Factory of the Future Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E64, The 1980s Manufacturing Evolution from Blue-Collar to High-Tech Automation Join us as we discuss:  - Manufacturing trends from the 1980s to present in the US   - The evolution from Blue-Collar, unionized jobs to automated and technical manufacturing - How offshore labor and automation led to the decline in traditional American manufacturing ...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E63, The Turning Point in American Manufacturing: Peak Employment, Shifts in Corporate Attitudes Towards the Workers, and Rise of Lean Practices  Join us as we discuss:  - The peak of manufacturing jobs in the 1970s and the beginning of long-term decline - The start of Lean Methodology and how its challenged traditional American manufacturing meth...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E62, The Golden Age of American Factories: 1960s Boom, Lean Roots, and Early Robot Revolutions Join us as we discuss:  - The rise of lean thinking  - Significant growth of manufacturing in the 1960s - The early stages of computerized manufacturing - While not immediately realized, fears about job loss were eventually realized and serve as a cautio...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E61, Ending Forced Labor in Supply Chains With Justin Dillon: Mapping the Consumer and Supplier Slavery Footprint using Data-Driven Ethics Join us as we discuss:  - The Slavery Footprint – a project that went viral, exposing forced labor associated with consumer goods  - How companies can map and analyze their supply chains for ethical and sustain...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E60, The Future of Manufacturing: Renan Devillieres on the AI Gap, Universal High Income & Industrial Optimism   Join us as we welcome Renan Devillieres to discuss:  - The convergence of manufacturing and tech - New roles emerging in manufacturing  - Bringing humility to the factory floor and continuous improvement projects  - The widening div...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E59, The Peak of American Manufacturing: How Automation and Globalization Forever Changed Manufacturing in the US  Join us as we discuss:  - The evolution of manufacturing from the 50s to present   - Post-World War II industrial changes - The rise of the automotive industry's "Big Three" (GM, Ford, and Chrysler), the introduction of...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E58, Climate Control Pays Off: How Temperature-Regulated Factories Boost Productivity and Cut Defects Join us as we discuss:  - Benefits of temperature-controlled factories   - Why climate control not only improves comfort, but also efficiency and reliability   - How temperature-regulated facilities reduce production defects and downtime  And so m...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E57, From Smart to Dark Factories Join us as we discuss:  - The concept of dark factories  - Maturity levels of automated factories  - Why dark factories result in improved energy efficiency and output  - The art of balancing supply and demand with nearly unlimited capacity  - Why we think shared factories are the future  And so much more. Connect...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E56, How to Identify and Eliminate the 8 Wastes in Modern Manufacturing Join us as we discuss:  - Lean Six Sigma’s TIMWOODS 8 Wastes in Manufacturing    - How to apply Lean Six Sigma concepts at the factory and in the home - Why maximizing human potential is the greatest waste of all   And so much more. Connect with A.W. Schultz  Email: aw@awschul...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E55, Bridging the Gap: Non-Profit Partnerships & Next Generation Outreach Join us as we discuss:  - How manufacturing professionals can empower and engage the future workers of America  - The impact A.W’s Society of Maintenance and Reliability (SMRP) Chapter are having at local colleges and chamber of commerce events   - Why community engageme...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E53, Ocean and Space: The Future Locations of Data Center Join us as we discuss:  - Innovative data center locations (ocean, space, etc)  - China’s successful ocean data center pilot project and what it means for the rest of the world - Technological and environmental impacts of underwater data centers  - Job creation fueled by infrastructure requ...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E54, Happiness Hacks: End-of-Year Team Building Essentials Join us as we discuss:  - Fun ways to end the year   - Ways to reflect on accomplishments as a team  - Creative ways to show appreciation to your teams  And so much more. Register Now for our Upcoming Industry 4.0 Workshop - Spots are limited! Connect with A.W. Schultz Email: aw@awschultz....

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E52, Batteries, Breakthroughs & Bold Leadership with Dr. Asma Sharafi Join us as we discuss:  - Dr. Asma Sharafi’s career in advanced battery technology   - The importance of clarity, cadence, and context in leadership - Why mentorship is the ultimate catalyst for career growth  And so much more. Connect with A.W. Schultz  Email: aw@awschultz....

Send us Fan Mail Alexandria and A.W. Schultz explored the fundamental aspects of sustainability and how companies approach environmental responsibility, including discussions about greenwashing and misleading sustainability claims. They examined specific examples of corporate environmental deception and proposed radical ideas for improving sustainability practices, particularly regarding plastic p...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E50, The Failure of Bringing Tech before the People  Join us as we discuss:  - The overwhelming number of technology solutions available to organizations  - Why you should leverage the tech you have vs shopping for the new shiny solution - The importance of integrating technology - The future tech becoming niche specific vs broadly applicable    A...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E49, Humanoids by 2050: Manufacturing Revolution Join us as we discuss:  - The impact of humanoid robots on manufacturing and in the home   - Robot functionality, cost, and safety standards - Our predictions on how the humanoid robots will change the world as we know it  And so much more. Connect with A.W. Schultz  Email: aw@awschultz.org  Persona...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E48, **Special Episode** Ryan Conley (Senior Manager at PepsiCO): Mastering Line Balancing Optimization for Efficiency Join us as we discuss:  - Supply chain operations and continuous improvement efforts with Ryan Conley, Senior Manager at PepsiCo  - The evolving relationship between human behavior and technology in industrial environments  - The...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E47, Elon Musk's Manufacturing Mastery: Automation and Decision-Making Principles Join us as we discuss:  - Elon Musk’s innovative approach to manufacturing and problem solving - Efficient decision-making - Simplifying complex processes by removing the unnecessary steps - Skiptrace management   And so much more. Connect with A.W. Schultz  Ema...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E46, Challenging the Status Quo: Leadership and Autonomy in the Workplace Join us as we discuss:  - Leadership principles for leaders today and tomorrow - Challenging the status quo - Fostering employee autonomy - Applying behavioral science in the manufacturing world  And so much more. Connect with A.W. Schultz  Email: aw@awschultz.org  Personal...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E45, Next-Gen Pet Tech: Sensors, Sustainability, and the Future of Smart Homes Join us as we discuss:  - Evolution and technology behind robotic cat litter boxes   - The environmental benefits of automated litter boxes  - Transforming traditional consumer products through innovative manufacturing practices And so much more. Connect with A.W. Schul...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E44, Exploring the Hidden Factory with Paul Susalla Join us as we discuss:  - Advanced manufacturing processes and patents with a former Ford Automotive Executive Engineer  - Manufacturing transformation and improvements in workplace conditions  - Applying advanced technology to drive efficiency gains and reduce waste   - The impact automation has...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E43, A Celebration National Manufacturing Day Join us as we discuss:  - The origins of National Manufacturing Day   - National Manufacturing Day as a way to raise awareness and close the workforce shortage gap - How you can celebrate National Manufacturing Day as a consumer or fellow factory enthusiast  - The future of manufacturing: How AI and Au...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E42, Supply Chain Leadership Insights: Interview with Jim O’Rourke Join us as we discuss the Five E’s with Jim O’Rourke:  - Supply chain optimization and leadership strategies  - The Five E’s Framework in leadership - How Folgers Coffee Plant was restored in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina using the Five E Framework - The importance of structu...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E41, Industry 4.0: Digital Manufacturing Integration Join us as we discuss:  - What you need to know about Industry 4.0 and cybersecurity as a manufacturing professional  - Why workforce upskilling and ongoing training is a must for today’s manufacturing plants - The keys to a successful digital transformation And so much more. Connect with A.W. S...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Factory of the Future, E40, Automating the Future: Challenges and Strategies for Smart Factory Success  Join us as we discuss:   - The importance of technical maturity and maintenance capabilities when adopting advanced technologies  - Integrating automation and robotics in factories - How different manufacturing industries will have different adoption rates with automa...