We’re pulling up a chair in the up-and-coming downtown Norfolk area in Nebraska for this episode. Recorded at the Nucor Detailing Center, we chat with Mechanical Engineer Jayden Prauner and Detailing Center Lead Gaby Pena, about what it means to be part of the Nucor family.

Nucor Vulcraft is a company that’s not just supporting the construction of warehouses, schools and hospitals but also helping to build up the local community and the legacy of American manufacturing. We explore how it’s helping to shape the lives of the people who work there and beyond thanks to community investment and a people-first approach.

Jayden and Gaby both share their stories in this episode about working for Vulcraft and how it has evolved its technology, safety practices, and quality over the years. Places like Norfolk are hubs for manufacturing and engineering, so we look at how Vulcraft and downtown revitalization projects have been key to retaining talent in the area. 

In this episode, find out:

• How the downtown Norfolk area is on the up, thanks to local community investment  
• Jayden gives us a quick overview of what Vulcraft does and how it sits in the Nucor family of companies
• A brief history on Vulcraft and how it’s closely tied to the culture and community of Norfolk – something that continues today
• How community events, investment, and connections with local schools all make Nucor employees feel like one big family
• Why Jayden and Gaby decided to stick around in Norfolk rather than head to a bigger city for their career
• How one internship at Vulcraft was enough to make Gaby swap her chosen career path and set out into manufacturing
• What other similar small, remote communities can learn from Norfolk and Vulcraft
• Vulcraft’s commitment to improvement and investing in the right things – from people to safety innovations
• Insights into the recent safety innovations and investments Nucor Vulcraft has made to prioritize frontline staff safety  
• What the day in the life of a frontline leader looks like today vs. how it looked decades ago
• How Nucor Vulcraft invests in team development and careers with training, role swapping and internal promotions

Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!

Tweetable Quotes:

• “It's hard to go anywhere around town without seeing Vulcraft or the Nucor name sponsoring an event or donating time. It's surprising how many events you go to and know that your company is willing to sponsor that." Jayden
• "My daughter told me, 'Mom, today at school, all the Nucor kids, like the parents work for Nucor, we all sat together.' Even the excitement that the kids get just knowing that they’re the Nucor family is really big, at least for me it is." Gaby
• "I think it starts with putting the people first. I think Nucor and Vulcraft do a great job of not only saying it but really meaning it and showing it through their actions." Jayden

Links & mentions:

• Nucor Vulcraft, part of the Nucor family, Vulcraft is the largest producer of open web steel joists and joist girders in North America.
• Nucor Detailing Center, a one-of-a-kind drafting facility designed to reduce drafting and modelling times to improve productivity and quality.
• Divots Brewery, craft brewery in Nortfolk specializing in handcrafted beers with American grown barley and hops

Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

This is a quick,” boots on the ground” episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour. It's all about what it's like being a systems integrator in a close-knit state and close-knit manufacturing community, just like the community you'll find in Nebraska.

Huffman Engineering is an engineering services firm specializing in control system integration that serves Nebraska and beyond across the Midwest and we have four individuals from there team on the show this week: Jason Weedin, Jim Fricke, Kim Arms Shirk, and Alex Flamme.

We discuss some of the main industries across the state and take a deep dive into one that's uniquely Nebraskan. Plus, we hear what characterizes Nebraska's manufacturing community as a whole, and some of the things that make their collective, state-wide manufacturing ecosystem so strong.

Recorded live from Dusters Brew Pub in Columbus, NE.

Make sure to visit ManufacturingHappyHour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

The manufacturing industry is staring down a major challenge: by 2030, an estimated 2.1 million roles could go unfilled. But where challenges arise, so do opportunities. We’re joined by Skillwork’s Brett Elliott, President and CEO, and Tim Raglin, Founding Partner and Chief Operating Offer, to explore how they’re transforming the skills gap into a platform for growth and innovation.

At the heart of their approach is a unique model inspired by the travel nursing industry. Skillwork’s model combines education, upskilling, direct hire, and travel staffing to connect skilled tradespeople with companies in need. Brett and Tim share how this innovative approach, along with their unique “four-legged stool” strategy, and their rigorous eight-gate vetting process, ensures the right match every time.

Throughout the conversation, we unpack how contracting skilled workers offers flexibility and long-term value, how Skillwork is empowering tradespeople to embrace new opportunities, and why shifting perceptions about manufacturing jobs is key to shaping the industry’s future.

Listen to find out:

• How the travel nurse model inspired Skillwork’s innovative staffing solution for skilled trades
• Skillwork’s “four-legged stool” approach to solving the skills gap in manufacturing
• Why manufacturing roles need a rebrand to move beyond the “3 Ds” (dark, dangerous, and dirty)
• How Skillwork processes 1,000 resumes a week using their eight-gate vetting process
• Why nationwide recruitment is essential for addressing the growing demand for skilled trades
• The critical role of upskilling and education in bridging workforce gaps
• The value of building partnerships with schools and trade programs to develop skills pipelines
• Examples of how short-term training programs can quickly close critical skills gaps
• Underrated ways manufacturers can address the skills shortage right now
• The freedom and flexibility that Skillwork offers to skilled tradespeople through travel staffing 

Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!

Tweetable Quotes:

• “The idea that talent will stay with you for thirty years is not a reality anymore.” Brett Elliott
• “I believe if you have a skilled trade, you have tons of opportunity out there.” Tim Raglin
• “Do you have a people problem or do you have a talent problem?” Brett Elliott

Links & mentions:

• Skillwork, supplemental labor company built to create a new solution to the growing shortage of skilled labor
• Copa Cabana, upscale cocktail lounge with a selection of cigars and a humidor, plus live music and a year-round patio
• Boy Scouts of America, one of the largest scouting organizations and one of the largest youth organizations in the United States

Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

M&A may look like a numbers game on the surface, but there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes. According to this episode’s guest, selling a business is as much about psychology and emotions as it is about the facts and figures.

In this episode, we welcome Clint Bundy, Managing Director at Bundy Group, who shares his experience, advice, and stories on helping people sell their businesses. We kick things off with Clint’s most memorable M&A experiences and why the reality of selling can be an emotional rollercoaster.

Clint shares his expertise on how to understand the true value of your business, what buyers are looking for, and how to win the numbers game when coming to a final price agreement. He also talks about what businesses can do to prepare for a sale and why utilizing tech and great systems is the most important step to take. Whether you’re planning your exit soon or far in the future, there are some great take-home points from Clint in this episode. After all, his advice is to plan way ahead of time, so give this episode a listen before you even think about getting that For Sale sign!

In this episode, find out:

• Clint shares his wildest M&A stories from his career, including one poor guy who fainted from the stress of selling his business
• How his background as a financial analyst prepared him for a career in investment banking
• The one thing Clint wishes he’d done a better job of when starting his career in his 20s
• Why selling a business is “a war of numbers” with buyers and sellers both wanting the best price (which means different things to each)
• How companies are using automation and new tech to build better systems and the impact this has on a business’ sale
• A breakdown of the top steps in selling a business and what goals sellers should strive for
• Why a lack of preparation is the number one mistake sellers make
• Surprising facts about preparing a business for sale that will really appeal to investors
• Why selling a business is mostly about psychology, not just numbers
• The four signs of a good company that investors look for
• The current state of M&A in the automation space, including who’s buying and selling
• What it’s like helping a business sell when the market conditions aren’t ideal

Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!

Tweetable Quotes:

• “Motivation is the foundation of transactions – a motivated buyer + a motivated seller.”
• “We want to show the strongest possible financials and the strongest possible story, past, present, and future, to get the seller an above market price.”
• “We have to remember when a buyer is buying a company, they are buying the future.”

Links & mentions:

• Bundy Group, a boutique advisory firm with an industry-focused senior team and over 200 successful transactions
• The Old Fields, formerly The Old Garage, this Southfields London pub is situated on Southfield High Street just a minutes walk from the Underground station, and close to the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Club

Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

As 2025 gets rolling, there’s no doubt you’re familiar with some of the “buzziest” topics in manufacturing right now…artificial intelligence, humanoid robots, the list goes on!

With all the hype and a renewed focus on onshoring and supply chain, what should manufacturers be focused on in 2025?

While there are more trends than can be fit into a 30-minute podcast episode, today’s episode dives into 3 stats and stories from some of 2024’s best episodes of Manufacturing Happy Hour that explore proven automation technologies that are helping manufacturers succeed today, novel ways companies are attracting and retaining talent, and one of the most down-to-earth applications for artificial intelligence on the factory floor.

Plus, you’ll get a preview of what’s coming from Manufacturing Happy Hour – including tours, merch, and more – throughout the new year.

FTI are at the center of some of the most important macro trends taking place in manufacturing today. From building biodigesters to driving innovations in energy solutions, they are helping companies optimize production systems, use automation, and address sustainability challenges. So how do they do it?

In this episode, we’re joined by FTI’s Kevin Senn to discuss trends in manufacturing and automation, the growth of data centers, AI, and more. Kevin highlights how FTI differentiates from their competitors by offering comprehensive end-to-end solutions, from high-concept development and engineering consultation to full design services, in-house manufacturing, and automation packages.

We also cover FTI’s unique approach to industrialized construction, including their approach to offsite prefabrication, and explore Kevin’s transition from a solutions architect to Director of Automation. Finally, we discuss how energy is the common thread that binds the seemingly diffuse sectors in which FTI operates.

In this episode, find out:

• FTI’s ‘pathway to smarter energy’ - a stepwise approach to helping customers become energy independent
• Why energy resilience is something that every company can enjoy and be customized to fit individual needs
• How FTI capitalized on emerging markets thirty years ago
• What the manufacturing industry looks like going into 2025 with regards to automation and sustainability
• The trend towards prefabricated buildings and why this is happening
• Why FTI has seen such growth in the data center space, especially with electric vehicle infrastructure
• Why automation is integral to creating efficient and scalable solutions
• Why a level of responsibility and ownership is needed when using AI, especially considering sustainability

Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!

Tweetable Quotes:

• “A lot of the growth that the company is seeing at the moment is tied to that data center market growth.”
• “There were some really conscious decisions that the leadership team of this company made looking at these emerging markets.”
• “Resilience, I think, is something that every company can achieve.”

Links & mentions:

• Rockwell Automation, an American provider of industrial automation and digital transformation technologies
• FTI, a dynamic organization leveraging unified growth to create unparalleled possibilities and shape the future of energy
• Raised Grain Brewing, located in Waukesha, WI, this brewery has an extensive beer lineup that often pays tribute to local guitar hero Les Paul

Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Manually manufacturing control panels is difficult. It demands highly skilled labor, years of reading schematics, and the ability to troubleshoot. What’s more, it’s a time-consuming process. This is where automated and semi-automated panel design and assembly comes in. Not only does this innovation drastically reduce the amount of time spent manufacturing panels, but it also frees up skilled laborers to do higher-value work.

In this episode, we’re joined by Rittal’s Brian Jung and EPLAN’s Kruno Kutnohorski. Join us as we discuss the difference between semi-automated and automated panel design and assembly, how to help customers overcome technology hesitancy, and why automation is nothing to be afraid of.

In this episode, find out:

• The difference between automating panels in America and the rest of the world
• The importance of having a story to tell that’s backed by data, rather than just conceptual
• How EPLAN and Rittal use “lighthouse customers”
• Best practices for effective collaboration
• How automation is helping solve the skilled labor shortage
• Why there’s no right or wrong way to start with automation
• Brian’s “Girl Scout cookie enterprise,” and Kruno’s favorite football team and animal!

Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!

Tweetable Quotes:

• “Before, we had a story to tell conceptually, now we have a story to tell because we have actual data to back it up.” - Brian Jung
• “If we can help customers going from manual to semi-automated, they are saving a lot of time.” - Kruno Kutnohorski
• “You're not displacing a human, right? They're doing other jobs that bring value to the company.” - Brian Jung

Links & mentions:

• EPLAN, provides ECAD software and service solutions for electrical panel builders, electrical design, automation and mechatronic engineering
• Rittal, the world's leading systems provider for Enclosures, Power Distribution, Climate Control, IT infrastructure, 19" racks, and software and services
• Golden Road Brewing Company, Los Angeles' largest craft brewer

Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

When selecting talent for manufacturing roles, grades don’t matter nearly as much as hard work and talent. A's and B's are all very well, but a willingness to learn and the hunger to improve daily can’t be taught. Becoming a great engineer isn’t about knowing everything right out of the gate, it’s about figuring it out.

In this episode, we’re joined by Cody Myers, Jon Rauner, and Mick Yrkoski of Behlen Mfg. Co. Join us as we discuss Behlen’s approach to hiring, their relationship with the wider community in Columbus, Nebraska, and their “pay-it-forward” mentality.

Behlen’s approach to development, which includes tiered meetings, profit-sharing initiatives, and partnering with local colleges, has helped them continue to grow and progress since their inception almost ninety years ago.

In this episode, find out:

• Why metal-forming and manufacturing is still an art
• Behlen has a personal connection to the community and culture of Nebraska – they value their employees as names rather than numbers
• How, at Behlen, the focus is on balancing today's tasks with long-term success, valuing sustainable decisions over immediate profits
• Why Behlen values hard work and drive over great grades and talent
• Why a pay-it-forward mentality is vital for nurturing the next generation of talent, especially with apprenticeship programs and partnerships with local colleges
• The reason maintenance teams are the ‘rockstars’ of the manufacturing world
• Three-tiered meetings allow an organization to foster alignment across different levels of the company and enhance decision-making
• The overlooked importance of culture at manufacturing firms and why people are the key
• The different opportunities in manufacturing that people don't talk about or don't see – whether that’s opportunities in HR, IT, or accountancy

Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!

Tweetable Quotes:

• “We still view metal as an art.” - Cody Myers
• “One of our global values is continuous learning.” - Cody Myers
• “I would take a technician anytime that has drive and aspires to be better over somebody that knows the answer and doesn’t have to do the research.” - Mick Yrkoski

Links & mentions:

• Behlen Manufacturing, a steel fabrication company
• Industrial Solutions Network, a network of manufacturing technology companies providing the collective information, technology, tools and services to manufacturing communities
• Central Community College, a multi-campus community college serving a 25-county area in central Nebraska

Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

AI skepticism – much like AI itself – is here to stay, whether we like it or not. While getting buy-in can be difficult, and deploying it as a solution within a company is even harder, the key thing to remember is that AI, like any new tool, must address a pain point. The only way folks will be persuaded as to its use will be when it solves a problem that was previously thought unsolvable.

In this episode, we are joined by Adam Gluck, the CEO and Founder of Copia Automation. Join us as we explore the problems that AI is solving, why a customer-centric culture is so key to developing useful products, and the need for Silicon Valley to overlap with industries that have existed for over two hundred years.

The problem-first mindset is one that’s helped Copia evolve since July 2020 and navigate hype cycles in tech. What’s more, by keeping users front of mind, they can use AI as a “painkiller” rather than a “vitamin”. This means Copia create proactive, targeted solutions that deliver value where it matters most.

In this episode, find out:

• Adam shares his career path, including his work for Uber and his sociology undergraduate degree
• Why it is harder for graduates to get software engineering jobs
• How, in engineering, a self-taught approach can be less restrictive when learning new approaches or facing new problems
• Hiring smart people is often the most important step in solving hard problems
• Copia has evolved since July 2020, and the key to this has been their market understanding, adoption, activation, and backup and disaster recovery
• How DevOps AI for the software space has transformed the way software gets written
• Adam chose to move to New York from San Francisco because of the large number of seed rounds, proximity to venture capital and large amount of talent
• How the current enthusiasm for industrialization and manufacturing among venture capitalists and young companies will persist long-term

Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!

Tweetable Quotes:

• “I want to build something people can use every single day as part of their standard workflow and that solves material problems for them.”
• “DevOps AI for the software space has transformed the way software gets written.”
• “Ultimately, you can try and solve things with processes organization, but you're going to actually solve problems with really smart people.”

Links & mentions:

• Copia Automation, bringing modern DevOps tooling to industrial automation, standardizing processes to drive quality, efficiency, and uptime at scale
• Reindustrialize, a summit exploring how technology will shape the future of the US industrial base
• American Dynamism, part of a16z, investing in founders and companies supporting the national interest: aerospace, defense, safety, education, and manufacturing
• Founders Fund, a San Francisco based venture capital firm organized by Peter Thiel and others, investing in companies building revolutionary technologies
• General Catalyst, a global investment and transformation company that partners with the world’s most ambitious entrepreneurs to drive resilience and applied AI
• Construct Capital, an early stage venture capital firm, investing in founders who are reimagining the foundational industries of our economy
• Dante NYC, legendary circa-1915 cafe serving small plates & cocktails in an updated historic setting in New York City’s West Village
• Lobby Bar at the Chelsea Hotel, high-end cocktail bar inside of NYC’s Chelsea Hotel offering seasonal cocktails, artfully prepared plates, and late-night hours

Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

We’ve all been guilty of taking energy for granted at some point, from mindlessly flicking on light switches to filling up our cars on the way to work. We may grumble about the costs, but when was the last time you really thought about where it all comes from?

The availability of energy is something that affects us all, and leaders in the industry are calling for a re-envisioned future. In this episode, we sit down with Michelle Jordan from TECHMAR, Gakuo Ndonga of WD Bearings, and Meaghan Ziemba, host of Mavens of Manufacturing. Recorded live at the Empowering Pumps & Industry Conference, we dive into what it truly means to re-envision energy for the future.

Key themes from our conversation include challenging traditional ways of thinking, spreading awareness, and the importance of collaboration. The secret to innovation in energy isn’t just about new tech (although that’s important), it’s also about bringing fresh voices into the conversation. But as we see across manufacturing, it’s not always easy to sell younger generations on a future career in energy. So we look at what industry leaders can do to communicate and spark excitement to keep energy ticking.

In this episode, find out:

• What does it mean to re-envision energy? Meaghan, Michelle, and Gakuo all share their perspectives and career stories
• Why we need to avoid taking energy for granted and remember that it’s a valuable, scarce resource
• How maintenance and reliability are handled in the energy industry
• How leaders can talk to their customers about re-envisioning operations
• Changes in the workforce and how this can drive innovation for energy
• Gakuo shares a story of a tour he took in an experimental mine that had a classroom in it
• How industry leaders can communicate with others about the energy industry to drive excitement and awareness
• The trick to getting more comfortable sharing your stories to tell others about your career
• Advice for businesses on communicating with educators and young people and why a new approach is needed for a new generation
• Why it’s so important to find your passion and communicate that well
• How focusing on relatable everyday items can help you to communicate the value of working in energy
• Why continuous learning is key and the importance of approaching everything from a student perspective

Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!

Tweetable Quotes:

• “We have to treat energy as a very valuable resource that's not always there. And the way we do that is by bringing people together. People have to be excited to be in this industry to keep energy going.” – Gakuo Ndonga
• "We all have to be advocates for this industry... If you have a really cool story, or if you know of a really cool story, share that with everyone." – Meaghan Ziemba
• "Looking forward to the future, the direction we are headed, the infrastructure that is being built, clean energy, renewable energy, carbon capture—those things are our future." – Michelle Jordan

Links & mentions:

• Mavens of Manufacturing, a live video series that celebrates women in manufacturing
• WD Bearings, manufacturers of high-quality bearings that specializes in tech, manufacturing, and research
• TECHMAR, epoxy grout manufacturers that specializes in protecting equipment from vibrations
• Empowering Pumps & Industry Conference, a conference that connects industry leaders and insights on workforce development, leadership and innovation

Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.