The Manufacturing Executive

We've all heard of Injection Molding and Additive Manufacturing, but what about Additive Molding? Our guest today is pioneering a business for high-volume production using molding. Riley Reese is the Co-Founder and CEO of ARRIS, a technology company enabling the design and manufacture of the highest-performance products. In this episode, Riley talks about Arris's Additive Molding™ technology and how they are discovering new ways to manufacture composite parts at scale in ways that weren't previously possible. Join us as we discuss:What is additive molding, and how it worksSpecific applications that would make sense to use additive molding versus a more traditional processWhat has Riley excited about the future of manufacturing

Rather than our typical interview, in this episode, we syndicated an episode from our second podcast, The Manufacturing Marketer, a show focused on marketing for B2B companies inside the manufacturing ecosystem.In this episode, our team of strategists at Gorilla answer questions that they have received from our recurring live event, Industrial Marketing Live, from marketing folks working inside manufacturing companies. Join us as we discuss:Trade show strategy and how trade shows can be used to build a communityDigital advertising for manufacturers Using data and interviews to formalize customer personas

Some of the most famous and successful entrepreneurs fall on the autism spectrum. Autism is a highly stigmatized disorder, but our guest today will share his insights on why people on the spectrum can be some of the most brilliant thinkers around. Peter Mann is the Founder and CEO of Oransi, a leading manufacturer of air filtration and ventilation products. A United States Military Veteran, Peter served 4 years in the Navy, including a tour in the Red Sea during the first gulf war. Peter is late diagnosed autistic and, in this episode, talks about his journey of being an entrepreneur with autism. Join us as we discuss:Peter's background and how he discovered he was autistic How Peter's early entrepreneurial experiences shaped the path he is on nowHow the pandemic affected the market for air filtration and purificationPeter's perspective on why autism is so stigmatizedWhat business leaders can do to make the workplace more inclusive for people on the spectrum

Our guest today has his eyes set on how we can pull together our resources to revitalize American manufacturing and take steps towards creating vibrant opportunities in the next decade. Doug Berger is the Founder and Team Leader of Industry Reimagined 2030, a non-profit with a mission to bring a generational sea-change in US industry and to transform 50,000 companies into world class over the next 10 years. Listen in as Doug explains how Industry Reimagined is the catalyst for national associations and institutes to collaborate and speak with a unified, compelling voice for this vibrant future.Join us as we discuss:The 4 components of the Industry Reimagined mission Shifting the narrative from inevitable decline to vibrant opportunity in manufacturingThe seven nonlinear emerging categories in manufacturing that are going through exponential growth

We're at the threshold of an information revolution around cloud-based hardware, and our guest today will explain why moving to the cloud can save your business.Michael Corr is the Founder and CEO of Duro Labs, a cloud SaaS PLM platform enabling the utilization of hardware development for the next generation of hardware teams. Listen in as Michael explains the need for cloud based hardware in your manufacturing business. Join us as we discuss:Some of the biggest problems caused by manual processes around transferring dataThe pushback that Michael sees around hesitancy to move things to the cloudWhy security is now a commodity for data Why the most prudent managers protect themselves from financial ups and downs by investing in processes and technologyThe business opportunity of using the cloud to find suppliers

Sometimes it's easier to follow the status quo than switch things up, especially when running a second or third-generation family-owned business. Listen in as Michelle Acosta, Vice President of Operations and Marketing at Acosta Sheet Metal shares her experiences as well as her vision for leading this family business into the future. Join us as we discuss: Things that commodity-driven businesses can do to make it about more than just price when talking to prospects and customers Taking a proactive approach to looking for process efficiencies in the business The impact that modernizing Acosta's technology stack has had on the business

What do manufacturing organizations need to consider on the marketing front as we head into the new year? In this solo episode, I'll take you through the marketing playbook we use for our manufacturing clients at Gorilla. Join us as we discuss: Becoming the expert resource for your audience Capturing existing demand and creating new demand The 4 pieces of our marketing framework: the Road Map, the messaging strategy, the content and the campaigns How do you quantify the effectiveness of your marketing efforts

What do manufacturing organizations need to consider on the marketing front as we head into the new year? In this solo episode, I'll take you through the marketing playbook we use for our manufacturing clients at Gorilla. Join us as we discuss: Becoming the expert resource for your audience Capturing existing demand and creating new demand The 4 pieces of our marketing framework: the Road Map, the messaging strategy, the content and the campaigns How do you quantify the effectiveness of your marketing efforts

During a time when finding labor is challenging, there are some things the manufacturing sector can learn from the “gig economy.” Our guest today provides his insights on sourcing and upskilling the manufacturing workforce. Jason Raddison is the Founder and CEO of Shift One, a platform that is helping solve the global shortage of skilled front-line workers, with more than 300,000 users, from nurses to solar technicians. Since becoming an entrepreneur, Jason has worked with more than a dozen first-tier VCs, and today, more than 20 venture-backed Founders are alumni of his earlier teams. In this episode, Jason talks about the unique perspectives that Shift One brings to the staffing industry. Join us as we discuss: How the staffing industry has been trying to solve the problem of worker shortages The essential learnings Jason has taken from the gig economy that are relevant to the labor market in manufacturing today How the labor market will evolve over the coming years

In the business realm, the encompassing term ‘supply chain' is relatively new, and the roles within it, including procurement, are even more contemporary. Having only been around since the 80s, organizations are still finding ways to streamline their procurement processes and enable teams to elevate organizational success. According to our latest guest, Rob Pakalski, CEO & Co-Founder of Datum, many organizations make the mistake of treating procurement as an administrative role. In fact, when an organization empowers procurement to get involved across many processes, starting with design, the team can play a vital role in building a competitive edge. Join us as we discuss: Enabling procurement as a strategic role Replacing tribal knowledge with data-informed practices The shifting paradigm of supplier relationships Best practices for OEM interactions as a supplier

What was once a manufacturing process reserved for low-volume prototyping has found its home in various production applications. Our guest today breaks down post-print processes and lets us in on what he refers to as the dirty little secret of additive manufacturing.  Jeff Mize is the CEO of PostProcess Technologies, the international leader in automated post-printing solutions for additive manufacturing. He has a proven track record of scaling startups in new markets and driving growth. In this episode, Jeff talks about pioneering connectivity of the post-print step for industrial 3D printing.  Join us as we discuss: How additive manufacturing has evolved and is being used in new ways How to integrate additive into manufacturing processes that are already being used  The barriers to using additive manufacturing at scale  How automation fits into additive manufacturing  Additive manufacturing's role in helping to future-proof businesses from labor and supply chain challenges

Our guest today thinks of himself as a treasure hunter not for gold and silver but for used machinery parts, and in this episode discusses how one man's trash can be another's treasure.   Listen in as Noah Graff, Vice President of Graff-Pinkert & Co. talks about:  New trends and insights coming from the precision machining space What is treasure hunting How supply chain challenges have affected large equipment manufacturing  What's going on in the world of machine parts

Our guest in this episode knows both sides of the US/Mexico border very well and provides insights into a term he calls “ally shoring” – the opportunity for US manufacturers to expand manufacturing operations across the southern border. Listen in as Founder and Managing Director of Nepanoa, Alberto Villarreal, talks about: What ally shoring means and how it compares to offshoring across seas The benefits for American manufacturers when they're opening facilities in Mexico or other Latin American countries The most significant barriers that manufacturing organizations tend to run into when they're expanding their operations into international territory

In its earliest stages, most technological innovations are reserved for those with the most capital. In manufacturing, when you add the scalability of digital products to this, you end up with what our guest calls “the great equalizer.”  Raj Batra is the President of digital industries for Siemens USA, where he oversees all development, engagement, marketing, sales, r&d, vertical industry, and manufacturing activity for the automation business. With over 25 years of experience, Raj is a thought leader in smart manufacturing, digitalization, and industry 4.0. In this episode, Raj talks about digitalization in manufacturing.    Join us as we discuss: The most potent movements happening in digitalization right now How the scalability factor of digitalization changes the outlook for smaller and mid-sized manufacturers What is happening with additive manufacturing now, and how it can change things in the future How digitalization and automation fit into the picture for manufacturing

Sometimes it feels like technology and humans are at odds with each other, but our guest today will tell you that the future of manufacturing will involve technology that supports human beings.   Trond Undheim is a futurist, scholar, venture partner, nonresident Fellow at the Atlantic Council, co-founder of Yegii, and lead ecosystem evangelist at Tulip. Trond hosts the Augmented Podcast and is the author of Augmented Lean. In this episode, Trond talks about how the best leaders in manufacturing implement industrial technology to empower their workers and achieve efficiencies.   Join us as we discuss: Why do the topics of automation, innovation, and technology mean so much in the manufacturing sector  A synopsis of Trond's new book Augmented Lean What is an augmented workforce, and how does it change the way people work Trond's futuristic approach to manufacturing and the augmented workforce  Why manufacturers don't need to put a spin on the industry to make it exciting   More information on Trond's new book Augmented Lean: https://www.augmentedlean.com/. 

Technology has brought us to a place where mobile phones have better cameras than the most advanced manufacturing lines had ten years ago. Vision inspection technology has come so far that the barriers to entry in terms of investment and technological feasibility have made vision automation accessible to all manufacturers.   Austin Appel is the Co-Founder of Overview, an AI deep-learning vision platform for manufacturing. At Overview, Austin is responsible for leading product development and operations. Previously, Austin spent four years at Tesla in battery manufacturing and research and development roles. In this episode, Austin talks about the advancements in vision inspection technology.   Join us as we discuss: The underlying problems within manufacturing facilities How is technology helping to alleviate labor problems What's different now vs. 20 years ago in vision technology for manufacturing How Overview fits into the overall picture of vision technology

For years sustainable business practices have been a plus in manufacturing organizations. But when forced to make a decision between profitability and sustainability, most leaders will choose profitability. Our guest today will tell us why the link between profitability and sustainability is closer than ever.   Lauren Dunford is the CEO and Co-Founder of Guidewheel, a company whose mission is to empower all the world's factories to reach sustainable peak performance. In 2022 Guidewheel was recognized by the World Economic Forum as one of the 100 most promising companies globally poised to significantly impact business and society. In this episode, Lauren talks about how GuideWheel's plug-and-play FactoryOps platform makes the power of the cloud accessible to any factory.   Join us as we discuss: Trends that Lauren is seeing across the industrial sector  Why manufacturing leaders should care about sustainability in their operations  How sustainability can affect market penetration resulting in revenue growth  What does sustainability mean to private equity firms or other potential investors in manufacturers

Creating an online community can be challenging and far-fetched for many. When it's done correctly, it can foster communication in a way that creates a feedback loop between you and your customers.   Joining today are two of Gorilla 76's own strategists, Brendon Forrest and Peyton Warren. In this episode, Brendon and Peyton explain how to apply an online community to a business setting.   Join us as we discuss: What an online community is Examples of thriving online communities in the manufacturing sector Why creating value must take precedence over pushing products in these settings What might motivate a manufacturing leader to facilitate an online community   Additional Resources: Industrial Marketing Live, an ongoing webinar series designed specifically for marketers in the manufacturing sector

Although the physical labor Boomers can provide in the manufacturing workforce has diminished, we cannot ignore the expertise and knowledge they bring to the table with years of experience in this industry.   Will Healy III is a founding board member of the Advance Manufacturing Industry Partnership (AMIP), whose mission is to connect manufacturers, educators, and workforce partners to evangelize the positive outcomes of manufacturing careers. Will has more than 16 years of experience in various discrete production industries, including assembly, food and beverage packaging, welding and stamping. In this episode, Will talks about how to retain Boomers in the workforce.   Join us as we discuss: Why we should invest in people-centric technology  How can we keep our Boomers around and empower them  The importance of diversity in the manufacturing workforce What actions Will would like to see the manufacturing sector take to shine a light on the great things happening in the space

The narrative around robotics, automation, and industry 4.0 technology are that these technologies are out of reach and require overwhelming investments and change to company infrastructure, but with advancements in technology across the manufacturing sector, this narrative is changing quickly.    Fady Saad and Mark Martin are General Partners at Cybernetix, a venture capital firm leading the way for investment into early-stage robotics, automation, and AI startups. Fady is also the Co-Founder of MassRobotics, the world's first and largest robotics & AI startup escalator. He led the multi-million dollar fundraising for the organization and architected MassRobotics' corporate partnership program and business model.   Mark has 25+ years of executive tech leadership spanning industrial, healthcare, automotive, and consumer industries. A former VP of Analog Devices Industrial Automation, Sensors, and IoT division leading a $1B+ business, Mark led multiple acquisitions, strategic investments, and scaled new business ventures.  In this episode, Fady and Mark break down all of the transformational technology changes that are affecting manufacturing right now.   Join us as we discuss: Some of the transformational technologies that are happening in manufacturing right now  What it takes to get past the fear of change to make or invest in something new  Mark and Fady's perspective on automation in manufacturing not being an option, but a necessity  How the current economic climate will affect manufacturing in the near future

It is easy to do the same thing repeatedly, but there is no better time than now to start thinking differently as a manufacturing leader.   Nikki Gonzales is the Head of Partnerships for Quotebeam, a collaborative marketplace and workflow platform for the industrial automation industry. She helps buyers cut their sourcing time from weeks to days by building partner relationships with distributors and manufacturers in the space. Nikki is also the host of the Automation Ladies podcast, where girls talk about industrial automation. In this episode, Nikki offers her perspective on how manufacturing leaders can begin to shift their mindset.   Join us as we discuss: How the Automation Ladies Podcast came to be Why is manufacturing such a male dominated industry and what needs to happen for that to change  What is Quotebeam, why it's important, and what are some of the unique challenges that come with working in a startup Nikki's perspective on the supply chain crisis and where it is headed

When someone says “made in America,” it has always been said with a sense of pride. It is a term that has traditionally been associated with quality and reliability. But what does “made in America” mean, and do the benefits of keeping things stateside outweigh offshoring operations?  In 2013, Brandon Acker purchased Titan Abrasive Systems after spending five years learning the ins and outs of the business. As President of Titan Abrasive, Brandon oversees the design and manufacturing of the company's complete line of blast room and blast Machine Products for industrial applications. In this episode, Brandon talks about what being "made in America" means and the benefits of sourcing components that are made in the USA.   Join us as we discuss: The advantages of being fully made in America as a manufacturing operation What's happening at the US government level to help manufacturers bring manufacturing back to the US What happened to the manufacturing workforce after the pandemic Brandon's advice for manufacturers wanting to become a made-in-America business

Innovative organizations have figured out that employee engagement highly depends on the employer-employee experience you provide inside your organization. The changes that covid has brought to the workplace over the last two years have affected the experience businesses can provide to their employees.  Julie Jeannotte is the Employee Engagement Expert & Senior Researcher at OfficeVibe. With over 15 years of experience in the HR industry, Julie is an expert at helping organizations understand the value of placing their people at the heart of their strategy. Julie's background and experience have given her the ability to know what it takes to build high-performing teams with a people-first approach.   Join us as we discuss: How Julie began her journey in the HR industry The core functions of her company's employee engagement software, OfficeVibe Why employee engagement is essential in creating great work environments

Ongoing learning and professional development are necessary for anyone who wants to stay ahead of the curve. And this episode's guest has constructed his business around this exact idea.  Tim Wilborne is the owner of TW Controls with his wife, Amber. Tim began working in a machine shop at the age of 12 and eventually found his way into industrial controls. While his wife was eight months pregnant, they started TW Controls with the primary goal of helping you become a better technician. Tim brings us great insights into how he began his journey and why it's never too late to get started.  Join us as we discuss: Tim's foray into the world of industrial controls  The common misconception about automation Why ongoing learning is so critical

MJ Peters joins us two years after her first appearance on our show to talk about the evolution of workforce collaboration among engineers in manufacturing.   Currently the VP of Marketing at CoLab Software, MJ brings a mix of industrial and SaaS experience to her role. Before CoLab, MJ worked with 50+ venture-backed b2b software companies on their demand generation strategies at Refine Labs. And prior to that, she spent six years working at FTSE 100 Halma PLC, a group of mid-sized manufacturing businesses focused on medical, environmental and safety technology.   Join us as we discuss: How the way teams communicate and collaborate (especially engineers) has started to change How digital transformations are impacting modern manufacturing and engineering Steps that MJ has taken to uniquely position CoLab in its market

Our guest today sheds light on what future warehouses will look like as robots become more intelligent.   Michael Perry is the Vice President of Marketing at Dexterity, Inc. Michael's main objective is to help customers and partners understand how AI-enabled robots can grow their operations. Before Micahel's time with Dexterity, he was Boston Dynamics VP of business development, where he led the go-to-market campaigns for the company's first commercial products. Michael was also the general manager of North America and Director of Strategic Partnerships at DJI, where he built the Enterprise Partnership ecosystem and sales channels for the world's leading drone manufacturer.  Join us as we discuss: The evolution of robotic intelligence How robots can help solve problems in the supply chain A look into the warehouse of the future 

In any manufacturing operation, quality matters. Andrew Steele, the founder of FactoryQA, is an expert in quality management systems. After starting on the manufacturing floor and years of experience auditing, Andrew brings excellent insights into what quality management systems mean inside a manufacturer's operations.  Join us as we discuss:  What does quality mean in manufacturing?   How to know if you have a sound quality system in place?   The future of quality management in an increasingly digital world

Over the years, I've talked to a lot of manufacturers as a marketing advisor. When I ask them what their ideal customer looks like, I usually get a response saying that they deal with many types of customers in many different industries.   While there's nothing wrong with targeting different customers, channeling your marketing energy into lanes where you have the best chances of winning will assure you don't spread yourself too thin.  Join us as we discuss: Making intentional decisions about which audience segments to focus on Identifying the buying process influencers and what matters most to them Frameworks for crafting a customer-centric brand narrative

Harnessing the power of technology allows you to do more with less. Mobile industrial apps enable manufacturers to get more done with fewer people by streamlining processes, improving the capture and sharing of data.   Greg Bohling, the Vice President of Sales and Customer Success at Alpha Software, brings over 15 years of experience in providing digital transformation leadership to manufacturing companies. Greg coaches organizations on how to digitize manual and paper-intensive processes.   Join us as we discuss: What is happening in the manufacturing industry today regarding digital vs. analog data entry. Where manual data entry is happening in manufacturing and how to improve using technology.  The importance of having strong quality data in your manufacturing business.

Fran Brunelle is President of Accelerated Manufacturing Brokers, Inc., a company specializing in the sale of lower middle-market manufacturing companies. Fran was named one of the most influential women in M&A (mergers and acquisitions) in 2020. She is also the host of the Women and Manufacturing Podcast. Fran helps manufacturing business owners prepare their companies for sale and navigate the sale process to ensure positive financial results.  Join us as we discuss: Factors that buyers will look for when when evaluating a potential acquisition How to plan for your exit, even if it's many years down the road How your brand image will affect your valuation Why right now is a better time than ever to sell

In the manufacturing sector, the person who's writing the check often isn't the same person whose attention and trust you need to earn. Instead, the most important buying process influencers tend to be the technical professionals who are trying to solve a problem or achieve an outcome. And in many cases, those technical professionals are engineers.  Wendy Covey, CEO, and Co-Founder of TREW Marketing, is an expert in reaching those exact people. As host of the Content Marketing, Engineered podcast, author of Content Marketing, Engineered: Build Trust and Convert Buyers with Technical Content, and publisher of an annual study, State of Marketing to Engineers, Wendy is a wealth of knowledge on the subject.  Join us as we discuss:  The findings of TREW Marketing's 2022 study   How marketing to engineers can increase the chances of closing a sale  Where engineers go to collect information to make buying decisions

It appears that we're heading into a recession. So what does that mean for manufacturers? And how can you deploy (or redeploy) your marketing team to make sure you come out in one piece on the other end of it?  Today John McTigue, a Freelance Writer and B2B Marketing Advisor at The Customer Journey Maestro, joins us to talk about how marketing can help you recession-proof your business. John brings a wealth of insight with experience as a product marketer and account executive in enterprise software, and a digital marketing agency owner and customer journey consultant.   Join us as we discuss: Focusing not only on a go-to-market strategy, but also a go-to-customer strategy The importance of brand marketing for demand creation Being a problem solver around what matters most to your audience 

The days of posting a job and watching candidates line up around the corner are now in the past. We've quickly shifted into a candidate-driven market and many employers are being affected by it, but most don't know how to handle it. `  Today we talk to Ann Wyatt, founder and agency owner of Ann Wyatt Recruiting. An expert recruiter in the manufacturing sector, Ann shares her insights on what you can do to make your workplace more appealing to prospective candidates.   Join us as we discuss: The current state of recruiting in the industrial sector How the current unemployment rate impacts recruiting and ways around it Why culture fit is so important, and how a recruiter can make the perfect match between candidate and company

The way our customers collect information and look for products has changed, and in order to keep up with demand, manufacturers have to change the way that they approach sales and marketing.   Today's episode is very unique. This is a conversation that was originally recorded on Chris Grainger's podcast: EECO Ask's Why.     Chris Grainger joins us from EECO, an industrial automation and power solutions company. Chris has been running the EECO Ask's Why podcast for over 2 years and offers valuable insights on manufacturing as well as starting your own B2B podcast. Chris executed a fantastic interview with me on the go-to-market transformation in manufacturing.   Join us as we discuss:  How sales and marketing have changed in manufacturing  How VOC plays an important role in GTM strategy and direction   How to clearly define your audience and figure out what matters to them

Marty Groover, Partner and CTO at C5MI, spent over two decades as a Surface Warfare Officer in the US Navy. He didn't know it at the time, but this time in the Navy helped him see into the future – of manufacturing.  Marty offers insight into the unmatched benefits of using live data to enhance your processes, product and bottom line, and how pairing people processes with technology will position you to lead the fourth industrial revolution.  Join us as we discuss: What the manufacturing sector can learn from the retail industry How to build operating systems that are flexible and future-proof Why leading with technology has its limitations

People often worry that technology and automation will replace human workers.   But what if the most powerful path forward is empowering workers with technology for better effectiveness and efficiency, instead of replacing them?  In this episode, Dr. Prasad Akella, the Founder and CEO of Drishti, shares his view on the future of manufacturing. A future where video data not only improves the quality of a product, but also empowers workers on the plant floor and strengthens employee retention.  Join us as we discuss:  How technology empowers humans to be more effective  What using data can do for your productivity  Why using technology leads to better employee retention

Are trade shows worth it? That seems to be a divisive question these days. But here's the truth: Like with many forms of marketing or sales activities, it comes down to execution.  Today's guest, Jake Hall, Keynote Speaker and Content Creator of The Manufacturing Millennial, details how to connect the physical world of a trade show with the digital world that exists before, during and after that event.   Join us as we discuss: How to create value and content from trade shows How building relationships with other companies strengthens your marketing The importance of developing personal brands 

Our workforce has changed drastically over the decades. The highly desirable and stable manufacturing industry of the past has struggled to retain workers in our modern times. But there is a way to revitalize the manufacturing industry in the US to keep up with the manufacturing powerhouses around the world.  Today's guest, Jason Azevedo, Chief Strategy Officer at MRCA, shares his views on the importance of investing in your workforce, how automation keeps workers employed, and what manufacturing companies can do to build stronger communities.  Join us as we discuss: What revitalizing manufacturing looks like today Why employee health and wellness is most important How automation and robotics benefit the worker How to empower smaller communities through manufacturing How to make your company desirable to buyers 

On this milestone 100th episode, the hosting tables are turned. Joe Sullivan is interviewed by Logan Lyles of Sweet Fish Media about his learnings from 100 consecutive weeks of podcasting and six ways it's impacted his business.  Joe Sullivan, Founder of Gorilla76, opens up about why he originally wanted to start a podcast and how he made the transition from creating mostly written content to fueling an entire content program. Joe reflects on the six most impactful outcomes, and shares his advice for overcoming imposter syndrome, getting started, and building meaningful business relationships.   Join us as we discuss: How to create and repurpose content with consistency The meaningful path toward thought leadership How to thoughtfully humanize your brand How to measure the impact of your podcast

The manufacturing industry has been slow to adopt new technology. But with the continued improvements in technology, updating your systems has become more cost effective, faster to implement, and more flexible for your manufacturing needs.  Today's guest, Barry Johnson, President of Digital Manufacturing at Symphony Industrial AI, talks about how to take advantage of digitization, AI, and emerging technologies to increase productivity.   Join us as we discuss: What MES is and the purpose it serves in manufacturing How digitization drives continuous improvement How AI is changing the future of manufacturing

Are you making the right decisions to optimize productivity?   Most organizations don't. Most get distracted by efficiency and ultimately fail to meet their goals.   Today's guest, Pavel Kuviarzin, Business Growth Expert at Future State Engineering, talks about the problem solving steps to make a true impact on productivity, profitability, and the success of your business.  Join us as we discuss: The difference between “busy” and productive When to utilize the resources you have vs. when to invest  How cause and effect thinking will make a true impact What you can do to avoid supply chain constraints  Subscribe to The Manufacturing Executive on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website.   Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for The Manufacturing Executive in your favorite podcast player.  

Internal marketing employee or marketing agency? Entry level hire or seasoned marketer? Broad range of skill sets or deep specialist in a few core skills?  Today's guest, Mary Keough, Senior Marketing Strategist, Gorilla76, breaks down the questions that any manufacturing leader will need to answer for themselves before building a marketing team. Or even before making that first marketing hire.  Join us as we discuss: When to hire an internal marketer versus an agency Budgets for staffing a marketing role What skills sets to prioritize The difference between the roles of marketing and sales  Subscribe to The Manufacturing Executive on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website.   Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for The Manufacturing Executive in your favorite podcast player.  

Today's guest, Tony Lopez, Vice President, Manufacturing & Logistics Services, Pride Industries, provides insight about delivering business excellence with a positive social impact.  Join us as we discuss: The hiring and employment hurdles that face the disabled population How education bridges the gap between employers and the disabled workforce What the benefits are to hiring disabled workers   Subscribe to The Manufacturing Executive on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website.   Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for The Manufacturing Executive in your favorite podcast player.  

It's never been more costly to watch your people walk out the door. Today's guest is Dan Johnston, Co-Founder and CEO, WorkStep WorkStep is a software platform that empowers companies to find and keep frontline employees for the long run. Dan has seen first hand how workforce retention can make or break a company and I'm thrilled to have him on the show. Join us as we discuss: How supply chain disruption and labor shortages are connected Why the manufacturing labor force looks different today than it did a decade ago The opportunity cost associated with turnover in workforce populations  Subscribe to The Manufacturing Executive on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for The Manufacturing Executive in your favorite podcast player.

What are the best manufacturing executives doing to combat labor shortages and supply chain issues and thrive in this industry?   Today's guest is Dan Burgos, President and CEO, Alphanova Consulting, knows the answer.  Dan and his team have over 15 years of experience helping manufacturers in various industries, including aerospace injection molding, construction projects, chemicals, fiberglass, furniture, electronics, consumer goods, oil and gas, and medical devices, among others.   Dan's approach is to partner with leaders to uncover and eliminate the problems hindering business performance, while coaching leaders to create a culture of collaboration.  Join us as we discuss: Quantifiable metrics that affect business performance Leadership when facing labor and supply chain issues Improving on-time delivery and reducing scrap   Subscribe to The Manufacturing Executive on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website.  Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for The Manufacturing Executive in your favorite podcast player.  

What if your engineering bonuses were tied to blog post writing?  Today's guest, Chris Grainger, Podcast Host and Engineering and Services Manager, Electrical Equipment Company (EECO) believes that content marketing is so important he gives bonuses based on how many blog posts and how- to videos each employee produces. Chris is passionate about content marketing because he knows that it works.  Join us as we discuss: How to get your employees involved in content marketing  The benefits of podcasting as a medium in the manufacturing sector The long game of content marketing and the snowball effect Subscribe to The Manufacturing Executive on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for The Manufacturing Executive in your favorite podcast player.  

When most people hear “influencer,” it might conjure up images of YouTube icons and Reality TV stars… Influencers don't matter in manufacturing, right? Well, today's guest, Eddie Saunders, General of Demand Generation at Flex Machine Tools, thinks that statement couldn't be any more wrong. He joins the show to share the secrets to shoring up your influencer strategies Join us as we discuss: Why influencers still matter in manufacturing How to pick an influencer to work with Why there is power in empathy and vulnerability Subscribe to The Manufacturing Executive on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for The Manufacturing Executive in your favorite podcast player.

How do you convince both reps and execs in manufacturing that the CRM is not a deterrent but a path to next-level improvement? In this episode, I talked about how to overcome challenges to adopting a CRM with these three standout guests: Ron Pretzie, Sr. Enterprise Account Executive at Prolifiq Andy Keehn, Director, Demand Generation at Prolifiq Dave Sheer, Retired VP/CEO at The Steel Supply Company Join us as we discuss: What a great CRM can really do for a business Why reps are reluctant and how to persuade them Pitching a CRM to the C-Suite Practical tips for getting started Subscribe to The Manufacturing Executive on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for The Manufacturing Executive in your favorite podcast player.

Underlying supply chain problems, only exacerbated by pandemic disruption, have plagued every industry the past few years. But our guest today thinks we may be seeing the light at the end of a long tunnel. And now is the perfect time to shore up weaknesses exposed by the demand spike. Jim Pratt is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Forsyth Advisors, and an expert at solving sourcing problems and creating operational strategies that work. Join us as we discuss: Lingering supply chain challenges Finding opportunities for savings, automation, and streamlining Networking to find alternate sourcing The new normal Subscribe to The Manufacturing Executive on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for The Manufacturing Executive in your favorite podcast player.

Additive manufacturing technologies are rapidly disrupting the old practices. The adoption rate is increasing, leading to exciting advancements in performance, GTM, and repair applications. Melanie Lang is the Co-Founder and CEO of FormAlloy and the Women in 3D Printing San Diego Ambassador, and she serves on the Executive Committee of America Makes. Join us as we discuss: - The flexible tech behind directed energy deposition - The right and wrong time for additive manufacturing - Determining the right toolbox for your needs - How 3D printing is the fourth transportation modality - Her advice for manufacturing leaders   Check out these resources mentioned during the episode: - Lou Rassey and Fast Radius   Subscribe to The Manufacturing Executive on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for The Manufacturing Executive in your favorite podcast player.

Welcome to a new era of robotics! Robots of the past were defined by their tasks. They went through pre-planned motions and they weren't able to adapt to changes in their environment. Today's next-gen robots, however, are hyper-intelligent, able to differentiate between people and objects, and adjust to changes in real time. Nan Li, Managing Director at Obvious Ventures, has spent a lot of his career watching the evolution of robotics, and in this episode, he explains what this new era of robots means for the manufacturing industry. Join us as we discuss: - The differences between the robots of yesterday and the robots of today - What autonomous vehicles have to do with advances in robotics - How robot systems are becoming more financially accessible  Subscribe to The Manufacturing Executive on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for The Manufacturing Executive in your favorite podcast player.