Hardware Is Forever

When waste goes unchecked, value is lost, and opportunities slip away. In this first episode of our new series on Lean Manufacturing, Amtech CEO Jay Patel introduces the principles of Lean and how they drive efficiency, innovation, and customer satisfaction. We discuss the importance of identifying value from the customer’s perspective and share insights on the five core principles of Lean: identi...

Jesse Beeker, founder of TWIG Power , and Amtech CEO Jay Patel join us to discuss TWIG’s evolution from a garage startup to a leader in light electric powertrains. They share insights into the challenges of hardware development, the value of collaboration, and how the right approach to design can drive success. Jesse shares how TWIG’s modular approach and early collaboration with an alpha customer...

When decision-making is limited to a few voices, mistakes multiply and progress stalls. In this final episode of our series on Deming’s 14 Points of Management, we explore his 14th Point and why involving everyone in the organization is key to reducing risks and making bold moves. Amtech CEO Jay Patel explains how engaging every team member leads to smarter decisions, creates innovation, and keeps...

When industries evolve, companies that don’t keep learning get left behind. Think of how quickly AI is reshaping countless fields—if your team isn’t continuously learning, you risk being outpaced by competitors adapting faster. In this episode, we explore Deming’s 13th point, focusing on embedding education and self-improvement into the core of your business. Amtech CEO Jay Patel discusses how a c...

Focusing solely on output metrics can create an incomplete picture, undermine employee engagement, and stifle innovation. In this episode, we explore Deming’s 12th point and leadership's critical role in helping create true workmanship - that personal pride and unique value your team brings to their work. Amtech CEO Jay Patel shares how removing barriers to pride in workmanship can improve qu...

In this episode, we're joined by Nick Theoret of Centri Group, a client of Amtech and like-minded leader to Amtech CEO Jay Patel. Developing platform-agnostic hardware comes with unique challenges and opens up incredible business opportunities. Jay and Nick share how they're navigating these complexities as we explore Nick's journey from building a prototype to developing a scalable...

Overlooking quality for quantity risks eroding customer trust and straining resources. In this episode, we explore how prioritizing quality over quantity aligns with Deming’s principles and his Tenth point, focusing on sustainable growth and operational efficiency. With insights from Amtech CEO Jay Patel, we discuss embedding quality into every aspect of your operations, from leadership to process...

Without realistic goals, teams can start to experience trust issues and demotivation. One tried and true corporate band-aid is to cover up poor strategy with enthusiasm - "Let's work harder and get there together!" Deming's tenth point addresses this, and in this episode, we discuss with Jay Patel why slogans and cheerleading fail, the importance of grounded goals, and the role...

Organizational silos can stifle growth and create inefficiency, as Deming's Point 9 illustrates with the instruction to "Break down barriers between departments." Amtech CEO Jay Patel helps us explore breaking these barriers and aligning specialized departments via effective communication and collaboration. We discuss the complications and benefits of specialization, leveraging EOS...

What are you afraid of? What are you afraid of at your job? And what happens when fear is driven out of the workplace? In this episode, we examine the idea of driving out fear in the workplace, inspired by Deming’s 8th of his 14 management points. We explore how fear impacts productivity and the overall work environment, and we discuss the importance of creating a supportive and stable environment...

In this episode, we examine the significant shift in modern business from the traditional command-and-control approach to the empowering method of servant leadership. We look at Deming's 14 management points and discuss Point 7: How creating a supportive environment is crucial for increasing productivity and sparking innovation. With insights from Amtech CEO Jay Patel, we cover the changing r...

This episode explores the importance of on-the-job training, which is point six of Dr. W. Edwards Deming’s Fourteen Points of Management. Jay Patel, CEO of Amtech, shares insights on how consistent and effective training is crucial for long-term success. We discuss the need for proactive planning and customer visibility to ensure that staff are well-prepared and training resources are utilized eff...

In this episode of "Hardware is Forever," we explore the fifth of Dr. W. Edwards Deming's Fourteen Points of Management : Constantly improving the system of production and service. Jay Patel, CEO of Amtech, joins us to discuss the imperative of systematic improvement for achieving high-quality and profitable outcomes. Jay emphasizes that while cost-cutting might offer short-term gai...

In this episode we continue our series on Deming's Fourteen Points of Management , focusing on his Fourth point and the critical shift from price-driven transactions to value-driven partnerships. Jay Patel, CEO of Amtech, joins us for a conversation on why ending the practice of awarding business based on price alone can lead to greater overall efficiency and innovation, with insights on how...

We're diving deeper into Dr. W. Edwards Deming's 14 Principles of Management, focusing on his third point , "Cease dependence on inspection to achieve quality." In this episode, Jay Patel, CEO of Amtech, explores the critical shift towards building quality into the product from the outset, rather than relying on inspections at the end of the process. Jay discusses the implicati...

In today's episode, we explore the strategic advantages of Tier 1 partnerships for growth and innovation in small- and medium-sized businesses. Jay Patel, CEO of Amtech, shares how leveraging Tier 1 supplier relationships, a tactic successfully utilized by automotive giants in Detroit, can accelerate product development and streamline operations for smaller companies. We talk about how Amtech...

We're continuing our series on Dr. W. Edwards Deming's 14 Principles of Management with a conversation on Adopting the New Philosophy - Deming's second point. Amtech CEO Jay Patel joins us to talk about ways Amtech has transformed its processes with active leadership and collaboration, and how this attention is driving continuous improvements on quality and efficiency. Jay shares ho...

In our first episode where we're diving in earnest into Dr. Deming's 14 Points of Management, we're working to discover the key to long-term success by creating constancy of purpose . As Jay Patel, CEO of Amtech, sees it, amongst fierce competition, staying ahead and outmaneuvering rivals - and sometimes our own worst habits or impulses - can be a challenge. Dr. Deming's first...

In this episode we're starting our exploration of the 14 Points of Management from Dr. W. Edwards Deming and how his revolutionary approach transforms how we think about quality control in electronics manufacturing, management in general and, well, any industry at all. Join us as we learn together with Amtech CEO Jay Patel on ways to eliminate the need for massive inspections and costly rewor...

Join us as we embark on a transformative journey, immersing ourselves in the world of Dr. W Edwards Deming and his 14 revolutionary ideas on management. In this first episode of a multi-part series, Jay Patel, CEO of Amtech, will bring his unique perspective and expertise, learning and exploring the methods and magic of Deming's concepts, applying his principles to the manufacturing and hardw...

Today we're talking about ways we've accelerated the growth of our electronics manufacturing business at Amtech. With the help of outside professionals, fractional experts and people with great ideas and impressive skill sets, we've been able to explore new possibilities and drive productivity. Join us as our CEO Jay Patel talks about the importance of Investing in the right profess...

Participation in industry associations brings unique advantages, like access to up-to-date industry information, the opportunity to form connections with peers, and invaluable insight from experienced professionals. In this episode Jay Patel shares his experiences on how joining an industry association like the IPC is so important for understanding the industry and staying ahead of emerging develo...

In today's episode Jay Patel, CEO at Amtech, joins to to explore ways to improve team success with essential tools, techniques, and talents to help you increase efficiency and achieve opportunities without micromanaging. We talk about how risk assessment can help you select the right tools and how to use the core value of Ubuntu - where shared successes benefit everyone - to create a supporti...

In today's episode, Amtech CEO Jay Patel explores why a measured, sometimes slower approach to decisions, business leadership, and even life, often leads to more successful results...faster. We discuss the benefits of taking the time to gradually build one program on top of another, the risks of rushing too quickly, and how to find the right balance in the process. Especially where hardware a...

We get asked a lot about the name of our #podcast, Hardware Is Forever. Today, we're talking about its origins (hat tip to the TV series Halt and Catch Fire) as both a nod to the early days of computers and the concept that while software updates and transforms, the right hardware is key to the success of software and its lasting power. For Amtech, the way our hardware integrates into softwar...