The Manufacturing Executive

Alex Webster, Founder and CEO of SDMS Robotics, shares his unconventional journey from film school graduate to CNC machinist and ultimately to robotics entrepreneur. In this conversation, Alex pulls back the curtain on the real-world challenges facing machine shops today, from labor shortages to high operational costs of floor space. He also illustrates how success in modern machine shops isn’t just about adding robots to existing processes. It’s about rethinking and reshaping those processes to find a balance between traditional lean principles and the forward-looking opportunities automation creates.

In this conversation, Chief Revenue Officer at MachineMetrics, Graham Immerman, unpacks the evolution of manufacturing software — from the early challenges of “blind” factory operations to the power and pitfalls of MES systems today. Most importantly, he breaks down what he believes manufacturers TRULY need in their production software – from downtime tracking and OEE to scheduling and work order tracking.

For so many owners of midsized B2B manufacturing organizations, their companies are like children to them. For years (or often decades) they've nurtured them and watched them grow. And inevitably, the time comes to prepare for an exit from the business. It's an overwhelming prospect with so much to consider. Amy Julian and Bryan Graiff of Armanino are here to talk about all of those factors, including the following: – When to start planning – How to identify the value drivers (and value eroders) – Defining the roles of your team for after your exit – Tax considerations – Which types of advisors to recruit as your guides – How to evaluate different types of buyers (and their motivations) – What to expect on the other side of your exit – And more

With the reshoring of American manufacturing all over the headlines during this first half of 2025, the question from inside the industrial sector seems to be, "How are we supposed to make that happen on such an fast timeline?" In today's conversation, Founder and President of Cleveland Automation, Rylan Pyciak, will talk about some of the obstacles in our manufacturing infrastructure that will inevitably slow us down – from production of raw materials to a complex, internationally dependent supply chain to availability of labor. As the leader of an automation business, he'll also talk about where automation fits into the picture and what else we can do to prepare accordingly.

When you've got five projects on your plate and a sixth one gets added, but it's not due for another year, how worried are you about getting it done? Rhetorical question of course. But my guest today will tell you why we need to change that mindset. In today's episode, Clint Padgett, CEO and President of Project Success, Inc, will talk about how to plan for and manage successful projects that finish on time and without that dreaded sense of panic as the deadline approaches – or worse yet, passes.

Last week I was approached by some of my manufacturing leader friends about a panel they just recorded on the MakingChips podcast about a critical issue that's likely familiar to many of you by now. And that is: Defunding of the MEPs or Manufacturing Extension Partnerships. In case you're not familiar, the MEPSs are public-private partnerships that exist in every state throughout the US. These organizations exist to help small manufacturers with everything from securing grants for training and upskilling to lean manufacturing to ERP implementation to cyber security and more. Now – despite all the talk from our current administration about bolstering the American manufacturing sector, 10 MEPs had already been defunded at the time of this recording. And plans for this to continue are looming in the weeks and months ahead. Here's the problem: For the US manufacturing to grow, we NEED our small manufacturers who represent such an overwhelmingly large percentage of our manufacturing economy to thrive. And we need to support them more right now than ever before. I've been asked to syndicate this conversation to bring attention to the issue with THIS audience of The Manufacturing Executive, in hopes of activating YOU to speak up and to take action. So in this panel, you'll hear from five manufacturing leaders – most of which you'll likely recognize. They'll get you up to speed and most importantly, they'll tell you what YOU can do to help: – Paul Van Metre of ProShop ERP – Nick Goellner of Advanced Machine & Engineering and MakingChips – Meaghan Ziemba of Mavens of Manufacturing – Mike Payne of Hill Manufacturing and MakingChips – Jim Mayer of The Manufacturing Connector

Whether you're packing up shop and moving to a new location or you're expanding your manufacturing operation, opening up a new facility is no small deal. From planning the timeline of events to scouting a new geographic location to assuring the on-site requirements meet your needs to mitigating downtime during a move, there's a lot to account for. Pat Reilly, Executive Vice President and industrial real estate broker at JLL, has spent his career helping industrial sector organizations navigate these waters. And today, he'll be sharing his knowledge with you.

From COVID (and the labor and supply chain obstacles that came along with it) to the recent challenges we're now facing with tariffs, the current generation of manufacturing leaders has fought through quite a bit in just a short period of time. My guest today, Melanie White, will talk about the current manufacturing landscape specifically, but in the context of her 79-year old family-owned business, Hellwig Products, where she serves as the fourth-generation CEO.

A handful of years ago, we started to see primitive forms of chat bots on company websites. Fast forward to today and not only is this kind of AI technology more advanced, but it's learning how to replicate human behaviors. In this episode, Naresh Ram, Chief Science Officer at AAXIS, will talk about the emerging power of AI "agents". And if that's a term you and those around you are NOT familiar with right now, it certainly will be soon. As he'll tell you, AI agents have the ability to ask the question, "What would a human do next?" Things like: – Check inventory – Place an order – Call frontline workers to check availability – Or start scheduling production

For 250 consecutive Tuesdays, I've published a new episode of this podcast. In this short-and-sweet retrospective – episode #251 – I'll talk about six ways this show has helped change the trajectory of our business at Gorilla 76 over roughly the past five years in hopes that you might find some inspiration. They are: 1. Direct and indirect impact on new customer acquisition 2. Direct financial impact through sponsorships 3. Elevation of brand perception – both for my company and for me personally 4. Doors opened in the manufacturing sector 5. The content machine 6. Market research