ASSEMBLY Audible

What happens when a STEM grant drops industrial CNC machines into a high school classroom, and the teacher has never machined a part? In this episode of ASSEMBLY Audible, we share an upskilling story about Jeremy Jennings, who began his journey in manufacturing as a teacher in Texas, whose classroom was grant-funded for an engineering design program. With no prior machining experience, Jeremy became the program's pilot instructor, a move that ultimately reshaped his career. Today, Jeremy is a Technical Content Developer and Trainer at Mastercam, working on the frontlines of workforce development by helping educators across the country make CNC machining more accessible. He reflects on his unconventional path from educator to skilled worker and trainer. Learn how opportunity, access to tools, and purposeful training can close the skills gap.Sponsored By:

We connected with Ryan Lashley and Sota Ito with Panasonic, at The ASSEMBLY Show in Rosemont, IL, to learn about the evolution of the AccuPulse series, their new product offerings, and their emphasis on continuous improvement.Sponsored By:

Since taking effect in 2020, the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) has supported nearly US$2 trillion in annual trade, providing a stable framework for the duty-free movement of qualifying goods. Today, however, stricter rules of origin, evolving tariff policies, and geopolitical pressures are reshaping supply chains and raising new risks for manufacturers. As CUSMA approaches its 2026 joint review, manufacturers across North America are facing growing uncertainty in an increasingly complex trade environment. We’re joined by Falak Kothari, Manufacturing Industry Leader at Marsh Canada, to discuss key findings from Marsh’s report, Trade Policy Outlook for North American Manufacturing. Find out what manufacturers need to know as the 2026 review approaches, how tariffs and trade rules factor into day-to-day operations, and how companies are strengthening resilience through smarter risk management, supply chain strategies, and insurance solutions.Sponsored By:

During The Assembly Show last fall, we sat down with Anthony Leo, president of IPR Robotics, to talk about new product development in the automation sector. Leo explains how he transforms a napkin sketch into a usable product that people want. We discuss the development of StackTrax, IPR’s new, modular seventh-axis system designed to extend robot reach and flexibility on the factory floor. Leo discusses why StackTrax was created, what gaps it fills in the marketplace, and how IPR’s approach differs from other seventh-axis providers.Sponsored By:

The demand for aerospace engineers is projected to grow 13% through 2031. Meanwhile, companies are under pressure to keep production, maintenance, and innovation on track while facing an industry-wide skilled workforce shortage. Michael Campbell, President of ACD Consulting, a division of Coltala Aerospace, joins us to discuss how ACD Consulting’s Solutions-Based Embedded Engineer program, a model that places engineers directly inside customer teams, is helping ensure faster problem-solving, reduce downtime, and connect operators to ACD’s broader network of data-driven alternate solutions, including reverse engineering, component sourcing, and specialized repair options. The episode highlights the expansion of embedded engineering locations across the U.S., underscoring how this collaborative program is transforming aerospace manufacturing and maintenance.Sponsored By:

In Aerotek’s latest Job Seeker Survey, nearly three-quarters of more than 2,400 respondents said they’re applying to manufacturing jobs, and 64% are optimistic about the industry’s future in North America. We connect with Stanley Johnson, Director of Business Development for Manufacturing and Logistics at Aerotek, to discuss findings from Aerotek’s job seeker survey, including why job seekers are enthusiastic about manufacturing, what factors make manufacturing feel stable and rewarding, and the biggest motivators driving candidates to apply. Additionally, learn why 60% of job seekers feel entry-level jobs require too much experience and how manufacturers can close the gap between expectations and readiness through training, mentorship, and better role definitions. If you’re examining your recruitment and retention strategy heading into 2026, this episode provides insights from the perspective of job candidates.Sponsored By:

You don’t usually hear “franchise model” and “manufacturing” in the same sentence, but Isembard is rewriting that narrative. The company’s plan to build a distributed network of software-driven factories across the U.S. and beyond is backed by full operational support, including machines and tooling, hiring, quality, and an integrated pipeline of customer orders. At the heart of it all is MasonOS, the company’s AI-native operating system that connects quoting, scheduling, supply chain, machining, and quality under one platform. Justin Baucum, General Manager of Isembard, joins us to discuss why Isembard believes franchising can solve longstanding challenges for small workshops. Learn how to become a franchise owner and what’s ahead as the company expands its distributed-factory model.Sponsored By:

During the ASSEMBLY Show in Rosemont, IL, Russ Hughes, product marketing manager at Desoutter Tools, joined ASSEMBLY Audible to discuss his company’s new tightening platform, AXON. Hughes discusses how AXON solves assembly challenges, such as managing diverse tools that require backup controllers onsite, reducing downtime, enabling live data analytics, supporting sustainability goals, and shrinking equipment footprints.Sponsored By:

Cost estimation is becoming smarter, faster, and more predictive thanks to advances in AI, demonstrated by platforms such as Galorath's SEERai, a new agentic AI platform engineered to deliver secure, traceable, and audit-ready cost, schedule, and risk insights for manufacturing, aerospace, defense, and IT programs. In this episode, ASSEMBLY Audible welcomes Charles Orlando, Chief Strategy Officer at Galorath, to discuss how SEER and SEERai work, the gaps in today’s costing tools, and why AI-driven estimation is emerging as a strategic advantage. If you’re exploring digital transformation, AI adoption, or manufacturing software, this conversation is a must-listen.Sponsored By:

Software companies are building a new manufacturing stack that includes four layers: ERP, MES, Connected Worker, and AI. Dan McKiernan, principal product manager with Epicor, joins us at the ASSEMBLY Show to talk about the success that arises when these systems work together in a stack rather than a patchwork of tools.Sponsored By: