Manufacturing Happy Hour

This week on Manufacturing Happy Hour, we’re exploring what makes an industrial partnership great.Is it the tech? Is it the company culture? Is it the size of the company?Today’s podcast answers all of these questions in the context of a global robotics company, KUKA, and all of their partners. We spent an entire day at IMTS 2022 exploring applications from 3D printing to machining to launching robots into space, all while interviewing KUKA’s partners that make all of these applications possible.This 2-part episode features ten interviews co-hosted by Jake Hall, the Manufacturing Millennial, with the following leaders:Evandro Maia, Robotics Application Engineer, KUKAJuan Vega, CTO, ReliaboticsWarren Reynolds, VP of Operations, I-Cubed Industry Innovators Inc.Nick Johnson, Co-Founder, One Off RoboticsTravis Turner, General Manager, EckhartScott McIsaac, Project Engineer, KUKA SystemsJean-Sébastien Neveu, President, WayboCole Nielsen, CTO and Founder, Orbital CompositesMichael Duong, Applications Engineer, Ingersoll Machine ToolsMatthew Robey, Account Manager, KUKADarcy Charbonneau, Director of US Sales, KUKAMake sure to visit ManufacturingHappyHour.com/KUKApartners for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Can you really make a business work if you have no experience? Cody Lee, the President and Owner of Everyday Technologies, made that very leap when he took over the business. While his experience was limited, he’s had some fantastic advice from his father and father-in-law, which has helped Cody thrive in his new venture. Cody joins this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour to share where it all began, what led him to buy the business, and how he’s determined to scale it in the future. He explains why his primary focus is on building a talented workforce, revitalizing Everyday Technologies’ branding, updating systems, and playing to his own strengths. While it’s been a unique challenge, Cody’s more than embraced it and has injected new life into a brand that has been in operation for nearly 100 years!In this episode, find out:Cody’s first experiences with entrepreneurshipThe important lessons Cody learned from his father and father-in-lawWhy you need to be passionate about your business above all elseHow Cody bought Everyday TechnologiesThe first steps he took when taking over the businessThe top changes and updates he made to the businessThe unexpected challenges that Cody had to deal withWhy you don’t need to be the smartest guy in the roomWhy you need to pay attention to branding to attract top talentWhy the success of a business is down to its peopleWhat Cody has planned for the future of Everyday Technologies 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:“A business is the direct result of its people.”“If you have the right people in the right seats, clear expectations, and hold them accountable to themselves and the folks around them, you can get anything done.”“The core mission of what we're trying to do at the end of the day is just take care of our customers. Without them, there would be no growing, there'd be no revenue, there'd be nothing.”Links & mentions:

What does it take to launch a manufacturing startup? And how do you finally walk away from it when it’s time?Nick Pinkston, CEO and Founder of Volition, is back on the show for round three of our three-part series. In this episode, we take a closer look at Nick’s previous ventures, including Plethora, to get an idea of what it’s like to build a company and then close the door to it.Nick shares the top things he wished he’d have known earlier in his career, what he’s learned from previous business experiences, and some advice for others. He also gives his take on the investor world and explains why VCs are no longer as scared to touch manufacturing as they once were.It’s been a fantastic mini-series with Nick, and he’s been full of brilliant insights into the startup world, investment, and the future of the industry. Be sure to catch up on episodes one and two with Nick if you haven’t already.In this episode, find out:What Plethora did in the manufacturing spaceWhy Nick decided to leave his position as CEOThe most important lessons he took from Plethora Why Plethora shut downWhat you need to do before scaling a startupWhy VCs are less afraid of manufacturing these daysWhat Nick wishes he had known earlier in his career What’s currently working for Volition Why Nick learned to love the management side of running a startupEnjoying 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:"You get what you put in.”“I wish I would have been somewhere where there were lots of mentors who could actually tell you how it works. I just had this huge shift when I moved to San Francisco and met real founders.”“Your reputation is everything in this kind of field.”Links & mentions:Volition, one of the largest marketplaces for industrial components  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 does the future hold for hardware manufacturing? We welcome back Nick Pinkston, CEO and Founder of Volition, for round two of a special three-part episode where we dig into all things hardware manufacturing.In this episode, Nick explores the world of hardware startups, VC investment, and the future of the industry. He also breaks down his thoughts on rising trends like 3D printing and AI, and explains which manufacturing tech he’s most excited about. We also hear his thoughts and experiences on navigating U.S. industrial policies and what he thinks is missing from the wider manufacturing community. Check out part one and stay tuned for part three, coming soon!In this episode, find out:Why hardware startups are more difficult to get off the groundWhy the investor base in hardware is improvingWhat we learned about hardware and physical goods during COVIDThe manufacturing tech Nick’s most excited aboutNick’s thoughts on additive manufacturing and AIHow investors are changing the way they back manufacturing companies What’s missing from the wider manufacturing community? The regions leading the way in manufacturingThe effect of industrial policy on 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:"The horrible situation of COVID has shown everyone that the physical world [of manufacturing] actually matters.”“Everyone thinks 3D printing is going to replace stuff. I don't think that's true at all. I think the traditional processes will be with us forever. We just need to put computing inside of them.”“Everyone's going for high performance first. And I think that's because all these technologies start off really expensive. So you better have a really good use case for some performance improvement, as opposed to a cost improvement. I also think that VCs have a bias towards performance because it's cool.”Links & mentions: Volition, one of the largest marketplaces for industrial components  The Interval, a cocktail bar in San Francisco and home of The Long Now FoundationMake 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 our first ever “mega episode” here on Manufacturing Happy Hour, a 3-part interview with Nick Pinkston, one of the more fascinating people in the manufacturing world. If you're not already familiar with Nick, he’s has a great track record of leading hardware and manufacturing startups, while much of the rest of the world was preoccupied with the software side of the tech world. Currently, he’s the Founder and CEO of Volition, a marketplace dedicated specifically to industrial components.Part 1, today's episode, is backstory. Part 2 will really focus on Nick's perspective on manufacturing, hard tech startups, and the future of the industry. In Part 3, we'll hear about Nick's experience with his previous company Plethora and the realities of manufacturing startups.In this episode, we’ll hear about Nick’s background and what it was like growing up and being surrounded by manufacturing. Nick shares how he started his career in Pittsburgh while elaborating on his mission for accelerating innovation and the way manufacturing gets done. Finally, we’ll learn about his latest venture Volition.Make sure to visit ManufacturingHappyHour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Having employees with strong personal brands is a great asset for any business, manufacturing or otherwise.In this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, we talk to Daniel Murray, marketing ops leader and the founder of podcast and marketing community, Marketing Millennials.Daniel discusses his career so far, how he simplifies marketing for marketers and the benefits of building personal brands. He also provides unmissable tips on building lasting LinkedIn posting habits and what platforms he finds most engaging right now.This episode is simply a masterclass in marketing and it’s gold for any manufacturer! In this episode, find out:Daniel’s goals for Marketing MillennialsHow to leverage LinkedIn purposefullyWhy executives should build personal brandsReasons why employers should hire employees with strong personal brandsWhy social media is just one part of the trust-building puzzleThe importance of creating content consistentlyThe power of newsletters and podcastsWhat’s resonating on LinkedIn right nowWhy put your personal brand over your career at timesTop book recommendations from DanielEnjoying 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:"Consume a lot of content from your space. Understand what people are saying.”“One mistake people make is they’re not consistent enough on social media.”“You want people to trust you and the way you build trust is by sharing what you know.”Links & mentions:The Marketing Millennials, a community highlighting and uplifting today's marketing leaders and tomorrow's top stars. Zero BS. Just fun, unfiltered, industry insights with the game-changers behind some of the coolest companies from around the globe. Sign up here for the newsletter.Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, by Robert CialdiniJustin Welsh, Founder of The Saturday Solopreneur who’s building a portfolio of one-person businesses; follow him on LinkedIn for personal branding tipsTerry Black’s Barbecue, the best BBQ in Austin, TX, according to DanielFranklin Barbecue, a mainstay Austin, TX BBQ joint famous for their long lines. Line up at 9am on a weekday if you want to get it before it runs out. Your host Chris Luecke still thinks this is the best brisket he’s ever had (but he also hasn’t been to Terry Black’s yet).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.

Marketing, manufacturing, and remote work – we cover a lot of ground in this episode featuring Adar Hay, Co-Founder and CEO of Jiga.io. Jiga helps manufacturing companies centralize their supplier sourcing, and Adar explains how the idea for the company first came about. We hear how Jiga has a refreshingly modern approach to marketing and why Adar decided to start a podcast to learn more about potential users. Adar also explains the reasoning behind his remote-first team, and why for remote working to be effective, it needs to be rooted in the company culture. He also talks about the number one benefit of remote work – being able to hire anyone in world, not just those in your local area. In this episode, find out:Adar’s thoughts on underrated marketing strategies Why Jiga uses more human-focused marketing Why Adar started a podcast for JigaHow he measures content marketing successWhy he started JigaWhy manufacturers should treat suppliers like partners Why digital transformation doesn’t need to be complex The simple secrets of remote working success The biggest pro for remote work 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 want to connect with people. Being honest, upfront, and talking about challenges is very important, as well as sharing things from a human perspective of me as the CEO.”“When you're building a product, especially something new, you always have to talk to your customers. You want to talk to people in your industry about their problems and about their needs.”“Remote teams are more of an attitude. It's not just about working remotely, it's cultural. You need to fully trust the people that you work with.”Links & mentions:Jiga.io, centralized automated manufacturing sourcingDesign to Product, a podcast hosting hardware manufacturing professionals, founders and engineers who talk about the stories behind their products 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’ve not covered medical device manufacturing on the show, so we thought this would be a great time to delve into it.In this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, we talk to Natalia Mendez, VP Head of Manufacturing Medical Devices at Philips. Natalia has lots of great insights into her industry and provides expert advice for both those in the medical space and manufacturers in general.Natalia explains the importance of meeting customers’ needs and dispels myths and misunderstandings about the industry. Plus, she explains why manufacturers should use data to solve and prevent future customer problems.There’s so much to unpack, so this is a must-listen for any Manufacturing Happy Hour fan!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:How Natalia got started in medical device manufacturingWhat makes medical device manufacturing uniqueWhy it’s important for manufacturers to keep evidence of what they’ve doneMisconceptions about Natalia’s spaceWhy you should involve end-to-end experts in manufacturingHow to improve your resilience and performanceHow to meet customers’ needsThe importance of being ready to put the product in the users’ handsWhether medical device manufacturing differs around the worldAbout the importance of understanding markets and regional agenciesEnjoying 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 don't involve end-to-end experts when you are thinking about a new product, something will break in the chain.”“Never forget that, in order for a customer or a patient to use the product, you have to put that product physically in their hands in a timely manner.”“There are some countries that will not allow products that are manufactured in a specific place. So, you have to have that in mind when you set up your manufacturing footprint.”Links & mentions:Manufacturing Strategies Summit - packed with key industry speakers discussing a range of topics from developing and rolling out a robust R&D strategy, to streamlining business and operational processes: https://www.manufacturing-summit.com/?utm_source=show+notes&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=manufacturing+happy+hourPhilips – a focused leader in health technology. Their purpose is to improve people’s health and well-being through meaningful innovation: https://www.philips.com/a-w/about.html   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 good chance you already have a tool from the Stanley Black & Decker family in your toolkit. They’re household names, quality, reliable tools, and we wanted to hear more about the manufacturing process behind them. Antonio Hill, Head of Manufacturing Digital Solutions, Global Supply Chain at Stanley Black & Decker, joins Manufacturing Happy Hour to talk about his career, the challenges of managing supply chains, the impact of Industry 4.0, and what lean manufacturing means to him. We hear how Antonio made the jump from HR to manufacturing (bringing some important skills with him) and how he’s grown in his career since. We hear some top advice on starting with a lean process, building a “culture of lean,” and managing supply chain issues now and in the future. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, so you won’t want to miss it!In this episode, find out:How Antonio made the jump from HR to manufacturingWhat lean manufacturing is How Industry 4.0 affects Antonio’s workWhy data is the key to building more efficient processes Why you need a “culture of lean” in manufacturing Why you need to know your facility inside-outThe challenges of managing supply chains (especially in a pandemic)The coolest thing about working at Stanley Black & Decker 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:“No one can predict the future, so in order for us not to go and try to hire Nostradamus, let's go ahead and create processes where we're getting the right information in order to make the best decision for our organization.”“We're always trying to improve the marginal cost and reduce costs to improve our business. We want our business to be the best.”“I think that a lot of times people get laser-focused on what they're on and not necessarily take the holistic approach.”Links & mentions:AMS Summit, learn from manufacturing leaders about the most impactful trends in manufacturing – from workforce development to lean & OpEx – talking place October 11-12 in Houston, TX Stanley Black & Decker, manufacturer of iconic tools from household names such as BLACK+DECKER, DEWALT, CRAFTSMAN, STANLEY, and moreMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

“A platform for communities to invest in their best and brightest” …that’s how this week’s guest describes the company he works for. Sounds great, right?We invited Cole Shearer, Vice President – Skills Accelerator at gener8tor, to join Manufacturing Happy Hour this week. In this episode, he outlines his career to date, what he does at gener8tor, and provides some top tips for startup founders.Cole explains the struggles of the talent shortage in the cybersecurity space and breaks down how the gener8tor program helps job seekers find work. We hear a little about how gener8tor has evolved since Cole joined the team, and he also describes what his ideal organization to work with would look like. In this episode, find out:All about Cole’s early careerWhy startup founders should take risksHow gener8tor helps jobseekers into workHow gener8tor’s skills accelerator program worksWhy gener8tor teamed up on a Microsoft initiativeHow gener8tor has changed in recent years Why there’s a growing need for cybersecurity talentEnjoying 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 someone wants to make a change in their career and they have the aptitude and willingness to go through a program, they’re probably fit for ours.”“There are hundreds of thousands of open cybersecurity roles right now across the country. And the amount of actual potential talent to fill those positions is very limited.”“Our cybersecurity program is set up as a 10-week program that will be able to support participants and make sure that they're able to take the next stage of their career.”Links & mentions:gener8tor, an accelerator platform that offers over 75 programs such as startup and skills accelerators, fellowships and conferences to startup founders, corporations and job seekers.Bar 18, IndianapolisMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.