In this episode of The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, host Jim Mayer sits down with Garret Tornquist, Senior Product Manager at Epicor, to explore the power of a team-first culture in manufacturing. Garret’s career has taken him through multiple industries, including medical devices, education technology, and manufacturing, and through it all, one thing has remained constant: success is built on culture, teamwork, and a willingness to embrace failure.

Garret shares how his experiences in team sports shaped his leadership philosophy, why he believes culture is an organization’s greatest competitive advantage, and how failure is not just inevitable—it’s essential for growth. He also discusses the evolving role of AI in manufacturing, what he’s learned from building products that serve manufacturers, and why great teams create great leaders—not the other way around.

Takeaways

• • Culture is often underrated in organizations.
  • Team success is more important than individual accolades.
  • Leadership should empower teams rather than micromanage.
  • Failure is a crucial part of growth and innovation.
  • AI will enhance jobs rather than replace them.
  • People take pride in their work, which drives success.
  • Building relationships and trust is key to effective leadership.
  • The journey from intern to product manager is filled with learning opportunities.
  • Understanding customer needs is vital for product success.
  • A strong company culture leads to better performance.

Chapters

• 00:00 Connecting Diverse Industries Through Culture
• 08:47 Lessons from Team Sports
• 20:52 The Role of Manufacturing in the Economy
• 30:21 Leadership in Manufacturing: A Team Mentality
• 37:16 The Importance of Embracing Failure
• 44:24 Goals for 2025: Balancing Personal and Professional Life
• 50:45 Final Thoughts and Reflections