The Manufacturing Executive

In today’s conversation, Vice President of Economic Development for the North Carolina Community College System, John Loyack, will use the success of his home state to illustrate what it takes to become a thriving manufacturing hub today. You’ll hear why the workforce itself must be treated as critical infrastructure – every bit as important as roads or utilities. We'll dig into what’s driving major companies to choose certain locations over others, and how customized training solutions and leadership development programs arecontributing to those decisions. And for those unsure of where to start, you’ll get practical advice for tapping into state-level support you might not even know exists.

From a global pandemic to kick off this decade to the tariff rollercoaster of 2025, recent history has created plenty of reasons for American manufacturers to assemble a base of credible, responsive suppliers right here in North America. In today's conversation, Vice President at Advanced Purchasing Dynamics, Mike Wynn, will discuss why purchasing teams – often accustomed to low-cost overseas sourcing – find themselves navigating this unfamiliar territory in today's manufacturing environment. He'll share details about his organization's process for rapidly identifying and vetting potential suppliers, explain why understanding stakeholder needs up front is critical, and spell out some of the characteristics that makes a supplier truly stand out (or get quickly weeded out).

Mark Reich, a senior coach at Lean Enterprise Institute and a former Toyota expert, delves into Hoshin Kanri, a strategic planning method for fostering alignment in organizations. He shares his insights on the disconnect between strategy and reality, highlighting the pitfalls companies face. The conversation emphasizes the need for transforming company culture and developing accountability among leaders. Reich illustrates how empowering teams and maintaining open communication can drive genuine change, transforming stagnant company visions into actionable goals.

How can you transform a website visit from a qualified prospect into a real, human conversation? This is the question my guest, President of ManufacturingChats.com, Nelson Bruton, will be answering in today's episode. Specifically, he'll explain how a human-powered website chat function can drive that engagement. In this conversation, we'll explore the misconceptions around live chat, the impact of changing buyer behaviors and what it means to eliminate friction from your customers’ journey.

George Pesansky has spent more than 30 years driving operational excellence and performance improvement in the manufacturing sector. And his perspective turns some conventional wisdom on its head. In this episode, he’ll reveal why focusing on the root causes of SUCCESS (rather than failure), leads to breakthrough results on the shop floor and beyond. He’ll challenge the notion that copying industry giants is the surest path to operational improvement. And he'll share his approach to maximizing the value already there inside of your workforce.

Imagine a future where homes are built faster, more affordably, and with the flexibility to meet the needs of any community—all while tackling the immense challenge of climate change. Today’s conversation is centered on rethinking one of the world’s oldest industries: construction. Co-Founder and CEO of Reframe Systems, Vikas Enti, will explore why building more homes, more sustainably, isn’t just about introducing new materials or labor-saving technology, but about revolutionizing the entire manufacturing process itself. From software-defined microfactories to mass customization, we’ll uncover how radical new approaches are reshaping the landscape of housing and workforce development. Get ready to hear what the future of manufacturing in the construction industry could look like – with a blueprint for real change.

In this conversation, Chief Technology Officer of HighByte, Aron Semle, dives into the concept of Industrial DataOps. He talks about some of the unique challenges with collecting and managing data in manufacturing environments and the importance of contextualizing it all to drive action. Aron also touches on the the rise of AI agents. He explains how agents can automate complex tasks, capture tribal knowledge, and empower operators with real-time insights, helping manufacturers of all sizes improve efficiency and decision-making.

In today's conversation, CEO of JBM Packaging, Marcus Sheanshang, will share how his company's Fair Chance Hiring program – focused on recruiting, hiring and training previously incarcerated individuals – has not only filled critical staffing gaps but created transformational second chances in their lives. From setting up training equipment inside prisons to providing comprehensive support services, this second-chance program is making a meaningful difference – both for his employees and the company.

In this episode, founder and CEO of NORAMARK, Michael Kornuta, shares how his experiences in design and fabrication have led him to observe a lack of connectivity among U.S. manufacturers – particularly when compared to the Chinese manufacturing ecosystem. And he'll offer a perspective on why stronger networks that are rooted in trust will be key to the future of American manufacturing.

Is American manufacturing falling behind? In this episode, Drew Allen, CEO of Grace Technologies, warns that the rise of advanced manufacturing in China is creating urgency. From extensive investments in solar and nuclear power to the expansive rise of dark factories, China’s manufacturing facilities are running faster and smarter. We'll talk about why upgrading our energy infrastructure, embracing relentless factory iteration, and building anti-fragile, highly adaptable teams are vital for keeping pace with China, and for future-proofing the US manufacturing economy.