ASSEMBLY Audible

Sustainability in manufacturing is no longer about broad promises or future targets, as leading companies are developing science-based standards. In this episode of ASSEMBLY Audible, we spotlight a major milestone in industrial sustainability: Schneider Electric’s groundbreaking achievement as the first industrial product manufacturer to earn UL Solutions’ new ECOLOGO Certification.Bin Lu, EVP of Schneider Electric’s Power Products Division, joins us to discuss what this certification means for transparency, environmental performance, and the future of sustainable manufacturing. Learn about the rigorous testing, lifecycle analysis, and the fruitful collaboration with UL Solutions’ team, especially Jeff Smit, Senior Vice President — Testing, Inspection and Certification, Industrial. Tune in to discover how companies can build trust and meet growing market and regulatory demands through credible sustainability certifications.Sponsored By:

Are U.S. manufacturers mortgaging their future to cut costs? New research from EFESO Management Consultants suggests that many U.S. manufacturers may be undermining their long-term competitiveness through short-sighted cost-cutting strategies driven by tariffs, rising energy costs, and ongoing market pressures. Chuck Deise, Senior Partner at EFESO, joins the podcast to share insights from EFESO’s newly published research, in which out of 150 large ($5 billion in revenue) and middle-market ($500M to $5B) manufacturers surveyed, 79 percent said delaying capital investments is important to their cost takeout efforts this year. However, nearly half (44 percent) expressed concern that this will increase costs by reducing operational agility and scalability. The conversation examines the pressures influencing today’s decisions, how cost-cutting strategies differ by company size, and what a “healthy” cost-takeout strategy should look like in the year ahead.Sponsored By:

According to ABBYY, many manufacturing businesses are investing in GenAI solutions that promise more than they can realistically deliver, and in some cases, GenAI isn’t even the technology they need. To research, ABBYY commissioned the 2025 State of Intelligent Automation Report: GenAI Confessions, a survey examining how manufacturers are adopting GenAI, where they’re struggling, and what’s actually driving results. Jon Knisley, Director of Process AI Strategy and Operations Leader at ABBYY, joins us to explain the findings. The conversation looks beyond GenAI alone, examining the role of complementary technologies such as agentic AI, process intelligence, and purpose-built AI in delivering reliable outcomes and faster ROI.Sponsored By:

Industrial Rivet & Fastener Co., also known as RivetKing, won Product of the Year in the fastening category at the ASSEMBLY Show in 2025. We’re joined by Steven Sherman, vice president of engineering, to learn more about the award-winning product, the company’s history, and how it keeps an old-school product line modern.Sponsored By:

We’re joined by Adrian Sanchez, director of commercial and industrial sales at Starline Holdings LLC, to explore why flexible power distribution is no longer just a technical decision, but a strategic one.Sponsored By:

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: