In this episode of Building Better with Brandon Bartneck, Felix Leach, Associate Professor at the University of Oxford, and Nick Molden, CEO of Emissions Analytics, join the discussion on sustainable transportation. The conversation emphasizes the critical role of mass and distance in determining the environmental impact of transportation, highlighting these as the most important variables for sustainability.

Felix and Nick also advocate for a radical reset in public policy and taxation systems to simplify and better align with environmental realities. They discuss the interconnectedness of the transportation ecosystem, the role of consumer choices, and actionable steps toward a more sustainable future.

About Building Better:

Building Better with Brandon Bartneck focuses on the people, products, and companies creating a better tomorrow, often in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. Previously called the Future of Mobility podcast, the show features real, human conversations exploring what leaders and innovators are doing, why and how they’re doing it, and what we can learn from their experiences. Topics include manufacturing, production, assembly, autonomous driving, electric vehicles, hydrogen and fuel cells, leadership, and more.

Key Takeaways:

Chapters:

About the Guests:

Felix Leach is an Associate Professor at the University of Oxford, specializing in emissions and efficiency in thermal propulsion systems. Felix is the author of Racing Toward Zero and co-author of Critical Mass, which advocates for a simplified understanding of vehicles’ environmental impact.

Nick Molden is the CEO of Emissions Analytics, a company he founded in 2011 to assess the holistic environmental impact of vehicles. Nick co-authored Critical Mass and chairs multiple European standardization groups on vehicle emissions and air quality. He is also an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Imperial College London.

Links & Resources:

Connect with Building Better:

In this episode of Building Better with Brandon Bartneck, we explore the multifaceted nature of sustainability in the automotive industry with two guests: Bridget Grewal, Director of Packaging Continuous Improvement at Magna International, and Kellen Mahoney, Director at the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP).

The discussion highlights the critical role of packaging in sustainability, emphasizing challenges in recyclability, the importance of returnable packaging, and how automation shapes packaging requirements. Bridget and Kellen underscore the need for collaboration across the supply chain and the role of education and awareness in advancing sustainable practices.

This episode is essential for anyone interested in innovation and sustainability in the automotive sector.

About Building Better:

Building Better with Brandon Bartneck focuses on the people, products, and companies creating a better tomorrow, often in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. Previously called the Future of Mobility podcast, this show features real, human conversations exploring what leaders and innovators are doing, why and how they’re doing it, and the lessons we can learn from their experiences. If you care about making an impact, this show might be for you.

Topics include manufacturing, production, assembly, autonomous driving, electric vehicles, hydrogen and fuel cells, impact, leadership, and more.

Brandon also serves as General Manager at Edison Manufacturing and Engineering, which specializes in low-volume contract manufacturing for complex mobility and energy products, and supports growth and operations at PJ Wallbank Springs, a leader in spring solutions for critical applications.

Key Takeaways:

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Sustainability in Transportation

05:52 Defining Sustainability in the Automotive Industry

08:43 The Role of Packaging in Sustainability

11:53 Historical Context of Sustainable Practices

14:45 Decision-Making in Sustainable Packaging

17:24 Complexities of Sustainable Packaging Design

20:32 Challenges in Achieving 100% Returnable Packaging

23:45 Overseas Packaging Challenges

27:28 Innovative Container Pooling Systems

33:01 Complexities of Supply Chain Collaboration

43:26 Sustainability in Packaging Design

46:39 The Future of Automation in Packaging

49:41 The Broader Scope of Sustainability

50:42 Key Lessons in Sustainable Practices

51:39 The Importance of Packaging in Sustainability

About the Guests:

Bridget Grewal is the Director of Packaging Continuous Improvement at Magna International. Since 2013, she has supported 140 North American plants with packaging improvements and led global strategies for 350 plants worldwide. A recognized leader in packaging sustainability, Bridget also leads industry teams focused on sustainable packaging and returnable assets.

Kellen Mahoney is the Director at the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP), where he collaborates with automakers and suppliers to advance environmental sustainability initiatives. Kellen is actively involved in defining best practices for carbon neutrality, sustainable materials, and EV battery recycling, making him a key voice in the industry.

Links:

Edison Manufacturing Exchange: https://brandonbartneck.substack.com/publish/home\

In this reflective episode, Brandon Bartneck reviews the year 2024, discussing the evolution of his podcast, what he has learned about his core values, and the lessons learned throughout the year. He emphasizes the significance of love, growth, and joy in his life and work, while also sharing insights on systems engineering, problem-solving, and the complexities of building a strong organizational culture.

Links:

Takeaways

Building Better

Building Better with Brandon Bartneck is focused on the people, products, and companies that are creating a better tomorrow, often in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. This show was previously called the Future of Mobility podcast.

I aim to have real, human conversations to explore what these leaders and innovators are doing, why and how they’re doing it, and what we can learn from their experiences. If you care about making an impact then this show might be for you.

Topics include manufacturing, production, assembly, autonomous driving, electric vehicles, hydrogen and fuel cells, impact, leadership, and more.

Edison Manufacturing and Engineering:

Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods.

Hiten Sonpal is the CEO of RISE® Robotics, an industrial technology company headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts, specializing in sustainable motion control solutions for heavy machinery.

He discusses the innovative technology behind their electric actuation system, Beltdraulic™, which offers significant advantages over traditional hydraulic systems. He also shares insights into the commercialization journey of their products, the importance of leadership in navigating organizational priorities, and the balance between having a clear vision and adapting to uncertainty in business. Hiten emphasizes the value of proving their technology's effectiveness to potential customers and the growing demand for electrification and autonomy in robotics.

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Takeaways

Bio:

Hiten Sonpal is the CEO of RISE® Robotics, bringing over two decades of experience in robotics, automation, and product innovation. He contributed to generating $2B+ in revenue and shipping 9M+ units at iRobot, scaled deployments 3x at Electric Sheep Robotics, and launched SaaS and hardware products at Robin. As an advisor to Graze Robotics and Main Street Autonomy, Hiten continues to shape the future of technology and automation.

With a BS in Computer Engineering from the University of Evansville and an ongoing MS in Computer Science at Georgia Tech (‘28), Hiten is passionate about revolutionizing industrial machinery. At RISE, he is leading efforts to replace traditional hydraulics with sustainable, high-efficiency belt technology while fostering a culture of innovation and impact.

About RISE:

RISE® Robotics is an industrial technology company headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts, specializing in sustainable motion control solutions for heavy machinery. Founded in 2011 by graduates of MIT and RISD, RISE has developed the patented Beltdraulic™ system, a fluid-free alternative to traditional hydraulics. This innovative technology uses lightweight, steel-reinforced belts to deliver high-efficiency performance, reducing machine weight, lowering operational costs, and minimizing environmental impact.

RISE is increasing machine productivity while supporting global sustainability goals. Backed by The Engine, Greentown Labs, and Techstars, RISE is redefining what’s possible in industrial motion control.

Building Better

Building Better with Brandon Bartneck is focused on the people, products, and companies that are creating a better tomorrow, often in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. This show was previously called the Future of Mobility podcast.

I aim to have real, human conversations to explore what these leaders and innovators are doing, why and how they’re doing it, and what we can learn from their experiences. If you care about making an impact then this show might be for you.

Topics include manufacturing, production, assembly, autonomous driving, electric vehicles, hydrogen and fuel cells, impact, leadership, and more.

Edison Manufacturing and Engineering:

Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods.

Kevin Damoa is founder and CEO of Glid Technologies, revolutionizing transportation with its Multi-Modal Autonomous Road to Rail Glider technology.

Links:

Chapters

About Kevin Damoa:

Kevin A. Damoa is a servant leader, mechanical engineer, operations executive, inventor, master logistician, and veteran of the US military. He has developed technologies that have enabled the space exploration of mankind in our quest to be an interplanetary species, in addition to supporting the deployment of clean mobility solutions ranging from hydrogen powered airplanes to battery electric self-shifting bicycles. His career began in the US Army at age 17, where he served in South Korea for 2 years, before being forward deployed to Iraq with 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment. After departing the US Army after his 2nd tour in Iraq he joined the Air Force where he would serve as a Logistics Officer and firefighter supporting California’s MAFFS (Mobile Air Fire Fighting Systems) unit for 12 years before retiring in 2018. From April 2012 to November 2015, Mr. Damoa served as the Flight Module Logistics Manager at SpaceX, developing their logistics systems, programs, and designing and deploying the shipping apparatus used to transport the Rocket from production to launch site. After a brief 1 year term at Northrop Grumman where he served as an Integration Program Manager on the F35 fighter jet platform, he would then go on to work as an executive and early founding employee at start-ups; Romeo Power (Vice President, Industrialization), XOS Trucks (Vice President, Supply Chain & Operations), Canoo (In Charge of Logistics, Sustainment, Safety), and Serial 1 Cycle/Harley Davidson (Vice President, Operations) where he led product development and design, manufacturing deployment, and product launches. His most recent entrepreneurial venture is as Founder & CEO of Glīd Technologies, which he founded in 2022. Glīd is developing a clean energy road to rail vehicle utilizing autonomous technologies.

Building Better

Building Better with Brandon Bartneck is focused on the people, products, and companies that are creating a better tomorrow, often in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. This show was previously called the Future of Mobility podcast.

I aim to have real, human conversations to explore what these leaders and innovators are doing, why and how they’re doing it, and what we can learn from their experiences. If you care about making an impact then this show might be for you.

Topics include manufacturing, production, assembly, autonomous driving, electric vehicles, hydrogen and fuel cells, impact, leadership, and more.

Edison Manufacturing and Engineering:

Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods.

Abey Abraham is a Managing Principal at Ducker Carlisle where he leads Ducker’s automotive and materials practice, specializing in transportation, mobility, and electrification related client needs. He joins to discuss the complexities of the automotive industry, particularly focusing on electrification, regulations, and the future of internal combustion engines. He emphasizes the importance of understanding consumer preferences and the role of regulations in shaping the market.

Abey also provides insights into the strategic frameworks that legacy component suppliers should consider as they navigate the transition to electrification and the challenges posed by technological changes. We discuss the implications of potential tariffs on the supply chain, the importance of strategic decision-making in uncertain times, and advice for building a career in consulting and strategy. We explore how tariffs could impact US manufacturing and the need for localized supply chains, as well as the challenges of making predictions in a rapidly changing industry. The discussion also highlights the significance of relationships in business and the qualities that make for a successful career in consulting.

Links

About Abey Abraham

Abey is a Managing Principal at Ducker Carlisle where he leads Ducker’s automotive and materials practice, specializing in transportation, mobility, and electrification related client needs. Abey holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Michigan State University.

He has over 18 years of experience in the automotive materials space, understanding key drivers and strategic elements of lightweighting, materials substitution, and joining, and expertise in metallic and non-metallic materials. Clients value Abey’s expertise and leadership in pursuing growth strategies (organic and inorganic) to optimize solutions to address dynamic mobility and lightweighting trends and its supply chain.

Abey serves on the Board of Directors of the Society of Automotive Analysts and is on the editorial advisory board for Lightweighting World Magazine.

About Ducker Carlisle

Ducker Carlisle is a global market research, strategy consulting and M&A advisory firm that helps many of the world's largest companies and private equity firms optimize business performance and accelerate growth across complex markets. Founded in 1961 with offices across North America, Europe and Asia, the firm provides a unique continuum of services to deliver custom, industry-centric solutions enabling clients to maximize business results

Keywords:

Electrification, ICE, market research, strategy consulting, consumer preferences, regulations, vehicle powertrains, investment trends, legacy suppliers, tariffs, supply chain, US manufacturing, strategic decision-making, consulting, automotive industry, career advice, scenario planning, risk management, industry trends

Building Better

Building Better with Brandon Bartneck is focused on the people, products, and companies that are creating a better tomorrow, often in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. This show was previously called the Future of Mobility podcast.

I aim to have real, human conversations to explore what these leaders and innovators are doing, why and how they’re doing it, and what we can learn from their experiences. If you care about making an impact then this show might be for you.

Topics include manufacturing, production, assembly, autonomous driving, electric vehicles, hydrogen and fuel cells, impact, leadership, and more.

Edison Manufacturing and Engineering:

Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods.

Colin Godby is CEO and co-founder of Dust. He joins shares his journey from mechanical engineering to creating electric dirt bikes, discussing the importance of recreation for mental health, the mission of Dust to make dirt biking more accessible, and the advantages of electric bikes over traditional internal combustion models. Colin emphasizes the need for innovation in the motorcycle industry to attract new riders and enhance the overall experience of dirt biking.

In this conversation, Colin discusses the transformative potential of electric dirt bikes, emphasizing their unique riding experience and the importance of maintenance and learning curves. He explores how innovations in technology can enhance enjoyment and accessibility in sports, while also addressing the challenges of building a sustainable business model in a competitive market. The discussion highlights the significance of customer demand, strategic planning, and the role of luck in entrepreneurship.

Links:

Colin’s Bio

Colin Godby is the CEO and co-founder of Dust Motorcycles, an American electric motorcycle company dedicated to bringing the thrill of riding to more people. Raised in Southern California, Colin’s love for high-performance vehicles began with BMX racing and dreams of designing race cars. Starting his career as a mechanical engineer, he worked on high-stakes vehicle projects spanning military, racing, theme parks, and consumer EVs, gaining expertise in speed, endurance, and innovation.

An experienced off-road co-driver, Colin has competed in international events like the Baja1000 and Transsyberia Rally. His career transitioned into the consumer sector, where he developed high-demand products within tight timelines for venture-backed startups, eventually leading product development at the executive level across engineering, design, and strategy.

In 2023, Colin founded Dust Motorcycles to create accessible, high-performance electric dirt bikes. Based in Bend, Oregon, he now balances his role with family life, sharing his love for the outdoors and two wheels with his young sons and inspiring a new generation to ride.

Prior to forming Dust Motorcycles he was chief product officer at UBCO, a utility electric vehicle company. During his career he also held several senior engineering positions with brand leaders including Walt Disney Imagineering and Skullcandy Inc.

Colin holds a bachelor’s of science degree in mechanical engineering with honors from University of California Santa Barbara.

Building Better

Building Better with Brandon Bartneck is focused on the people, products, and companies that are creating a better tomorrow, often in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. This show was previously called the Future of Mobility podcast.

I aim to have real, human conversations to explore what these leaders and innovators are doing, why and how they’re doing it, and what we can learn from their experiences. If you care about making an impact then this show might be for you.

Topics include manufacturing, production, assembly, autonomous driving, electric vehicles, hydrogen and fuel cells, impact, leadership, and more.

Edison Manufacturing and Engineering:

Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods.

Patrick Hunt is a GP at New Industry VC. He joins to discuss the critical concepts of narrative command and operational mastery in the context of building deep tech hardware startups. He shares insights from his experience at Rivian and Our Next Energy, emphasizing the challenges of managing change, the importance of structured risk management, and the need for founders to effectively communicate their vision. The discussion highlights the complexities of startup dynamics and the essential qualities that venture capitalists look for in founders.

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Takeaways

About Patrick Hunt

Patrick Hunt is a GP at New Industry VC. He previously built Rivian for eight years, from employee #15 to 15,000, and led Manufacturing Strategy at a unicorn battery startup.

About New Industry VC

New Industry VC is a venture capital firm investing in Deep Tech hardware startups at the earliest stages. They seek founders with Narrative Command and Operational Mastery.

Keywords

Patrick Hunt, New Industry VC, deep tech, hardware startups, narrative command, operational mastery, venture capital, entrepreneurship, startup challenges, risk management

Building Better

Building Better with Brandon Bartneck is focused on the people, products, and companies that are creating a better tomorrow, often in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. This show was previously called the Future of Mobility podcast.

I aim to have real, human conversations to explore what these leaders and innovators are doing, why and how they’re doing it, and what we can learn from their experiences. If you care about making an impact then this show might be for you.

Topics include manufacturing, production, assembly, autonomous driving, electric vehicles, hydrogen and fuel cells, impact, leadership, and more.

Edison Manufacturing and Engineering:

Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods.

Suman Sehra is the Global Vice President of Automotive Product & Platform Portfolio Management within HARMAN’s Automotive Connectivity business unit. He joins to explore the evolving landscape of connected vehicles and the role of connectivity in modern automotive technology.

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Takeaways

About Suman

Suman Sehra is the Global Vice President of Automotive Product & Platform Portfolio Management within HARMAN’s Automotive Connectivity business unit, where he plays a key role in fueling innovation to drive profitable growth through category-creating and market-leading products. Sehra leads a global cross-functional team focused on a portfolio of products aligned to software-defined vehicle architecture and infrastructure technologies that shape the future of mobility and deliver new consumer experiences – inside and outside the vehicle.

With over two decades of combined technical, marketing, and market development experience in the technology industry, Sehra previously led the Global Smart Cities and Transportation infrastructure business unit at Intel and held various roles from process technology manufacturing to P&L management. He also holds 11 patents in Intelligent Transportation domain.

About HARMAN

HARMAN designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions; and services supporting the Internet of Things. With leading brands including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon, Mark Levinson and Revel, HARMAN is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world. More than 50 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. Our software services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and home to car and mobile. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 30,000 people. In 2017, HARMAN became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Building Better

Building Better with Brandon Bartneck is focused on the people, products, and companies that are creating a better tomorrow, often in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. This show was previously called the Future of Mobility podcast.

I aim to have real, human conversations to explore what these leaders and innovators are doing, why and how they’re doing it, and what we can learn from their experiences. If you care about making an impact then this show might be for you.

Topics include manufacturing, production, assembly, autonomous driving, electric vehicles, hydrogen and fuel cells, impact, leadership, and more.

Edison Manufacturing and Engineering:

Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods.

Aseem Kapur is Chief Revenue Offer at GM Energy. He joins to discuss the company's commitment to an all-electric future and the various strategies they are implementing to drive EV adoption. He highlights the importance of customer value propositions, home energy management systems, and commercial solutions for fleet electrification. The conversation also touches on the challenges of public charging infrastructure and the lessons learned by GM Energy as they navigate the rapidly changing landscape of sustainable transportation.

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Takeaways

About Aseem

Aseem Kapur leads GM Energy’s product portfolio which includes hardware, software, and services for EV charging and energy management. Kapur’s teams help to drive the product line strategy across retail, fleet, and utility energy management, an effort which includes identifying new product offerings with strategic partners, to market positioning and launching products with customers.

Aseem’s previous roles at General Motors have included Director of Digital Business Technology, where he was responsible for the development and execution of the digital product roadmap for GM’s Energy Cloud, as well as the overall growth of the GM Energy business. This included creating strategic partnerships with energy companies and large commercial fleet customers and providing seamless and integrated energy management solutions designed to drive adoption of EV’s and improve grid resiliency.

Prior to joining GM, Aseem was the Director of Distribution Planning for Con Edison where he was responsible for integration of renewables and electric storage, developing marketplace for clean energy resources, and long-term planning for New York City’s electric grid.

About GM Energy

GM Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is focused on expanding and accelerating a holistic energy ecosystem through new products, software and services, including broadening access to EV education and resources, expanding public charging infrastructure, and developing new energy management solutions for customers

Building Better

Building Better with Brandon Bartneck is focused on the people, products, and companies that are creating a better tomorrow, often in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. This show was previously called the Future of Mobility podcast.

I aim to have real, human conversations to explore what these leaders and innovators are doing, why and how they’re doing it, and what we can learn from their experiences. If you care about making an impact then this show might be for you.

Topics include manufacturing, production, assembly, autonomous driving, electric vehicles, hydrogen and fuel cells, impact, leadership, and more.

Edison Manufacturing and Engineering:

Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods.