Manufacturing Happy Hour

Imagine a world without connectors… If we didn’t have connectors, technology and products would simply be cool ideas without that all-important functionality we need. In this episode, we speak to two of HARTING Americas’ team about the importance of connectors in manufacturing and engineering processes. Casey Spitz, the Vice President of Development and Innovation, and Cory Jenkins, Senior Director of Business Development, weigh in on why connectors should be a part of design processes from the very start, rather than left to the end. Casey and Cory share insights on the technical details of connectors, the trend toward miniaturization, and the evolution of things like Ethernet over the past few years. We also chat about the project management side of engineering, how HARTING balances growth with everyday processes, and how engineers should think about localization. As industry leaders, they have some great actionable advice on leadership, growth, and the importance of team collaboration. We hear what it takes to build an efficient engineering process that welcomes new ideas to boost innovation. In this episode, find out: 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 world of connectors is actually pretty niche. There's not a lot of people that have done this before, so we're looking for people that are top notch collaborators, that are very humble and respectful of other people's ideas.”“Don't confuse busyness with productivity. And the difference between those two is really being connected to your company's goals.”“If you go in every direction, that's not a right answer. But you've got to be listening to every direction.” Links & mentions: HARTINGErnst Barre Private Brewery 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.

The difficulties manufacturers face when it comes to finding and retaining top talent is something we often discuss on this podcast, so it’s great to welcome a guest who has an excellent solution. In this episode, we speak with Retired Lieutenant Colonel (USAF), Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz. Kathy shares her story with us about how she got into the military and eventually the industrial space. She explains what it means to be a veteran champion if you’re hoping to recruit veterans to your manufacturing team, and how you can ensure your organization is veteran-ready. She also provides an enlightening look at the broad skill sets that veterans bring to the table, from nursing to project management to sales, and gives us some tips on tangible ways to become an advocate for veterans in everyday life. In this episode, find out: Beyond “Thank You For Your Service:” The Veteran Champion Handbook for Civilians 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: “My appreciation for the technical aptitudes that service members bring to the workplace is particularly relevant in the manufacturing industry.”“I invite you to join the veteran champion movement and be a part of the win because it really is a win when you get to know a veteran, understand their life story, their experiences. So I contend that it improves your quality of life.”“’Thank you for wearing the uniform.’ That is super special because it implies that you have some appreciation for what it means to me to take the oath of office, to make that commitment, and the pride and professionalism we feel when we wear the uniform”. Links & mentions: Vanguard VeteranBeyond "Thank You For Your Service:" The Veteran Champion Handbook for CiviliansInvite Vanguard Veteran to SpeakVanguard Veteran's Employer Consulting and TrainingComplimentary Veteran-Ready AssessmentO*Net OnLine Military Crosswalk SearchWomen...

What are some of the results of integrating cobots into your production processes and how do you help your employees push past any initial apprehension they feel to fully embrace the benefits? In this special case study-style episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, we welcome Rob Goldiez, CEO of Hirebotics, a company that makes welding cobots for welders, and Justin Montes, CEO of DeAngelo Marine Exhaust, onto the show to talk about the intersection of automation, technology, and human craftsmanship. We take a deep dive into real-world scenarios of what it looks like when a company adopts robotics, specifically collaborative robots. What factors into the decision making? What are some of the hiccups that happen along the way and what does success look like after a robot is installed? The conversation also covers leadership, robotics, and trends in the collaborative robot space. Plus, if you like welding, fabrication (or boats!) then you’re going to love this episode! In this episode, find out: 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 paid off the cobot within an order. One order! So that was done. Now it's just icing!”“The consistent thing is companies are struggling to hire and retain key welders. They’re an aging workforce. You see that all over. Can't find welders, can't meet production, struggle to grow the business.”“There is a general fear of automation. It's going to replace my job versus it's going to take the dull, dirty, dangerous stuff away so I can be more creative.” Links & mentions: HireboticsDeAngelo Marine ExhaustYOT Bar & KitchenEdley's Bar-B-QueHattie B’s Hot ChickenTootsie’sLinkedInLinkedIn 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.

Additive manufacturing isn’t exactly a new kid on the block, but are manufacturers using it as much as they could? And are we using it in the right way by teaming it up with automation? According to Liz Stortstrom, 3D Printing Product Manager at HP, manufacturers are starting to lean into using additive manufacturing with automation – but we could do more to fully realize its potential! In this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, Liz gives us a quick overview of her varied career – from engineering to operations, to her Spain-based product management role. She shares her take on why additive manufacturing and automation make the perfect pairing and her predictions for how the industry will develop in the future. We also hear a little about which industries are leading the way, and how companies can get buy-in from their team and leadership to join in with the success. In this episode, find out: 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: “Every 3D printing process has some sort of automation inherently involved. Whether that be automating the movement of parts, the digital workflow, or around the quality control process.”“A lot of companies need this higher level of agility, right? This higher level of flexibility. And how do you do that with the same old manufacturing methods?”“You need a champion, usually an engineer, who is near the design and understands the benefits of additive manufacturing. At the same time, especially if you're a big company, you need someone higher up to say, 'we're going to start using additive manufacturing more.'” Links & mentions: Victoria BarLinkedIn 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.

Now, who doesn’t love a good chat about robots? In this episode, we speak with Ryan Gariepy, the CTO of Clearpath Robotics & OTTO Motors, about the future of robotics and how leadership can effectively integrate autonomous equipment and robots into existing operations. We hear about Ryan’s career in robotics, from his early days to building his two companies, which were recently acquired by Rockwell Automation. Ryan explains how companies, big or small, can start working with robots in different ways to find the best possible applications for them. Aside from the practical application of robots, we also dig into the ethical considerations that leaders should be aware of – most importantly, the safety of human workers on site. Plus, we also hear how R2-D2 was the inspiration behind Ryan’s love of robots. In this episode, find out: 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: “If we're going to put our time and money and all sorts of other resources into building new technology, let's do it in areas like agriculture or the basics of healthcare or construction. Let's try not to put robots in the creative spaces.”“Robots are one of the few components which are both necessary and sufficient to drive value. Just on their own.”“I think it's important for people to learn from existing successful deployments and not try to reinvent the wheel because reinventing the wheel is costly, but when it comes to people's health or wellbeing generally, it opens up corner cases.” Links & mentions: Robotics Summit & ExpoClearpath Robotics by Rockwell AutomationOTTO Motors by Rockwell AutomationCanadian Robotics Council 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.

This episode is all about ‘Made in Missouri’ and was recorded live at the 2024 Midwest Manufacturers Trade Show & Conference. It’s a special episode for host Chris Luecke, because not only did he grow up in Missouri, but also because he is a big fan of the Missouri Association of Manufacturers, which is a group that’s constantly advocating for manufacturing and building a great community of manufacturers in their area. This episode is a compilation of three different interviews with three very interesting manufacturers from three different parts of Missouri, focusing on what it’s like to manufacture in the Midwest. Chris speaks to Pavel Bosovik, founder and CEO of 27North, where they make expedition vans and adventure vehicles, Josh Shelton the owner of Etched Nameplate Company as well as Kevin Thompson, CFO turned Leadership Coach at Cambridge Air Solutions, who talks about how to create a culture that makes you the talk of the industry. For loads of insights, invaluable advice, and an in-depth look at how to leverage others in your manufacturing ecosystem, don’t miss this episode. In this episode, find out: 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: “I wish there was a secret sauce or I could say, ‘hey, my bachelor's degree helped’. It definitely accelerated the process. It helped me lay the foundation and know the vocabulary. But in any new business or new product that you launch, the processes is the hardest part.”“If you want to scale your company from $20 million to $100 million, find $100 million companies. Forget Elon Musk. Find people that are the next step of where you want to be in your journey.”“We don't exist to make HVAC equipment. We exist to enrich lives. We happen to enrich lives by making and distributing HVAC equipment.” Links & mentions: Missouri Association of Manufacturers27North

Does personal branding have a place in the manufacturing space? It might be something you associate more with marketing or creative industries, but this week’s guest has seen her personal branding efforts open doors to new and exciting opportunities. Nikki Gonzales, the Head of Partnerships at Quotebeam and Co-Host of the Automation Ladies podcast (amongst many other projects) joins this episode to talk about personal branding and the importance of trust. Trust is a key theme in this episode, and personal branding can go a long way in building it within your network. But it also comes up when we chat about why companies are sometimes hesitant for employees to work on their personal brands. For Nikki, it’s important that companies trust their employees, like Quotebeam did for her. We dive into how Nikki has built her brand and network and the benefits she and Quotebeam have experienced as a result. We also talk about Nikki’s background, having moved from Iceland to the UK to Texas, where she learned about the world of tech sales and the importance of networking. In this episode, find out: 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: “Network effects are real, and we are a technology business, yes, but the backbone of that is the people." “The owner or the leadership team at that organization needs to take a look in the mirror and say, are we fostering the type of culture that's going to result in a positive perception of our company from the folks that work here?[On personal branding] “I think getting buy-in is really important. You can go out on your own and do all kinds of stuff. But if you do it completely without discussing it with your employer at all, then you're probably setting yourself up for some sort of conflict down the road.” Links & mentions: QuotebeamAutomation LadiesProcess & Controls Engineering, LLCSaint Arnold Brewing Company

Innovation is 3M’s bread and butter. As a leading science-based technology company, we wanted to hear more about the stories from people who make all that innovation happen. This episode was recorded at 3M’s headquarters in St. Paul Minnesota, where we spoke with three brilliant women from 3M about innovation in STEM, how 3M encourages new ideas and projects and diversity in STEM. Joining this episode are Jayshree Seth, Corporate Scientist, Brittany Moren, Robotic Application Engineer, and Michelle Frumkin, Global Marketing Manager. They explain how they first entered the world of STEM and what we can do to encourage more from diverse backgrounds to pick STEM as a career path. We also hear about 3M’s 15%-time policy which allows team members to dedicate 15% of their time to work on innovative new projects and experiments. In this episode, find out: 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: “If you're leadership, if you're one of the CEOs, if you're able to continue showcasing the women and everyone in your workforce and the hard work that they do, it really says, okay, I feel like I'm valued here and it makes sense for me to stay and continue.” Michelle“I strongly believe in bringing awareness much sooner into people's lives. So I've done a lot of outreach with middle school and high school. A lot of times when I have talked to high schoolers that are maybe like junior seniors, it actually a lot of times feels too late.” Brittany“I think role models are important. People want to see representation and that makes them want to aspire to those roles.” Links & mentions: Not the Science TypeSkilled 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.

Well, this episode is certainly a trip down memory lane! Host Chris Luecke is joined by former college classmate Marcease Warren, the VP of Manufacturing at Sentry Equipment. Chris and Marcease catch up on what’s changed since they were pulling all-nighters trying to finish projects at Marquette’s College of Engineering. In this episode, we hear about the trick to scaling a manufacturing department, leading a team of engineers, and the importance of a good company culture where everyone’s on the same page. Marcease shares his take on Industry 4.0 in the engineering space and some examples of how automation is changing things at Sentry Equipment. We also talk a bit about Sentry Equipment’s employee ownership program. Marcease busts some myths about this type of program and explains some of the benefits of employees having a stake in the company. In this episode, find out: 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 can throw out the buzzwords, industry 4.0, IoT, whatever you want to call it. But automation is automation at the end of the day. So it's just a matter of incorporating those various tools to automate something that is manual right now.”“We had a project where we incorporated a laser into the shop, and not only did we pull in the individuals that we thought were going to be directly responsible for the equipment, we pulled in any and everybody that wanted to be an ally.”[On employee ownership] “A lot of people think that they're putting their own money on the line and that's not the case at all. You're literally getting something for free. Your trade into the organization is your time and your commitment, not necessarily your financial contribution to the company.” Links & mentions: Sentry EquipmentMarquette University Co-Op ProgramRosati’s Make sure to...

What’s new in the forklift and logistics industry? According to Nick Malewicki, the General Manager of the Autonomous Vehicle Division at Big Joe Forklifts, we’re seeing smart forklifts, more automation, and better safety features in equipment. Nick joins Manufacturing Happy Hour to talk about his role and career and shares some insights into his own passion for solving problems, which has been a major theme throughout his career. We hear how Big Joe Forklifts provides safer ways of managing and picking goods in warehouses and the differences between autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs). We also chat about some excellent beer at Eagle Park Brewing in Milwaukee, Nick’s favorite Pulp Fiction character, and what a “joey” is in the forklift world. In this episode, find out: 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 number one mindset is to make ergonomic equipment that prevents injuries but also makes employees’ jobs easier. We want to empower workers. We don't want to make their job harder.”“Automation is super important. The percentage of companies that are increasing their investments into automation continues to grow. But a big obstacle of that is the financial impact and as well as the training.”“Forklifts are getting smarter. They're becoming autonomous. There's telematics now. And all of these innovations enhance safety and operator comforts.” Links & mentions: Eagle Park BrewingBig Joe ForkliftsLinkedIn 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.

Welcome to this special episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, recorded live at the 2024 Industrial Marketing Summit in Austin Texas, where we chat with five awesome industrial marketers about the evolution of industrial marketing. The episode is divided into three parts and you’ll hear why an industrial marketing event is so important at the beginning of 2024, what a rebrand can really mean to an industrial company and how you can effectively market something that is a small part of a bigger industrial solution and make it exciting. Plus, we also talk to our brilliant marketers about what meaningful marketing looks like to an engineer, how B2B marketing can be just as cool and B2C, what industrial marketers should be taking advantage of right now. So join Chris as he talks with Adam Beck, Director of Marketing at CADENAS PARTsolutions, Kerry Nedic, Strategic Marketing Leader at Baker Hughes, John Joyce, Founder & Systems Architect at Brijr.io, Amanda Marx, Senior VP of Marketing, Digital Strategy and IT at HARTING Americas and Melissa Geertz, Director of Marketing at Grey Solutions, for loads of excellent advice, insights and inspiration. In this episode, find out: 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 marketing experience, the customer experience as a whole, is going to change for industrial companies over the next few years because industrial companies are just waking up to the value of the whole customer experience.”“We’re small, scrappy teams and I don't see that changing. But I think we are going to get so much better because of what AI is bringing to the table. So a small scrappy team's ability to generate good content at scale has never been more possible.”“The buyer's journey evolves and it changes. And it's so important to make sure that your strategy and your brand reflects that and addresses the buyer needs.” Links & mentions: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adambeck79/https://www.linkedin.com/in/knedic/

Get ready for a masterclass of an episode with Alex Chausovsky, the Director of Analytics and Consulting at Bundy Group. Alex gives us detailed breakdowns of the top things you need to know about the current economic climate, the labor market, and the M&A world. We hear about his varied career story and the key lessons he’s picked up from his time in market research and investment banking. He gives his advice for those running businesses, hiring talent, selling businesses, and making decisions around growth and profitability. A theme throughout this episode is the importance of focusing on what matters and not getting lost in the noise and wealth of information out there. To say this episode is packed with advice would be putting it lightly! In this episode, find out: 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: “Understanding what motivates people, both the workers and the organizations, is really critical to being able to not only attract people to your organization but then effectively hire them and retain them.”“You have to know which economy and which recession you care about from a business perspective. Think about the data. How do you interpret it? What does it mean to you, and which one should you care about?”“HR needs a seat at the executive table. When you're setting targets for yourself, developing product roadmaps, and talking about the future growth of the organization, people have to be a critical element of it.” Links & mentions: Bundy GroupIndustrial Production: Total IndexManufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding AircraftEmployment Situation Summary: Establishment Data 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.

Robotics and automation have transformed the manufacturing world, logistics, supply chains, and warehouses over the past few years. Thanks to the democratization of these tools, more companies are utilizing the kind of AI-powered robots that Dexterity specializes in. Michael Patrick Perry, Dexterity’s VP of Marketing, returns to the show for a third time to explore the transformational changes in robotics. We chat about how Dexterity solves common challenges in warehouses plus how the company has successfully scaled over the past few years. Michael also explains how a software-first approach makes robotics a more flexible and dynamic solution to common warehouse challenges. He explores how the democratization of robotics has changed the industry, leading to rapid deployment in warehouses and where AI can help companies with everything from logistics to marketing. In this episode, find out: 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: “It's less important to be out there in front of everybody. It's more important to be out in front of the right people.”“It's no longer the spray and pray, let's put out a message and just hope it works. It's really understanding your customer and creating a custom experience of your brand for them.”“We don't sell robots or software, we sell business outcomes.” Links & mentions: 55: Why “Spot” the Mobile Robot is Made for Manufacturing with Boston Dynamics’ Michael PerryLeaders in Robotics, AMRs, and Logistics | Live from A3’s 2021 Autonomous Mobile Robots and Logistics ConferenceLinkedInDexterity AI

From energy to supply chain, manufacturing represents the lifeblood of pretty much everything that makes our society run. It also contributes 14% of the GDP of the US, making it a space that needs to grow aggressively and an attractive prospect for our guest on this episode, Rapid Robotics CEO & Co-Founder Jordan Kretchmer. Jordan explains how and why he made the transition from a highly successful career in MarTech to robotics and what this new focus means to him personally. He also provides fascinating insights into the recent refocus and impact that Rapid Robotics is having on the scalability of robotic workforces to help solve the labor crisis. And how the new technologies they are deploying enable robots to self-learn and adapt to their environments with human-like instincts. Jordan reveals how he won over investors despite (initially) not being able to program a robot and managed to keep them all on board when the company refocused. We hear his top three takeaways for manufacturing leaders and how AI has changed the way we can ‘train’ robots. In this episode, find out: 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: Links & mentions: Connect with Jordan on LinkedInRapid Robotics 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.

AI has been a key part of modern manufacturing for a few years now, and it’s here to stay. But we wouldn’t have it without people like our guest on this episode, who’s not afraid to try new things and take bold leaps into the unknown. With quite possibly the coolest job title ever, Gregory Powers, the VP of Cool Stuff at Gray Solutions, gives us some backstory on how he got that title and what his role involves. His philosophy leans into the “art of what’s possible,” and this curiosity has shaped his career in new and interesting ways. Gregory talks about what it means to guide a team when applying new technologies, particularly AI solutions. We hear how manufacturers can get started with AI, where AI is headed in this industry, and how manufacturers can tell they’re ready for it. He also breaks down his best advice for trying out new technology the right way and what bringing AI in could do for your team (hint – it’s not stealing their jobs!) In this episode, find out: 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: “[With AI], the operators can be more proactive about getting things done outside of the traditional stuff that they're doing now.”“I keep telling our customers, get some foundation first on your data, structure it, put in the technology and the infrastructure that you need to set up for that future. If you don't do that, you're going to probably struggle.”“Don't be scared to take a risk on some of this stuff, as long as you're not losing out on big numbers, then it's okay to experiment.” Links & mentions: Connect with Gregory on LinkedInGray Solutions 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.

Marketing, manufacturing, and life advice are the key themes in this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour. Jim Carr, CEO of CARR Machine & Tool, joins the podcast to impart his words of wisdom as a manufacturing trailblazer. We hear about his early days of bartending and marketing and the surprisingly transferable lessons he now applies to manufacturing. One of Jim’s take-home points in this episode is the importance of getting out of your comfort zone, which is something he practices regularly. He also shares how he got started with branding and marketing on the manufacturing side and why he decided to push forward with social media (even when manufacturing leaders at the time were skeptical). Jim also reveals the two core beliefs that keep him successful and why his passion for his work keeps him young. In this episode, find out: 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: “What holds people back in their careers is they're too concerned with what other people are going to think. You have to do what you feel is the right thing for you.”“I believe if you match your brand to the companies that you're trying to attract, it's good synergy.”“Consistency is really important. If you're only going to post 1-2 times a week, make sure it's consistent on the days of the week and the times that you post because people get used to seeing that.” Links & mentions: Perry’s SteakhouseCARR Machine & ToolMy True Position podcast 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.

Hospitality and the manufacturing industry couldn’t be further apart, right? But it turns out there are some universal lessons when it comes to delivering a great customer experience that apply no matter what industry you’re in. Whether you’re dealing with guests, customers, clients, or visitors, the “hospitality mentality” is key to success – says returning guest Josh Liebman, guest experience expert, podcast co-host of AttractionPros, and author of The Hospitality Mentality. Josh joined us back in episode 17 to talk about what manufacturers can learn from the amusement park industry. In this episode, he goes one step further to break down the mindset that manufacturers can borrow from hospitality. He explains how to create lifelong fans of your brand, the true cost of negative reviews, and how the “recovery paradox” can help you turn negative reviews into something positive. We also hear his advice on creating memories as a business model, his advice for helping your team adopt the right mindset, and what he’s learned from the manufacturing industry. In this episode, find out: 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've built into our culture service recovery. So not only are we canceling out a bad experience, we're regaining that satisfaction. We're regaining that trust, and in many cases, that leads to loyalty.”“I treat every single guest as an influencer, whether they have 10 followers or 10 million, because people who are of the demographic of the business that you're talking about, they visit again or they do business with you again. They influence others to do business with you.” “The way we remember something turns into our action in the future. It becomes the way we perceive what that experience was, and that perception determines our satisfaction or our dissatisfaction, and that determines how we then share and broadcast that experience with others.” Links & mentions: The Hospitality MentalityToons Attraction Pros Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay...

When leveraged correctly, AI can enhance human creativity and allow businesses to connect disparate systems and make informed decisions. So, what choices can manufacturing businesses take to ensure they’re using AI the right way? We all know some aspects of our jobs can feel robotic, so Concurrency Chief Technology Officer, Nathan Lasnoski, suggests leaving the manual tasks to AI so you can focus on creativity. On this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, he shares how AI can be used to boost your team’s creative abilities and explains why ROI should be your lodestar as you look to incorporate AI. Plus, he provides expert tips on how leaders can start making the right AI choices and tells us the similarities between its explosion and the Industrial Revolution. Nathan’s been involved with AI for EIGHT years – so he knows what he’s talking about! In this episode, find out: 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 bar has been lowered for businesses to get into the game.”“Even medium- and small-sized organizations can translate repeatable processes into automated processes and free up their teams to be more.”“AI gives us the opportunity to unlock what is really special about each person and bring it to the forefront of our organizations.” Links & mentions: ConcurrencyBrian Evergreen on Manufacturing Happy HourDefining “Autonomous Transformation” and Avoiding “Pilot Purgatory”Jeff Winter on Manufacturing Happy HourThriving with AI: Artificial Intelligence Strategies for ManufacturersCentral...

For manufacturing to succeed in 2024 and beyond, it’s crucial we empower our frontline workers. But how can technology and data enhance their work experiences, capitalize on their strengths and build a positive culture? We’re delighted to be joined by not one, but two guests in this episode. Joris Stolk, Plant Manager at Lagunitas Brewing Company, and Willemijn Schneyder, CEO and founder of SwipeGuide, join Manufacturing Happy Hour to explore the importance of the frontline worker and how technology can play an integral role in ensuring they are front and center to manufacturing’s future. They explore the benefits of empowering the frontline workforce to experiment and how to ensure scalability when testing new ideas. Plus, they take a look at the current landscape of connectivity in manufacturing and share unmissable tips on overseeing digital innovation. What we discuss with Joris and Willemijn: 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: Links & mentions: SwipeGuidetheLagunitas Brewing Company

Most successful manufacturing processes start with some sort of roadmap, designed to outline goals and what you need to reach them. But how do you create a roadmap for an all-new, one-of-a-kind project? Brian Donahue, VP of Corporate Affairs at Canvus, says his roadmap creation consisted of commitment and creativity, not to mention a hard-working procurement team. Brian joins Manufacturing Happy Hour to share the incredible story of Canvus and how they repurpose disused wind turbine blades into functional art for public use, such as benches, tables and planters. He tells us how the company began, outlines their mission and provides expert tips for manufacturing leaders embarking on groundbreaking projects. In this episode, find out: 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 need strong leadership that’s going to drive people, not give them a crutch, but actually make them better.”“The marketing team calls (Canvus) a brand, but I go lofty on them and call it a movement.”“Having the right people is going to get you so much further, faster, than just trying to fill slots on a manufacturing floor.” Links & mentions: CanvusGreat Lakes BrewingConnect with Brian on LinkedIn 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.