Manufacturing Happy Hour

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.

Is there really a manufacturing skills gap? Why is manufacturing moving back to the U.S.? And how can machine shop owners switch to an investment mindset? These are all great questions that we answer in this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour. Jason T. Ray is the Co-Founder and CEO of Paperless Parts and a former Manufacturing Happy Hour guest. He jumps back on the show for a discussion on machine shops, reshoring, the importance of profit and investment, the skills gap, and everything in between. We hear his take on how COVID affected supply chains and led to more shop owners buying from American companies, and the different ways business owners have changed their mindset in the past few years. Jason also explains that if we want to solve the skills gap in manufacturing, we need to “look in the mirror” and figure out where we’re going wrong from a management perspective. There’s plenty of food for thought in this episode, so check it out to hear more of Jason’s words of wisdom. In this episode, find out: The state of manufacturing in the U.S. Why shop owners are increasingly considering “ownership cost” What’s bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. How the manufacturing tech stack is evolving How different generations solve problems How new tech affects profit and investment Why we need to shift from an expense mindset to an investment mindset Why the skills gap is more of a “management gap” The importance of active over passive management Why agility and speed in business are down to good systems and processes Why manufacturing is essential to innovation 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: “Now there's this concept called total ownership cost. And that includes shipping and storage and everything else associated with buying those parts.” “Manufacturers aren't just showing up to look at the machines and buy equipment. They're actively coming out and looking for software solutions to solve problems in their business.” “When shops, rather than having an expense mindset, go in with an investment mindset – where they look at dollars out as investments, you start to see a shift in the type of team members they're attracting.” Links & mentions: Paperless Parts, helping machine shops quote faster and win more jobs In The Shop, a publication from Paperless Parts, including this post “CMMC: Coming Soon to a Contract Near You” “Pentagon updates timeline for CMMC cybersecurity initiative,” important news for job shop owners going into effect in May 2023 Tip Tap Room, an upscale pub that serves beer, wild game, and inventive brunch dishes in an open, modern space in Boston, MA Alcove, located in the Boston Harbor on Lovejoy Wharf, serving regionally sourced, Mediterranean-inspired fare in stylishly decorated surroundings  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’s the most important part of starting and running a manufacturing business? The finances? The team? The materials? Well, this Manufacturing Happy Hour guest has some expert insights, experience and advice, so stay tuned. It’s time to hit the slopes for this week’s episode as we invite Mike McCabe, CEO and co-founder of Folsom Custom Skis, to share his story and provide top tips for manufacturers. Tune in for tales of Mike’s early days in the industry, the creation of his business, the day-to-day of running a boutique ski manufacturer, what he does for his customers and how Folsom has survived and thrived in a challenging industry. Plus, Mike provides a ton of sound business advice! A true must-listen. In this episode, find out: Mike’s introduction to the industry Where his interest in skiing began His first steps in launching the business The most important part of starting a manufacturing business A rundown of Folsom’s materials and processes How Mike accounts for his success Top business tips for manufacturers Mike’s initial goals for Folsom Custom Skis The importance of your team in a manufacturing business Advice for college students interested 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: “We saw a hole in the market and we’ve stayed really true to what we do to this very day.” “Being lean and nimble is the most important piece, not having huge financial attributes.” “To succeed here, you need somebody that’s really passionate about the sport, passionate about the product, passionate about customer service and passionate about manufacturing.”  Links & mentions: Folsom Custom Skis, custom building skis engineered specifically for you. Skis can be purchased online or through Folsom’s full-time staff members. Aspen Brewing Company, founded in 2008 with one simple goal – make world-class beer, downstream from nobody. They have two locations in Aspen, both downtown and near the airport. Or, if you’re not in Aspen, you can find their beers throughout Colorado. 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're back for Part 2 from the 2022 Vision Show, hosted by A3, the Association for Advancing Automation.

In October 2022, we ventured to Boston, MA for the Association for Advancing Automation's annual Vision Show and Autonomous Mobile Robots and Logistics Conference (AMRL). In the past, these had been 2 separate events, but this year, A3 brought them together under one roof.You really can't have robotics without imaging and you can't have mobile robotics without machine vision. The tie-ins are endless. It just made sense to bring these events together and it was great being part of this weeklong extravaganza.This is somewhat of an anniversary episode since we covered the AMR and Logistics Conference last year with Jake Hall, the Manufacturing Millennial. We have another 2-part bonus episode for you this week containing over 10 interviews with leaders in robotics and machine vision, including:-Erik Nieves, Founder of Plus One Robotics-Jeremy Bergh, President, North America at IDS Imaging-Joe Gemma, VP of Sales and Marketing at Calvary Robotics-Theng Kuoch of CMES Robotics-Rajesh Iyengar, Founder & CEO of Lincode Labs-Denise Stafford of KUKA Robotics-Patty Katsaros of Locus Robotics-Laura Hoffman, Automation Industry Insider-Matt Charles, VP of Mobile Robotics at RoBEX-Melonee Wise, VP Robotics Automation at Zebra Technologies-Alex Shikany, VP Membership & Business Intelligence at A3Make sure to visit ManufacturingHappyHour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.