Manufacturing Happy Hour

Anyone who’s hungry to learn new skills and advance in their career should give manufacturing a try. Mike Johnson COO of Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, firmly believes that manufacturing is the industry to be in right now and that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from. There are so many opportunities in the space. In episode 224, we talked about how interest in manufacturing is growing and the important work that local communities, chambers of commerce, and organizations are doing to make the industry a great career choice. Find the full episode on our website for more. Do you agree? Do you think manufacturing is open or is there more work to be done?

Business owners – even if you’re not in a position to sell any time soon, you may want to one day. So what can you do to prepare? Start sooner rather than later! Clint Bundy, Managing Director at Bundy Group, breaks down what all companies need before a sale, merger, or investment round. For the M&A advisor perspective, head to our website to tune in to episode 218. #manufacturingindustry #manufacturingcompanies #manufacturingcommunity

Imagine transforming hours of manual work into a seamless, automated process. That's exactly what EPLAN and Rittal are doing today with their automated control panel design and fabrication processes. By deploying smart machine technology, manufacturers can: ? Eliminate time-consuming manual measurements ? Redirect skilled workers to high-value tasks ? Boost productivity without displacing human talent Back in episode 216 of Manufacturing Happy Hour, Brian Jung, Business Development Manager at Rittal North America, and Kruno Kutnohorski, Head of Value Chain at EPLAN, discuss how and why they are attempting to “automate America.” Learn more by listening to the full episode on our website. In the meantime, how could automation improve your organization’s work processes? #manufacturinginsights #manufacturingautomation #manufacturinginnovation

When you need to negotiate with local government departments on grants, tax, or zoning permissions, they want to know why they should listen to you. So give them a reason to take notice of your business: explain how your future plans will create growth, and more importantly, jobs. The business world is full of entrepreneurs talking about the AI and automation investments they’re making. Stand out and show how you’re investing in the people. Do you agree with this take from Jim Belosic, CEO of SendCutSend? Check out episode 222 of Manufacturing Happy Hour for more on the topic. And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter for more insights like it straight in your inbox.

When entrepreneurs come together to swap stories, experiences, advice, and connections, magic happens. A network of like-minded people can be invaluable to your business and fosters a sense of collaboration and healthy competition within the industry. Founded by Russell Winter, who joins Episode 226, US MFG is on a mission to inspire and connect the next generation of manufacturing business owners through a collaborative network. In this episode, we hear: ? How Russell got started ? How he decides to acquire a new shop ? Red flags to look for when buying a business ? How US MFG connects manufacturing business owners Catch the full episode wherever you get your podcasts. - - - - - Have you seen success networking with other entrepreneurs? Share your stories in the comments.

AI and automation reign as the biggest topics of the decade in manufacturing. But how much of it is noise? And what should we pay attention to? With Juan Aparicio, we look at the practical applications of AI in manufacturing so far, and where it’s likely to head in the future. On the topic of physical AI and robots, he wanted to highlight that there’s always going to be a need for the human touch. Hear more in episode 223, recorded live from the 2025 A3 Business Forum, on our website. #Automate2025

Hard-working? Hungry to improve? Eager to learn? Those are the qualities that Mick Yrkoski, Director of Machine and Facility Engineering at Behlen Manufacturing, wants on the team. Good grades are all very well, but what about hands-on experience? How will good grades help when something breaks and you don’t know how to fix it? In episode 214 of Manufacturing Happy Hour, Mick, Cody, and Jon discuss Behlen’s approach to finding talent. Learn more by listening to the full episode on our website. In the meantime, what qualities are most vital in a prospective employee? #manufacturingcareers #workforceinnovation #workforcedevelopoment

Did you know you could run a brewery like an international engineering organization? Amorphic Beer is proof that an unusual leadership approach can work wonders. For Episode 225, we visited the brewery along with the hosts of A BROADcast For Manufacturers - including Lori Highby and Kristina Harrington - to learn from Founder Ron Hockersmith. So grab your beer (or drink of choice) and tune in to Episode 225 to hear about… ? How Amorphic Beer is run like an engineering organization ? What Ron does differently to other tap room founders ? Beer facts and manufacturing insights Head to wherever you get your podcasts to hear more from Ron, Kris, and Lori. Link in the comments.

We want to know your thoughts on this: “VCs don’t belong in manufacturing.” Agree? Disagree? There’s no doubt that a cash injection can help business owners with big ambitions, but is your typical VC close enough to manufacturing to really get it? Jim Belosic, CEO of SendCutSend, shares his doubts in episode 222 of Manufacturing Happy Hour. He’s had his own experience with VC, so it was great to hear his different take on the show. He joins us for an episode named after his recent article that took off in the manufacturing world: A Bootstrapper’s Guide to Re-Industrializing America. Head to our website for the full episode, out now.

It seems pretty obvious, doesn’t it? Systems only work when the people using them get a seat at the table. If you don’t know how they work (or don’t), how can you build a system that works for everyone? Great point from James Fricke from Huffman Engineering, who joined our podcast in episode 220 to talk about the beauty of getting systems integrations right. He puts it plainly in this episode – talk to the folks on the factory floor! It’s something that’s often overlooked, he says. So if you’re ready to learn about building better systems, check out the full episode on our website. Link in the bio. #SystemsThinking #EngineeringLife #WorkforceCulture #IndustryIntelligence #ProcessImprovement #OperationsStrategy #TeamCollaboration