ASSEMBLY Audible

Manufacturers are investing heavily in AI and automation, but many still can’t access or organize the data needed to make those systems useful. Aron Semle, CTO of HighByte, explains how fragmented factory systems and proprietary data structures are limiting smart manufacturing—and why initiatives such as i3X are becoming critical to making industrial AI practical on the plant floor. 

Tariffs have reduced direct imports from China, but that doesn't mean manufacturing is coming back to the United States. Patrick Van den Bossche of Kearney explains why companies are building supply chain flexibility instead of committing to reshoring — and why much of the production leaving China is simply moving somewhere else.

Manufacturers are rapidly adopting AI, but most deployments remain limited to small-scale pilots. In this episode, Mike Sabin, CEO of Revalize, explains why scaling AI across the enterprise is proving far more difficult than expected. The conversation explores the key barriers, including fragmented data, legacy systems and the need to shift from viewing AI as a technology project to treating it as...

Joe Teague discusses AME’s new independent chapter, including this year’s metalworking hall, humanoids and expanded manufacturing focus. Sponsored By:

AI is changing machine vision, but not in the way many manufacturers expect. Matt Moschner, CEO of Cognex, explains where AI vision systems outperform traditional tools, where they don’t and why most real-world applications rely on a hybrid approach.

Patrick Lozada, Senior Director of Global Policy at the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, explains how the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, supports manufacturing, regional supply chains, standards alignment and long-term investment certainty. The conversation covers tariffs, reshoring, AI data center demand, grid infrastructure, electrical codes, trade uncertainty and what man...

Despite tariffs, EV disruption and supply chain pressure, supplier relationships improved across all six major North American OEMs for the first time in 26 years. Dr. Angela Johnson explains what changed — and why communication and trust are becoming critical competitive advantages.

Manufacturers need skilled workers now—but traditional training pathways often fall short. In this episode, Justin Brooks explains how short-duration programs are helping people enter manufacturing faster, build confidence on the shop floor and connect directly with employers.

Tariffs aren’t impacting every manufacturer the same way. Eddy Azad, founder and CEO of Parsec Automation, explains why some companies gain an advantage while others struggle—and why preparation ultimately determines the outcome.

AI isn’t failing because of the technology—it’s failing because of how people use it. In this episode, Chris Draper, CEO and co-founder of morriganAI and author of Safe AI Basics and co-author of Governing Artificial Intelligence, challenges the way we think about AI and explains why the real risk—and opportunity—lies in human behavior. Sponsored By:

Manufacturers aren’t just losing workers — they’re losing decades of institutional knowledge. Nick Haase, co-founder of MaintainX, explains how the “silver tsunami” is exposing gaps in maintenance data and why companies that fail to capture that knowledge now risk falling behind.

Disruptions are inevitable—but being unprepared isn’t. Eddy Azad, founder and CEO of Parsec Automation, explains how manufacturers can build resilience through continuous improvement, visibility and long-term thinking to stay competitive.

Mark Woeppel explains why many plants fall into a cycle of expediting and reactive decision-making. Drawing on decades of experience, he shares examples of assembly operations overwhelmed by incomplete builds, conflicting priorities and systems that cannot keep pace with real-world conditions. He also introduces the Theory of Constraints as a way to restore stability. By identifying the true const...

As manufacturers push deeper into artificial intelligence, a new challenge is emerging: most factory networks weren’t built to support the speed, scale and reliability that modern AI systems require. From robotics to real-time analytics, connectivity is becoming a critical constraint on how far manufacturers can take automation. One of the biggest forces behind that shift is the rise of physical A...

Dawn Fichter, owner of Tools 4 Hiring, discusses why so many manufacturing roles remain open for months and what hiring managers are often getting wrong. Drawing on more than 15 years of recruiting experience, Fichter explains why the challenge is often not a shortage of people, but a breakdown in process, alignment and expectations. She shares practical advice on how manufacturers can move faster...

Greg Dyer, chief commercial officer at Randstad USA, discusses the challenges manufacturers face as they work to recruit, develop and retain the workforce needed to keep production running. With reshoring efforts accelerating and experienced workers retiring in large numbers, manufacturers must rethink how they attract talent and build sustainable workforce pipelines. Dyer explains how the labor m...

Blake Maurer of Loopr AI discusses how manufacturers can improve quality inspection by combining human expertise with AI-enabled visual inspection systems. He explains how platforms like Loopr are designed to reduce variability in inspections, digitize quality records and structure manufacturing data so companies can successfully scale AI across their operations. Maurer also explores the challenge...

Downtime Solutions: Power Strategies for Automotive Plants explores the role power distribution plays in facilitating efficiency on the factory floor. Tune in to learn how smarter power strategies have helped leading automakers reduce downtime and improve operational flexibility to support rapid production changes. Sponsored By: Starline

Bill Good, Vice President of Manufacturing and Supply Chain at GE Appliances, discusses how the company rose to the number one spot in U.S. appliance manufacturing — not simply through scale, but through a deliberate strategy centered on automation, digitization and reshoring. Good explains how GE Appliances is investing in advanced robotics, virtual production planning and real-time data visibili...

Bill Good, Vice President of Manufacturing and Supply Chain at GE Appliances, shares how artificial intelligence is transforming U.S. manufacturing in this episode of ASSEMBLY Audible. From AI tools that help operators diagnose equipment in real time to automating complex processes, Good explains how technology is being integrated with workforce development and plant modernization to drive product...

Trisha Epp, Director of Innovation at Freelancer, explains how a NASA-tested, crowdsourced approach to solving technical challenges is now available to manufacturers. In this episode, we explore how posting problems to a global network of engineers and scientists can deliver faster, cheaper and more diverse solutions than traditional RFPs or consulting engagements. Learn how manufacturers can pay...

Meaghan Elwell, Division President of Global Industrials at JLL, discusses how manufacturing facilities can look flawless on paper, but still leave frontline workers feeling disengaged and undervalued. In this episode, we share insights on why employees stay even when they’re not fully engaged, how human-centered design can transform the factory floor and shares practical steps manufacturers can t...

Nashay Naeve, president of the Engineered Plastic Components business unit at Tsubaki Nakashima, breaks down why manufacturers are still struggling to fill roles, what leaders can change immediately to reframe the industry and how modern operations are reshaping what manufacturing careers actually look like. She also shares practical insight on bringing more women into technical roles, building tr...

Telit Cinterion’s Dr. Linir Zamir discusses how Artificial Intelligence is moving closer to the factory floor through edge-based systems that keep data on site and enable faster decision-making. He explains how industrial IoT platforms can connect legacy equipment, normalize machine data and support AI “agents” that help detect early signs of failure, guide fault recovery and reduce downtime. Spon...

Sustainability in manufacturing is no longer about broad promises or future targets, as leading companies are developing science-based standards. In this episode of ASSEMBLY Audible, we spotlight a major milestone in industrial sustainability: Schneider Electric’s groundbreaking achievement as the first industrial product manufacturer to earn UL Solutions’ new ECOLOGO Certification. Bin Lu, EVP of...