Manufacturing Happy Hour

Sometimes indecision costs more than a wrong decision. Making decisions is a leader’s bread and butter, but during times of uncertainty or crisis, they often become more cautious and hesitant. The danger here is getting left behind while more confident, proactive leaders charge ahead. Jason T. Ray, Co-Founder and CEO of Paperless Parts, is a regular on Manufacturing Happy Hour, so we compare some of the insights he made when he was last on the show to what he’s seeing in the industry today. One of the big ones was on the skills gap – or “leadership gap” as Jason calls it. The good news is that this seems to be closing, with more manufacturing leaders taking advantage of the vast amounts of information and industry insights out there in the form of articles and podcasts. We hear Jason’s approach to great leadership in manufacturing and the positive changes he’s seen in the industry lately. We also chat about scaling effectively, complying with CMMC, and how to avoid getting lost in the AI hype cycle. In this episode, find out:The four pillars that are leading Paperless Parts to greatness and successful expansion Why the leadership gap (which Jason said last time was responsible for the skills gap) seems to be closing Positive changes Jason’s seeing when it comes to preparing younger professionals for leadership positionsHow to navigate through uncertain times and the important lesson he learned in the Navy that he still uses todayThe power of decisive leadership and what happens when leaders are overly cautious The leading indicators in the industry that Jason watches closely to help him make great long-term decisions The gap between data and information and why data alone is not enough to make good decisions How small to medium manufacturers can win government contracts and become CMMC compliantThe common mistake shop leaders make about AI and why leaders should start with the low-hanging fruit that we know AI is great for The easiest ways to scale in today’s market and how to get your team onboard with a growth mindset Jason’s thoughts on the opportunities of reshoring and why we need to meet the right balance between global collaboration without dependenceJason talks about the Cutting Through the Noise videos series and why he aims to highlight the truly important insights in the industry for busy manufacturing leaders 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:“I think they're putting young people in their organizations in positions of responsibility. I think more and more they're realizing that these young professionals are ready to take on that responsibility and those folks are bringing new ideas in.”“I think it is such an important understanding of what the right level of global collaboration is where you have not fallen into dependence.”“When you're leading through a period of uncertainty that tends to lead folks to indecision. And that can waste a lot of people's time and shatter your team's confidence in your ability as a leader. The folks that are most successful at leading through a crisis lead with very decisive action.”Links & mentions:Paperless Parts, quoting software for manufacturers to help part manufacturers streamline the quoting process Cutting Through the Noise, a new video series run by Jason that gets straight to the point on manufacturing trendsThe Tip Tap Room, Boston pub that serves a wide range of beers and inventive dishes NIST 853, Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations, resources for CMMC compliance 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 it take to find the best talent in the manufacturing industry these days? When it comes to automation, you can use location (or lack of location) to your advantage. In this episode, Kyle Mahan of Ohio-based Wauseon Machine takes us through their approach to securing the best automation talent. We'll also hear some history on the organization, learn about Kyle's career, and share strategies for robotics and automation integrators.

It’s not every day that a former NFL player joins the podcast. And it’s not every day you see one make such a dramatic career pivot from pro football to craft brewing and small business ownership.But that’s exactly what Brandon Fields did. When he was winding down his football career, he found his passion in brewing, starting out with a home brewing kit. He teamed up with his wife Katie and opened up Inside the Five Brewing Co., which has scaled to three locations and 120 team members as a full-service beer manufacturing empire. Katie and Brandon wear many hats across each area of the manufacturing process – from the crafting itself to the sales side to distribution – even their kids get involved. Today, they run the business with a welcoming, inclusive, family-friendly vibe that keeps loyal beer fans sipping. Hear about their story from NFL to brewing, what it’s like running a small full-service business, their approach to managing talent, and developing their distinct branding. Also learn how beers like “Snap to the Face” and “Big Fat Boss Baby” get their names.In this episode, find out:Brandon gives us the background on his time playing in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins, plus the story behind the beer ‘Snap to the Face’What made Brandon decide to move from the NFL world into professional brewing The biggest lesson learned from Brandon’s NFL days that he applies to his life now as a small business owner How Brandon and Katie learned how to grow and scale a brewing business to three locations and 120 team members The most rewarding parts of manufacturing craft beers and experimenting with new beer flavors How Brandon and Katie’s kids get involved in the craft brewing life and inspired the names of some of their top beers The benefits of being a full-service manufacturer, managing the manufacturing, distribution, and sales A reality check on what the transition from NFL to brewing was like for Brandon and what he learned from Katie’s people management approach The strategy behind developing Inside the Five’s distinct branding and why it’s about more than just the visuals Why it’s important not to force a brand style that doesn’t feel natural How Inside the Five’s branding has added to their success by being a welcoming, family-friendly ethos that gets people to stick around for another beer Katie’s approach to managing the competition and why it’s key to focus on your own success 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:“You have to have that drive, that perfectionist in you to want to constantly do better... But it's that constant, “how can we improve?” Good is not good enough." – Brandon Fields“We're beginning to end in terms of product. So if you see it in a bar, our people sold it, made the sales pitch, got it there, gave it to them. So our hands are on it from beginning to end.” – Brandon Fields"Figuring out what does branding mean to me? Not just the logo, the slogan, the colors, the font, but what message do you want to send and how do you want people to feel when they're at your location?” – Katie Fields"A lot of people ask me about competitors, like when another craft brewery opens. The more the merrier, because our success is not based on what someone else is doing. If we're not successful, it means we need to change something.” – Katie FieldsLinks & mentions:Inside the Five Brewing Co., a Northwest Ohio full-service brewpub with unique beers inspired by Brandon’s former NFL careerMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Manufacturing and engineering are full of talented, passionate people. Just listen to literally any of these episodes for proof of that. But what is it that keeps people in this space motivated and fulfilled? Ask 10 different people, and you’d likely get 10 very different answers. For this episode, we posed the question to three guests – Steve Ilmrud, VP of Operations for North America at Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, Jeff Van Horn, Owner & Sr. Project Manager at Industrial Technology Solutions Inc., and Randy Smith, a CNC Programmer & Machinist in the Aerospace and Defense Industries.We explore the common threads throughout all their careers, paying particular attention to the art of metrology – how we measure things in manufacturing. Without accurate measurement, products wouldn’t make it out the door and manufacturers would be left with a bunch of scrap and route back to square one. On-the-job training is another big focus of our talk, and we hear why we should prioritize proactive rather than just reactive training, plus how modern tools are shaping both training and production efficiency.In this episode, find out:What is metrology? Jeff, Steve, and Randy give their own definitions in relation to how they’ve used it in their careers Why measuring things throughout a fabrication process is critical to reducing waste Real examples of how good metrology practice has helped manufacturers build the best products (and what happens when it’s not used)Why the right data and statistics are critical for improving reliability Leveraging metrology during on-the-job training to be more proactive than reactive to challenges How modern tools and technology can help manufacturers be more proactive and productive Working smart vs working hard and using the right technology The mindset shift that manufacturers need to adopt, both in training and production How focusing on the three Ps (people, parts, and process) has helped Steve stay focused and solve challenges The common themes that keep Jeff, Steve, and Randy motivated in their careersEnjoying 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 cannot wait to inspect all your parts, especially in the fabrication shops, when they're done. If you don't catch it during the process, it's going to end up in rework." – Jeff Van Horn"Regardless of the parts you're making or what you're doing, real-time inspection and feedback are really critical and it can save you a lot of time and time and aggravation." – Randy Smith"It comes down to people, parts, and process – the three Ps. Almost any challenge I've had in my career can be addressed through the three Ps." – Steve IlmrudLinks & mentions:Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, empowering makers to innovate and create without limit with solutions support optimization throughout the product lifecycle, specializing in metrology, production, and design & engineeringLeica Absolute Tracker ATS600, the first ever direct scanning laser tracker that can digitally pinpoint and inspect large parts and surfaces that are simply out of range of traditional handheld 3D laser scanners, touch probes, or reflectorsMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

An AI agent can create. It can predict. It can analyze data. But for it to really drive change and enhance operations, it needs to take action. That’s the next step of machine learning and AI, says Kence Anderson, CEO of Composabl, a company that helps manufacturers create multi-agent AI systems.Our discussion with Kence is probably one of the most important you’ll hear on the podcast lately. AI has been a big topic for a while now, but we dig further into how it can be applied at an industrial level to help manufacturers and engineers make decisions and solve problems. We start with Kence’s overview of AI agents, specifically in manufacturing, and talk about what drew him to this industry. Kence talks about how companies can find a balance between capturing data and also using expertise from your team (and why it’s crucial to do this before they start retiring!)In this episode, find out:What is an AI agent and how could manufacturers implement them to take action? Ways AI agents can take how engineers and manufacturers already use machine learning to the next level Kence explains how he first entered the manufacturing world with a mechanical engineering degree and roles in startups Why Kence believes that high-value technology needs methodology combined with a platform to enable widespread adoption 3 reasons why AI in manufacturing has always fascinated Kence Why AI agents need to be taught specific information and why this enhances rather than restricts how they workThe importance of collecting data but also interviewing experts in your team to gain their unique knowledge Kence shares an example of how an extruder making Cheetos is way harder than just programming a machine How Kence uses simulations to enable AI agents to practice and learn tasks before they’re implementedWhere does the AI agent live? Kence gives a detailed explanation of how AI agents are stored and communicate with wider internal systems Different ways AI agents can not only be taught but also teach others The steps manufacturers need to take to start using AI agents and why the first one should be to identify the high-value skills in danger of extinction 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 thing that moves the needle is decisions. And so, if you're predicting something, analyzing something, it's only to serve the purpose of making great decisions.”“ You can have an AI just look at your data and discover a bunch of stuff that you know Susan and Joe over there could have told you in 15 minutes. So there's this need to capture and codify high-value subject matter expertise, frankly, before it goes extinct.”“There's a hundred million engineers out there in an industry that if you empower them with the right tools, they'll innovate and engineer systems the same way as they have everything else.”Links & mentions:Composabl, a platform that combines the power of Composite AI with expertise to design and deploy multi-agent AI systems for industrial environmentsMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Today's bonus episode is all about MEPs, and actually a very urgent issue related to MEPs. For context, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is a public-private partnership that delivers comprehensive, proven solutions by helping small and medium-sized manufacturers grow, make operational improvements, and reduce risk.To put it in more simplified terms - MEPs provide resources to small- and medium-sized manufacturers that allow them to adopt new technology, upskill and train their people, and ultimately create jobs in their area. Every state has one, they go by different names in different states, and it was recently announced that this program was being defunded.Specifically, funding for 10 state MEP initiatives expired at the end of March, and the government’s controlling agency, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), chose not to renew them. This is a moving target, it could change (as it already has once by extending the deadline to the end of the fiscal year), and quite frankly manufacturers don't know what's going to happen. It hasn't been communicated as to why this cut is taking place, but the reality is right now is there is a concern across the manufacturing community that funding for the entire MEP initiative - across all 50 states - might get cut.As a result of this action, a number of manufacturing podcasters got together to discuss the situation and actions that you, as manufacturers, can take to have your voices heard and say "This is ridiculous. My MEP has helped my business and community succeed for XYZ reason." We cannot afford to lose a critical resource like this that so many small- to mid-sized manufacturers rely on. All this an more in today's episode.

What’s getting VCs to look beyond Silicon Valley in the tech startup scene? The Midwest is not just an up-and-coming place for investors to watch. It’s now a region that more investors are betting on. With companies like Path Robotics, the Midwest is taking its status as a manufacturing hub and merging it with the kind of innovative tech traditionally associated with the coastal cities. For this episode, we hear from two sides of the conversation – from Andy Lonsberry, CEO of Path Robotics, and Nima Gard, the company's Director of AI, along with Nils Root from Drive Capital, a VC firm that operates in the Midwest manufacturing and tech scene.They join us live from Columbus, Ohio to talk about what makes the region a hot spot for manufacturing innovation, why it’s not the “next Silicon Valley” (and doesn’t have to be), and what companies like Path Robotics are getting right. We also dig into the tech at Path Robotics and where AI fits into the future of new technological developments in the industry.In this episode, find out:Why Columbus is seeing a wave of tech startups and VC interest Andy explains why Ohio was the perfect spot to build Path Robotics and how it’s using machine intelligence to specifically solve manufacturing problems How manufacturers can successfully decide what to focus on now and in the future The technology behind the scenes at Path Robotics and data is the number one biggest focus The secrets behind Path Robotics' 3x growth and where data fits into that What Andy’s most excited about building at Path Robotics and the importance of practical applicationsHow Path Robotics closes the deal cycle faster, works with their CRO and isn’t afraid to disqualify leadsWhat can other regions learn from Columbus and why the startup scene is increasingly seen as an exciting opportunity rather than a risk The skills gap in manufacturing and how AI will realistically change manufacturing jobs in the future How humans and robots can realistically interact, create value and solve problems togetherEnjoying 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:”Everyone still asks, 'when are you going to move to Silicon Valley? When are you going to move to the East Coast?' And the main reason is that the talent is here.” – Andy Lonsberry“More great world-class technology businesses will be built outside of Silicon Valley in the next 20 years than will be built inside of Silicon Valley. So Drive is just investing behind that thesis.” – Nils Root“One of the hardest things in robotics is data. Data is the bottleneck. The fact that we are not seeing a GPT moment in robotics is because we don't have enough data as we had for text and language.” – Nima GardLinks & mentions:Drive Capital, a Columbus, OH-based VC that’s companies are proving that you can build a world-class technology company anywherePath Robotics, providing precise robotic welding systems. No programmer required. Designed for precision, efficiency, and scalability.Makerspace Central is a 501(c)3 non-profit based in Columbus, Ohio, providing innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workshops for K-12 students in the Columbus greater region. Their culturally-relevant STEM experiences ignite students' curiosity to prepare them for a more tech-focused world, offering K-12 pop-up makerspace workshops and curriculum development consultation.Seventh Son Brewing, Columbus, OH-based brewery specializing in IPAs with a bright, rustic tasting room & visiting food trucksMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Robotics is a cool field, no doubt about that. But what’s cooler than using it to change people’s lives?When he was seven years old, Aadeel Akhtar met a girl in Pakistan with a missing leg. This kickstarted a fascination with helping people regain control over lost limbs and a decision that pivoted his planned career in medicine to robotics and prosthetics. Today, he’s the CEO and Founder of PSYONIC, the company behind the world’s first touch-sensing bionic hand. He’s on a mission to make this tech as accessible as possible, and we hear about the challenges of balancing philanthropic ventures with running and scaling a business. Host Chris Luecke gets to try out the hand remotely in this episode and talks about the different use cases of bionic tech, from helping humans to helping robots. We talk about crowdfunding, getting investment, how the hand works, and what PSYONIC is working on right now to make the Ability Hand even better.Plus, Aadeel is our very first Shark Tank alumni, so we get to hear about the nerve-wracking behind-the-scenes story of demonstrating the Ability Hand in front of the Sharks. In this episode, find out:What PSYONIC does to help people regain mobility and control with bionic limbs The moment that kickstarted Aadeel’s passion for helping people with lost limbs and pivoted his planned career from medicine to robotics The challenges of funding R&D in bionics and making the tech accessible to as many people as possibleWhat the early days of making prototypes and testing them out on the first patients What made Aadeel realize he needed to go into business and production rather than just researching bionics Why San Diego is PSYONIC’s chosen HQ and how it’s partnering with medical and biotech companies What PSYONIC is working on now to make bionic hands feel more natural for users Chris gets to remotely control the Ability Hand from across the country How Aadeel is working on making the tech accessible through Medicare and the Ability FundDifferent ways Aadeel and PSYONIC have approached getting funding, from crowdfunding to venture capital to government grants The challenge of keeping up with demand and prioritizing accessibility while running a successful business that’s focused on the mission How PSYONIC helps both humans and robots with its tech, including NASAThe biggest tech advances that have made this possible today, including micro controllers and AI What it’s really like being a contestant on Shark Tank and how Aadeel prepared for his pitch and eventual negotiations Why Aadeel is optimistic that bionics is becoming a bigger 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:“We're bridging both the neurotech side with the robotic side, with AI being the connecting piece between the two.”“We would be attaching the hand directly to your bones, muscles and nerves that are in your forearm to give them the most optimal control possible.”“Seeing the amount of interest at the intersection of neurotech and robotics and having big investors behind it shows this is an exciting field that's up and coming.”Links & mentions:PSYONIC, supercharging humans and robots with advanced capabilities, including the world’s first touch-sensing bionic handDr. Aadeel Akhtar on Shark TankRobotics Summit & Expo, bringing together 5,000+ developers focused on building robots for aerospace and defense, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing and other marketsMake 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 been on tour for the past couple of months, recording live episodes in some of the manufacturing hot spots around the country. Indiana is our current stop, where Guggman Haus Brewing hosted us for an episode all about innovation, technology, culture, and, of course, Indiana’s manufacturing prowess. Manufacturing makes up a huge portion of Indiana’s economy and culture, so we look behind the scenes at what the state is getting right to make it a manufacturing hub. We welcomed Noel Hopkins, the Principal of Digital Growth at CliftonLarsonAllen and digital transformation expert, joins along with self-titled “private equity mercenary” Steve Martin, who sits on the board at Elevate Ventures. We also welcomed Kathy Miller, President and Co-Founder of YK2020 and OPSisters, plus co-author of the book Steel Toes and Stilettos.Noel, Steve, and Kathy share their takes on local manufacturing and how it’s adapting to the rapid evolution of tech like AI. But it’s not just tech that’s shaping the industry. We also explore the human element of manufacturing and why we need leaders who are open to change and growth (even if it means making some mistakes along the way). In this episode, find out:What can manufacturers learn from IndianaThe role of digital transformation in manufacturing and the best ways to implement it Why leadership is key to driving transformation and the top characteristics good leaders need The challenges facing Indiana’s manufacturing industry from a private equity viewpoint Why you should always look at the problems facing your organization first, then find tech to solve it (not the other way around)Why fewer companies are using tech for the sake of it and are becoming more intentionalLessons learned from past experiences and why manufacturing is all about the people Areas where technology is making the most difference and how it impacts the people working with it How to build scale and transferability within organizations with the three Ps – people, planning, process The importance of having a vision and the ability to execute on it and why leaders are central to this Why hesitancy is the most dangerous thing manufacturers could do right now Innovation’s impact on psychological safety in the workplace, plus why we need to be open to making mistakes 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: ”If we create a culture that basically penalizes thinking, then we're never going to get any new ideas.” – Steve Martin“ I think the most dangerous thing manufacturers could do right now is pause or wait, or be overly cautious and risk falling way, way behind.” – Noel Hopkins“No matter what technology we're working with, what inventions, manufacturing is about people. And so, we can't lose sight of that.” – Kathy MillerLinks & mentions:CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), an advisory, audit, tax and consulting firmIndustry Trends: Lessons Learned from Florida Manufacturing DaysGuggman Haus Brewing, a family-owned microbrewery and coffee Haus in the northwest side of downtown IndianapolisElevate Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Indianapolis 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.

In this lively discussion, Rachel Cossette from Rogers Machinery shares tips on effective marketing for small teams, while Jenni Gritti from Caterpillar emphasizes enterprise-level strategies. Greg Knox highlights the critical alignment of sales and marketing, and Kerry Nedic discusses balancing creativity with company policies through video content. Rich Ward offers actionable advice on prioritizing marketing tasks, activating sales teams on social media, and crafting successful strategies from the ground up, making it a treasure trove of insights for marketers at any level.