Manufacturing Happy Hour

We’re all familiar with Microsoft. That’s a given. But we’re certainly not all familiar with the autonomous AI work they are doing. That’s why we called on an expert to give us the lowdown on what autonomous AI means, highlight its risks and opportunities and give us his verdict.  On episode 118, Brian Evergreen, Global Head of Autonomous AI Co-Innovation at Microsoft, joins Manufacturing Happy Hour. If the episode title (or Brian’s job title) doesn’t make a ton of sense to you just now, you’re in the right place because Brian is keen to define the term in detail. Brian also provides advice for getting new technology initiatives off the ground, from AI to machine learning and more. Plus, there are a ton of pragmatic tips and tricks for leading through tech transformations. In this episode, find out: Brian’s route into AI (via chess?) Baseline definitions of AI, autonomous AI and autonomous transformation Why to take a human-centric approach to AI The risks and opportunities surrounding AI How to ensure AI projects succeed, scale and don’t get stuck The lowdown on Brian’s book and writing process How to avoid ‘pilot purgatory’ Where Brian would like a beer with Chris 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 right time to get started with autonomous AI really depends on your outlook or perspective as a business leader.” “If designed correctly, there’s no great physical risk associated with autonomous AI.” “87% of machine learning models never make it into production. I'm curious how that will change as these autonomous AI technologies become more adopted.” Links & mentions: ATX West, this week’s show sponsor. Taking place from February 7-9 in Anaheim, CA, this event showcases the latest automation and intelligent robotic technology, focusing on how to better automate manufacturing processes. Discover the world of automation and build smarter solutions with ATX West. Woodman Lodge, Snoqualmie, Washington, a historic saloon serving what they describe as “some of the best steaks you’ll find anywhere in Western Washington”. 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.

This week, we're diving into gener8tor's OnRamp Manufacturing Conference. gener8tor is a turnkey platform for the creative economy connects startup founders, musicians, artists, investors, universities and corporations, and their OnRamp Conferences are a subset of that.gener8tor’s annual manufacturing event brings together startups, investors, and corporations for this unique “dealmaking conference” and this year, in October 2022, we headed to Indianapolis. There, we sat down for 8 interviews with individuals that are running startups, managing accelerators and investment funds, as well as leading state initiatives to help manufacturing thrive in Indiana.This episode explores how these different groups are working together and how they’re all working to take on big initiatives like sustainability, 5G, and the Internet of Things. Our guest lineup includes:-Maggie Brickerman, Partner at gener8tor-Dave Roberts, Chief Innovation Officer at IEDC-Razi Nalim, Founder of Aerodyn Combustion-Apoorva Kiran, Co-Founder and CEO of Mentore-Emir Beg, Founder and CTO of Scout Autonomy-Batuhan Ulasan, COO of Scout Autonomy-Tim Chiang, Investment Director at Xerox Ventures-Ashley Bryan, Program Manager at The Heritage Group Accelerator-Sharina Perry, Founder and CEO of Utopia PlastixMake sure to visit ManufacturingHappyHour.com/OnRamp2022 for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

How can composite manufacturing help you level-up as a runner? Well, this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour will reveal all. Riley Reese, CEO and Co-Founder of Arris, is on the show this week to talk about the power of composite manufacturing in footwear and its potential in industries such as aerospace, sportscars, skiing equipment, and many more. As an avid runner himself, we break down some of the top spots in California to go training and his favorite and most memorable marathons. He explains exactly how his products can impact a runner’s comfort, fatigue levels, and muscle health to get the most performance out of each and every run.We also explore a little about Riley’s startup experience and the biggest business lessons he’s learned in his career.In this episode, find out:The difference between Arris and Riley’s previous business venturesThe biggest lessons Riley learned from his startups Why manufacturing is “messy”Why you don’t always need to reinvent the wheelThe reasons Riley started ArrisHow composites improve running performance in shoesRiley’s top marathon runs and favorite trails The reaction and feedback to Arris’ composites platesThe top benefits of Arris composites in shoesHow composites materials can be used in other industriesWhat’s next for ArrisEnjoying 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 really mindful when you're taking on something new that someone else has not already done it in another industry.”“Everyone says this but running really does clear your head. It gives you headspace.”“We have this passion for the superiority of composite materials. We all had experience with them in different industries, but it's always limited to the really high-end stuff. The products around us day to day aren’t taking advantage of it.”Links & mentions:Arris, Berkeley-based composites manufacturer that produces smarter, lighter, stronger, and more sustainable products at scale for consumer products, aerospace, automotive, and many more industries The Rare Barrel, a rustic alehouse in Berkeley that specializes in sour beers 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 Thanksgiving week here in the US, and since so many of you are based here, we're bringing you a shorter bonus episode this week as we try something new. First, you'll get a general update from Manufacturing Happy Hour, including our new newsletter - 5 Quick Manufacturing Insights - as well as partnership opportunities. Then, we'll highlight one of the most helpful moments from the show in the past year. Firdaus Pohowalla, Managing Director at Cascadia Capital, appeared on Episode 80 and talked all about investment banking for robotics, automation, and AI companies. In this short episode, we'll spotlight the moment where he broke down the differences between funding rounds, including how Series B is the "make or break" round for most companies.

We’ve got a bit of a different Manufacturing Happy Hour episode this time – it’s one of our first long-form episode at a trade show. Joined by co-host Jake Hall, The Manufacturing Millennial, we recorded this at the 2022 The Vision Show AMR & Logistics Conference in Boston.  Our guest is Malachi Greb, Owner of Elite Automation – a frequent trade show attendee with the goal of leading the “biggest automation company in the world.” An ambitious target, no doubt, but Malachi knows exactly how he’s going to achieve it. We talk about how Malachi first got into the automation space, his guerrilla marketing tactics, why he’s on a hiring kick, and what it was like venturing into his first international project. We cover a lot of ground with some great actionable tips, especially around trade shows, so don’t miss it! In this episode, find out: How Malachi first got started in automation How Elite Automation is creating growth Why Elite Automation is on a hiring kick Why guerrilla marketing strategies are the way to go Why companies should always aim to add value in marketing  Elite Automation’s winning business strategy  What the manufacturing industry is like in the Midwest What it was like leading Elite Automation’s first international project in India  How Malachi plans to run the biggest automation company in the world The advantages of being young in this 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: “Where a business is successful is when it adds value to another company or individuals.” “Why are people spending $10,000-$20,000 on a booth when you can send 10 employees, spend a quarter the amount of money and have them just run around?” “We probably do at least five interviews a week, every single week, no matter if we’re hiring or not. And we're doing that because we're building a backlog of individuals.” Links & mentions: Elite Automation, a robotics and automation solutions company specializing in robotic weld cells, palletizing, material handling, and AMR deployment The Manufacturing Come Up, an industry interview podcast hosted by Elite Automation Bud’s Rockin’ Country Bar & Grill, a Nashville-inspired bar located on Franklin Street in Evansville, IN in the former location of a Harley-Davidson dealership  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 of our bonus episodes with KUKA from IMTS 2022. We’ll be jumping back into our partnership conversations while taking an even deeper dive into additive manufacturing in these last 5 interviews of our short series. Stick around until the end to get a full recap on what characterizes great industrial manufacturing partnerships.Make sure to visit ManufacturingHappyHour.com/KUKApartners for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

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.