Manufacturers Make Strides

Martin Griffiths
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Manufacturers Make Strides is a podcast about people in manufacturing and the paths they’ve taken. Martin speaks with guests from across the manufacturing world about their careers, the challenges along the way, and the strides that keep the industry moving forward. New episodes every other Tuesday 

  1. 2D AGO

    Building Better Engineering Teams with Marisa Kurimbokus

    Engineering teams often face intense time pressure, and the environment they work in has a direct impact on how clearly they think and how effectively they collaborate. This episode looks at how leadership, communication and team culture shape day‑to‑day engineering work inside fast‑moving technical environments. We’re joined by Marisa Kurimbokus, Head of Engineering at Raeon and IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year 2024. Marisa’s career spans automotive, hydrogen technology and advanced battery manufacturing. Through those transitions, she has built a clear understanding of what supports effective engineering, from how ideas are discussed in design reviews to how pressure influences decision making and how teams stay focused when deadlines are challenging. We also explore hybrid working, scaling manufacturing at Raeon, and the wider responsibility engineers carry when developing technology for a more sustainable future. Throughout the conversation, Marisa shares practical reflections shaped by real engineering environments and the people she has worked alongside. Connect with Marisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisa-kurimbokus-fwes-ceng-imeche/ Learn more about Raeon: https://www.raeon.com/

    39 min

  2. FEB 3

    Managing complexity in aerospace engineering with Mark Cook

    Aerospace engineering can be a high-pressure environment, but the way teams communicate often shapes how that pressure is felt. This episode looks at how calm, clear, and collaborative communication supports engineers working inside complex aerospace programmes. We’re joined by Mark Cook, Programme Manager at Triumph Actuation Systems. Mark shares how his career began in pure science academia, before being drawn toward applied manufacturing and the product lifecycle. Seeing ideas move from concept into physical products changed how he wanted to work, and how he approached engineering in practice. In this episode, we talk about the differences Mark has experienced across advanced manufacturing environments, and why aerospace rewards a slower, more deliberate pace. We also explore why strong design, robust supply chains, and a well-established safety culture matter in aerospace. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-cook-fapm-45859b1a/ https://www.triumphgroup.com/home

    39 min

  3. JAN 20

    Building a manufacturing business that lasts with Larry Dix II

    Manufacturing leadership looks different once responsibility moves beyond the role and into ownership.  In this episode of Manufacturers Make Strides, Martin speaks with Larry Dix II, President at Apex Truss, about what it means to lead a manufacturing business when decisions carry long-term weight. Larry shares perspective shaped by decades of building, running, and owning manufacturing operations through changing conditions.  Larry was invited because he has experienced the shift many manufacturing leaders face, from managing functions to being accountable for people, margins, customers, and time. His career reflects how leadership evolves as responsibility deepens and decisions extend further into the future.  In this episode, they discuss: How manufacturing leadership changes with ownership  What responsibility looks like when payroll and margins sit with you Why autonomy and judgement matter on the factory floor How experience reshapes leadership over time What consistency means in long-running manufacturing businesses Hosted by Martin Griffiths, Manufacturers Make Strides is a podcast featuring in-depth conversations with manufacturing professionals about their careers and experiences in the industry.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-dix-ii-62b75312/ https://www.apextruss.com/

    51 min

  4. JAN 6

    What a financially healthy factory actually looks like with Stewart Ervin

    Many manufacturing businesses look busy, yet still feel financially exposed underneath.  Stewart Ervin has seen this pattern repeatedly inside factories where activity masks a lack of control, and where a financially healthy manufacturing business feels harder to define than it should. The conversation centres on what actually creates stability when demand, cash and operations start pulling in different directions. Stewart draws on experience built inside the value stream, from early shop floor roles to working with businesses under real pressure. Rather than chasing growth or volume, he reflects on how discipline, intent and forward visibility shape day-to-day decision-making when leaders want more certainty about where the business is heading. Stewart's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewartervin/ Bracket Mgmt Website: https://www.bracketmgmt.com/ Available on to watch on YouTube or to listen on your preferred podcast platform.

    40 min

  5. 12/16/2025

    How values shape modern manufacturing with Angelo D’Amico

    Values-driven manufacturing shows up in who people trust when decisions matter. In this episode, Angelo D’Amico, President of Canada Rubber Group Inc, shares how a people-first approach shaped his path from lean consulting into leading a long-established manufacturing business. Angelo talks openly about trust, succession, and why opportunities tend to flow toward those who reduce risk for others.  From choosing values over short-term wins to asking one simple question on the factory floor, this conversation explores how leadership decisions are made when people actually come first. 📍 Connect with Angelo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-d-amico-37099120/ 📍 Learn more about Canada Rubber: https://canadarubbergroup.com

    58 min

  6. 12/02/2025

    A people-first digital transformation with Ryan Pollyniak

    Digital transformation doesn’t fail because the tech isn’t ready.  It fails when people aren’t.  In this episode, Ryan Pollyniak, who has spent over 15 years guiding manufacturers through ERP and change programmes, shares how a people-first approach can build trust early, reduce resistance on the shop floor, and help teams feel part of the process from the start. We talk about what makes transformation stick, from setting clear expectations to giving people space to adapt. We also explore why skipping those human steps often leads to stalled projects, frustrated teams, and wasted investment. If you’re leading change, managing systems, or trying to keep momentum going in your factory, this conversation offers a grounded perspective on how digital transformation can work better for everyone involved. It’s the kind of conversation that reminds us progress is easier when people feel part of it. 📍 Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/microsoftdynamicssolutions/ 📍 Learn more about Western Computer: https://www.westerncomputer.com

    45 min

  7. 11/18/2025

    Balancing cost and value across manufacturing operations with Floriano Liguoro

    Manufacturing operations touch every part of a business. It’s where cost, quality and day-to-day decision-making come together, and where collaboration can make the biggest difference to performance. In this episode, Floriano Liguoro, Chief Operations Officer of Ital G.E.T.E., shares how manufacturers can balance cost and value, strengthen supplier relationships, and build a more connected organisation. We explore:  • Why focusing on the lowest cost can create hidden risks  • How procurement, sales and operations work better with shared information  • Practical ways to improve communication and decision-making across teams Floriano shows that effective operations are built on clarity, partnership and long-term thinking. When teams work from consistent information, manufacturers can protect performance and build stronger relationships inside and outside the business. 📍 Connect with Floriano on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/florianoliguoro/ 📍 Learn more about Ital G.E.T.E.: https://italgete.it/

    39 min
  8. Manufacturing Collaboration for SME Growth with Richard Patch

    11/04/2025

    Manufacturing Collaboration for SME Growth with Richard Patch

    Manufacturing collaboration is helping UK businesses escape the feast-or-famine cycle, build trust across the supply chain, and grow without relying on expensive marketing.  In this episode, Richard Patch, co-founder of the Manufacturer’s Hub, shares how manufacturers can connect, support each other, and stay visible in a competitive landscape. We explore: • Why feast-or-famine cycles persist in UK manufacturing • How collaboration builds resilience and long-term growth • What manufacturers can do this week to support the wider industry Richard shows that manufacturing collaboration isn’t just about networking. It’s about creating real opportunities, building trust, and helping UK manufacturers thrive together. 📍 Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-patch-9ba2a119b/ 📍 Explore the Manufacturer’s Hub: https://manufacturershub.co.uk

    44 min
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About

Manufacturers Make Strides is a podcast about people in manufacturing and the paths they’ve taken. Martin speaks with guests from across the manufacturing world about their careers, the challenges along the way, and the strides that keep the industry moving forward. New episodes every other Tuesday 

Information

  • Creator
    Martin Griffiths
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Manufacturers Make Strides
  • Show Website
    Manufacturers Make Strides