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In this episode, we explore the strange signals people use to interpret global events, from Pentagon pizza orders and satellite data to the Big Mac Index and other unconventional measures of economic reality. We examine the decline of Google search, the rise of AI-powered alternatives, and why new tools are changing how people actually find information. For the “foolishness of the week”, we detail an unfortunate incident involving a piece of World War I artillery, before turning to a broader cultural debate about nostalgia for the 1950s. With guest Andrew Heaton, we unpack myths about work, gender roles, housing, healthcare, and prosperity, comparing mid-century life to modern standards of living. Along the way, we discuss food abundance, technological progress, wage compensation, inequality, and whether people genuinely want to return to the past or simply romanticize it from a distance. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:28 Pentagon Pizza Orders and “Pizza Intelligence” 02:51 Proxy Signals, Satellite Data, and the Waffle House Index 04:25 The Big Mac Index and Measuring Cost of Living 05:00 The Decline of Google Search and Sponsored Results 07:19 Switching Search Engines and the Myth of Google Monopoly 09:54 AI Search Tools and Why They Actually Work 11:28 Foolishness of the Week: World War I Artillery Incident 13:43 How Bad Ideas Escalate at Parties 15:51 Introducing Andrew Heaton 16:39 Was the 1950s a Time or a Place? 18:43 Economic Reality vs 1950s Nostalgia 20:58 Women's Work, Household Labor, and Misleading Myths 23:56 Food Costs, Eating Out, and Modern Abundance 25:46 Medicine, Lifespan, and Why 50s Healthcare Was Worse 27:57 Housing Size, Zoning, and the Cost of Homes 30:01 Cars, Air Conditioning, and Quality of Life Improvements 31:17 Mortgage Rates and Why Housing Feels Unaffordable Now 34:02 Manufacturing, Exports, and the “We Don't Make Anything” Myth 35:35 Agricultural Productivity and Modern Farming 37:19 Food Waste as a Measure of Prosperity 37:42 Great Depression Scarcity and Generational Habits 39:59 Transportation Costs and Higher Quality Modern Vehicles 42:50 Car Safety, Seatbelts, and Survival Rates 43:42 Wages, Benefits, and What “Compensation” Really Means 45:29 What the 1950s Actually Did Better 47:52 Inequality, Community, and Social Capital in the 50s 49:44 Technology, Isolation, and Choosing Modern Life 52:05 Longing for Silence from Technology 53:18 The Mythology of Happy Days Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
WORST DAY EVER for SILVER Cold Snap in Florida – Massive Critter Drop New Fed Chair named Pausing on space PLUS we are now on Spotify and Amazon Music/Podcasts! Click HERE for Show Notes and Links DHUnplugged is now streaming live - with listener chat. Click on link on the right sidebar. Love the Show? Then how about a Donation? Follow John C. Dvorak on Twitter Follow Andrew Horowitz on Twitter Interactive Brokers Warm-Up - WORST DAY EVER for SILVER - Cold Snap in Florida - Massive Critter Drop - New Fed Chair named - Pausing on space Markets - Bitcoin plunges - Crypto "winter" - Deep dive into January economic results - USD rises from multi-month low - EM still powered ahead - ELON - PT Barnum move Cold Snap - On February 1, 2026, Florida faced a significant drop in temperatures, reaching a record low of 24°F (-4°C) in Orlando. This marked the lowest temperature recorded in February since 1923. - Iguanas dropping from tress all over the streets - Iguanas can survive temperatures down to the mid-40s Fahrenheit (around 7°C) by entering a "cold-stunned" state, where they appear dead but are just temporarily paralyzed and immobile; however, prolonged exposure to temperatures in the 30s and 40s, especially below freezing, can be lethal, particularly for smaller individuals, leading to tissue damage and organ failure. - They get sluggish below 50°F (10°C) and fall from trees as they lose grip. - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued Executive Order 26-03 on Friday, allowing residents to collect and surrender cold-stunned green iguanas without a permit during an unprecedented cold weather event. Right on Schedule - Remember we talked about how the Nat Gas price was going to reverse, just as quickly as it spikeed? - Nat gas down 25% today - down about 28% from recent high - Still about 50% higher than it was before the spike. THIS! - Nvidia Corp. Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang said the company's proposed $100 billion investment in OpenAI was “never a commitment” and that the company would consider any funding rounds “one at a time.” - “It was never a commitment,” Huang told reporters in Taipei on Sunday. “They invited us to invest up to $100 billion and of course, we were, we were very happy and honored that they invited us, but we will invest one step at a time.” Then Oracle announced that it will do a fundraiser in the form of equity and debt - needs to fund more datacenter build-out. - What happened to the OpenAI $300 Billion committment? - Or is the money that NVDA "committed to OpenAi, that they must have committed to Orcle, not a committment - GIGANTIC CIRCLE JERK Fungus - -Interesting - Did you know? Botrytis cinerea, a fungus causing grey mold, affects grapes by causing bunch rot, ruining fruit in high humidity. - While it often destroys crops, specific dry, warm conditions can transform it into "noble rot," concentrating sugars and creating high-value dessert wines (e.g., Sauternes, Tokaji) with honeyed, raisin-like, and apricot flavors. January Economic Review Employment — Job growth was nearly flat in December, with 50,000 new jobs added and earlier months revised lower. — Unemployment dipped slightly to 4.4%, but it's still higher than it was a year ago. — Long-term unemployment didn't change and remains high, and the labor force participation rate slipped to 62.4%. — Average hourly earnings rose 0.3% in December and are up 3.8% over the past year. — Weekly jobless claims stayed close to last year's levels, showing a labor market that is cooling but not weakening sharply. FOMC / Interest Rates — The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged at 3.50%–3.75%. — Most policymakers agreed the economy continues to grow at a solid pace, though job gains are slowing and inflation remains above target. — Two committee members supported a small rate cut, but the majority preferred to wait. - Fed Chair Powell: Clearly, a weakening labor market calls for cutting. A stronger labor market says that rates are in a good place. It isn't anyone's base case right now that the next move will be a rate hike. - The economy has once again surprised us with its strength. Consumer spending numbers overall are good, and it looks like growth overall is on a solid footing. - Upside risks to inflation and downside risks to employment have diminished, but hard to say they are fully in balance. We think our policy is in a good place. - Overall, it's a stronger forecast since the Fed's last meeting. Haven't made any decisions about future meetings, but the economy is growing at a solid pace, the unemployment rate is broadly stable and inflation remains somewhat elevated, so we will be looking to our goal variables and letting the data light the way for us. - Most of the overrun in goods prices is from tariffs. We think tariffs are likely to move through, and be a one-time price increase. - Dissent: Miran and Waller (Miran is a admin shill and Waller wanted job as Fed Chair) GDP & Federal Budget — Economic growth remained strong in Q3 2025, with GDP rising at an annualized 4.4% driven by strong spending, higher exports, and reduced imports due to tariffs. — Investment was mixed, with business spending increasing while housing activity declined. — The federal deficit for December rose to $145 billion, though the fiscal year-to-date deficit is slightly smaller than last year. Inflation & Consumer Spending — Personal income and consumer spending rose moderately in October and November. — Inflation, measured by the PCE index, increased 0.2% in both months and roughly 2.7% year-over-year. — The Consumer Price Index rose 0.3% in December, with shelter, food, and energy all contributing. — Producer prices also increased, though 2025 producer inflation slowed compared to 2024. Housing — Existing home sales rose in December, but the number of homes for sale is still low. — Prices dipped a bit from November but remain higher than they were a year ago. — New-home sales in October were steady compared with the prior month but much higher than last year. — New-home prices fell compared to 2024, though they are still high relative to long-term norms. Manufacturing — Industrial production rose 0.4% in December and was up 2.0% for the year. — Manufacturing output increased, while mining activity declined and utility output jumped. — Durable goods orders grew sharply in November, driven by a big increase in transportation equipment, pointing to strong demand in key industries. Imports & Exports — Import and export prices rose slightly through November 2025. — The goods trade deficit widened in November because exports fell while imports increased. — For the year so far, both exports and imports are running above 2024 levels, though the overall trade deficit remains larger. Consumer Confidence — Consumer confidence fell sharply in January after improving in December. — Both views of current conditions and expectations for the future weakened, with expectations dropping well below the level that often signals recession risk. Earnings — Roughly one-third of S&P 500 companies have reported Q4 earnings, and overall results are strong. — 75% of companies have beaten EPS estimates, though this is slightly below long-term averages. Revenue beats remain solid at 65%. — Companies are reporting earnings 9.1% above estimates, which is well above the 5-and 10-year surprise averages. — The S&P 500 is on track for 11.9% year-over-year earnings growth, marking the 5th straight quarter of double-digit earnings growth. — Eight of eleven sectors are showing positive year-over-year earnings growth, led by Information Technology, Industrials, and Communication Services. — The Health Care sector shows the largest earnings declines among lagging categories. — The forward 12-month P/E ratio sits at ~22.2, elevated relative to 5-and 10-year averages, signaling continued optimism despite tariff and cost concerns. — FactSet also notes the S&P 500 is reporting a record-high net profit margin of 13.2%, the highest since 2009. INTERACTIVE BROKERS Check this out and find out more at: http://www.interactivebrokers.com/ S3XY No More - Tesla is ending production of the Model S sedan and Model X crossover by the end of Q2 2026 to focus on autonomous technology and humanoid robots (Optimus). - Do we have any idea with the TAM for either of these are? - Huge assumptions that Robotaxi will be a bug part of the global transportation. But, what if it isn't? - Unproven being built, taking out the proven - investors were not too happy about this...Stock was down after earnings showed continued sluggish EV sales and BIG Capex for Robotaxi refit, robots and chip manufacturing. But... - Friday - not to allow TESLA stock to move down tooo much. - With SpaceEx looking for an IPO in June - valuations have moved from $800B to 1.5T supposedly. - Now there is discussion of merging in xAI and possibly Tesla - Tesla shares dropped after earnings FED CHAIR PICK - Drumroll: Kevin Warsh - Seems like a good pick from the aspect of experience and ability - Deficit reducer? - More hawkish than market expected? - Announce Friday after several leaks in the morning And then... - Silver futures plummeted 31.4% to settle at $78.53, marking its worst day since March 1980. -It was down 35% during the day - the worst daily plunge ever on record. - It was the worst decline since the March 1980 Hunt Brothers crash. - The sharp moves down were initially triggered by reports of Warsh's nomination. - However, they gained steam in afternoon U.S. trading as investors who piled into the metals raced to book profits.- USD Spiked higher - Gold was down 10% - GOLD saw a drop of 10% to the close - 12% intraday - this was also a record - Bitcoin is down 25% from its recent level 2 weeks ago - ALL BEING BLAMED ON THE FED CHAIR PICK -- QUESTION - Will Trump back-peddle this OR talk to supporters in congress or tell them not to confirm him if markets continue to act squirrely? Fed Statement and Rates - Fed out with statement - no change on rates - Changes: Inflation up, employment steady, economy strong - Does not bode for much in the way of cuts - probably on hold though end of Powell term Apple Earnings - Apple reported blowout first-quarter earnings on Thursday, and predicted growth of as much as 16% in the current quarter, matching the period that just ended. - Sales could be even better, Apple said, if the company just secure enough chips to meet its customers' iPhone demands. - The company reported $42.1 billion in net income, or $2.84 per share, versus $36.33 billion, or $2.40 per share, in the year-ago period. - Apple saw particularly strong results in China, including Taiwan and Hong Kong. Sales in the region surged 38% during the quarter to $25.53 billion. - “The constraints that we have are driven by the availability of the advanced nodes that our SoCs are produced on, and at this time, we're seeing less flexibility in supply chain than normal,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said. - Stock up slightly - no great moves.... Blue Origin - Blue Origin will pause tourist flights to space for “no less than two years” to prioritize development of its moon lander and other lunar technologies. - The decision reflects Blue Origin's commitment to the nation's goal of returning to the Moon and establishing a permanent, sustained lunar presence. - The pause in tourist flights grounds the company's reusable New Shepard rocket, which has sent more than 90 people to the edge of space and back to experience brief periods of weightlessness. - Datacenters on the Moon? (sounds like a Pink Floyd album) Love the Show? Then how about a Donation? ANNOUNCING THE WINNER OF THE THE CLOSEST TO THE PIN CUP 2025 Winners will be getting great stuff like the new "OFFICIAL" DHUnplugged Shirt! FED AND CRYPTO LIMERICKS See this week's stock picks HERE Follow John C. Dvorak on Twitter Follow Andrew Horowitz on Twitter
CNBC Leaders Playbook features candid conversations with the world's top CEOs and business leaders about how they think, decide, and lead, hosted by CNBC Senior Media & Tech Correspondent Julia Boorstin.In this episode, General Motors CEO Mary Barra and Senior VP of Manufacturing and Product Engineering Josh Tavel discuss how they run the best-selling automaker in the U.S., and their plans to drive the more than 115-year-old company into the future.Visit CNBC.com/LeadersPlaybook for more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What started as some experimental episodes last season has now turned into it's own series.In this episode, Logan Jones and Alex Mercer introduce Mission Critical, a new show exploring how artificial intelligence and the current technological revolution are reshaping the industries that our powering our future: energy, advanced manufacturing, space, and defense.The conversation covers why we believe America is at an inflection point - where AI is driving unprecedented power demand, supply chain vulnerabilities are forcing a manufacturing renaissance, and a new generation of founders is choosing to build in the physical world again. Logan shares how pilot episodes on energy topics outperformed his Middle Tech average by 250%, while Alex explains how his work at Abel Construction—an 87-year-old, fourth-generation family business—gives him a front-row seat to complex infrastructure projects across the Midwest and Southeast.Hosted by Logan Jones and Alex Mercer.Subscribe here to be the first to hear about new episodes.Supported by:Valent → getvalent.comAbel Construction → abelconstruct.com
From time to time, we'll re-air a previous episode of the show that our newer audience may have missed. During this episode, Santosh is joined by Renan Devillieres, Founder and CEO at OSS Ventures, a venture capital firm and startup studio that specializes in creating and investing in industrial tech companies to enhance operational productivity, product quality, worker conditions, and address climate challenges. In this conversation, Renan shares his journey from economist to industrial sector expert, emphasizing the importance of automation, reshoring, and sustainability in modern manufacturing. He discusses OSS Ventures' unique venture builder model, which supports startups in addressing industry challenges. The conversation also highlights the need for resilience and adaptability in founders, provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of supply chains, explores the critical role of technology and sustainability, and so much more. Highlights from their conversation include:Renan's Background and Journey to OSS Centures (0:41)OSS Ventures Overview (1:11)Venture Builder Model (4:08)Traits of Successful Founders (6:29)Key Areas for 2025 (8:27)Reshoring Manufacturing Operations (12:02)Sustainability in Supply Chains (17:59)Manufacturing Technology Implementation (21:00)Advice for Founders (22:23)The Electric Vehicle Strategy (25:31)Public Sector Funding in France (27:47)Advice for Securing Non-Dilutive Funding (28:17)Rapid Fire Segment to Close (30:20)Dynamo is a VC firm led by supply chain and mobility specialists that focus on seed-stage, enterprise startups.Find out more at: https://www.dynamo.vc/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In manufacturing, the biggest constraint isn't labor, equipment, or margins. It's time! When you're crunched for time or feel like you're constantly fighting fires, you lose out on valuable opportunities for curious conversations and stronger connections. Overtime, this can lead to issues like communication breakdowns, slowed productivity, and a culture where people are burnt-out and not showing up as their best selves. In this episode, I'm joined by guest Brian Herriot to take a look into how manufacturing leaders can rethink work, leadership, and scheduling to build stronger team . . . without burning people out or lowering standards. Brian is an author and speaker who draws on his own successful business experiences to help others design clear, actionable small business and money management strategies and build their path toward sustainable freedom. He's also the author of the upcoming book Time Freedom: Rethink Your Work and Money to Create a Life You Love Now. In this episode, Brian uses his practical, human-centered approach to tackle topics like why traditional shift models are breaking down, how time freedom shows up on the shop floor, and what leaders can do right now to improve engagement, retention, and ownership. 02:10 – Frontline leadership must acknowledge that traditional manufacturing management models no longer align with modern workplace culture or employee engagement in manufacturing. 03:30 – Gen Z expects leadership in manufacturing plants to adapt to their lives, not the other way around 06:55 – Great manufacturing culture comes from seeing teams as humans first, not just labor inputs on the production line 09:10 –Employee ownership models and open-book management strengthen trust in leadership, manufacturing relationships, and accountability in manufacturing 11:25 – Manufacturing retention improves when leaders focus on team engagement in manufacturing rather than just output and efficiency 12:45 –Frontline leaders must recognize that many employees juggle multiple jobs and need coaching in manufacturing that supports life beyond the plant 14:10 – Flexible schedules, job sharing, and project-based roles can close the showing up gap while improving manufacturing innovation and retention 15:35 – Time Freedom as a Leadership Strategy Leadership transformation happens when manufacturing leaders design roles that allow experienced workers to scale back without fully exiting 18:55 –Helping employees understand their financial future reduces anxiety and strengthens employee engagement in manufacturing 22:35 –Deeper conversations about money, time, and work build emotional intelligence, vulnerability in leadership, and a stronger coaching culture Connect with Brian Herriot Learn more about Time Freedom Pre-order Time Freedom and use the code Trevor to get free access to the audiobook
The Transformation Ground Control podcast covers a number of topics important to digital and business transformation. This episode covers the following topics and interviews: How Restrictive H-1B Policies Are Driving Tech Talent Back to India, Q&A (Darian Chwialkowski, Third Stage Consulting) The Top 10 Reasons Why Transformations Fail How CIOs Can Avoid Blame for Failures We also cover a number of other relevant topics related to digital and business transformation throughout the show.
Recorded live at our Founders Summit, a16z general partner Chris Dixon speaks with Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril and Oculus VR. They talk about what it takes to build hardware at scale, where the biggest technological bottlenecks are today, and why optimism is still warranted despite geopolitical turmoil and regulatory constraints. They also cover crypto, stablecoins, modern warfare, the U.S.–China technology race, AI and manufacturing, and frontiers like fusion and quantum computing—plus lessons from Oculus, the founding of Anduril, and how to build mission-driven teams. Resources:Follow Palmer Luckey on X: https://twitter.com/PalmerLuckeyFollow Chris Dixon on X: https://twitter.com/cdixon Stay Updated:If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends!Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zListen to the a16z Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYXListen to the a16z Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenbergPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures. Stay Updated:Find a16z on XFind a16z on LinkedInListen to the a16z Show on SpotifyListen to the a16z Show on Apple PodcastsFollow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Live Feb 3, 2026 | Yaron Brook ShowIran; ShutDown; Manufacturing; Courts; Fraud; Abortion Pill | Yaron Brook ShowThe Yaron Brook Show is Sponsored by:-- The Ayn Rand Institute (https://www.aynrand.org/starthere)-- Energy Talking Points, featuring AlexAI, by Alex Epstein (https://alexepstein.substack.com/)-- Express VPN (https://www.expressvpn.com/yaron)-- Hendershott Wealth Management (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4lfC...) https://hendershottwealth.com/ybs/-- Michael Williams & The Defenders of Capitalism Project (https://www.DefendersOfCapitalism.com)Join this channel to get access to perks: / @yaronbrook Like what you hear? Like, share, and subscribe to stay updated on new videos and help promote the Yaron Brook Show: https://bit.ly/3ztPxTxSupport the Show and become a sponsor: / yaronbrookshow or https://yaronbrookshow.com/ or / yaronbrookshow Or make a one-time donation: https://bit.ly/2RZOyJJContinue the discussion by following Yaron on Twitter (https://bit.ly/3iMGl6z) and Facebook (https://bit.ly/3vvWDDC )Want to learn more about Ayn Rand and Objectivism? Visit the Ayn Rand Institute: https://bit.ly/35qoEC3#TrumpOpEd #EpsteinFiles #IranCrisis #PoliticalCorruption #Capitalism #GoldAndSilver #Republicans #FreeMarkets #IndividualRights #TradePolicy #USDollar #Authoritarianism #CostOfSilence ##ObjectivismBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/yaron-brook-show--3276901/support.
Episode 224 of The Hitstreak, a podcast where we talk about anything and everything! This week we are joined by Globally Recognized Scientist, Chief Science Formulator at The ROOT Brands, Entrepreneur, and Humanitarian, Dr. Christina Rahm, as well as, an Oppositional Defiant Innovator and The Architect and Designer Of The Root Brands, Clayton Thomas!Episode in a Glance:In this episode of The Hitstreak, Rhiannon and I get to sit down with the founders of Root Brands, Dr. Christina Rahm and Clayton Thomas, discussing their journey in the health and wellness industry. We explore the importance of nutrition, the new food pyramid, and the dynamics of running a business as a couple. This episode emphasizes the need for education in dietary choices, the impact of processed foods, and the significance of trust in food sources. We also discuss our experiences with vaccines, the introduction of their health product line, and the science behind these products. The conversation emphasizes the need for trust and transparency in health products, the unique value each product offers, and how to incorporate them into daily life for better health outcomes.Key Points:- Successful partnerships require clear role definitions and teamwork.- Nutrition education is crucial for families to make informed choices.- Family dynamics play a key role in dietary habits and choices.- Personal choices play a crucial role in health and wellness.- Businesses have a responsibility to give back to society.- Trust in health products is essential for consumer confidence.- The future of health and wellness relies on informed choices.About our guests: Clayton Thomas and Dr. Christina Rahm are the visionary founders of The ROOT Brands, a global leader in health, wellness, and human optimization. Clayton brings over 25 years of experience in integrative health, environmental toxicology, and preventative wellness, while Dr. Rahm is a globally recognized scientist, patented innovator, and CEO of 22 companies across 89 countries. Together, they created a people-first wellness model that combines science-backed health solutions with a social platform prioritizing transparency, contribution, and long-term well-being. Their work spans biohacking, environmental detoxification, and human performance, helping individuals and communities reclaim control over their health through education, innovation, and proactive solutions. With a focus on ethical leadership and scientific integrity, Clayton and Christina are redefining the wellness industry globally—empowering people to make informed health decisions and live healthier, more meaningful lives.Follow and contact:Instagram: @drchristinarahm | @theclaythomas | @therootbrandswww.drchristinarahm.com | theclaytonthomas.com | therootbrands.comSubscribe to Nick's top-rated podcast The Hitstreak on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/NickHiterFollow and Rate us on Spotify: https://spotify.com/NickHiterFollow and Rate us on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/NickHiterFollow and Rate us on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/NickHiter
LB: https://adaptivdefense.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@Lucas_Botkin/videos https://x.com/LucasBotkin J: https://findmyfrens.net/jburden/ Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/j.burden Substack: https://substack.com/@jburden Patreon: https://patreon.com/Jburden GUMROAD: https://radiofreechicago.gumroad.com/l/ucduc Axios: https://axios-remote-fitness-coaching.kit.com/affiliate ETH: 0xB06aF86d23B9304818729abfe02c07513e68Cb70 BTC: 33xLknSCeXFkpFsXRRMqYjGu43x14X1iEt
Empowering Industry Podcast - A Production of Empowering Pumps & Equipment
Charli is joined by Robert Merritt this week on the pod. Connect with Robert on LinkedInFind us @EmpoweringPumps on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter and using the hashtag #EmpoweringIndustryPodcast or via email podcast@empoweringpumps.com
Go to https://venice.ai/stayfree and use code STAYFREE to enjoy private, uncensored AI and get 20% off a pro plan. Download Rumble Wallet now and step away from the big banks — for good! https://rumblewallet.onelink.me/bJsX/russell We focus on media manipulation and how quickly perception can be shaped, distorted, and rehabilitated — from doctored images and selective visual framing to footage that only surfaces after narratives have already hardened. That tension carries through the Ilhan Omar incident, where confusion, spectacle, and rapid reframing blur the line between outrage and performance, leaving the audience to question not just what happened, but how stories are manufactured, softened, or quietly closed. See me LIVE at Florida Fish House, February 16, 17th and March 1 and 2nd - https://oldfloridafishhouse.ticketspice.com/russell-brand- If you want to support the show and take care of yourself properly—without turning your bathroom into a laboratory—go to tryreborn.com. It's the Reborn store: supplements, skincare, daily essentials… simple, effective, and made for people who are trying to stay strong while the world does whatever this is. Go check out tryreborn.com and grab what you need
Syria is entering a new and terrifying phase. In this episode Breht is joined by a panel of scholars and activists (Angie Bittar, Adam, Joma, Nur and Jalyssa) to take a clear-eyed look at what's unfolded over the last year and how it fits into the longer arc of the Syrian civil war, including the rapid collapse of the Assad-era order and the emergence of a new regime centered around HTS and Ahmad al-Sharaa (Jolani). Together, they break down the latest waves of mass violence and displacement across the coast, Suwayda, Aleppo, and Rojava, and ask what these events reveal about the new Syria. From there, they turn to the Kurdish question. They discuss the SDF, the long history of US imperial instrumentalization of Kurdish forces, the recurring pattern of abandonment, and the growing pressure now facing Rojava amid shifting regional and international priorities. They also examine ongoing kidnappings and sect-based killings, the breakdown of accountability, and what the allegations surrounding Syrian security institutions tell us about the direction of the new order. Finally, they zoom out to the information war. They map the propaganda narratives being pushed in Western and Zionist media, and offer practical "tells" for separating genuine reporting from information operations. Then, they close by asking what Syria teaches us about the current political moment: imperial strategy, proxy warfare, sectarian fragmentation, and what real solidarity demands. Access a full list of all the sources used for this episode HERE Donate to Jalyssa on Cash App: $JalyssaDugrot Or donate at: BuyMeACoffee/Jalyssa Check out Joma's great podcast: JDPOD Previous Episodes on Syria and Rojava: "The Situation in Syria" Episode w/ Angie last year "On Syria: Civil War and US Imperialism" with Rania Khalek from 2018 "The Kurds and Revolutionary Rojava" with Dr. Redcrow from 2017 Interview with Murray Bookchin's Daughter on his Life and Legacy ---------------------------------------------------- Support Rev Left and get access to bonus episodes: www.patreon.com/revleftradio Make a one-time donation to Rev Left at BuyMeACoffee.com/revleftradio Follow, Subscribe, & Learn more about Rev Left Radio https://revleftradio.com/
Guest: Chris Riegel. Riegel, CEO of Stratology, analyzes Elon Musk's pivot to manufacturing "Optimus" androids, arguing that California's restrictive tax and labor costs are driving the need for automation. He suggests that major retailers like Walmart are poised to replace significant portions of their workforce with robotics to maintain profitability amid rising economic pressures.1955
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/AnalyticJoin The Normandy For Additional Bonus Audio And Visual Content For All Things Nme+! Join Here: https://ow.ly/msoH50WCu0KIn the Notorious Mass Effect segment, Analytic Dreamz dives deep into the RAM Price Crisis (2025–2026), unpacking the key data, market drivers, and real consumer impact behind the dramatic surge in memory costs.RAM prices have skyrocketed into a sustained inflation cycle heading into 2026, fueled by explosive AI data center demand that prioritizes high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and diverts supply from consumer DRAM. Manufacturing bottlenecks, limited cleanroom capacity, and lithography constraints exacerbate the shortage, while major players like Micron exit consumer RAM sales (Crucial brand in December 2025) to focus on higher-margin AI segments. Samsung and SK hynix report massive profit surges amid the boom.DDR5 RAM has seen prices more than quadruple (+340–344%) since July 2025, with a +27% month-on-month jump from December to January 2026. DDR4 and older standards are rising even faster recently (+46% MoM in January), narrowing the gap with newer tech. ComputerBase's fixed-basket analysis confirms average prices have quadrupled versus September 2025, with Germany's retail tracking—Europe's largest PC hardware market—mirroring global trends, including growing secondary-market distortions.Secondary effects hit related components hard: SSDs up +79%, hard drives +53%, GPUs +14% (with street prices far exceeding MSRP on models like RTX 5070 Ti). Specific examples include 2TB NVMe drives jumping 60–159% and NAS HDDs doubling.Analyst forecasts from TrendForce and Omdia point to +50–60% DRAM contract price hikes in Q1 2026, following 40–70% YoY increases in 2025. PC shipments grew +9.2% in 2025 but face potential declines in 2026, while smartphone output forecasts drop ~20% for some brands, risking +30% price hikes or spec downgrades. Gaming consoles may see delays or higher launch prices.Apple's upgrade costs (e.g., $400 for 16GB→32GB) already outpace comparable DDR5 sticks, with M6 Macs potentially facing steeper hikes or supply delays if AI firms continue outbidding.The core takeaway: This AI-driven structural shift has quadrupled RAM prices in under six months, with volatility persisting through 2026. A plateau is the most optimistic scenario—no full reversal in sight. Analytic Dreamz breaks down the data, root causes, and widespread ripple effects across PCs, smartphones, and beyond.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/analytic-dreamz-notorious-mass-effect/donationsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
In this episode of Molecule to Market, you'll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with 20+ CEO/c-suite leaders from the CDMO space, who discuss the big headwinds for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology space for 2026. Show features: Christiane Bardroff, Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Rentschler Biopharma SE Philip Macnabb, Chief Executive Officer at Curia Kaan-Fabian Kekec, Partner at Simon-Kucher‘s Healthcare & Life Sciences division Dirk T. Lange , Chief Executive Officer at Pyramid Pharma Services Bruce Thompson, CTO at Kincell Bio Bill Vincent, Biotech Entrepreneur, CEO, Board Member Derek Hennecke - founder, investor, board member Matthew Bio, CSO at Cambrex & President, Snapdragon Chemistry Stephen Dilly, CEO at Sonoma Biotherapeutics, Stephen Dilly, CEO at Sonoma Biotherapeutics, Bill Humphries, Chief Executive Officer at Medpharm Elisabeth Stampa, CEO at Medichem SL Kerstin Dolph, SVP of Manufacturing at Charles River Labs Eric Edwards, Chief Executive Officer at Phlow-USA Peter DeYoung, CEO at Piramal Pharma Ian Tzeng, Managing Director at L.E.K. Consulting Adam Siebert, Managing Director at L.E.K. Consulting J.D. Mowery, President CDMO Division Bora Pharmaceuticals Peter Belden President, US, Tjoapack Nick Fortin, CEO CODIS Molecule to Market is also sponsored by Bora Pharmaceuticals and supported by Lead Candidate. Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues and join us in celebrating and promoting the value and importance of the global life science outsourcing space. We'd also appreciate a positive rating!
The US State Department has been coordinating far right separatists in Alberta--the imperialism threat to Canada is real. Denmark's debt weapon and the EU's anti-coercion instrument got Trump to temporarily back off of invading Greenland. Why is the fantasy of returning industrial manufacturing so important to the American far right (and some progressives)? The confession of a Biden administration adviser to supporting war crimes in Gaza. And just how bloody is drone warfare? New data from the Russia-Ukraine war reveals something on the order of World War I, with very little to show for it in terms of territorial conquest. Julia Gledhill, Van Jackson, and Matt Duss discuss all that and more in the latest episode of the pod.Subscribe to the Un-Diplomatic Newsletter: https://www.un-diplomatic.com/ Watch Un-Diplomatic Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@un-diplomaticpodcast Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the individuals and not of any institutions.
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Google Offers $135M Settlement in Android Data Collection Lawsuit, Meta to charge Italian developers for non-template WhatsApp AI chatbot messages, Honda and DriveOhio Pilot AI System to Detect Road Damage. MP3 Please SUBSCRIBE HERE for free or get DTNS Live ad-free. A special thanks to all our supporters–without you, none of this would be possible.Continue reading "Tesla Ends Model S/X Production to Make Room for Optimus Robot Manufacturing – DTH"
Kirsten is a mechanical engineering by education and initial work experience, who has transitioned to leading the Challenger Learning Center of Maine. Her passion for science, engineering, and education are palpable, and her desire to inspire kids about science is inspirational. This conversation was recorded in December 2025. ~~~~~The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle. The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. To support our work: https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/donate. Find us online:Maine Discovery MuseumMaine Discovery Museum on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Bluesky YouTubeMaine Science Podcast on social media: Facebook Instagram YouTubeMaine Science Festival on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube© 2026 Maine Discovery Museum
For decades, we've told ourselves that manufacturing is something advanced economies naturally outgrow. That once you move into services, data, and software, heavy industry becomes optional, nice to have, but not essential. But from a national and economic security perspective, America can't afford to treat industrial capacity as a legacy asset it can outsource and revisit later—especially now. Hollowing out manufacturing doesn't just weaken supply chains. It introduces risk into systems that depend on precision, reliability, and readiness. The question isn't whether the U.S. can still build complex things; it's whether we've kept the muscle memory to do it at scale, in volume, and fast enough when demand shows up all at once. And the problem doesn't live in one place. It shows up across the workforce, the factory floor, and the balance sheet. A generation was steered away from the trades. Production systems were optimized for low-volume, high-complexity output instead of sustained throughput. Capital flowed toward financial efficiency rather than reinvestment in plants, tooling, and people. On paper, the industrial base still exists. In practice, it's been stretched thin by decades of offshoring, underinvestment, and policy drift. So how do you refocus a country after decades of offshoring? Chips, ships, pharma, manufacturing, defense programs, and aerospace production, and data centers are all pulling on the same constrained supply chains, the same limited pool of skilled labor, and the same aging infrastructure. Meeting that moment will take coordinated industrial policy, sustained capital investment, and a clear demand signal strong enough to justify rebuilding capacity at scale. So what does that actually look like, and how is the government trying to close the gap? In this episode, I sit down with Alex Krutz, CEO of Patriot Industrial Partners, who recently returned to industry after serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Manufacturing. We talk about what he saw moving through global industrial hubs, why the industrial renaissance is real—but fragile—and what actually has to change if capacity, resilience, and readiness are going to be rebuilt rather than debated. You'll also learn; Why moving “past” manufacturing creates economic and national security vulnerabilities The overlooked gap between high-tech capability and true industrial scale How workforce decline became a cultural problem, not just a skills shortage Why volume manufacturing—not innovation—is the hardest muscle to rebuild The role of government as a demand signal, not a market dictator When government equity stakes make sense—and when they don't Why shipbuilding, nuclear energy, and industrial gas turbines are resurfacing together How data centers and AI are quietly reshaping energy and manufacturing demand The coming collision between aerospace, energy, and MRO capacity Why reinvestment in tools, training, and facilities matters more than incentives alone A provocative idea to pull millions into manufacturing: tax holidays, paid training, and real upside What CEOs are actually worried about beneath the workforce headlines About the Guest Alex Krutz is the Managing Director of Patriot Industrial Partners and a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Manufacturing at the U.S. Department of Commerce. With more than two decades in aerospace and defense, Alex is known for leading complex manufacturing and supply-chain turnarounds across the industrial base—earning him the industry nickname “The Factory Doctor.” His work spans global performance-improvement engagements in the United States, Mexico, Canada, the UK, Italy, France, South Africa, South Korea, Malaysia, and Japan. Before his role in government, Alex founded Patriot Industrial Partners, a boutique advisory firm focused on value creation, operational excellence, and supply-chain resilience in aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing. In public service, he helped shape manufacturing and industrial policy at a national level, working closely with industry leaders across sectors including aerospace, energy, shipbuilding, and semiconductors. Alex's insights have been featured in publications such as Aviation Week, Forbes, and FlightGlobal, and he's been cited by outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, and CNBC. He's also spoken at and contributed to conferences and executive forums hosted by institutions like Bank of America, JP Morgan, and Morgan Stanley. Connect with Alex on LinkedIn and send an email to alex.krutz@patriotindustrialpartners.com. About Your Host Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker, and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers, and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years' experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women's Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association.
In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, Vlad Romanov and Dave Griffith sit down with Benson Hougland from Opto 22 to get brutally practical about what is actually running on shop floors today, and what it takes to move from legacy automation to modern, data ready operations without breaking what already works. If you have ever walked into a plant and seen a mix of decades old controllers, manual processes, islands of automation, and a few shiny modern pockets of connectivity, this conversation will feel very familiar. Benson has spent roughly three decades at Opto 22 and he has seen the full spectrum, from brownfield realities where nothing can go down, to greenfield expansions where teams can finally design with data, security, and integration in mind.A major thread in this discussion is the gap between “the machine runs” and “the business can learn from the machine.” Benson lays out why so many facilities still operate in a world of siloed equipment with minimal visibility, and why digital transformation stalls when the goal is vague or driven by trend chasing. The most actionable insight is simple: start with a real problem, win small, build trust in the data, and only then scale. That approach is how you avoid proof of concept purgatory, and it is also how you get leadership buy in without overpromising. If you are looking at industrial AI, it becomes even more critical, because manufacturing cannot tolerate hallucinated answers. Benson explains why industrial AI starts with sanctity of data, meaning clean, contextualized, trustworthy signals that an organization can actually act on.You will also hear a grounded take on why hardware still matters in 2026. Not because everyone wants to rip and replace working PLCs, but because modern plants need layered edge strategies that can extract the right data, protect legacy assets, and integrate upward using open methods.About the guestBenson Hougland is a long time leader at Opto 22, a US based manufacturer of industrial controllers, edge devices, and IO. He focuses on customer and integrator feedback, product strategy, and the practical challenges teams face when modernizing systems while keeping operations running. Opto 22 is known for building and manufacturing in the United States and for leaning into open connectivity approaches that help reduce lock in and simplify integration.About the hostsVlad Romanov is an electrical engineer with an MBA from McGill University and over a decade of experience delivering automation and modernization work across high performing manufacturing environments. Through Joltek, Vlad supports manufacturers with plant floor assessments, controls and OT architecture, system modernization planning, integration execution, and technical upskilling so teams can own their systems long term. Vlad's work consistently sits at the intersection of reliability, operational execution, and the realities of IT and OT convergence, with a focus on what is feasible in real facilities, not just what looks good in a slide deck.Dave Griffith is a long time manufacturing and automation practitioner focused on bridging the gap between modern technology conversations and what is practical on the plant floor. Dave brings a systems mindset to modernization, with a strong emphasis on outcomes, maintainability, and the human factors that decide whether projects scale or stall.If this episode resonates and you are navigating modernization decisions, especially around OT networking, data infrastructure, platform selection, or plant floor security, Joltek can help you evaluate your current state, define a realistic target architecture, and build a roadmap that your team can execute.Joltek linkshttps://www.joltek.com/serviceshttps://www.joltek.com/education/ot-networking-fundamentalsTimestamps00:00:00 Welcome back and the hardware focused modernization theme00:01:40 Benson Hougland background, entrepreneur to controls to Opto 2200:04:10 A garage manufacturing story and the lessons of building real product00:09:00 The gap between cutting edge plants and manual, siloed operations00:11:10 What actually blocks modernization, capital, planning, and alignment00:13:10 Start small, solve a real problem, and build trust in outcomes00:14:40 Proof of concept purgatory and why leadership buy in changes everything00:17:50 Industrial AI needs data, and data integrity becomes the non negotiable00:22:30 Obsolescence, cybersecurity, and simplifying the industrial tech stack00:28:20 Cybersecurity is a process, not a product, and why defaults are deadly00:37:10 Linux at the edge, containers, and why modern controllers are like smartphones00:53:10 ProveIt and the virtual factories approach, real data, real integration paths
On this episode, our hosts, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Citizen Co-founder Larry Platt, invite onto the show a new friend from the Citizen's recent Ideas We Should Steal Festival. Matthew Tuerk is a wicked skater. He's a punk-rocking tattoo connoisseur. He's a marathoner, and the popular second-term mayor of Allentown, PA who has made it his mission to bring back his city's manufacturing success. "This guy is a fanatic about economic development," said Platt. "He's turned Allentown into Pennsylvania's third-fastest growing city." "We had this idea that you could still make stuff in cities," Tuerk replied. "Soot and smog-filled cities are not what the future of manufacturing looks like. Manufacturing needs people. It needs good, high-paying jobs. There are a lot of folks that came to Allentown looking to tap into the American Dream. Empowering people should be our motivation." Then Platt prompted Tuerk to show off his unique Allentown flair. "I have the city seal tattooed on my chest," Tuerk declared, unfastening a few buttons on his shirt. "That's commitment," Nutter said with a laugh. Join us for an entertaining and informative episode about a city with its first Latino mayor "restoring a little bit of faith in the power of government to actually meet people's needs." Remember to subscribe to the podcast to keep up on all the latest episodes. Watch and follow new episodes on YouTube. As cities go, so goes the nation!
The face of manufacturing is slowly changing, but with women holding approximately only 29% to 30% of jobs in the U.S. manufacturing sector, and making 80 cents to men's dollar, more changes need to happen. Thanks to my guests this week Liz White and Kate Logan, the wrecking ball continues to swing through the glass ceiling in this industry. Tune in to hear about Kate's path to manufacturing-- she currently serves as the Quality Systems and Sustainability Manager at Noble Biomaterials --and the example she is setting for future women in the industry.In Liz's new role as NEPIRC's Leadership Consultant, she is making invaluable contributions to help women elevate their career in manufacturing. She is currently working hard on theupcoming launch of the Women of Manufacturing Empowerment Network—a space designed for women in manufacturing to learn, connect, and take up space in powerful ways. Applications to participate in this program will be available March 1 at NEPIRC.A big "thank you" goes out to my podcast sponsors Reinvented Threads with Gabby Lynn and Healthy Lifestyle Management with Lisa Rigau for their support. If you enjoy creativity and value ecofriendly fashion, visit Gabby's store at Reinvented Threads.com. If you would like some wellness coaching or to attend meditation or other mindfulness-based class, visit Lisa's site at EatBreatheMoveLive.com.Reach out to Jeannine.Luby@gmail.com to request a list of podcast sponsorship packages.Follow Funny Wine Girl Jeannine on Facebook and Instagram for special events coming up this year in celebration of five years of Uncorked with Funny Wine Girl and for perimenopausal rants. I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart and the bottom of my wine glass.
Operating conditions in the freight and logistics industry are evolving rapidly, driven by shifting market dynamics and ongoing disruptions. With the freight market's volatility, capacity constraints, and changing cost structures, leaders must adapt quickly to make informed decisions and maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly uncertain environment.In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton is joined by special guest host Jake Barr. Together, they talk to Bobby Holland, Vice President/Director of Freight Business Analytics at U.S. Bank, and Dr. Chris Caplice, Chief Scientist at DAT Freight & Analytics, to dive deep into the inaugural Q1 2026 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index (Rates Edition), a comprehensive resource that provides crucial insights into freight rates, spot and contract rates, fuel prices, and more. The panel explores how supply chain leaders can leverage this data to optimize freight strategies, anticipate market shifts, and make data-driven decisions with confidence.The discussion also highlights the importance of scenario analysis and flexibility in managing supply chain risks, emphasizing how agility can turn disruption into opportunity. The conversation wraps up with practical takeaways on building more resilient supply chains, improving forecasting accuracy, and preparing for the next phase of freight market evolution.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(01:24) Introducing the Q1 2026 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index Rates Edition(02:52) Meet the experts Bobby and Chris(03:26) Fun warmup: Football playoff talk(06:05) Exploring DAT Freight and Analytics(07:32) Understanding the US Freight Payment Index(13:11) Spot vs. contract rates: Key insights(16:11) National and regional freight market trends(22:26) Agricultural impact on spot rates(22:59) Regional driver challenges and shortages(23:46) Treasury data and regional observations(24:50) Actions supply chain leaders should take(29:02) Future predictions and tariff impacts(33:35) Manufacturing activity and automation(41:04) Leadership takeaways from the panelAdditional Links & Resources:Download the Q1 2026 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index—Rates Edition: https://www.usbank.com/corporate-and-commercial-banking/industry-expertise/transportation/freight-payment-insights.html?ecid=OTHE_80042Connect with Jake Barr: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-barr-3883501/Connect with Bobby Holland: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-holland-4a9355/Learn more about U.S. Bank:
The Transformation Ground Control podcast covers a number of topics important to digital and business transformation. This episode covers the following topics and interviews: Rimini Street Wins Multiple Industry Awards, Q&A (Darian Chwialkowski, Third Stage Consulting) How AI Is Affecting the World of ERP (Tanya Gonzalez-Infor, Paul Farrell-ECI, Evgenya Kontorovich-Priority Software, Gareth Guest-Sage, Craig Sullivan-Oracle NetSuite, Christian Tabasa-TEC) Microsoft D365, Is it Worth it? We also cover a number of other relevant topics related to digital and business transformation throughout the show.
Building a supplement brand sounds exciting—until you understand the real economics behind it. In this episode, Jake Hadlock, co‑founder of Nutrient, breaks down what it truly takes to manufacture products, manage capital, and scale in one of the most competitive industries in the country. We explore how trends like protein, clear whey, electrolytes, fiber, and even the rise of Ozempic are reshaping consumer behavior, and why so many founders underestimate the operational and financial demands of this space. Jake also shares the harsh reality of retail—how big‑box expansion can make or break a brand, why most DTC companies struggle to survive the transition, and what ultimately separates the few that last from the many that disappear.
In this forward-looking episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred interviews Ahmed Tawfik, CEO of EZ Automation Systems, to explore how robotics and AI are transforming the manufacturing landscape in Florida. Ahmed Tawfik shares his personal journey from engineer to entrepreneur and explains how his company goes beyond quality control creating smart feedback loops that help manufacturers improve their processes, reduce scrap, and boost efficiency. He also discusses the rapid growth of Florida's manufacturing sector and the need to educate small businesses on automation's potential. Wrapping up, Ahmed Tawfik offers key advice for business owners: don't just work in your business—work on it. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital. Connect with Our Guest: EZ Automation Systems
Build here? Not at these prices. Many investors backing off US plans due to tariffs. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade.
Today I’m talking to a guy who believes every company needs to be built to last—not just to flip. Neil Lansing is a turnaround specialist who left private equity to bet his own money on small, underperforming businesses. He’s taken companies from 18 employees to over 400. From $2 million to $40-50 million in revenue. And when everyone else was laying people off in 2008, he told his refrigeration company’s team: “We need more clients.” After transforming mom-and-pop service companies one after another, he found his final stop, Piedmont Machine & Manufacturing. At 67, he’s not looking for the next flip. He’s building something that will outlast him. ************* Listen on your favorite podcast app using pod.link. . View the podcast at the bottom of this post or on our YouTube Channel. Follow us on Social and never miss an update! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swarfcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swarfcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/todays-machining-world Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmwswarfblog ************* Link to Graff-Pinkert's Acquisitions and Sales promotion! ************* Interview Highlights The Journey from Satellites to Shop Floors Neil started as a satellite engineer at Hughes Aircraft, became a CFO of a publicly traded pharmaceutical company, then worked in private equity doing turnarounds and startups. But eventually he walked away from working with other people’s money to bet his own cash on small businesses. It wasn’t an easy mental shift. As he told me: “I remember the first time I did something. I was sitting there and I remember, now I’m not in corporate America, I’m not in these nice New York digs… I’m in some place where it’s like, my God, what did I get myself into?” But then he told himself: “Quit crying, figure it out, make it work.” The Five-Person Rule One of Neil’s key insights is his management structure. Nobody has more than five direct reports. Not supervisors, not managers, not even Neil as owner. This tight span of control is how he grew his refrigeration company from 10-18 people to over 400 in six years while maintaining quality and accountability. “Everyone has to do what we’re supposed to do,” he explains. “If we all do what we’re supposed to do and take the accountability of what we’re supposed to do, then it can work.” Growing When Others Retreat The 2008 financial crisis tested every business owner, but Neil’s response was counterintuitive. While the country was laying off 700,000 people a month, he gathered his top 10 guys and said: “We’ve just got to get more clients.” By Christmas, they were bringing in all new work. Then their existing clients–Target, Publix, Costco – suddenly needed massive expansions. Neil went from laying off 40-50 people to desperately hiring them back plus another 40-50 more. Why Manufacturing, Why Now After several successful turnarounds, Neil decided manufacturing would be his next chapter. He bought Piedmont Machine in Concord, North Carolina, seeing opportunity where others saw decline. The company does Swiss machining for smaller diameter work and can handle parts up to 30 inches in diameter—from roller bearing components for landing gear to automated door systems. He envisions growing his company to 80-100 employees, consolidating into a new 60-75,000 square foot facility, and implementing comprehensive training programs. The Grinder’s Legacy Neil calls himself a “grinder” – someone focused on day-to-day execution rather than just deal-making. His philosophy centers on personal responsibility: “If I don’t do what I’m supposed to do, then I can’t pay these people. And if I can’t pay these people, that means that we did it wrong.” What drives someone to keep grinding at 67? Neil says it's about legacy, not money. “Everything I’ve done, it still works. It still runs. If I do something and it goes under or it stops being in existence, then I feel like that’s not a good legacy. That means I didn’t do it right.” Neil doesn’t know how to run a machine and doesn’t want to. He knows how to run a business with clear strategy, deep understanding of people, and balls, and he's still betting big because that’s what real builders do.
India is reporting 8%+ GDP growth and cooling inflation, yet stock market returns are muted, the rupee continues to weaken, and everyday expenses feel anything but stable. So which reality should we trust? In this episode, Deepak and Shray unpack the contradictions shaping India's economy today. From headline vs core inflation to GDP data quality, rupee depreciation, and why markets aren't rewarding growth, they connect macro numbers to lived experience. A nuanced, data-driven conversation on what truly lies beneath the headlines and what it means for investors, policy watchers, and India's economic trajectory heading into 2026 and beyond. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 01:15 - GDP growth 8.2% but contradictions everywhere 02:32 - Are we booming or fizzling out? 02:55 - Let's start with inflation 08:09 - Headline inflation 0.71% vs core inflation 4.1% 10:07 - Why people don't believe 0.7% inflation 12:08 - Bangalore rent example - 28k to 60k 15:10 - Supply will moderate rent prices 17:37 - Inflation expectations matter 21:05 - Uncertainty makes planning difficult 22:07 - What's happening with the rupee? 22:36 - Economics standing on its head 24:08 - Gold making current account look worse 28:31 - RBI needs to decide - control or not? 31:37 - GDP - 8.2% real growth 35:29 - Base year problem - still using 2011-12 40:37 - Discrepancies in GDP calculation 43:11 - What's driving growth? 43:16 - Manufacturing doing well at 9% 47:43 - Financial services growth worrying 48:05 - Is 8% growth here to stay? 51:42 - China grew 10% for 15 years 56:22 - Stock market - just a bad year? 59:16 - Small players will benefit more 1:05:38 - SEBI new rules on TER and BER 1:06:04 - What are the changes? 1:17:47 - TER vs BER explained 1:23:23 - Who benefits from new rules? 1:30:18 - Brokerage reduction impact 1:34:16 - Impact on sell-side research 1:36:17 - BER is more comparable going forward
Disease accelerates years in a month. Cancer cells reveal which patients might be most impacted by metastasis - a diagnosis invisible on Earth. Single crystals heal themselves through mechanisms we can't explain. These aren't projections. They're validated results from 2022-2025 that made 40-year NASA veterans say they'd never seen anything like it.The economics flipped. Merck flew Keytruda 30 days, discovered a crystal form missed in a decade of labs - $20B/year by 2030, exceeding SpaceX's entire revenue. The thesis: Two paths to space affordability: cut launch costs 10x AND multiply payload value 1,000x. Do what Earth cannot do at any price.Paradigm Shifts:
On this episode, we're joined by Kjirstin Breure, President and CEO of HydroGraph—a company that may finally be turning graphene from a promise into a product. For more than a decade, graphene has been called a wonder material, but most producers struggled with impurities, inconsistency, and the inability to scale. HydroGraph has taken a different path—developing a […] The post Graphene at Scale: How HydroGraph Is Solving Graphene's Biggest Problem first appeared on Composites Weekly. The post Graphene at Scale: How HydroGraph Is Solving Graphene’s Biggest Problem appeared first on Composites Weekly.
A lot of manufacturing companies can build insanely complex and intricate things, but far fewer are set up to handle what happens once customers start buying. So, what happens when those products start selling at scale, contracts get longer, and customers get bigger?In this episode, we're joined by Chris Hale, CEO and Founder at Klear, to uncover a side of manufacturing that often gets overlooked: how money moves through industrial businesses.The conversation explores how money flows when deal cycles are long, customers are global, and planning starts to feel less like spreadsheets and more like a 3D chessboard. Trade finance sits underneath a lot of this activity, shaping how physical infrastructure gets built and how manufacturers grow.We also hear about Chris' experience touring in a band, and how this shaped the way he thinks about coordination, timing, and handoffs, ideas that show up repeatedly in how he approaches financial systems for manufacturers today.In this episode, find out:How Chris Hale moved from touring in a band to working in finance and building fintech tools for industrial companiesWhy trade finance underpins everything from shipping containers to large-scale infrastructure projectsWhat orchestration means in a manufacturing context, and why clean handoffs matterWhy managing money often becomes harder as companies grow and demand increasesHow global volatility, customer behaviour, and innovation shape financial decision-makingWhere financial visibility tends to break down inside fast-growing manufacturersWhy tying money directly to physical execution changes how companies scaleEnjoying 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:“Trade finance as an asset class is fascinating because it's how the world gets built through money. If you see a boat full of shipping containers, that boat is trade finance. If you see a data center being built, everything going into it is trade finance.”“The board keeps moving. You've got government customers, supply chain disruptions, strikes, geopolitics, and it becomes incredibly difficult to plan with confidence.”“Manufacturer are doing all this precision work, but when it comes to their money, they're doing dead reckoning. They're looking at the sun and guessing, and that's where things fall apart.”Links & mentions:Klear Inc., a payment and working capital infrastructure provider that's designed specifically for modern industrial companies. The platform helps manufacturers gain clearer visibility into cash flow, manage risk across long contracts, and better align financial operations with physical execution.
Elections are one of the most complex systems we rely on. They're decentralized, human-driven, time-critical, and under constant scrutiny. And while hundreds of decisions are made under the surface, most of us only see the final result.In this episode of Problem Solved, IISE's Keith Albertson sits down with Dr. Natalie Scala of Towson University to explore the systems behind the ballot and how industrial and systems engineers are strengthening elections.From polling places to poll worker support, supply chains and trust in outcomes, Dr. Scala explains how classic ISE tools are being applied to one of the most consequential systems in society all while remaining nonpartisan.This conversation goes beyond politics and into process, people, and design.https://www.drnataliescala.com/Natalie M. Scala, Ph.D., is a professor and professor and cyber fellow in the College of Business and Economics at Towson University and co-director of the Empowering Secure Elections research lab. She is a faculty affiliate at the University of Maryland Applied Research Lab for Intelligence and Security, and has shared her expertise, research and work regarding elections security in conference presentations, articles for ISE Magazine and a Season 1 episode of Problem Solved in 2020.Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)Problem Solved on LinkedInProblem Solved on YouTubeProblem Solved on InstagramProblem Solved on TikTokProblem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth GrimesInterested in contributing to the podcast or sponsoring an episode? Email egrimes@iise.org
In Part Two of the Economic Wrap-Up 2025 roundtable host Lewis Weiss again joins Cliff Waldman, CEO of New World Economics, and Chris Kuehl, Managing Partner and Chief Economist at Armada Corporate Intelligence, to discuss the economic trends of 2025 and predictions for 2026. Key topics include concerns about China's slowing growth, the implications of tariffs and international relationships, and the economic condition in Europe, including the ongoing impact of the Ukraine conflict. The speakers highlight the importance of global interdependencies and the possible consequences for manufacturing and trade, with particular focus on North America, Europe, and Africa. Key Topics and Timestamps 00:00:Introduction: 2026 Economic Outlook 01:40 International Economy: Focus on China 02:00 China's Domestic Issues (Demographics, Property Bubble) 04:10 Tariffs and Unintended Consequences in Global Trade 06:18 Copper Shortage and International Politics (Chile) 09:10 Economic Status of European Countries 10:25 Geopolitics, Ukraine, and NATO Alliance Strains 11:00 Importance of Trading Partners: Canada and Mexico 14:35 Strained North American Economic Relations 19:40 General Prediction: Volatility and Uncertainty in 2026 21:20 In-Depth Discussion on Ukraine and Russia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode, Thomas Lepretre joins the show to talk about JEC World 2026. Thomas is Vice President of Events, Sales & Operations at JEC Group. We’ll be discussing what’s in store for this year’s big show in Paris, March 10-12. If you plan to attend, don’t forget to use the mobile app, an all-in-one networking tool designed […] The post From Innovation to Industry: A Preview of JEC World 2026 with Thomas Lepretre first appeared on Composites Weekly. The post From Innovation to Industry: A Preview of JEC World 2026 with Thomas Lepretre appeared first on Composites Weekly.
As biopharma pipelines grow more complex, manufacturers are under increasing pressure to scale faster, adapt to new modalities, and build resilience into highly regulated operations. Meeting these demands means manufacturing agility is no longer just a competitive advantage, it's a necessity. Yet, structural constraints, talent shortages, and legacy processes continue to impact progress across the industry. In this episode of Off Script, we spoke with Iwan Roberts, vice president of technology and innovation strategy at Cytiva, for a deep dive into Cytiva's latest Global Biopharma Index. The conversation explores why manufacturing agility remains a major industry pain point, why modalities like cell and gene therapy and mRNA are uniquely difficult to scale, and how CDMOs, digitalization, and new supplier relationships are reshaping the path forward.
On episode 280 of EHS On Tap, Aaron Cohen, Vice President of Brand and Communications, Weavix, talks about the technology gap in manufacturing.
Manufacturing doesn't always start with a perfectly funded plan or a shop full of machines. Sometimes it starts in a garage, with curiosity, grit, and a willingness to learn by doing. In this episode, we sit down with Caleb Harris, founder of Covenant Manufacturing, to talk about what it really looks like to start a CNC business at a young age. Caleb didn't inherit a shop or wait until everything felt safe. He learned by working in high-mix job shops, making mistakes, taking calculated risks, and slowly building confidence as both a machinist and a business owner. We dig into the early decisions that mattered most, from buying the first machine and pricing early jobs to managing cash, handling subcontracting issues, and building trust with customers. Along the way, Caleb shares honest lessons about risk, accountability, and why reputation matters even more when you're small. This conversation kicks off a new chapter of MakingChips focused on young founders who are stepping into manufacturing early and building businesses with intention. If you're under 30, thinking about ownership, or simply curious what the next generation of shop leaders is learning the hard way, this episode offers a real, unfiltered look at the journey. Segments (0:00) Why we're focusing on young founders and early ownership stories (2:24) Meeting Caleb Harris and how Covenant Manufacturing got its start (4:12) Get a free demo of Scaylor and finally unify your business data once and for all (5:25) Growing up homeschooled and discovering a passion for making (7:28) Knife making, early entrepreneurship, and learning what doesn't scale (10:01) Caleb's first exposure to CNC machining and seeing a viable business path (15:47) Working in a job shop to learn programming, setup, and workflow (20:26) Learning under pressure in a high-mix manufacturing environment (24:07) Understanding shop economics and thinking like an owner (31:07) Deciding to start a shop while still employed full time (32:47) Buying a first machine with limited capital and unloading it solo (35:32) Landing early jobs and growing through overflow work (41:32) Why you need to join us at IMTS 2026 (42:21) Managing risk without putting the business in danger (44:03) A subcontracting mistake and lessons on accountability (50:12) Building trust, culture, and reputation as a small shop (53:02) What growth looks like next for Covenant Manufacturing (57:46) Being young in manufacturing and turning age into an advantage (1:01:13) Advice for younger founders thinking about starting a shop (1:04:40) The role of community, mentorship, and industry relationships (1:07:50) Why we love SMW Autoblok workholding (1:09:01) Why these stories matter for the future of manufacturing Resources mentioned on this episode Get a free demo of Scaylor at Scaylor.com Register for IMTS 2026 We love SMW Autoblok workholding Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell Covenant Manufacturing Follow Covenant on Instagram Connect with Caleb on LinkedIn Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube
In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with Stephen Mellott, CEO of EPTI and President of HSI, for a grounded conversation about leadership, family, and what it really takes to build a meaningful legacy. Stephen operates a manufacturing business serving refineries and power generation systems, but his story starts far from boardrooms. He was raised in the middle of nowhere on a working ranch, the only boy among three sisters, with a father who was often away for work. That upbringing shaped how he parents today: understanding, but firm, and deeply intentional about presence. As a dad to two daughters, Lilly (14) and Madeline (almost 12), Stephen talks openly about how parenting is not one size fits all. His girls are completely different humans, and that reality has forced him to adapt, listen more, and lead differently at home just as he does at work. Throughout the episode, Stephen emphasizes a few non-negotiables: Integrity cannot be compromised, whether you are leading a company or raising kids. Respect matters in every role, father, husband, leader. And partnership is everything. Stephen is clear that while single parents can absolutely succeed, his ability to operate at a high level in business is directly tied to the support of his wife. She is his partner in all of it, carrying the load when he cannot and helping keep the family grounded. His advice is simple and honest: work with your partner, do not freak out, and trust that it will be okay. After all, our parents did not have it all figured out either. This conversation is not about perfection. It is about persistence, humility, and showing up with integrity even when you are learning in real time. ✨ All episodes of The Girl Dad Show are proudly sponsored by Thesis, helping founders go further, together.
The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is brought to you by the editors of Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN).This week's episode is brought to you by QAD Redzone. Watch, "When Culture and Data Converge, Manufacturers Find New Potential" a short video about how QAD Redzone is empowering teams and making a big impact on these businesses.Every week, we cover the biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week:- Del Monte Fresh Produce Company to Buy Canned Vegetable Brand- Steel Factory Officials Detained After Explosion Kills 4, Hospitalizes 84- Part That Broke During UPS Plane Crash Failed Four Times on Different AircraftIn Case You Missed It- Hot Sauce Brand Sues Contract Manufacturer Over Bottles 'Exploding'- Hundreds of Laid Off Researchers at U.S. Workplace Safety Center are Being Reinstated- Musician Aloe Blacc Picks Innovative Fire-Resistant Prefab Home Design to Rebuild After California WildfirePlease make sure to like, subscribe and share the podcast. You could also help us out a lot by giving the podcast a positive review. Finally, to email the podcast, you can reach any of us at David, Jeff or Anna [at] ien.com, with “Email the Podcast” in the subject line.
Andrew and Jay walk through a situation a lot of shop owners have faced: a brutally tight print that can be machined but can't be verified with confidence. At least not without the right metrology, systems, and alignment with the customer.Instead of rushing a quote or ghosting the RFQ, this is the kind of situation you have to handle like an owner. In other words, slow down, ask uncomfortable questions, protect the relationship, refuse to roll the dice on quality.Andrew and Jay dig into that and a lot more, from CMM alignment war stories to probing macros, SMED, automation vs. operator error, and why a shop full of green lights doesn't always mean things are healthy. The thread running through all of it is simple: speed, precision, and profit are decided long before the spindle starts turning.
OpeningReformer Machine Workout at YogaSource in Los Gatos. Indiana. Fernando Mendoza is a truly special. Markets1 Year: VGT/QQQ 17%. S&P 500 17%. 2025: 1 yr and 10 yrQQQ: 20.8% and 19.4% = $100k > 620VOO 17.8% and 14.8% = $100k > 400VXUS: 32% and 8.5% Gold and Silver. Great year. 77% and 200%. That's 3x. IBIT and Etha: Down 14% and 10%. NetflixGreat earnings call. 17.6% YoY revenue growth, better than Q4 2024 of 16%. Warner Brothers Acquistion is huge overhang. It will help them: IP. Harry Potter, DC Comics, Game of Thrones, Matrix, Sopranos, Succession, Lord of the Rings. BarbieHBO!LemonadeHIMS. TeslaAutonomous. Finally pulling the driver out in Austin. No longer able to buy FSD outright. Needs to be subscriptionLemonade cutting premiums by 50% if you drive a Tesla with FSD. Important implications for all car insurers.Humanoid RobotsYes Boston Dynamics and many others particularly in China are great, but… Manufacturing, Software, Hardware, ….XAI Will have more AI compute than all others combined in < 5years! From ElonThe Colossus 2 supercomputer for @Grok is now operational. First Gigawatt training cluster in the world. Upgrades to 1.5GW in April.I'm using Gemini and Grok. Perfect combo. SpaceXSpaceX will be ~99% of all Earth payload mass to orbitI think there will be an allocation to Tesla LT shareholders. Could be $1.5T, but could go to $10T. PoliticsWealth Tax Wealth Tax. 1 time 5% on Billionairs. No limitations on quantity or $ limit. Play Ben Horowitz on wealth tax. More taxes is not the answer. Eliminate Fraud, waste and abuse!Billionaires ~$8T, everyone else $170t.The two Google founders per Gemini represented 23 percent of the aggregate billionaire wealth in CA. Throw in Peter Thiel and well over 30 percent is goneVideo here. https://x.com/bennyjohnson/status/2014785916083020062$23m$125k Rover seizedHome in GreeceMansion in LABalance the Budget State Audit Report hereBudget Summary.05% of Californian's or ~8500 people making over $10m per year pay 25% of the personal income tax liability. 1% of Californian's pay 49% of Personal Income Tax. $54 billion Uhaul Growth Index: Companies moving out of CaliforniaRecommendations:RoganBradley CooperBen Affleck and Matt DamonEthan HawkeTim Ferris and Bill Gurley
In this Omni Talk Retail interview, recorded live from FMI 2026 in San Diego at the Simbe booth, Chris Walton connected with Madhav Durbha, Group Vice President of CPG & Manufacturing at RELEX Solutions. Madhav shares a practical and grounded perspective on what it really means to adopt an AI-first mindset in grocery and supply chain organizations. Drawing from his experience working with leading companies, he outlines a portfolio-style approach to AI adoption, balancing proven solutions, emerging use cases, and aspirational moonshots. The conversation emphasizes why people remain at the center of supply chain transformation, even as AI accelerates. Madhav explains why organizations must invest heavily in education, culture, and change management, and why successful AI adoption requires as much unlearning as learning. The discussion also explores how leaders are navigating AI with cautious excitement, filtering hype from reality, and rethinking processes instead of simply automating legacy workflows. Key Topics Covered: - What an AI-first mindset really looks like - A 70/20/10 framework for AI adoption - Why people and culture determine AI success - Filtering AI hype from real business value - Rethinking processes instead of automating them - The role of unlearning in digital transformation Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from FMI 2026, recorded live from the Simbe booth in the FMI Tech section. #FMI2026 #OmniTalkRetail #ArtificialIntelligence #SupplyChain #RetailTechnology #AIFirst #RELEX #FutureOfRetail
Re-industrializing America sounds bold. Necessary. Inevitable.But on factory floors across the country, automation keeps stalling before it ever delivers real value.Robots sit unused. Projects drag on for years. Leaders know automation is essential, yet decisions stall, risks get avoided, and the same problems repeat. This episode goes straight to the heart of why.Jan Griffiths is joined by Søren Peters, CEO of HowToRobot, a global marketplace helping manufacturers source and implement robotics more effectively. Søren has spent decades leading digital transformation and operational change, giving him a front-row seat to why automation struggles inside real plants, not PowerPoint decks.This conversation moves past hype. It tackles the real blockers: fear-based leadership, siloed decision-making, short-term contracts, poor education, and a complete lack of ownership once robots hit the shop floor. Automation doesn't fail because the technology isn't ready. It fails because organizations aren't.Søren challenges leaders to rethink how they assess risk, train their workforce, and take responsibility for change. Buying a robot isn't a technology decision. It's a leadership decision. And without courage, clarity, and accountability, even the smartest automation strategy will collapse.If the automotive industry is serious about rebuilding manufacturing capacity, closing labor gaps, and preparing for an AI-enabled future, leaders must stop waiting for certainty and start owning the change.Themes DiscussedWhy automation failures are leadership failures, not technology failuresThe risk-avoidance mindset is slowing manufacturing transformationHow siloed decision-making kills automation on the shop floorWhy education matters beyond engineers and integratorsThe hidden impact of short-term supplier contracts on ROIWhat successful automation leaders do differentlyWhy ownership and courage matter more than toolWatch the full video on YouTube - click hereThis episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn moreFeatured GuestSøren Peters is the CEO of HowToRobot, a global industrial robot marketplace that helps manufacturers find, evaluate, and implement automation solutions more effectively. He has spent over two decades leading companies through digital transformation, outsourcing, and large-scale operational change across Europe and the United States. Søren brings a pragmatic, leadership-first perspective to automation, grounded in what actually works inside manufacturing plants.About Your Host – Jan GriffithsJan Griffiths is a champion for culture change and the host of the Automotive Leaders Podcast. A former automotive executive with a rebellious spirit, Jan is known for challenging outdated norms and inspiring leaders to ditch command and control. She is the author of AutoCulture 2.0 and the...
PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY: GUEST CHRIS RIEGEL. Tariffs Force Global Shift in Electronics Manufacturing Away from China. Chris Riegel reports on a major shift in consumer electronics manufacturing away from China toward India, Mexico, and Southeast Asia. This transition is driven by aggressive tariffs—ranging from 27.5% to 100%—which are currently hurting Chinese manufacturers and forcing businesses to remodel their supply chains.