been an important part of getting to where we are now.” – Alwin Heerklotz“We come from a world that we describe as a deterministic world... now we move into a different paradigm with AI...the robots become skilled, like humans have skills." – Patrick SchwarzkopfLinks & mentions:automatica, the world's leading trade fair for smart automation and robotics, automatica brings together all key technologies in the technology hub of MunichIntrinsic AI, a platform for the next generation of intelligent automation, making it easier for developers and businesses to unlock the value of roboticsTUM – Technical University of Munich, a university that brings talent from around the world to create innovations togethermunich_i, a top-level event in AI and robotics, presented at automatica 2025UnternehmerTUM, Europe’s largest center for startups and innovationrobo.innovate, Bavaria’s deep-tech incubator for start-up projects in the field of intelligent robotics & AIInnok Robotics, providing an autonomous platform for outdoor applications, including AMRsKUKA, German manufacturer of industrial robots and factory automation systemsVDMA, German Engineering Federation, one of the largest and most important industrial associations in Europe representing 3,600 German and European mechanical and plant engineering companiesMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Bret Boyd, CEO and Co-Founder of Sustainment, is a former Army infantry officer with a wealth of leadership experience. In this conversation, he reveals that access to capital is currently a pressing challenge for mid-market manufacturers, surpassing talent gaps. Bret draws parallels between military and business leadership, emphasizing teamwork in supplier management. He discusses the importance of technology investment and how AI can revolutionize manufacturing practices, engaging younger generations to reshape the industry’s future.

“The hardest part of robotics isn't actually doing robotics. It's providing a solution that solves a real customer problem.” Melonee Wise’s quote from this episode is a good summary of what we talk about in this episode – practical, real-world applications of the technology we see hyped.Robotics, AMRs, humanoid robots, automation, AI – all of these things are hot topics in manufacturing. But the truth is that these solutions may not always result in the most exciting or sexiest applications. But when they’re eliminating boring, laborious tasks, it’s a huge opportunity across the industry.For part two of our Automate 2025 special episode, we hear from five incredible people, all from different areas of manufacturing, automation and robotics.We kick things off with Melonee Wise from Agility Robotics who you may have heard on the show before. She talks about the practical applications of using humanoid robots and where the industry is headed, while also talking through the biggest concern of adopting this new tech – safety.We kick things off with Melonee Wise from Agility Robotics who you may have heard on the show before. She talks about the practical applications of using humanoid robots and where the industry is headed, while also talking through the biggest concern of adopting this new tech – safety.Glen Guernsey from JR Automation talks about the biggest changes in warehouse automation today – including the ability to handle random SKU palletization. We chat with Zoie Rittling of OnLogic and Michael Maxey from ZEDEDA, about how right sizing AI at the edge is about eliminating boring work. And finally, Robert Ponsonby from Arduino talks about the interoperability and open-source solutions that drive innovation. All are slightly different takes on automation’s new capabilities but offer truly great insights for anyone working in manufacturing thinking about the future. In this episode, find out:Melonee talks through Agility Robotics’ humanoid demo and the practical applications of this techWhy Agility Robotics focused on bulk material handling at the beginning and takes a tiered approach to complexity  Why robots performing individual tasks isn’t what’s important – it’s how this connects to other systems and solves overall problemsWhere the humanoid market is likely headed compared to AMRsWhat the new safety standard means for humanoid implementation and how we could realistically see cooperatively safe humanoids working alongside humansGlen talks about the biggest changes we’re seeing in warehouse automation, including the ability to handle random SKU palletizationWhy the labor shortage will need to be supplemented with automationPractical applications of AGVs and AMRs in warehouse operationsWhat the warehouse of the future will look likeZoie and Michael describe edge architecture and how it applies to managing applicationsHow the industry can right-size AI at the edge and how this will look different from using cloud applicationsWhy you need to prioritize integration when looking for the best AI partnersRobert defines interoperability and Arduino’s approach to open-source softwareHow interoperability in open source allows for innovation, empowering teams, and rapid deploymentEnjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!Tweetable Quotes:"The most innovative thing that's out there has to do with random SKU palletization... up until recently with the advances in AI and advances in vision systems, this was not something that was easily done." – Glen Guernsey"We've seen on average for rollouts on projects, a 70% reduction in timeline. Instead of a six-month project, all of a sudden, you guys are done in a month and a half.” Robert Ponsonby"The hard part is not actually doing robotics. It's providing a solution that solves a customer problem." Melonee Wise Links & mentions:Arduino, a leader in open-source hardware and softwareAgility Robotics, a leading manufacturer of humanoid robots and automation solutionsJR Automation, intelligent automated manufacturing and distribution technology solutionsOnLogic, industrial computers engineered for IoT edgeAutomate, the biggest automation trade show, this year held in Detroit, Michigan 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.

Welcome to Part 1 of our two-part Automate 2025 recap series. In this episode, we dive into current trends in automation and robotics, including cobots, open operating systems, and more. The interviews were recorded as part of A3's Automate LIVE series of interviews and include insights from the following industry leaders:Jerry Perez, FANUC America CorporationBernd Raithel, Director Product Management & Marketing, Siemens Factory AutomationShawn Donahue and Brian Darling, Raymond CorpKen Crawford, Sr. Director of Automation, WeidmuellerStay tuned for Part 2 covering the latest trends in warehouse automation, AI at the edge, and more coming out later this week.

Ted Fertik, VP of Manufacturing & Industrial Policy at BlueGreen Alliance and a PhD in Economic History, shares insights on bridging industrial history and modern sustainability. He discusses lessons from Brazil and the UK, emphasizing the evolution of manufacturing and the significance of public investment. Fertik highlights the pressing need for a low-carbon economy and the electrification of industries, advocating for sustainable practices that attract talent and ensure community benefits, all while meeting rising energy demands.