Manufacturing Talk Radio

In this episode of Manufacturing Talk Radio, host Amy Nicklaus talks with Peter Okun, the editor of Manufacturing Podcast News, about the current trends, significant stories, and predictions for the manufacturing industry in 2026. They discuss topics such as the evolving role of AI, reshoring, workforce retention, and sustainability. Peter provides detailed insights into how manufacturers are adopting digital tools, dealing with supply chain resilience, and focusing on talent development and process discipline. The episode also sheds light on global events' impact on manufacturing and emphasizes the importance of knowledge capture and frontline leadership development.   00:00 Introduction to Manufacturing Talk Radio News 00:38 Meet the Editor: Peter Okun's Journey 03:14 Key Stories and Trends in Manufacturing 08:20 AI and Automation in Manufacturing 09:57 Labor and Workforce Challenges 11:37 Sustainability and Green Manufacturing 12:51 Future Topics and Advice for Manufacturers 20:09 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes   Read More Here:  2025 in Manufacturing: A Year Defined by Numbers, Policy, and Technology U.S. Job Market Ends 2025 on Uneven Footing Three in Ten Firms Say AI Will Replace Workers Next Year Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of the Economic Wrap-Up 2025 roundtable host Lewis Weiss again joins Cliff Waldman, CEO of New World Economics, and Chris Kuehl, Managing Partner and Chief Economist at Armada Corporate Intelligence, to discuss the economic trends of 2025 and predictions for 2026. Key topics include concerns about China's slowing growth, the implications of tariffs and international relationships, and the economic condition in Europe, including the ongoing impact of the Ukraine conflict. The speakers highlight the importance of global interdependencies and the possible consequences for manufacturing and trade, with particular focus on North America, Europe, and Africa.   Key Topics and Timestamps 00:00:Introduction: 2026 Economic Outlook 01:40 International Economy: Focus on China 02:00 China's Domestic Issues (Demographics, Property Bubble) 04:10 Tariffs and Unintended Consequences in Global Trade 06:18 Copper Shortage and International Politics (Chile) 09:10 Economic Status of European Countries 10:25 Geopolitics, Ukraine, and NATO Alliance Strains 11:00 Importance of Trading Partners: Canada and Mexico 14:35 Strained North American Economic Relations 19:40 General Prediction: Volatility and Uncertainty in 2026 21:20 In-Depth Discussion on Ukraine and Russia   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Economic Wrap-Up 2025: Insights and Predictions for 2026 In this episode of Manufacturing Talk Radio, host Lewis Weiss welcomes Cliff Waldman, CEO of New World Economics, and Chris Kuehl, Managing Partner and Chief Economist at Armada Corporate Intelligence, to discuss the economic trends of 2025 and predictions for 2026. Key topics include the recent strong GDP performance, the challenges in the labor market, the potential for AI to transform entrepreneurship, and the role of education and apprenticeship programs in addressing skill gaps in manufacturing. The discussion also touches on international demographics, the impact of tariffs, and the evolving economics of cannabis. 00:00 Welcome Back to Manufacturing Talk Radio 01:02 Introducing Our Esteemed Guests 01:45 Chris Keel's Background and Insights 03:12 Cliff Waldman's Background and Insights 06:09 Reflecting on the Economic Landscape of 2025 10:18 The Impact of AI and Demographic Changes 18:53 Challenges in Employment and Manufacturing 22:02 The Role of Education and Apprenticeships 27:49 Innovative Solutions in Workforce Development 31:08 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Manufacturing Talk Radio, host Lou Weiss talks with Filip Aronshtein, the founder and CEO of Dirac Inc., about how his company is revolutionizing the manufacturing sector with its first automated work instruction platform. Aronshtein shares insights into his background in electrical engineering and robotics, the motivations behind starting Dirac Inc., and how their software significantly reduces the time and effort needed to create manufacturing work instructions. The discussion highlights the software's impact on improving training, reducing errors, and enhancing overall efficiency in various manufacturing environments. Aronshtein emphasizes the benefits for both engineers and operators and shares real-world examples of drastic improvements achieved by their clients. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:20 Meet Phil Stein: Background and Journey 02:08 Direct's Innovative Software Solution 03:22 Training and Implementation 05:00 Real-World Impact and Success Stories 09:12 Software Sales and Future Plans 14:08 Client Feedback and Continuous Improvement 19:24 Case Studies: ARA and Sputnik 21:45 Closing Remarks and Contact Information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Manufacturing Think Tank, host Cliff Waldman is joined by Harvard Business School professor Matt Weinzierl and Blue Origin strategy manager Brendan Rosseau to discuss the burgeoning space economy. The conversation delves into the entrepreneurial drive needed to explore space, the integration of space manufacturing into existing industries, and the potential economic benefits. They also touch on technology frontiers like AI and robotics, and how they interconnect with space development, alongside workforce implications and educational needs to support this growing sector. 00:00 Introduction to Manufacturing Think Tank 00:26 Exploring the Space Economy 00:52 Meet the Experts: Matt Wineur and Brendan Rousseau 02:52 The Evolution and Risks of the Space Sector 04:18 Public and Private Roles in Space 16:27 Manufacturing in Space: Opportunities and Challenges 21:04 Impact of Space on Terrestrial Economics 26:33 Stimulating Manufacturing Entrepreneurship 29:33 Addressing the Skills Deficit in Manufacturing 33:17 Educational Institutions and the Space Economy 38:41 The Future of Globalization and Space 41:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the rebooted Manufacturing Talk Radio!    After a year-long hiatus, hosts introduce the new 2.0 version of the show with new co-host, Amy Nicklaus. The episode covers a recap of the past year's key developments in manufacturing, including AI, labor shortages, supply chain stabilization, and reshoring.    New episodes promise more engaging discussions on sustainability, digitization, and the US economy with industry leaders and experts.    Subscribe, share, and stay tuned for candid, informative, and exciting conversations ahead. 00:00 Welcome Back to Manufacturing Talk Radio 2.0 01:00 Meet the New Co-Host: Amy Nicklaus 01:40 Topics and Trends in Manufacturing 03:39 Recap of the Past Year in Manufacturing 05:11 Sustainability and Digitization in Manufacturing 06:42 Future Discussions and Closing Remarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Manufacturing Think Tank just one of many shows on Manufacturing Talk Radio, host Cliff Waldman explores the profound impact of quantum computing on manufacturing and the broader economy, with guest Floreta Teodoridis. This conversation highlights the potential to revolutionize areas such as simulating physical systems for material and drug discovery, solving complex optimization problems like logistics in manufacturing, and analyzing large datasets to speed up the search and potentially crack current encryption methods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manufacturing Talk Radio is BACK! Well... almost! But we are too excited and too many important things are happening in the world of manufacturing to delay any longer. This special report features manufacturing and economic expert insights from friends of the show Harry Moser and Jeremy Leonard, hosted by longtime MTR contributor Cliff Waldman. This is a conversation you won't want to miss. Stay tuned for new episodes coming soon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Fiore, Committee Chair for the Manufacturing Report on Business® and Anthony Nieves, Committee Chair for the Services Report on Business® join hosts Lew Weiss and Tim Grady to discuss the results of ISM’s survey on business conditions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Chris Kuehl speaks about the economies of various countries, how some are affected by war in the Middle East, how others are waning because of a 5,000% wage increase, and the developing nations waking up to become producers, exporters, and even investors in building production operations in low-cost producing countries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Take a detailed look at the latest ISM Services Report On Business from the source, Anthony Nieves, Committee Chair, Services ISM® Report on Business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Fiore, Committee Chair for the ISM’s Manufacturing Report on Business® indicates that there is stability in the most recent report, with New Orders increasing and moderate contraction in production and employment. Companies continue to operate on lower, tightly controlled inventories while suppliers try to deliver orders early to make their year-end numbers. Overall, the report does not indicate recession even though portions of it are in contraction with GDP growth expected to be 2.4% in the fourth quarter of 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Moser On Manufacturing, Harry and Lew discuss Harry's recent experience at the Forging Industry Association's Fall Meeting. Harry was a speaker at the event and shared with us his experience at the event meeting with OEMs, contract manufacturers, and other forging industry luminaries. Lew and Harry also discuss the continued importance of closing the skills gap by encouraging young people to consider a career in the forging industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Manufacturing Think Tank, Host Cliff Waldman welcomes Eric Fins, Vice President of Grove Climate Group, an organization that helps startups, companies, governments, nonprofits, universities, and trade groups achieve their climate goals. Don't miss this important episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More than 70% of business owners lack an exit plan, and their average age is 67. If they cannot find the next owner, the business will simply wind down, and whatever they make will become unavailable. David Braun, Founder and CEO of Capstone Strategic discusses ways to mitigate this crisis that is happening now before it becomes worse than the COVID shutdowns and supply chain disruption. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Lynch, CEO of Praxie, discusses a smarter, easier way to transform your legacy information, Excel spreadsheets, and disparate databases by wrapping it in a practical software application that interfaces with the various sources to give you what you want - in a few weeks, not months or even years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Kuehl discusses the growing GDP, the worker shortage skills gap, and why the people coming into the U.S. are not likely to be the answer. He also touches on the Green Economy and the difficulties it is encountering. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony Nieves, Committee Chair for the Services Report on Business(R) discusses the strengths in the Services sectors, which show significant growth in New Orders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12 Months of Manufacturing Contraction but No Recession -Tim Fiore, Committee Chair of the ISM's Manufacturing Report on Business(R) joins hosts Lew Weiss and Tim Grady as Manufacturing Talk Radio to discuss October and the last 12 months of manufacturing contraction that have not yet triggered a general recession. Manufacturing typically leads the country into every recession and out of every recession, but so far, recession hasn't arrived. It is possible that the soft landing may be just a touch-and-go landing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrick Anderson, President and CEO of the Anderson Economic Group, joins host Cliff Waldman to discuss the UAW strike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices