Manufacturing Happy Hour

If you want to reach an audience, you need to lead with helpful content. It’s a mission that’s served podcast host Chris Luecke well over 200 episodes of Manufacturing Happy Hour. So far on the podcast, we’ve had guests share… ? Game-changing career advice ? Industry insights on everything from food production to AI to additive manufacturing and roller coaster design ? World-class experts on new tech and industry innovations ? Inspiring entrepreneurship stories We celebrated the 200-episode milestone in true Manufacturing Happy Hour style at Broken Bat Brewery in Milwaukee, WI. Mavens of Manufacturing's Meaghan Ziemba hosts and Chris reflects on what’s made the podcast and community a success. Head to our YouTube channel to watch the episode in full. #manufacturinginsights #manufacturingleaders #podcastinterview

How can GenAI fill the huge gap left by retiring workers? It's not only streamlining operations but, as experts retire, it's empowering a new generation of manufacturers with essential tribal knowledge. How else are you seeing GenAI impact the industry? Where do you think it will have the biggest impact in the coming years? Share your thoughts in the comments below. #generativeai #manufacturingai #futureofmanufacturing

Spot certainly knows how to promote a party. ?? We’re teaming up with Gray Solutions tonight 11/19 and throwing a giant Mfg Happy Hour at Anaheim’s Golden Road Brewing. 7pm to 10pm. Link to RSVP and learn more in the comments. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty. Hope to see you there. #manufacturinghappyhour

Ready to unlock the potential of your local manufacturing community? Don’t wait for those opportunities to come knocking. Step outside and find them! WILL HEALY III, Founding Board Member of AMIP, shares a powerful reminder here. It’s up to you to take the initiative to connect with local organizations and fellow manufacturers. Whether it’s collaborating on workforce training or addressing community challenges, the benefits of these partnerships are immense. You never know what resources or solutions might be just next door! This episode was recorded live at CBT Company’s More Than MFG Expo – a brilliant event for manufacturers to meet up and share ideas. Catch the full episode. Link in the comments. What strategies have you used to engage with your local community? Share your experiences in the comments! #manufacturinginsights #manufacturingcommunity #manufacturingnetworking

A lot of learning has taken place on this podcast 200 episodes in, thanks to our amazing guests and audience. And the key to learning? Listening closely. Sometimes, it can help when wires get a little crossed… Host Chris Luecke shares a great example in this clip from our special live episode to mark 200 episodes! For more anecdotes, learnings, and nostalgia about the podcast and manufacturing community, tune in on our website today. #manufacturinghappyhour #podcastlearnings #podcaststory

Is your manufacturing facility conducting due diligence on new OT equipment? Fortinet's latest report shows a promising trend here – signalling a major shift in the industry’s approach to security! As manufacturing hardware and tech evolves, proactive cybersecurity measures are essential. To talk more about it, Rich Springer joins Manufacturing Happy Hour with words of wisdom on OT security. Learn how team collaboration, proactive measures, and online resources can help you avoid risks that disrupt operations in episode 204. Find the full episode on our website and stay up to date with future expert discussions via our newsletter. Sign up today! Have you seen an increased push for OT security at your plant? We want to hear about it! #itotconvergence #industrialcybersecurity #operationaltechnology

Manufacturing excellence is really one way to put it when it comes to Kwik Trip. So before you next head on down to pick up a sandwich or a gallon of milk, be sure to tune in to episode 211. You’ll hear Director of Operations Paul Blank and Automation Manager Scott Schiebel explain: ? How vertical integration is key to Kwik Trip’s success ? Why the milk you buy might have come straight from the farm in less than 24 hours! ? How automation keeps Kwik Trip plant operations running smoothly ? And much more Find the full episode on our website today. What’s your favorite pick at Kwik Trip? Did you know it runs a vertical integration model? #verticalintegration #manufacturingexcellence #manufacturingoperations

The food production industry is facing a critical challenge: a severe labor shortage that's leaving revenue on the table for manufacturers. In episode 208 of Manufacturing Happy Hour, Rajat Bhageria, Founder & CEO of Chef Robotics, shares how his company is transforming food production with robotics and AI. Key takeaways from this episode: 1. The pressing labor crisis in food manufacturing and how automation seems inevitable 2. How Chef Robotics positioned itself as a game-changing solution for customers and investors 3. The unique approach of co-developing with early customers while in “stealth mode” Listen to the full episode on our website or your usual podcast app. What's your take on this innovative approach to solving the labor crisis in food production? Share your thoughts in the comments below! #foodindustrysolutions #automationinnovation #smartmanufacturing

To truly leverage local resources, having a solid plan is essential. As Elise Ring, VP of Marketing at CBT Company, says, without a plan, you might not make progress. Whether your top challenges are recruitment, getting access to funding, or something else, there’s a good chance help is available. But you need to go out and find it. We talk more about how you can do that in episode 209. Tune in to hear about: ? Engaging with your local manufacturing community ? Finding funding and support tailored to your needs ? Learning from real-world success stories of manufacturers who have effectively utilized regional resources Find the full episode on our website or on your favorite podcast platform. What strategies have you found effective in leveraging community resources? Share your tips in the comments below! #manufacturingsuccess #communityresources #manufacturingstrategy

How does an international CEO navigate cultural differences in a global business? Yushiro Kato, Founder and CEO of CADDi, reveals some surprising insights about managing different teams in the U.S. and Japan. In this clip, we hear how differences in job liquidity and specialization can impact everything from hiring to employee development. Discover more about CADDi and Yushiro's approach to managing these challenges in episode 199 of Manufacturing Happy Hour. Listen on our website today. #manufacturingleaders #manufacturinginsights #globalmanufacturing