Precision manufacturing is a global enterprise, yet regional shifts in automotive demand, defense investments, and aerospace expansion shape the industry differently across international borders.

In this special panel episode, host Michael Thiessen takes a global perspective, bringing together four international Tebis technical experts: Pedro Nunes (Portugal), Guillaume Bansard (France), Giancarlo Grinza (Italy), and Paul Scally (United Kingdom). Together, they compare notes on how European manufacturing centers are navigating the shift between traditional automotive tooling and high-precision aerospace production. The panel breaks down cross-border trends in digital twin adoption, industrial AI integration, workforce skill requirements, and national technology investments driving global competitiveness.

Whether you are a global manufacturing executive, precision machine shop owner, or CAD/CAM manager, this episode offers a rare, multi-country view of the challenges and opportunities defining modern industrial manufacturing.

In this episode: 
00:00 - Introduction: A Global Perspective on Modern Manufacturing 
05:15 - Comparing European Markets: Automotive vs. Aerospace Dynamics 
14:30 - Capital Investments & National Support for Advanced Manufacturing 
23:40 - Adopting Digital Twins & AI Across International Shop Floors 
32:10 - Bridging the Global Skills Gap & Developing Technical Expertise 
42:05 - Regional Takeaways: Key Drivers for Competitiveness in 2025 and Beyond

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North America's aerospace sector is taking off, but navigating market growth alongside persistent supply chain bottlenecks requires clear strategic foresight from precision manufacturers.

In this episode, host Michael Thiessen is joined by Mike Stengel, Partner at AeroDynamic Advisory and an active pilot who has been flying since before he could drive. Drawing on deep consulting expertise across commercial aviation, defense, and advanced air mobility, Mike provides a comprehensive look at the state of the North American aerospace industry. Together, they explore ongoing supply chain constraints, OEM delivery backlogs, electrification and alternative propulsion trends, and practical ways for precision machine shops and toolmakers to enter and expand within the aerospace market.

Whether you are an established aerospace contractor, a Tier 1/2 supplier, or a precision machine shop looking to diversify beyond automotive, this episode offers vital industry intelligence to elevate your business strategy.

In this episode: 
00:00 - Introduction: State of the North American Aerospace Industry 
04:30 - Market Trends: Commercial Aircraft Build Rates & Defense Demand 
11:15 - Navigating Supply Chain Bottlenecks & Component Lead Times 
18:40 - Electrification, Hybridization & Sustainability in Aviation 
25:50 - Diversification Strategies for Machine Shops Entering Aerospace 
33:10 - Outlook for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) & Regional Growth

To learn more about AeroDynamic Advisory, visit https://www.aerodynamicadvisory.com/

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He's back! As global automotive OEMs recalibrate production strategies, understanding shifting market drivers, tariff impacts, and powertrain transitions is essential for precision suppliers.

In this episode, host Michael Thiessen welcomes back industry analyst Joe McCabe, President and CEO of Auto Forecast Solutions (AFS), for his annual deep dive into the North American automotive outlook. Joe provides an unfiltered assessment of the key forces shaping 2025 production, including evolving trade policy and tariffs, changing EV timelines, the rapid rise of hybrid platforms, and competitive pressures from global manufacturers. Together, they analyze what these structural shifts mean for tooling schedules, mold and die suppliers, and Tier 1/2 manufacturing strategy.

Whether you are an automotive toolmaker, precision machining supplier, or manufacturing executive, this episode offers vital intelligence to help align your operational planning with upcoming automotive market realities.

In this episode: 
00:00 - Introduction: Welcoming Back Joe McCabe for the 2025 Outlook 
04:30 - Trade Policy & Tariff Impacts on Automotive Supply Chains 
11:15 - EV Transition Realities vs. Hybrid & Extended-Range Growth 
18:40 - OEM Sourcing Adjustments & Tooling Schedule Timeline Shifts 
26:10 - Global Competition & Market Dynamics Facing North American Suppliers
32:45 - Strategic Takeaways for Mold Makers and Precision Machine Shops

 To learn more about AFS, visit www. autoforecastsolutions.com

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Bridging the manufacturing skills gap requires looking beyond traditional industry training to collaborate directly with the educators on the front lines of career and technical education.

In this episode, host Michael Thiessen welcomes David Wyatt and Paul Galbenski, deans from Oakland Schools Technical Campuses (OSTC), for a vital conversation on developing manufacturing's next-generation workforce. The group explores how technical campuses partner with local school districts to deliver hands-on technical curricula, which certification programs generate the highest student demand, and how these pathways benefit students regardless of whether they choose a traditional college track or head straight to the shop floor.

Whether you are a manufacturing leader, human resources manager, or educator looking to build stronger industry-school pipelines, this episode offers invaluable insights into shaping tomorrow's technical talent.

In this episode: 
00:00 - Introduction: Shifting Perspectives on the Manufacturing Workforce 
04:15 - Inside OSTC: How Technical Campuses Partner with Local School Districts
11:30 - High-Demand Technical Programs & Modern Curriculum Standards 
18:45 - Beyond the Four-Year Degree: Pathways to Rewarding Industrial Careers
25:20 - Bridging the Gap: Connecting Local Machine Shops with Student Talent
32:10 - Advice for Manufacturers Looking to Engage with Educational Partners

 To learn more about OSTC, visit https://www.ostconline.com/. 

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We’re taking to the skies for this episode. Our host, Michael Thiessen is once again joined by Tony Vernaci, president/founder of the Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan (AIAM). It's been just over a year since Tony was on The All-Axis Podcast, so he and Michael talk about the current aerospace industry (in general and in Michigan), including: 

• Opportunities aerospace offers Michigan
• Similarities (e.g., technology changes, talent challenges) and differences (e.g., OEM/supplier relationships) with the automotive industry 
• Recent challenges experienced by Boeing
• AIAM and the AeroOne event in 2025
• Cybersecurity
• Outlook for 2025 and beyond
• And more!

 To learn more about AIAM, visit aiamnow.com.  

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Michael Thiessen, our host, is joined by John Kowalczyk, President of Tebis America, to talk about the big show coming up – IMTS 2024! John has been attending the show for decades and shares his insights on how it has evolved, like technology itself, over the years. 

The two also talk about what they expect to see at this year’s show (hint: AI), highlighting what visitors can expect to find in the Tebis booth, including access to Tebis experts, CAD/CAM and MES solutions, automation, digitalization (i.e., virtual environment), as well as a very special guitar project that will rock your world! 

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Get ready for a high-energy discussion about manufacturing technology and IMTS 2024. Our host, Michael Thiessen, is joined by Stephen LaMarca, senior technology analyst at the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT), the group behind IMTS. As expected, they talk about why you should attend IMTS 2024, including some of the unexpected companies you’ll see there (e.g., Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon Web Services). Outside of that, Michael and Steve talk about:

• Automation:
  • Progression since 2018
  • Various uses
  • Current and future impact on manufacturing 
• Building blocks to the future: automation, AI, digital twins
  • Their role in manufacturing (hint: it's NOT to replace workers)
  • Their impact on today and tomorrow's workforce
• Simulation: why you should be using it
• The AMT Test Bed: what it is and why they have it 

Whether or not you plan to attend IMTS 2024, if you are in manufacturing, you don’t want to miss this energetic discussion.

To learn more about IMTS, visit www.imts.org or www.amtonline.org 

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We’re thrilled to welcome back Joe McCabe from AutoForecast Solutions (AFS) to The All-Axis Podcast. Once again, Joe lends his expert insight into the automotive industry. He and Michael Thiessen cover a number of topics, including OEMs approach to trim levels and subscriptions, how they have and should react to the slow adoption of EVs, the future labor force, China’s desire to have a NA footprint and what that means for suppliers and manufacturing in general, and how the market conditions, not government mandates, drive what gets built. And Joe provides advice to anyone in auto manufacturing – be proactive and cautiously optimistic, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

To learn more about AFS, visit www. autoforecastsolutions.com

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We’re thrilled to have Laurie Harbour of Harbour Results, Inc. join us once again. In this episode, she and Michael talk about key issues related to the manufacturing and tooling industries. Topics include where we’re at, where we’re going and what needs to be done to get there, as well as automation, expanding into new industries, EVs and hydrogen powertrains. 

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As a follow up to a January 2023 episode, Michael Thiessen and Marty Chaput take a deeper dive into MES software, including why manufacturers’ interest in it is growing, the biggest utilization of it within manufacturing operations, how it brings the shop floor to a digital environment (along with the benefits of doing so) and what they believe the future holds.  

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