Manufacturing Happy Hour

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.

Want a taste of one of the best events in manufacturing? This week, we're giving you an inside look at the A3 Business Forum.This is the Association for Advancing Automation’s premier leadership and networking event that takes place at the beginning of every year, but really, it’s a community, and not just any community. The people in this association easily make up the single strongest group of manufacturing and automation leaders in the industry.Much like the A3 Business Forum, this compilation episode covers a variety of topics including robotics, education, hiring and talent retention, as well as cybersecurity. We've got 6 interviews for you and we're also bringing back Jake Hall, the Manufacturing Millennial, to help host these discussions. Here are the leaders you’ll hear from in this episode:·      Jeremy Dodson and Jay Korpi of NextLink Labs·      Fady Saad, Co-Founder of MassRobotics·      Suzy Teele, VP of Strategic Partnerships at the ARM Institute·      Greg Smith, President, Industrial Automation Group at Teradyne·      Jim Devaprasad, Professor and Director of Robotics at Lake Superior State University·      Michael “Sully” Sullivan of Miller Resource GroupMake sure to visit ManufacturingHappyHour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Eddie Saunders Jr. is a guy who wears a bunch of hats.He’s the Creative Director and Brand Collaborator at Flex Machine Tools. He's got a background in theater. He runs an MMA gym. But – since this is a manufacturing podcast – you're most likely to know him as the host of the Flex & Friends, a web series where Eddie chats with influential and passionate leaders in the manufacturing industry.While Eddie’s only been running this series for just over six months at the time of this episode in February 2022, he's made quite a name for himself in a short period of time.In this episode, Eddie shares a little bit of everything from his multifaceted background and how it’s contributed to the success of Flex & Friends. He discusses the groundwork he did before starting the podcast and how the first six months have panned out for him. Eddie also offers actionable tips for manufacturing leaders looking to create content for their brands.In this episode, find out:How Eddie went from theater to manufacturingHow Flex & Friends beganWhat Eddie considered before starting Flex & FriendsMarketing tips that work across industriesLessons Eddie has learned from running an MMA gymActionable tips for manufacturing leaders creating contentEnjoying 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’s impossible to ignore the stigmas in manufacturing, but there are also a lot of amazing human beings in our broad and dynamic world, and my number one intention is to tell their stories.”“I would highly recommend that if you don't have the confidence to reach out to other individuals doing what you want to do, then I would say keep your eyes and ears open and watch what's being done.”“If you go into it just to make cool content, you're setting yourself up to fail, and not only will you fail to achieve an ROI, you’ll fail to achieve an ROE, which is a return on the effort.”Links & mentions:Flex Machine Tools, an industrial machine tools company with a growing set of product lines and applications, including FlexCNC Vertical Machining Center, FlexJet Waterjet, FlexArm tapping, FlexBeam Drill Line, and FlexErgoFlex & Friends, a link to Eddie’s web series through Flex Machine Tools’ YouTube pageGreat Lakes Brewing Company, an iconic microbrewery located in Cleveland, OH with house suds, an updated American menu, free tours, and a patioMake 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 role of investment banking in manufacturing and logistics? Our guest this week is here to answer that question.Firdaus Pohowalla is Managing Director at Cascadia Capital, where he leads investment banking coverage for robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence, or if we're talking in acronyms, RAAI.In this episode, Firdaus gives us a little backstory on how he got to where he is now and why he’s always had an interest in tech and robotics. He explains why there’s such a big focus on RAAI in the investment world and what he thinks are the most exciting areas of these growing industries. Firdaus goes on to explore the idea of robotics as a service (RaaS) and why that business model is so attractive to companies, customers, and investors. Firdaus also highlights the biggest challenges in the RaaS space and his advice for new companies looking to get involved in robotics. Finally, Firdaus breaks down the confusing alphabet soup that is Series A, B, and C funding rounds. In this episode, find out:How he got involved in investing and roboticsWhy Cascadia Capital focuses on the RAAI spaceThe most exciting areas of RAAIHow robotics as a service works and why it’s attracting so much interestThe challenges of RaaS and why the markets are slow to move on itAdvice for new companies looking to get involved in RAAIHow the Series A, B, C funding rounds workThe effects of robotics and automation on the job market 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:"B round is critical. If I think about all the rounds out there, the B round is where you really make or break your company.”“If you look at the development of the technology, and you see the sophistication of the software that's complementing all of the earlier stage solutions that have been coming out, the market is really poised for significant growth.”“I'd say the most important thing, and this is emotional, is make sure that you have real passion and conviction around your business idea. That's kind of entrepreneurship 101.”Links & mentions:Cascadia Capital, leading middle market investment bank with a focus on applications for robotics, automation, and AI for food, beverage, and agribusiness applicationsRAAI Supply Chain Quarterly Marketing Report from Cascadia Capital (Fall 2021)2021 AMR & Logistics Conference Takeaways from Cascadia Capital Queen Anne Beerhall, cool beer hall focusing on European & local brews plus eats, with an industrial look & ample seats in Seattle, WAMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Laura Timbrook is a national board-certified health and wellness coach who is focused specifically on the manufacturing industry, particularly on shift workers. She's also a speaker on the topic and runs her own podcast Outspoken Nutrition. We haven't really approached this topic on the show before, but it's one that Laura is uniquely qualified to cover.Health and wellness isn’t a topic that’s discussed much in the manufacturing industry. But that doesn’t mean it’s not been an important issue since the inception of the sector. In this episode, Laura discusses the evolving nature of occupational health and wellness, especially as it stretches to accommodate the needs of workers in the manufacturing industry.She also shares her thoughts on what she believes health and wellness will look like in the near future. She then goes on to share some words of advice for industry leaders looking to embrace the notion of a healthier workforce.In this episode, find out:What being healthy looks like from a broader perspectiveHow to reframe the health and wellness conversation for a shift worker in manufacturingHow wellness contributes to retention and productivity in the workplaceThe evolution of wellness in the manufacturing industryWhat companies that have a thriving health and wellness culture are doing rightHow COVID has changed the general attitude towards healthCommon mistakes organizations make when implementing health and wellness initiativesAdvice for manufacturing leaders looking to adopt a health-conscious cultureEnjoying 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 start small, you’ll make bigger changes.”“When we talk about what encompasses health and wellness, it’s not just sleep, nutrition, movement, it also covers relationships and an overall sense of purpose.”“Give your employees access to their “numbers,” once they start to see specifics on their health it suddenly hits home.”Links & mentions:Outspoken Nutrition, a podcast that focuses on simple and doable ways to lead a healthy lifestyle and make better health-related choices.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.