Manufacturing Happy Hour

Here's an oldie but a goodie! While Chris was on holiday in Munich for this year's Oktoberfest, that was no excuse not to give you an episode this week. We're diving back in the archives for this episode with Craig Francisco where he shares some of his best mindset, productivity, and podcasting tips from one of his old podcasts: 8 Keys of Sales Excellence. Enjoy the throwback!

Spending time on the plant floor gives you direct communication with your customers. But what’s the best way to gather their feedback and bring it to market quickly? In this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, we are joined by Vatsal Shah, Founder and CEO of Litmus, a unified platform for industrial IoT. Vatsal provides down-to-earth digital transformation advice, tips on how to bring customer feedback to life and insights into how companies can contextualize their data. Plus, he shares some stories on the history of Litmus, why scale is more important than ever and why the Cloud is no longer just an option. In this episode, find out: About Vatsal’s work before Litmus What led him to start and persevere with Litmus How Litmus’ solution works on the plant floor Whether companies are identifying problems themselves Why the Cloud is no longer just an option Why scale is more important than ever How to bring customer feedback to market quickly 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: “There are some foundational challenges in manufacturing. The whole journey to overcome them has to be unified. Our platform takes care of the complete journey for manufacturing or industrial customers.” “There was always a fear of the Cloud, but it’s not optional anymore.” “We go on quarterly business reviews with customers to understand where we are hitting limits for our products or ROI restrictions. Understanding is critical.” Links & mentions: Connect with Vatsal on LinkedIn Litmus, the only Industrial Edge Data Platform that unifies device connectivity, data intelligence and data integration in a complete Industry 4.0 solution 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. 

Women have been advancing in the manufacturing workforce for some time, but what actions can leaders in the industry take to continue that trend? In this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, we are joined by Allison Grealis, President and Founder of Women in Manufacturing (WIM), a 20,000+ member global trade association that is committed to supporting, promoting and inspiring women who choose to enter the industry. Allison discusses what motivated her to launch WIM, how the organization has evolved since and how manufacturing companies can meaningfully attract more women into the workforce. Plus, she shares her personal story and how her unique background has helped her make her mark in manufacturing. In this episode, find out: What Women in Manufacturing (WIM) do How Allison’s unique background has helped her  How her organization has evolved Advice for manufacturing pros addressing gaps in the industry How WIM has contributed to the shift toward more women in the industry Why the organization have three leadership tracks (with potential for more) How leaders can meaningfully encourage more women into the industry 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: “Manufacturing leaders - as you see gaps in the industry, do your due diligence, see if your company could be the right provider of a solution for that gap, and then take action.” “I quickly realized I could create a community that can be inclusive of all people in all facets of manufacturing.” “Over time, we have worked very closely with our manufacturing members to help design programs that match the challenges they have within their workforce.”  Links & mentions: Connect with Allison on LinkedIn Follow Women in Manufacturing on LinkedIn Follow Women in Manufacturing on Twitter/X Follow Women in Manufacturing on Instagram 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. 

Why don’t more young people want to get into manufacturing? This week’s Manufacturing Happy Hour guest, Terry Iverson, President & CEO of Iverson & Company, is the author of two fantastic books on the subject. His latest one, Inspiring Champions in Advanced Manufacturing, aims to encourage both students and their parents to give manufacturing a shot. We had a great in-person conversation at The Vanguard in Milwaukee to talk about his mission to elevate manufacturing as a career path and to encourage more people into the industry. Terry explains why he thinks manufacturing leaders could be doing more to reach out to young people and bridge the awareness gap.  While the U.S. manufacturing industry is getting better, we still have a long way to go to finding the next generation of manufacturers. Terry shares some stats on college education and why he believes a European-style rethink on apprenticeships is long overdue.  Make sure to visit ManufacturingHappyHour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.   In this episode, find out: Why Terry decided to write a second book  What Terry learned from growing up in a manufacturing family Why his mission to get the word out about manufacturing has evolved How the apprenticeship culture is different in Europe Why there needs to be more engagement between schools and the trades Why the “learn and earn” route is a great alternative to college How children’s “maker spaces” work Why the industry still has a long way to go to appeal to younger people How we can get the industry and education system on the same page What the statistics say about reshoring and workforce needs 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: “We need the industry and education on the same page. Just like I'm trying to do with the book. I'm trying to connect parents and the child to have conversations more like they do in Europe when they're 14-15 years old about all the different things you could do in manufacturing.” “Parents need to be more informed and more focused on what every given child shines in or is passionate about or has the natural ability to do.” “How many times have you heard a parent say, “I'd give them a toy and they'd have it all apart and then try to put it back together.” That's an engineer or a manufacturer in the making.” Links & mentions: Inspiring Champions in Advanced Manufacturing: Discover the Path to a Debt-Free Career, by Terry Iverson (student and parent edition both available) Finding America's Greatest Champion: Building Prosperity Through Manufacturing, Mentoring and the Awesome Responsibility of Parenting, Terry’s first book written in 2018 The Vanguard, a locally-owned bar and restaurant located in the heart of Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood serving up house-made sausages and a great whiskey selection 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. 

In the Navy, every minute of every day is measured and that measurement is called Speed of Advance. In layman’s terms, it means, “I've got a plan and where am I at in that plan?” But how does that relate to manufacturing?  In this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, we’re joined by Marty Groover, operational technology expert, partner at C5MI and the author of Speed of Advance. He talks about his background in the US Navy and how that experience helped him make a smooth transition into the manufacturing world, which wasn’t exactly as he expected!  He also touches on why military life is a great introduction to the industrial world and shares his uncanny similarities with Marty McFly! In this episode, find out: Marty’s background in the US Navy What he learned from those experiences Marty’s transition to civilian life and entry into the manufacturing world The big differences he had to get used to  Why military life is such a great path into the industrial world How Industry 4.0 is evolving  What Marty has in common with one Marty McFly!  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: “Every minute of every day we're getting measured on this measurement called Speed of Advance. In simplest terms it means, I've got a plan, where am I at in that plan, and how do I maintain my speed as efficiently as possible?” “I learned troubleshooting, solving problems, making sure that system was ready to serve 100% of the time. ‘Cause you never want to go to the Captain and say, I don't know why it didn't shoot, sir.” “If COVID didn't provide a wake up call, it should have. Going to stores and seeing things not in stores, not being able to get what we're used to getting. That just shows you that these supply chains are not resilient.” Links & mentions: C5MI, a business transformation firm specialized in the processes and technology that power world-class manufacturing and supply chain operations Speed of Advance: How the U.S. Navy's Convergence of People, Process, and Technology Can Help Your Business Win in the 4th Industrial Revolution, by Marty Groover 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 no escaping AI and automation! But what’s the best way to integrate them into technical college curriculums and provide the next generation of manufacturing professionals with the education they need? Who better to answer that question than Richard Barnhouse, President of Waukesha County Technical College? Richard joins this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour to share his insights, why he believes Wisconsin is the hub of higher ed transformation and why he strives to provide high-quality AI and automation programs and certificates. Plus, he gives advice on getting feedback from the community and tells us why 2023 is the “good old days” of hiring humans.  In this episode, find out: Richard’s roots in the industry Why he joined Waukesha County Technical College Why he believes industry has been organically evolving at an unbelievable pace The best ways to get feedback from the community How the Wisconsin technical college system can transform higher ed across the country Why it’s Richard’s role to keep manufacturing going in Wisconsin Why WCTC have created AI and automation programs Why 2023 is the ‘good old days’ of hiring humans 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: “If you're going to lead an organization that responds to the community, get out there, throw on some boots and get under a machine to see what the real needs are.” “We’re going to see higher education get better. It’s going to become more streamlined, more efficient. It will be forced to improve dramatically in order to stay in business.” “If there are demands for specific programs in our industry, then I’ve got a responsibility to deliver it.” Links & mentions: Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC), a public community college featuring forward-thinking programs in automation, AI, and systems integration Artisan 179, a trendy Pewaukee lakeside haunt filled with local art offering organic, select new American bites, and creative cocktails 5 O’clock Club, a storied tavern with a homestyle feel serving American classics, locally sourced produce, and drinks in Pewaukee, WI Follow Waukesha County Technical College on Twitter 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. 

Manufacturing professionals have been talking about the skills gap for a long time now – but when will it finally close? While we don’t have a crystal ball on Manufacturing Happy Hour, we have a guest who comes close.  Ann Wyatt, President and Agency Owner of Ann Wyatt Recruiting joins the show to share some great insights, advice, and predictions for the future of the industry. Ann’s a long-time listener of the show and has been part of the Manufacturing Happy Hour community for a while now. So, this conversation is long overdue! Ann dives into the skills shortage problem, what manufacturers can do to compete for talent, how to remove friction from the recruitment process, and why we need to rethink how we advertise jobs. She also explains why companies need to do more brand awareness and not just rely on job boards to find talent.  Aside from recruitment and the skills gap problem, we also have some great chats about karaoke, punk rock, and glass blowing. So tune in for a very informative and varied conversation this week! In this episode, find out: How manufacturing skill needs have evolved Why we need to look at transferable skills from other industries Why job boards alone won’t attract top talent How to reduce friction in the recruitment process Why company branding is key for advertising roles How manufacturing companies can attract more talent Predictions for the industry in 2-5 years Why Industry 4.0 is important for closing the skills gap How to retain great talent  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: “Making sure that you have a short hiring process right now is super imperative.” “We were looking at industrial maintenance individuals from a mechanical perspective. Now we are looking at them from a mechatronics perspective.” “The candidate experience doesn't stop once you go through the onboarding process. I think that you've got to really commit yourself to your culture on a daily basis.” Links & mentions: Ann Wyatt Recruiting, providing manufacturing clients with the candidates they need COVID-1985, a great parody cover of Bowling For Soup’s 1985 that your host wrote and recorded in 2020 Lipz Lounge, karaoke bar located in Straight to Ale in Huntsville, AL’s Campus 805 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. 

Artificial intelligence is THE hot topic at the moment – no matter what industry you’re in. For manufacturers, it could be a game-changer if you have a great strategy. But how do you get started with AI? Well, you’re in luck with this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour with Jeff Winter, Sr. Director of Industry Strategy & Manufacturing.  Jeff breaks down some of the best strategies to thrive with AI. We cover everything from the differences between different AI types to the best use cases for AI for manufacturers and how to move forward in the age of Industry 4.0. Jeff is the go-to guy for all things Industry 4.0 on LinkedIn, and he shares bags of important data and advice in this episode about how manufacturers can achieve success. It’s not one to miss! In this episode, find out: The differences between AI and machine learning How manufacturers should approach AI Where AI is underutilized Use cases for manufacturers using AI What the data says about investments in AI and Industry 4.0 strategies The best practices for automation in Industry 4.0 Why you need to be a tech-forward company to attract talent Why investing in people is still so important  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: “Seek hands-on experience. Theory and knowledge are essential, but practical experience is equally important. So seek opportunities to work on real-world projects […]This will enhance your problem-solving abilities and allow you to apply your knowledge in a practical setting.” “Networking is valuable for career growth. You can do this by attending industry events, joining relevant online communities, and connecting with professionals in the field. Networking not only helps with job opportunities and collaborations, but it can also help with mentorships.” “Industry 4. 0 is rapidly evolving and it's crucial for engineers to stay up to date with the latest technologies and trends. So offer training opportunities, offer certifications, give an allowance of funds for people to attend relevant workshops and conferences and continually to learn.” Links & mentions: Hitachi Solutions, a global cloud-services, systems integrator; a 100% Microsoft platform-focused organization Expanding AI’s Impact with Organizational Learning, MITSloan Management Review The Future of Industrial AI in Manufacturing, a June 2023 report by the Manufacturing Leadership Council IoT Signals Report, presented by Microsoft 2023 State of Smart Manufacturing Report, presented by Rockwell Automation Is Industry 4.0, Smart Manufacturing Working for You? A recent interview with Jeff in Control Engineering Jackson Avenue Pub, home of the “Drunken Pear Burger” in Naperville, IL 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.

We know what you’re thinking…this episode title is against everything we stand for! But hear us out… “Manufacturing should be boring” may sound like the antithesis of this podcast but, as you listen, you’ll understand what this guest means. On this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, we are joined by St. Louis Makes Executive Director, Marc Bowers. St. Louis Makes is a non-profit helping emerging and mid-sized regional manufacturers drive sales expansion through product innovation and new marketing opportunities. Marc joins the show to discuss the main how-tos of running a manufacturing business, why old-school entrepreneurship is making a comeback and the advantages of thinking outside the box. Plus, an explanation for our title!  In this episode, find out: The infrastructure of St. Louis The return of old-school manufacturing entrepreneurship The customers manufacturing leaders should focus on What to do before seeking out adjacent business opportunities Why you need to know the business inside out The benefits of taking alternative career paths Leveraging the importance of education Steps to buying a manufacturing company Important how-tos when running a manufacturing business 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: “Everything that I've learned, I've learned from somebody else. It’s not like the knowledge spontaneously popped into my head. The way I've done that is by taking calls where other people maybe wouldn't have.” “So many people made the jump into high tech. They failed to realize that there was nothing but tech in manufacturing and it wasn't cool. I like doing the contrarian and at the time that was manufacturing.” “The smaller the company, the bigger the opportunity…until you get too small.” Links & mentions: Connect with Marc on LinkedIn MarcBowers.com, helping companies drive up revenue through data-driven solutions for sales growth St. Louis Makes, a St. Louis, Missouri-based 501c3 nonprofit and the only community peer group that serves emerging and mid-size regional manufacturers to help them drive sales expansion through product innovation and identification of new market opportunities Cortex Center for Emerging Technologies (CET), an affiliate of St. Louis’ Cortex Innovation Community since 2012, the CET provides the infrastructure and resources needed for early-stage, high-growth companies in the fields of information technology, bioscience and consumer/manufactures products to innovate and thrive O’Connell’s Pub, an old Irish bar serving up some of the best burgers in St. Louis Make sure to visit manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty. 

What do golf, beer caps, and face masks have in common? It turns out this week’s guests on Manufacturing Happy Hour! Tether Golf Co-Founders Jesse Darley and Randy Koplin join the show to talk about their innovative new golf-inspired game and what it takes to get a product like that to market.  Both Jesse and Randy are no strangers to product businesses, having launched products from beer cap maps to COVID-19 face mask accessories. This time, they turned their attention to design Tether Golf – a head-to-head putting game that brings a fun twist to golf. We talk about supply chains - how to pick one that allows you to scale and iterate quickly, and what Jesse and Randy have learned from their previous product businesses. Randy and Jesse also explain why business relationships with suppliers and manufacturers are the heart of any successful product venture. In this episode, find out: How Tether Golf works What they learned from previous ventures  Why finding local vendors is best for your supply chain What you need to look for in a localized supply chain Why business relationships are so important Lessons learned from previous businesses Why YouTube is such a helpful business resource What the future holds for Tether Golf Advice for aspiring product entrepreneurs 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: “People wait too long in small businesses to offload the things that really someone else can do better.” – Jesse “Make them, prototype them, and don't worry if it's a silly idea. Just get it out there.” - Randy  “Keeping [supply chains] local helps foster relationships.” - Randy Links & mentions: Tether Golf, a head-to-head putting game co-founded by Jesse and Randy Beer Cap Maps, the original laser cut plywood and steel maps of your state or country that let you create unique wall art using bottle caps from your favorite beverages Jonco Industries, Milwaukee-based product manufacturers Pubcast Worldwide, our first interview with Jesse (on a different podcast) from 2017 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.