Inspiring Industry is the new, must-listen business podcast for all things industry.

By highlighting key conversations with pivotal industry players across a wide range of sectors – manufacturing, construction, home building, engineering, food and drink, energy, supply chain – we seek to answer the big questions.

Did you know that you can also find us on YouTube?

We've all at some point heard of ERP – three letters that pack a lot of punch. But what do they mean?

Well, the short answer is Enterprise Resource Planning. What about the longer one? That's where we come in.

In this episode of Inspiring Industry, our host, Danielle Champ, investigates the benefits of ERP and cloud-based software. By drawing on the expert knowledge of James Casserly, Founder of Manu Online, she unpacks how the cutting-edge software can catapult companies in various industries, including manufacturing and procurement, forward into a promising future of digital and commercial growth.

With Industry 4.0 around the corner, this has never been more important. This much is evident in our forward, provided by Rob Sinfield, VP of Product at Sage, who, in conversation with Mary Floate, informs us about the limitless adaptability of the cloud. In his words, there is no one monolithic cloud, but rather myriad 'flavors' of cloud that can be tailored to each individual application.

Does your business incorporate ERP and cloud-based software? What did you think of James' story about the fire? Check out our Poll and Q+A. Get involved.

It's time to be inspired.

Time stamps:

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:04:02 – Forward to Cloud Discussion by Rob Sinfield, VP of Product at Sage

00:09:33 – Exclusive Interview: James Casserly, Founder of Manu Online

00:31:20 – Post-Interview Discussion and Conclusion

00:32:25 – Credits

As we begin our deep dive into sustainability, we start by examining the role of electrification as it relates to renewable energy and powering the transport sector. What are the benefits? Are there any downsides? Does the debate take developing countries into account? In this episode, our host, Danielle Champ, investigates the nuances and intricacies of what is – undoubtedly – a very complex issue.

"Electrification is the unsung hero of everything we do." – Morten Wierod, ABB

Indeed, to set up the context of our investigation, we draw on Mary Floate's recent conversation with Morten Wierod, President of ABB's Electrification Business Area⁠, to uncover how companies within the energy sector can go about electrifying the world in a safe, smart, and sustainable way. ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.

Speaking from the UK, Martin Dean, Managing Director of The Go-Ahead Group's Bus Division, then tells us about the viability of new, hydrogen-powered buses and why the data suggests climate change will be a driving growth factor propelling the public transport sector forward. The Go-Ahead Group is London's largest bus operator with around 2300 vehicles running on behalf of TFL.

Across the pond in sunny California, Jim Castelaz dials in to join the debate. As Founder and CTO of Motiv Power Systems, he's an expert in electric vehicles (EVs) and the electrification of medium-duty EVs for commercial use. In conversation with Alex Caesari, Jim enlightens us on the hardware-to-software shift that EVs are bringing about, and shares his resoundingly positive outlook on an ever-growing commercial EV market.

Through these conversations, we begin to understand that, despite a universal push for EVs, there is still a lot of research and fine-tuning that needs to be done – especially when it comes to clean manufacturing and serving the needs of developing countries.

If you could electrify any vehicle, what would it be? Do you support the EV revolution? Check out our Q&A and poll. Get involved!

It's time to be inspired.

Time stamps:

(00:00:00) Sponsor – Shoes for Crews

(00:00:26) Introduction

(00:02:52) Martin Wierod, ABB – Electrification and Sustainability

(00:10:12) Martin Dean, The Go-Ahead Group – Hydrogen Buses and Public Transport

(00:21:01) Jim Castelaz, Motiv Power Systems – Electric Vehicles for Delivering Goods and Medium-Duty EVs

(00:32:53) Conclusion – How Sustainable Will the EV Revolution Really Be?

(00:34:25) Credits

Brought to you by Finelight Media Group, Inspiring Industry is a podcast where we share our inspiring conversations with global industry leaders.

Inspiring Industry is the new, must-listen business podcast for all things industry. By highlighting key conversations with radical pioneers and pivotal industry players across a wide range of sectors – manufacturing, construction, home building, engineering, food and drink, energy, supply chain – we seek to answer the big questions: How are CEOs shaping their respective industries against the backdrop of unprecedented market volatility? Why is company culture integral to economic prosperity as we approach Industry 4.0? What will the next five years look like? We tackle these questions and more.

In anticipation of International Women's Day, we are kicking the year off on a truly positive note by celebrating women playing pivotal roles in industry, and how two in particular are eager to redefine expectations in very different industries: manufacturing and food and hospitality.

First, we sit down with Felicity Mould, Director of People, Culture & Communications at Romo, a global leader within the interior textiles, designer fabrics, and wall coverings sector, to discuss a range of topics – from how the Tate Modern helped to inspire the company's new HQ to an intricate detailing of the creative process that sets the family-owned and -run brand apart from its competitors. 

Next, we get in touch with Rachel Cope, Founder & CEO at 84 Hospitality Group, to talk over her five key areas of interest: food, booze, art, people, and music; and how liberalism and cultural progressivism are built into the very fabric of her company. Our conversation seems even more pertinent as Rachel and the 84 Hospitality team are bucking the trend in what is otherwise a typically traditionalist US state.

"Growing up, I never wanted to be the best girl on the team. I just wanted to be the best player." That's Rachel speaking, and she acutely summarizes the myriad yet interconnected topics of gender, power, and promoting diversity and wellbeing in the workplace.

Through these conversations, we begin to understand that a strong, diverse, and inspired workforce is the key to setting a company apart within a competitive – and, perhaps, an oftentimes culturally antiquated – marketplace.

How are you ensuring that the voices of women and other gender minorities are heard in your workplace? Check out our poll and get involved!

It's time to be inspired.

Time stamps:

Brought to you by Finelight Media Group, Inspiring Industry is a podcast where we share our inspiring conversations with global #industry leaders.

Inspiring Industry is the new, must-listen #business podcast for all things industry. By highlighting key conversations with radical pioneers and pivotal industry players across a wide range of sectors – manufacturing, #construction, home building, engineering, food and drink, energy, #supplychain – we seek to answer the big questions: How are CEOs shaping their respective industries against the backdrop of unprecedented market volatility? Why is company culture integral to #economic prosperity as we approach Industry 4.0? What will the next five years look like? We tackle these questions and more.

It has been a pleasure to look back on an incredible (yet oftentimes challenging) year by revisiting three thoughtful conversations – James Sharpe, Co-Founder & Managing Director at Fabulosa; Tom Morgan, Group Commercial Director at Trentbarton; and Val Stiener, President at Chase Lumber – as each industry leader is asked to reflect back on the highs and lows of 2022. 

In this episode, we touch on adapting UK #manufacturing practices in the European market, industry awards, what it means to be an entrepreneur, #sustainability in the public #transport sector, and how women can achieve greatness in typically male-dominated industries.

What was your company's greatest #achievement this year? Check out our Q+A and Poll! Get involved.

Time to be inspired.

Time stamps:

(00:00:00) Introduction

(00:02:07) Fabulosa – James Sharpe and UK Manufacturing

(00:16:32) Trentbarton – Tom Morgan and Sustainable Transport

(00:28:43) Chase Lumber – Val Stiener and Female Empowerment

(00:39:49) Conclusion – 2022 as an Inspiring Year

(00:40:33) Credits

Brought to you by Finelight Media, Inspiring Industry is a podcast where we share our inspiring conversations with global #industry leaders.

Inspiring Industry is the new, must-listen business podcast for all things industry. By highlighting key conversations with radical pioneers and pivotal industry players across a wide range of sectors – including manufacturing, construction, home building, engineering, food and drink, energy, and supply chain – we seek to answer the big questions: How are CEOs shaping their respective industries against the backdrop of unprecedented market volatility? Why is company culture integral to economic prosperity as we approach Industry 4.0? What will the next five years look like? We tackle these questions and more.

In this episode, we reflect on the turbulent year that was 2022, and the challenges it brought to the #manufacturing industry. Furthermore, we zero in on the ways in which businesses had to adapt in order to overcome #supply chain disruption and labor shortages. In anticipation of the season of giving, which is quickly approaching, this episode focuses on the importance of creating #community within companies.

We are thrilled to have spoken with three global industry leaders – Dan Grady, Vice President of Manufacturing Operations at Hercules Industries; Mikael Wettergren, CEO at SPI Global Play; and Nathan French, Director of Street Lighting at ASD Lighting PLC – all of whom are setting an in example by taking a people-first approach and prioritizing the well-being of their teams.

What is the key to your company's culture? Check out our Q+A and Poll! Get involved.

It's time to be inspired.

Time stamps:

(00:00:00) Introduction

(00:01:40) Hercules Industries – Dan Grady

(00:15:30) SPI Global Play – Mikael Wettergren

(00:26:19) ASD Lighting – Nathan French

(00:39:10) Conclusion

(00:40:02) Credits

(Please note, this podcast was released under Inspiring Industry's previous name, the MT Podcast.)

We are thrilled to launch the pilot episode of Inspiring Industry, a Finelight Media podcast, where we share our inspiring conversations with global #industry leaders. 

Inspiring Industry is the new, must-listen business podcast for all things industry. By highlighting key conversations with radical pioneers and pivotal industry players across a wide range of sectors – including manufacturing, construction, home building, engineering, food and drink, energy, and supply chain – we seek to answer the big questions: How are CEOs shaping their respective industries against the backdrop of unprecedented market volatility? Why is company culture integral to economic prosperity as we approach Industry 4.0? What will the next five years look like? We tackle these questions and more. 

This episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with three highly knowledgeable individuals – Dan Shapiro, CEO at Glowforge; Gat Caperton, President at Gat Creek, and Eugene Cook III, President & CEO at Cold Jet – about their current projects and personal journeys in the world of manufacturing.

It's time to be inspired.

Time stamps:

(00:00:00) Introduction

(00:01:26) Glowforge – Dan Shapiro

(00:17:17) Gat Creek – Gat Caperton

(00:31:46) Cold Jet – Eugene Cook III

(00:45:31) Conclusion

(00:46:04) Credits

(Please note, this podcast was released under Inspiring Industry's previous name, the MT Podcast.)