Thinking of breaking out of your bubble to get the most out of your career? This could be the push you need. On this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, we are joined by Sean Mulherrin, Product Manager at EPLAN. Sean discusses how globetrotting has benefitted his career, explains his passion for apprenticeships and shares his ideas on panel design. Plus, he explains why budding manufacturing pros shouldn’t be scared of change. Don’t miss this engaging conversation with a manufacturing industry ...
Mar 28, 2023•49 min•Ep. 132
As generations retire and millennials take up the baton, this week’s guest knows business is in safe hands. But how can the new generations of manufacturers best leverage economics to succeed in business? We are delighted to be joined by Alan Beaulieu, President and Principal of ITR Economics, at the A3 Business Forum in Orlando, FL. In this short episode, Alan discusses how he makes economics riveting, explains why millennials are so crucial to business, and gives top tips on true leadership. P...
Mar 21, 2023•21 min•Ep. 131
Ready for a masterclass in automotive manufacturing? Strap in! On this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, we are joined by Vicki Poponi, Vice President – Industry Advisor, Automotive at Salesforce. She discusses her route into the industry and provides a glimpse into the world of software-enabled vehicles. Plus, she explains what the connected car means for consumers, why the customer is at the center of everything and delves into Salesforce’s Trends in Automotive Report – linked below. In thi...
Mar 14, 2023•53 min•Ep. 130
Reshoring, customer success, and sustainability – just some of the topics we cover in this cornucopia of an episode with Sean Murray, VP of Customer Success at Bright Machines. Sean joins this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour to talk about his career and his insights into the industry. We explore the concept of software-defined manufacturing, why there’s such a push toward re-shoring and the benefits of flexible manufacturing. Sean shares some all-important advice for manufacturers looking to...
Mar 07, 2023•52 min•Ep. 129
We all know how fast-paced the world of manufacturing is…and when processes and technologies progress, so does the way we work. On this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, Nicole Wolter, President & CEO of HM Manufacturing, reveals all about her management style, interview processes and focus on young talent. Plus, she tells us about what it’s like to take over a family business, why she stays on top of robotics trends and what life is like on a board of directors. There are plenty of tips ...
Feb 28, 2023•45 min•Ep. 128
We cover a whole lot of ground in this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour – from Industry 4.0 to innovation in industrial sectors, IIoT, connectivity, machine learning, proof of concepts, and everything in between. Joining this episode is Igor Marinelli, Founder of TRACTIAN, who has plenty of insights, perspectives, and advice to share on condition monitoring and more. Igor details his background from being a frontline worker to where he is today and explains what prompted him to start TRACTIAN...
Feb 21, 2023•46 min•Ep. 127
It’s time for a comprehensive history lesson in industrial automation recruiting. We sat down in the MRG Studios in Naperville, Illinois, with Gary Miller, CEO of Miller Resource Group, an industrial recruiting firm focused on hard-to-find personnel in automation, robotics, food and beverage and more. We’ve gotten to know a few members of the team over the years, which is why it was about time we shared a conversation with their CEO! In the episode, Gary talks about how he was introduced to indu...
Feb 14, 2023•48 min•Ep. 126
What is the current state of manufacturing? Who better to ask than Willem Sundblad, CEO and Co-Founder of Oden Technologies, who commissioned The State of Manufacturing 2022 report? Surveying over 300 manufacturing leaders has highlighted some fascinating food for thought on topics like the labor market, inflation, demand changes, investing in sustainability, and more. Willem joins Manufacturing Happy Hour again to talk more about the findings and his own personal take on why businesses are incr...
Feb 07, 2023•39 min•Ep. 125
It’s been about two years since Andrew Crowe, public speaker and Founder of the New American Manufacturing Renaissance, was last on the show in episode 46 – and so much has happened since then. This time around, we sit down over a couple of beers in St. Louis to catch up on what he has been working on and how much The New American Manufacturing Renaissance has grown since. The New American Manufacturing Renaissance is a movement intended to show how manufacturing is a great career option for any...
Jan 31, 2023•54 min•Ep. 124
Strong values like sustainability, empathy, and wellness might seem at odds with running a successful business for some, but not Sara Irvani, CEO of Okabashi. In fact, values like these have been fundamental to Okabashi’s success since it launched in 1984. Sara joins this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour to clue us in to what it’s like leading a family-owned and operated shoe brand. A proudly USA-based footwear company, Okabashi is inspired by the Japanese concept of wellness and uses the pri...
Jan 24, 2023•32 min•Ep. 123
For many people, YouTube is the first port of call for instructions. Whether it be for simple things around the house like setting up a new TV or building a cabinet, or more complex things entirely. One man covering those more complex things is Tim Wilborne. Tim’s YouTube channel, which has amassed over 50,000 subscribers, focuses on industrial automation, programming PLCs and helping you become a better technician. Tim joins this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour to discuss his background in ...
Jan 17, 2023•49 min•Ep. 122
While the metaverse is a relatively new concept for most of us, this week’s guest has worked in this space for some time. Our guest on Manufacturing Happy Hour is emergent technologist and GatherVerse founder, Christopher Lafayette. Tune in to hear about Christopher’s background, what his job title really means, his take on the metaverse’s role in manufacturing and MedTech and the importance of inclusion and diversity in tech. Plus, Christopher explains skepticism towards the metaverse and the r...
Jan 10, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 121
Is there really a manufacturing skills gap? Why is manufacturing moving back to the U.S.? And how can machine shop owners switch to an investment mindset? These are all great questions that we answer in this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour. Jason T. Ray is the Co-Founder and CEO of Paperless Parts and a former Manufacturing Happy Hour guest. He jumps back on the show for a discussion on machine shops, reshoring, the importance of profit and investment, the skills gap, and everything in betwe...
Jan 03, 2023•44 min•Ep. 120
What’s the most important part of starting and running a manufacturing business? The finances? The team? The materials? Well, this Manufacturing Happy Hour guest has some expert insights, experience and advice, so stay tuned. It’s time to hit the slopes for this week’s episode as we invite Mike McCabe, CEO and co-founder of Folsom Custom Skis, to share his story and provide top tips for manufacturers. Tune in for tales of Mike’s early days in the industry, the creation of his business, the day-t...
Dec 27, 2022•52 min•Ep. 119
We're back for Part 2 from the 2022 Vision Show, hosted by A3, the Association for Advancing Automation.
Dec 23, 2022•50 min
In October 2022, we ventured to Boston, MA for the Association for Advancing Automation's annual Vision Show and Autonomous Mobile Robots and Logistics Conference (AMRL). In the past, these had been 2 separate events, but this year, A3 brought them together under one roof. You really can't have robotics without imaging and you can't have mobile robotics without machine vision. The tie-ins are endless. It just made sense to bring these events together and it was great being part of this weeklong ...
Dec 20, 2022•54 min
We’re all familiar with Microsoft. That’s a given. But we’re certainly not all familiar with the autonomous AI work they are doing. That’s why we called on an expert to give us the lowdown on what autonomous AI means, highlight its risks and opportunities and give us his verdict. On episode 118, Brian Evergreen, Global Head of Autonomous AI Co-Innovation at Microsoft, joins Manufacturing Happy Hour. If the episode title (or Brian’s job title) doesn’t make a ton of sense to you just now, you’re i...
Dec 13, 2022•46 min•Ep. 118
This week, we're diving into gener8tor's OnRamp Manufacturing Conference. gener8tor is a turnkey platform for the creative economy connects startup founders, musicians, artists, investors, universities and corporations, and their OnRamp Conferences are a subset of that. gener8tor’s annual manufacturing event brings together startups, investors, and corporations for this unique “dealmaking conference” and this year, in October 2022, we headed to Indianapolis. There, we sat down for 8 interviews w...
Dec 06, 2022•1 hr 10 min
How can composite manufacturing help you level-up as a runner? Well, this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour will reveal all. Riley Reese, CEO and Co-Founder of Arris, is on the show this week to talk about the power of composite manufacturing in footwear and its potential in industries such as aerospace, sportscars, skiing equipment, and many more. As an avid runner himself, we break down some of the top spots in California to go training and his favorite and most memorable marathons. He expla...
Nov 29, 2022•34 min•Ep. 117
It's Thanksgiving week here in the US, and since so many of you are based here, we're bringing you a shorter bonus episode this week as we try something new. First, you'll get a general update from Manufacturing Happy Hour, including our new newsletter - 5 Quick Manufacturing Insights - as well as partnership opportunities. Then, we'll highlight one of the most helpful moments from the show in the past year. Firdaus Pohowalla, Managing Director at Cascadia Capital, appeared on Episode 80 and tal...
Nov 22, 2022•14 min
We’ve got a bit of a different Manufacturing Happy Hour episode this time – it’s one of our first long-form episode at a trade show. Joined by co-host Jake Hall, The Manufacturing Millennial, we recorded this at the 2022 The Vision Show AMR & Logistics Conference in Boston. Our guest is Malachi Greb, Owner of Elite Automation – a frequent trade show attendee with the goal of leading the “biggest automation company in the world.” An ambitious target, no doubt, but Malachi knows exactly how he...
Nov 15, 2022•34 min•Ep. 116
We’re back for Part 2 of our bonus episodes with KUKA from IMTS 2022. We’ll be jumping back into our partnership conversations while taking an even deeper dive into additive manufacturing in these last 5 interviews of our short series. Stick around until the end to get a full recap on what characterizes great industrial manufacturing partnerships. Make sure to visit ManufacturingHappyHour.com/KUKApartners for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innova...
Nov 11, 2022•44 min
This week on Manufacturing Happy Hour, we’re exploring what makes an industrial partnership great. Is it the tech? Is it the company culture? Is it the size of the company? Today’s podcast answers all of these questions in the context of a global robotics company, KUKA, and all of their partners. We spent an entire day at IMTS 2022 exploring applications from 3D printing to machining to launching robots into space, all while interviewing KUKA’s partners that make all of these applications possib...
Nov 08, 2022•36 min
Can you really make a business work if you have no experience? Cody Lee, the President and Owner of Everyday Technologies, made that very leap when he took over the business. While his experience was limited, he’s had some fantastic advice from his father and father-in-law, which has helped Cody thrive in his new venture. Cody joins this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour to share where it all began, what led him to buy the business, and how he’s determined to scale it in the future. He explain...
Nov 01, 2022•43 min•Ep. 115
What does it take to launch a manufacturing startup? And how do you finally walk away from it when it’s time? Nick Pinkston, CEO and Founder of Volition, is back on the show for round three of our three-part series. In this episode, we take a closer look at Nick’s previous ventures, including Plethora, to get an idea of what it’s like to build a company and then close the door to it. Nick shares the top things he wished he’d have known earlier in his career, what he’s learned from previous busin...
Oct 25, 2022•44 min•Ep. 114
What does the future hold for hardware manufacturing? We welcome back Nick Pinkston, CEO and Founder of Volition, for round two of a special three-part episode where we dig into all things hardware manufacturing. In this episode, Nick explores the world of hardware startups, VC investment, and the future of the industry. He also breaks down his thoughts on rising trends like 3D printing and AI, and explains which manufacturing tech he’s most excited about. We also hear his thoughts and experienc...
Oct 21, 2022•40 min•Ep. 113
Welcome to our first ever “mega episode” here on Manufacturing Happy Hour, a 3-part interview with Nick Pinkston, one of the more fascinating people in the manufacturing world. If you're not already familiar with Nick, he’s has a great track record of leading hardware and manufacturing startups, while much of the rest of the world was preoccupied with the software side of the tech world. Currently, he’s the Founder and CEO of Volition, a marketplace dedicated specifically to industrial component...
Oct 18, 2022•41 min•Ep. 112
Having employees with strong personal brands is a great asset for any business, manufacturing or otherwise. In this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, we talk to Daniel Murray, marketing ops leader and the founder of podcast and marketing community, Marketing Millennials. Daniel discusses his career so far, how he simplifies marketing for marketers and the benefits of building personal brands. He also provides unmissable tips on building lasting LinkedIn posting habits and what platforms he fi...
Oct 11, 2022•49 min•Ep. 111
Marketing, manufacturing, and remote work – we cover a lot of ground in this episode featuring Adar Hay, Co-Founder and CEO of Jiga.io. Jiga helps manufacturing companies centralize their supplier sourcing, and Adar explains how the idea for the company first came about. We hear how Jiga has a refreshingly modern approach to marketing and why Adar decided to start a podcast to learn more about potential users. Adar also explains the reasoning behind his remote-first team, and why for remote work...
Oct 04, 2022•36 min•Ep. 110
We’ve not covered medical device manufacturing on the show, so we thought this would be a great time to delve into it. In this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, we talk to Natalia Mendez, VP Head of Manufacturing Medical Devices at Philips. Natalia has lots of great insights into her industry and provides expert advice for both those in the medical space and manufacturers in general. Natalia explains the importance of meeting customers’ needs and dispels myths and misunderstandings about the ...
Sep 27, 2022•32 min•Ep. 109
