Manufacturing Talks

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Talk about a vital subject!

Our host Jim Vinoski interviews Brent Sadler, a retired US Navy Captain and senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, about the sorry state of American shipbuilding and the US Navy's needs. Sadler highlights the US Navy's shortage of ships, emphasizing the need for 575 ships to counter threats from China and Russia. He discusses the decline in US shipbuilding capacity, the importance of leveraging allies like Japan and South Korea, and the need for significant investment in infrastructure, workforce training, and new technologies. Sadler also mentions the Ships for America Act and the Maritime Action Plan as key legislative initiatives to support the revitalization of US shipbuilding.

Highlights:
- Challenges in US Shipbuilding
- Complexities of Reviving US Shipbuilding
- Numbers and Timing for Navy Strength
- Impact of Neglect and Need for Action
- Commercial Shipbuilding and Global Competition
- Administration and Legislative Efforts
- Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation

US shipbuilding now represents about 0.4% of global deliveries, and China's capacity is about 1,000 times that of America's.

It's long past time we start fixing this.

Resources

Brent's books:
- Naval Power in Action: Seizing the Initiative in the New Cold War with China - https://tinyurl.com/mrskfm5f
- U.S. Naval Power in the 21st Century: A New Strategy for Facing the Chinese and Russian Threat - https://tinyurl.com/4dwrr779

A few of Brent's articles:
- The Nation Needs a Shipbuilding Revolution - https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2025/february/nation-needs-shipbuilding-revolution
- How To Judge the U.S. Navy’s Next Force Design - https://www.heritage.org/defense/commentary/how-judge-the-us-navys-next-force-design
- America’s Maritime Revival: Sailing Into Some Headwinds - https://www.heritage.org/defense/commentary/americas-maritime-revival-sailing-some-headwinds

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It's always a treat to hear from folks who are building new American manufacturing businesses. So chatting with Michael Goerlich, who makes gun holsters just outside of Cleveland, was great fun.

Michael, owner of Raven Concealment Systems and president of Threshold Strategic Consulting, discussed his journey from a failed college student to a successful manufacturer. He detailed the growth of Raven, which started as a weekend hobby and expanded into a significant business due to the post-9/11 concealed carry market. Goerlich highlighted the challenges of the firearms industry, including access to capital and the impact of the pandemic. He emphasized the importance of agility and innovation, particularly in additive manufacturing, to stay competitive. Goerlich also shared his views on the potential for American manufacturing to thrive, especially in the Rust Belt.

Highlights:
- Michael's Background and Early Career
- Starting Raven Concealment Systems
- Expansion and Injection Molding
- Challenges and Opportunities in the Firearms Industry
- Consulting and Strategic Advice
- Impact of the Pandemic on the Firearms Industry
- Future of Manufacturing and American Innovation

It was an excellent conversation chock-full of practical know-how for everyone in manufacturing. Check out the whole thing!

Raven Concealment Systems: https://rcsgear.com/
Threshold Strategic Consulting: https://www.thresholdsc.com/

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Man, this one was so much fun! I had one of my new favorite authors ever, Zach Hanson, join me to discuss ideas on closing the skilled trades gap from a very personal point of view.

Zach is the author of "The Trade Gap," about his journey from a white-collar tech job to learning trades in rural Idaho. Zach discusses the societal push for college over trades, his personal debt from higher education, and the impact of AI on jobs. He emphasizes the importance of skill acquisition for knowledge workers, sharing his experiences with welding and electrical work. Zach advocates for lifelong learning and monthly "misogi" challenges to build practical skills. He also mentions his other books, including "Turning Feral" and historical fiction set in Idaho.

Here are some of the highlights:
- Zach's Background and Personal Experiences
- The Trade Gap and Zach's Pursuit of DIY Skills
- Zach's Take on the Societal Success Mindset and College Debt
- Skill Acquisition and Personal Satisfaction
- Reaching Youth and Continuous Learning
- Zach's Other Books and Final Thoughts

This was such a wide-ranging and fascinating conversation - you owe it to yourself to check out every last word! You'll be glad you did.

And do check out Zach's books as well: https://tinyurl.com/4vpwy24h

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Jim Vinoski hosts Mike Becker in the aftermath of the assassination of Charlie Kirk to set the example that people with opposing views can address their differences rationally and respectfully.

Mike, a consultant at Becker Quality Improvements, shares his background in food safety and continuous improvement, highlighting issues like cost pressures and inadequate sanitation practices. They discuss the evolution of food safety standards, the impact of government policies, and the challenges of balancing individual liberty with government intervention. 

Highlights:

Introduction and Background of Guests
• Mike shares his background, including his 30-year tenure at General Mills, his interest in continuous improvement, and his current consulting firm, Becker Quality Improvements.
• Mike discusses his consulting work, focusing on food safety, pathogen reduction, and implementing SQF standards.
• He highlights the impact of his consulting on smaller companies, emphasizing the importance of thorough cleaning and sanitation practices.


Food Safety Concerns and Challenges
• Jim asks Mike about the top concerns in the food safety industry.
• Mike identifies cost pressure as a significant issue, particularly in the thorough cleaning required for micro-level contaminants like salmonella and listeria.
• He mentions the Boar's Head incident as an example of poor sanitation practices leading to plant closures.
• Mike discusses the role of the USDA and CDC in food safety and the potential impact of reduced pathogen monitoring.


Progress in Food Safety Over the Years
• Mike shares his observations, noting significant improvements in sanitation and pathogen level cleaning since the early 90s.
• He acknowledges that larger companies have made more progress than smaller ones due to cost pressures.
•  Jim shares a personal anecdote about an acquaintance with salmonella, highlighting the prevalence of foodborne illnesses.


Political Philosophies and Personal Backgrounds
• Mike explains his early voting history, influenced by his father's views, and his shift from Republican to Democrat after the 1992 RNC convention.
• Jim shares his own political journey, influenced by his father's NRA membership and his rural upbringing in Michigan.
• Both discuss the polarization of political views over the years and the impact of influential figures like Pat Buchanan and Rush Limbaugh.


Influences and Influences on Political Views
• Mike mentions his early interest in history and his reading of American Revolution figures.
• He also mentions reading Ayn Rand and listening to political commentators like Keith Olbermann.
• Jim shares his interest in Austrian economics and his reading of authors like Ayn Rand and Henry Hazlitt.
• Both discuss the influence of their upbringing and personal experiences on their political views.


Government Intervention vs. Individual Liberty
• Jim and Mike discuss the balance between government intervention and individual liberty.
• Mike emphasizes the importance of government in areas like highways and defense, while acknowledging the need for thoughtful spending.
• Jim expresses skepticism about government's ability to manage effectively, citing examples of mismanagement and the impact of private equity on manufacturing.
• Both agree on the need for measured approaches to government spending and the challenges of addressing the national debt.


Current Political Issues and Concerns
• Mike identifies political violence and radical rhetoric as major concerns, mentioning the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk.
• He discusses the impact of mental health issues on violence and the need for better mental health programs.
• Jim and Mike agree on the importance of toning down rhetoric and promoting respectful conversations.
• They discuss the challenges of addressing issues

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What a great show it made to have as our guest the one and only Scott MacKenzie, manufacturing advocate and industry commentator extraordinaire!

Scott is managing director of Industrial Talk Media, and he shared his journey from starting an industrial maintenance company to launching a media platform. He emphasized the importance of storytelling in manufacturing and the need to inspire the next generation. Scott discussed the challenges of workforce development, reshoring, and the necessity of better marketing and apprenticeship programs. He highlighted the role of passion and authenticity in promoting manufacturing careers. Scott also touched on the critical need for reliable capital and the potential of the capital market to support manufacturing growth. The conversation underscored the importance of engaging meaningfully with industry professionals and the public to foster a positive perception of manufacturing.

Highlights:

Scott's Journey into Industrial Media
- Scott's background, including taking a company public, retiring, and then starting an industrial maintenance company.
- His initial struggles with the business model of industrial maintenance and his decision to start a podcast to connect with potential clients.

The Evolution of Industrial Talk Media
- The importance of having a platform to share stories and connect with industry professionals.
- Scott's his philosophy of just doing it and overcoming initial fears and challenges.
- The need for more voices in the manufacturing industry and the importance of inspiring the next generation of manufacturers.

Challenges and Opportunities in Manufacturing
- The challenges of reshoring and the need for better marketing and education to attract the next generation of workers.
- The importance of promoting manufacturing as a viable career path and the role of apprenticeship programs.
- The need for better marketing strategies to attract talent and the challenges of finding reliable capital for manufacturing projects.
- Scott's experiences with staff augmentation and the challenges of managing a workforce in the industrial maintenance industry.

The Importance of Passion and Marketing in Manufacturing
- The importance of passion and engagement in marketing and promoting manufacturing.
- Creating landing pages and the challenges of navigating the digital marketing landscape.
- The need for meaningful relationships and engagement with potential clients and partners.
- The importance of showcasing the cool and innovative aspects of manufacturing to attract young talent.

This was a show packed with useful content and advice. You should really tune in the for the whole thing!

Find Scott's superb shows and more at the Industrial Talk website: https://industrialtalk.com/

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Anyone in industry knows the harsh reality of the skilled trades gap. Every affected business needs to be involved in bringing more of our youth into careers in the trades.

Want a great example? That's exactly why we invited Angie Simon, co-founder of the Heavy Metal Summer Experience, and Maria Ford, President of Commercial and Industrial at Stanley Black & Decker, to the show.

Angie shares her journey from a mechanical engineer to leading a construction company and founding the Heavy Metal Summer Experience, which promotes skilled trades through a fast-growing series of hands-on summer camps. The program has grown from two camps in 2021 to 51 camps in 2023, now hosting nearly 900 students.

Maria highlights Stanley Black & Decker's $60 million commitment to overall trades education efforts and the importance of hands-on training. She shares details about their DeWALT subsidiary's involvement with the HMSE, and her own personal participation in a camp this year.

The conversation emphasizes the need for continued growth and support for trades education.

Here are some highlights:
- Development and Impact of Heavy Metal Summer Experience
- Challenges and Growth of Heavy Metal Summer Experience
- Support from Stanley Black and Decker and DeWALT
- Future Plans and Aspirations

This is a great episode with some absolutely priceless insights on how to reach not only our young people, but their parents and educators too, to show them what rewarding careers they can find in the skilled trades.

Links

HSME: https://www.hmse.org/

Our host Jim Vinoski's Forbes article about HSME: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimvinoski/2025/08/28/the-heavy-metal-summer-experience-helps-industry-introduce-students-to-the-skilled-trades/

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How can work process automation help your manufacturing team? That's exactly what Filip Aronshtein joined us to talk about. He's co-founder and CEO of Dirac, a company that automates digital work instructions for manufacturers. Dirac's platform generates 3D animated assembly instructions from CAD files, improving efficiency and reducing errors. The company recently raised a seed round led by Founders Fund and Coatue, and partnered with Siemens to integrate with their Teamcenter PLM software. Dirac's software has been adopted by various industries, including aerospace, defense, and agriculture, and has shown significant reductions in build times and error rates. And hey - if you're a techie, give them a shout - they're aggressively hiring engineers with hardware backgrounds!

Here are some of the highlights:
- Details of Dirac's Assembly Instruction Process
- Model-Based Work Instructions and Their Benefits
- Challenges and Opportunities in Modern Manufacturing
- Applications and Success Stories

It was a great discussion of how modern tech can streamline your operation.

Check out the whole thing, and be sure to like, comment, share, and subscribe!

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With factory tech being all the rage in manufacturing these days, it was a treat to get some insights from a global expert.

Andre Moreno, Senior Vice President of Industrial Automation at Schneider Electric, joined us to discuss his company's extensive experience and offerings in industrial automation and its focus on power generation, sustainability, and reindustrialization in the U.S.

And Andre should know, because Schneider Electric operates over 200 factories globally, including 40 in the U.S., and emphasizes open automation, software-centric solutions, and AI integration. The company also addresses workforce challenges through digital transformation consulting and training. In our discussion, Andre highlighted the importance of energy efficiency, cybersecurity, and sustainability, noting that 70% of companies struggle with scaling digital transformation. Schneider Electric's approach includes a comprehensive strategy for energy management, from demand reduction to smart grid solutions and diverse power generation sources.

Here are some highlights:
- Schneider Electric's lighthouse plant and open automation
- Digital transformation and consulting services
- Addressing the workforce skills gap
- Power generation and energy efficiency
- Schneider Electric's approach to cybersecurity and sustainability

This one is chock-full of wisdom you need if you're in manufacturing and searching for ways to future-proof your business.

Check out the whole thing!

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Shep Hickey founded Bryzos, a metals trading platform, and he hosts the podcast "Irregardless." Shep shares his journey from steel distribution to digital trade, emphasizing the need for efficient systems and technology. He discusses the importance of team building, focusing on aptitude and adaptability. He highlights the significance of multimedia for business transparency and community engagement. Shep also delves into the challenges of reshoring, the skills gap, and the impact of technology on youth, advocating for more outdoor activities and self-initiative.

Here are some highlights:
- Shep's transition from the hidebound world of legacy steel distribution to founding his digital trading platform
- How Shep built his team and his multimedia recording setup
- The rationale behind launching "Irregardless"
- The challenges and opportunities in American manufacturing today
- The effects of screens and tech on our youth, and what we should be doing about it

And much, much more. This is one where you really need to tune in for the whole thing.

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Paul Tice, author of *The Race to Zero: How ESG Investing Will Crater the Global Financial System,* recently wrote an article about the Trump administration's plan to do away with the EPA's Obama-era Endangerment Finding that classed CO2 as a pollutant. He joined us to dive into that excellent news as well as other heartening developments regarding regulations in general.

Paul, a senior fellow at the National Center for Energy Analytics, discussed the recent developments in energy policy and regulations. In addition to highlighting the EPA's proposal to repeal the 2009 Endangerment Finding, he emphasized the need for a unified national energy policy and criticized state-level regulations. He also discussed the potential for a nuclear renaissance, advocating for large reactors and private equity involvement. Paul also expressed optimism about the current administration's direction but warned that significant efforts are needed to address remaining regulations and legal challenges.

Here are some vital links:

The article we mentioned up above about the Endangerment Finding proposal: https://tinyurl.com/mudh64e9

Paul's book:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-race-to-zero-paul-h-tice/1143943099

Paul's latest National Center for Energy Analytics (NCEA) report, “A Strategy for Financing the Nuclear Future,” which lays out their recommendations for breaking the current logjam around restarting nuclear construction in the U.S.: https://energyanalytics.org/financing-the-nuclear-future/