Manufacturing Happy Hour

A recruiter, a manufacturing leader, and a technology leader all walk into a bar… and tackle the skills gap problem head-on over some beers!The skills gap has been a hot topic in manufacturing. So, in true Manufacturing Happy Hour style, we sit down with a beer and discuss. Recorded live from Founders Brewery, MI while on tour with SwipeGuide, we sit down with Ann Wyatt of Ann Wyatt Recruiting, Ryan Lillibridge, VP of Mission Design & Automation, and CEO and Founder of SwipeGuide, Willemijn Schneyder.First up, we talk about how the stigma of heading into the trades is thankfully on the decrease. We swap insights on how the idea of "hireability" is changing, and what companies can do to lower the barriers to entry. A common theme throughout is that manufacturing leaders need to be more flexible when it comes to hiring. Do all candidates need a Master’s in mechanical engineering? Probably not. For the future of manufacturers, attitude and aptitude are the golden tickets. We rounded out the conversation talking about upskilling and reskilling your workforce. Part of the skills gap problem isn’t just about attracting people to manufacturing. It’s also about missing a trick with your existing workforce. Sometimes, you need to tap into their knowledge and interests and reskill them for an increasingly tech-heavy future. In this episode, find out:Ann, Ryan, and WIllemijn introduce themselves and their unique perspectives on addressing the skills gapHow the stigma around trade jobs has evolved How the term “hireability” has evolved in today’s market from a recruiter’s perspective What companies can do to lower the barriers to entry into manufacturing and why recruiters should look at attitude and aptitude, not just experience and formal educationAnn, Ryan, and Willemijn share which job requirements they think are outdated in today’s market and the top skills that manufacturing recruiters should look for Why technology is not the solution but a catalyst to empower the workforceHow upskilling and reskilling existing staff could help to ease the burden of the skills gapWhy people are the most valuable asset of a business that leaders should invest more inEnjoying 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:“Technology can put a value to frontline knowledge.”“We do automation. We put automation systems into factories, but if they haven't spent time on their people, their manufacturing equipment does not run well because they haven't upskilled their team.”“We have to prioritize attitude and aptitude over ten plus years’ experience.” Links & mentions:SwipeGuide, a hassle-free how-to platform for frontline training, made simpleMission Design & Automation, a leading intelligent automation integrator in MichiganAnn Wyatt Recruiting, specialist recruitment company for manufacturing companiesFounders Brewery, brewery in Grand Rapids, MI 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.

Improve productivity or work on sustainability? Why not both?In this episode, we sit down with Lauren Dunford, CEO of Guidewheel and a member of the Executive Committee for the US Center for Advanced Manufacturing within the World Economic Forum, for a fascinating chat about productivity, sustainability, and innovation in manufacturing. Lauren shares how Guidewheel evolved from an energy management system to a full-fledged factory ops platform.We kick things off with Lauren's path to manufacturing, including her experience at Stanford's MBA program and how it's proven invaluable as Guidewheel scales globally. She offers a refreshing perspective on the value of education and practical experience in the startup world.Lauren reveals the pivotal moment that reshaped Guidewheel's approach. It's a classic tale of listening to your customers – in this case, two power users who unlocked a 20% productivity boost using Guidewheel in ways the team hadn't anticipated.We dive deep into the connection between productivity and sustainability, exploring how data-driven decisions and operational effectiveness naturally lead to more sustainable practices. The role of AI in manufacturing naturally comes up and we discuss how it's simplifying complex processes and enabling real-time decision-making on the factory floor. In this episode, find out:Lauren shares how she became involved with the World Economic Forum  and her experience so far We hear about Lauren’s early career, starting with Stanford What led to Lauren starting Guidewheel and where she saw a gap in the market How the MBA and five years of work experience paved the way for Lauren to build her career Lauren’s mission for sustainable solutions and how she came up with the idea behind Guidewheel The moment Lauren realized she needed Guidewheel to pivotThe most important aspects of measuring sustainability and the tangible impact on business The benefits of using data-driven decisions on the factory floor and why it should be brought into existing routines The investor perspective on using data to drive decision-making How AI can help technology solutions provide insights and predictive analyses How manufacturers think about productivity and sustainability today How has Guidewheel has evolved as technology advances  What a “factory ops champion” is and Guidewheel’s approach to tapping into those championsWhy manufacturing is probably the coolest industry to work in todayEnjoying 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:“Once you start bringing data into those decisions, sustainability is the natural direction because “do more with less” results in more productive and efficient operations.”“Being able to use data to pinpoint the areas where you can grow in addition to the areas where you can be more efficient, from an investor standpoint, is just absolute gold.”“AI-powered is one of the new things we've really leaned in to, getting more and more predictive and ahead of breakdowns or problems.” Links & mentions:Guidewheel, the plug-and-play FactoryOps platformMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Think about a world where robots are ubiquitous. Where robots are a part of our lives like The Jetsons promised us. Like having WALL-E or R2-D2 as a buddy. The Robotics Summit & Expo is a precursor to that…The Robotics Summit & Expo – hosted by WTWH Media – is an event focused on the commercialization of robots. The work that needs to be done to get robots out into the world. To make them more adoptable by industrial companies. This is where engineers and developers get educated on where robotics are today, and what work still needs to done - the technology, the business models, etc. - to deliver on the promises of robotics - the positive promises of robotics - that many of us probably grew up envisioning.This episode is a recap of the event with various interviews mixed in. Guests and co-hosts include:Jonathan Hurst, Chief Robotics Officer at Agility RoboticsJoyce Sidopoulos, Co-Founder and Chief of Operations at MassRoboticsScott Sizemore, Director of Commercial Marketing at ElectrocraftMeaghan Ziemba, Host of Mavens of ManufacturingJake Hall, The Manufacturing MillennialMike Oitzman, Co-Host of The Robot Report Podcast

How can simulation revolutionize manufacturing? Graham Wloch, the Director of Business Development at Visual Components, joins the show this week to fill us in on the power of simulation. We hear about Graham’s early career and what made him pivot into the world of simulation, automation, and robotics. Graham shares what he believes are the top challenges facing manufacturers and why now is the time to start thinking ahead and embracing new technology. He breaks down the three main elements of simulations and explores how they can transform manufacturing processes all the way from ideation to production. Getting buy-in from leadership is always a challenge, but as Graham tells us in this episode, simulation can make that all-important buy-in easier and faster to achieve. Tune in to the episode to hear Graham explain real-world examples of how simulation enables companies to become forward-thinking and why a simulation-first culture is key in manufacturing today.In this episode, find out:Graham takes us through his early career and high school drafting experienceWhy Graham moved into mechanical design and the top things he learnedHow Graham made a pivot to working in simulation and how his previous experience helpedWhy Graham stands by his quote: the big no longer eat the small, the fast eat the slowThe evolution and importance of simulation in manufacturingReal-world examples of companies using simulations and why simulation is not industry-specificWhy manufacturers need to create a simulation-first cultureHow offline programming for robots helps to speed processes upEnjoying 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 take simulation and you get everybody on that same page from concept and design to process, to robot programming, to controls validation, and everybody has that same information, everybody's able to share that vision.”“With the right simulation tools, you can do shipping and receiving, you can do product and part delivery. You can really turn the level of detail up as high as it'll go and understand how this living, breathing factory is going to get you to where you need to be.”“We always look for companies that are forward-thinking, that are excited to incorporate technology to not only improve the bottom line but even make employees’ lives better.”Links & mentions:Visual Components, a world-leading 3D simulation and visualization specialist offering total process solutions for manufacturers, system integrators, and machine buildersThe Oxford Tap, offering a fresh take on classic pub fare in Oxford, MI, including ghost pepper wingsMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

The barrier to entry when it comes to robotics is breaking down fast. More and more companies and industries are realizing that robotics is a realistic solution to all sorts of problems. And companies like HowToRobot are paving the way forward.In this episode, we sit down with Søren Peters, CEO and Founder of HowToRobot.com, a platform that provides information and advice on robot suppliers and industrial automation. We hear how Søren stepped away from the world of IT and found his feet in the world of robotics. He shares his take on the evolution of robots, the challenges in adoption, the disconnect between suppliers and buyers, and more. We talk about why manufacturers tend to focus on automating complex tasks over easier, more immediately impactful ones.We round off the episode with some fun talk about Danish expressions and favorite beer spots in the U.S. and Copenhagen in true Manufacturing Happy Hour style!In this episode, find out:How companies can get started with robotics in manufacturingWhy manufacturing companies have gone beyond the “why should we use robots stage?” A common mistake when using robots for the first timeWhy people get overwhelmed when purchasing robotics equipmentWhy custom solutions aren’t always the best option and how it can hurt your chances of getting financingHow the industry can make robots more accessibleThe common challenges in financing robot equipmentWhy more people are seeing the value of what HowToRobot has to offerWhy Søren made his career pivot from IT to robots Søren’s predictions on robotics in the next few years Danish phrases and beer talk!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 a lot of people in the manufacturing world are past the “why robots,” if that makes sense. The “how,” on the other hand, I think it's a big one, you know, where do you get started?”“We see sadly often that they start by replicating a human. They think of it as an addition, or an add-on, or a replacement of that specific person's task, which is often a terrible place to start.”“The platform game is still too immature. You need to help the buyer much, much more and sometimes the seller. So, there’s an advisory management part to this that if we don't do that, these deals are just going to fall through.”Links & mentions:HowToRobot.com, the go-to platform to find industrial automation, robotics suppliers, and expert advice on robotsMikkeller Brewing, a world-renowned Danish craft brewerySøernes Ølbar, Chris’ favorite beer bar in CopenhagenCows on Ice and Owls in the Bog: The Weird and Wonderful World of Scandinavian Sayings, by Katarina Montnémery 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.

How do you adopt a cybersecurity strategy that fits your manufacturing business? In this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, host Chris Lueke is speaking to Mollie Breen, CEO & Founder of Perygee, an automation platform for IT and security teams, built to eliminate the visibility challenges of the digital-first world. They kick off by exploring significant developments in cybersecurity over the past few years. Mollie highlights the dual role AI plays, assisting both hackers in identifying vulnerabilities and defenders in fortifying network security. She underscores the importance of reverting to cybersecurity fundamentals amid tech evolutions, noting that a shift back to basics is essential for adapting to new threats effectively. Mollie provides background on her time at the NSA, revealing the surprising routine nature of tackling seemingly insurmountable tasks due to robust capabilities and top-tier expertise available. Her time at the NSA played a crucial role in her entrepreneurial journey with Perygee, where she navigated the intricate processes within governmental organizations to introduce innovative security measures. Mollie and Chris also discuss practical advice for implementing cybersecurity strategies within organizations of varying sizes. Mollie touches on the unique cybersecurity challenges faced by medical device companies due to heavy regulations and the criticality of their operations. The conversation then moves to the timing and evolution of cybersecurity roles within growing businesses.To wrap up, they discuss the potential for leadership in cybersecurity across all levels of an organization. This episode is packed with valuable insights for leaders across the manufacturing sector looking to enhance their cybersecurity strategies and foster a more secure operational environment.In this episode, find out:What’s new in cybersecurity, AI, and going back to basics Mollie’s journey with the NSA and how that lead to her founding PerygeeMollie offers practical cybersecurity advice for companies of all sizesHow training can go a long way in the context of cyber security Mollie expounds on the right approach to cybersecurity in public vs. private companiesUnpacking cybersecurity strategies for small to medium-sized businessesUnderstanding the unique cybersecurity challenges in medical devicesThe benefits of learning from different cybersecurity approaches across industriesMollie talks about the future of cybersecurity leadership in manufacturingEnjoying 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 remember cyber is an offensive and a defensive game.”“Inevitably every time you have to secure a new thing, there's an ushering in of going back to the basics and asking yourself, ‘what do we do?’”“I'm glad we're moving into a position where people are more informed. Doing something just out of fear of the headlines isn't necessarily the best decision for the organization.”Links & mentions:Perygee, an automation platform for IT and security teams purpose-built to eliminate the visibility challenges of the digital-first worldNIST Framework, excellent guidelines for getting started with cybersecurityCyber Readiness Institute, free resources for small businessesMake 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 been a hot minute since we covered eCommerce on the show, but since COVID, it’s become a growing part of manufacturing and distribution. COVID lockdowns essentially shut off the traditional methods for buying and selling manufactured supplies, and companies were forced to adopt a new way of doing things or get left behind. It’s meant great things for the industry, so we thought we’d get the eCommerce perspective in this episode from Znode's Chief Commercial Officer, Tom Flierl.Tom joins the podcast to explore the link between eCommerce and manufacturing, how Znode presents a seamless solution, and the reasons why there’s been a spike in eCommerce system adoption. We look at how distribution and manufacturing have adapted, and Tom shares some examples of companies that have embraced new solutions and seen the benefits of integrating everything into a one-stop shop solution. Tom also chats about AI as the next big thing for manufacturers to lean into, why salespeople are still vital for the industry, and some tips on how to assess the effectiveness of an eCommerce solution. In this episode, find out:Where eCommerce and manufacturing meet Tom explains what Znode doesWe hear about Tom’s early experiences in print media and being an “early internet guy”How Tom’s background in sales and marketing helped his career during the dot-com bust How Tom’s family history helped to prepare him for a career in eCommerce and manufacturing The possible causes for the spike in eCommerce system adoptionHow future-ready are distributors and manufacturers today?How COVID impacted eCommerce system adoptionWhat eCommerce looks like in manufacturing (with examples)Why the role of salespeople in eCommerce is still just as importantDealers and distributors’ approaches to working with eCommerceHow people can assess the effectiveness of an eCommerce solutionEnjoying 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 COVID forced a lot of shifts in everybody's lives. And I think it forced a lot of shifts in even how businesses go to market and the importance of digital.”“The big win that we're seeing is a lot of ERPs are moving to offer APIs now. Our platform and some others can take those APIs, talk to each other, and present the right data to the right customer when they log in and give them the right experience by exchanging data with lots of other systems.”"It's all about adoption. If adoption isn't there, whether it's the end customer or the distributor or channel, it’s probably not working. I would argue that that applies for distributors and manufacturers.”Links & mentions:Znode, an all-in-one, headless, B2B eCommerce platform developed to enable growth through a rich set of built-in featuresRequest a Demo of Znode’s B2B eCommerce platformFoxtown Brewing, large brewery located inside of a classic building in Mequon, WIMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

As new technologies emerge, so do new solutions and new possibilities. The electronics manufacturing world is going through a digital revolution right now, and companies like Arch Systems are at the pinnacle of it. We welcomed Andrew Scheuermann, Co-Founder and CEO of Arch Systems, to the show to hear about the brilliant backstory behind the company. Before Arch Systems became a thing, Andrew and his Co-Founder were on a mission to solve the problem of broken wells in a number of African countries. Funding new wells is one thing, but without maintenance, they often fail. Using new technology and data insights, this project spiraled into a larger solution that became what Arch Systems is today.We hear Andrew’s story and his thoughts on balancing non-profit and for-profit ventures to help each other, what the early days of the startup were like, and how technology is paving the way for faster and more effective solutions in electronics manufacturing. In this episode, find out:What Arch Systems does and how it started with a clear missionWhy Andrew decided to start working with water wells in some African countriesAndrew explains what the problem was with the wells and how it all came down to maintenanceHow Andrew and his co-founder came up with a solutionThe challenges of using a solution across so many sitesHow Andrew balanced the for-profit and non-profit aspects of his projectHow electronics manufacturing became a focus The early days of finding product-market fit and struggling as an early startupHow leveraging data in Arch Systems could benefit manufacturing companiesThe challenges of handling so much data How the right data can help you make predictive maintenance decisionsHow automation can help to fill the gaps in a workforce 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 you can solve somebody's problem, it doesn't matter how different or similar you think you are, you can be the best team in the world.”“All machines break. It's not a question of if, it's just when. And the more you use it, the more it's going to break. There might have been a defect, it might break earlier, it might just be based on usage. And so they would break, but the problem was painfully simple, there was no maintenance.”“What's stuck with me is just being about the people and their problem. Not what you think it is, but what they think it is.”Links & mentions:Arch Systems, building expert data solutions that objectively observe and optimize manufacturing processes, driving decision intelligence for electronics manufacturers   WellDone International, a non-profit organization working to improve global access to clean water and other basic services essential to human health, productivity, and well-beingAmandine Lounge, serving a range of international cocktails in Los Altos, 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.

Imagine a world without connectors… If we didn’t have connectors, technology and products would simply be cool ideas without that all-important functionality we need. In this episode, we speak to two of HARTING Americas’ team about the importance of connectors in manufacturing and engineering processes. Casey Spitz, the Vice President of Development and Innovation, and Cory Jenkins, Senior Director of Business Development, weigh in on why connectors should be a part of design processes from the very start, rather than left to the end. Casey and Cory share insights on the technical details of connectors, the trend toward miniaturization, and the evolution of things like Ethernet over the past few years. We also chat about the project management side of engineering, how HARTING balances growth with everyday processes, and how engineers should think about localization. As industry leaders, they have some great actionable advice on leadership, growth, and the importance of team collaboration. We hear what it takes to build an efficient engineering process that welcomes new ideas to boost innovation.In this episode, find out:What are connectors and why are they so important for engineersWhy Europe appears to be ahead in the connectors world compared to North AmericaHow Ethernet has evolved and the lessons we can take from thatHow Cory has successfully led HARTING through a number of technology shifts, including a branch out into semiconductors Actionable advice for engineers and manufacturers to execute quickly and adapt to the market How Casey created processes that HARTING needed to grow to the next levelHow Casey balanced creating processes for growth with working on the day-to-day priorities Advice for building efficient processes into your own business as a manufacturerThe role of localization in HARTING’s growth, plus advice for others Why collaboration is a huge priority for HARTING and how it directly drives innovationWhat engineers should know about connectors and how they should integrate them early in the processEnjoying 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 world of connectors is actually pretty niche. There's not a lot of people that have done this before, so we're looking for people that are top notch collaborators, that are very humble and respectful of other people's ideas.”“Don't confuse busyness with productivity. And the difference between those two is really being connected to your company's goals.”“If you go in every direction, that's not a right answer. But you've got to be listening to every direction.”Links & mentions:HARTING, a connectivity solutions provider that operates worldwide to design connectivity for challenging environmentsErnst Barre Private Brewery, located in the East Westphalian town of Lübbecke in the north-western German district of Minden-LübbeckeMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

The difficulties manufacturers face when it comes to finding and retaining top talent is something we often discuss on this podcast, so it’s great to welcome a guest who has an excellent solution. In this episode, we speak with Retired Lieutenant Colonel (USAF), Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz.Kathy shares her story with us about how she got into the military and eventually the industrial space. She explains what it means to be a veteran champion if you’re hoping to recruit veterans to your manufacturing team, and how you can ensure your organization is veteran-ready. She also provides an enlightening look at the broad skill sets that veterans bring to the table, from nursing to project management to sales, and gives us some tips on tangible ways to become an advocate for veterans in everyday life. In this episode, find out:Kathy shares her favorite type of grilled cheese!We hear about what it means to be veteran-ready vs veteran-friendlyKathy takes a deep dive into her journey in the militaryWhy her adaptability and problem-solving skills drew Kathy to the militaryThe diversity of experiences that come out of being in the military Kathy shares why she wrote her book, Beyond “Thank You For Your Service:” The Veteran Champion Handbook for CiviliansWhat can manufacturing leaders do to increase retention of veterans and improve mentorship?Why it’s so important to develop a veteran hiring program Kathy tells us about the Veteran Hiring Academy courses in April and September each year 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:“My appreciation for the technical aptitudes that service members bring to the workplace is particularly relevant in the manufacturing industry.”“I invite you to join the veteran champion movement and be a part of the win because it really is a win when you get to know a veteran, understand their life story, their experiences. So I contend that it improves your quality of life.”“’Thank you for wearing the uniform.’ That is super special because it implies that you have some appreciation for what it means to me to take the oath of office, to make that commitment, and the pride and professionalism we feel when we wear the uniform”.Links & mentions:Vanguard Veteran, equipping civilians to become veteran championsBeyond "Thank You For Your Service:" The Veteran Champion Handbook for CiviliansInvite Vanguard Veteran to SpeakVanguard Veteran's Employer Consulting and TrainingComplimentary Veteran-Ready AssessmentO*Net OnLine Military Crosswalk SearchWomen Who Lead, monthly free hybrid Leadership Discussion Forum for women Veterans and non-Veterans to empower women leaders and foster mutual supportMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.