Rory has a stellar career's worth of know-how and insights, and he came guns-a-blazin' to fill us in on everything the wise manufacturing leader, executive, or owner needs to know to compete in today's marketplace. Here are the highlights. Chapters: 00:00 - introduction 03:00 - Rory's first day inside a factory 05:15 - the colossal importance of manufacturing 09:00 - the latest in manufacturing tech and what industry leaders need to know 12:40 - US manufacturers need to stop beating themselves up - we're the world's best innovators and designers 18:00 - the manufacturing workforce numbers shortfall and how we solve it 21:30 - how manufacturing and academia need to work together 26:00 - how to improve worker training and apprenticeship programs 31:45 - electrification and the super-cycle of innovation And oh so much more! This is an information- and solution-rich episode, folks - one of our best ones ever! Tune in for the whole thing. Rory's "Igniting American Manufacturing" podcast: https://dailynewsnetwork.com/topics/shows/igniting-american-manufacturing/

Martha is an economist with the Center of the American Experiment in Minneapolis, and she did a video a few months ago for PragerU about growing up in Malawi and how very different her life was there versus since she came to America for school then work. I saw the video right as I was first starting with my now routine message about how manufacturers have to stop apologizing for what we do. Martha's even more fundamental message about how much we take for granted and how different people's circumstances are based on economic systems and basic freedoms really struck a nerve with me. So I invited her to deliver that message here on my show as well. Here are the highlights. Chapters: 00:00 - introduction 02:00 - Martha's childhood in Malawi 03:45 - her initial plan to go back home and work for the government 06:00 - why freedom and prosperity go hand in hand 08:45 - why blaming businesses for inequality is wrong 12:20 - how Malawi had less inequality - because almost everybody was poor 16:00 - the economics of plenty - Adam Smith's passage about self-interest 17:35 - the differences between starting a business in Malawi versus the US 20:50 - the differences that property rights bring 24:00 - service provision: private sector versus government 26:00 - Martha's current work in Minnesota This one is so important. Too many people in the Western world have bought into the falsehoods about the evils of capitalism and the wonders of collectivism. Martha brings not theories, but real-world distinctions between the two systems and her own experiences living under each. Her message is a powerful one. Tune in and take in the whole thing.

For Episode 150, we wanted something really meaningful. Dan Meyer brought it. Say you're in manufacturing and you can't find enough people to do the jobs you need done on your factory floor. (Sound familiar?) Here's a thought: there is a whole class of people who are desperate for jobs, but because of a past bad decision, they're locked out of the very things they need to turn their lives around, with gainful employment being the biggest hurdle. Want to give them a chance? Then tune in and hear just how to do it and why it's so important from one of the very first activists for second-chance hiring, Dan, who is founder and CEO of Nehemiah Manufacturing Company in Cincinnati. Dan covers just how he was inspired to hire the formerly incarcerated, his early challenges and how he overcame them, and what second chance hiring does for people, businesses, and the community. Here are the highlights. Chapters: 00:00 - introduction 01:45 - Dan's corporate background with P&G, Pepsico, and Bristol-Myers Squibb, and his founding of his first company, Changing Paradigms 03:00 - selling that company and founding Nehemiah Manufacturing 06:30 - challenged to hire a felon: did it, but after the first few, started losing them 07:30 - hiring a social worker to solve that problem 09:30 - Nehemiah's pillars, including building community, affordable housing, and legal support 13:45 - now have 170 second-chance employees, with turnover of 15% 18:20 - getting other companies to buy in, including Kroger 21:00 - "people don't change" - why that's a myth 23:30 - educational help and Nehemiah U 25:00 - addressing fears of liability or violence - not a problem 28:00 - if you need more info, reach out to Dan There is much, much more, and every bit of it is critical. Tune in and check it all out!

Episode 149 features longtime leader from the Department of Energy and now CEO of CURIO Ed McGinnis talking about safely and profitably reprocessing all the "waste" nuclear fuel we have collecting at our many nuclear reactor sites across the country. It turns out most of it can be made into new fuel, and what remains - 3-4% - can be safely disposed of in boreholes. Ed tells us all that and how the reprocessed fuel not only makes new fuel, but also much-needed isotopes and rare metals as well, and as a result the CURIO process can be very profitable. Here are the highlights. Chapters: 00:00 - introduction 01:15 - Ed's thirty years with the DOE 05:15 - the public's understanding of nuclear energy 11:00 - President Carter's ban on nuclear waste reprocessing 14:30 - the CURIO opportunities 15:45 - the problem with PUREX, the old method of reprocessing: it makes weapons-grade plutonium 17:30 - oh, and it uses nitric acid 19:15 - one person's waste is another person's treasure 20:45 - CURIO's way to reduce waste to a 3-4% remnant 22:15 - storage requirements for the remnant 23:30 - isotopes and metals extraction 27:00 - CURIO provides two types of fuel: uranium and proliferation-safe plutonium 33:00 - using the uranium in existing reactors 35:30 - 2-3 scale-ups for CURIO, and full commercialization by 2035 37:00 - using the SpaceX model There is a whole whale of a lot of detail to all this, so please do tune in for the whole discussion. This is a vital topic for our skyrocketing energy needs and protecting the environment. Subscribe, please - and like and comment too! Share it with your friends.

Tony Demakis is one of those sons of a manufacturing-related business owner who didn't want to take over from his dad. Until he did. Now he runs Alliance Specialties/Alliance Laser Sales, and has great insights on how to succeed in our corner of the business world and how to build a great team. He's also a fellow manufacturing show host, with his Manufacturing Alliance Podcast. So it was great fun hearing his takes on everything from how he landed back in the family trade to his faith to his vision for leadership both inside and outside of work. Here are the highlights. Chapters: 00:00 - introduction 02:45 - did not like his dad's shop 04:00 - how he came back to work for his father 06:15 - how he started his podcast 07:15 - an early partnership with Bales Metal Surface Solutions 10:00 - what Alliance does 12:00 - how to build great people 15:00 - talking faith 20:15 - American-made 27:45 - looking to the past for what's needed now 31:45 - business is back! 32:45 - the strong survive 34:45 - tell your story! And there's plenty more where that came from! Tune in and check out the whole thing. Share it with your friends! Follow us on LinkedIn, and subscribe and sign up for alerts for future shows! A couple of helpful links: Alliance Specialties/Alliance Laser Sales: https://alliancelasersales.com/ The Manufacturing Alliance podcast: https://alliancelasersales.com/tmfgalliance/ The book I mentioned in our discussion, *Freedom's Forge:* https://tinyurl.com/sr7sp3k7

It's another stellar multi-generation family business: Malco Products in northeast Ohio, where they make the very best stuff folks use for auto detailing. Company president Seth Glauberman joined us for Episode 147 to tell us all about the company history, how he landed in the family business, and what's hot for the company these days. Here are the highlights. Chapters: 00:00 - introduction 04:00 - how Seth would up joining the business 05:15 - Malco and what they do: specialty chemicals 10:30 - taking the company to the next level 15:30 - the amazing amounts of talent available in the Rust Belt 21:00 - a global company's challenges: tariffs, etc. 24:30 - we talk bicycling! 26:30 - rebranding 28:00 - Malco needs a sales guy! 29:00 - Malco's Quality Improvement Teams and what they've accomplished There's a whole lot more, too. Tune in for the whole thing! Do add your comments or questions, and please like and subscribe. Follow us on LinkedIn and share this one with your friends!

If you're looking for a great example of real-world results that using AI in the manufacturing realm can bring, you definitely want to hear this discussion with Chris Kuntz. He's the VP of Strategic Operations at Augmentir, provider of AI-based connected worker software. He covered how Augie, the company's generative AI assistant for industrial work, can make things better in a number of ways for your frontline employees, their supervisors and managers, and your whole operation. Here are some highlights. Chapters: 00:00 - intro 02:30 - the founding of Augmentir by guys who brought us Wonderware and Thingworks, and who discovered their next tech task to tackle was workforce challenges 05:00 - work process automation 08:15 - the launch of Augie, the work assistant 11:45 - how Augie presents solutions in a way to make work safer and more efficient 16:30 - skill level versus experience level 20:00 - an example of how Augie works with operators: autonomous maintenance 23:30 - worker pushback about spying or monitoring? Not a problem 27:30 - integrating workers' tacit knowledge 29:40 - how we're still just in the beginning of what's possible This was a really rich discussion, so there's a whole lot more in there. Tune in for the whole thing, and please add your questions or comments so we can get you any additional information you're looking for. Also, if you like this, please subscribe here and follow us on LinkedIn, and shar this with your friends too!

Lots of manufacturers, especially those with small and medium-sized businesses, take a "it'll be fine" approach to their IT. Since it's not necessarily central to the business, it's easy for owners and managers to put off dealing with it or just leave to the same folks who've always handled it for them. Jeff Borello, co-owner and CEO of Andromeda Technology outside Chicago, says that's exactly the wrong thing to do. Jeff joined us for Episode 145 to chat about why IT is more and more critical to the business of manufacturing. Below are some of the highlights. Chapters: 00:00 - introduction 03:00 - where the name Andromeda Technology came from (IYKYK) 05:30 - the critical nature of cybersecurity and multifactor authentification 08:15 - the incredible potential cost of a cybersecurity incident, and why you need an insurance policy that covers them 11:00 - why it's vital to have the right IT team, whether internal or external 14:45 - business process automation 18:30 - how to create a strategic advantage with your IT approach 22:40 - AI: Jeff says be careful with Copilot in Office 365! 25:00 - how Andromeda Technology differentiates itself And there's oh so much more! Definitely check the whole thing out - it's a truly crucial subject you don't want to miss. If you want to learn more about Jeff's company: https://www.andromeda-tech-solutions.com/

Are you curious about how manufacturers can keep up with the rapid advancements of the digital age? Join us as we chat from afar with Australian John Broadbent, the visionary behind Realise Potential. John shares many insights into the evolution of Industry 4.0, from the early days of PLCs and automation to today's AI-driven innovations, but you may be surprised as his recommendations for the best path forward for manufacturing leaders seeking to future-proof their operations. Through our conversation, you'll uncover the essential steps in implementing Industry 4.0, starting with the foundational task of connecting equipment and gathering data. We tackle the challenges organizations face when diving headfirst into AI without a robust data foundation, and explore how incremental improvements can drastically enhance operational efficiency. John shares real-world examples, like reducing packaging errors, to illustrate the tangible benefits of integrating data-driven insights into everyday processes. We also confront the hurdles operational leaders encounter in championing innovation, particularly when met with resistance from higher management. Shifting gears, we delve into the leadership dynamics within the manufacturing sector, emphasizing the transition from proof of concept to proof of value. John discusses the pressing need for strategic leadership and long-term planning, contrasting it with the short-term mindset often driven by the corporate or private equity mindsets. Finally, we explore John's personal advocacy work, especially his commitment to supporting men, whether in dealing with midlife struggles or needing to foster deeper connections. His journey of personal growth and dedication to service is both inspiring and a call to action for others in the industry. Don't miss this insightful episode with a leading figure in manufacturing transformation. Chapters: 00:00 - introduction 13:45 - unlocking the advantages of Industry 4.0 with digital transformation, whether through factory digitalization or work process automation 19:41 - challenges in manufacturing leadership and strategy 29:08 - empowering men through advocacy, service, and connection John's book site: https://manunplugged.com.au/ Realise Potential website: https://realisepotential.com.au/

Gearheads unite! Episode 143 features the CEO of Hellwig Products, Melanie Hellwig-White, chatting about how they make cool aftermarket parts like helper springs and sway bars. It's a great fourth-generation manufacturing business story. Here are some highlights. Chapters: 00:00 - intro 01:00 - how Melanie landed in the family business 03:00 - helper springs and the founding of Hellwig Products 04:45 - Jim's helper spring experience 07:15 - the ag workforce in Visalia, California knows how to work 09:30 - Melanie's move up the ladder 12:30 - the breadth of Hellwig's product range 15:00 - the company's ability to shift as vehicles change 18:45 - the sway bar side of the business 22:00 - dealing with vendor price increases and business craziness 24:00 - how Melanie's generation and her Dad's compliment one another And there's so much more! It's a marvelous story - tune in for the whole thing! And as always, leave us your questions and comments, like and subscribe, and share it with your friends.

This is a must-see chat with two true innovators in 3D printing! (Sorry for the little snafu with the camera viewfinder indicators showing up on-screen!) Jason Murphy runs Next CHAPTER (not Next Generation, as I said in the video) Manufacturing and Brandon Teets runs Accel Digital Solutions, both in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (Both companies recently appeared in episodes of our playlist "Welcome to the Machine - links are below.) Jason does metal 3D printing and Brandon does plastic, and both have hugely valuable insights to share about this growing new production technology. Here are some of the highlights. Chapters: 00:00 - introduction 01:50 - the current state of 3D printing 04:50 - the importance of materials 08:00 - 3D printing and production efficiencies 11:00 - "we start closer to the finish line" 13:30 - conformal cooling reducing downstream molding cycle times 15:00 - the efficiencies in reusing printing powders 18:30 - better parts from better materials 22:00 - the need for all manufacturers to consider 3D printing solutions 24:45 - "resetting the norm" And there's a whole bunch more. Tune in and check out the whole thing, post your questions and observations in the comments section, and be sure to like, share, and subscribe! Here are the links to their "Welcome to the Machine" episodes. Next Chapter Manufacturing: https://youtu.be/7VJg7WoIenQ Accel Digital Solutions: https://youtu.be/7CZo9hrFTmw

Another episode sponsored by MaintainX - see the link below! #ariens #mowers #lawnmower #manufacturing #assembly #welding #robot #howitsmade Who knew manufacturing mowers was high tech? The folks at Ariens in Brillion, Wisconsin, that's who! We followed right along as they turned sheets of steel and stacks of tubing into their Ariens and Gravely brands of zero-turn lawnmowers. They've made it a highly automated and highly efficient process, from computerized laser metal cutting to robotic bending to AGV parts haulers. It's an impressive mix of human know-how and machine might, all to keep your lawn in great shape. Do check out the whole show about how they make their gorgeous mowers! This episode sponsored by MaintainX: https://www.getmaintainx.com/ Manufacturing Talks logo: John E. Vinoski Title concept: John A. Vinoski Intro music: Kassogtha, “Welcome to the Machine” (a cover of the Pink Floyd original) Used by the band’s kind permission https://kassogtha.com/ Background music: "Burn The World Waltz" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: y Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Many thanks to our friends at Ariens: https://www.ariens.com/ Particular thanks to John Schiermeister, Senior Director of Operations and tour guide extraordinaire, and to our gracious host Nick Ariens, President and COO

For Episode 141, we got a great education in the state of business for farm tractors. Mahindra is a tractor maker headquartered in India, and they happen to have the best-selling model in the world. The President and CEO of their North and South America business, Viren Popli, joined us to fill us in on all the latest and greatest in this vital manufacturing sector. Here are the highlights. Chapters: 00:00 - intro 04:15 - Mahindra's overall business overview 06:00 - the India and China dynamic 08:30 - India's big opportunities over the next 10 to 15 years 11:15 - the farm equipment sales slowdown: inflation, politics, labor, commodities 16:00 - focus: mechanization 17:30 - tech solutions for the labor challenge - precision ag, autonomy 18:45 - the roles of AI and data 19:15 - the power needed to drive AI 27:30 - energy in India: primarily coal and solar 29:00 - nuclear 31:00 - Mahindra's start in the US: 20 years ago one guy in Texas, now 500 dealers in US and Canada, all family-owned 32:30 - new tractor line 33:15 - manufacturing in Detroit and Houston Yep, it was a rich conversation! Check out the whole thing, and be sure to like, comment, and subscribe - and share it with your friends!

Eric is a no-hold-barred reporter on all things automotive (and a whole lot more!) Lately that means he's not reporting a lot of good news. So when he promised he could be positive about Subaru's offerings, I took him up on it. That landed him our first episode of the new year! Here are the highlights. Chapters: 00:00 - intro 02:00 - had an issue with his first Subaru and got great treatment 03:30 - early Apple iPlay use 04:30 - Subaru big for outdoorsy folks 08:30 - offroad capabilities 10:30 - changes made incrementally 11:30 - early marketing to LGBT 13:00 - marketing to dog lovers and supporting pet adoptions 17:45 - quality focus 22:00 - rankings of most-American-made cars 26:00 - environmental aspects of EVs 31:00 - hybrids Yes, dog lovers, Subaru is very interested in your business! (And before we forget, here is the promised link to Andrew Cotter's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mrandrewcotter - enjoy! There's a whole lot more (and still more in Eric's article about Subaru that we discussed, which you can find here: https://starkmanapproved.com/subarus-triumph-and-the-shame-of-gm-and-ford/), so tune in for the whole thing. Be sure to offer your comments, and if you like this one, please share it with our friends and hit the like and subscribe buttons too!

Another episode sponsored by MaintainX - see the link below! #milk #dairy #dairyfarm #robot #lely Milking cows no longer involves the three-legged stool and frozen farmers' hands of years past. Check out this video on the new robotic milking system the Ziegler family at J-Springs Dairy in Freedom, Wisconsin, installed and started up earlier this year! Not only is milking automated, but robotic and computerized systems handle feed, barn climate control, and monitoring of production and animal health. That makes the lives of these hard-working dairy farmers a lot better! And it makes the cows happier too, which means they produce more milk at better prices for you and your family Tune in and learn all about it in our latest how-it's-made video! Credits: This episode sponsored by MaintainX (https://www.getmaintainx.com/) Manufacturing Talks logo: John E. Vinoski Title concept: John A. Vinoski Intro music: Kassogtha, “Welcome to the Machine” (a cover of the Pink Floyd original) – used by the band’s kind permission (https://kassogtha.com/) Background music: "Burn The World Waltz" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Many thanks to Gracie and Jay Ziegler and the whole family at J-Springs Dairy, and to Tom Dietzler for the story idea and help in making it happen!