For many years robots were used to perform repetitive tasks in low variabilty environments and required on-site automation engineers to program and run those systems.

But we're now living in an era where machine learning and AI technology are making high-mix, low-volume environments ripe for automation.

In this conversation, co-founder and CEO of Tutor Intelligence, Josh Gruenstein, will unpack what's now possible and share how his company is making it a reality.

As host of this podcast, I've had many conversations about how to reach the next generation, expose them to opportunities in manufacturing and skill them up accordingly.

But what about skilling up the EXISTING workforce?

My guest today, the Owner and CEO of Pindel Global Precision, poses the question: "When's the last time you heard about someone offering a mid-career apprenticeship – whether for machining, the trades or industrial maintenance?"

His solution – a concept he's dubbed "Forwardskilling" is his answer. And he's here to tell you all about it.

From government regulations, to recent supply chain challenges to consumer-driven pressure, we're living in a world where demand for sustainable manufacturing practices is coming from all around us.

Noah Helman, Co-Founder and CEO of iMicrobes, is leading a company that's using renewable, low-carbon feedstocks to create net-zero, bio-based materials.

In this conversation Noah will talk about where bio-manufacturing is headed, and why it matters for the future of our manufacturing economy, our national security and our planet.

2024 was a year of uncertainty for many manufacturing leaders. The economy was unpredictable. High interest rates created hesitation in making investments. And we awaited the outcome of a very polarized election.

But here were are beginning a fresh year.

So what's ahead?

My guest today, Cara Walton, is a manufacturing intelligence advisor. As a Director at Wipfli, she and her team continuously perform extensive research across the manufacturing sector.

And in today's conversation, she'll dive into the 2025 outlook their data shows across a variety of industry verticals being served by US manufacturers.

My guest today, Doug Woods, is President of AMT (The Association for Manufacturing Technology).

And as he'll tell you, from opportunities being created by reshoring to major government investments to advanced technology that includes additive, AI, machine learning, augmented reality, robotics and automation, he believes right now is simply a great time to be in manufacturing.

"Your equipment may be complex, but selling it shouldn't be."

This is the headline you'll find on the company website home page of today's guest, Le'ora Lichtenstein.

Co-founder and CEO of Corbel, a modern equipment finance business, Le'ora will talk about how the way CapEx equipment can be both bought and sold is evolving.

And in particular, she'll dive into an intriguing way to finance equipment purchases that her team has made possible.

Whether you're on the buying end, the selling end or both for large capital expenditures in the manufacturing sector, this episode is for you.

In this conversation, CEO of Squint, Devin Bhushan, talks about augmented reality.

First of all, what exact IS it?

And secondly, how the heck does it fit into a conversation about manufacturing?

From training and troubleshooting to quality and worker productivity, Devin dives into the wide range of opportunities created when you're able to layer digital information on top of what you physically see in front of you on the manufacturing floor.

Let me introduce him.

Social media. Manufacturing. Do these two things REALLY fit together? And if so, how?

Should I as a manufacturing leader really care about things like:

– Building brand awareness?

– Or telling our company story?

– Or establishing an influential voice in our product category?

And is social media truly a place where I can do all of that?

In this conversation, Jake Hall, also known as The Manufacturing Millennial, makes a compelling argument for why the answer to these questions is a resounding "yes".

Specifically, Jake will talk about the power of LinkedIn – from philosophy all the way down to tactical things you and your team could start doing today.

In this conversation, Thom Walstrum, a principal business economist in the economic research department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, talks about the current state of US manufacturing.

He'll share his thoughts about the manufacturing outlook for 2025, trends in the manufacturing sector's share of our nation's GDP over time, how that compares to other countries, and more.

In many instances where we put AI technology to use in our personal lives today – whether that means using ChatGPT to research a subject or taking recommendations from Netflix about what other shows or movies we might like – the stakes are pretty low.

But as CEO of Fero Labs, Berk Birand, will tell you, on the shop floor in a manufacturing facility, where critical decisions are being made every hour that directly affect quality, throughput, waste and downtime, the cost of a mistake is extremely high.

In other words, you can't be right only 80% of the time.

In today's conversation, Berk will talk about where AI technology is (and is not) applicable in the manufacturing sector today.

In particular, he'll dive into AI use cases in diagnostics and in forecasting.