When like-minded entrepreneurs sit down to swap stories, advice, and connections, it’s a major win for everyone. This is one of the great things about manufacturing because this industry thrives on collaboration, not just competition.

In this episode, we hear from Russell Winter, Founder of US MFG, who’s on a mission to connect entrepreneurs in the machine shop space together, while also acquiring shops from retiring owners that would have otherwise gone out of business. With the number of machine shops steadily declining, people like Russell are breathing new life into the space with technology and innovative ideas.

Russell shares his story of how he got started, how he chooses whether to acquire a new shop, the red flags to watch out for, and the two main things he looks at when accessing a business. We hear more about his efforts to build bridges in the community and his thoughts on inspiring the next generation of manufacturing business owners.

In this episode, find out:

• Russell shares an overview of how he buys machine shops and brings them together with software
• Retiring owners of machine shops who don’t have a clear succession plan often close their doors for good unless someone like Russell steps in
• How Russell decides which machine shops to acquire by looking at finances and culture to find red flags
• Why bringing people in with more experience is a huge part of succeeding in this space
• How Russell finds mentors and collaborates in his network
• Advice for entrepreneurs looking for business opportunities
• What led Russell to realize he needed to change the mission of US MFG to a more community-focused approach
• How do we create awareness in the next generation of manufacturing business ownership?
• The skills and knowledge we need to prepare young people for a future in manufacturing and business ownership
• Why shop classes in high schools are a growing trend and what this means for the industry
• How Russell’s company teaches important skills like financial literacy through his shops
• Russell shares the first major project he remembers manufacturing

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 cool part about these shop classes is their instructors are often very mutual and collaborative with the industry that's around the high school. They'll have a board of business owners saying, 'This is who we're looking to hire. Can you teach them more turning work or a specific software?'”
• “Something that I've worked on developing a lot more is a mindset of trust but verify as opposed to just trust. Going over things with a fine-toothed comb, actual financials, and setting clear expectations at the beginning really pays off.”
• “There's a saying: if you want investment, ask for advice. And if you want advice, ask for investment. People are always going to give you advice because there's something to improve on, and if you're willing to take it and learn and grow and actually put it into action, then they're like, 'Oh, I see an investment here.'”

Links & mentions:

• US MFG partners with entrepreneurs to acquire, operate, and grow manufacturing companies within a collaborative network
• SCORE Business Mentoring, providing free business advice for starting or growing a small business through their network of 11,000 volunteer mentors in-person and online; part of the US Small Business Administration (SBA)
• Discourse Coffee, a music-driven coffee workshop in Milwaukee, WI, located in the same building as local, community-driven radio station Radio Milwaukee

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.

What happens when a former engineering leader decides to open a brewery?

In the true spirit of Manufacturing Happy Hour, we talk all about beer in this episode. Recorded live from Amorphic Beer in Milwaukee, WI, we sit down with the Founder, Ron Hockersmith, to learn about what makes their beer special and the company a success even as the hype around craft beer fades.

We’re also joined by the brilliant hosts from A BROADcast for Manufacturers, Kris Harrington (CEO of GenAlpha) and Lori Highby (CEO and Founder of Keystone Click), for a 4-way entrepreneurial chat about manufacturing, engineering, leadership, and of course, beer.

In this episode, we take a look at the early days of Amorphic Beer and Ron’s career background before he stepped into the brewing world. Ron has taken all the great parts of leading a team from his engineering days and applied them to his business today, and it’s safe to say that’s been a great move for Amorphic. We hear about the team, the operations, the scientific approach to margins and recipes, and some surprising beer facts along the way.

In this episode, find out:

• A little background on Ron’s career and how he came from healthcare manufacturing and defense contracting to start his own brewery
• Introduction to the hosts of A BROADcast for Manufacturers podcast
• Why Ron opted for lean manufacturing principles without the formality to run his brewery
• What a background in engineering taught Ron about leadership and why he runs Amorphic Beer like an international engineering organization
• What makes the leadership and management of Amorphic Beer different and successful even as the hype around craft beer dies down
• Why trust in your employees is key to success
• Ron shares the main differences he’s experienced since working for himself vs. as an employee in a major organization
• Facts on beer, music, plants, and sports for the “I just learned that…” segment
• How recent tariffs on Canadian aluminum may have a huge impact on Amorphic Beer in the future

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 run this like it's an international engineering organization."
• "Don't try and hire for the perfect team because you'll never find the perfect people to fit into the perfect cogs... Find what your people are very good at and then build your organization around that.”
• "No-one's ever worked for me that I don't trust. Doesn't matter if I'm working in defense contracting for GE or at the brewery,  trust them, empower them to do the right things.”

Links & mentions:

• Amorphic Beer, Milwaukee WI brewery where beer is “engineered through scientific experimentation”
• A BROADcast for Manufacturers, a podcast run by Lori, Kris and Erin exploring stories and manufacturing insights that challenge the status quo

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.

Manufacturing is a hotbed of activity, interest, and innovation right now and states like Nebraska are leading the way. As part of our Made Here series, we toured Nebraska’s manufacturing heartland to hear stories from leaders, experts, and innovators who want to spread the word about the opportunities and community benefits of manufacturing.

We round off our Nebraska tour with Mike Johnson COO of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who shares a wider perspective on how manufacturing is impacting local communities, the economy, and the individuals who make it all happen. 

We talk about why manufacturing opportunities are great for people from all walks of life, with some inspiring stories about women in the space becoming role models for future manufacturers. Mike also explains the role of a Chamber of Commerce and why we should celebrate and showcases manufacturing careers for the benefit of all. We hear a great example of Nebraska doing this with its annual competition for the coolest innovations in Nebraska – featuring a fire-breathing drone and an all-terrain wheelchair. 

In this episode, find out:

• A summary of what we’ve heard and learned as we round off the Nebraska tour of our Made Here series
• We recap on the last time Mike was on the show and how perceptions of the industry have changed since
• Old perceptions of the dirty and dangerous stereotype of manufacturing are changing, leading more young people to consider it as a career 
• Why rural Nebraska is writing a playbook for reinvigorating manufacturing and the impact this has on the economy and community
• The role of education institutions in training and encouraging more to consider manufacturing careers
• The best ways to connect with the local community and involve everyone in the manufacturing scene
• Why we’re seeing more women in manufacturing plus some inspiring stories from Mike
• How a Chamber of Commerce can act as a conduit for manufacturers to share their voice on what the industry needs  
• The coolest things made in Nebraska, including a fire-breathing drone

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 chamber of commerce is the conduit for manufacturers of any shape and size across the state to convene and partner on what the voice of this industry in this state needs right now.”
• “State departments are starting to see that when manufacturers automate, they make more stuff, more stuff made means higher wages are paid to people, higher multipliers than hitting the local communities. And so the state can see higher tax revenues and then in the future, lower tax rates.”
• “I think it's really important for young women to see that “I can do this” and I don't have to be a big dude to be able to do this type of work.”

Links & mentions:

• NE Chamber, delivering economic and workforce growth, a competitive business climate, and a network of leaders with the connections and know-how to help Nebraska businesses succeed
• Nebraska Manufacturing Competitiveness Study, January 2024
• Coolest Thing Made in 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.

Take your mind back to five years ago. Many of us were celebrating the start of what we thought would be an exciting decade for automation. And well… it’s certainly been different and not quite how most of us expected.

Now, we sit squarely in the middle of a decade that has pushed automation and AI front and center of so many industries now. So how close were our pre-pandemic predictions on automation? And more importantly, where is automation headed next?

This episode was recorded live at the 2025 A3 Business Forum, co-hosted by Jake Hall aka the Manufacturing Millennial, and features five conversations with industry leaders helping to shape automation’s future. We look at robotics, AI, machine vision, motion control, and the broader tech and manufacturing industries, plus we swap predictions on the second half of the 2020s.

This week’s guests include:

• Peter Zafiro, General Manager at LinMot USA
• Christelle Keefer - Global Business Development Manager, Education at ABB
• Juan Aparicio - Founder & CEO at Reshape Automation
• David Dechow - Machine Vision & Automation Solutions Architect at Motion Automation Intelligence
• Alex Shikany - Executive Vice President at A3

Jake Hall will be joining us for Automate 2025 in May, so don’t miss the chance to grab tickets and learn more here.

In this episode, find out:

• Why 2025 A3 Business Forum is the perfect spot for a conversation about automation
• What the convergence of technologies has meant for automation’s applications in manufacturing and beyond
• Peter explains the biggest pain point that LinMot was experiencing and how automation became key
• The role of motion vision today and how it’s evolved with the help of automation
• Why now is the best time in history to be involved with automation
• How STEM education paves the way for the growth of robotics
• The biggest hurdles to getting education institutions on board with STEM
• Some of the top non-profit organizations to keep an eye out for
• How AI has developed over the first half of the decade
•  Two ingredients that every successful application should have in the world of AI
• Examples of AI deployed successfully and where this is likely to change in the future
• How elements of vision tech have accelerated in the past 10 years
• Alex’s perspective on automation’s evolution throughout the first half of this decade
• The biggest things we’re looking forward to in 2025 and beyond
• What to expect at Automate 2025, which this episode’s co-hosts Chris and Jake will be attending in May

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:

• "This is the best time there is in this industry. It's the convergence of all these technologies, whether it's robots, cobots, linear motion... the difference-maker will be how you introduce automation to your employees and make it easier to do more fun jobs." - Peter Zafiro
• "Schools are starting to realize that the students need to be exposed to STEM way earlier than just high school. High school is too late. College is too late. Let's get those kids exposed at an earlier age to the amazing field of manufacturing." - Christelle Keefer
• "Behind every robot, there are a lot of people. There are people selling the robots. There are people installing the robots. There are people maintaining the robots." - Juan Aparicio
• "No one I talk to thinks that automation is going to become less relevant or less important to their future plans in the next 10 years, 20 years. Almost every single CEO or leader of these companies has automation at the top of their list." - Alex Shikany

Links & mentions:

• A3 – The Association for Advancing Automation, North America’s largest automation trade association representing more than 1,200 organizations involved in robotics, artificial intelligence, machine vision & imaging, motion control & motors and related automation technologies
• Automate Show, experience the largest event in Automation #Automate2025
• Jake Hall - The Manufacturing Millennial, where this week’s co-host Jake Hall discusses the latest technology in the automation and manufacturing space in an engaging style for all audiences
• Project Lead The Way, where STEM curriculum meets career readiness; created by teachers and led by educators, PLTW motivates, prepares, and supports teachers as they strive to make every child in every grade STEM-successful
• FIRST Robotics, a global robotics community preparing young people for the future and the world's leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing STEM education
• REC Foundation, home of the VEX family of robotics programs for elementary school through college students includes 1.1 million students in 70 countries
• Detroit Lions War Room 2019 vs. 2021

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.

Is venture capitalism and manufacturing the perfect match for America’s new industry boom? Or will the industry bootstrap its way to success on the slower path? The verdict’s clear in this episode with Jim Belosic, the CEO of SendCutSend.

Jim shares a down-to-earth take on succeeding as a manufacturing business with a mix of VC and bootstrapping. Rather than aiming for the dot-com boom level of success and all the private yachts that come with it, a slow and steady approach is ideal for manufacturing businesses, says Jim.

We hear a little background on SendCutSend’s start and laser-focused approach to customer service, plus why Jim is such a big fan of the bootstrapping route. We hear his opinion on why manufacturing might be making a comeback, how to raise the visibility of the industry to plug skill gaps, and why we may need to “chill out” a bit when it comes to AI.

In this episode, find out:

• Why bootstrapping is a great alternative path to industrialization and why Jim believes VC doesn’t belong in manufacturing
• How the future of entrepreneurship is changing back to traditional family-led routes
• Jim shares his background in manufacturing as a sign shop artist and what he learned about the effects of new tech on industry
• Why we’re due for a re-boom in the manufacturing world and how new technology plays a central role
• Outsourcing abroad – the next phase – why we’re due for a re-boom because the tech is even better
• How manufacturing can become more visible and enter the digital era with help from younger generations
• Why it’s not enough to only be a good manufacturer today, you also need to be a good marketer too
• How manufacturers can make simple changes to their digital presence to move in line with what customers want
• Why teaming up with local competitors can be mutually beneficial
• Jim explains why investing in and paying your staff well is the number one important thing to do in this industry
• Why you shouldn’t compete on price but instead on the quality of the service and the value your customer receives

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 way to success in manufacturing is you can't just be a good manufacturer. You actually have to be a good marketer too.”
• “A lot of people look at their competitors and want to burn them down. That usually just ends up with both of you catching on fire. So instead, try and be friendly.”
• “We’re poised for a manufacturing re-boom because the technology is even better now. This newest generation of machines is set up so well with alarms and error control, communication, and reliability, you're not just upgrading your speed or the reliability of the machine, you're upgrading your entire workforce.”

Links & mentions:

• SendCutSend, online sheet metal fabrication service; get custom parts delivered in just a few days (upload STEP or DXF files for instant pricing)
• A Bootstrapper’s Guide to Re-Industrializing America, Jim’s article that inspired this episode

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’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.