ASSEMBLY Audible

In this episode of ASSEMBLY Audible, we spotlight manufacturing and engineering innovation with one of SME's 2024 30 Under 30 honorees—Liam Fortier, Advanced Manufacturing Engineer at Peterbilt Motors Co. Liam joins us to share insights into his work at Peterbilt’s Denton, Texas plant, where he focuses on assembling heavy-duty battery electric vehicles (BEVs). We discuss cutting-edge assembly technologies, the unique features of BEV production, and how Liam designed a course to help engineers. Sponsored By:

IoT solutions can help manufacturers integrate legacy machinery, transforming outdated operations into streamlined, data-driven ecosystems. With IoT-powered factory integration, manufacturers can bridge the gap between old and new technology—reducing downtime, improving decision-making, and freeing up engineers to focus on higher-value tasks. Bill Dykas, Senior Product Manager at Telit Cinterion, joins us to discuss how IoT solutions help manufacturers bridge the gap between old and new technology.Sponsored By:

Imagine a manufacturing environment where a single machine can take a product from raw material to a fully finished assembly—integrating multiple manufacturing tools into one seamless system. This vision of sustainable, on-site production is becoming a reality through an award-winning approach to single-cell manufacturing. On this episode of ASSEMBLY Audible, we’re joined by an entrepreneur and innovator who is pushing the boundaries of additive manufacturing. Recently recognized as one of SME’s 30 Under 30 recipients, Ethan Baehrend, CEO of Creative 3D, joins us to discuss his groundbreaking work in 3D printing.Sponsored By:

It's a hot topic. The Trump Administration has pledged to impose significant new tariffs on imports from multiple countries. How will that affect your assembly operation? And what can you do to prepare? We hash through the potential impact of tariffs on manufacturers with Tony Klimas, the President of Horvath USA, a global management consulting firm.Sponsored By:

How does a background in theater design inspire innovation in manufacturing and supply chain management? Join us for a conversation with Cofactr Co-founder and CEO Matthew Haber, whose unique journey led to co-founding a platform used by over 50 hardware manufacturers and R&D groups building everything from rockets to wearables. Cofactr’s platform helps companies streamline procurement and inventory management through a network of pre-vetted U.S. suppliers while automating the complexities of supply chains. In this episode, Matthew shares how Cofactr solves critical supply chain issues.Sponsored By:

In this special episode of ASSEMBLY Audible, host Jennifer Pierce is joined by ASSEMBLY Magazine’s longtime editors and industry experts, John Sprovieri and Austin Weber, to count down ASSEMBLY’s top manufacturing stories of 2024. From the rise of AI and digital tools in assembly plants to the growing popularity of unions, and even some fascinating assembly history, this episode dives into the stories that were most popular on our website. Don’t miss the countdown featuring highlights like Tesla Cybertruck’s modular wiring, humanoid robots, and the industry-shifting Boeing strike. Tune in for expert insights, memorable moments, and what’s next for ASSEMBLY in 2025!Sponsored By:

In this episode, we sit down with Marcease Warren, Vice President of Manufacturing at Sentry Equipment, to discuss digital transformation leadership, maintaining a 25-year safety record, and how the latest technology is incorporated in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing setting. Plus, we explore how Sentry's 100% employee-owned structure fuels its culture of agility and innovation as the company celebrates its 100th anniversary. Tune in for actionable ideas, expert perspectives, and the inspiration to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of product assembly.Sponsored By:

Dive into a groundbreaking initiative to improve cybersecurity in manufacturing operations. We’re joined by Lauren Lerman, Director of Workforce Collaborations at MxD, to explore the Cybersecurity for Manufacturing Operational Technology (CyMOT) Curriculum, a training platform developed in collaboration with the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). Recognized by the National Association of Manufacturers Manufacturing Leadership Council for its excellence in collaborative ecosystems, CyMOT addresses critical challenges as manufacturing becomes increasingly digitized. Learn how this curriculum equips manufacturers to secure connected floors, advanced control systems, and automation.Sponsored By:

In October 2024, Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control (MFC) Production Operations team celebrated the opening of its Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) Center in Grand Prairie, Texas. George Kaniamos, Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Director, shares insights about the state-of-the-art facility designed to accelerate manufacturing technology development and enhance collaboration across teams. Join us as we discuss the importance of early collaboration in product development, the cutting-edge technologies engineers are experimenting with, and how the AMT Center is already delivering tangible results—like solving challenges for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System program using collaborative robots.Sponsored By:

As manufacturing becomes increasingly connected, the industry faces a growing wave of cyber threats, from ransomware to sophisticated supply chain attacks. Delve into how adaptive AI is transforming the fight against phishing and social engineering with Matt Burroughs, Chief Information Security Officer with Novolex, and Eyal Benishti, founder and CEO of IRONSCALES. Learn about the importance of identifying vulnerabilities in legacy systems, and creating a resilient operation through awareness, training, technical controls, and recovery planning to safeguard critical infrastructure.Sponsored By: