Manufacturing Talks

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It's another stellar multi-generation family business: Malco Products in northeast Ohio, where they make the very best stuff folks use for auto detailing. Company president Seth Glauberman joined us for Episode 147 to tell us all about the company history, how he landed in the family business, and what's hot for the company these days.

Here are the highlights.

Chapters:
00:00 - introduction
04:00 - how Seth would up joining the business
05:15 - Malco and what they do: specialty chemicals
10:30 - taking the company to the next level
15:30 - the amazing amounts of talent available in the Rust Belt
21:00 - a global company's challenges: tariffs, etc.
24:30 - we talk bicycling!
26:30 - rebranding
28:00 - Malco needs a sales guy!
29:00 - Malco's Quality Improvement Teams and what they've accomplished

There's a whole lot more, too. Tune in for the whole thing!

Do add your comments or questions, and please like and subscribe. Follow us on LinkedIn and share this one with your friends!

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If you're looking for a great example of real-world results that using AI in the manufacturing realm can bring, you definitely want to hear this discussion with Chris Kuntz. He's the VP of Strategic Operations at Augmentir, provider of AI-based connected worker software. He covered how Augie, the company's generative AI assistant for industrial work, can make things better in a number of ways for your frontline employees, their supervisors and managers, and your whole operation.

Here are some highlights.

Chapters:
00:00 - intro
02:30 - the founding of Augmentir by guys who brought us Wonderware and Thingworks, and who discovered their next tech task to tackle was workforce challenges
05:00 - work process automation
08:15 - the launch of Augie, the work assistant
11:45 - how Augie presents solutions in a way to make work safer and more efficient
16:30 - skill level versus experience level
20:00 - an example of how Augie works with operators: autonomous maintenance
23:30 - worker pushback about spying or monitoring? Not a problem
27:30 - integrating workers' tacit knowledge
29:40 - how we're still just in the beginning of what's possible

This was a really rich discussion, so there's a whole lot more in there. Tune in for the whole thing, and please add your questions or comments so we can get you any additional information you're looking for.

Also, if you like this, please subscribe here and follow us on LinkedIn, and shar this with your friends too!

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Lots of manufacturers, especially those with small and medium-sized businesses, take a "it'll be fine" approach to their IT. Since it's not necessarily central to the business, it's easy for owners and managers to put off dealing with it or just leave to the same folks who've always handled it for them.

Jeff Borello, co-owner and CEO of Andromeda Technology outside Chicago, says that's exactly the wrong thing to do.

Jeff joined us for Episode 145 to chat about why IT is more and more critical to the business of manufacturing. Below are some of the highlights.

Chapters:
00:00 - introduction
03:00 - where the name Andromeda Technology came from (IYKYK)
05:30 - the critical nature of cybersecurity and multifactor authentification
08:15 - the incredible potential cost of a cybersecurity incident, and why you need an insurance policy that covers them
11:00 - why it's vital to have the right IT team, whether internal or external
14:45 - business process automation
18:30 - how to create a strategic advantage with your IT approach
22:40 - AI: Jeff says be careful with Copilot in Office 365!
25:00 - how Andromeda Technology differentiates itself

And there's oh so much more! Definitely check the whole thing out - it's a truly crucial subject you don't want to miss.

If you want to learn more about Jeff's company: https://www.andromeda-tech-solutions.com/

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Are you curious about how manufacturers can keep up with the rapid advancements of the digital age? Join us as we chat from afar with Australian John Broadbent, the visionary behind Realise Potential. John shares many insights into the evolution of Industry 4.0, from the early days of PLCs and automation to today's AI-driven innovations, but you may be surprised as his recommendations for the best path forward for manufacturing leaders seeking to future-proof their operations.

Through our conversation, you'll uncover the essential steps in implementing Industry 4.0, starting with the foundational task of connecting equipment and gathering data. We tackle the challenges organizations face when diving headfirst into AI without a robust data foundation, and explore how incremental improvements can drastically enhance operational efficiency. John shares real-world examples, like reducing packaging errors, to illustrate the tangible benefits of integrating data-driven insights into everyday processes. We also confront the hurdles operational leaders encounter in championing innovation, particularly when met with resistance from higher management.

Shifting gears, we delve into the leadership dynamics within the manufacturing sector, emphasizing the transition from proof of concept to proof of value. John discusses the pressing need for strategic leadership and long-term planning, contrasting it with the short-term mindset often driven by the corporate or private equity mindsets. Finally, we explore John's personal advocacy work, especially his commitment to supporting men, whether in dealing with midlife struggles or needing to foster deeper connections. His journey of personal growth and dedication to service is both inspiring and a call to action for others in the industry. Don't miss this insightful episode with a leading figure in manufacturing transformation.

Chapters:

00:00 - introduction

13:45 - unlocking the advantages of Industry 4.0 with digital transformation, whether through factory digitalization or work process automation

19:41 - challenges in manufacturing leadership and strategy

29:08 - empowering men through advocacy, service, and connection

John's book site: https://manunplugged.com.au/

Realise Potential website: https://realisepotential.com.au/

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Gearheads unite! Episode 143 features the CEO of Hellwig Products, Melanie Hellwig-White, chatting about how they make cool aftermarket parts like helper springs and sway bars.

It's a great fourth-generation manufacturing business story. Here are some highlights.

Chapters:
00:00 - intro
01:00 - how Melanie landed in the family business
03:00 - helper springs and the founding of Hellwig Products
04:45 - Jim's helper spring experience
07:15 - the ag workforce in Visalia, California knows how to work
09:30 - Melanie's move up the ladder
12:30 - the breadth of Hellwig's product range
15:00 - the company's ability to shift as vehicles change
18:45 - the sway bar side of the business
22:00 - dealing with vendor price increases and business craziness
24:00 - how Melanie's generation and her Dad's compliment one another

And there's so much more! It's a marvelous story - tune in for the whole thing! And as always, leave us your questions and comments, like and subscribe, and share it with your friends.

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This is a must-see chat with two true innovators in 3D printing! (Sorry for the little snafu with the camera viewfinder indicators showing up on-screen!)

Jason Murphy runs Next CHAPTER (not Next Generation, as I said in the video) Manufacturing and Brandon Teets runs Accel Digital Solutions, both in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (Both companies recently appeared in episodes of our playlist "Welcome to the Machine - links are below.) Jason does metal 3D printing and Brandon does plastic, and both have hugely valuable insights to share about this growing new production technology. Here are some of the highlights.

Chapters:
00:00 - introduction
01:50 - the current state of 3D printing
04:50 - the importance of materials
08:00 - 3D printing and production efficiencies
11:00 - "we start closer to the finish line"
13:30 - conformal cooling reducing downstream molding cycle times
15:00 - the efficiencies in reusing printing powders
18:30 - better parts from better materials
22:00 - the need for all manufacturers to consider 3D printing solutions
24:45 - "resetting the norm"

And there's a whole bunch more. Tune in and check out the whole thing, post your questions and observations in the comments section, and be sure to like, share, and subscribe!

Here are the links to their "Welcome to the Machine" episodes.
Next Chapter Manufacturing: https://youtu.be/7VJg7WoIenQ
Accel Digital Solutions: https://youtu.be/7CZo9hrFTmw

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For Episode 141, we got a great education in the state of business for farm tractors. Mahindra is a tractor maker headquartered in India, and they happen to have the best-selling model in the world. The President and CEO of their North and South America business, Viren Popli, joined us to fill us in on all the latest and greatest in this vital manufacturing sector. Here are the highlights.

Chapters:
00:00 - intro
04:15 - Mahindra's overall business overview
06:00 - the India and China dynamic
08:30 - India's big opportunities over the next 10 to 15 years
11:15 - the farm equipment sales slowdown: inflation, politics, labor, commodities
16:00 - focus: mechanization
17:30 - tech solutions for the labor challenge - precision ag, autonomy
18:45 - the roles of AI and data
19:15 - the power needed to drive AI
27:30 - energy in India: primarily coal and solar
29:00 - nuclear
31:00 - Mahindra's start in the US: 20 years ago one guy in Texas, now 500 dealers in US and Canada, all family-owned
32:30 - new tractor line
33:15 - manufacturing in Detroit and Houston

Yep, it was a rich conversation! Check out the whole thing, and be sure to like, comment, and subscribe - and share it with your friends!

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Eric is a no-hold-barred reporter on all things automotive (and a whole lot more!) Lately that means he's not reporting a lot of good news. So when he promised he could be positive about Subaru's offerings, I took him up on it. That landed him our first episode of the new year! Here are the highlights.

Chapters:
00:00 - intro
02:00 - had an issue with his first Subaru and got great treatment
03:30 - early Apple iPlay use
04:30 - Subaru big for outdoorsy folks
08:30 - offroad capabilities
10:30 - changes made incrementally
11:30 - early marketing to LGBT
13:00 - marketing to dog lovers and supporting pet adoptions
17:45 - quality focus
22:00 - rankings of most-American-made cars
26:00 - environmental aspects of EVs
31:00 - hybrids

Yes, dog lovers, Subaru is very interested in your business! (And before we forget, here is the promised link to Andrew Cotter's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mrandrewcotter - enjoy!

There's a whole lot more (and still more in Eric's article about Subaru that we discussed, which you can find here: https://starkmanapproved.com/subarus-triumph-and-the-shame-of-gm-and-ford/), so tune in for the whole thing. Be sure to offer your comments, and if you like this one, please share it with our friends and hit the like and subscribe buttons too!

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Grace Stanke is back! Our inspiring friend - former Miss Wisconsin, former Miss America, accomplished classical violinist, and now working nuclear engineer - join us again to give us the lowdown as she wraps up her first year in her new career.

Here are the highlights.

Chapters:
00:00 - intro
02:20 - the hottest things going in nuclear right now
05:30 - Grace's pre-career diversion to go climb Mt. Kilimanjaro
11:00 - Grace is engaged!!
11:15 - the first half of Grace's job: nuclear fuels engineering for pressurized water reactors
12:40 - the second half of Grace's job: advocating for nuclear energy
16:30 - the boost nuclear is getting from tech companies
22:00 - the new public support for nuclear
25:30 - create your own success!
26:30 - an update on nuclear fusion
30:00 - the battle of the silverware
31:00 - advances in nuclear fuels

What an educational discussion it was!

Tune in for the whole thing.

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Episode 138 features longtime manufacturing hand Mush Khan. He co-founded an industrial consultancy called Alchemy Industrial, and he's got an encyclopedic knowledge of the world of manufacturing, the state of industrial affairs these days, and what it takes for producers to succeed. And he's here to share it with all of you!

Here are some highlights.

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
01:45 - Talking about his parents, a pipefitter and a seamstress
4:00 - Why he launched Alchemy Industrial
8:00 - The South Park episode about skilled trades
10:00 - Re- and near-shoring
11:30 - The pandemic supply chain wake-up
12:00 - US industrial advantages
13:30 - How we can rebuild our industrial base
18:00 - The need for automation
19:00 - Capturing tribal knowledge
21:30 - International trade and the supply chain implications
23:30 - The regulations situation
26:30 - The warning Germany represents
28:30 - Entrepreneurship
32:30 - Mush's first job as a reliability engineer and the importance of your network

There is so freakin' much here of huge value to everyone in industry! Tune in for the whole thing.

Tell us your thoughts on the state of American manufacturing in the comments section. Please be sure to like and share this episode, and if you're not subscribed already, please do that too! And follow us on LinkedIn and X:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/manufacturing-talks-webshow-and-podcast/
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