Movers & Makers

Why are interest rate cuts finally unlocking billions in factory investments?     Will Drewery and Greg Smyth, co-founders of Diagon.ai, dive into the manufacturing equipment market's dramatic Q4 surge. After months of hesitation driven by interest rate uncertainty and tariff concerns, buyers are finally moving forward with major capital investments. Will, now leading Diagon's commercial efforts,...

How are Intel's $10 billion government investment, Ford's biggest manufacturing shift since the Model T, and Tesla's equipment secrets all connected to America's industrial future?     Will Drewery and Greg Smyth dive deep into Ford's revolutionary EV manufacturing announcement, analyzing it through their unique lens as former Tesla equipment procurement executives. Will, who was responsible for p...

Are we about to see the biggest manufacturing boom since World War II?     Manufacturing is experiencing its biggest transformation in decades, driven by AI breakthroughs and unprecedented government incentives. Greg Smyth and Will Drewery, co-founders of Diagon.ai, join Blake Menezes to dissect Microsoft's massive $120 billion annual CapEx commitment and a wave of new factory announcements totali...

Why does Apple invest $55 billion annually in Chinese manufacturing while US factories struggle to source equipment? Patrick McGee, Financial Times journalist and author of "Apple in China," reveals the manufacturing reality behind Apple's $55 billion annual investment in Chinese factories. This episode explores critical equipment procurement challenges, automation strategies, and reshoring decisi...

Is friend-shoring the real future of American manufacturing strategy?     Discover why American manufacturing's future looks nothing like its past. Host Blake Menezes sits down with Diagon co-founders Will Drewery and Greg Smyth to reveal the hidden realities behind factory announcements, reshoring strategies, and the $4 billion facilities making headlines. Will shares firsthand experience purchas...

Did you know 70% of American factory investment immediately flows overseas?     In this thought-provoking episode of Movers and Makers, Diagon co-founders Will Drewery and Greg Smyth join Blake Menezes to explore critical manufacturing decisions facing industry leaders in 2025. The conversation reveals a startling reality: when American companies invest in new factories, approximately 70% of that...

Will new US tariffs trigger major manufacturing reshoring or just higher consumer prices? In this episode of Movers and Makers, Will Drewery and Greg Smyth welcome Jack Slagle, a trade policy expert who previously led export control programs at Tesla, Mitsubishi, and Restoration Hardware. The timing couldn't be more relevant, as the conversation dives into the recent "Liberation Day" announcement...

Can manufacturing really become 'sexy' again for the next generation, and what surprising strategies might actually work? In this compelling episode, we explore manufacturing leadership and innovation through the lens of Karla Trotman, President and CEO of Electro Soft, the largest black and women-owned electronics contract manufacturing firm in the US. Drawing from her experience transitioning fr...

In this illuminating conversation with Dr. William Chueh, we explore the complex intersection of energy demands, AI technology, and sustainable solutions. From his early inspiration at Caltech to his current role in shaping future leaders in sustainability, Dr. Chueh shares insights on the evolving energy landscape. The discussion spans the unpredictable energy demands of AI, the critical role of...

How could a potential new Trump administration reshape international trade policies and impact the global battery manufacturing supply chain? In this episode, we dive deep into the intricate world of battery manufacturing amidst the ever-evolving global political landscape. How will President Trump’s return reshape the industry? We explore Canada's significant role in the battery supply chain and...

Why is 2025 shaping up to be a promising year for the battery industry, and how are companies positioning themselves for success in this burgeoning market? In this episode, Greg and Will dive into the key takeaways from the Advanced Automotive Battery Conference, offering a fresh perspective on the evolving battery industry. While the electric vehicle market remains a major focus, they explore the...

In this inaugural episode of the *Movers and Makers* podcast, hosts Greg Smyth and Will Drewery, co-founders of Diagon.ai, dive into the founding story of Diagon, sharing their unique experiences from Tesla and their time working in Russia and Iraq. Greg and Will discuss their vision for revitalizing American manufacturing, touching on the topics of venture capital, the importance of founder intui...