George Moran, senior press and hydraulics specialist at Autokiniton, joins the podcast to break down the real-world trends shaping the next five years of press technology, including why OEMs are returning to link-motion mechanical presses, where servo presses fall short in day-to-day production, and how hot stamping continues to evolve for crash structures and high-strength components. He also shares insights on hydraulic press maintenance, oven technology and the importance of diagnostics in high-volume hot-stamping operations. Whether you're in stamping, automation or plant leadership, this episode offers a grounded, practical look at the future of forming.

About the Guest: George Moran, Senior Press and Hydraulics Specialist, Autokiniton George Moran has more than 21 years of experience in the metalforming industry, spanning from mining, steel production, forming and forging, to end product. George has worked in various roles and locations, including as a director of press shop and general assembly at VINFAST, a leading automaker in Vietnam.

George is passionate about learning new technologies and applying them to solve complex challenges in the metalforming industry.

Join host Dean Phillips as he sits down with Chris Zuzick, vice president at Waukesha Metal Products, to explore the future of metalforming and fabrication. Chris shares his vision for the next five years of manufacturing, emphasizing the critical importance of workforce development, AI integration, and the growing role of fabrication in providing nimble, value-added services to customers.

Drawing from his unique career journey—from hands-on manufacturing to investment banking and back—Chris offers insider perspectives on what makes manufacturing companies successful. He discusses how Waukesha Metal Products approaches fabrication as a "cradle to grave" partner for customers, helping them navigate product development through flexible processes before scaling to full production stamping.

The conversation dives deep into workforce challenges and solutions, with Chris making a compelling case that companies need to stop "recruiting" and start "selling" the value of manufacturing careers. He emphasizes that workforce development should be treated as a leadership function, not just an HR checkbox, and that every person in an organization plays a role in attracting and developing talent. Chris also addresses the rising cost of education and how manufacturing offers viable, debt-free career paths for the next generation.

About the Guest: Chris Zuzick Chris Zuzick is vice president of Waukesha Metal Products (WMP) and has been with WMP since 2016. He has more than 36 years of experience in various areas including manufacturing, investment banking, private equity, education, youth sports and various communication organizations.

Chris is results-orientated and has a track record of building effective teams with empathy to grow, achieve success, maximize results, drive results and provide a roadmap for success for all members of the team.

Waukesha Metal Products has more than 50 years of experience in high-quality precision metal stamping, metal fabrication, component assembly, and tool and die manufacturing. An agile, reliable provider of full-service solutions for its customers, WMP has operations located in Sussex, WI, Grafton, WI, and San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Chris is an active PMA member, currently serving on the PMA finance committee and as PMA's 2025 vice chair and treasurer.

In this episode of the Destiny of Manufacturing podcast, host Dean Phillips welcomes Stephanie Lowry, CEO of Dayton Rogers, for an in-depth discussion on how technology is reshaping the manufacturing landscape.

Stephanie shares her outlook for the next five years—emphasizing that now is the time for manufacturers to prepare for 2030, as AI, robotics and automation rapidly transform the shop floor. She highlights how AI-driven machine learning and preventive maintenance models are improving efficiency, quality and uptime, while servo press technology and energy-efficient systems are driving the next wave of innovation in metalforming.

Dean and Stephanie also discuss:

• How affordable robotics and AI integration are changing plant operations.
• The evolving role of human workers in automated environments.
• Why schools and training programs must adapt to teach next-generation manufacturing skills.
• Stephanie's personal journey from receptionist to CEO, and how curiosity and continuous learning shaped her career.
• The vital role of the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) in advocacy, networking and industry collaboration.

From her firsthand experience at Dayton Rogers to insights on the industry's future, Stephanie thinks embracing change and technology is key to thriving in the next decade of manufacturing.

About the Guest: Stephanie Lowry Stephanie Lowry is the CEO of Dayton Rogers Mfg., a metal stamping and fabrication company with four divisions across Minnesota, Ohio, Texas and South Carolina. Celebrating 15 years with the company in May 2025, she has held diverse leadership roles, including General Manager, Director of HR and Executive Director of Sales.

Stephanie is a recognized voice in the manufacturing sector, with features in publications including MetalForming Magazine, and appearances on the City of Columbia Economic Development Broadcast. She's also a frequent speaker at school events, championing the industry's future. Further solidifying her expertise, Stephanie serves as Vice Chair for the Precision Metal Forming Association's Southeastern District.

She holds a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Psychology from Strayer University.

In this episode of the Destiny of Manufacturing podcast, host Dean Phillips welcomes Mike Lauber, CEO of TuscoMFG, for a forward-looking conversation about what lies ahead for American manufacturing.

Mike shares insights on the industry's most pressing challenges such as attracting and retaining a new generation of workers, navigating global supply chains, and staying ahead of rapid automation and AI adoption. He also highlights how Tusco is taking action locally, partnering with nearby schools, creating hands-on opportunities for students, and redefining what a manufacturing career looks like in 2025 and beyond.

The discussion touches on:

• The changing workforce mindset and why flexibility, culture and purpose now matter as much as pay. • Smart automation and AI tools that empower people instead of replacing them. • The impact of reshoring, trade policy and evolving markets such as EVs, data centers and power generation. • The value of collaboration within the manufacturing community and why competition doesn't have to mean isolation.

It's an engaging, optimistic look at where manufacturing is headed and how leaders like Mike are proving that making things still matters in America.

About the Guest: Mike Lauber, CEO, TuscoMFG Mike Lauber is the CEO of TuscoMFG, a company founded in 1949 that designs, engineers, and produces a variety of fabricated metal products used in retail advertising, gaming, conveyance and various industrial applications.

Mike holds a BA in Economics from the College of Wooster and MBA from the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College. He serves as chair of the Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation, as a member of the College of Wooster Board of Trustees, and on the board of MAGNET, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) that serves small- and medium-sized manufacturers in 22 Northeast Ohio counties.

In this special Destiny of Manufacturing podcast, the MetalForming magazine team—Mike Vohland, Damon Wolf and Brad Kuvin—share updates from the FABTECH show floor and latest happenings with the magazine.

They discuss MetalForming's growing reach in the fabrication market, new marketing tools like MetalForming Live and digital retargeting campaigns, and upcoming editorial projects including eBooks on automation, ERP software and lubrication.

Brad also previews the Metal Fabrication Strategy Summit, a new event focused on leadership, automation, and smart manufacturing. Plus, the team reaffirms the continued strength of print alongside their expanding digital platforms.

AI, Workforce Development and the Future of Manufacturing

In this engaging episode, host Dean Phillips sits down with manufacturing technology expert Will Healy III to explore the rapid transformation of the industry. From AI-driven vision systems revolutionizing shop floors to the critical workforce challenges facing manufacturers, Will shares insights from his global travels visiting fabricators in Detroit, Shanghai and Germany.

Key topics include:

• How AI and image processing are changing manufacturing faster than anticipated
• Why Asia's adoption of robotics is accelerating innovation
• The workforce crisis: 730,000 unfilled jobs in manufacturing, warehousing and utilities
• Making Manufacturing Month matter through local community action
• Why opening your doors to students, parents and teachers can transform your talent pipeline
• Hiring for attitude and curiosity over specific skills

Will emphasizes that solving the workforce shortage requires local action—connecting young people to the "why" behind manufacturing and showing them how their work impacts the world.

About the Guest: Will Healy III, Global Industry Manager – Fabricating Metals, Teradyne Will Healy III is enthusiastic about manufacturing, technology and workforce development. A Purdue University mechanical engineer who loves to share his passion for automation, Will is a global leader at Teradyne and with the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Partnership (AMIP) in Cincinnati, OH. He speaks from personal experience about people-centric technology investments, managing culture change in organizations, bridging the manufacturing skills gap and creating value through automation. With more than 20 years of experience in a variety of industries including automotive, packaging, food and beverage, metal fabrication, welding and more; Will is widely published, is a regular podcast guest, is an in-demand panelist and presents internationally at a variety of industry conferences. Follow Will on YouTube, Twitter and LinkedIn with the handle WillAutomate.

In this episode of Destiny of Manufacturing, host Dean Phillips sits down with Chris Highfield, president, Pennant, to discuss the future of U.S. manufacturing. With more than 35 years in the industry, Chris shares his perspective on the challenges and opportunities ahead, from rising costs and workforce shortages to the transformative role of automation and AI.

Chris explains why recruiting and retaining skilled talent remains the biggest concern for manufacturers—and how building talent from within can provide long-term stability. He also highlights how Pennant is using collaborative robots (cobots) and other technologies to support employees, reduce fatigue and increase efficiency, all while adding value for customers.

The conversation explores how embracing innovation not only improves operations but also makes manufacturing more appealing to a younger, tech-savvy workforce. Chris emphasizes that U.S. manufacturing is here to stay and offers insight into how companies can stay competitive by investing in people, technology and continuous improvement.

About the Guest: Chris Highfield, President, Pennant Chris Highfield joined Pennant, Inc. in May 2023 serving in the role as president. Prior to joining Pennant, Chris served in various C-Suite leadership positions, most recently serving as the executive VP of sales and marketing for Core Molding Technologies. Prior to joining CORE, he worked for American Trim, initially as director of truck and bus products, and held several positions of increasing responsibility, advancing to the senior leader of the sales and marketing organization. Chris earned his MBA with a concentration in Operations & Finance from Cedarville University and his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Wittenberg University.

Live from the show floor at FABTECH 2025, Dean Phillips sits down with Gene Lambert, 2025 chair of the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) and VP of Sales at Batesville Tool & Die, to discuss the future of manufacturing and the power of industry collaboration. Gene shares his perspective on the latest innovations in AI and automation, and how FABTECH serves not just as a showcase of technology but also as a valuable recruiting tool for the industry.

He also dives into Batesville's workforce development journey, including partnerships with Ivy Tech to create apprenticeship and degree programs that combine hands-on training with classroom learning. Gene explains how these initiatives are helping to build a smarter, more adaptable workforce.

Finally, Gene highlights the unique value of PMA membership—from networking and problem-solving with peers to creating unexpected business opportunities, even with competitors. His insights demonstrate how collaboration, education and innovation are shaping the destiny of manufacturing today.

Building Connections and Growing Manufacturing Through Storytelling

In this episode of the Destiny of Manufacturing podcast, host Dean Phillips sits down with Andy Melang, vice president of global stamping operations at Ultratech Tool & Design, live from the FABTECH 2025 show floor. Andy shares his journey of growing Ultratech's presence through the power of LinkedIn—transforming from a shy newcomer to an industry voice showcasing real shop-floor stories.

They discuss how authentic content builds relationships, why "seeing is believing" in manufacturing and the importance of knowing your company's strengths while networking across the industry. Andy also offers insight into Ultratech's growth, upcoming expansion and how technology like servo presses could shape their future.

Whether you're focused on sales, marketing or operations, this conversation is packed with lessons on problem-solving, creating value and the lasting impact of genuine connections in the tight-knit manufacturing community.

Live from FABTECH 2025, the Destiny of Manufacturing podcast welcomes Lew Hurlbert, Senior Engineering Manager at Vollrath. In this insightful conversation, Lew explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping tool and die manufacturing, from creating adaptive "large die models" to driving faster, more cost-effective program management. Drawing from his extensive experience, he highlights the importance of feedback loops, dynamic simulation and real-world press conditions in building the next generation of AI-driven manufacturing.

Tune in to learn how AI is set to transform the die-making industry and push manufacturing into a more connected, data-driven future.