The Allied Advisors Podcast

Guest:

Steve Cook, Executive Managing Director, LFM Capital
MIT LGO (MBA/MSEE) | Former Dell Plant Manager | Private Equity Operator & Educator

🎙️ Episode Overview

In this powerhouse conversation, Justin sits down with Steve Cook, Executive Managing Director at LFM Capital, a private equity firm uniquely built and led by operators and engineers. Steve shares rare, behind-the-scenes insights on how LFM identifies, acquires, and transforms mid-market manufacturing companies—not through financial engineering, but through people-centric leadership, hands-on operational excellence, and a relentless commitment to long-term value creation.

With decades of experience leading industrial businesses, teaching at Harvard Business School, and mentoring future leaders at MIT, Steve brings a refreshing blend of humility, clarity, and practicality to the world of PE-backed manufacturing.

If you're a manufacturing leader, business owner, aspiring CEO, or private equity stakeholder, this is a must-listen.

1. Why LFM Capital Breaks the Traditional PE Mold

• LFM is one of the only U.S. private equity firms where an operating partner also runs the firm.
• True parity between deal partners and operating partners leads to better diligence, alignment, and execution.
• How LFM avoids the “painted-on operating partner” problem common in the industry.

2. What PE Really Looks for in Mid-Market Manufacturing Deals

• Why LFM invests in companies with $3–$15M EBITDA and fewer than ~250 employees.
• How leadership quality, culture, and values matter more than perfect metrics.
• Why buyers should not pursue “perfect companies”—real value is created where opportunity exists.

3. Leadership: The Make-or-Break Factor in Value Creation

• Arrogance is the enemy of leadership—humility is essential.
• Why effective CEOs must be able to “play the full keyboard”:
  • Shop floor → Board room → Customer meetings.
• LFM’s CEO Development Program: a 5–7 year rotational system creating cross-functional, hands-on, next-generation executives.

4. The First 100 Days After Acquisition

• LFM’s collaborative approach: no “one-size-fits-all” playbook.
• How they co-create an Operational Agenda before closing a deal.
• Why focusing on just three priorities at a time is essential for smaller companies.

5. Implementing Lean in Resource-Constrained Environments

• Why Lean is easier to implement in small companies than large ones.
• The cultural importance of leadership buy-in—especially from the CEO.
• Steve’s take on fractional CI leadership, external facilitation, and when companies should backfill with full-time CI talent.

6. How LFM Navigates Tough Deals & Upholds Values

• The Apollo 13 story: how LFM refused to abandon a distressed deal, preserving jobs, paying back lenders, and honoring the seller’s legacy.
• Why LFM optimizes for a 50-year time horizon, not a 5-year fund cycle.

• Mid-market manufacturing owners considering an exit
• CEOs and plant leaders navigating growth or operational challenges
• Private equity operating partne

In this episode of The Allied Advisors Podcast, Justin sits down with Rob Tykal—former President, COO, and VP of Global Operations at organizations like Danaher, GM, Daimler, and Superior Industries—for a deep, practical conversation on supply chain, materials management, and leadership.

While the video recording unfortunately cuts out around the 29-minute mark (lesson learned on DSLR limits), the insights captured are pure gold. Rob breaks down why forecast-driven systems consistently fail manufacturers, how consumption-based replenishment actually works in practice, and why great operational leaders must live at the gemba—not just in spreadsheets.

From Kanban design levels and safety stock logic to humility in executive leadership, this episode is a masterclass for mid-market manufacturers looking to improve flow, reduce inventory risk, and build sustainable operational cultures.

🎧 Full audio is intact, and Rob will be back for a follow-up episode.

⏱️ Episode Highlights

• Why all forecasts are wrong—and why companies still rely on them
• The grocery store analogy that perfectly explains pull-based replenishment
• How Kanban design levels eliminate the “cut inventory” debate
• Why excess inventory and stockouts usually coexist
• The real cost of expiration dates, obsolete material, and long lead times
• What executives must learn to see on the shop floor
• Why humility is the most underrated leadership trait
• How smaller manufacturers can outperform large enterprises operationally
• The difference between tools, systems, and culture—and why culture wins

🧠 Key Takeaways

• Forecasts are necessary but unreliable—consumption should drive replenishment
• Properly designed pull systems self-regulate inventory levels
• Leaders must understand materials deeply; intelligence cannot be delegated
• Inventory problems are rarely downstream issues—they’re leadership issues
• Smaller companies have agility advantages if they execute correctly

👤 About the Guest

Rob Tykal is a seasoned operational executive with decades of experience leading global manufacturing organizations. He has held senior leadership roles across automotive, industrial, and life sciences sectors and is widely respected for his ability to pair rigorous lean systems with people-centered leadership. Rob is known not just for improving processes—but for building cultures that sustain them.

📌 About the Podcast

The Allied Advisors Podcast is for mid-market manufacturers focused on scaling operations, improving material flow, and driving measurable bottom-line results. Hosted by Justin Goethe, each episode features operators, executives, and investors who’ve been in the trenches—and know what actually works.

🔔 Call to Action

If this episode resonated with you:

• Follow The Allied Advisors Podcast on your favorite platform
• Share this episode with a fellow operator or supply-chain leader
• Reach out to Allied Advisors if you’re ready to rethink inventory, flow, and execution

Guests:

• Kyle Henson, Co-Founder & CEO, ARDA
• Uriel Eisen, President & Co-Founder, ARDA (Forbes 30 Under 30)

Hosted by: Justin Goethe, Allied Advisors

Episode Overview

In this episode, Justin sits down with two of manufacturing's fastest-rising innovators, Kyle Henson and Uriel Eisen, the founders of ARDA—the software platform redefining Kanban, replenishment, and material flow for modern factories.

ARDA recently won Best New Product of the Year at The Assembly Show, and after this conversation, it’s easy to understand why. Kyle and Uriel break down how broken information flow—not labor, not layout, not even equipment—is the root cause behind most operational issues. Their solution: a remarkably simple but powerful way to automate Kanban, eliminate stockouts, and boost throughput using physical cards, dynamic sizing, and AI-driven replenishment.

If you’ve ever battled material shortages, overstuffed supermarkets, lost Kanban cards, or ERP systems that promise clarity but deliver chaos—this is the episode for you.

What We Cover

1. The “Broken Information Flow” Crisis in Manufacturing

Kyle explains why traditional ERPs and MRP forecasting models consistently fail on the shop floor—and how ARDA tackles the root problem by marrying physical cards with digital intelligence.

2. How ARDA Automates the Entire Kanban Lifecycle

Uriel walks through ARDA’s full stack of capabilities:

• Automated Kanban sizing
• AI-driven minimum quantity adjustments as throughput changes
• Digital ordering and scan-triggered replenishment
• Lost-card detection
• Full historical usage tracking
• Integration with ERP systems (SAP, NetSuite… AS/400 if you dare)

Justin notes the pain of doing this manually with Excel, BarTender, Label Matrix, and disconnected scan systems—and how ARDA replaces all of it in one platform.

3. Making Kanban “So Easy, You Want to Do It”

A guiding principle in ARDA’s development:

By attaching useful actions to the scan itself (ordering, printing, triggering the next step), ARDA increases scan compliance without administrative policing. Incentives create behavior.

4. One-Way Kanbans, RFID, and Real-World Chaos

Justin shares war stories implementing RFID replenishment:

• Route runners scanning eight cards at once
• Lines waiting for RFID lights
• Infinite reprinting
• Inventory corruption

The conclusion: incentives beat instructions. ARDA’s system is built entirely around this idea.

5. AI-Driven Dynamic Resizing & Value-Stream Connectivity

Perhaps the most groundbreaking part of ARDA:

• The system learns which Kanbans relate to each other by analyzing velocity patterns
• ARDA automatically resizes supermarkets when mix or volumes change
• If upstream suppliers also use ARDA, Kanban signals can flow between companies

The result: true consumption-based pull across the entire supply chain, not just inside one plant.

6. Why Sequencing Fails (and Lean Pull Wins)

Justin and the ARDA team break down why sequencing—still widely used in automotive—is a ticking time bomb:

• Scheduling is inherently unstable
• Upstream disruptions break downstream kits
• Chaos forces rework, relabeling, and waste

Mature lean organizations attack the root causes (leveling attainment, schedule adherence), not the symptoms.

7. The Power of Starting Small

The team emphasizes that most manufacturers freez

Guest: Drew Lawlor, Managing Partner at Global Chain Consulting
Host: Justin Goethe, Founder & President of Allied Advisors
Audience: Mid-market manufacturers, supply chain leaders, PE operators, CEOs, COOs
Episode Theme: Practical, strategic ways manufacturers can navigate today’s tariff volatility, supply chain complexity, and global risk.

⭐ Episode Overview

In this episode, Justin sits down with longtime friend and supply chain expert Drew Lawlor — a manufacturing transformation leader with deep experience across Glowforge, BorgWarner, Bosch, and dozens of mid-market manufacturing clients through Global Chain Consulting.

With tariff volatility, geopolitical tension, and shifting production landscapes, U.S. manufacturers are facing unprecedented pressure. Drew breaks down what he’s seeing in the market, the common mistakes companies make, and the strategic moves strong operators are making today to stay ahead.

From dual sourcing to regional diversification, from poor-performing suppliers to the limits of overreacting to every tariff headline — this conversation brings clarity to one of the most chaotic policy environments manufacturers have seen in years.

🧭 What You’ll Learn

1. How tariff volatility is reshaping manufacturing strategy

Drew explains why reacting emotionally or tactically to every tariff announcement is a costly mistake — and why a blended, de-risked approach is emerging as best practice.

2. Why supplier strength often outweighs cost

Not all “expensive” suppliers are bad. Not all low-cost regions are stable. Expertise and consistency still matter more than ever.

3. The three types of companies reacting to tariff changes

• Wait-and-see operators
• Aggressive over-reactors
• Strategic planners
  …and which category consistently wins.

4. Why diversification and dual sourcing are returning

Not as a panic move — but as a structured way to buffer risk and build long-term stability.

5. What 50+ conversations with manufacturers reveal

Drew shares patterns emerging across cost-reduction programs, supply chain transfers, and re-shoring decisions.

🔍 Key Quotes

🏭 Who This Episode Is For

• Mid-market manufacturing CEOs & COOs
• PE operating partners
• Supply chain & procurement leaders
• Operations executives navigating production transfers
• Anyone evaluating China-plus-one or diversification strategy

💡 Justin’s Takeaway

Tariff environments may be chaotic — but your strategy doesn’t have to be. The companies winning right now are the ones who pause, assess, and build balanced, flexible supply chains rather than chasing headlines.

🔗 Call to Action

If your manufacturing operation is evaluating:

• supplier diversification
• nearshoring or reshoring
• cost-reduction programs
• production transfers
• supply chain risk strategy

…reach out to Allied Advisors. Our Fractional Continuous Improvement Manager (FCIM) program is built to help mid-market manufacturers scale, stabilize, and execute with confidence.

Connect with Drew

LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-lawlor-a23bbb159/

Email: [email protected]

In this episode of The Allied Advisors Podcast, Justin Goethe sits down with Dan Krouse — founder and principal of a leading supply chain analytics consulting firm — to unpack one of the most complex issues facing manufacturers today: tariffs and trade policy.

With over 30 years of global supply chain leadership at Hallmark, including time spent in Asia during the early days of China’s industrial rise, Dan brings a rare, seasoned perspective to the table. Together, he and Justin explore:

• How shifting tariff policies and geopolitical tensions are reshaping global trade
• Why mid-market manufacturers must treat tariff strategy as an operational issue, not just a financial one
• Practical ways to build supply chain resilience — from diversification and scenario planning to dual-sourcing and design-for-tariff thinking
• The hidden importance of keeping tariff strategy a C-suite conversation

Dan also breaks down how leaders can assess their organization’s maturity level when managing tariff risk and what steps they can take in the next 30–90 days to strengthen their competitive position.

Whether you’re a CEO, supply chain executive, or manufacturing leader, this episode will help you navigate the uncertainty of global trade — and uncover opportunities hidden within it.

Follow Dan

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-krouse/

Website - http://www.supplychainalytics.ai/

Book an Appointment - https://api.connectionconverter.com/widget/bookings/dan-krouse

Email - [email protected]

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Allied Advisors Podcast, I sit down with Chad Bareither, Founder and Principal of Bareither Consulting Group and author of The Improve Less Improvement System. Chad and I dive deep into what it really takes for mid-market manufacturers to transform their operations — not through tools or slogans, but by leading with principles, discipline, and culture.

Chad shares how his background in the U.S. Army introduced him to process improvement and how that foundation shaped his approach to helping mid-market manufacturers scale sustainably. We talk about the realities of driving change in 300–500-person organizations, why leadership commitment is the single biggest differentiator in successful transformations, and how principles like standardization, accountability, and Kaizen remain the bedrock of continuous improvement.

Memorable Quotes 

About Chad Breather

Chad Bareither is the Founder and Principal of Bareither Group Consulting, where he helps mid-market manufacturers optimize operations, recover lost margins, and build healthier, more sustainable businesses. A certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and U.S. Army veteran, Chad brings decades of hands-on experience in process improvement, leadership development, and operational transformation. He’s also the author of The Improve Less Improvement System, a practical guide to making continuous improvement simple, actionable, and effective.

Connect with Chad:

• Website: https://www.bareithergroup.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadbareither/

Episode Overview

In this episode, I sit down with Mr. Winfried Rockensteiner, Global Vice President of Logistics for Bosch Powertrain Solutions, to discuss what it takes to lead large-scale transformations in manufacturing. With more than three decades of experience at Bosch, Mr. Rockensteiner shares valuable lessons from guiding global logistics and supply chain operations through digitalization, electrification, and organizational change.

While Bosch operates on a global scale, the principles he outlines are directly relevant to mid-market manufacturersthat are striving to modernize operations, strengthen leadership cultures, and prepare their teams for the realities of an AI-driven future.

Key Discussion Points

• Leading from the Shop Floor: Why real change begins on the shop floor, not in the conference room, and how leaders can build credibility by staying visible and engaged.
• Making Change Stick: The importance of defining a clear purpose for transformation, communicating it clearly, and sustaining engagement over time.
• Culture Over Systems: Why successful transformation is less about IT systems and more about cultural evolution and employee enthusiasm.
• AI and the Future of Work: Mr. Rockensteiner’s perspective on how AI will reshape supply chain roles, leadership, and organizational competencies in the coming years.
• Lessons for Mid-Market Manufacturers: How smaller firms can use agility, collaboration, and peer benchmarking to accelerate transformation without large-scale resources.

Memorable Quotes

Why You Should Listen

If you’re an operations leader, plant manager, or executive in a mid-market manufacturing company, this episode will resonate deeply. Mr. Rockensteiner offers actionable insight into how to sustain momentum, engage teams, and navigate technological transformation without losing sight of what matters most: people and culture.

Connect with Mr. Rockensteiner

You can connect with Mr. Rockensteiner on LinkedIn to follow his insights on logistics, leadership, and manufacturing transformation.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/winfried-rockensteiner-11329043/
Email: [email protected]

AI isn’t here to replace your team—it’s here to amplify them. In this episode, Justin Goethe sits down with Larry Collett, founder of Larry Collett Consulting Group and Automation Captain, to cut through the hype and show how mid-market manufacturers can get real value from AI right now.

Larry shares how to start small by automating repetitive, rules-based workflows—like order admin or reporting—while keeping a human in the loop for oversight. He explains why process clarity is more important than tools (“never skip paper”), how to use prompts effectively, and why AI should augment your expertise rather than replace it.

The conversation highlights where AI delivers immediate wins (debugging, data analysis, forecasting) and where it risks slowing you down if used outside your domain knowledge. Most importantly, Larry emphasizes that the goal isn’t headcount reduction—it’s about giving people better tools so they can shift energy to higher-value work.

**Connect with Larry:**

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lcollett/
Website: http://www.LarryCollett.com

**Resource:** 

Download Larry’s **Automation Impact Matrix** here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xsTTy-Duqap9Bxj46ttLWVolAlxIhb0ZUlS5mNplN4w/edit?gid=0#gid=0

**Memorable Quotes**

"Garbage in, garbage out. What you put into a GPT is what you’ll get out of it."
"Never skip paper. If you miss a step on paper, you’ll miss it in your automation."
"Use AI to remove the 80% repetitive work so your team can focus on the 20% high-impact priorities."
"Always keep a human in the loop—AI is powerful, but oversight makes it trustworthy."

In this episode of The Allied Advisors Podcast, Justin Goethe sits down with Meg Lanza, Head of Technology at BSH, to explore what it really takes to lead teams through continuous improvement. Drawing from her 20+ years at Bosch and now in home appliances, Meg shares practical insights on:

• How leaders can align projects with customer needs and strategy
• Why accountability and follow-up are non-negotiable for sustaining progress
• Balancing day-to-day operations with improvement work without burning teams out
• The importance of hiring for mindset and passion over technical expertise
• Building effective daily leadership routines and using KPI trees to drive clarity
• Swarming problems with urgency and standardizing problem-solving approaches

Whether you’re a mid-market manufacturer or a leader looking to strengthen your lean journey, Meg’s perspective offers both hard-earned lessons and actionable advice to help you drive sustainable results.

Check out Meg on LInkedIn @

https://www.linkedin.com/in/meglanza/

In this episode of The Allied Advisors Podcast, I sit down with Blair Dorneanu to explore the challenges mid-market manufacturers face when trying to build a culture rooted in standards and continuous improvement. Blair shares her approach to lean conversion training, why cultural buy-in is just as important as process tools, and the key actions leaders must take to make their lean initiatives truly stick.

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/blair-dorneanu-35b58943/

Email

[email protected]