When aren't you in cost-cutting mode in manufacturing? "Never" is indeed the right answer. But is all cost-cutting effective? "No" is the right answer. But Chuck Deise is here to help with that. Chuck, from EFESO Management Consultants, joined us to discuss strategies for sustainable cost-cutting in your industrial business. He highlighted a survey EFESO did with Industry Week, revealing 85% of companies face severe cost pressure, with 91% having more aggressive targets for 2025 and expecting the same aggressiveness for next year. Chuck emphasized the need for standardized, digitized processes and organizational models to achieve 10-15% cost savings. He stressed the importance of reliability, using advanced sensors and predictive maintenance to improve uptime. He also underscored the significance of a robust performance management system and cultural change to ensure long-term cost reductions and operational efficiency. In this short clip, Chuck explains how centralized reliability monitoring of machine sensors can supercharge your plant reliability efforts. See my whole show with Chuck here: https://youtu.be/WNnjumGdIB4 @tariffs @inflation @reliability

When aren't you in cost-cutting mode in manufacturing? "Never" is indeed the right answer. But is all cost-cutting effective? "No" is the right answer. But Chuck Deise is here to help with that. Chuck, from EFESO Management Consultants, joined us to discuss strategies for sustainable cost-cutting in your industrial business. He highlighted a survey EFESO did with Industry Week, revealing 85% of companies face severe cost pressure, with 91% having more aggressive targets for 2025 and expecting the same aggressiveness for next year. Chuck emphasized the need for standardized, digitized processes and organizational models to achieve 10-15% cost savings. He stressed the importance of reliability, using advanced sensors and predictive maintenance to improve uptime. He also underscored the significance of a robust performance management system and cultural change to ensure long-term cost reductions and operational efficiency. In this short clip, Chuck talks about how to get sustainable standard practices by involving your frontline workers and supervisors. See my whole show with Chuck here: https://youtu.be/WNnjumGdIB4 @tariffs @inflation @reliability

When aren't you in cost-cutting mode in manufacturing? "Never" is indeed the right answer. But is all cost-cutting effective? "No" is the right answer. But Chuck Deise is here to help with that. Chuck, from EFESO Management Consultants, joined us to discuss strategies for sustainable cost-cutting in your industrial business. He highlighted a survey EFESO did with Industry Week, revealing 85% of companies face severe cost pressure, with 91% having more aggressive targets for 2025 and expecting the same aggressiveness for next year. Chuck emphasized the need for standardized, digitized processes and organizational models to achieve 10-15% cost savings. He stressed the importance of reliability, using advanced sensors and predictive maintenance to improve uptime. He also underscored the significance of a robust performance management system and cultural change to ensure long-term cost reductions and operational efficiency. In this short clip, Chuck explains how to create savings by simplifying your operation through standards and digitalization. See my whole show with Chuck here: https://youtu.be/WNnjumGdIB4 @tariffs @inflation @reliability

When aren't you in cost-cutting mode in manufacturing? "Never" is indeed the right answer. But is all cost-cutting effective? "No" is the right answer. But Chuck Deise is here to help with that. Chuck, from EFESO Management Consultants, joined us to discuss strategies for sustainable cost-cutting in your industrial business. He highlighted a survey EFESO did with Industry Week, revealing 85% of companies face severe cost pressure, with 91% having more aggressive targets for 2025 and expecting the same aggressiveness for next year. Chuck emphasized the need for standardized, digitized processes and organizational models to achieve 10-15% cost savings. He stressed the importance of reliability, using advanced sensors and predictive maintenance to improve uptime. He also underscored the significance of a robust performance management system and cultural change to ensure long-term cost reductions and operational efficiency. In this short clip, Chuck covers how to create a robust reliability strategy. See my whole show with Chuck here: https://youtu.be/WNnjumGdIB4 @tariffs @inflation @reliability

When aren't you in cost-cutting mode in manufacturing? "Never" is indeed the right answer. But is all cost-cutting effective? "No" is the right answer. But Chuck Deise is here to help with that. Chuck, from EFESO Management Consultants, joined us to discuss strategies for sustainable cost-cutting in your industrial business. He highlighted a survey EFESO did with Industry Week, revealing 85% of companies face severe cost pressure, with 91% having more aggressive targets for 2025 and expecting the same aggressiveness for next year. Chuck emphasized the need for standardized, digitized processes and organizational models to achieve 10-15% cost savings. He stressed the importance of reliability, using advanced sensors and predictive maintenance to improve uptime. He also underscored the significance of a robust performance management system and cultural change to ensure long-term cost reductions and operational efficiency. In this short clip, Chuck talks about the need to change work processes and your culture to make cost-cutting efforts sustainable. See my whole show with Chuck here: https://youtu.be/WNnjumGdIB4 @tariffs @inflation @costs

When aren't you in cost-cutting mode in manufacturing? "Never" is indeed the right answer. But is all cost-cutting effective? "No" is the right answer. But Chuck Deise is here to help with that. Chuck, from EFESO Management Consultants, joined us to discuss strategies for sustainable cost-cutting in your industrial business. He highlighted a survey EFESO did with Industry Week, revealing 85% of companies face severe cost pressure, with 91% having more aggressive targets for 2025 and expecting the same aggressiveness for next year. Chuck emphasized the need for standardized, digitized processes and organizational models to achieve 10-15% cost savings. He stressed the importance of reliability, using advanced sensors and predictive maintenance to improve uptime. He also underscored the significance of a robust performance management system and cultural change to ensure long-term cost reductions and operational efficiency. Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction 05:30 - Survey Findings on Cost Pressure and Cost Takeout Targets 10:45 - Challenges and Opportunities in Cost Takeout Programs 16:33 - Cultural Change and Operational Improvement 29:17 - Digital Strategy and Advanced Manufacturing Technologies EFESO Management Consultants: https://www.efeso.com/ The EFESO/Industry Week survey: https://www.argoconsulting.com/resource-insights/2026-manufacturing-industry-report/ Chuck's email: charles.deise@efeso.com

Flashing back to my all-time favorite show - the one with the legendary Mike Rowe, of course! "it's not difficult to celebrate the kind of skilled jobs that are in demand, and that can be done socially, it can be done through advertising campaigns, marketing campaigns, PR, earned media, unearned media, but I, I honestly think every, every company in the Fortune 500 has skin in this game." I'll go one step further: EVERY manufacturing company, big or small, SHOULD have skin in this game. Our survival as an industry and a nation are at stake. See my whole show with Mike here: https://youtu.be/ezkU1qAxCmE @therealmikerowe @mikeroweWORKS #skilledtrades

It was great to have Mush Khan join us for his second appearance! Mush, co-founder and CEO of Alchemy Industrial, leads a team of talented and passionate people who are dedicated to building a domestic manufacturing industry. This time around, he discussed Alchemy's focus on reshoring battery energy storage systems for commercial and industrial customers, avoiding residential and grid-scale systems. He highlighted the increasing demand and spikiness of power use, leading to significant business impacts, including demand charges and power quality issues. Mush emphasized the importance of AI in manufacturing, citing a project to incorporate AI into their systems. He also stressed the need for American reindustrialization, advocating for innovative solutions rather than replicating existing methods. He encouraged collaboration across borders and sectors to address manufacturing challenges. In this short clip, Mush talks about the economics of protecting your operation from power outages. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/H_8vzeWQTzU #manufacturing #reindustrialization #reshoring

It was great to have Mush Khan join us for his second appearance! Mush, co-founder and CEO of Alchemy Industrial, leads a team of talented and passionate people who are dedicated to building a domestic manufacturing industry. This time around, he discussed Alchemy's focus on reshoring battery energy storage systems for commercial and industrial customers, avoiding residential and grid-scale systems. He highlighted the increasing demand and spikiness of power use, leading to significant business impacts, including demand charges and power quality issues. Mush emphasized the importance of AI in manufacturing, citing a project to incorporate AI into their systems. He also stressed the need for American reindustrialization, advocating for innovative solutions rather than replicating existing methods. He encouraged collaboration across borders and sectors to address manufacturing challenges. In this short clip, Mush tells the story of how his team delivered a battery storage system in 90 days! See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/H_8vzeWQTzU #manufacturing #reindustrialization #reshoring

It was great to have Mush Khan join us for his second appearance! Mush, co-founder and CEO of Alchemy Industrial, leads a team of talented and passionate people who are dedicated to building a domestic manufacturing industry. This time around, he discussed Alchemy's focus on reshoring battery energy storage systems for commercial and industrial customers, avoiding residential and grid-scale systems. He highlighted the increasing demand and spikiness of power use, leading to significant business impacts, including demand charges and power quality issues. Mush emphasized the importance of AI in manufacturing, citing a project to incorporate AI into their systems. He also stressed the need for American reindustrialization, advocating for innovative solutions rather than replicating existing methods. He encouraged collaboration across borders and sectors to address manufacturing challenges. In this short clip, Mush and I chat about singing the praises of our unsung heroes of American manufacturing. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/H_8vzeWQTzU #manufacturing #reindustrialization #reshoring

It was great to have Mush Khan join us for his second appearance! Mush, co-founder and CEO of Alchemy Industrial, leads a team of talented and passionate people who are dedicated to building a domestic manufacturing industry. This time around, he discussed Alchemy's focus on reshoring battery energy storage systems for commercial and industrial customers, avoiding residential and grid-scale systems. He highlighted the increasing demand and spikiness of power use, leading to significant business impacts, including demand charges and power quality issues. Mush emphasized the importance of AI in manufacturing, citing a project to incorporate AI into their systems. He also stressed the need for American reindustrialization, advocating for innovative solutions rather than replicating existing methods. He encouraged collaboration across borders and sectors to address manufacturing challenges. In this short clip, Mush and I discuss setting a new goal as a nation to regain the top spot in global manufacturing. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/H_8vzeWQTzU #manufacturing #reindustrialization #reshoring

It was great to have Mush Khan join us for his second appearance! Mush, co-founder and CEO of Alchemy Industrial, leads a team of talented and passionate people who are dedicated to building a domestic manufacturing industry. This time around, he discussed Alchemy's focus on reshoring battery energy storage systems for commercial and industrial customers, avoiding residential and grid-scale systems. He highlighted the increasing demand and spikiness of power use, leading to significant business impacts, including demand charges and power quality issues. Mush emphasized the importance of AI in manufacturing, citing a project to incorporate AI into their systems. He also stressed the need for American reindustrialization, advocating for innovative solutions rather than replicating existing methods. He encouraged collaboration across borders and sectors to address manufacturing challenges. Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction 01:46 - Focus on Battery Energy Storage Systems 03:25 - Challenges and Opportunities in Power Management 08:47 - AI and Reindustrialization 12:19 - Reimagining Manufacturing for the Future 14:49 - The Role of AI in Job Creation and Reskilling 17:09 - The Importance of Celebrating Manufacturing Heroes 29:25 - Building a Strong Manufacturing Community 33:59 - The Future of American Manufacturing Alchemy Industrial: https://alchemyindustrial.com/ Mush's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mushkhan/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BirXuLj%2BKQbSKpL0r3nlRDw%3D%3D

One thing that's critical in reindustrializing America is teaching our youth about building their own companies. But according to Dave Goerlich, we aren't always doing the greatest job at that. Dave is co-founder and CEO of The Refinery, a software development firm specializing in manufacturing. He joined us to discuss the importance of entrepreneurship education. He criticized current programs for focusing too much on business plans and competitions, advocating instead for hands-on experience. Dave emphasized the need for mentorship and real-world learning, citing the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program as a model. He highlighted the shift in The Refinery's focus from software development to advisory services. Dave also stressed the importance of execution over ideas and the value of building in public to gather feedback and refine solutions. In this short clip, Dave recalls how a teacher inspired him to head down the software development career path. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/wyF1KDTDE6g #entrepreneurship #founders #manufacturing

One thing that's critical in reindustrializing America is teaching our youth about building their own companies. But according to Dave Goerlich, we aren't always doing the greatest job at that. Dave is co-founder and CEO of The Refinery, a software development firm specializing in manufacturing. He joined us to discuss the importance of entrepreneurship education. He criticized current programs for focusing too much on business plans and competitions, advocating instead for hands-on experience. Dave emphasized the need for mentorship and real-world learning, citing the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program as a model. He highlighted the shift in The Refinery's focus from software development to advisory services. Dave also stressed the importance of execution over ideas and the value of building in public to gather feedback and refine solutions. In this short clip, Dave discusses mentoring young, up-and-coming entrepreneurs and founders. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/wyF1KDTDE6g #entrepreneurship #founders #manufacturing

One thing that's critical in reindustrializing America is teaching our youth about building their own companies. But according to Dave Goerlich, we aren't always doing the greatest job at that. Dave is co-founder and CEO of The Refinery, a software development firm specializing in manufacturing. He joined us to discuss the importance of entrepreneurship education. He criticized current programs for focusing too much on business plans and competitions, advocating instead for hands-on experience. Dave emphasized the need for mentorship and real-world learning, citing the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program as a model. He highlighted the shift in The Refinery's focus from software development to advisory services. Dave also stressed the importance of execution over ideas and the value of building in public to gather feedback and refine solutions. In this short clip, Dave talks frankly about how failure is an integral part of entrepreneurial learning. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/wyF1KDTDE6g #entrepreneurship #founders #manufacturing

One thing that's critical in reindustrializing America is teaching our youth about building their own companies. But according to Dave Goerlich, we aren't always doing the greatest job at that. Dave is co-founder and CEO of The Refinery, a software development firm specializing in manufacturing. He joined us to discuss the importance of entrepreneurship education. He criticized current programs for focusing too much on business plans and competitions, advocating instead for hands-on experience. Dave emphasized the need for mentorship and real-world learning, citing the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program as a model. He highlighted the shift in The Refinery's focus from software development to advisory services. Dave also stressed the importance of execution over ideas and the value of building in public to gather feedback and refine solutions. In this short clip, Dave explores some of his own lessons he learned from real-world experience. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/wyF1KDTDE6g #entrepreneurship #founders #manufacturing

One thing that's critical in reindustrializing America is teaching our youth about building their own companies. But according to Dave Goerlich, we aren't always doing the greatest job at that. Dave is co-founder and CEO of The Refinery, a software development firm specializing in manufacturing. He joined us to discuss the importance of entrepreneurship education. He criticized current programs for focusing too much on business plans and competitions, advocating instead for hands-on experience. Dave emphasized the need for mentorship and real-world learning, citing the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program as a model. He highlighted the shift in The Refinery's focus from software development to advisory services. Dave also stressed the importance of execution over ideas and the value of building in public to gather feedback and refine solutions. In this short clip, Dave dives into the advantages of hands-on experience over academic exercises. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/wyF1KDTDE6g #entrepreneurship #founders #manufacturing

One thing that's critical in reindustrializing America is teaching our youth about building their own companies. But according to Dave Goerlich, we aren't always doing the greatest job at that. Dave is co-founder and CEO of The Refinery, a software development firm specializing in manufacturing. He joined us to discuss the importance of entrepreneurship education. He criticized current programs for focusing too much on business plans and competitions, advocating instead for hands-on experience. Dave emphasized the need for mentorship and real-world learning, citing the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program as a model. He highlighted the shift in The Refinery's focus from software development to advisory services. Dave also stressed the importance of execution over ideas and the value of building in public to gather feedback and refine solutions. Highlights: - Dave's Journey to Entrepreneurship - The Refinery's Niche and Market Focus - Market Segments and Clientele - Entrepreneurship Education and Challenges - The Role of Competition and Market Testing - Mentorship and Real-World Experience - The Importance of Execution Over Ideas This is really vital and really practical stuff. Check out the whole show! The Refinery: https://the-refinery.io/

This is Bandit Industry's horizontal grinder, appropriately nicknamed "The Beast," in action. My article yesterday for Forbes tells why the company needed to ramp up production of these monsters tremendously, and how they did it. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimvinoski/2025/11/21/woodchipper-producer-bandit-industries-supercharges-making-the-beast/

Why are five of the biggest American defense contractors neck-deep in divisive, destructive diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices? Dustin DeVito had a great article about that recently (link at the bottom), and he joined us to discuss just why that needs to change, pronto. Hint: it's not just about DEI. Dustin, director of research at the 1792 Exchange, discussed the organization's efforts to steer corporations away from divisive social and political issues, focusing on accurate data and trustworthy analysis. He highlighted the top five defense contractors' involvement in DEI initiatives, which he views as discriminatory and contrary to their core business priorities. Dustin emphasized the importance of companies focusing on their core business objectives rather than yielding to political activism. He also noted the effect of the Business Roundtable's wrongheaded 2019 statement on corporate governance, and emphasized in contrast the need for companies to align their policies with non-controversial causes. In this short clip, Dustin discusses the new power that social media and board activism bring to combating politicized corporate activism. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/yHn54fYxrNI #dei #defense #corporations

Why are five of the biggest American defense contractors neck-deep in divisive, destructive diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices? Dustin DeVito had a great article about that recently (link at the bottom), and he joined us to discuss just why that needs to change, pronto. Hint: it's not just about DEI. Dustin, director of research at the 1792 Exchange, discussed the organization's efforts to steer corporations away from divisive social and political issues, focusing on accurate data and trustworthy analysis. He highlighted the top five defense contractors' involvement in DEI initiatives, which he views as discriminatory and contrary to their core business priorities. Dustin emphasized the importance of companies focusing on their core business objectives rather than yielding to political activism. He also noted the effect of the Business Roundtable's wrongheaded 2019 statement on corporate governance, and emphasized in contrast the need for companies to align their policies with non-controversial causes. In this short clip, Dustin talks about how what was promised by the proponents of DEI turned into exactly the opposite in practice. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/yHn54fYxrNI #dei #defense #corporations

Why are five of the biggest American defense contractors neck-deep in divisive, destructive diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices? Dustin DeVito had a great article about that recently (link at the bottom), and he joined us to discuss just why that needs to change, pronto. Hint: it's not just about DEI. Dustin, director of research at the 1792 Exchange, discussed the organization's efforts to steer corporations away from divisive social and political issues, focusing on accurate data and trustworthy analysis. He highlighted the top five defense contractors' involvement in DEI initiatives, which he views as discriminatory and contrary to their core business priorities. Dustin emphasized the importance of companies focusing on their core business objectives rather than yielding to political activism. He also noted the effect of the Business Roundtable's wrongheaded 2019 statement on corporate governance, and emphasized in contrast the need for companies to align their policies with non-controversial causes. In this short clip, Dustin explains the ways the 1792 Exchange influences corporate behavior. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/yHn54fYxrNI #dei #defense #corporations

Why are five of the biggest American defense contractors neck-deep in divisive, destructive diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices? Dustin DeVito had a great article about that recently (link at the bottom), and he joined us to discuss just why that needs to change, pronto. Hint: it's not just about DEI. Dustin, director of research at the 1792 Exchange, discussed the organization's efforts to steer corporations away from divisive social and political issues, focusing on accurate data and trustworthy analysis. He highlighted the top five defense contractors' involvement in DEI initiatives, which he views as discriminatory and contrary to their core business priorities. Dustin emphasized the importance of companies focusing on their core business objectives rather than yielding to political activism. He also noted the effect of the Business Roundtable's wrongheaded 2019 statement on corporate governance, and emphasized in contrast the need for companies to align their policies with non-controversial causes. In this short clip, Dustin refers to support his organization provides on their website for companies that want to do the right thing. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/yHn54fYxrNI #DEI #defense #lockheedmartin #northropgrumman #boeing

Why are five of the biggest American defense contractors neck-deep in divisive, destructive diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices? Dustin DeVito had a great article about that recently (link at the bottom), and he joined us to discuss just why that needs to change, pronto. Hint: it's not just about DEI. Dustin, director of research at the 1792 Exchange, discussed the organization's efforts to steer corporations away from divisive social and political issues, focusing on accurate data and trustworthy analysis. He highlighted the top five defense contractors' involvement in DEI initiatives, which he views as discriminatory and contrary to their core business priorities. Dustin emphasized the importance of companies focusing on their core business objectives rather than yielding to political activism. He also noted the effect of the Business Roundtable's wrongheaded 2019 statement on corporate governance, and emphasized in contrast the need for companies to align their policies with non-controversial causes. Here are some highlights: - Challenges with DEI in Defense Contractors - Impact of DEI on Corporate Governance - Critique of Business Roundtable's Statement - Specific DEI Practices and Their Actual Effects - Legal and Public Pressure on Corporate Policies - Positive Examples and Future Directions We're at a crucial moment in national defense, when we need to focus on rebuilding our capabilities in an enormous way. We have neither time nor money to waste on failed divisive social experiments. Dustin's article: https://shorturl.fm/QVbCc The 1792 Exchange: https://1792exchange.com/ My anti-DEI Substack: https://manufacturingtalks.substack.com/p/its-time-to-abolish-dei