The Manufacturing Employer

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The Manufacturing Employer is a podcast built for the hiring managers, HR pros and culture builders at industrial companies. It’s hosted by Gorilla 76 Thinker & Founder Jon Franko. You’ll hear from those designing great workplaces. Employee engagement, benefits, onboarding - we’ll be talking about the working experience from top to bottom.

Jon Franko, Gorilla 76


    • Apr 29, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 32m AVG DURATION
    • 73 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Manufacturing Employer

    Top-notch culture in a remote world, with Alice Warnier of Curri

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 32:16


    Alice Warnier, Marketing Director at Curri, joins The Manufacturing Employer to discuss building a strong remote work culture. She highlights Curri's focus on employee recognition, transparency and company values, offering insights into maintaining a vibrant remote culture.

    Modernizing communication on the shop floor, with Chris Chuang of Relay

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 35:16


    Chris Chuang, co-founder and CEO of Relay, joins The Manufacturing Employer to discuss his thoughts on the critical role of communication in manufacturing environments. He shares how outdated methods like walkie-talkies and paper forms lead to inefficiencies and safety concerns, as well as increasing language barriers.

    Bridging the gap between Gen Z and manufacturing, with Nush Ahmed of Next Gen MFG

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2025 28:17


    Nush Ahmed of the Next Gen MFG podcast joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk about her enthusiasm for the trades. She shares her unique journey, starting from an unexpected entry into manufacturing through automotive school where she discovered the power of machining. She also discusses the role of self-directed learning, utilizing resources like Google and ChatGPT to get to where she is today.

    Work smarter, not harder, with Ryan McMartin of Parsec Automation

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 25:55


    Ryan McMartin of Parsec Automation joins The Manufacturing Employer to discuss the future of manufacturing technology and its impact on the workforce.

    Empowering your people to build brighter financial futures, with Chad Hufford of Veritas Wealth Management

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2025 33:22


    Chad Hufford of Veritas Wealth Management joins The Manufacturing Employer to discuss strategies for empowering employees through financial education.

    Culture examined, with Jason Woodard of the Geislinger Corporation

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 31:17


    Jason Woodard of the Geislinger Corporation joins The Manufacturing Employer to share what makes his company's culture tick.

    Employer branding mastery, with Briana Bobo of Emerson

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2025 28:39


    Briana Bobo of Emerson joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk about all things employer branding and the role it's played in her company's global success.

    Empowering second chances in manufacturing, Ellen Sauter and Cara Klyn of Cara Collective

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 37:37


    Ellen Sauter and Cara Klyn from Cara Collective discuss their approach to workforce development on The Manufacturing Employer. They highlight Cara's success in placing over 15,000 individuals in jobs and share strategies for building strong employer partnerships and fostering inclusive hiring practices.

    Success in recruitment through lives impacted, with Ben Talbert of Better Than Found

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2025 30:19


    Ben Talbert of Better Than Found joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk about his very unique approach to recruitment and how he measures success in placement.

    HR done right, with Mikaela Gitto, SPHR, of Sentry Equipment

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2025 39:14


    Mikaela Gitto, SPHR, of Sentry Equipment joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk about the company's approach to people and culture.

    The shortest episode of the year, with host Jon Franko

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024 5:25


    A sincere thanks and some housekeeping is all that's on the agenda for this episode of The Manufacturing Employer.

    Gen Z in the workforce, with Nolan Beilstein of "Gen Z in Manufacturing"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2024 27:31


    Nolan Beilstein, host of the "Gen Z in Manufacturing" podcast series, joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk about the newest generation to enter the workforce.

    Lead like a pilot, with Craig Coyle of Operation Lead

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 26:27


    Craig Coyle of Operation Lead joins The Manufacturing Employer to share the leadership lessons he learned while in the military and how they apply to modern manufacturing.

    Insights from an industry advocate, with Gen Z industry leader Jacob Sanchez

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2024 30:47


    Gen Z industry leader Jacob Sanchez joins The Manufacturing Employer to share his journey from a reluctant high school student to a leader in manufacturing, and what he learned along the way.

    Championing manufacturing culture and leadership, with The Manufacturing Connector Jim Mayer

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 34:09


    The Manufacturing Connector Jim Mayer joins The Manufacturing Employer to discuss the evolving landscape of manufacturing culture and the role leadership has in it all.

    The future of skilled trades in manufacturing, with Tim Raglin of Skillwork

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 31:39


    Tim Raglin of Skillwork joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk about the future of skilled trades in manufacturing and why the golden age could be right around the corner.

    Empowering Gen Z, women and Hispanic workers in manufacturing, with Mariana Cogan of Hexagon

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 32:54


    Mariana Cogan of Hexagon joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk about the importance of empowering Gen Z, women and Hispanic workers in manufacturing.

    The "new" role of HR, with people and talent management expert Ranya Nehmeh

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2024 22:34


    People and talent management expert Ranya Nehmeh joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk about the evolving role of HR, emphasizing the importance of returning to a people-centric approach amidst organizational changes.

    Empowering your people, with Chris Seifert of Enabling Empowerment

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 21:17


    Chris Seifert of Enabling Empowerment joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk about how you can help your people become better decision-makers.

    Humans are the foundation of manufacturing, with Ann Wyatt of Ann Wyatt Recruiting and Host of Workforce 4.0

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 35:35


    Ann Wyatt of Ann Wyatt Recruiting and host of Workforce 4.0 joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk about a variety of topics, all stemming to one big idea - that humans are the foundation of manufacturing.

    The power of storytelling in manufacturing recruitment, with Mary Jutzi of Batesville Products

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 30:07


    Mary Jutzi of Batesville Products joins The Manufacturing Employer to discuss how their children's books introduce kids to manufacturing, as well as the role of creative marketing and HR strategies in attracting talent.

    Investigating the manufacturing labor market, with Nihal Shetty of Gorilla 76

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2024 27:10


    Gorilla's own Nihal Shetty joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk about the research he's been doing around the manufacturing labor market.

    Uncovering inefficiencies in healthcare benefits, with Bill Schmaltz of Einstein Consulting Group

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 29:22


    Bill Schmaltz of Einstein Consulting Group joins The Manufacturing Employer to share how you can get more value from your healthcare benefits for your employees.

    Looking back from episode 50 of The Manufacturing Employer, with host Jon Franko

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2024 33:48


    To commemorate episode number 50, host Jon Franko breaks down some of his key learnings to date from The Manufacturing Employer.

    Navigating risk management in manufacturing HR, with Craig Philippi of The Daniel & Henry Co.

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024 29:02


    Craig Philippi of The Daniel & Henry Co. joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk risk management in manufacturing HR.

    Empowering youth in manufacturing, with Matt Guse of MRS Machining

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2024 24:40


    Matt Guse, President of MRS Machining, joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk about empowering youth in manufacturing with real-world exposure and even experience.

    Empowering teams for safety success, with Patrick Nelson of Loyalty Point Leadership

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 31:55


    Patrick Nelson, decorated veteran and founder of Loyalty Point Leadership, joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk about making safety everyone's priority.

    Building a safer and more comfortable work environment, with Rich Ward of AcroMat

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2024 28:02


    Rich Ward of AcroMat joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk about the role that anti-fatigue mats play in building a safer and more comfortable work environment for frontline workers.

    Core values and company culture, with Josh Allen and Nancie Breunig of Companion Baking

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024 33:38


    Josh Allen and Nancie Breunig join The Manufacturing Employer to discuss their company's culture and the role that core values have played in creating it.

    The importance of employee experience in manufacturing, with company culture consultant Jason Anthoine

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2024 31:22


    Company culture consultant Jason Anthoine joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk about the importance of employee experience in the manufacturing space.

    Reducing turnover in manufacturing, with Leonard Arambam of Tribeshare

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 29:47


    Leonard Arambam of Tribeshare joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk about high employee turnover and his gamified approach to solving it.

    The job description episode, with Meaghan Ziemba of Mavens of Manufacturing

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2024 41:45


    Meaghan Ziemba, host of Mavens of Manufacturing, joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk all things job descriptions and to preview what she's up to at IMTS 2024.

    Engineering the future of the talent pipeline, with Toni Neary of SME

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 31:42


    Toni Neary, Director of Community Engagement and Workforce Innovation at SME, joins The Manufacturing Employer to share her extensive experience in promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and access within the manufacturing industry, and the role doing such plays in hiring and career-building for manufacturers. She also discusses the importance of creating awareness about industrial careers from a young age and shares the concept of "K to Gray."

    Unlocking company culture, with author, speaker and consultant Chris Dyer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2024 28:22


    Chris Dyer (author, speaker and consultant) joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk all things company culture. He introduces his seven-pillar strategy for improving company culture, which includes transparency, positivity, listening, measurement, uniqueness, handling mistakes and recognition. Chris also addresses the challenges and benefits of remote work in the manufacturing sector, emphasizing fairness and clear communication.

    Taking care of your frontline employees, with Kevin Snook of Saxagon Limited

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 28:10


    Kevin Snook joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk through his thoughts on taking care of frontline employees, driven by years of experience working in manufacturing.

    Building a stronger workforce, with Dave MacDonald of The Better Together Group

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2024 42:00


    Dave MacDonald joins The Manufacturing Employer to share his passion for helping blue-collar workers, discussing the importance of building a strong company culture centered around integrity, intensity and intentionality. You can find Dave at xtoz.org.

    Bringing mobility and efficiency to the shop floor, with Samantha Taylor and Scott Chappell of Amigo Mobility

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 29:57


    Samantha Taylor and Scott Chappell of Amigo Mobility join The Manufacturing Employer to discuss Amigo's innovative motorized material handling solutions designed to increase efficiency and reduce physical strain on employees.

    Developing the next generation of tradespeople, with Dr. Jason Scales of SkillsUSA

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2024 23:22


    Dr. Jason Scales, COO of SkillsUSA, joins The Manufacturing Employer to discuss the importance of skilled trade education and the need for industry involvement in supporting the future of industrial employment. Dr. Scales is an expert in workforce development.

    Empowering veterans in manufacturing, with Emily Bose of Transition Overwatch

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2024 46:18


    Emily Bose from Transition Overwatch joins The Manufacturing Employer to discuss how to help military members transition into meaningful civilian employment within manufacturing. She highlights veterans' unique skills, including leadership, adaptability and a strong work ethic. And Emily also emphasizes the importance of clear communication, flexible job requirements and internal growth opportunities to attract and retain veteran talent.

    AI in MFG HR, with AI expert James Ward of Actuate Law

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2024 28:15


    James Ward, Special Counsel at Actuate Law, joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk about the complexities of AI in manufacturing HR. He covers the differences between generative AI and narrow AI, while emphasizing the importance of understanding the use case before deploying AI tools. Expect this and a lot more on Episode 34 of The Manufacturing Employer.

    On-demand labor, with Adam Rubatt of Veryable

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 23:40


    Adam Rubatt, Director of Operations Intelligence at Veryable, joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk on-demand labor, allowing supply chain businesses to optimize their labor cost/unit while ensuring customer satisfaction.

    Championing neurodiverse talent in manufacturing, with Peter Rathmann of Allis Manufacturing Corp.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2024 37:34


    Peter Rathmann, President/CEO/Owner of Allis Manufacturing Corp., joins The Manufacturing Employer to share his journey of hiring and integrating neurodiverse employees into the manufacturing industry, a focus inspired by his own daughter's experiences.

    Building company culture through corporate social responsibility, with Marisa Hacker of the National MS Society

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024 33:00


    Marisa Hacker, Bike MS Director at the National MS Society, joins The Manufacturing Employer to discuss how manufacturers can build company culture through corporate social responsibility (CSR). She details how to use CSR to foster a positive internal culture and improve employee engagement, retention and, ultimately, company financial performance.

    Meet Gen Z, with Hannah MacDonald-Dannecker of The Better Together Group

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2024 26:20


    Author Hannah MacDonald-Dannecker of The Better Together Group joins The Manufacturing Employer to discuss the unique strengths of Gen Z employees and the opportunities they bring to the workplace.

    Never lose an employee again, with Wall Street Journal bestselling author Joey Coleman

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2024 58:22


    Joey Coleman, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Never Lose an Employee Again, joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk about the intricacies of employee retention and engagement. The conversation covers the importance of the first 100 days of employment, the impact of the recruitment and onboarding process, and ideas for manufacturers to improve their workplace culture.

    Shaping the connected worker experience, with Brent Kedzierski of Hexagon

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2024 48:16


    Brent Kedzierski, a leader of connected-worker ecosystems at Hexagon, joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk about a human-centered approach to industry and the integration of technology to improve job quality.

    The turnover episode, with international bestselling author Jim Vaselopulos of Rafti Advisors

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2024 25:54


    International bestselling author Jim Vaselopulos joins the show to talk employee turnover in the manufacturing space.

    Get the most out of working with an executive recruiter, with Anne Casey of LHH

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2024 30:22


    Anne Casey, Executive Recruiter at LHH, joins The Manufacturing Employer to talk about executive recruiting done right in the manufacturing space.

    Building a healthier workplace, with Lindsey Heiserman of Lindsey Heiserman Coaching

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2024 40:11


    Lindsey Heiserman of Lindsey Heiserman Coaching joins the show to talk specifically about building a healthier workplace at your manufacturing facility.

    Hiring military veterans to make your workforce stronger, with Retired LtCol Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2024 39:28


    Retired LtCol Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz wrote the book on recruiting, hiring and retaining employees who are military veterans, and she joins The Manufacturing Employer to share her personal experiences, learnings and recommendations.

    Service culture, with Fred Reggie of Fred Reggie Coaching

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2024 44:50


    Fred Reggie of Fred Reggie Coaching joins the show to talk service culture and the role that mission, vision and values play in building one.

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