The Manufacturing Stream Podcast, your go-to source for insights into the latest in manufacturing technology and innovation.

Hosted by Chris Rost, we’re excited to bring you some of the best conversations in manufacturing - from the factory floor to the board room.
This episode features manufacturing tech expert Willemijn Schneyder, as she reacts to some of the most profound takeaways from our 2025 Manufacturing Skills Report.

We explore AI, Automation, and the needs of the frontline workforce across a number of roles in the manufacturing workforce.

🧠 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
- How AI and Automation can help reverse the skills gap
- Why a lot of our training methods aren’t landing in 2025
- How deep the skills gap really goes
- Why some manufacturers are hesitating to deploy upskilling strategies
- And much, much more

📍 00:00 Introduction
03:04 Demographics and Generational Insights
05:55 Preparedness for AI and Automation
08:54 Understanding AI’s Role in Manufacturing
12:04 Statistics on AI Impact in Manufacturing
15:02 Simplification and Acceleration of Processes
17:59 Data Literacy and Skills Gaps
20:50 Future Skills and Workforce Development
21:47 The Role of AI in Manufacturing
24:39 Real-Time Analytics: The Missing Link
27:33 Addressing the Skills Gap in Manufacturing
30:08 Transforming Training Approaches
34:33 Engagement and Retention in the Workforce
39:54 The Importance of Communication Skills

👉 Download your free copy of the 2025 Manufacturing Skills Report here:https://www.l2l.com/resources/research-report-2025

🎧 Like, subscribe, and share for more deep dives into the future of manufacturing!

l2l.com
Youtube: @leading2lean

The Manufacturing Stream Podcast, your go-to source for insights into the latest in manufacturing technology and innovation.

Hosted by Chris Rost and Eric Whitley, we’re excited to bring you some of the best conversations in manufacturing - from the factory floor to the board room. This episode also features manufacturing expert Jim Mayer - Founder of The Manufacturing Connector. 

Eric and Jim have decades of experience at the manufacturing frontline - today we'll get their takes on data from L2L's new 2025 Manufacturing Skills Report.


🧠 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
- Just how serious the growing skills gap is in manufacturing
- Our responsibility to engage a new generation of workers
- How soft skills contribute to the manufacturing skills gap
- The amount of investment in upskilling is less than you think!
- The role of AI and Automation in manufacturing skills
- And much more...

l2l.com
Youtube: @leading2lean

The Manufacturing Stream Podcast, your go-to source for insights into the latest in manufacturing technology and innovation.

Hosted by Chris Rost and Eric Whitley, we’re excited to bring you some of the best conversations in manufacturing - from the factory floor to the board room.

This episode features experts Jason Anthoine (manufacturing culture expert and founder of Employee Experienced) and our very own Willemijn Schneyder (frontline advocate and L2L CSO).

This episode takes a deep dive into how we should shape our approach to delivering manufacturing tech to those who need it the most - the frontline teams who use it every day.

🧠 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why human connection is still top of the list in Industry 5.0
- How modern tech can simplify tasks - or how bad tech can make them more complex
- How empowered, confident teams adapt to new tools more easily
- Why cultural shifts are necessary to retain skilled workers in manufacturing
- Success stories from major companies show effective strategies for boosting retention through engagement
- And much, much more

📌 00:00 Introduction
04:42 Understanding Turnover in Manufacturing
09:05 The Human Side of Employee Retention
13:31 Shifting Strategies for Manufacturing Leadership
18:09 Cultural Impact on Manufacturing Careers
22:08 Pride in Craftsmanship
26:41 Intentional Leadership and Employee Retention
28:25 Leveraging Technology for Frontline Workers
31:41 The Role of Confidence in Technology Adoption
36:36 Future Challenges

👉 Check out Employee Experienced https://www.jasonanthoine.com/ to keep learning from culture expert Jason Anthoine.

👉Visit https://hubs.li/Q03bLgr50 to explore how the #1 connected workforce platform can digitize your daily management processes. Sign up for a free demo today!

🎧 Like, subscribe, and share for more deep dives into the future of manufacturing!

#ManufacturingPodcast #IndustrialTransformation # #ContinuousImprovement #L2L #ShopFloorInnovation #training #employeeengagement #employeedevelopment

l2l.com
Youtube: @leading2lean

The Manufacturing Stream Podcast, your go-to source for insights into the latest in manufacturing technology and innovation.

Hosted by Chris Rost and Eric Whitley, we’re excited to bring you some of the best conversations in manufacturing - from the factory floor to the board room.

This episode features experts Jim Mayer - manufacturing culture expert and founder of The Manufacturing Connector -  and our very own Co-Host Eric Whitley.

They have a combined 50+ years of experience as leaders in the industry, and together they’ll explore how re-thinking employee development can reduce turnover and improve short-term and long-term engagement for the people working at the frontline.

🧠 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
- How understanding the human side of turnover is essential for retention.
- That career pathing and clear growth opportunities are vital for employee engagement.
- Why cultural shifts are necessary to retain skilled workers in manufacturing.
- How technology can play a significant role in empowering frontline workers.
- That success stories from major companies show effective strategies for boosting retention through engagement.
- And much, much more.

📌 00:00 Introduction
04:42 Understanding Turnover in Manufacturing
09:05 The Human Side of Employee Retention
13:31 Shifting Strategies for Manufacturing Leadership
18:09 Cultural Impact on Manufacturing Careers
22:08 Pride in Craftsmanship
26:41 Intentional Leadership and Employee Retention
28:25 Leveraging Technology for Frontline Workers
31:41 The Role of Confidence in Technology Adoption
36:36 Addressing Turnover and Future Challenges

👉 Check out The Manufacturing Connector at https://themfgconnector.com/ to keep learning from culture expert Jim Mayer.

👉 Visit https://hubs.li/Q03bLgr50 to explore how the #1 connected workforce platform can digitize your daily management processes. Sign up for a free demo today!

🎧 Like, subscribe, and share for more deep dives into the future of manufacturing!

#ManufacturingPodcast #IndustrialTransformation # #ContinuousImprovement #L2L #ShopFloorInnovation #training #employeeengagement #employeedevelopment

l2l.com
Youtube: @leading2lean

🎙️ The Manufacturing Stream Podcast, your go-to source for insights into the latest in manufacturing technology and innovation! 

Hosted by Chris Rost, Creative Content Manager at L2L. We're here to bring you some of the best conversations in manufacturing, from the factory floor to the board room.

This episode features David Rogers, AI and ML expert and founder of Exponential Industry, as well as our very own Frontline Advocate and Product Wizard, Willemijn Schneyder. They'll explore how the recent boom in AI technology is poised to shake things up for modern manufacturers. Yes, new tech makes things faster, smarter, and more transparent - but staying connected to the human elements of your frontline workforce is more important than ever before.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
- How AI can simplify task execution for frontline workers
- The ins and outs of AI-enhanced training 
- Where many manufacturers go wrong when implementing AI solutions
- How AI is poised to augment decision-making and troubleshooting
- And much more!


📌 00:00 Introduction to Frontline Shorts and Guests
03:30 The Impact of AI on Manufacturing
11:28 AI's Role in Augmenting Frontline Workers
17:19 Common Pitfalls in AI Implementation
23:14 The Importance of Human Interaction in Tech Adoption
29:14 Future Trends in AI and Manufacturing


👉Check out https://www.doclrogers.com/ to subscribe to the Exponential Industry newsletter, and never miss a beat when it comes to manufacturing tech

👉 Visit https://hubs.li/Q03bLgr50 to explore how the #1 connected workforce platform can digitize your daily management processes. Sign up for a free demo today!

🎧 Like, subscribe, and share for more deep dives into the future of manufacturing!

#ManufacturingPodcast #IndustrialTransformation # #ContinuousImprovement #L2L #ShopFloorInnovation #AI #machinelearning

l2l.com
Youtube: @leading2lean

The Manufacturing Stream Podcast, your go-to source for insights into the latest in manufacturing technology and innovation! 

Hosted by Chris Rost, Creative Content Manager at L2L, we're bringing you cutting-edge discussions from the factory floor to the boardroom.

This episode features L2L's very own Mohsin Saeed - problem solver and manufacturing expert with more than a decade in the industry. He'll be talking us through some of the most common causes of expensive line stoppages in manufacturing, and how to fix them quickly 
and effectively.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
- The most common causes of line stoppages in manufacturing
- The impact they have in terms of money, productivity, and morale
- How leaders can leverage actionable data to prevent and rectify line stoppages
- The positive impact of a CMMS 
- How understanding the human element of your frontline will reduce stoppages

00:00 Introductions and welcome 
02:31 Understanding the impact
04:43 Common causes 
07:39 The human element
10:17 Strategies to reduce line stoppages
13:20 Examples and anecdotes

Visit https://hubs.li/Q03bLgr50 to explore how the #1 connected workforce platform can digitize your daily management processes. Sign up for a free demo today!

Like, subscribe, and share for more deep dives into the future of manufacturing!

#ManufacturingPodcast #IndustrialTransformation # #ContinuousImprovement #L2L #ShopFloorInnovation

l2l.com
Youtube: @leading2lean

Welcome to the Manufacturing Stream Podcast with your host, Eric Whitley, Director of Manufacturing Solutions at L2L. In this episode, Eric sits down with his longtime friend and TPM expert, Ellis New, also known as Hillbilly.

With nearly four decades of experience in Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Ellis and Eric have trained thousands of manufacturing professionals, implementing TPM strategies in plants across the world. Today, they’re diving deep into what makes TPM work, why maintenance is more than just a department, and how digital tools are transforming the way companies achieve zero failure reliability.

Listen in as they discuss:

• The true role of maintenance in manufacturing success
• Why training frontline workers is critical to reducing downtime
• How data and digital tools are changing the game for TPM
• The biggest mistakes companies make when trying to improve productivity
• Lessons from teaching 50,000+ people the principles of TPM

It’s a conversation packed with insights, stories, and practical advice for anyone in the industry.

Want to learn more about digitizing your TPM program? Visit L2L.com or reach out to [email protected].

To connect with Ellis New, email [email protected] or call (864) 929-5899.

Hit follow and join us for more conversations on manufacturing, reliability, and continuous improvement.

l2l.com
Youtube: @leading2lean

In this episode of The Manufacturing Stream Podcast, host Eric Whitley, Director of Industrial Transformation at L2L, welcomes a special guest, Chris Brown, VP of Sales at CADDi. Together, they explore how AI and innovative tools are transforming the manufacturing industry, from reshoring efforts to bridging the skilled labor gap.

Chris shares insights into CADDi's cutting-edge technology that integrates rich contextual data into engineering drawings, empowering manufacturers to optimize processes, reduce waste, and accelerate timelines. They discuss real-world applications of AI, including shape recognition and contextual search, and how these tools make onboarding easier for the next generation of workers.

Key topics include:

• How AI-driven tools like CADDi and L2L are modernizing shop floor operations.
• The role of data and digital transformation in improving quality, safety, and production efficiency.
• Addressing the skilled labor shortage and empowering workers with innovative technologies.
• The exciting future of manufacturing, including reshoring and automation.

Plus, Chris shares his thoughts on how AI supports continuous improvement by eliminating waste and enabling smarter decisions, making the industry more innovative and competitive.

📢 Don’t miss this episode full of actionable insights and forward-thinking strategies!

💡 Mentioned in this episode:
Visit L2L.com to learn about the #1 connected workforce platform and sign up for a free demo.
Learn more about CADDi and their AI-powered solutions at us.caddi.com.

🎙️ Tune in now and join the conversation about how manufacturing is being transformed for the better!

#ManufacturingPodcast #IndustrialTransformation #AIInManufacturing #ContinuousImprovement #L2L #CADDi #Reshoring #Innovation #ManufacturingInsights

l2l.com
Youtube: @leading2lean

In this episode of the Manufacturing Stream Podcast, host Eric Whitley tackles a critical issue in the industry: Why are talented professionals walking away from manufacturing? To explore this, Eric welcomes a special guest—his son, Brandon Whitley.

Brandon shares his journey through manufacturing, from assembling products on the line to becoming a continuous improvement specialist, and ultimately leaving the industry. Together, they discuss:

• The challenges of driving change in traditional manufacturing environments
• The impact of pay, culture, and work-life balance on retention
• Why outdated processes and resistance to innovation push workers away
• Lessons for building an engaged, motivated workforce

This episode offers a firsthand perspective on the challenges and opportunities in modern manufacturing, making it a must-listen for leaders, operators, and anyone passionate about the future of the industry.

Brought to you by L2L, the #1 connected workforce platform.

🎧 Tune in on your favorite podcast platform!
🌐 Learn more about L2L at L2L.com.
📲 Follow Eric Whitley on LinkedIn for more insights.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share!

#ManufacturingPodcast #WorkforceRetention #ContinuousImprovement #L2L #FutureOfWork

l2l.com
Youtube: @leading2lean

AI is dominating the thought process within manufacturing. But most of the brain power being spent on this topic centers on how to have a practical application of this technology so that it enhances the Availability, Performance and Quality of the factory floor.

In this episode we discuss the practical application of AI and how it can be used to remove wasted time and motion in the day to day lives of factory workers.

l2l.com
Youtube: @leading2lean

l2l.com
Youtube: @leading2lean