Manufacturing Insiders

Joel Meyer is a PhD in organic chemistry and leads business development at Group14 Technologies, a company developing silicon-based battery materials. His company has created a silicon-carbon composite material that stores five times more energy than traditional graphite anodes used in lithium-ion batteries. Joel explains his strategy of being "optimistically realistic" when working with OEMs and...

Jess Gupta is the founder of Nightside, a company that manufactures specialized bedside lamps designed for nighttime reading. His company developed an innovative optical projection system that combines ambient lighting with a focused spotlight in a single device. Watch as Jess shares how he transitioned from lawyer to entrepreneur and navigated the five-year journey from concept to manufactured pr...

Art Oliva is the Director Of Operations at Prism Logistics, and is here today to explore the critical role of logistics in manufacturing. He discusses the importance of accurate cost estimates, the value-added services that logistics companies can provide, and the unique challenges faced in the food industry. Art shares insights on leveraging technology, navigating labor challenges, and the signif...

Travis Cox is the Chief Technology Evangelist at Inductive Automation, a software company that develops industrial automation platforms. His company created Ignition, a unified development toolkit that enables manufacturers to build HMI, SCADA, and MES systems with unlimited licensing and open standards. Watch as Travis shares how to leverage open standards, create a digital-first culture, and use...

John Flynn is the Division Sales Director of Zonin1821 , an Italian wine importer that brings wines from 10 estates across Italy to 140 countries worldwide. His company applies manufacturing principles to wine production in ways that challenge conventional thinking about the industry. The approach reveals surprising insights about precision, logistics, and consumer psychology that extend far beyon...

Keith Morton is the founder and CTO of Display Logic USA , an American manufacturer of custom display solutions for industrial and commercial applications. Mike Schreiber is the VP of Sales for Display Logic USA. The company specializes in creating tailored human-machine interfaces that consolidate multiple components into single integrated boards. This approach reduces potential failure points fr...

Ed Dodd, Business Development executive at COFACTR, built his career solving technology challenges for critical applications in aerospace and defense. COFACTR automates procurement processes for manufacturers, using AI to streamline parts sourcing from design through manufacturing. Ed's engagement with clients revealed that manual sourcing processes were creating costly delays and inefficiencies i...

Jeff Barth, owner of JWB Manufacturing, began his career in financial services for Fortune 100 companies. In 2008, he acquired his company to manufacture and distribute aftermarket wire cutting and stripping blades for the electronics industry. Jeff's transition into manufacturing uncovered significant challenges in reaching a niche market without prior experience. Learn how he created a highly su...

Josh Liegel, President and CEO of EIC Solutions, began his career at the company in an entry-level role. He rose over 21 years to lead this manufacturer of specialized solid-state cooling systems for rugged environments. Josh's unconventional path to leadership highlighted the impact of continuous learning and proactive contribution. Discover his strategies for career advancement and fostering a s...

David Arreaga is the Co-Founder and CEO of Ares Materials Inc, an AI-driven materials company revolutionizing polymer development for the display industry. His startup uses machine learning to design advanced materials that solve the crease problem in foldable phone screens. The company has developed breakthrough polymers using artificial intelligence to overcome decades-old material science limit...

Chris Wingate is the Vice President of Maxivolt, an American manufacturer of surge protectors for industrial applications. His company takes a contrarian approach to manufacturing by maintaining a full year of inventory instead of following lean principles. This strategy helps them navigate supply chain disruptions while protecting their customers' expensive equipment from costly electrical failur...

Kevin Huo, Vice President of EM Solutions, is a second-generation manufacturer whose family company specializes in printed circuit board assemblies. In 2008, his parents founded the company to provide full turnkey PCBA manufacturing services for Silicon Valley's technology sector. Kevin's experience with customers revealed significant challenges around quick turnaround times and personalized servi...

Peter Thorpe, Founder and CEO of Fire Avert, spent 18 years as a firefighter where he repeatedly encountered kitchen fires caused by unattended cooking. He developed an innovative device that automatically turns off stoves when it detects smoke alarm sounds, eliminating the heat source before fires can spread. His firefighter background provided unique insight into a widespread safety problem that...

Todd Honeyville is an automation expert with over 20 years of experience in manufacturing robotics. He founded Lion Inc. to help manufacturers automate repetitive production tasks using flexible robotic systems. Todd discovered that companies were losing productivity due to labor shortages and workers performing dangerous, repetitive jobs. Learn how his automation solutions help manufacturers incr...

Jason Reddick is Production Manager at Combat Motors overseeing engineering, manufacturing, and hands-on motorcycle assembly. Combat Motors manufactures exclusive luxury motorcycles in small batches of 20-100 units targeting wealthy collectors worldwide. Jason discovered that small manufacturers face unique challenges with supplier minimums, tariff impacts, and achieving quality consistency withou...

Aaron Dobbins, President of Ellenby Technologies, applies his extensive engineering background from the electronics sector to his family's manufacturing enterprise. His company specializes in developing advanced vending machine electronics and secure cash management systems. He explains how they tackle sophisticated physical security threats to their products and the intense competition from overs...

Ian Ramsdell, CEO of Kupros Inc., brings revolutionary 3D printing material to market. This breakthrough material lets anyone 3D print electronic components using standard desktop printers. The technology eliminates the need for expensive specialized machines that cost up to $1.25 million. Discover how this innovation is attracting major players like Boeing and Northrop Grumman and why it could re...

David Letourneau, President of Enyrgy, discovered that most people struggle to maintain adequate vitamin D levels despite taking supplements or spending time outdoors. His company developed a breakthrough UVB light device that delivers precise wavelengths to safely boost vitamin D production in just 2-4 minutes per day. Watch as David explains how he brought this product to market and discusses th...

Barry Isaac is an avid diver and energy innovator who has spent 27 years developing a revolutionary underwater energy storage system. His Budebu technology uses compressed air and negative buoyancy to sink containers to the ocean floor, where they sit until energy is needed. Electricity is produced when they release the compressed air and rise slowly through the water column. This creates a reliab...

Dave Campbell and Josh Barrow are manufacturing leaders at Fontana Gruppo, a global OEM serving government contracting, aerospace, and tier-one automotive customers. Josh started as a hand sorter in 2011 and advanced through the ranks to manage 130 employees across multiple facilities, while Dave brings 23 years of operational expertise to the organization. Their combined leadership experience rev...

Madhav Ayyagari, co-founder of Inductive Robotics, offers an innovative electric vehicle charging solution. His company develops autonomous mobile robots to provide flexible EV charging without costly infrastructure. This approach tackles the high installation expenses and poor utilization plaguing traditional fixed EV charging stations. Learn how Madhav is pioneering a cost-effective scalable alt...

Andy Cobin, President of Quantum Microwave, began his career as a design and product engineer for microwave devices. In 2016, he founded his company to distribute and manufacture specialized cryogenic components for experts in the superconducting quantum computing sector. Andy's engagement with research facilities and companies uncovered multiple inefficiencies hindering vital progress. Learn how...

Jason Cummins of the Makers Garage - making custom components for the Fox Body Mustang - shares unexpected insight into designing aftermarket automotive components at scale. He discusses marketing strategies and the lifecycles of makes and models. This is a must listen for manufacturers in the aftermarket space, startup contract manufacturers, and for entrepreneurs needing some inspiration. Jason'...

Canadian election upset; Chinese competition, Impact of Tariffs on Canadian Manufacturers. Darryl Gratrix an advocate for trade apprenticeships and a 20+ year tool and die professional works as the the production manager for MPC Components. His insight into trade relations between the U.S. and Canada and in generating interest with the next generation of manufacturing gives U.S. manufacturers some...

In this episode of Manufacturing Insiders, Nate interviews Bryan Smith from JLT Sales, who shares insights into the woodworking manufacturing industry, the legacy of James L. Taylor Manufacturing, and effective sales strategies. Bryan discusses the importance of customer service, the impact of market trends on sales, and the role of trade shows in generating leads. He emphasizes the need for produ...