The Manufacturing Executive

Leadership coach Chris Atwell, founder of Mindset Conquest, will tell you that 100 sales calls a month proves your reps are busy. It doesn't prove your business is growing. After two decades selling through and alongside manufacturers rep agencies, he's seen the same trap over and over: activity reports that look productive but never tie back to revenue. In this episode, we dig into how manufactur...

Most manufacturers are bracing for the silver tsunami: the wave of retiring veterans taking decades of know-how out the door. Founder of Marzilli Machine and host of the Raw Material podcast, Jamie Marzilli, will tell you that's only part of the problem. In this episode, we explore the bigger piece most shops overlook: the tribal knowledge that slips away every day in what you don't write down. Yo...

Business transformation expert and author of nine books, George C. Murray, will tell you that most manufacturing turnarounds fail before they even start. And often, it's because leaders ignite fear of change with the wrong language and wrong approach. In this episode, we’ll unpack what it really takes to revive a struggling operation, from assessing cash flow and margins to building genuine trust...

What happens when the experts tell you something can't be done? Today's guest built a company by questioning assumptions that had gone largely unchallenged inside a massive legacy industry for decades. Annie Lu, co-founder and CEO of Laminar, joins me to talk about challenging conventional wisdom, earning credibility as an outsider, and why manufacturers who stay open to new ways of solving old pr...

Chief Industry Strategist, Technologist and Evangelist at Software Equity Group, Paul Lachance, believes the AI revolution we're living in belongs in the same conversation as steam power, electricity and robotics. In this episode, we explore the lessons manufacturers can learn from past eras of disruption, why some companies emerge stronger while others get left behind and how leaders can cut thro...

In today’s conversation, we’re exploring a shift in the plastics industry – from the old “make, use, throw away” model to a future focused on circularity. At the heart of this transformation is the rise of advanced, or chemical, recycling technologies. My guest today, President of America’s Plastic Makers, Ross Eisenberg, will tell you why these innovative processes are key to tackling plastics th...

In today’s conversation, we’re tackling a challenge manufacturing leaders know all too well: wearing too many hats. In particular, we'll be talking about the sales hat, and why taking it off is often harder than it sounds. My guest, author and sales advisor Mike Huey, will share a proven framework to help you transition from founder-led sales to a scalable, repeatable system that doesn’t depend on...

In today’s episode, we’re diving into one of the most critical bottlenecks in the electrification revolution: batteries. With the rapid explosion of AI and the data centers powering it, the strain on our power grid has never been greater. Yet, beneath the surface, few realize just how challenging and intricate battery manufacturing really is – in a world where chemistry is king, precision is every...

In this conversation, Founder and CEO of Vention, Etienne Lacroix, points to two fast-moving trends that are impacting manufacturing: the growth of “physical AI,” which brings autonomy to machines on the factory floor, and the real-world impact of software-defined automation. In this episode, you’ll hear what’s actually working with these technologies, and what still falls short. We’ll get into th...

In today’s conversation, we dive into what it takes for digital adoption to take root in the manufacturing sector. More specifically, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations and Strategy Officer at Conexus Indiana, Bryce Carpenter, will tell you how state-level organizations like Conexus are stepping up to support manufacturers of all sizes, why simply chasing the latest technology rarely wo...

President & CEO of Vista Metals, Kelly Thomas leads her manufacturing organization with a different mindset – thinking in decades rather than quarters. In this episode, she'll tell you how building for the long term impacts company culture, strengthens resilience and prepares teams for industry shocks. She’ll share real-world lessons in leading through uncertainty, from adapting to global market c...

We hear a lot about reshoring these days. But bringing manufacturing operations back to the U.S. isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. In today's conversation, CEO at Parsec Automation, Eddy Azad, will talk about the real-world complexities and strategic decisions manufacturers face when considering reshoring. He'll offer his perspective on where reshoring actually makes sense, why manufacturing l...

In today's conversation, Founder and CEO of Axion, Daniel First, will share his observations about how data-rich manufacturing environments are transforming the roles of quality and innovation. He'll tell you how manufacturing leaders are starting to leverage AI to turn overwhelming streams of customer, device and service data into opportunities for faster product development and smarter collabora...

In today's conversation, Co-Founder & CEO at Seurat Technologies, James DeMuth, will share how a different approach metal additive manufacturing can radically increase throughput, disrupt industry economics and reshape supply chains. He’ll offer his perspective on where additive manufacturing stands today, discus applications and share his perspective on what’s needed for U.S. manufacturing to sta...

So many manufacturers find themselves stuck in break-fix mode, constantly reacting to machine maintenance problems instead of staying ahead of them. If this sounds familiar, what's it costing your business, your team and your ability to plan for the future? In this episode, CMO of Limble, Paul Ross, shares insights not only from his own experiences, but also from an extensive survey of manufacturi...

Imagine robots moving freely alongside your team, navigating unpredictable spaces and handling tasks once reserved only for people. In this conversation, Shari Brown and Krystal Mattich of Brain Corp pull back the curtain on the role autonomous mobile robots, or AMRs, can play in manufacturing environments. More specifically, they'll talk about safety considerations, data security and earning the...

Manufacturers everywhere are doubling down on data centers and AI infrastructure, fueling a surge in investment that has many asking: are we living in a bubble, or is this the start of long-term, transformative growth? In today’s conversation, CFO and Co-Founder of viaPhoton, Wasif Khan, will share his perspective about what's really driving this wave of capital, where the risks (and opportunities...

Why do so many manufacturers still rely on paper, spreadsheets and disconnected systems to run complex operations? And what unfolds when they step into fully integrated, data-driven environments? In this episode, President at Applied Control Engineering, Inc, Ian Burns, will answer these questions. He'll also explain how digital twins are impacting everything from operator training to faster, safe...

Manufacturing automation isn’t what it used to be. Today, robots can be controlled from an iPad, set up with zero training and be up and running almost immediately – even in high-mix, high-variability manufacturing environments that once seemed impossible to automate. In this episode, CEO and Founder of Workr Labs, Kevin Macken, will tell you how they're eliminating traditional automation barriers...

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 cha...

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 Productiv 3...

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 abo...

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. Lear...

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 turnin...

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...