Claim OwnershipThe Manufacturing Executive
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On The Manufacturing Executive podcast, we’ll explore the strategies and experiences that are driving midsized manufacturers forward. You’ll hear conversations with passionate manufacturing leaders who have compelling stories to share about their successes and struggles. You’ll also hear interviews with B2B Sales and Marketing experts about what’s working on the business development front and how to make these ideas actionable. Episodes will feature topics related to industrial marketing and lead generation, manufacturing sales strategy, technology, and industrial sector innovation.
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Justin Baucum of Isembard brings a unique perspective shaped both by years of military service and a passion for the resurgence of American manufacturing. In this conversation, he’ll tell you why veterans are uniquely equipped for careers in manufacturing, how teamwork and mission-driven execution are more critical than ever and why our national security depends on revitalizing domestic supply chains. He’ll also give us a look into an unconventional model for systematizing and scaling machine shops in a way that supports defense readiness.
At this point, we've all seen our share of entertaining videos where humanoid robots are doing backflips or taking on opponents in the boxing ring.
But what about production-ready humanoid robots operating alongside people, driving measurable results and transforming daily operations inside of real businesses?
In this conversation, Founder/CEO of Avatar Robotics, Colin Webb, and CFO of Productive 3PL, Paul Baker, will tell your how they've left the humanoid robotics pre-party and are putting this technology to use in real-world environments today.
We’ll explore what sets humanoid robots apart from traditional automation, how they’re changing roles for people and what their presence means for the future of work in manufacturing.
What does it take for a third-generation manufacturer to thrive for a full century in a market where so many competitors have packed up and left? In today’s conversation, cousins and Co-Presidents of Yula Corporation, Matthew and Michael Feldman, dig into the strategies and mindset shifts that have fueled growth, modernization and resilience for their family manufacturing business. You’ll hear about making the pivot from commodity products to high-spec engineering, the impact of digitizing legacy workflows and how culture, leadership and family values drive employee retention, and ultimately business success.
In today’s episode, CEO of TREW Marketing, Wendy Covey, and host, Joe Sullivan use their upcoming event, The Industrial Marketing Summit, as an example to talk about the benefits of designing a niche event for your specific audience. Specifically, they dive into how hosting an in-person gathering can create a sense of community, spark meaningful conversations and build valuable relationships. Learn more about the event and register the marketer from your organization here: https://industrialmarketingsummit.com/
Author and consultant Dean Svarc rebuilt himself after his multimillion-dollar business collapsed, rising to develop a framework that’s now rescued multiple struggling companies. From overlooked basics to culture missteps, he'll share how hidden threats often lurk within a business – undermining growth from the inside out. And one at a time, he'll take you through his six-step blueprint for turning chaos into clarity.
Natalie Kaddas, CEO of Kaddas Enterprises, believes investing in employees means empowering them with lifelong skills. After discovering financial literacy gaps were holding her team back, she launched a transformative program focused on helping them understand money, set goals, and build financial stability. In this episode, she shares how teaching essentials like budgeting and credit scores led to dramatic improvements in retention, morale, and even business performance. She’ll explain the impact of removing financial anxiety and why supporting employee financial health can be a powerful catalyst for success
Founder and CEO of Poe Wolf Partners, Renita Wolf, will tell you that exit planning isn’t just a final step before selling your business. It’s something smart owners build toward from the very beginning.
She’ll explain why building transferable value and reducing owner dependency are crucial from the start, setting the stage for higher valuations and a smoother sale when the time comes.
You’ll hear her insights on the most common gaps, deal killers and the practical actions business owners can take now to strengthen their companies.
She’ll also discuss why the hardest part of exiting is often personal, and how to prepare yourself for both the financial and emotional sides of what comes next.
Free resource:
7 Essentials Every Business Owner Must Have Before Exiting (preparing for a high-value, low-regret business transition):
https://www.poewolfpartners.com/seller/
With supply chain disruptions, shifting geopolitical risks and increasing pressure for efficiency, today’s manufacturing leaders face operational challenges that go far beyond simply making parts.
In today's conversation, President and CFO of Associated Metal Forming Technologies (AMFT), Todd Smith, explores the opportunities and complexities of weaving multiple specialized legacy brands into a unified platform to help address those challenges, without losing the trust and expertise that made those brands successful.
Why do so many continuous improvement and lean initiatives start with excitement, only to stall out or disappear entirely months later? What distinguishes organizations that truly embed these principles into their culture from those that just go through the motions?
In today’s episode, COO of Bespoke, Steve Riley, will share his firsthand perspective from decades in manufacturing leadership. Specifically, he'll tell you why visual systems matter, where most lean rollouts go off track and what it really takes to make progress stick.
In this conversation with Gorilla 76 Marketing Director, Peyton Warren, we'll dive deep into five things we believe b2b manufacturers should consider doing to move the needle through marketing in the new year. They are:
1. Events and in-person opportunities
2. Building an audience you own through community development
3. Distribution and reach
4. Streamlined content creation (repurposing and AI efficiency)
5. Clear vision of what success looks Like
What if every skilled worker in manufacturing suddenly became searchable? In today's episode, Founder and CEO of Laborup, Simba Jonga, shares his perspective on how the manufacturing labor gap might be less about a lack of people, and more about a lack of access to those individuals.
He'll talk about why millions of machinists, welders, and technicians remain hidden from traditional job boards, and how his team is working to make them visible and accessible for the first time.
How do you scale a family-owned manufacturing business to $100M in sales without losing the family feel?
From building a culture where employees feel seen and valued, to transforming the customer experience, to raising the bar for operational excellence, in this episode, President of Falcon Plastics, Jenn Barlund, shares what it means to focus on both people and profitability.
You’ll hear why choosing the right partners and sometimes saying no are critical, how transparency shapes trust and why innovation matters in an otherwise stale industry.
What happens when engineers have the space and freedom to actually solve problems their way?
And what does that mean for innovation on the factory floor?
In today's conversation, Chairman and Chief Innovator of Bravo Team, Josh Tarbutton, will get into the real challenges and rewards of giving engineering teams more agency, why trust matters and how even small changes can have a big impact on your culture.
Manufacturers often see government as a nuisance. Or, at best, a rescuer in times of trouble. But my guest today, Founder and Principal of TGS Advisory, Terry Szmagala, will argue that we need to instead think about government as a key stakeholder. Specifically, he'll share his perspective on three ways government can play a role in your business: 1) as a regulator 2) as a funder and 3) as a customer. He'll offer actionable tips for making government work for you, not against you, and explain why your voice matters more than you might realize. Let’s jump into it.
COO of Frontline.io, Gilad Tzori, has spent years inside of manufacturing organizations, witnessing firsthand how complexity, workforce shifts and rapid technological change have upended traditional service and training models.
In today’s conversation, he’ll explain why step-by-step PDFs and classroom lectures are no longer sufficient, and what a new era of immersive training looks like for the manufacturing sector.
He'll also share real-world examples of virtual and extended reality tools in action and discuss how AI and digital twins can transform the way teams learn, collaborate and solve problems on the shop floor.
As the manufacturing sector faces both a generational workforce shift and rapid advancements in AI and automation, today’s conversation reveals the “dirty little secret” behind digital manufacturing, and why human-centered thinking remains the heart of successful change.
My guest today, CEO of Fathom Digital Manufacturing, Rush LaSelle, will discuss the realities of labor shortages, explain what digital enablement really means and share what a future with humanoid robots on the factory floor might look like.
The workforce crisis in US manufacturing isn’t just a challenge – it’s a national security risk. This is particularly true in casting and forging, where today's guest Mike Kubacki has spent two decades. In our conversation, he explores the urgent need to rebuild America’s industrial base, the reality behind modern manufacturing environments and how innovative programs are connecting hands-on learning with next-generation careers. We’ll learn why engaging students early, supporting employee growth and linking frontline work to real-world impact are key to the future of US manufacturing.
Any business owner, CEO or President wants to feel confident that the dollars they spend will produce a positive return. But sometimes focusing on ROI too soon forces you to abandon your long-term business strategy in favor of short-term wins. In this conversation, we'll look at how to measure marketing impact in two different business scenarios: 1) for a manufacturer that needs a short-term sales lift 2) for a manufacturer that's trying to build a sustainable plan for growth. We'll not only explain about how to choose the right KPIs in each scenario, but also, how to know whether you've been successful at achieving them.
As artificial intelligence creeps into so many facets of our personal and professional lives, it's easy to lose sight of when it's actually working in our favor.
In this conversation, Co-Founder and President of SCOPE Recruiting, Friddy Hoegener, discusses the use of AI specifically in the context of recruiting for supply chain and manufacturing roles.
He'll share insights about where and how AI can help, but also where it dangerously dilutes employer-to-candidate touch, and why human judgment is irreplaceable for culture-fit identification and talent selection.
How do you take a boring product in a declining industry and build a powerhouse business around it, all while refusing outside funding? In this conversation, Chairman and CEO of TerraSlate, Kyle Ewing talks through the gritty and sometimes unconventional principles behind his business model – from demanding prepayments, to mastering cold calls, to holding cash reserves. The result? A playbook for profitability and growth when everyone else says it can’t be done.
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