Claim OwnershipManufacturers Make Strides
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Manufacturers Make Strides is a podcast about people in manufacturing and the paths they’ve taken. Martin speaks with guests from across the manufacturing world about their careers, the challenges along the way, and the strides that keep the industry moving forward. New episodes every other Tuesday
50 Episodes
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Engineering teams often face intense time pressure, and the environment they work in has a direct impact on how clearly they think and how effectively they collaborate. This episode looks at how leadership, communication and team culture shape day‑to‑day engineering work inside fast‑moving technical environments. We’re joined by Marisa Kurimbokus, Head of Engineering at Raeon and IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year 2024. Marisa’s career spans automotive, hydrogen technology and advanced batt...
Aerospace engineering can be a high-pressure environment, but the way teams communicate often shapes how that pressure is felt. This episode looks at how calm, clear, and collaborative communication supports engineers working inside complex aerospace programmes. We’re joined by Mark Cook, Programme Manager at Triumph Actuation Systems. Mark shares how his career began in pure science academia, before being drawn toward applied manufacturing and the product lifecycle. Seeing ideas move from c...
Manufacturing leadership looks different once responsibility moves beyond the role and into ownership. In this episode of Manufacturers Make Strides, Martin speaks with Larry Dix II, President at Apex Truss, about what it means to lead a manufacturing business when decisions carry long-term weight. Larry shares perspective shaped by decades of building, running, and owning manufacturing operations through changing conditions. Larry was invited because he has experienced the shift ...
Many manufacturing businesses look busy, yet still feel financially exposed underneath. Stewart Ervin has seen this pattern repeatedly inside factories where activity masks a lack of control, and where a financially healthy manufacturing business feels harder to define than it should. The conversation centres on what actually creates stability when demand, cash and operations start pulling in different directions. Stewart draws on experience built inside the value stream, from early sh...
Values-driven manufacturing shows up in who people trust when decisions matter. In this episode, Angelo D’Amico, President of Canada Rubber Group Inc, shares how a people-first approach shaped his path from lean consulting into leading a long-established manufacturing business. Angelo talks openly about trust, succession, and why opportunities tend to flow toward those who reduce risk for others. From choosing values over short-term wins to asking one simple question on the factory floo...
Digital transformation doesn’t fail because the tech isn’t ready. It fails when people aren’t. In this episode, Ryan Pollyniak, who has spent over 15 years guiding manufacturers through ERP and change programmes, shares how a people-first approach can build trust early, reduce resistance on the shop floor, and help teams feel part of the process from the start. We talk about what makes transformation stick, from setting clear expectations to giving people space to adapt. We also ...
Manufacturing operations touch every part of a business. It’s where cost, quality and day-to-day decision-making come together, and where collaboration can make the biggest difference to performance. In this episode, Floriano Liguoro, Chief Operations Officer of Ital G.E.T.E., shares how manufacturers can balance cost and value, strengthen supplier relationships, and build a more connected organisation. We explore: • Why focusing on the lowest cost can create hidden risks • How pr...
Manufacturing collaboration is helping UK businesses escape the feast-or-famine cycle, build trust across the supply chain, and grow without relying on expensive marketing. In this episode, Richard Patch, co-founder of the Manufacturer’s Hub, shares how manufacturers can connect, support each other, and stay visible in a competitive landscape. We explore: • Why feast-or-famine cycles persist in UK manufacturing • How collaboration builds resilience and long-term growth • What manufactur...
Sustaining improvement in manufacturing takes more than introducing new processes. It’s about making change last, empowering people, and balancing consistency with progress. In this episode, George Pesansky, President of My Blended Learning and author of Super Performance, shares how manufacturers can stop firefighting, build systems that last, and create lasting performance across their teams. We explore: • Why most improvement programs fail to sustain results • How to balance people and pr...
Finding fulfilment in manufacturing is about more than climbing the career ladder. It is about aligning your work with your values, building integrity into every decision, and knowing when to shape your own path. In this episode, quality consultant Samantha Shelley shares her journey from being the first woman in her apprenticeship to supporting MedTech startups, and why career fulfilment comes from purpose, not paychecks. We explore: • How integrity and values drive long-term success in ma...
Manufacturing innovation is about more than new machines. It is about leadership, resilience, and building the right teams. In this episode you will hear how military discipline shaped Martin Jewell’s approach to leadership, why culture determines whether a project succeeds or fails, and what bold moves are needed for the future of UK manufacturing. Martin, Co-founder and CTO at Rapid Fusion, shares his journey from the Royal Engineers to leading advanced manufacturing projects, and why list...
Building a career in UK aerospace does not have to follow a straight line. In this episode you’ll hear how apprenticeships can open doors, why culture matters as much as technical skills, and what the future holds for the aerospace and space industries. Chris Woodhams, Co-founder of Lat51 Space Systems, shares his journey from apprenticeship to leadership, the challenges of moving from working in a business to running one, and why celebrating failures is key to growth. We explore: • W...
Kate Davies, transformation consultant and founder of Rufus Wren, brings two decades of experience in engineering, manufacturing, and industrial change. In this episode, she shares her perspective on sustainable leadership in manufacturing and why fixing culture is essential for long-term success. We explore: • What sustainable leadership looks like in real factories • How to lead high-performing teams without burning them out • Why financial success should be a byproduct, not the goal •...
Automation, machine vision and AI are changing manufacturing. In this episode, you’ll hear how one founder used them to stay competitive and build a thriving business. Paul Wilson, founder of Scorpion Vision, shares how he pivoted from military life to manufacturing. He took a leap into unknown tech and built a business that now leads innovation in AI-powered factory automation. We explore: How to grow a business without expert-level technical knowledgeWhy machine vision is essential for m...
Quality is not just a department. It is a mindset that should be part of everything a manufacturer does. In this episode, Suresh Babu explains why the most successful manufacturers treat quality as a shared responsibility. Drawing on decades of experience in manufacturing, software, and medical devices, he shares how to simplify systems, engage teams, and build a culture where quality supports every part of the process. We explore: Why quality is not just the quality team’s jobHow to bala...
Waste is often seen as a problem, but what if it could be a valuable resource instead? In this episode, Greg Logelain shares how manufacturers can rethink waste management and find opportunity in what used to be thrown away. From chemical recycling to waste-to-resource partnerships, Greg explains why now is the time to take a closer look at what’s going in the bin. We explore: How to shift your mindset and treat waste as a resourceWhy a waste audit is a smart first stepWhat the waste hier...
Sustainability is no longer just about cutting emissions. For manufacturers, it can be a smart way to reduce costs, protect margins, and stand out in a changing market. In this episode, Eszter Haberl shares how businesses are embedding sustainability into operations, working cross-functionally, and turning compliance pressure into commercial advantage. We explore: How to build a solid business case for sustainabilityWhy quick wins like energy tracking still matterWhat data to focus on ...
SMEs face no shortage of challenges. Tight budgets, limited time, and too many tech options. But you don’t have to figure it out alone. In this episode, Anthony Walker shares how SMEs are getting real support through innovation partnerships, practical tech adoption, and simple ways to make smarter decisions. We explore: Why SMEs don’t need Industry 4.0 in a boxHow to make innovation feel manageableWhat manufacturers are doing with dataWhere to find support that actually helps Antho...
If your marketing still feels disconnected from sales or like it’s not doing much at all, you’re not alone. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. In this episode, Jennelle McGrath shares how manufacturers can get better leads, work more closely across teams, and make marketing feel more useful day to day. We explore: Simple ways to make marketing support salesHow to create content that’s actually useful for buyersWhat manufacturers are doing differently with social mediaHow to spot gap...
Most manufacturing teams are stuck reacting to problems instead of preventing them. In this episode, Craig Higton shares how better collaboration, earlier influence, and sharper skills can help manufacturers fix issues before they hit the factory floor. We explore: Why so many teams don’t know if they’re winning How to influence design and supply chain decisions earlyWhat skills manufacturing engineers really need to make change happenHow to quantify and communicate problems in a way the bus...
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