ASSEMBLY Audible

Dawn Fichter, owner of Tools 4 Hiring, discusses why so many manufacturing roles remain open for months and what hiring managers are often getting wrong. Drawing on more than 15 years of recruiting experience, Fichter explains why the challenge is often not a shortage of people, but a breakdown in process, alignment and expectations. She shares practical advice on how manufacturers can move faster, simplify job requirements and focus less on the perfect resume and more on trainability, mindset and soft skills.

Greg Dyer, chief commercial officer at Randstad USA, discusses the challenges manufacturers face as they work to recruit, develop and retain the workforce needed to keep production running. With reshoring efforts accelerating and experienced workers retiring in large numbers, manufacturers must rethink how they attract talent and build sustainable workforce pipelines. Dyer explains how the labor market for manufacturing remains strong but increasingly competitive, with companies needing the right mix of skills, location and recruiting strategies to succeed. He also discusses how automation, AI and digital tools are reshaping frontline manufacturing jobs, enabling workers to move beyond repetitive tasks and take on more data-driven and technology-enabled roles.

Blake Maurer of Loopr AI discusses how manufacturers can improve quality inspection by combining human expertise with AI-enabled visual inspection systems. He explains how platforms like Loopr are designed to reduce variability in inspections, digitize quality records and structure manufacturing data so companies can successfully scale AI across their operations. Maurer also explores the challenges manufacturers face when balancing speed with accuracy on the factory floor, why structured and well-labeled data is essential before AI can deliver meaningful results and where human inspectors still outperform machines.

Downtime Solutions: Power Strategies for Automotive Plants explores the role power distribution plays in facilitating efficiency on the factory floor. Tune in to learn how smarter power strategies have helped leading automakers reduce downtime and improve operational flexibility to support rapid production changes.Sponsored By: Starline

Bill Good, Vice President of Manufacturing and Supply Chain at GE Appliances, discusses how the company rose to the number one spot in U.S. appliance manufacturing — not simply through scale, but through a deliberate strategy centered on automation, digitization and reshoring. Good explains how GE Appliances is investing in advanced robotics, virtual production planning and real-time data visibility to modernize its plants and strengthen domestic production. From piloting new processes in digital factory environments to launching its first in-house water filter manufacturing line at Appliance Park in Louisville, Kentucky, the company’s approach demonstrates how smart automation and a highly skilled workforce can reduce reliance on overseas supply chains while maintaining world-class output.

Bill Good, Vice President of Manufacturing and Supply Chain at GE Appliances, shares how artificial intelligence is transforming U.S. manufacturing in this episode of ASSEMBLY Audible. From AI tools that help operators diagnose equipment in real time to automating complex processes, Good explains how technology is being integrated with workforce development and plant modernization to drive productivity, resilience and competitiveness.

Trisha Epp, Director of Innovation at Freelancer, explains how a NASA-tested, crowdsourced approach to solving technical challenges is now available to manufacturers. In this episode, we explore how posting problems to a global network of engineers and scientists can deliver faster, cheaper and more diverse solutions than traditional RFPs or consulting engagements. Learn how manufacturers can pay for outcomes instead of proposals, accelerate innovation and tap expertise outside their usual networks — all while reducing risk and unlocking breakthrough results.

Meaghan Elwell, Division President of Global Industrials at JLL, discusses how manufacturing facilities can look flawless on paper, but still leave frontline workers feeling disengaged and undervalued. In this episode, we share insights on why employees stay even when they’re not fully engaged, how human-centered design can transform the factory floor and shares practical steps manufacturers can take to boost engagement, retention and productivity — without massive investment. Learn what real empowerment looks like and how small changes can create a big impact for people and business alike.Sponsored By:

Nashay Naeve, president of the Engineered Plastic Components business unit at Tsubaki Nakashima, breaks down why manufacturers are still struggling to fill roles, what leaders can change immediately to reframe the industry and how modern operations are reshaping what manufacturing careers actually look like. She also shares practical insight on bringing more women into technical roles, building trust early on the plant floor and creating mentorship that’s real, not a “check-the-box” program.Sponsored By:

Telit Cinterion’s Dr. Linir Zamir discusses how Artificial Intelligence is moving closer to the factory floor through edge-based systems that keep data on site and enable faster decision-making. He explains how industrial IoT platforms can connect legacy equipment, normalize machine data and support AI “agents” that help detect early signs of failure, guide fault recovery and reduce downtime.Sponsored By: