Manufacturing Happy Hour

Epizody

• 293: Manufacturing Leadership That Works with Author and Geislinger CEO Jason Woodard 23.06.2026 36min

  Your frontline team can only perform as well as the processes they're handed. So why are so many leaders still blaming the wrong people instead of listening to the ones closest to the problem? In this weeks’ episode Chris sits down with Jason Woodard, a 35-year manufacturing veteran, CEO of Geislinger Corporation, and author of Manufacturing Leadership That Works. Jason gets pretty candid about what he's seen over the course of his career. We're talking a plant manager leaving nasty notes on dry-erase boards for exhausted frontline workers, and Jason himself rolling up his sleeves and coming in on a holiday weekend when the rest of the leadership team had plans. Getting into the valuable stuff, Jason talks about what it takes to build trust with your team, holding the right people accountable, and why leading yourself should come before leading anyone else. In this episode, find out: Why blame culture in manufacturing is almost always directed at the wrong people What Jason witnessed early in his career that shaped everything about how he leads today What Jason's time as a journeyman maintenance mechanic on the night shift taught him about leadership that no management role ever could What Geislinger Corporation actually makes and why it matters to critical infrastructure in the US Why the higher you climb, the less you actually know about what's happening on your floor How to build genuine trust with frontline workers without it feeling forced What to do when an employee raises a problem you can't immediately fix Why being great at the job you have today is the only path to the job you want tomorrow Enjoying 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: “The higher I grow in my career, the more I realize that what I'm hearing as a leader is a little bit of the truth. And it's not because you're being lied to, it's just that it's being filtered up to you.” - Jason Woodard, Author and Geislinger CEO I think most people understand that every single thing they want to be changed or fixed isn't going to be. But if they feel like they were at least heard and listened to, I think that's the most important part.” - Jason Woodard, Author and Geislinger CEO ”Rarely does politics come up, rarely does any of the divisive stuff come up. We're just showing up every day to solve problems together. In a good culture, the collaboration, no matter the background of the people, is there. - Jason Woodard, Author and Geislinger CEO Links & mentions: Geislinger Corporation develops and produces torsional vibration dampers, torsional elastic high damping couplings, composite couplings, composite shaftlines, and torsional vibration monitoring systems for engines and wind turbines Manufacturing Leadership That Works: Proven Principles for Building Engaged Teams, Improving Performance, and Driving Results by Jason Woodard Handmap Brewing, Battle Creek-based brewery, perfectly named for the state of Michigan Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.
• 292: What Manufacturers Can Learn from Silicon Valley: Mechatronics, Startups, and More (LIVE from San Jose, CA) 16.06.2026 56min

  Growing your own machinists and orchestrating robots across four continents, is this what the future of manufacturing looks like? This live episode from Hapa's Brewing in the Bay Area features two panels of people who have built careers at the intersection of mechatronics, automation, and industrial innovation. First up, Vinod, Kevin, and Adam get into what it takes to build a skilled workforce from the ground up, talking about apprenticeships, college partnerships, and growing your own talent in-house. Then we get into the bigger picture with our founder panel Kim, Glenn, Nick, and Florian on what Silicon Valley gets wrong about manufacturing, and what manufacturers are missing by not paying closer attention to what's being built there. In this episode, find out: How Vinod bootstrapped an automation company in the Bay Area while raising a family and why his wife had something to do with it What Kevin learned from a 3-year German apprenticeship that he thinks more US manufacturers should be paying attention to How Adam solved his machinist shortage by bringing the training programme in-house and partnering with a local college How Kim thinks about leading companies through inflection points when there are no guardrails or safety nets Why Glenn believes manufacturers who aren't paying attention to what's being built around them won't even know when it's too late How Nick's B2C background completely changed the way he thinks about building software for frontline manufacturing workers Why Florian ignored his investors and opened a public-facing robotics storefront on the main street of Mountain View Enjoying 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: “You don't have that mechanical job anymore that's done by one person. You need support, whether it's software support or you need a robot at your side.” – Kevin Toomer, Product Manager at Sumitomo Drive Technologies “In automation, you don't need a master's or a PhD to be successful. Just getting creative and having that experience in mechanical engineering really helped me in my career.” – Vinod Anandarajah, Co-Founder and CEO at Kanavu Automation ”In Silicon Valley, we tend to love disruption because to us it represents something new and something better. But when you get on a manufacturing floor, they tend to want predictability.” - Kim Losey, Founder and CEO at NextLine Group Links & mentions: Kanavu Automation, bringing value to manufacturing clients via a strategic focus on machine automation and robotics MaintainX, empowering maintenance professionals to reduce unplanned equipment downtime and boost production capacity NextLine Group, architecting what is next in robotics engineering Sumitomo Drive Technologies, providing engineered solutions to industrial power transmission customers Beluga Navigation Systems, building deep tech navigation solutions for vehicle and vessel navigation InOrbit.AI, leading AI-powered robot orchestration platform, driving software-defined operations at scale Hapa’s Brewing Company, craft brewery and taproom located in San Jose, CA Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.
• BONUS: Factory Orchestration: The Next Frontier of Manufacturing Operations with Harmoni Co-Founder David Caputo 12.06.2026 1h

  What if the biggest efficiency problem in your factory isn't your machines, it's the dead time you waste before you even get to one.Workers queuing at ADP and ERP terminals every morning. A wing rib scrapped at the cost of $18,000 because the wrong work instruction was on screen. A program gone forever when the machinist who maintained it quietly for a decade retired to Poland. David witnessed all of these problems within his manufacturing acquisitions despite them having advanced tech for the time period.Chris sits down with David Caputo, Co-Founder of Harmoni, to get into how his intelligent factory orchestration system connects machines, people, and data for true control across the shop floor.Harmoni fills the gap in the renowned ISA-95 stack that most manufacturers never knew they were missing, supplementing human-intensive operations that make up 99% of the market.Harmoni operates within three buckets with the aim of wasting less time and making less mistakes. The system is designed to cover all bases without interfering with the essential human input needed to fulfil complex tasks. David talks to Chris about the labor automation, process control, and observability that Harmoni brings to the factory floor.In this episode, find out:What factory orchestration is and why David sees it as a distinct category from existing toolsHow David's experience acquiring and running four aerospace and defense manufacturers drove the creation of HarmoniWhy Harmoni's three pillars (labor automation, process control, and observability) address the ISA-95 gap that leaves most human-intensive factories underservedHow the no-titles, pods-based structure at Harmoni works and why David recommends it for companies under around 200 employeesWhat the Harmoni AI Lieutenant (HAL) does on the shop floor versus in the office, and why shop floor AI requires both context and a delivery mechanism to be usefulWhere David sees the 297,000 US manufacturers under 500 employees needing to compete in a world of autonomous factories and vertically integrated supply chainsWhy David advises manufacturers to ask one question before any software investment: how will this tool change what happens on my shop floorEnjoying 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:"What Harmoni's built is a new category of technology. We call this factory orchestration, and there's a very simple goal: waste less time and make fewer mistakes." - David Caputo“Simply having indicator lights to say whether a machine's running is not telling you the full picture. A machine could be running but running very inefficiently. We're giving you the information you need and allowing you to manage your factory in real time.” - David Caputo“Somehow you have to produce more with less, all in the face of autonomous competition and vertically integrated supply chains. Pretty tough position for the 300,000 manufacturers in this country.” - David CaputoLinks & mentions:Harmoni.io, bringing together data from operators, machines, and your shop floor software, all in real-time, to help managers make decisions and spot trends quicklyGreenwich Street Tavern, a different tavern experience that takes a traditional American pub fare menu to the next level located in Tribeca in NYCMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.
• BONUS: What Manufacturers Can Learn from Central Wisconsin's Workforce Strategy (LIVE from Wausau, WI) 05.06.2026 43min

  What happens when manufacturers stop competing for talent and start working together to develop it?In this special LIVE episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, Chris travels to Wausau, Wisconsin for a collaboration with the Central Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance (CWIMA) to explore how manufacturers across the region are working together to strengthen workforce development, accelerate innovation, and build a thriving manufacturing ecosystem.The discussion features five manufacturing leaders representing a wide range of industries:Jim Waldron, President of Wausau TileJohn Peterson, Owner & CEO of Schuette MetalsScott Mattmiller, Greenheck GroupLaura Strek, President of Imperial IndustriesTom Felch, J&D Tube BendersTogether, they discuss everything from workforce shortages and apprenticeship programs to automation, mentorship, community engagement, and why collaboration may be the biggest competitive advantage a manufacturing region can have.Make sure to visit ManufacturingHappyHour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.
• 290: Why Danny Gonzales Thinks Manufacturing Has a Storytelling Problem 02.06.2026 48min

  Content becomes forgettable when the key message isn't wrapped in storytelling.People don’t retain information anywhere near as well as they remember stories they hear, and this is where manufacturing is missing a trick.Manufacturers are battling false perceptions that the industry is dirty, dingy, not innovative and not creative. But what’s really happening is a failure to communicate the good stuff - the advanced systems and problem solving going on behind factory walls. The things that impact almost everything we touch in our lives.Chris is joined by Danny Gonzales, CEO at IndustrialSage – a video production company focusing on telling those manufacturing stories. Danny noticed that the sector was massively underserved and saw an opportunity to change peoples’ perceptions. Using his background in B2B video production to fill the empty space with tales of meaningful work, and to show them to people in a way that they can receive it as something cool. Not a brain dump of stagnant information.For anyone thinking about how manufacturing companies can better communicate their value, attract talent, build stronger brands or create connections through storytelling, this episode is a look at how media and manufacturing are merging.In this episode, find out:How IndustrialSage was born out of the discovery that the machines, technology and processes happening in factories was both very cool and underrepresented in media.IndustrialSage and Danny’s mission to change the common misconceptions about the manufacturing industry through storytelling and thought leadership.How true opportunity is found in the niches, despite the instinct to gravitate towards the aesthetic and techy industries which are usually overserviced.How Danny’s career has evolved from his college dream of becoming a Hollywood producer, and how an actual Hollywood producer set him on his current path.Why product-user content filmed on an iPhone is outperforming brand films and how leveraging these tools can save time and money while embracing the shift towards authenticity.Why Danny believes the key to creating quality video content is in the strategy and distribution and what companies can do to implement these effectively.Why storytelling is the best way to communicate the value proposition and the psychology behind why it is so effective in overcoming the flood of content.Enjoying 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:“IndustrialSage is on a mission to change the perception of the industry. There are a lot of people that think it's dingy, grimy, not innovative, not creative, and they're dead wrong. We want to show what is going on. We want to do that through storytelling.” – Danny Gonzales “Most people will upload videos, and they just sit there on YouTube, maybe embedded on their website, and that's it. There are so many other use cases – social media, in your trade shows, in your email campaigns.” – Danny Gonzales“For anyone that's going to be a little bit more storytelling driven, there's like an 8X chance that people are going to remember it better when you wrap it inside of a story. That's just how we communicate, and it's easier to be able to transmit.” – Danny GonzalesLinks & mentions:IndustrialSage, industry-leading media company, publishing compelling content for industrial & manufacturing professionalsSierra Nevada Brewing, their Mills River Taproom in Asheville is the Willie Wonka of craft breweriesConnect with Danny on LinkedInMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.
• 289: Beyond the Hype: How Autonomy Is Scaling Across Critical Industries (LIVE from Pittsburgh) 26.05.2026 56min

  20 years ago, automation was a pipe dream for industrial workers, 10 years ago it existed in research and development labs. Now it's fully operational in warehouses, production facilities and even mines.The companies driving robotics forwards are going one step further than developing smarter AI. They’re figuring out how to apply that advanced engineering to ‘gritty’ manufacturing – and there are few places that understand that world better than the Steel City.Pittsburgh has become an important ecosystem for developing autonomous technologies, the combination of engineering talent and thriving industrial background has turned it into somewhat of a testing ground for physical AI.Recorded in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this was a special live show in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Robotics Network. Chris is joined by three industry leaders to talk about adopting autonomy in critical industries. Brett Phillips is Chief Revenue Officer and General Council at Hellbender, specializing in on-edge AI hardware development. David Griffin is Chief Sales Officer at Seegrid, manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots. Mike Smocer is CEO of Mine Vision Systems, a mining technology company building real-time digital mapping systems for GPS denied environments.They dig into how autonomy is moving beyond one-off projects, and into fully integrated systems. Brett breaks down how the incorporation of sensors and models are shrinking development timelines for autonomous systems and why Pittsburgh’s willingness to ‘get their hands dirty’ is key. David explains how advances in perception and control systems have pushed AMRs beyond basic pallet moves into large, complex material moves through busy logistics environments. Mike shares how Mine Vision Systems support vital underground decision making with millions of dollars of impact by replacing manual mapping and tribal knowledge with accurate digital records.For anyone considering where robotics and AI can create value inside their operations, thinking about the intersection between advanced software and manufacturing, or curious why Pittsburgh has become so strong in robotics and autonomy, this episode is a look at how three industry leaders are managing that change today.In this episode, find out: • About the technological advances that shifted autonomy from isolated deployments to a broader ecosystem covering manufacturing, logistics, mining and warehouse operations.• How David explains the evolution of AMRs within lifting, going from limited pallet moves to an all-in-one technology capable of moving any material to any location.• Why mid-tier manufacturers are becoming a major driver of autonomy adoption due to labor constraints and the positive impact of this in regional production environments.• What mining looks like without the implementation of automated systems, Mike discusses highly intelligent operators still using coloured pencils and paper to capture critical underground data.• Mining as a tunnel building process with the constant balance of optimizing extraction with breakage vs. how much time and cost is spent processing the material caused by that breakage.• How Hellbender utilizes their expertise and capability to provide an end-to-end service inhouse, getting their customers to market in a matter of months rather than years.• The role of sensors, on-edge AI, and manufacturing capability in accelerating the production of perception systems that serve as the eyes and ears of the autonomy stack.• What the conversation reveals about Pittsburgh’s current position as a robotics hub where engineering talent, institutional history and manufacturing culture are allowing them to go head-to-head with the likes of Silicon Valley.Enjoying 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: • “At the end of the day, we are a software company. The hardware component of our product is essentially a near commodity at this point. It's the navigation systems, the safety systems, the perception systems, the control systems.” – David Griffin • ”There is a transformation involved. There's change management involved. There are workflows that if you disrupt them just because your cool technology solved one little problem, broke 12... There's an approach to developing your technology so that it succeeds not only now, but in the future.” – Mike Smocer• “What's gonna separate us moving forward is the ability to sort of mash this really high-level, very technical engineering with real-world manufacturing. That is where, uniquely, Pittsburgh stands alone.” – Brett Phillips Do you want to connect with other leaders that are moving the needle in manufacturing everyday?Then make sure to join us in the Manufacturing Happy Hour Industry Community on LinkedIn.Apprentice has developed the first AI Agent designed specifically for manufacturing, not adapted from a general model. It connects across your full tech stack, keeps an eye on operations 24/7, and helps automate the mission-critical workflows your team is handling manually today. This isn’t “set it and forget it” AI. Your team stays in control of every critical decision, because that’s how real manufacturing works.Recommended Resources• Pittsburgh Robotics Network, facilitating commercial business growth and economic development opportunities for the Greater Pittsburgh region's robotics, automation, and vision communities• Seegrid, delivering customized AMR solutions that meet the changing needs of today's manufacturing, logistics, and warehousing facilities• Mine Vision Systems, maximizing efficiency and safety in underground mining operations with real-time 3D mapping technology• HELLBENDER Inc., building mission-critical hardware and software infrastructure for AI-driven perception systems in autonomy, robotics, and industrial applicationsConnect with David, Mike, and BrettDavid Griffin | Mike Smocer | Brett PhillipsMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.
• 288: Inside the Sisterhood of Trades: Why Women Are Choosing Skilled Trades Careers 19.05.2026 21min

  For women working in skilled trades, running into someone who knows what the work feels like doesn't happen every day, Sisterhood of Trades was founded to build that connection. Through platforms like Discord, LinkedIn and TikTok, the community is creating a space where women in the industry can connect with peers, share opportunities, find mentorship and grow their careers. Recorded live from The Manufacturing Exchange at ARTISAN works in Rochester, NY, for the second time hosting the podcast, Chris sits down with CEO Nush Ahmed, and Chief Strategy Officer Brooke Laing to talk about how their fast growing community is supporting women working across machining, pipe welding, mechanics, scaffolding, ship fitting and other areas of industry. Together, they run through how an informal and unnamed Snapchat group has evolved into an active network connecting tradeswomen across skillsets and regions. They also talk about the younger generation's approach to networking, and Nush and Brooke explain why sharing the truth of industrial work on social media always lands with a modern audience. For manufacturers thinking about workforce development, leaders trying to better engage women in industry, or those looking to understand how modern trade communities are forming and growing, this episode offers a look at how one fast-growing organization is strengthening connection across the skilled trades. In this episode, find out: Why Sisterhood of Trades was first formed around the reality that many women in trades are still the only woman on their team or in their shop How the early idea grew from a Snapchat group to a structured and organized Discord-based community providing support and connection How the community connects tradeswomen across different roles, skillsets, regions and life stage so they can learn from like-minded people and access opportunities How Nush Ahmed’s path from CNC operating to marketing and enablement shows the career mobility that is promoted through the organization Why Brooke Laing believes showing real life day to day content on social media platforms encourages both participation and retention in the trade industry How taking a modern approach to outreach and engagement performs better than more traditional methods for increasing interest in the trades How mentorship inside the community works, from students making decisions, to career transitions and progression within the skilled trades Enjoying 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: “Our whole thing is that we're the largest interactive group chat for women in the trades by women in the trades.” - Brooke Laing, Chief Strategy Officer “We're trying to show the real side of the industry. We don't sugarcoat anything. If you want people to come into the industry and stay, you have to show them what the real world is really like.” Brooke Laing, Chief Strategy Officer “Our members are really great. They have built their own relationships with each other, and that was the whole goal with our Discord server. It wasn't just to elevate ourselves and talk about what we do.” - Nush Ahmed, CEO “You really have to listen to your people. I think people are sick and tired of seeing the social media posts and not seeing action. When we talk about something to our members, most likely they'll see it in the next week in an article or on a podcast.” - Nush Ahmed, CEO Links & mentions: Sisterhood of Trades, bringing together women in different trades from all over the world to make connections, share advice, and promote stories and experiences Fathom Digital Manufacturing, Precision Manufacturing, Speed & Scalability – All Under One Roof…Leverage the industry’s most comprehensive suite of 25+ advanced manufacturing technologies Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.
• 287: The Art of Precision Manufacturing: Why Humans Still Matter on the Factory Floor | Live from The Manufacturing Exchange in Rochester, NY (Powered by Fathom) 12.05.2026 49min

  Full automation and AI on the factory floor are great, but the line still doesn't run without people who can feel a part click into place wrong or hear a tool burn.That space between what technology can repeat and what only an operator can sense is the art of precision manufacturing.Recorded live from The Manufacturing Exchange at ARTISANworks in Rochester, NY for the Rochester stop on the Rust Belt Renaissance Tour, Chris is joined on stage by three guests who think about that space every day. Matthew Bradley is Program Director at Moog Inc., a 75-year-old Buffalo-based motion control company building out a brand-new 150,000-square-foot machine shop. James Greer is Lead Sourcing Rep at X-Bow Systems, the non-traditional solid rocket motor manufacturer. Chris Brown, SVP of Sales, joins from Fathom Digital Manufacturing, one of the largest on-demand digital manufacturing platforms in North America.They talk through where automation creates value and where applying it too aggressively produces scrap. Matt walks through the philosophy his team is using to pull together routings, eliminate setups, and rethink "we've always done it this way" inside Moog's new facility. James shares what he looks for when grading a supplier within 60 seconds of walking the floor, the regional pockets of the US where manufacturing talent is gathering, and why the mix of people on machine shop floors is more varied than people assume.For anyone scaling a precision shop, evaluating suppliers, trying to figure out where the operator ends and the machine should begin, or thinking about the art of manufacturing, this is a look at how three working leaders are navigating that line right now.In this episode, find out:The parts of precision manufacturing that will always need a human, and why feel still beats sensors when tolerances run into the millionthsWhere the art shows up in novel parts and the unfamiliar problems no simulation, CAM program, or AI catches the first time throughWhy Moog calls its experienced machinists a "critical, precious resource" and how that framing shapes the company's plan to double headcount over the next decadeHow a Moog servo valve goes together, and why an interference fit clicking is the cue that something is already wrongWhat Chris Brown means when he says "the human brain is what needs to solve that problem," and where Fathom puts that into practiceWhat outsiders miss about Upstate New York's manufacturing scene, from optics to aerospace to motion controlHow shop culture and the way owners invest in their people decide whether the next generation of machinists staysEnjoying 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:"There's certain things, especially in the precision motion control world, that we just haven't been able to figure out, and frankly, we don't think we're gonna be able to. There is always gonna have to be a human in there to feel and understand what's going on." — Matthew Bradley, Program Director, Moog Inc."If you ask five engineers to solve one problem, there'll be 10 answers in 20 hours of argument. So time box that time, understand that sometimes your gut's Right. Trust it and move forward." — Chris Brown, SVP of Sales, Fathom Digital Manufacturing"What that owner did is he invested in his people. He said, 'I don't want you to go out and get a personal loan and give your money away to some financial institution. I don't want you to go get a mortgage. I'll buy your house.' So he bought all of his employees their homes through their work. He invested in his people. That story stuck with me." — James Greer, Lead Sourcing Rep, X-Bow SystemsLinks & mentions:Fathom Digital Manufacturing, one of the largest on-demand digital manufacturing platforms in North America, providing 25+ advanced manufacturing technologies and support services across additive manufacturing, injection molding, CNC machining, and sheet metal fabrication.Moog Inc., worldwide designer, manufacturer, and integrator of precision motion control components and systems, headquartered near Buffalo, NY.X-Bow Systems, leading non-traditional producer of solid rocket motors, offering both traditional SRMs and advanced additive manufacturing solutions.ARTISANworks, the art-centric event space in Rochester, NY where The Manufacturing Exchange (and this episode) was held.Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.
• 286: Why Local Execution Drives Regional Manufacturing Success: Live from Cleveland, OH 05.05.2026 48min

  American manufacturing’s next chapter is being written one region at a time, and Northeast Ohio is one of the places setting the standard. In a region like theirs, the institutions and programs are moving in sync, and that builds into something bigger than any plant could pull off alone. That’s why we’re hitting the road on the Rust Belt Renaissance tour to find more places where modern technology and industrial innovation are helping to revive the area. On the first stop, we’re live from Collision Bend Brewing in Cleveland with seven leaders from across the Northeast Ohio manufacturing community, working out how a region of 7,700 manufacturers turns local action into national impact. We split the conversation into three short parts: Matt Duplin (Manager, TransDigm Advanced Manufacturing Center, Cleveland State University), Kyle Zeller (NSF Engine), and Adam Artman (Executive Director, Manufacturing Works) open with what regional action actually looks like on the ground, covering the role of public universities, federal programs like the $160 million NSF Engine award, and the peer-to-peer learning behind the Manu Future program. Greg Schumacher (Director of Manufacturing, NOVAGARD) and Mike Yost (Manufacturing Excellence Program, Manufacturing Works) turn the theory into a case study, walking through the CESMII Smart Manufacturing Roadmap that Greg’s team finished in six weeks at zero cost. Jillian Kupchella (Director of Marketing, CESMII) and Jonathan Wise (Chief Technology Architect, CESMII) close the conversation with what comes next nationally, including the three technology needs that every digital project should think through. This episode is for any manufacturer wondering how to make the most of the resources closest to them. In this episode, find out: What ‘regional action’ means in a manufacturing ecosystem and why local organisations like Manufacturing Works act as the connective tissue between manufacturers, universities, and workforce providers How a public university with an 80% local student body and a dedicated advanced manufacturing centre creates a homegrown engineering pipeline that stays in the region What an NSF Engine award is, what it takes for a region to compete for one, and how Northeast Ohio became one of fifteen teams in the running for $160 million in federal funding Why peer-to-peer learning through the Manu Future programme moves the needle on technology adoption far more than any vendor pitch The ‘secret ingredient’ each panellist credits for Northeast Ohio’s manufacturing density of 7,700 manufacturers, from collaboration to history to location How CESMII is exporting the same toolset and language to other regions including Western Pennsylvania, Maryland, Los Angeles, and upstate New York The three technology imperatives Jonathan Wise lays out for any manufacturer deploying new tech – modelling data, contextualising data, and making data interoperable through tools like CESMII’s I3X Enjoying 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: "We're a public university, and so we should be servicing the public and the manufacturers in our region. The advanced manufacturing center is that space." — Matt Duplin "Something like this doesn't just get spun up overnight. It's the result of years and years of work together. It speaks to the confidence that our federal government has in our region to compete on a global scale." — Kyle Zeller "What's unique about Northeast Ohio, every time I meet with someone, is always the same. It's this willingness to share. It's the willingness for the sum to be greater than the parts." — Adam Artman "We have connected our PLCs, and that data — real time, in engineers' hands, in operations' hands — we have unleashed the data. We are making decisions faster, smarter, with the right information." — Greg Schumacher "We talk about smart manufacturing like a destination. It's really just a tool for the leaders to lead. The leaders are the ones that own it and drive it." — Mike Yost "I feel very fortunate to live in a region that is so put together. From a national scale, we're hoping to implement things like this across the nation." — Jillian Kupchella "Technology is an enabler. It's a means to an end. It is not the end. Just buying technology isn't gonna solve your problems." — Jonathan Wise Links & mentions: Manufacturing Works, the membership-based organisation that serves as the connective tissue across Northeast Ohio’s manufacturing ecosystem CESMII, the Smart Manufacturing Institute and national authority on smart manufacturing, behind the roadmap toolset and the I3X interoperability framework NSF Engine, the federal place-based innovation programme behind the $160 million regional award Northeast Ohio is competing for ManuFuture, the peer-to-peer manufacturing learning programme developed in partnership with Purdue University TransDigm Advanced Manufacturing Center at Cleveland State University, the research-oriented, public-university partner serving the Northeast Ohio engineering pipeline MAGNET, the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network supporting manufacturers across the region Tri-C (Cuyahoga Community College), source of the grant that fully funded NOVAGARD’s Smart Manufacturing Roadmap NOVAGARD, silicone adhesives, sealants, and PVC foam manufacturer featured as the case study Fathom, sponsor of the Rust Belt Renaissance tour and a network of seven regional manufacturing companies Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.
• BONUS: Purpose-Built AI for Manufacturing: How AI Agents Are Transforming Workflows on the Factory Floor with Apprentice CEO Angelo Stracquatanio 01.05.2026 45min

  General-purpose AI can answer almost anything, but that flexibility becomes a liability on the factory floor.In this bonus episode, Chris sits down with Angelo Stracquatanio, CEO of Apprentice, a purpose-built AI company for manufacturers and the creator of A1: The AI Agent for Manufacturing Teams.Angelo has spent 12 years building software for the people on the shop floor, starting in the pharma manufacturing suites where a 200-page paper binder sparked the idea for the company.The conversation covers the origin story of Apprentice, the ‘Predict and Prepare’ framework behind its biggest pivots (including the COVID response that helped produce 300 million vaccine doses), and what it looks like to become AI-native as a business. Angelo also tells the story behind A1, the AI Agent for Manufacturing Teams.This episode's for any manufacturer trying to separate AI hype from AI that can be trusted in production.In this episode, find out:Why Angelo named the company ‘Apprentice’ 12 years ago and why the meaning has only become more relevant in the AI eraHow the product evolved from AR headsets and Google Glass into a full ISA 95 manufacturing stackWhy stacking AI inside a single manufacturing system traps it behind four walls, and what a new layer above the stack can do differentlyAngelo’s personal path from writing every line of code himself to CEO leading the company through multiple pivotsThe ‘Predict and Prepare’ framework behind the team’s COVID response, and how it has guided four or five major business movesWhat Angelo has learned over 12 years about building a leadership team around complementary weaknessesWhy a custom-trained model and a constrained workflow engine are what give manufacturing AI the precision and trust it needs for production useEnjoying 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:“In manufacturing in particular, humans still need to be the driving force. And AI is just a tool to help support them.” “The hardest thing that I had to learn was not software. It wasn’t even the entrepreneurship or the CEO stuff. It was building trust and credibility with our customers.” “If we’re gonna use AI in manufacturing, it’s gotta be precise. Otherwise, no one’s gonna trust this thing.” Links & mentions:Apprentice, a purpose-built AI company for manufacturers and the creators of A1: The AI Agent for Manufacturing TeamsLaico’s, long-running, brick-lined nook offering an array of Italian cuisine, cocktails, and wine in Jersey City, NJMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.
• 285: Why Offshoring Looks Cheaper (But Isn’t): The Real Math Behind Reshoring with Harry Moser 28.04.2026 53min

  For years, reshoring was a fringe idea. Now, it’s one of the most talked-about topics in manufacturing.Even though the conversation is now in vogue, there’s still a challenge. Many companies are still making the same mistake when deciding where to manufacture. They’re looking at price, not total cost of ownership (TCO).In this episode, Chris sits down with Harry Moser – Founder of the Reshoring Initiative – to break down the real math behind reshoring…and why getting that math right could unlock millions of jobs and fundamentally reshape U.S. manufacturing.Make sure to visit ManufacturingHappyHour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty. Mentioned in this episode:Mfg Happy Hour's GOLDEN STATE TAKEOVER TourDon't miss Manufacturing Happy Hour on tour this May 2026 as we head across the state of California. We'll be hitting the Bay Area on 5/19, Modesto on 5/20, and Los Angeles on 5/21. Live podcasts and parties in every city. Get your tickets today.Manufacturing Happy Hour on Tour
• BONUS: From Spreadsheets to MRP: How SMB Manufacturers Are Improving Visibility to Inventory and Costs with MRPeasy 24.04.2026 33min

  How do you know when your current setup has stopped working, and what to do with it when it does?In this bonus episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, Chris sits down with Shane Dubbelman, Head of Partnerships at MRPeasy, and Sara Duff, Managing Director at Smart Manufacture, to talk about what happens at that point, when the lack of visibility into inventory, costs, and operations starts to hold a business back.They get into where spreadsheets begin to slack, how to think about MRP vs ERP at that stage of growth, and why a lot of companies looking at ERP are probably aiming too far ahead of what they need.Sara shares a couple of examples from her work with manufacturers, including how one CNC machining business ended up stretched across a mix of disconnected tools. And Shane walks through how MRPeasy approaches the tricky task of implementation.In this episode, find out:The point where spreadsheets start to break down, and the impact that has on costs and planningWhy most companies aiming for ERP would be better starting with MRPHow one CNC machining business ended up stretched across disconnected toolsWhat changed for a manufacturer that moved off Excel and saw 25% growth in a yearThe common traits Sara sees in manufacturers that scale successfullyHow MRPeasy approaches implementation, from self-serve to hands-on supportEnjoying 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:“A lot of small manufacturers that are looking for ERP software probably actually need MRP software - because they're looking to manage their manufacturing.” - Shane Dubbelman“A year after MRPeasy went live, they grew their business by just over 25% - without significantly increasing their headcount. The system made that possible.” - Sara Duff“It’s those that are open to looking at there being a different way of doing things. I may not know exactly how to do that, but if I bring in the right people and the right technology, I can achieve it.” - Sara DuffLinks & mentions:MRPeasy User Manual, installing MRPeasy does not have to be hard or expensive; you can even do it yourselfSmart Manufacture, UK-based Smart Manufacture works with companies from SMEs to Mid-Market across multiple verticals, including engineering to order, discrete manufacturing, batch manufacturing and process manufacturing; Smart Manufacture help these companies to specify, select and implement proven best of breed software which can deliver tangible business outcomes – reduced costs, improved operational efficiencies, increased revenues and improved productivityMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.
• 283: From Craft to Manufacturing: How Crafted Glory’s Kwadwo Som-Pimpong Is Scaling a Furniture Business While Working the Night Shift 14.04.2026 47min

  Kwadwo Som-Pimpong started making furniture in 2015 because he bought a house with no furniture and decided to build his own. A decade later, he runs Crafted Glory, a small-batch luxury furniture brand blending West African artistry with Scandinavian design, while working 10-hour shifts at Eaton as a fabrication supervisor. In this episode, Chris sits down with Kwadwo to trace the journey from those first end tables built in a garage to a full-scale business. The conversation covers how Kwadwo manages the constraints of four to five hours in the shop each day, including three strategies he has put in place, a clipboard for tracking time and tasks, using Claude to reflect and connect the dots on the 40-minute drive home, and a networking story from New York that turned one photo on Instagram into a series of interior design projects. He also walks through the Echoes of the Forest project, two pieces made from trees uprooted by Hurricane Helene, one already installed in Biltmore Forest Town Hall and one headed for Asheville’s historic YMI Cultural Center. In this episode, find out: How Kwadwo got into furniture making in 2015 out of necessity, moving into a house with no furniture and discovering he’d rather build his own, and how that organic beginning grew into Crafted Glory How his dual engineering degree from Carnegie Mellon gives him the mindset and the resilience to keep working through problems that feel unsolvable What he observed visiting Hellman Chang’s manufacturing plant in Georgia, component part numbers, scan systems, work cells, and 5S, and how it changed what scaling from craft to production can look like while keeping the handmade element intact How 12 years as a fabrication supervisor at Eaton translated directly into running his own team, applying method sheets and time studies, and building standard operations that let someone else step in and do what he does The three strategies he uses to manage four to five hours of shop time per day alongside a 10-hour shift: a clipboard for time tracking, Claude for end-of-day reflection, and deliberate networking that turned one New York visit into a pipeline of interior design projects The Echoes of the Forest project, how Hurricane Helene uprooted thousands of trees across Asheville and led to two commissions: a mantle from a fallen walnut tree installed in Biltmore Forest Town Hall, and an outdoor bench headed for the historic YMI Cultural Center Enjoying 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: “Now I see where I’m spending my time, I see how long each piece takes me. If I know the time, that translates into my pricing. If I get my pricing right, that moves me closer to being free from working another job.” “I use AI a lot in helping with organization — Claude specifically. At the end of the day, on my 40-minute drive home, I dictate what happened in the studio, my reflections, the challenges I faced. I love how Claude draws connections and builds on your whole story, your whole journey.” “I aspire to have an operation where I still maintain the craft element of what I’m doing, but it is systematized such that I can step away, bring someone in, train them to the documentation, and they can come in and do the same thing that I do.” Links & mentions: Crafted Glory, small batch luxury handmade furniture brand that crafts sustainable hardwood artistic furniture inspired by West African artistry and Scandanavian design Biscuit Head, an incredible biscuit-centric breakfast joint with roots in Asheville, NC Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty. Mentioned in this episode:Mfg Happy Hour's GOLDEN STATE TAKEOVER TourDon't miss Manufacturing Happy Hour on tour this May 2026 as we head across the state of California. We'll be hitting the Bay Area on 5/19, Modesto on 5/20, and Los Angeles on 5/21. Live podcasts and parties in every city. Get your tickets today.Manufacturing Happy Hour on Tour
• 282: Inside a Warehouse Automation Project: How Sumitomo Drive Technologies Is Transforming Logistics and Reshoring Operations 07.04.2026 42min

  Running out of warehouse space doesn’t always mean you need more of it. For Sumitomo Drive Technologies, it meant rethinking the whole operation from the ground up.In this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, Chris sits down remotely with Tony Barlett and Shawn Lambert from Sumitomo Drive Technologies for an inside look at a live warehouse automation project underway at their Chesapeake, Virginia headquarters.The project combines AutoStore, an automated storage and retrieval system, with automated guided vehicles to compress 30,000 square feet of high-bay racking into a 7,500 square foot footprint, with robots handling the picking and every transaction flowing through a single digital interface.The conversation runs from the 2021 decision all the way through to where the project stands today. The business case, the technology choices, and what it takes to bring automation into a facility that has run on pen and paper for years.They get into the workforce question too. What this means for the people on the floor, how Sumitomo plans to grow 50 percent over the next five years without scaling headcount at the same rate, and why the digital foundation they're building now is what makes AI integration possible later.In this episode, find out:How a customer demo in 2021 sparked the decision to stop expanding Sumitomo Drive Technologies' warehouse footprint and automate instead, and what it took to get from that first look to a live projectWhat the AutoStore system does at a practical level, and how a simple analogy made the technology immediately understandable for anyone who hasn’t seen itHow condensing 30,000 square feet of high-bay racking into a 7,500 square foot cube changes what growth looks like for the businessHow moving from pen-and-paper operations to a single digital interface changes day-to-day work for every person on the warehouse floorThe company’s plan for its existing workforce, and how it expects to grow 50 percent over the next five years with roughly the same headcount it has todayWhy the AI boom has not changed the scope of this project, and why building connected digital infrastructure now is the precondition for AI integration down the roadThe three pieces of advice Tony and Shawn would pass on to any manufacturer considering an automation project of this 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:"If you're not doing this from an automation standpoint, you're missing the boat. It is the wave of the future, the labor force shortages are not going away, and they're only going to get more difficult." - Tony Barlett"You can't start looking into this soon enough. The more prepared you are for a project of this scale, the better off you're going to be, not just plugging in the automation, but how it connects to your ERP, your processes, your AGVs." - Shawn Lambert"AI doesn't do anything for you when you're dealing with pen and paper. Get into a more technological age first, get your software systems in place, and then you can integrate AI to turn static decisions into dynamic ones." - Shawn LambertLinks & mentions:Sumitomo Drive Technologies, dedicated to providing the highest quality power transmission products, gearboxes, gearmotors, and services to industrial companiesAutoStore, automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) that uses the power of warehouse robots for 24/7 order fulfillment within a cubic layoutSwisslog, logistics automation; they design, manufacture, and optimize automated logistics solutions across the supply chainNansemond Brewing, craft brewery in downtown Suffolk, VAAllgood Lounge, premiere bar and party spot in Athens, GAMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.Mentioned in this episode:Party with Manufacturing Happy Hour!Join Manufacturing Happy Hour on tour, or at one of our famous EXTRA INNINGS conference afterparties (co-hosted with Jake Hall, The Manufacturing Millennial).Join The Party
• 281: How AI-Powered Predictive Maintenance Enhances Operational Reliability with Colin Morris of MaintainX 31.03.2026 33min

  AI-powered predictive maintenance has been on the radar for years, but for most facilities, it still hasn’t fully landed.Chris sits down remotely with Colin Morris, Senior Director of Solution Consulting at MaintainX, the AI-powered maintenance and asset management platform built for the industrial frontline. Colin has spent eight years working in this space, long enough to have watched maintenance shift from an afterthought to a strategic asset across North American manufacturing.They cover the real barriers to AI adoption in maintenance: unstructured data sitting across disconnected systems, outdated assumptions about what predictive tools should deliver, and the foundational steps most facilities skip before they’re ready.Colin walks through what parts data to collect and why, how maintenance has evolved from cost center to cost saver, and where agentic AI is taking the industry next, including what scheduling looks like when an agent does the first pass and a human approves the plan.In this episode, find out:Whether today’s manufacturers have the data infrastructure AI actually needs, and why having data and having usable data are two very different thingsThe gap between what AI-driven predictive maintenance promises and what tends to happen when facilities try to put it into practiceWhy a predictive system that shows no faults can mean things are working exactly as they should, and how confirmation bias leads teams to misread that signalThe foundations most facilities skip when digitizing, and why jumping ahead without them creates problems that are hard to undoWhat parts information every facility should have on record, why it matters more than most teams realize, and what happens when a critical component is not cataloguedHow maintenance’s status has changed over eight years, from a cost center most facilities avoided spending on, to a core part of a facility’s digital strategyWhat AI looks like across maintenance operations today and where it genuinely adds value versus where human judgment still needs to leadEnjoying 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:“A lot of customers do have the data. The biggest challenge is it’s super unstructured and in different systems, so getting it into a format AI can actually use is still a huge challenge.”“People expect predictive maintenance to surface issues, but if an asset is running well, nothing’s going to happen. No insights are sometimes good insights. That means things are operating the way they should.”“Historically, about 60% of a technician’s time is admin work. If you can give even 10–20% of that time back, that’s a huge gain in actual wrench time.”Links & mentions:MaintainX, helping industrial teams manage work orders, asset performance, parts, and labor with AI-driven insights that reduce downtime and boost operational excellenceNick Haase on Manufacturing Happy Hour, episode 206 featuring MaintainX’s Co-Founder and the company’s first appearance on the podcastLeft Field Brewery, established in Toronto in 2013 and brews a series of baseball-inspired, distinct and full-flavoured beersMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.Mentioned in this episode:Party with Manufacturing Happy Hour!Join Manufacturing Happy Hour on tour, or at one of our famous EXTRA INNINGS conference afterparties (co-hosted with Jake Hall, The Manufacturing Millennial).Join The Party
• 280: How to Create a Manufacturing Ecosystem of Support with Matt Bogoshian, Executive Director at the American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative (AMCC) 24.03.2026 41min

  Most regions have pockets of manufacturing strength. Very few have a manufacturing ecosystem. Matt Bogoshian has spent 15 years trying to change that.In this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, host Chris Luecke sits down remotely with Matt Bogoshian, Executive Director of the American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative (AMCC) – the nation’s only designated National Manufacturing Community of Practice.Matt brings the on-the-ground experience of someone who has spent years helping communities across the US turn good intentions into real, durable systems change.Together they dig into the Big Six elements that every thriving regional manufacturing ecosystem needs, the five steps to creating lasting systems change, and why trust is the one precondition that has to come before everything else.Matt also shares the story of ‘What’s So Cool About Manufacturing’, a program getting middle school students inside real factories and changing how the next generation sees manufacturing careers.In this episode, find out:What it takes to build a regional manufacturing ecosystem of support, and why it requires more than any single organization or initiativeWhy the ‘American project’ can’t succeed long-term without a strong base of manufacturing priority products, and what that means for every community in the USThe five steps to creating lasting systems change: relationship building, storytelling, strategy, activation, and the critical step most initiatives never reachWhy trust is the precondition for every other element of ecosystem buildingWhat the Big Six elements of a thriving manufacturing ecosystem are, and why most regions are underperforming in at least four of themHow the Big Six framework helps diagnose where any region stands, and what coordination looks like when it’s workingWhy the gap between regions that thrive and those that don’t is rarely about resources, and what it’s really aboutHow ‘What’s So Cool About Manufacturing’ is changing how young people see manufacturing careers, and why there’s no ceiling on where those careers can goEnjoying 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:“The American project is not going to thrive long term unless we have a strong cornerstone of manufacturing priority products.” – Matt Bogoshian“Trust is the coin of the realm. Having trusted relationships is really a precondition to everything else.” – Matt Bogoshian“There’s no ceiling on how high a kid could go in manufacturing.” – Matt BogoshianLinks & mentions:American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative (AMCC), representing a coalition of nationwide communities with the shared goal of revitalizing American manufacturingThe Buena Vista, opened in 1916, this corner spot in San Francisco serves its signature Irish coffee alongside American staplesMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.
• 279: The Creative Process: Building Relationships and Businesses That Last, Live from The Argo in Milwaukee, WI 17.03.2026 52min

  What happens when a multimedia entrepreneur and a concert venue owner sit down for a live podcast? A good conversation – with a couple beers – about creativity, grit, and what it really takes to build something that lasts. In the first live episode of the year, recorded at The Argo in Milwaukee as part of Manufacturing Happy Hour’s 10-year anniversary, host Chris Luecke sits down with two longtime friends: Andrew J. Coate, co-founder of The Argo (a 700-capacity venue his team transformed from a historic 1950s cinema in under seven months), and Michael O’Sullivan, Creative Director at Motivation Media. Together they dig into the creative process, building businesses from the ground up, co-founder dynamics, and the long-term friendships that shape your best work. Later in the episode, manufacturing veterans and friends of the show, Kyle Mahan (Former Vice President and General Manager of the Automation Division at Wauseon Machine) and Bill Berrien (CEO at Pela Global Precision) join the stage to bring it all back to the shop floor.In this episode, find out: How Michael O’Sullivan and Andrew J. Coate have known each other since high school on the south side of Chicago, and how their paths kept crossing through business and creativity over more than two decadesWhat it means to build a creative business in industries you wouldn’t expect, and why B2B and manufacturing are some of the most exciting places to be creativeTurning creativity into a daily habit. Why practice, not talent, is the real shortcut, and how both guests built their creative muscles over timeHow constraints drive better creative decisions, and why that’s one of the most transferable lessons to the manufacturing floorThe “done is better than perfect” mindset: balancing flexibility with process discipline when you’re building something newWhat the manufacturing industry looks like from behind a camera lens, and why storytelling is one of the industry’s most underused assetsHow Kyle Mahan (EP235) and Bill Berrien (EP160 & EP268) would apply the night’s creative lessons directly to industrial sectorEnjoying 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:"Creativity really often needs constraints to be the maximum of what it can be." - Andrew J. Coate "Networking doesn’t just happen at an event. It’s something that can happen over years and decades." - Chris Luecke "I did not start out to form a video production company. Having those people who believed in me along the way gave me that space to keep practicing, to keep pushing it." - Michael O'Sullivan Links & mentions:The Argo, concert venue, bar & kitchen, and event space located in the historic Fox Bay Theater in Whitefish Bay, WI, minutes from downtown Milwaukee Motivation Media, making videos that make a difference for nonprofits, businesses, commercials, fundraising, and so much more Women in Manufacturing (WiM), a global trade association committed to supporting, promoting, and inspiring women across all the manufacturing industry. We’ve portion of the ticket sales from this show to WiM to support its missionEpisode 160: Buying a Manufacturing Company and Reimagining Upskilling with Bill Berrien, CEO of Pindel Global Precision, where Bill shares his thoughts on upskilling your team and continuous learning in the manufacturing industryEpisode 235: How to Find Automation Talent Anywhere with Kyle Mahan, VP & GM of Wauseon Machine, where Kyle discusses what it takes to find the best automation talent in the manufacturing industry in today’s industryEpisode 260: Innovations Transforming Automotive Manufacturing featuring STÄUBLI, RAM Solutions, and More, a look what’s transforming automotive manufacturing with interesting takes from eight industry expertsMake sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.Mentioned in this episode:Mfg Happy Hour's Rust Belt Renaissance TourManufacturing Happy Hour is hitting the road this spring, hosting live shows Cleveland on 3/24, Rochester on 3/25, and Pittsburgh on 3/26. Get your tickets today.
• 278: How Second-Chance Hiring Changes Lives and Helps Manufacturers Find and Develop Talent with Marcus Sheanshang, President of JBM Packaging 10.03.2026 52min

  Most of the time, applications from candidates with a felony record end up in the garbage can. The problem is, by overlooking people from what are seen as ‘problematic’ talent pools, you could be denying yourself access to untapped talent.Second-chance hiring means giving people the chance to showcase their talent, hone their skills, and start again. When you do that, great things can happen for them, you, and your local region.Here, Chris catches up with Marcus Sheanshang, President of JBM Packaging, to discuss the thriving manufacturer’s Fair Chance Hiring Program.JBM Packaging is a family-oriented business that specializes in eco-friendly paper packing products and solutions. Since Marcus bought the business in 2008, it has gone from strength to strength. Its Fair Chance Program has played a part in JBM’s ongoing success.The conversation dives into the mission behind this game-changing program and how it’s grown from an ambitious idea to an initiative now responsible for 43% of JBM’s dedicated team members.Marcus also discusses how second-chance hiring can transform lives for the better and play a key role in the future of the manufacturing industry.In this episode, find out:The perks of looking for manufacturing talent where other people aren’tHow to improve or reinvent your manufacturing business by attracting and retaining the right talentThe essential aspects of a successful and sustainable second-chance hiring programHow to support and develop new program members and give them a genuine second chanceWhy setting clear candidate criteria and considering a person’s potential are key to making strong hiring choicesHow giving candidates a fair chance can change the trajectory of someone’s life and make your business even strongerThe driving forces behind JBM’s Fair Chance Program’s continual growth and notable 13% turnover ratesTweetable Quotes:"Can they live our core values, and can they help make this place better? Those are some of the criteria that we need.""They need to lead it. This is on them, but we can certainly walk with them as they're walking down their path.""It would frighten me right now if we didn't have the Fair Chance Program, 'cause I think we have 67 Fair Chance team members. If we didn't have that, I don't know where we would be."Links & mentions:Fair Chance Program, JBM Packaging's second chance hiring program provides formerly incarcerated workers with the resources they need to thrive at work and in lifeJBM Packaging, a purpose-driven packaging company, JBM provides full-service solutions for brands seeking alternatives to plastic packagingSecond Chance Month, a concerted effort to raise awareness about the nearly 44,000 legal barriers faced by men and women with a criminal record taking place every AprilCriminal Records and Reentry Toolkit, people with a record (justice-involved or justice-impacted people) includes approximately 77 million people in the United StatesSecond-chance hiring continues to gain traction among major manufacturers. In 2024, staffing firm Kelly filled more than 2k jobs with justice-involved people. Monthly turnover was just 9%, lower than the industry average. (source: Manufacturing Dive)Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, stay Thirsty.Mentioned in this episode:Industrial Marketing Summit 2026The Industrial Marketing Summit is the go-to gathering for marketers working in the manufacturing, engineering and industrial sectors. Built by Gorilla 76 and TREW Marketing, IMS delivers strategic insight, hands-on learning and true community. Whether you’re a team of one, or leading a scaled marketing department, you’ll walk away ready to market smarter, lead stronger and impact your business. Make sure to use the code "happy hour" at checkout for $100 off registration.Industrial Marketing Summit 2026
• 277: The Future of CAM Software and Elevating the Status of Manufacturing Jobs with Mastercam President Russ Bukowski 03.03.2026 44min

  AI is reshaping what it means to be a modern manufacturing professional.When a 30-year veteran retires, decades of expertise used to leave as well. How they ran a machine, which feeds and speeds worked, and all the practical knowledge that separated good from great. Now, Mastercam’s AI co-pilots can capture that information and make it instantly accessible. The learning curve that used to take years can now be compressed into months, making manufacturing careers more accessible to the next generation.Chris sits down with Russ Bukowski, President of Mastercam, to explore how CAM technology has evolved from manual G-code programming to AI-powered systems that are fundamentally changing manufacturing accessibility.The conversation covers the business side of manufacturing transformation, why mid-size machine shops and tier-two suppliers are no longer at the mercy of large OEMs, the leadership lessons Russ learned from Walt Disney and why manufacturing salaries are starting at $80K+ for CNC programmers.In this episode, find out:How CAM systems act as a 10x multiplier for manufacturing professionals.The evolution from manual G-code programming to AI-powered CAM systemsWhy Mastercam's AI co-pilot is bridging the knowledge gap left by retiring manufacturing expertsHow post-COVID supply chain vulnerabilities are driving companies to vertically integrateThe power shift giving mid-size manufacturers leverage in negotiations and exclusive supplier agreementsWhy manufacturing needs to be promoted as a viable white-collar careerHow technical expertise creates leadership credibility The importance of visiting customers and talking to shop floor employeesWhat Mastercam's acquisition enabled in terms of investment, innovation, and customer relationshipsEnjoying 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:“AI's not a silver bullet. It's not going to replace a program or replace an operator, but it is going to enable them to do more and to move more quickly in the business.”“CAM is really that enabler. Without it, the digital design to physical machine process is slow and error-prone. It removes the cognitive burden and makes complex manufacturing possible. It's that 10x multiplier for somebody in manufacturing, making somebody a 10x manufacturing expert because they're able to deliver results so much faster by using computing power.”“I always like to ask myself this as a leader, if nobody was looking, if there were no repercussions, would I still make the right decision? From a sustainability standpoint, from an ethical standpoint, that's how I hold myself accountable.”Links & mentions:Mastercam, CAD/CAM solutions that are trusted to deliver superior and reliable machining performance with advanced productivity tools and AI-enabled CAM capabilities Tree House Brewing Company, brewers of Julius and pioneers of hazy IPA, Tree House produces world-renowned beer in Charlton, Massachusetts Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.Mentioned in this episode:Mfg Happy Hour's Rust Belt Renaissance TourManufacturing Happy Hour is hitting the road this spring, hosting live shows Cleveland on 3/24, Rochester on 3/25, and Pittsburgh on 3/26. Get your tickets today.
• 276: 2026 Automation Industry Outlook, Live from the A3 Business Forum 24.02.2026 1h 9min

  Fear is expensive. In 2025, manufacturers delayed billions in capital projects because anxiety, not data, drove business decisions.But 2026 is different. Tax incentives expire mid-year, borrowing costs are down, and the hard data shows CapEx accelerating at 3-4%. The companies acting on facts while others remain frozen are the ones positioned to gain market share, capture expiring tax benefits, and pull ahead.This episode comes to you live from the A3 Forum 2026, where the message is clear: 2026 isn't about waiting for certainty. It's about preparing for complexity with multiple strategies, acting on hard economic data, and recognizing that technology will solve the labor shortage. You'll hear why geopolitics can no longer be ignored and why every manufacturing company needs dedicated monitoring and scenario-based planning to navigate constant disruption. We dig into why America's $1+ trillion manufacturing investment boom is creating career opportunities that rival the tech industry and why the outdated narrative around manufacturing jobs is costing the industry the next generation of talent. Plus, we explore how automation and robotics are becoming the central solution for critical challenges and how theme park robotics taught the industry the power of asking “how” instead of “no”.In this episode, find out:Why 2026 is transitioning from a year of uncertainty to a year of complexityHow to become a value-added partner instead of a transactional sellerHow America's $1+ trillion manufacturing investment is rebuilding domestic capabilityWhy manufacturing careers now offer competitive tech-level salariesWhy 92% of manufacturing CEOs prioritize smart manufacturing as their top growth strategyThe impact of expiring tax incentives on CapEx decision-making urgencyWhy AI has shifted from hype to practical implementation questionsHow theme park robotics pioneered human-robot collaboration and safety standardsWhy the answer should be "how" instead of "no" when facing unconventional challengesEnjoying 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:“We are in a manufacturing revolution, but most people don’t realize it yet. More importantly, America is starting to learn how to rebuild and manufacture its own goods. We are starting the process to build and AI is a tool that will help close that chasm.” – Bob Little“If 2025 was marked as a year of uncertainty, I think we are now far enough into the process to recognize that it's transitioning to a year of complexity in 2026. You have to be prepared for a variety of different scenarios. You have to treat it almost like war gaming, if you think about it.” – Alex Chausovsky, “92% of manufacturing CEOs interviewed by Deloitte said smart automation or smart manufacturing is their top priority. This data validates that automation/robotics is the central issue for manufacturing leadership, not a side conversation.” – - Alex ShikanyLinks & mentions:A3 - Association for Advancing Automation, connecting innovators, businesses, and technologies across key technology sectors-robotics, vision, motion control, and industrial AI-to accelerate progress in automation 3DM Consulting, tap into Alex Chausovsky's market research and analysis Bardin, helping industrial AI coworkers bridge the sales-engineering gap and, most importantly, helping manufacturers close deals faster Eat'n Park, family restaurants serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner to guests in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia since 1949 Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.Mentioned in this episode:Industrial Marketing Summit 2026The Industrial Marketing Summit is the go-to gathering for marketers working in the manufacturing, engineering and industrial sectors. Built by Gorilla 76 and TREW Marketing, IMS delivers strategic insight, hands-on learning and true community. Whether you’re a team of one, or leading a scaled marketing department, you’ll walk away ready to market smarter, lead stronger and impact your business. Make sure to use the code "happy hour" at checkout for $100 off registration.Industrial Marketing Summit 2026