Manufacturing Tomorrow

The Ohio State University
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Manufacturing Tomorrow is a podcast series brought to you by the Ohio Manufacturing Institute at The Ohio State University. Featuring the perspectives of manufacturing leaders, we focus on the advanced manufacturing innovations, solutions and partnerships that exist in our region now and that will propel industry in the future.Our guests include the unsung heroes of advanced manufacturing, from company C-suite executives and engineers to industry-facing academics, supportive government agencies and regional economic development organizations. Interviews cover the latest topics on products, processes – and groundbreaking relationships –the best manufacturers engage in to infuse entrepreneurialism in their daily operations.Our mission is simple: to provide a voice to manufacturers to educate the public on the value of manufacturing innovation to the U.S. economy and to showcase how Ohio’s technology resource support providers (e.g., higher education, technical centers, and MEPs) boost advanced manufacturing solutions. We ask guest speakers about catalysts needed to collaborate on manufacturing innovation, how to reduce academic-industry barriers, and technical resources that can truly bolster manufacturing productivity.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    Mike Adkins, Performance Results Plus (PRP)

    What does it take to buy a 100-year-old precision manufacturer in the middle of a pandemic — and grow it? Mike Adkins, Owner and Principal of Performance Results Plus (PRP) in Columbus, Ohio, joins host MFG TMW to talk about stepping into an established operation and immediately expanding its reach. PRP’s core business is hydrological instrumentation — the precision equipment that measures flowing water for municipalities, agricultural districts, universities, and government agencies. Their customer list includes the U.S. Geological Survey, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Air Force Research Lab at Wright-Patterson, and Yellowstone National Park, with a growing global footprint stretching from South Korea to Chile. In this episode, Mike walks us through what precision manufacturing actually looks like on the shop floor — more than 10,000 machined parts produced across steel, aluminum, copper, brass, and plastics — and explains why low-volume, high-precision production is a fundamentally different discipline than high-volume manufacturing. He also shares how lean principles drive growth, not just cost reduction, and how he’s extending that philosophy to other small Ohio manufacturers through Lean Performance Plus. We also discuss the headwinds every small manufacturer is navigating right now: tariffs, reshoring pressures, supply chain volatility, and workforce pipelines — and what Mike sees as the real opportunity hiding inside all of it.Keywords:  precision manufacturing, hydrological instrumentation, lean manufacturing, small business, veteran-owned business Manufacturing Tomorrow is produced by the Ohio Manufacturing Institute at The Ohio State University.

    37 min

  2. 20 APR

    Milind Karnik, Elementary

    What if a machine could learn your quality standards just by watching your production line — and start catching defects in minutes, not weeks? In this episode of Manufacturing Tomorrow, Milind Karnik, CEO of Elementary, shares how the company’s AI-vision inspection platforms inspect over one billion parts annually across six countries for Fortune 500 manufacturers. Milind brings 30+ years of experience commercializing cutting-edge technology — from AI and cybersecurity to semiconductors and storage systems — and has led organizations of more than a thousand people delivering nearly a billion dollars in revenue. Under his leadership, Elementary developed VisionLink, the first machine-vision system that learns quality standards directly from the production line, eliminating weeks of traditional setup time. We explore what AI-powered inspection really looks like on the factory floor, how manufacturers can escape pilot purgatory and scale fast, what Industry 4.0 adoption means for the workforce, and where the future of smart manufacturing is headed. If you are a manufacturer ready to modernize — or just want to understand what intelligent quality assurance looks like in practice — this is your episode. Keywords: AI vision inspection · machine vision · quality assurance · defect detection · Industry 4.0 · smart manufacturing · manufacturing automation · workforce development · process engineering

    26 min

  3. 16 MAR

    Chuck Ridgeway, Horner Automation

    In this episode, we are excited to welcome back Chuck Ridgeway, Automation Technology Manager and Senior Customer Advocate at Horner Automation, a division of Horner APG headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. With more than 30 years of experience in automation and robotics, Chuck is a trusted voice in the field and a dedicated advocate for helping practitioners, educators, and learners apply industrial automation technologies. Chuck’s expertise spans programmable logic controllers (PLCs), operator interfaces, I/O systems, and industrial networking. He is frequently featured on podcasts and industry stages, sharing insights on emerging trends in automation and teaching. This conversation centers around Horner Automation’s recently launched Academic Program, designed to strengthen automation education, expand access to hands-on learning, and support the next generation of engineers and technicians. Keywords: Workforce development, OCS controllers, automation education This episode offers valuable insights for educators, industry leaders, and anyone interested in preparing students for the evolving world of automation and manufacturing technology.

    16 min

  4. 23 FEB

    Michael Lefenfeld, Hexion Inc.

    We sit down with Michael Lefenfeld, President, CEO, and Chair of the Board at Hexion Inc., a global leader in adhesives and performance materials headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Since joining Hexion in early 2023, Michael has been leading an ambitious transformation—positioning the company as an AI‑first, technology‑driven materials innovator. From manufacturing and supply chain to R&D, he’s integrating artificial intelligence and advanced analytics across the enterprise to reshape how the company operates. Before Hexion, Michael served as CEO of Cyanco, led SiGNa Chemistry, founded Alkami Consulting Group, and launched Blood Gas Diagnostics. He holds more than 100 patents and patent applications, was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, and guided SiGNa Chemistry to win the EPA’s Presidential Green Chemistry Award. In this conversation, we explore: The breadth of adhesives and performance materials Hexion manufactures What it truly means to shift a global organization to “AI‑first” Practical examples of AI in plant operations The biggest operational gains from predictive maintenance, process optimization, and energy management How to overcome legacy systems and data integration challenges What mid‑sized manufacturers should know before starting their AI journey The future of sustainable materials—including bio‑based chemistry and lignin adhesives How AI accelerates the development of greener, smarter materials The emerging technologies poised to reshape manufacturing over the next 3–5 years Join us for a forward‑looking discussion on AI, sustainability, and the future of materials science with one of the industry’s most innovative leaders. Keywords: AI Manufacturing • Materials Innovation • Sustainability • Industry 4.0

    18 min

  5. 26 JAN

    Kyle Ewing, TerraSlate

    In this episode, we’re joined by Kyle Ewing, Founder and CEO of TerraSlate—a Colorado-based manufacturing company and global leader in waterproof, tear-proof paper and ultra-durable printed materials. Kyle has grown TerraSlate from a basement startup into a $40 million vertically integrated manufacturing enterprise, serving customers ranging from the U.S. military and NFL teams to Michelin-starred restaurants and Fortune 500 manufacturers. Remarkably, he built the company with zero outside funding and still owns it outright. TerraSlate is a compelling example of modern American manufacturing in action: lean operations, same-day fulfillment for 95% of orders, in-house innovation of nano-coated and military-grade materials, and a culture-first leadership approach. The company competes head-to-head with low-cost imports—while keeping production in the U.S. and pushing the boundaries of advanced materials. Kyle also brings deep insight into scaling without outside capital, building resilient manufacturing systems, and leading teams with kindness, clarity, and discipline. He is the author of Ideas to Empires, where he shares lessons on building factories that can scale sustainably—even without the founder in the room. Join us for a conversation on growth, innovation, operations, and culture—and what it truly takes to build a successful advanced manufacturing company from the ground up. Keywords: manufacturing leadership, advanced materials, vertically integrated manufacturing, workforce culture

    26 min

  6. 5 JAN

    Prasoon Saxena, NTT Data

    Prasoon Saxena serves as president of the Global Products Business Unit at NTT DATA. A veteran leader with more than 25 years of experience in digital transformation and global operations, Prasoon has played a pivotal role in helping some of the world’s largest manufacturers harness technology to drive innovation, efficiency, and competitiveness. At NTT DATA, he guides industry strategy and product innovation across manufacturing, automotive, consumer goods, transportation, and logistics—industries undergoing rapid change as AI and advanced digital systems reshape how products are designed, built, and delivered. Over his eight years with the company, Prasoon has strengthened NTT DATA’s leadership in digital and AI solutions used by many of the world’s top enterprises, including 75% of the Fortune Global 100. Before joining NTT DATA, Prasoon held senior leadership roles at Dell Services and Wipro, where he helped global organizations navigate complex operational and technological transformations. In 2025, he was appointed to the Board of Directors for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), where he contributes to national discussions on manufacturing competitiveness, policy, workforce development, and innovation strategy. Keywords: digital transformation, AI in manufacturing, Industry 5.0, agentic AI, cybersecurity, data strategy, workforce development, National Association of Manufacturers

    27 min

  7. 08/12/2025

    Charles Cohen, Fotofab

    Charles Cohen serves as president of Fotofab, a Chicago-based specialty manufacturer recognized for photochemical machining and the production of high-precision metal components. Founded in 1967 and later becoming the first company acquired by The Partner Companies (TPC), Fotofab serves critical industries, including aerospace, defense, medical devices, and electronics.  Charles joined Fotofab in 2000 as Chief Financial Officer and was named president in 2010. He has been instrumental in modernizing Fotofab’s operations, expanding its customer base, and guiding its integration into TPC’s network of specialty manufacturers. Under his leadership, Fotofab continues to push innovation in photochemical etching to meet emerging market needs for lighter, thinner, finely detailed components with fast turnaround.  Most recently, Charles was elected to the Board of Directors of the Photo Chemical Machining Institute (PCMI), where he helps advance technical exchange, education, and benchmarking across the photochemical machining community.  Keywords: Photochemical Machining, Precision Metal Components, Manufacturing Innovation, Aerospace & Defense, Workforce Development

    17 min

  8. 10/11/2025

    Michal Masser, Plex

    Michael Masser is group product manager at Plex, a Rockwell Automation company, where he leads initiatives in supply chain and smart manufacturing solutions. Since joining Rockwell, he has been responsible for shaping product strategy, guiding roadmap development, and aligning customer requirements with emerging technologies to strengthen supply chain management capabilities. His role includes working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure product offerings address the operational and business needs of manufacturers.  Prior to Rockwell Automation, Michael held leadership positions in product management, business development, and logistics. At World Options Inc., he oversaw initiatives in shipping and logistics that informed his broader approach to supply chain efficiency. His combined background in business development, logistics operations, and product management gives him a comprehensive understanding of how digital tools can drive measurable improvements in manufacturing and supply chain performance.  Keywords: Industry 4.0, Smart Manufacturing, Digital Transformation, Supply Chain Innovation

    27 min
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About

Manufacturing Tomorrow is a podcast series brought to you by the Ohio Manufacturing Institute at The Ohio State University. Featuring the perspectives of manufacturing leaders, we focus on the advanced manufacturing innovations, solutions and partnerships that exist in our region now and that will propel industry in the future.Our guests include the unsung heroes of advanced manufacturing, from company C-suite executives and engineers to industry-facing academics, supportive government agencies and regional economic development organizations. Interviews cover the latest topics on products, processes – and groundbreaking relationships –the best manufacturers engage in to infuse entrepreneurialism in their daily operations.Our mission is simple: to provide a voice to manufacturers to educate the public on the value of manufacturing innovation to the U.S. economy and to showcase how Ohio’s technology resource support providers (e.g., higher education, technical centers, and MEPs) boost advanced manufacturing solutions. We ask guest speakers about catalysts needed to collaborate on manufacturing innovation, how to reduce academic-industry barriers, and technical resources that can truly bolster manufacturing productivity.

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