The Manufacturers Network

Lisa Ryan
  • 5.0 (14)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Manufacturers’ Network is where manufacturing leaders, plant managers, and industry innovators come to talk straight about what’s working and what’s not, on the shop floor and beyond. Each week, host Lisa Ryan sits down with people who live and breathe this business: operations executives, HR directors, engineers, and founders who are building stronger teams and smarter systems in the face of nonstop change. Listeners gain real-world insights on: • Employee retention and workforce engagement • Automation, AI, and the future of skilled trades • Supply chain and operations leadership • Safety, sustainability, and company culture that lasts If you’re tired of generic “leadership talk” and want practical conversations from people who get it, this podcast is for you. New episodes drop every Monday and are short enough for your commute, sharp enough to shape your week. Subscribe and be part of the conversation that’s connecting manufacturers across industries, one story at a time.

  1. Beyond the Hype: Making AI Work in Manufacturing with Sebastian Chedal

    2D AGO

    Beyond the Hype: Making AI Work in Manufacturing with Sebastian Chedal

    In this insightful and practical episode, Lisa Ryan welcomes Sebastian Chedal, founder of Fountain City and co-founder of TestFox.ai. Sebastian helps executives implement AI strategies that actually work, focusing on one critical question: How do you join the 20% of AI initiatives that succeed instead of the 80% that fail? With 60% of his work in manufacturing and industrial sectors, Sebastian brings a grounded, practical perspective where implementation matters more than hype. A Journey Through Digital TransformationSebastian's journey began in 1998 when he started Fountain City in the Netherlands. Over more than two decades, his work has evolved through network security, website and app development, creative projects, and ultimately into digital transformation with a focus on AI implementation—predominantly in manufacturing. As a self-described generalist at heart with diverse interests, Sebastian has founded five businesses total (two non-profits that didn't make it), giving him an entrepreneurial track record that includes both successes and failures. This real-world experience informs his practical, results-oriented approach to AI implementation. Fountain City has been the anchor and core of his professional life, adapting and evolving as technology has transformed over the past 26 years. The Catalytic Moment: Why AI Is Different NowSebastian draws a powerful parallel between today's AI landscape and the mid-1990s internet era, when people would ask, "What's a website? I don't need a website. Why would I need a website?" People didn't understand the benefits, how it worked, or how much effort it would take to implement. Like many technological innovations, AI has finally reached a threshold catalytic point where it becomes truly useful, effective, and mainstream. The real breakthrough with large language models (LLMs)—what most people refer to when discussing AI today—is the ability to create qualitative automations, not just deterministic ones. The Fundamental DifferenceDeterministic automation (traditional): If this number is above this number, do this thing—straightforward logic gates we've had for decades. Qualitative automation (AI-powered): Integration of nuanced, context-dependent decisions into automation processes, opening entirely new categories of automation. This capability works at multiple levels: Workflow automation: Eliminating time-consuming, mundane work like data transformation and entry that used to require hours or intern laborStrategic support: Brainstorming, strategic planning, code planning, and design patternsKnowledge work: Tasks requiring judgment, context, and understanding rather than simple calculations The last year in particular has brought proposals and curiosity from people wanting to understand what it actually takes to put these systems in place—but the hype also leads to overestimation of capabilities and underestimation of implementation effort. Becoming AI-Ready: The Foundation for SuccessSebastian outlines several critical dimensions of AI readiness that organizations must address: 1. Management and Strategic VisionThe wrong approach: "We need to make sure 30% of our processes are run by AI by the end of the year." This mandate isn't inspiring and doesn't give teams something meaningful to rally behind, even if it's the directive from stakeholders or management. The right approach: Transform mandates into meaningful vision: span class="ql-ui"...

    29 min
  2. Manufacturing Without Borders: Technology, Culture, and the Future of the Industry with Tony Gunn

    FEB 9

    Manufacturing Without Borders: Technology, Culture, and the Future of the Industry with Tony Gunn

    In this energetic and information-packed episode, Lisa Ryan welcomes Tony Gunn, who leads global operations at his new venture TGM Global Services after a successful five-year run with MTD CNC. Tony has spent two decades on shop floors and in boardrooms around the world, traveling approximately 300 days a year to over 60 countries, giving him an unparalleled front-row seat to the technologies, trends, and people shaping modern manufacturing. Tony shares his remarkable journey from mopping floors on weekends for minimum wage and learning to use basic presses, to mastering CNC machining through the mentorship of industry veterans who taught him line-by-line programming. His story exemplifies the power of workplace mentorship and the importance of taking skilled workers under your wing—lessons that continue to guide his mission today. The Smartest Person in the RoomTony lives by a powerful principle: "If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room." He thrives on being the "dumbest person in the room," learning from experts across the manufacturing spectrum—from garage shops with three or four machines to CEOs of the world's largest manufacturing companies. This humility and hunger for knowledge informs everything he does in media and content creation. His approach to sharing stories and technology stems from remembering his own starting point—when he was just learning to turn raw material into something of value. He's passionate about explaining concepts at a level that empowers everyone, avoiding the industry jargon and acronyms that can leave people behind. He never forgets the experts who gave their time to an amateur, and now pays that forward by putting others under his wing. The Technology Challenge: Keeping Up When It's Your JobTony candidly admits that even though it's his full-time job to know as much about the manufacturing industry as possible and share it with as many people as he can, he still can't keep up with how fast everything is moving. He can only imagine how difficult it must be for shop owners and operators whose day-to-day activities involve actually running their businesses. From a global perspective, Tony sees shops still running machines that are 15, 20, 30, even 40 years old—machines that run good parts but can't complete a part on one machine, requiring five machines and much longer cycle times compared to modern technology. He draws a powerful contrast from his visit to the American Precision Museum in Vermont: 200 years ago, they were making micron parts, but it took two weeks. Today, it takes two minutes. The Labor Shortage and Automation ImperativeThe conversation centers on what manufacturers are most hungry to understand and solve right now. Tony identifies the labor shortage as a critical issue that companies are trying to address through multiple strategies: Inspiring the next generation through STEM - While crucial, this is years in the making and can't be the only solution Adapting technology in the midterm - Companies must figure out which technologies are most affordable and provide the best ROI to minimize labor shortages while competing globally Various forms of automation - From traditional robots and cobots to pallet systems and bar feeds, companies are finding ways to have one machinist run 10 machines instead of one, with processes running 24/7 Digital transformation - Tools like Datanomics and Fulcrum that take traditionally tribal knowledge and display it on screens, giving operators and management real-time visibility into what's actually happening on the shop floor—eliminating the need for all-day meetings filled with 80% truths and 20% fabrication Tony emphasizes that knowing actual uptime, real capabilities, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement allows companies to create better...

    34 min
  3. Tradition Meets Discovery: Strategic Innovation for Manufacturers with Bruce Vojak

    FEB 2

    Tradition Meets Discovery: Strategic Innovation for Manufacturers with Bruce Vojak

    In this thought-provoking episode, Lisa Ryan welcomes Bruce Vojak, a leading authority on strategic innovation with a unique combination of deep and broad experience. As a business advisor, board member, senior fellow with The Conference Board, and author of two highly regarded books on innovation published by Stanford University Press, Bruce helps mature companies in mature industries survive and thrive in an increasingly volatile, complex, and ambiguous world. Bruce shares his journey from engineer and techie to innovation strategist, sparked by his fascination with remarkable innovators—not their processes or cultures, but the people themselves. This curiosity led him to decades of research exploring the question: "How do they know what to do?" His work focuses specifically on mature manufacturing companies, making his insights particularly relevant for today's industrial leaders. What Is Innovation?Bruce clarifies a common misconception: innovation isn't just creativity or something new—it must have financial impact and marketplace value. While many manufacturers focus on lean implementations, Six Sigma, or equipment upgrades, true innovation changes the basis of competition in an industry. It creates advantages or protects against disadvantages in transformative ways. He illustrates this with compelling examples: The Carrot Evolution: From knife peeling to safety peelers, then to Oxo's ergonomic design and finally pre-peeled baby carrots that increased overall consumptionMoneyball: How the Oakland Athletics revolutionized baseball team optimization using sabermetrics instead of gut feelings The lesson? Innovation exists in every industry, you just need to start looking for it by asking questions you didn't think you needed to ask. The Greatest Risk: Not InnovatingFor manufacturers at the maturity stage of their lifecycle, the biggest danger is retreating to familiar ways of doing things without questioning unarticulated assumptions. Bruce emphasizes that the real risk isn't making big innovation investments—it's failing to ask the right questions at all. He frames innovation investment through two financial lenses: Insurance: Protection against being blindsided by market changesOptions: Opportunities for future growth beyond the "bond-like" steady returns of optimized manufacturing operations Both require relatively small initial investments, often just time and attention, but provide critical protection and opportunity. Navigating Rapid Technological ChangeWith AI and other technologies transforming business at lightning speed, Bruce advises companies to focus on three critical elements: Internal Alignment: Both strategic and tacticalStrategic: Are we really going to invest in innovation?Tactical: What about this specific idea or problem?Alignment failures can derail innovation even at individual contributor levelsSimple Processes: Especially for small and mid-sized companiesDon't need elaborate systemsspan

    24 min
  4. Innovation, AI, and the Future of Manufacturing with Joshua Tarbutton

    JAN 26

    Innovation, AI, and the Future of Manufacturing with Joshua Tarbutton

    In this insightful episode, Lisa Ryan welcomes Dr. Joshua Tarbutton—Chairman and Chief Innovator at Bravo Team, an engineering firm specializing in custom automation solutions for manufacturers facing tough challenges. The conversation tracks Joshua Tarbutton's journey from childhood curiosity with Light Brights and exposure to structural engineering via his father, through military service, academia, and ultimately into entrepreneurship and innovation in manufacturing. The episode tackles the urgent push for automation in manufacturing, driven by rising costs, supply chain instability, and workforce challenges. Joshua Tarbutton reflects on how fear and control can impede leadership decisions, and points out the importance of moving beyond blame and understanding the deeper social and economic forces at play. A major theme is reskilling the workforce in response to automation. Joshua Tarbutton highlights the pressures at the lower end of the labor pool—jobs that are tough to automate and have high turnover—and notes the necessity of upskilling those in roles most likely to be displaced by technology. He emphasizes a need for earlier cultivation of manufacturing interest and skills in young people, advocating for more proactive outreach beyond "manufacturing month." For companies lacking robust R&D departments, Joshua Tarbutton suggests an experiment-focused, risk-decreasing approach—start small, test hypotheses, and find the right experts to guide implementation. He cautions leaders to seek out genuinely knowledgeable advisors rather than relying solely on titles. AI and large language models are discussed as powerful tools for manufacturers at every scale. Joshua Tarbutton sees AI as both a knowledge accelerator and a supportive "smart friend," especially for leadership looking to execute better and maintain margins. Both speakers explore workplace culture, emphasizing that even in an automated world, people and teams remain the heart of innovation. Creating environments where it's safe to fail and learn, and supporting open, honest communication across teams and departments, are crucial for successful transformation. Joshua Tarbutton closes by outlining Bravo Team's approach: solving tough, high-value problems for clients through clever engineering and collaboration, supporting innovation from machine design to full product development. Actionable Takeaways for ListenersAutomate Strategically: Don't rush into automation out of fear—carefully assess timing, ROI, and reskill your workforce to maximize benefit and minimize disruption.Invest in People Early: Start cultivating interest and skill in manufacturing at a young age. Partner with schools and programs for real hands-on exposure beyond industry holidays.De-Risk Innovation: Before committing big budgets, run small, targeted experiments to prove out new ideas. This minimizes financial and technical risk in automation and R&D projects.Find the Right Experts: The right solutions depend on the right people, not just credentials. Seek out advisors and partners who prioritize transparency and a proven track record.Leverage AI for...

    32 min
  5. From Data to Drive: Why People, Not Tech, Will Power Manufacturing’s Next Leap with Vince Sassano

    JAN 19

    From Data to Drive: Why People, Not Tech, Will Power Manufacturing’s Next Leap with Vince Sassano

    Manufacturing’s next big leap won’t come from machines, it’ll come from mindset. In this episode of The Manufacturers Network, Lisa Ryan talks with Vince Sassano, President of Strategic Performance Company and creator of Proto Track, about how manufacturers can build trust in data, connect generations, and drive meaningful change on the shop floor. With more than 30 years at the intersection of technology and operations, Vince explains how AI, automation, and analytics only work when people do. He shares what happens when leaders stop treating digital transformation like a software install and start treating it like a human one. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why the real barrier to AI adoption isn’t tech—it’s fear of losing control.How generational mindsets shape how fast teams adapt to change.What it takes to move from a 10% gain in productivity to 30%—and why that leap starts with culture.The difference between data and trusted data, and why both matter.How to connect culture to hard metrics like throughput, retention, and profit.Why turnover is now a more critical KPI than margin. Action Steps for Manufacturers: Lead with people. Culture drives capability; tech follows.Clarify KPIs. Make sure everyone—from operators to execs—knows what success looks like.Build trust in data. Transparency beats dashboards.Invest in cross-training. Multi-skilled teams adapt faster than machines.Reframe “productivity.” Faster isn’t better unless it’s smarter. Listen now to learn why the future of manufacturing belongs to leaders who combine data discipline with human courage.

    22 min
  6. Unlocking Sales Efficiency & Process Alignment with Moustafa Moursy

    JAN 12

    Unlocking Sales Efficiency & Process Alignment with Moustafa Moursy

    In this episode, Lisa Ryan sits down with Moustafa Moursy, founder of Push Analytics and a top-tier HubSpot agency partner, to break down what’s really holding manufacturers back from operational excellence, and how to fix it. Drawing on his hands-on manufacturing background and expertise in sales and project management, Moustafa Moursy reveals the most common process traps, why data-driven operations matter, and how aligning tools with culture can give your business a serious edge. Key Topics Covered: - Why manufacturing companies must treat their business processes like their product lines—with clear inputs, outputs, and controls - The real culprit behind ineffective sales processes (hint: it’s not just paperwork or CRM overload!) - How to strike the perfect balance between over-complicating and under-complicating systems, especially for sales teams - The importance of stakeholder involvement when designing or revamping business processes - Ways successful manufacturers build robust supply and value chain relationships - The most overlooked opportunities for digital transformation in manufacturing - How manufacturers routinely leave money on the table—and simple strategies to capture it - Why culture, not just technology, is crucial for real transformation Actionable Takeaways: 1. Map Your Processes First: Don’t jump straight to adopting new tools; start by zooming out and mapping your current workflows, obstacles, and business goals. 2. Engage Key Stakeholders: Involve the people actually using the system, especially sales reps, in the design and refinement of your processes to drive buy-in and better results. 3. Find Your CRM Sweet Spot: Focus on the CRM features that directly support your goals—instead of chasing 100% utilization, identify the tools your team really needs. 4. Follow Up Relentlessly: Make quoting and order follow-up a non-negotiable habit; most revenue leaks happen because opportunities fall between the cracks. 5. Build Process-Centric Culture: Remember, the best technology won’t help unless your team is trained, supported, and committed to continuous process improvement. 6. Connect Sales and Production: Create seamless handoffs between sales and post-sales/project management to prevent friction and ensure great customer experiences. Resources & Contact: To learn more or connect with Moustafa Moursy Resources & Contact: To learn more or connect with Moustafa Moursy and the Push Analytics team, email hello@pushanalytics.com and mention The Manufacturers Network Podcast. Tune in and discover how process alignment and smart technology adoption can drive your manufacturing business forward—one actionable step at a time!and the Push Analytics team, email hello@pushanalytics.com and mention The Manufacturers Network Podcast.

    26 min
  7. Unlocking Manufacturing Excellence: Process Mapping That Drives Performance with Joe Bockerstette

    JAN 5

    Unlocking Manufacturing Excellence: Process Mapping That Drives Performance with Joe Bockerstette

    On this episode of The Manufacturers Network Podcast, host Lisa Ryan welcomes Joe Bockerstette, the leader behind Business Enterprise Mapping, a Phoenix-based consultancy renowned for helping manufacturers rapidly document workflows, identify bottlenecks, and implement impactful change. With four decades of experience in operations and supply chain management—including senior roles at PwC and private equity—Joe shares the proven strategies that separate good manufacturers from great ones. Key Topics Covered: - What Sets High-Performers Apart: Discover why synchronizing supply to demand and aligning internal processes with customer needs is the foundation of manufacturing excellence. - Red Clouds vs. Quick Wins: Learn how to identify operational bottlenecks (“red clouds”), categorize them for action, and prioritize quick wins that can be solved in less than 90 days. - Process Mapping for Impact: Understand how process mapping can directly enhance customer value and streamline departmental workflows through a unique, education-driven methodology. - Getting Buy-In From Teams: Strategies for engaging even the most change-resistant employees and fostering effective workshops where frontline teams contribute real solutions. - Mistakes to Avoid in Lean Initiatives: Why managers often miss the mark by zooming in on details without looking at the whole system, and how to refocus efforts for greater impact. - Tech’s True Role: Insights into how automation and data tools help—and when they complicate—workflow improvement. - One Metric Manufacturers Ignore: Why measuring the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness (“ACT”) of key deliverables can drive results where it matters most. - Balancing Efficiency With Culture: Practical advice on maintaining a strong company culture while driving performance and staying compliant. Actionable Takeaways: 1. Map the Process, Not Just the Issues: Start improvement efforts by mapping your workflows holistically. Focus on how each process delivers value to the customer and supports upstream/downstream requirements. 2. Prioritize Quick Wins to Build Momentum: Identify red clouds that can be solved without senior-level approval or major budget and tackle these first to show rapid progress. 3. Involve Frontline Teams Early: Use workshops and collaborative sessions, not just interviews, to engage your staff and source powerful insights and buy-in from day one. 4. Don’t Automate Before Simplifying: Clean up your foundational processes before introducing new tech—automation only amplifies existing problems when processes aren’t robust. 5. Measure What Matters: Use the ACT metric (Accurate, Complete, Timely) to assess non-product deliverables like specs and handoffs—they’re critical to smooth operations and customer satisfaction. 6. Balance Efficiency and Responsibility: Pursue both operational excellence and a supportive culture; treat people well, ensure compliance, and leverage your assets wisely. Connect with Joe Bockerstette: - Website: businessmapping.com - Email: joe@businessmapping.com - LinkedIn: Joe Bockerstette Ready to drive performance and customer value in your manufacturing operation? Tune in and get the tools and strategies to make your next workflow transformation a success!

    26 min
  8. Unleashing Business Discipline Without Killing Creativity with Chris Hallberg

    12/29/2025

    Unleashing Business Discipline Without Killing Creativity with Chris Hallberg

    In this episode of The Manufacturers Network Podcast, Lisa Ryan sits down with Chris Hallberg, a veteran entrepreneur, business coach, and the original "Business Sergeant." As one of Colorado's first EOS Implementers, Chris has helped more than a hundred companies transform chaotic teams into aligned, accountable, and energized organizations. Together, they unpack the secrets behind building a powerful culture and resilient performance—whether on the shop floor or in the boardroom. What You’ll Learn: - What EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) is and how to use it as the “operating system for your business” - How to identify when leadership, not the market, is your biggest roadblock - The “Business Sergeant” approach—combining military discipline and team accountability with entrepreneurial creativity - Tactical steps to boost engagement and select unicorn team members by design, not accident - Why selection and intentional hiring are more important than trying to “fix” team members - Building processes that reduce daily interruptions and make onboarding (and execution) seamless - How to leverage AI as a low-risk, high-return way to enhance your team’s effectiveness - Tips for doubling down on accountability—celebrating top performers and addressing underperformance head-on Actionable Takeaways: 1. Clarify and Cascade Your Vision: Create a simple, two-page business plan (like the Vision Traction Organizer) that answers: Who are we? Why do we exist? What makes us unique? Use it to align every employee or help them self-select out if they don’t fit. 2. Get the Right People in the Right Seats: Focus your recruitment on people who *want* the job, *get* the job, and have the *capacity* to do the job. Use intentional selection processes (including pre-interview personality assessments) to build an all-in team. 3.Make Engagem ent Measurable: Implement clear performance metrics and create an environment where great contributors are recognized—and those who aren’t, are held accountable. 4. Borrow Military-Level Discipline, Not Rigidity: Foster personal responsibility and a team-first mindset, but keep space for initiative, creativity, and individual strengths. 5. Operationalize Processes with AI: Use AI-powered platforms to centralize SOPs, policies, and team knowledge so everyone gets instant, accurate answers—freeing leaders from repetitive interruptions. 6. Commit to Continuous Improvement: Set quarterly rocks (major priorities) and get everyone in a “90-day world” rhythm to maintain focus and momentum. 7. Invest in Unicorn Retention: Put real effort—and budget—towards keeping and rewarding your all-star performers. Retention happens in the same place accountability lives. Connect with Chris Hallberg: - Email: chris@goexpand.com - Online Course & Resources: Business Sergeant - LinkedIn: (Make sure to connect there as mentioned in the episode!) Favorite Quote: “Great doesn’t happen on accident. Be intentional, commit to finding, onboarding, and developing the best humans—and create a system where greatness can thrive.” — Chris Hallberg

    30 min
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5
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About

The Manufacturers’ Network is where manufacturing leaders, plant managers, and industry innovators come to talk straight about what’s working and what’s not, on the shop floor and beyond. Each week, host Lisa Ryan sits down with people who live and breathe this business: operations executives, HR directors, engineers, and founders who are building stronger teams and smarter systems in the face of nonstop change. Listeners gain real-world insights on: • Employee retention and workforce engagement • Automation, AI, and the future of skilled trades • Supply chain and operations leadership • Safety, sustainability, and company culture that lasts If you’re tired of generic “leadership talk” and want practical conversations from people who get it, this podcast is for you. New episodes drop every Monday and are short enough for your commute, sharp enough to shape your week. Subscribe and be part of the conversation that’s connecting manufacturers across industries, one story at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Lisa Ryan
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    208
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Lisa Ryan
  • Show Website
    The Manufacturers Network