Manufacturing Talks

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Fellow GMI alumnus Andy Pfeifer joined your host Jim Vinoski this week to discuss enterprise-wide business transformation: effective execution, seeking and acting upon employee feedback, and drawing lessons for operations and supply chain professionals.

Andy draws on more than 30 years of experience, mostly at General Mills, spanning logistics, manufacturing, and sales, and including particularly illuminating work supporting Walmart and Sam’s Club in Bentonville.

Highlights:
00:00 - Introduction
01:24 - Andy's Background and Enterprise Perspective
09:24 - Transformation and Execution
14:58 - Feedback and Front-Line Knowledge
25:21 - Career Advice and Consulting

There's so much more in the discussion - tune in for the whole thing!

There's also a whole lot more in Andy's article, "After Go:" https://andypfeifer.substack.com/p/after-go

And also in Peter McDonald's article, "Is it safe to tell your CEO they're wrong?" https://substack.com/home/post/p-211085392

My episode with Peter McDonald: https://studio.youtube.com/video/6pUchHUlKrc/edit

Andy's consulting business website: https://sites.google.com/acceleratesupplychainstrategy.com/accelerate/home?pli=1&authuser=0

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Continuing solo shows for each chapter of his new book, *American Manufacturing: 22 Tales of Integrity, Ingenuity, and the Modest Heroes Who Built a Nation,* your host Jim Vinoski today talks about Vendome Copper & Brass Works in Louisville.

They make the vessels that make your bourbon (and other distilled spirits), and it's as much art as science. Their work is gorgeous.

Plus they're a family firm that got its start back before the Civil War, so it's a great story of a company that's survived a long time in a typically boom-and-bust industry.

Jim talks about how they've done that and what great folks are behind their work.

Vendome Copper & Brass Works Website: https://vendomecopper.com/

Get your copy of Jim's book here: https://www.manufacturingtalks.com/american-manufacturing-book

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Retired economics professor Howie Baetjer, who was the instructor for an online class your host Jim Vinoski took way back when, joined us to discuss how free markets, private ownership, and decentralized decision-making are the strongest foundations for productive and resilient manufacturing.

Howie described his path from psychology and English teaching to political philosophy and economics at Towson University. He discussed how his books, including Free Our Markets, explore market processes, private ownership, and the knowledge problem.

Jim and Howie discussed the strength of U.S. manufacturing, including high worker productivity and output that ranks second globally behind China.

Highlights:
00:00 - Introduction
02:26 - Background And Books
09:37 - Free Markets And Manufacturing
13:13 - Government Intervention
24:44 - Regulation And Capture
34:32 - Ownership And Knowledge
 
This was such a rich and wide-ranging discussion! Tune in for the whole thing!

A couple of Howie's books:
- Software as Capital - https://tinyurl.com/c47zk8bs
- Free Our Markets - https://tinyurl.com/3dwapp83

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Rick Graber, president and CEO of the Bradley Foundation, joined us to explain the mission and activities of his organization, which was founded based on the free enterprise, limited government, and human dignity principles of the brothers who founded Allen Bradley.

Highlights:
00:00 - Introduction and Rick's Background
04:03 - Allen-Bradley History
10:11 - Foundation Principles
14:43 - Grant-Making Areas
24:52 - Long-Term Strategy
32:08 - Emerging Issues

Far too many foundations are founded on the wealth of those who built American industry through adherence to free markets and American principles, then stray badly from those very principles and espouse radical big-government policies. It's refreshing to learn that the Bradley Foundation has stayed true to its founders' vision and values.

Resources:
The Bradley Foundation: https://www.bradleyfdn.org/
The Bradley Impact Fund: https://www.bradleyimpactfund.org/
Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation: https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-us/products/hardware/allen-bradley.html
Book: *The Bradley Legacy:* https://tinyurl.com/ppmkvbax
CROWE: https://crowe.wisc.edu/
SFOF: https://sfof.com/
Snow Institute: https://www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/capitalism/sisc/
American Institute for Economic Research: https://aier.org/
Network of Enlightened Women: https://enlightenedwomen.org/
Advancing American Freedom: https://advancingamericanfreedom.com/
Mackinac Center for Public Policy: https://www.mackinac.org/

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Your host Jim Vinoski goes solo this week and explains why Victaulic is featured in Chapter Three of his book *American Manufacturing: 22 Tales of Integrity, Ingenuity, and the Modest Heroes Who Built a Nation.*

01:15 - Victaulic Origins
Victaulic began in England in the 1800s with pipe couplings and later established itself in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley.
Its couplings join pipes with little or no preparation, reducing the need for welding and specialized labor.
The company has expanded through acquisitions, including fire-protection companies and foundries, while retaining its core coupling business.
01:45 - Career Connection
Jim first encountered Victaulic couplings while working as a mechanical engineer at Vista Chemical’s PVC plant in Little Aberdeen, Mississippi.
He encountered them on firewater lines, where they support systems used to protect buildings and keep people safe.
His later Forbes reporting included interviews with the company’s CEO and executives, including Eric Luftig.
06:05 - History And Culture
Victaulic supported World War II fuel logistics through pipeline-related efforts, including Project Pluto and Pharos.
The company’s Lehigh Valley connection overlaps with Jim’s interest in cycling, the Valley Preferred Cycling Center, and Rodale Press.
Its couplings are also associated anecdotally with the steampunk aesthetic of some craft breweries and distilleries.
11:15 - Next Episode
The next episode will feature Rick Graber of the Bradley Foundation and will focus on its free-market tradition and mission.

Link to where to buy Jim's book: https://www.manufacturingtalks.com/american-manufacturing-book

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Dave Hebert - native of Detroit and son of a manufacturing worker - and how an economist and manufacturing guru with the American Institute for Economic Research, discusses the economic productivity of American manufacturing and the negative impact of current trade tensions with Canada.

Dave argues that American manufacturing remains highly productive despite political narratives suggesting the sector has been hollowed out. He highlights specific data points to contrast domestic capabilities with international competitors:

Dave calls out the deteriorating relationship between the United States and Canada due to recent tariff threats and rhetoric from the Trump administration. He notes several concerns regarding these diplomatic frictions.

Highlights:
00:00 - Introduction
01:48 - Dave's Background
06:35 - U.S. Manufacturing Productivity
11:47 - U.S.-Canada Trade Relations
17:10 - Negotiation Styles and Diplomacy
26:45 - Correcting Economic Policy
35:39 - The Value of Manufacturing Workers

Dave really covered a tremendous amount of ground here, and it's all fascinating and vital stuff! You owe it to yourself to check out the whole thing.

Dave's AIER page: https://aier.org/people/david-hebert/
Dave's article "Made in (North) America: Canada Is Not Our Enemy:" https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/made-in-north-america-canada-is-not-our-enemy/

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Who are your manufacturing heroes?

Your host Jim Vinoski interviews Avi Reichental, highlighting his extensive background in manufacturing and technology, including his roles at 3D Systems and Exponential Works. Reichental emphasizes the need to inspire the next generation into manufacturing, arguing that the current challenge is a "belief shortage" rather than a skills shortage. He stresses the importance of tacit knowledge, mastery, and storytelling to attract talent. Reichental also discusses the critical need for manufacturers to invest in people and adapt to new technologies, including humanoid robots and physical AI, to overcome workforce challenges and drive the manufacturing renaissance.

Highlights:
00:00 - Introduction
02:24 - Avi Reichental's Background and Career Journey
07:56 - The Importance of Manufacturing and Skilled Workforce
16:35 - Challenges and Solutions in Manufacturing Education
20:10 - The Role of Tacit Knowledge and Mastery
33:32 - Age Discrimination and the Need to Value Our Most Experienced Workers
35:41 - The Responsibility of Manufacturers to Solve Workforce Challenges
39:35 - Conclusion and Future Steps

Avi's article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/factory-coming-back-people-arent-avi-reichental-uuv3c/

The book *The Tacit Dimension:* https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/T/bo6035368.html

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Your host Jim Vinoski discusses the history and business evolution of Worksman Cycles, which is Chapter 2 of his new book, *American Manufacturing: 22 Tales of Integrity, Ingenuity, and the Modest Heroes Who Built a Nation.*

Company History
Jim details the origins of Worksman Cycles, founded by Morris Worksman in Manhattan in 1898. Originally a dry goods store owner, Morris developed delivery bicycles and tricycles to assist local vendors.

The company achieved nationwide scale after securing a contract with the Good Humor ice cream company to create specialized delivery vehicles.

During World War II, the company pivoted to manufacturing maintenance tricycles for industrial and military plants, such as Lockheed.

Business Strategy
Jim highlights key strategic decisions that shaped the company's current market position.

Niche Focus: The company declined a major purchase order from Toys R Us in the late 20th century to avoid low-margin consumer bike production and stay focused on their core expertise.

Relocation: In 2015, due to taxes and regulations in the New York City area, the company moved its bicycle production assembly to Conway, North Carolina, while maintaining headquarters in New York.

Product Range: Current offerings include maintenance tricycles, e-bike add-ons, consumer tricycles, and purpose-built models for special needs individuals.

Future Outlook
Jim concludes by mentioning upcoming topics for the show.

Worksman Cycles: https://worksman.com/
Buy the book!! https://www.manufacturingtalks.com/american-manufacturing-book

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It's always cool to learn about breakthrough new tech, so Jim's discussion with Larry Harrell from Perfect Point EDM was a treat!

Larry discusses how Perfect Point uses advanced electrical discharge machining (EDM) to revolutionize aircraft fastener removal.

He explains that traditional twist drilling for titanium fasteners is labor-intensive, requiring up to seven minutes of high-force manual work and risking structural damage. The E-drill solves this by using a fly-by-wire EDM process that removes fasteners in approximately 10 seconds with only 12 pounds of force.

Larry highlights the shift from aluminum to titanium and composite materials, which has increased maintenance complexity and reduced the available skilled workforce. While automation works in fixed jigs, the flexibility of the E-drill is required for aircraft that flex and bend during service.

Drawing from his 26 years at Northrop Grumman, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining a nimble environment for small businesses to foster rapid prototyping. He notes that while large corporations focus on platform procurement, small businesses drive the necessary process innovations.

Highlights:
00:00 - Introduction
01:41 - The Fastener Removal Challenge
04:09 - The Impact of Maintenance Requirements
11:13 - Perfect Point EDM Technology
13:45 - Managing Heat and Coatings
15:56 - Training and Workforce Integration
19:48 - Navigating Industry and Government Gaps
32:18 - Lessons from Aerospace Leadership
41:43 - Economic Benefits and Reshoring

This is a chat you can really geek out on!

Perfect Point EDM website: https://ppedm.com/

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Your host Jim Vinoski kicks off his series that will highlight each company in turn that he featured in his new book, *American Manufacturing: 22 Tales of Integrity, Ingenuity, and the Modest Heroes Who Built a Nation.*

Jim starts out here with Chapter 1 about Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc.

Jim details the origins of the Zamboni company, founded by Frank Zamboni in California. Originally an ice industry professional, Frank transitioned from selling ice blocks to operating an ice rink. To solve the labor-intensive problem of manual ice resurfacing, he utilized post-war surplus jeeps to develop the first machines.

Highlights:
00:00 - Introduction
01:25 - Zamboni Company Origins
05:34 - Evolution and Growth
09:54 - Legacy and Brand Identity

There's some really fascinating stuff here. Tune in for the whole thing!

Buy the book: https://www.manufacturingtalks.com/
The Zamboni company: https://zamboni.com/