Manufacturing Happy Hour

Ready for a masterclass in automotive manufacturing? Strap in! On this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, we are joined by Vicki Poponi, Vice President – Industry Advisor, Automotive at Salesforce. She discusses her route into the industry and provides a glimpse into the world of software-enabled vehicles. Plus, she explains what the connected car means for consumers, why the customer is at the center of everything and delves into Salesforce’s Trends in Automotive Report – linked below. In this episode, find out: Vicki’s first steps in the industry Why people are afraid of new technologies Vicki’s transition into the automotive world How her manufacturing roots help in business What she’s learned in her current role at Salesforce The importance of customer centricity Behind the scenes of Vicki’s role The progress being made around digital customer experience What automotive manufacturers need to learn in the coming months/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: “It’s human nature to be afraid of something new.” “There’s so much data in the auto industry, it’s crazy. But you have to think about how to connect the data. That’s where technology is so wonderful.” “Future customers really want to be engaged.” Links & mentions: Compagnon Wine Bistro – a neighborhood bistro with a French twist, serving a variety of organic, biodynamic wines and food with fresh seasonal produce and locally raised meats, fish and poultry Follow Vicki on LinkedIn Salesforce Follow Salesforce on Twitter Get $350 off registration for Supply Chain USA 2023 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. 

Reshoring, customer success, and sustainability – just some of the topics we cover in this cornucopia of an episode with Sean Murray, VP of Customer Success at Bright Machines.Sean joins this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour to talk about his career and his insights into the industry. We explore the concept of software-defined manufacturing, why there’s such a push toward re-shoring and the benefits of flexible manufacturing. Sean shares some all-important advice for manufacturers looking to re-shore, as well as some insights into customer success and why it’s a rising star in the manufacturing world. Tune in to hear Sean’s perspective on the changes happening across manufacturing and to learn the secrets behind making M&Ms from his time in factory work. In this episode, find out:How Sean first became interested in manufacturing Why software-first companies are leading the wayHow software-defined manufacturing worksThe role of customer success in manufacturingWhy flexible manufacturing can boost your business and revenueWhy there’s such a big push for re-shoringSean’s advice for manufacturers looking at reshoring Repurposing hardware and sustainability in manufacturing 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:"Manufacturers don't want to be burned again by a point solution that’s hard to integrate. They need a full stack, and it has to add value. That's the shift that’s happening now, and the early adopter phase is over. We're in the real product phase, which is wonderful.”“To approach manufacturing now with a customer success mindset is really just to recognize that the market has changed a bit, that there's not as many manufacturing gurus around as there used to be, and that the automation is more advanced.”“With flexible manufacturing, you can build lots of something and switch over to the next product and then the next product, which means your higher paid workers are more effective, they're utilized in a better way, and they can build higher margin products.”Links & mentions:Bright Machines, a software and robotics company focused on automation in the manufacturing industry.The Manufacturing Hub podcast, a podcast that explores manufacturing news, insights, and cutting-edge technologies to educate and inspire leaders and workers in manufacturing. 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 all know how fast-paced the world of manufacturing is…and when processes and technologies progress, so does the way we work. On this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, Nicole Wolter, President & CEO of HM Manufacturing, reveals all about her management style, interview processes and focus on young talent. Plus, she tells us about what it’s like to take over a family business, why she stays on top of robotics trends and what life is like on a board of directors. There are plenty of tips for manufacturing recruiters, budding manufacturers, directors and…well…just about anyone in the industry. So tune in! In this episode, find out: What’s behind the curtain of HM Manufacturing’s interview process How Nicole deals with team burnout How she transformed her family business Why Nicole focuses on hiring young talent The benefits of staying up-to-date with robotics and tech in the workplace What HM Manufacturing is involved in What it’s like being on a board of directors What’s mHub? The biggest aerospace and food manufacturing trends 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: “Find something you’re passionate about and then find an organization that speaks to it.” “A different vibe, a different energy to help loosen up your team is super important.” “It’s OK for something to not be 100% perfect one day.” Links & mentions: HM Manufacturing: https://www.hmmanufacturing.com/  HM Manufacturing on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hmmanufacturing HM Manufacturing on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hmmanufacturing/  HM Manufacturing on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HMManufacturing  Nicole on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NWolterHMmfg  Nicole on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-wolter-29107716/  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 cover a whole lot of ground in this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour – from Industry 4.0 to innovation in industrial sectors, IIoT, connectivity, machine learning, proof of concepts, and everything in between.Joining this episode is Igor Marinelli, Founder of TRACTIAN, who has plenty of insights, perspectives, and advice to share on condition monitoring and more. Igor details his background from being a frontline worker to where he is today and explains what prompted him to start TRACTIAN. We hear why he has huge respect for frontline maintenance workers, why he thinks innovation for innovation’s sake isn’t the way forward, and his advice on integrating new systems into old practices. In this episode, find out:What TRACTIAN doesHow Igor’s background led him to start his companyAdvice for younger and older industrial professionalsWhy you need to start with the problem, not the solutionThe problem with how Industry 4.0 is portrayedWhy industrial sectors are ready to be disruptedIgor’s thoughts on machine learning The challenges of integrating new systemsEnjoying 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:“Be very technical and show real data and experiments of how you could improve what you’re doing.” “It's important that you consider that you might not know everything, and even though you've been doing this process for 25 years, there might be something that could be done better. So you just have to be open to that.”“You need to tackle the problem, understand the problem, and then think about a solution for that. Because if you start from the solution, this is not going to work, right?”Links & mentions:The Nook, a popular neighborhood bar with park views in Atlanta, GATRACTIAN, an end-to-end condition monitoring and asset management 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.

It’s time for a comprehensive history lesson in industrial automation recruiting.We sat down in the MRG Studios in Naperville, Illinois, with Gary Miller, CEO of Miller Resource Group, an industrial recruiting firm focused on hard-to-find personnel in automation, robotics, food and beverage and more.We’ve gotten to know a few members of the team over the years, which is why it was about time we shared a conversation with their CEO!In the episode, Gary talks about how he was introduced to industrial automation back in the 1970s, imparts advice on hiring strategy and standing out from the crowd as a recruiter and lays out his interesting thoughts and ideas about leadership.In this episode, find out:Gary’s first steps in industrial automationHow he stepped up to own his company in the 1980sHow to package your company storyBehind the curtain of recruitmentWhat recruiters should look for in candidatesWhat candidates should look for in recruitersHow we can take inspiration from the Grateful DeadWhy you should adopt a learning mindset The books that inspire himEnjoying 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’s things and there’s stuff. Things you count, stuff you measure.”"When a candidate asks me questions that makes me stumble, I’m usually intrigued by that candidate.”“You have to understand what the problem is. Then demonstrate how your skills can help solve that problem.”Links & mentions:Follow Gary on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bestrecruitingfirm/ Follow Gary on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gmillermrg Miller Resource Group: https://millerresource.com/ The Green Turtle Tavern, Fernandina Beach, FL – described as Amelia Island’s funkiest and friendliest bar. Offering hand-crafted cocktails and beers, plus live music on the front porch: https://www.ameliaisland.com/Eat-and-Drink/Green-Turtle-Tavern 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.

What is the current state of manufacturing? Who better to ask than Willem Sundblad, CEO and Co-Founder of Oden Technologies, who commissioned The State of Manufacturing 2022 report? Surveying over 300 manufacturing leaders has highlighted some fascinating food for thought on topics like the labor market, inflation, demand changes, investing in sustainability, and more.Willem joins Manufacturing Happy Hour again to talk more about the findings and his own personal take on why businesses are increasingly investing in sustainability post-pandemic. He also explores what sets the winners and losers apart in the manufacturing space and what trends he’s most excited to see more of in 2023.In this episode, find out:What the State of Manufacturing report tells us The importance of making investments in digitization Why there’s a bigger gap between manufacturing “winners and losers”Why companies that invest in tech and sustainability are leading the wayWhy companies need to be agile and quick to make decisions in uncertain timesWhat global supply chain issues mean for manufacturers The most interesting and surprising report findings How manufacturers are dealing with COVID aftereffects How manufacturers can approach the labor shortage problemEnjoying 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 talked to a lot of customers last year who are beating their sustainability targets. A lot of that was because of supply chain issues. It was so hard to get raw material that they had to increase the rate of recycled material in the product.”“One of the biggest drivers of the digital investments in automation investments is the challenges in the labor market.”“If you can empower people who understand the process and the needs of the day-to-day to make decisions quickly, you become more agile and deal with uncertainty in a much healthier way.”Links & mentions:Oden Technologies, an intelligent industrial automation company that empowers manufacturers to embrace industry 4.0The State of Manufacturing Report, insights from industry leaders on adapting to the current trends in manufacturingTunnbrödsrulle, late-night Swedish street food consisting of a hot dog, mashed potatoes, and shrimp salad in a wrap (trust us, it’s amazing)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.

It’s been about two years since Andrew Crowe, public speaker and Founder of the New American Manufacturing Renaissance, was last on the show in episode 46 – and so much has happened since then. This time around, we sit down over a couple of beers in St. Louis to catch up on what he has been working on and how much The New American Manufacturing Renaissance has grown since. The New American Manufacturing Renaissance is a movement intended to show how manufacturing is a great career option for anyone – no matter your background or demographics. Andrew speaks about why this is so important to the industry and America in general and the barriers we must overcome in manufacturing to make it more of an open industry that people want to get involved in. Andrew explores what companies, and the industry as a whole, can do to make manufacturing more appealing to a wider variety of people and why that diversity is so important. We also delve into what Project MFG is all about and his plans for the future. In this episode, find out:How The New American Manufacturing Renaissance has grown The disconnect between the old and new in manufacturingWhat Andrew learned from his tour The importance of having diverse voices in manufacturingWhat companies can do to improve industry awareness and encourage new talentExternal things we can do in the wider community for the industryWhat Project MFG is Andrew talks about his side hustles and projectsWhy collaboration is key in manufacturing 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:“How do we show people that their ideas matter? How do we take those ideas, make them, show them the process of it, and then put them into the world to help solve some of these problems?”“Let's have those conversations. Let's have those dialogues. And then, let's reach out and collaborate amongst our ecosystem. That's how we began to build.”“People are not necessarily trying to uphold these old systems. But they are recognizing that they're a part of them and reaching out trying to figure out how to improve them and make them better for everybody.”Links & mentions:The MFG, Andrew Crowe’s website Project MFG, a catalyst that helps elevate the next generation of highly skilled trade professionals by changing mindsets, fostering community preparedness, and challenging how the critical skills needed to succeed in modern advanced manufacturing are taught.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.

Strong values like sustainability, empathy, and wellness might seem at odds with running a successful business for some, but not Sara Irvani, CEO of Okabashi. In fact, values like these have been fundamental to Okabashi’s success since it launched in 1984.Sara joins this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour to clue us in to what it’s like leading a family-owned and operated shoe brand. A proudly USA-based footwear company, Okabashi is inspired by the Japanese concept of wellness and uses the principles of reflexology to design shoes that promote foot health and comfort. We hear a little about its innovative manufacturing process, the importance of running a business with sustainable choices, and why that shouldn’t be at odds with financial viability. Sara also explains how Okabashi’s closed-loop manufacturing process works to recycle old products to avoid landfill and waste. In this episode, find out:The challenges of expanding as a U.S.- based manufacturerHow Sara’s background led to her current roleHow sustainability is built into the Okabashi manufacturing processHow Okabashi’s closed-loop manufacturing worksWhy sustainability doesn’t have to be at odds with financial viabilityWhy innovation comes from empowering your team How Okabashi remains competitive in the U.S.Modular automation in the shoe manufacturing processWhy empathy is key to building good partnershipsWhy you need to stick to your values in businessEnjoying 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 offer as well as our own closed-loop manufacturing, a post-consumer circular program. So people can send their shoes back to us to avoid landfills.”“I think that innovation comes from all different directions and there are so many things that can drive it. And having a culture that is not steeped in fear is a prerequisite to have innovation come from all directions.”“I think if you stick to your values, and if you have a long enough horizon line, good things happen.”Links & mentions:Okasbashi, a proudly U.S. shoe company focused on creating shoes that promote wellness and foot healthMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

For many people, YouTube is the first port of call for instructions. Whether it be for simple things around the house like setting up a new TV or building a cabinet, or more complex things entirely. One man covering those more complex things is Tim Wilborne. Tim’s YouTube channel, which has amassed over 50,000 subscribers, focuses on industrial automation, programming PLCs and helping you become a better technician. Tim joins this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour to discuss his background in the industry and his YouTube channel in detail. He explains why he started the channel, how his family are a huge part of its success and how to cope with haters. Plus, he reveals why the industry hasn’t progressed as far as it could and tells us why he believes the automation world needs more content creators. In this episode, find out: Tim’s background in the industry How Tim started a YouTube channel Why subscribers and likes aren’t always so important How Tim amassed over 50,000 subscribers How to figure out what content to create About work-life balance in a family business How to deal with haters online Why Tim thinks his industry could’ve progressed further How constructive criticism helps Tim Why he thinks more industry experts should create YouTube content Advice for budding automation YouTube creators  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: “It takes thick skin. Just keep trying.” “There were lots of times I thought I had it, and then, all of a sudden, we’d have a major defeat.” “It's a long game and I think most people aren't prepared for how long of a game it is.” Links & mentions: TW Controls, focused on automation, PLC programming, and building control panels, specializing in Allen Bradley PLC training designed to help maintenance technicians and electricians troubleshoot machines Tim Wilborne on YouTube, the long-running channel brought to you by TW Controls offers some of the best industrial automation training and how-to’s on the internet Automation Fair and other events from Rockwell Automation  Momentum Coffee, a co-working space and coffee shop, walking distance from Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center, plus additional locations 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. 

While the metaverse is a relatively new concept for most of us, this week’s guest has worked in this space for some time.Our guest on Manufacturing Happy Hour is emergent technologist and GatherVerse founder, Christopher Lafayette.Tune in to hear about Christopher’s background, what his job title really means, his take on the metaverse’s role in manufacturing and MedTech and the importance of inclusion and diversity in tech.Plus, Christopher explains skepticism towards the metaverse and the reasons behind it. It’s a meaty one, so be ready to immerse yourself in a metaverse masterclass.In this episode, find out:What an emergent technologist doesWhy the metaverse is a game changer for manufacturingHow MedTech could change in the metaverseWhy people are right to be skeptical of tech advancementsThe right way to bring manufacturing into the conversationAbout awareness and education surrounding the metaverseWhether we should care about the metaverseAbout the metaverse and diversity/inclusionHow to approach skeptics About Christopher’s LinkedIn Learning classEnjoying 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:“When we think of the metaverse, we ingress into entertainment. But medical technology has the single biggest global impact.”“It’s important for (tech) leadership to get good-sourced information from people who actually know what they’re talking about.”“The metaverse is here, but as we know it today. We can’t put in concrete terms that “this is what it is” because we don’t completely know what it’s going to be.”Links & mentions:Official Website - Christopher Lafayette, connect with Christopher on areas of expertise, events, press, and speaking categories across the metaverse, NFTs, tech inclusion, MedTech, and removing barriers to innovation GatherVerse, a global ecosystem where communities gather, discuss, and share human-centered approaches to the metaverseBlack Technology Mentorship Program, a mentor-mentee program that inspires, educates, and brings underserved Black communities into technologyCourse - What is the Metaverse?, Christopher’s official course on the metaverse on LinkedIn LearningConnect with Christopher on LinkedInFollow Christopher on TwitterFollow Christopher on InstagramMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.