Advanced Manufacturing Now

In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Steve Plumb speaks with Kelly Visconti, principal deputy director of the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) at the Department of Energy. They discuss the role of MESC in strengthening U.S. manufacturing, addressing workforce shortages, and the impact of legislation like the CHIPS Act and the Infrastructure Act.

Resources mentioned:

• SMLP: State Manufacturing Leadership Program Apr 21, 2025
• Ongoing Implementation Grant Submissions: ITAC Application Portal
• MESC's FY24 Annual Report: Reports | Department of Energy

In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Lawrence Moebs speaks with Gerrit Stuchtey, Customer Experience Director at Arvato Systems. They discuss the challenges faced by service technicians in the manufacturing industry, particularly in the context of digital transformation and the integration of AI technologies. Stuchtey highlights the importance of timely service, documentation, and the evolving role of technicians as they adapt to new technologies. The conversation also touches on the future of manufacturing and the need for comprehensive digitalization consulting.

In this episode, host David Muller speaks with Daniel Joseph Barry, vice president of product marketing at Configit, about the challenges and solutions in the manufacturing industry, particularly focusing on the impact of an aging workforce and the importance of automation and configuration lifecycle management (CLM). They discuss how CLM can help manufacturers streamline processes, capture expert knowledge, and improve efficiency, with real-world examples demonstrating its effectiveness.

In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Steve Plumb discusses the critical role of metrology in manufacturing with Christian Shinners and Joe Zofchak from Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions. They explore the importance of academic partnerships in addressing the skills gap in manufacturing, the impact of modern technology and Industry 4.0 on education, and the future trends in manufacturing and workforce development.

In this episode of "Manufacturing the Workforce of Tomorrow," Toni Neary speaks with Linda Head, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships at Lone Star College, to discuss a groundbreaking partnership with National Oilwell Varco (NOV). Created to address the skills gap in manufacturing, this innovative program offers Aldine High School students full scholarships, paid internships, and mentorship opportunities, helping them earn degrees in machining and engineering.

Linda shares the unique, holistic support NOV and Lone Star provide, including childcare, transportation, and mentorship to ensure student success. The results? A 100% program completion rate, with graduates now holding stable, well-paying roles at NOV. This collaboration is not only transforming lives but also building a sustainable talent pipeline, inspiring other companies to adopt this model for workforce development.

Tune in to learn how this partnership is reshaping workforce training, creating pathways for underserved students, and setting a new standard for industry and education collaboration.

In this episode, Steve Plumb sits down with Steve Prahalis, COO for SME, Chris Ciuca, VP of Programs for SAE, and John Wilczynski, Executive Director for America Makes. They discuss the upcoming colocation of SME's AeroDef, SAE's WCX, and America Makes' TRX at RAPID + TCT 2025 in Detroit. They highlight the importance of collaboration among organizations to enhance value for attendees, the evolution of additive manufacturing and the defense sector, and the significance of Detroit as a hub for automotive innovation.

To learn more about each event, visit rapid3devent.com, aerodefevent.com, wcx.sae.org, and americamakes.us

In this episode, Padma Raghunathan, Product Marketing Manager at Deltek, discusses the future of smart manufacturing, focusing on the integration of AI and automation, workforce augmentation, and the evolving roles within the manufacturing sector.

In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Steve Plumb speaks with Craig Coyle, a former pilot and current leadership consultant, about the challenges new leaders face in the manufacturing industry. They discuss the importance of leadership training, the need for a supportive culture, and the concept of mentorship in developing effective leaders.

To learn more about Operation Lead, visit them at operationlead.com

In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host David Mueller speaks with Juan Martinez from Suhner about the evolving landscape of manufacturing, particularly in relation to automation and robotics. They discuss the challenges faced by the workforce, the advantages of robotic systems in material removal, and the innovations in compliance systems and electric solutions that Suhner offers.

In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, the SME Editorial Team reflects on the highlights of 2024 and anticipates the trends and challenges for 2025. Topics include the addition of new team members (David and Lawrence), the launch of Smart Shop Essentials, and the importance of practical applications of technology in manufacturing.