Manufacturing Happy Hour

What goes on behind the scenes at some of the top theme parks in the country? A whole lot of custom scenic design, courtesy of 3dx Scenic, a L!VE company that creates immersive 3D expressive designs. Mark Rosenzweig, 3dx’s Senior Account Executive, joins the show to give some insight into what it’s like being part of a team that creates models for theme parks, exhibits, and more. In this episode, Mark breaks down some of 3dx Scenic’s most exciting projects and the challenges that came along with them. He explains how indirect ROI works in a theme park versus projects with a more calculated ROI. Mark also gives us a window into how 3dx Scenic focuses on storytelling with its projects, particularly for models in theme parks or big events. We also hear what Mark believes makes the best guest experience at a theme park. In this episode, find out:What 3dx Scenic doesWhy it’s important to follow a passion with your workThe most exciting projects Mark’s worked onHow far creative liberty goes at 3dx ScenicHow indirect ROI works in a theme park Why photo opportunities have a calculated ROI How 3dx Scenic has overcome challenges Why simplification is key to a good customer experienceEnjoying 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:"Budgets drive jobs. And as long as we have a client or a partner that we're working with that is as transparent as us, we're normally going to work with them. Not only for this job but also long term.”"Parks aren't adding the $20-$30 million coasters like they were three or four years ago. But they do have the capital to put on these events that have a very reliable ROI attached to them.”“Put the control in the guests’ hands and make it intuitive and easy.”Links & mentions:3dx Scenic, a L!VE company that create immersive 3D expressive designRhinegeist Brewery, a craft brewery based in Cincinnati, OhioMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Roman Piszcz is the Founder and CEO of Quotebeam, a new company that's reducing friction in the purchasing process and building a marketplace for automation parts, quotes, and collaboration. But before Roman became an entrepreneur, he was leading a team at Apple, and that’s where this week’s story begins…Roman joined Apple back in 2016 and worked there for nearly five years as part of the iPhone product operations team. As it is with most entrepreneurs, his company was borne out of a particular pain point he noticed in the industry — the disjointed nature of the machine part procurement process.These days, you’ll find him tackling a whole new set of challenges that he delves into in this episode. Roman also shares a few leadership tips he picked up from his time at Apple and as the CEO of Quotebeam. He gives us some insights into the manufacturing support network he’s building and shares what he sees on its horizon. In this episode, find out:Roman talks about his work with AppleThe importance of raising team members to be leadersAdvice for people managers moving to a new roleWhat inspired Roman to create QuotebeamThe communication problem Quotebeam is looking to solveHow Quotebeam’s transactional and conversational aspects are part of its solutionUnexpected challenges Roman faced as a startup ownerHow Roman’s experience at Apple feeds into his work at QuotebeamWhy data is a huge part of decision-making in businessRoman shares insights into Quotebeam’s core visionHow Roman’s manufacturing support network ecosystem is evolvingEnjoying 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:“Running a start-up is an interesting journey. You get to break things, and no one yells at you.”“You don’t make decisions based on opinions, you make them based on data.”“Engineers don’t need to know everything. They just need to know where to find the right information.” Links & mentions:Quotebeam, the marketplace for automation parts, quotes, and collaborationShadow Puppet Brewing Company, a production craft brewery with an open tasting room, located in Livermore, CAMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Sharad Chadha is the CEO of Sprecher Brewing Company and through hard work, risk-taking, and out-of-the-box thinking, he’s living the American dream. Originally an engineering major, Sharad topped that with an MBA and used his skill and business acumen to rise through the ranks at renowned companies like GE Healthcare, Electrolux, and Samsung. Now he’s pouring all his business acumen into running Sprecher, Wisconsin’s first craft brewery.In this episode, Sharad gives us some insights into his diverse career and how it prepared him for his role as the CEO of Sprecher. He discusses some of the highs and lows of running a company as opposed to working for someone else.Sharad also shares a few decision-making tips for manufacturing leaders, talks about what makes Sprecher stand out from the competition, and reveals his future plans.In this episode, find out:What makes Sprecher specialSharad shares insights into his diverse careerHow Sharad’s numerous roles prepared him for SprecherWhat inspired Sharad to buy a breweryWhat it’s like purchasing and running a companyWhy Sprecher produces sodas as opposed to spirits and hard seltzersMaking decisions as a manufacturing leader Why Sprecher made the switch from beer bottles to cans Why looking at trends is vital before making big decisionsHow to manage and plan for big changesSprecher’s progress during the pandemicThe importance of hiring good leadersSharad’s five year vision for SprecherEnjoying 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:“Challenging experiences teach you resilience and how to look at things from a different angle — and as long as you have that attitude, you can make it through anything.”“Working in a big company is great, but it's not as satisfying as working in a small company where when you do something, you can see the fruits of your labor.”“Running a plant is completely different from knowing about a plant or working with a plant to get your product."Links & mentions:Sprecher Brewing Company Wisconsin’s first craft brewery since prohibition, specializing in the production of beers, flavored malt beverages, and sodas.Green River Soda A classic Chicago soda developed over a century ago, presently brewed by Sprecher Brewing CompanyMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Working on first-generation products and new product development is no walk in the park. But, Milo Werner, General Partner at The Engine, joined the "Build Better 2022" virtual conference to share her wealth of experience.Milo joined Tesla in 2007 at a critical stage in the company's trajectory, where she led new product introduction launching the Model S and Model X powertrains. In addition to Tesla, Milo ran new product introduction at Fitbit, launching four factories in China and transitioning the company to fully automated production. Now she's a general partner at The Engine, where her dedication to solving some of the world's biggest problems, from climate to health to computing and beyond, continues.In this extract from the "Build Better 2022" virtual conference, Milo gives us the low down on how she got her start in both Tesla and Fitbit. We hear about her triumphs and the challenges she faced developing first-generation and new product development. She also answers a bunch of intuitive questions from manufacturers in the audience.In this episode, find out:How Milo got into Tesla and new product developmentChallenges she experienced while working on the Model-S powertrainLessons learned from building a first-generation productChallenges when developing new productsMilo’s transition from Tesla to FitbitWhat characteristics need to align when evaluating a contract manufacturerLessons learned from smaller companies making first-generation productsWhy it’s vital to be open to recommendations from contract manufacturersHow to determine the specifications for how good a product feature should beHow to manage people on long projectsHow to find out if you’re a fit for new product developmentThe future of cars as a serviceEnjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedbackfrom Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!Tweetable Quotes:“New product introduction is a wonderful way to meet people and to be that glue that removes silos and brings people together as a cross-functional team.”“The CM industry is run on razor-thin margins, and they've been put in that corner by one customer after another.”“I want to solve problems in our community and society, and Tesla and Fitbit really spoke to me in that regard.”Links & mentions:Tesla, an American electric vehicle and clean energy company that manufactures electric cars, battery energy storage, and other related productsFitbit, an American consumer electronics and fitness companyGood to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't, a management book that describes how companies go from being good to greatThe Five Dysfunctions of a Team, a business book that describes the many pitfalls teams face as they seek to "grow together"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.

If you can’t tell from the title, there’s a lot of variety in this week’s episode. Michael Wrinch is the President and CEO of Hedgehog Technologies, an engineering consulting firm based in British Columbia that specializes in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and risk management. From rides and attractions to projects that impact sustainability, Hedgehog’s motto is fitting: “We make complex visions a practical reality.”In this episode, Mike gives a little background on why his company is called Hedgehog Technologies and where his interest in electrical engineering stems from. He explains his people-first approach to business and why that’s so important when creating infrastructure.Mike also takes us through some of the complex projects he’s worked on. We round things up by getting a glimpse at some of the other interesting experiences he’s had. Spoiler alert: It’s everything from chimney cleaning to cheesemaking.In this episode, find out:How Mike came up with the name Hedgehog Technologies for his company The importance of trust and accountability in teamworkWhat inspired Mike to transition from firefighting to engineeringMike explains his company’s core valueHow diversity fuels innovationWhy Mike picks hard projectsThe trick to working with high-risk machinesMike’s experience as a fish factory worker and a cheesemakerEnjoying 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:“Unless you have a real good understanding of how people are working within the infrastructure of this world, you can’t design great things.”“Different perspectives create insights into designs that we're working on that really matter.”“If you want a high-performing team, you need to trust each other, be accountable, and be hardworking.”Links & mentions:Hedgehog Technologies, an engineering consulting firm based in British Columbia that specializes in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and risk managementOntario’s most northern First Nation goes green with their first solar project, an article on one of Hedgehog’s most significant sustainability and community-focused projects 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Michael WrinchWeekend Warrior: Michael Wrinch has a taste for danger, a 2019 article about Michael from BC BusinessMake 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 talk a lot about ways manufacturers can save money and grow their business on Manufacturing Happy Hour...digital transformation, process optimization, all of that. Sometimes it makes sense to talk about the basics. While tax credits aren't necessarily "sexy," they can impact your balance sheet. Today we're focusing specifically on the Employee Retention Credit.So how's this credit work? To answer that, we're bring back Josh Fox, CEO of Bottom Line Concepts, who appeared on Episode 15 of the show. In this bonus episode, Josh is going to take us through the Employee Retention Credit is, who qualifies, how it works, and how it can result in saving of 6 to 7 figures for small- to mid-sized manufacturers.

Sarah Boisvert has a long history in the manufacturing world. She started her career in lasers which fed into 3D printing, and now she's helping close the skills gap as the Founder of both the Fab Lab Hub and the New Collar Network.In this episode, Sarah delves into the inspiration behind the New Collar Movement and how it’s impacted her career since then. She also explains the thinking behind Fab Labs and gives some insights into the programs offered, digital badges awarded, and unique teaching approaches applied. Sarah goes on to highlight the value of problem-solving skills for the modern-day manufacturing workforce and explains why it’s so much more important than test-taking skills and knowledge regurgitation. In this episode, find out:Sarah’s insights into the new collar movementHow Sarah transitioned from working with lasers to 3D printingWhat fab labs are and how they operateThe importance of problem-solving skills in manufacturingWhere Sarah believes education will be in five yearsEnjoying 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:“Unless you’re going to become an engineer, a doctor, or lawyer, college doesn’t necessarily ensure a successful career economically.”“A critical part of our program is to ensure people can apply for jobs with a portfolio because it tells an HR person so much more than a certificate or a degree.”“Today, it's easy to find an engineer but try and find a CNC machinist — it’s hard because everyone’s convinced that they need to go to college.”Links & mentions:The New Collar Workforce: An Insider’s Guide to Making Impactful Changes to Manufacturing and Training by Sarah BoisvertNew Collar Network, a non-profit organization that provides skill-specific, short, affordable training for new collar jobsFab Lab Hub, a part of the international Fab Lab network that provides nationwide hands-on training for the new collar workforceMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Jay Douglass has been around robotics and technology for a long time. After a long history with Carnegie Mellon, he’s now the COO of the ARM Institute. This organization is creating a nationwide group of elite manufacturing, academic, technology, and government organizations that share the common mission of a robust U.S. manufacturing ecosystem, impacting everything from the US economy in general, all the way to national defense.In this episode, Jay gives us a peek behind the scenes of what happens at the ARM Institute and how he got started there. He delves into the main problems the Institute exists to address as well as the progress they’ve made since their establishment.Jay goes on to explain why it’s economically and politically important for America to build a strong manufacturing base. While he’s at it, he shares some interesting manufacturing insights from a historical standpoint.In this episode, find out:What the ARM institute doesHow small enterprises can take advantage of roboticsHow Jay transitioned from business development to being the COO of the ARM instituteThe kind of projects funded by the ARM instituteHow the ARM institute empowers the manufacturing workforceWhy scalability and skillset gaps are major issues plaguing the American manufacturing industryHow a strong manufacturing base could benefit national securityHow to connect with the ARM instituteEnjoying 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:“America needs a real manufacturing base — we can’t have an economy that’s largely based on food production and popular culture.”“We’re not prototyping products as much as we are prototyping their manufacturing process.”“What we do is to help the smaller manufacturers get better and more competitive so they can deal with the challenges of the evolving economy.”Links & mentions:ARM Institute, a national membership-based consortium that accelerates the development and adoption of innovative robotics technologies that are the foundation of every advanced manufacturing activity today and in the futureRoboticsCareer.org, the ARM Institute’s site containing links to thousands of robotics training programsMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full listof resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Our guest this week is Jose Palomino, the CEO of Value Prop. Jose works with B2B business owners to unlock new growth by helping them ensure their value proposition actually aligns with the biggest challenge their ideal customers are facing and making sure there's a sales process and delivery to support that. He's also the author of a book also called Value Prop, host of The Revenue Throughput Podcast, and teaches MBA courses at Villanova focused on Management and Entrepreneurial Marketing.In this episode, Jose discusses the importance of creating a value proposition, especially for companies in the sub $10 million range. He also highlights the top mistakes manufacturing leaders make with their marketing strategy and why you should hone in on value creation.Jose explains various ways industry leaders can capitalize on their marginal advantage. He also touches on what’s wrong with the way most businesses approach trade fairs and throws in a few practical ways to get the most out of them.In this episode, find out:Jose’s transition from back-office accounting to marketingWhy overly customer-concentrated marketing is risky for businessesWhy it’s important to find out who your best customer isHow industry leaders can discover their value propositionWhy you should take a look at your sales processHow an overemphasis on technical knowledge can kill salesHow to approach tradeshows from a value standpointThe role of value in the workplaceEnjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from ManufacturingAll-Stars like you that keeps us going!Tweetable Quotes:“If your business is more than 40% concentrated on one account, it’s time to think about diversifying that account and delivering more value.”“Fix the number one customer complaint, the stuff that vexes customers.”“At tradeshows, don't just expect the booth to do the work for you, you have to do your homework.”Links & mentions:ValueProp.com, a strategy consultancy focused on helping B2B business owners grow their revenueValue Prop, by Jose Palomino, Jose’s book on how to build razor-sharp marketing messages The Revenue Throughput Podcast, a podcast for B2B owners who are hungry for growthTeikoku, a Japanese and Thai cuisine place in Newtown Square, PennsylvaniaMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Ashleigh Walters is the President of Onex and author of the book Leading with Grit and Grace. Onex is a more than half-century-old industrial furnace manufacturing and service company based in Pennsylvania.When Ashleigh became the leader of the company, she truly changed the company's culture for the better. Hence the title of her book and the main theme for this episode.In this episode, Ashleigh discusses the many perils of a command-and-control leadership style as well as how she aided Onex’s steady transition to a more flexible work environment. She also shares a few handy pointers on how to build trust in the workplace and help employees with problem-solving.Ashleigh also shares the inspiration behind her book and some important lessons she learned during the publishing process.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:What it means to lead with both grit and graceAshleigh shares a little insight into what her company doesHow Ashleigh created a more inclusive work environmentHow to make change more funAshleigh explains what freedom to fail isAshleigh talks about Onex’s Employee Stock Option Program (ESOP)How Ashleigh is preparing Onex for the futureEnjoying 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 need to go to the plant floor and interact with the people closest to the problem.”“Once you get used to changing things, it gets addictive.”“We realized that we had to teach problem-solving skills — we had a command-and-control leadership, so people's problem-solving skills weren't as sharp as they once were.”Links & mentions:Leading with Grit and Grace, A Journey of Organizational Culture Change, by Ashleigh WaltersOnex, Inc., here to help with your refractory, combustion, raw materials, and precast needs; designing and manufacturing custom equipment for heat-intensive industries - including forge, heat-treat, aluminum, and zinc furnacesMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.