Time to hit the books, manufacturing style! Ed and Alvaro are trading their signature hats for caps and gowns in this "Back to School" episode, where they break down the essential skills every manufacturing pro needs to master. Think of it as Manufacturing 101 – minus the detention and pop quizzes. From communication basics that can turn six-week delays into four-day solutions, to why your first guess at a root cause is wrong 95% of the time, the guys cover the fundamentals that actually matter on the shop floor.

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Ed's rocking his Harley Davidson hat, and Alvaro's got golf on the brain as they tee up the question everyone's asking: Can American manufacturing actually compete in 2025?

Spoiler: Their answer might surprise you.

From Crayola's decision to stay put (and dominate 80% of their market) to robot dogs sniffing out air leaks, the guys break down why "Made in USA" might make more sense than you think. They'll explain why your product getting touched 10 times before hitting the shelf is a problem, how Zippo lighters prove their point, and why Ed's wood pallet story will make you rethink everything about long supply chains.

Let’s keep the conversation going—drop us a comment, leave a review, or email us at [email protected]. Mentioned in this episode: Friendly Floatees Rubber Duck SpillCranky the RobotCrayola’s now-CEO leaned into automation when everyone else was offshoring and now he’s reaping the rewardsLodge Cast Iron CookwareZippo Lighters

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Ed and Alvaro dive into the latest State of Production Survey published by Industry Week, and the results are eye-opening. With survey data collected from 500 manufacturing executives, this report reveals some wild contradictions: everyone's freaking out about tariffs and recession fears, but they're also doubling down on AI investments like there's no tomorrow. Plus, Europe is apparently schooling us Americans when it comes to AI adoption. Ouch.

And of course…half a million manufacturing jobs go unfilled every year. (You’ve heard them say it before!) That’s a 3-4 million job gap in the next five years. But here's the twist – AI might actually be the solution, not the problem. Ed breaks down the "AI confidence gap" (spoiler: everyone's investing but struggling to prove ROI), Alvaro explains why sustainability is suddenly the hot new goal, and they both geek out over why machine + process data together is the real "killer app."

Key Topics:

• AI adoption jumping from 71% to 82% in just one year

• Why 96% are worried about recession but confident in manufacturing's future

• Europe vs US: who's winning the AI race?

• The golden wrench award story you didn't know you needed

• Why Ed thinks this is nothing short of an industrial revolution

Let’s keep the conversation going—drop us a comment, leave a review, or email us at [email protected].

Mentioned in this episode: State of Production Health 2025

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It’s one of manufacturing's biggest challenges: building a genuine safety culture that actually works. If your safety initiatives aren't moving the needle, this conversation is for you.

On this episode, Ed and Alvaro welcome safety expert Shawn Galloway, CEO of ProAct Safety. Shawn brings decades of experience across every industry—from nuclear facilities to tech companies. Listen in as they dive into the most common safety mistakes managers make, why treating safety like a problem to solve (instead of value to create) is backward, and how your frontline supervisors are either your biggest asset or biggest blind spot.

Highlights:

• Strategy beats "whack-a-mole" problem-solving

• Culture change happens at the supervisor level, not the executive level

• Make the safe choice the easy choice

• The absence of failure doesn't equal excellence

Whether you're a plant manager, safety coordinator, or someone who just wants to go home safe every day, Shawn’s insights will challenge how you think about safety.

Let’s keep the conversation going—drop us a comment, leave a review, or email us at [email protected].

Mentioned in this episode: ProAct Safety/ Shawn GallowaySteps to Safety Culture ExcellenceShared Ownership: Engaging the Subcultures

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Ed and Alvaro are tackling one of manufacturing's biggest challenges head-on: that massive skills gap keeping plant managers up at night. With over 500,000 open positions today and a projected 2.5 million worker shortage in just four years, it’s time to find real solutions. That's why they’re talking to Chris Morrison, a former Marine Corps communications tech, to share why military veterans might just be the answer we've all been looking for.

Chris takes us through his journey from managing complex jamming systems in Afghanistan to installing sensors on the plant floor, and the parallels are real. Vets already know safety protocols, understand chain of command, can think on their feet under pressure, and aren't afraid of getting their hands dirty. Plus, Chris shares some amusing stories (wait until you hear about the coffee can GPS hack!) and shares insights on what plant managers need to know when hiring veterans. Whether you're struggling to fill positions or just curious about bringing military talent into your facility, this is a can’t miss episode.

Let’s keep the conversation going: Email us at [email protected] Find us on The Endpoint: endpoint.augury.com

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Ever wonder why your AI investments aren't hitting the bottom line? You're not alone. Recent studies show AI is saving office employees 5.7 hours per week, but only 1.7 of those hours translate into real business value. The rest? It's vanishing into what experts call "productivity leakage."

Ed and Alvaro saw this data and realized the same thing is happening on the plant floor. In this episode, they apply this concept to manufacturing, diving deep into why your AI gains keep disappearing and how to fix it. From machinery improvements that don't boost overall line performance to freed-up worker time that gets wasted, they share real plant floor stories about what works—and what doesn't.

You'll discover how to connect AI benefits to actual business outcomes, redesign processes holistically, and turn your people's newfound time into innovation opportunities. Whether you're dealing with bottling lines, chocolate production, or any manufacturing operation, this conversation will help you stop the leakage and start seeing real ROI from your technology investments.

Source of stats: AI and ROI: Translating Time Saved to Business Gains

Let’s keep the conversation going: Email us at [email protected] Find us on The Endpoint: endpoint.augury.com

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Ever feel like you're constantly putting band-aids on the same problems in your plant? Ed and Alvaro tackle one of your most requested topics: root cause analysis. They share real shop floor stories, including a $6,000 gearbox that didn't need replacing and why throwing more glue at a packaging problem isn't always the answer.

Whether you're tired of the blame game between maintenance and operations or just want practical tools you can use tomorrow, this episode delivers. From the simple "five whys" method to how AI helps uncover the root cause of problems, we cover what actually works on the plant floor.

What You'll Learn:

• Why root cause analysis isn't just another step - it's a complete game changer

• The difference between using a shotgun vs. a sniper rifle approach to problem solving

• How to get maintenance and operations working together instead of against each other

• Real examples of problems solved in weeks instead of months

• How AI tools are taking root cause analysis to the next level

Mentioned in this show: Kepner-Tregoe Let’s keep the conversation going: Email us at [email protected] Find us on The Endpoint: endpoint.augury.com

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It’s the ultimate paradox: Americans love the idea of bringing back more manufacturing, but they’re not interested in the jobs that come with it! Currently, an estimated 500,000 manufacturing roles sit empty, and projections show potentially 2.5 million unfilled jobs in five years. It's time for Ed and Alvaro to step in and explain what’s really happening on today's factory floors. Forget the grim, dirty workplaces of yesterday—cobots, AI, and smart technology are transforming manufacturing careers. But it’s not perfect. Using concepts like Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the guys show how factories have improved basic safety but must reach higher for true worker engagement. Whether you're already in manufacturing or just curious about its evolution, Ed and Alvaro reveal the genuine opportunities hiding behind outdated stereotypes.

To keep the conversation going: Email us: [email protected] Find us on The Endpoint: endpoint.augury.com

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Tariffs are creating waves of uncertainty across manufacturing and supply chains - but Ed and Alvaro have experience navigating similar storms. In this episode, they break down practical approaches to navigate tariff challenges without the political drama.

The guys share battle-tested insights from their combined decades of manufacturing experience, focusing on what you can actually control: your people, operations, and strategic planning. From keeping your team focused during uncertainty to leveraging AI-powered operational excellence and making smart portfolio decisions, this episode delivers actionable takeaways you can implement right away.

Ed shares a shocking example of how tiny production adjustments can save $300,000 annually, while Alvaro explains how new technology makes previously impossible planning approaches achievable. Whether you're worried about reshoring decisions or keeping your shop floor productive during turbulent times, this episode provides the manufacturing wisdom you need.

As they remind us: "The barbarians are always at the gate" - but with the right approach, your manufacturing operation can thrive through any challenge. Keep calm and carry on!

To keep the conversation going: Email us: [email protected] Find us on The Endpoint: endpoint.augury.com

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AI is transforming manufacturing—and it goes beyond predicting equipment failures. AI is revolutionizing everything from quality control to safety monitoring, training, and inventory management in real time.

But before you fall in love with and roll out the technology, they stress there are five things you need to keep in mind:

• Identifying the real problem (not symptoms)

• Verifying your data quality and accessibility

• Confirming strategic alignment of the solution against business goals

• Establishing monitoring capabilities

• Ensuring the ability to act on insights

Of course, successful adoption requires a cultural shift, too. As Alvaro notes, if AI is not improving the lives of the workforce, something is wrong, and it needs to be fixed.

Other highlights include:

• Why running faster doesn't always mean better results

• How to avoid "automating the wrong process"

• The danger of falling in love with technology before identifying the problem

To keep the conversation going: Email us: [email protected] Find us on The Endpoint: endpoint.augury.com

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