Manufacturing Happy Hour

RVs are homes that go 60 miles an hour. That changes everything about what goes inside them.Chris sits down with Sean Petterson, CEO of Supersede, a company combining recycling and manufacturing in an unexpected way - turning recycled plastic into structural building materials. Supersede started with boats, where wood has an obvious problem - boats get wet!From there, the company moved into RVs, where the materials face constant movement and thermal cycling, on a production line that can build an entire RV in a couple of hours.Sean also explains the thinking behind Supersede's manufacturing model, including why he'd rather build 10 smaller plants than one big one.In this episode, find out:How running production lines in mirrored pairs cuts the distance operators walk across the floorWhy an RV, built to go 60 miles an hour, is a harder test for a material than a house that never movesHow Supersede built its own ERP with zero software developers, piecing it together through Slack, Jira, and GitHub insteadHow a pre-sold capacity threshold - already dropping fast - decides when Supersede builds its next plantHow embedding machine vision and LiDAR on the line replaces a QA machine that would otherwise cost far moreWhy Sean thinks manufacturers who didn't start using AI a year ago are already a decade behindEnjoying 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:"If you hadn't gotten on the AI bus 12 months ago, you're a decade behind." - Sean Petterson, CEO of Supersede“A big contributor to those inefficiencies is, frankly, just legacy that gets embedded.” - Sean Petterson, CEO of Supersede“In manufacturing, things can move slow, and we just have the unique benefit of making sure that we're investing effectively, but very efficiently.” - Sean Petterson, CEO of SupersedeLinks & mentions:Supersede is a manufacturing company turning recycled plastic into structural building materials, starting with its Marine Board product for the marine and RV industries.Harmoni is a factory orchestration platform that connects what's happening on your shop floor with the systems you already use, from your machines and operators to your ERP, giving your team one real-time view of production.PTC's Industrial Newsletter - a quick hit of clarity on how design, manufacturing, and service data can work together for manufacturing leaders looking to modernize.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.

There's a lot more coming out of Iowa than corn.Chris heads to Des Moines for a live conversation with four guests who each know Iowa manufacturing a little differently.Dominique Hain and Cami Schaefer share how Women in Manufacturing Iowa grew to over 900 members in three years. Denny Williams and Denise Hill take it from there, discussing automation, hiring, and just how deep Iowa's farm roots run through its factories.The conversation also uncovers some of the products many people may not know are made in Iowa, including Winnebago RVs.In this episode, find out:What makes a state better known for agriculture become one of the country's stronger manufacturing basesHow Iowa's farming communities are shaping who gets hired at companies like WeilerWhich surprising products are actually made in Iowa, from butter braids to basketball hoopsWhy so many Iowa manufacturers trace back to a farmer solving a problem for himself, then his neighborsHow Co-Line is using robots and cobots to boost throughput without cutting its workforceWhy finding qualified operators is harder than finding corn in rural IowaEnjoying 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 love Des Moines because it's almost like a well-kept secret of Iowa, or of the US." - Cami Schaefer, Executive Operations Assistant at BrownWinick"We launched our chapter only three years ago, and we're already over 900 members strong, which is absolutely incredible." - Dominique Hain, Industry Account Manager at Rockwell Automation"With that strong work ethic and farming background, we like to hire young farm kids who know how to work on equipment. They're not afraid to roll up their sleeves and get dirty." - Denise Hill, Senior Human Resources Manager at WeilerLinks & mentions:Dominique Hain - Industry Account Manager at Rockwell AutomationDenny Williams - Sales/Estimating at Co-Line ManufacturingDenise Hill - Senior Human Resources Manager at WeilerCami Schaefer - Executive Operations Assistant at BrownWinickFathom Digital Manufacturing, offering more than 25 advanced manufacturing technologies under one roof, from CNC machining to injection molding.PTC's Industrial Newsletter, a quick hit of clarity on how design, manufacturing, and service data can work together for manufacturing leaders looking to modernize.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.

You can count on Philly to bring the energy!Recorded live in King of Prussia at the final stop of the Northeast leg of the All-American Manufacturing Summer Tour, this episode features the loudest, most engaged crowd Chris has had on the show yet.Ashley, Brett, and Matt open the show with a look at what makes the Philadelphia manufacturing ecosystem tick, and why collaboration, not competition, might be the region's biggest advantage.Hannah and Greg then join Matt to talk workforce development, and some of the most creative approaches to the talent shortage you'll hear on the show all year.In this episode, find out:What inspired one shop owner to build a group where members share equipment, knowledge, and even trade secrets with people who'd traditionally be seen as competitorsWhy locating a machine shop in the heart of Philadelphia, despite the traffic, parking, and wage tax, turned out to be a competitive advantageHow a youth basketball nonprofit ended up building a skilled trades program for teenagers who don't want to go to collegeWhy the region's defense industry is driving serious demand for skilled manufacturing workersWhat convinced a group of manufacturing leaders that hiring from a more diverse talent pool is a genuine business advantage, not just the right thing to doWhat it really takes to change how an entire generation sees a career in the tradesEnjoying 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:"That's a competitive advantage for us when we're hiring from a diverse group. Our spindles are running more." - Matt Bruner, President & Co-Founder at American Precision Works"What makes Philadelphia great is that now we have that willingness to change. Philly is really spearheading that campaign to make manufacturing and the collaboration between all of us more open" - Ashley Watkins, Sales & Marketing Manager at JBM Technologies"I don't hide any of my prints when we do the group meetings. I'm not afraid of anyone coming in and stealing my work." - Brett Lister, Youth Basketball, Business Owner at B&B Dynamic MachiningLinks & mentions:Ashley Watkins - Sales & Marketing Manager at JBM TechnologiesMatt Bruner - President & Co-Founder at American Precision WorksGregory Thomson - Director of Skilled Building Trades at PhiladelphiaBrett Lister - Youth Basketball, Business Owner at B&B Dynamic MachiningHannah McGarry - Director at Workforce EngagementCliftonLarsonAllen, presenting partner for the All-American Manufacturing Summer Tour, offering industry-focused wealth advisory, outsourcing, audit, tax, and consulting services.MaintainX, presenting partner for the tour, helping frontline teams streamline maintenance, standard operating procedures, and more from a mobile device.NTMA (New Jersey/Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association), a local partner organization supporting manufacturers with resources, events, and a national network.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.

Where's the party at? While there’s a lot to see on the show floor at IMTS 2026, some of the best conversations, connections, and memories happen after the show floor closes each day.In this bonus episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, Chris is joined by returning guests Jim Mayer and Emily Wilkins for an "IMTS After Hours" conversation about how to make the most of manufacturing’s biggest week in Chicago.They share some of their favorite stories from IMTS events of the past - from spontaneous meetups and happy hours, to karaoke, to Chris’ infamous 90s Vs. Emo Night in 2024 - while previewing what’s on the agenda for IMTS 2026.You’ll hear why the after hours experience can be just as valuable as walking the show floor, how to pace yourself during a packed week of events, and where you can find Chris, Jim, Emily, and the rest of the manufacturing community once the trade show shuts down for the day.Whether this is your first IMTS or you’re a seasoned veteran, consider this your unofficial guide to making the most of IMTS afterparties all week long.See you in Chicago. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Michelle Feinberg, founder of New York Embroidery Studio, brings decades of textile expertise; Nikki Evans builds advanced-manufacturing talent at the Brooklyn Navy Yard; Andrew Gustafson interprets Brooklyn’s industrial history. They explore New York’s manufacturing revival, from its forgotten factory legacy and 17 industry verticals under one roof to robotics, workforce training, and urban supply chains. Feinberg recounts pivoting from Met Gala gowns to millions of PPE gowns during COVID.

Pat Morris, a St. Louis software and media professional, joins longtime friends Rob Garwitz and John Petcher to turn the tables on Chris Luecke live. They revisit Chris’s leap from corporate work to podcasting, lessons from his father, onstage mishaps, preparing for fatherhood, St. Louis food and drink favorites, the Blues’ 2019 triumph, and the possible return of Atomic Monkey Project.

Dustin Moore, Condition Monitoring Engineer Manager at AssetWatch, talks hands-on vibration and multi-signal monitoring. Patrick Carmitchel, VP of Product Management, brings strategy for predictive maintenance. They explain condition monitoring vs preventative approaches. They discuss proving value on the plant floor, focusing on one critical asset well, and turning unplanned outages into planned personal downtime.

Cici Bevin, sixth-generation president of Bevin Brothers, keeps a 200-year bellmaker modern. Andrew Gibson, serial manufacturing entrepreneur and AlphaQ CEO, turned failing aerospace suppliers into top global vendors. Dustin Nord, CBIA Foundation director, tracks workforce and competitiveness. They discuss Connecticut’s surprising products, industrial cluster strengths, manufacturing leadership roles, and pathways to grow tomorrow’s workforce.

Sam Neva, VP of Sales for Service Lifecycle Management at PTC, helps OEMs shift from one-off hardware sales to service-led recurring revenue. He explains servitization, the barriers companies face, and why installed-base visibility and aftermarket planning matter. AI, parts strategy, and organizational alignment come up as keys to turning equipment into long-term income.

When Massachusetts shows up for something, it's rarely small, and this live show was no exception.Over 100 people packed into Canton to join Chris as he sits down with Megan Glidden, Michael Tamasi, and Joe McCadden to talk about the people and organizations keeping the state's manufacturing scene strong.That starts with the workforce building the next generation of submarines. Joe explains what that takes on the ground, Michael has built his own talent pipeline training adults on the autism spectrum for careers in manufacturing, and Megan walks us through the upsides of employee ownership, including the chance to retire as a millionaire.From there, the conversation covers trade schools, automation, AI, and the challenge of changing manufacturing’s “dark, dirty, and dangerous” reputation.In this episode, find out:What Massachusetts' small size means for manufacturers trying to get products to market quicklyHow Massachusetts manufacturers rallied during COVID to make gowns, masks, and ventilators in daysWhy the submarine industrial base needs 100,000 people over the next 5 to 10 yearsThe role local vocational schools play in building Globe Composite Solutions' next generation of employeesWhy employee ownership changes the way people think about waste, improvement, and staying with a company for decadesWeb Industries' approach to weaving AI into its broader Industry 4.0 strategyEnjoying 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:“For too long, and still in many places, people look at manufacturing as dark, dirty, and dangerous, when in fact it's safe, smart, and sustainable.” - Michael Tamasi, Owner & CEO of AccuRounds“The biggest challenge that we face is people, and how do you get good people.” - Joe McCadden, President of Globe Composite Solutions"What makes Massachusetts attractive to us is the depth of experience around the aerospace, defense, and medical industries - these are industries where you can't take this work offshore." - Megan Glidden, CFO of Web IndustriesLinks & mentions:AccuRounds - a precision contract machining company based in Avon, Massachusetts, providing high-end mechanical components for the aerospace, defense, medical, semiconductor, and robotics industries.Globe Composite Solutions - a Stoughton, Massachusetts manufacturer of urethane, rubber, and synthetic foam products for defense, submersible, and industrial applications.Web Industries - a global, employee-owned manufacturing company specializing in precision converting and outsourced manufacturing for the aerospace, medical, and industrial sectors.Harmoni - a factory orchestration platform that connects your machines, operators, and ERP into one real-time view of what's happening on the shop floor.CliftonLarsonAllen - a presenting partner for the All-American Manufacturing Summer Tour, offering industry-focused wealth advisory, outsourcing, audit, tax, and consulting services.MaintainX - a presenting partner for the tour, helping frontline teams streamline maintenance, standard operating procedures, and more from a mobile device.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.