Manufacturing Happy Hour

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.

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.