The Manufacturer’s Mindset Podcast by Ballantine Digital

Ryan Cote
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The Manufacturer’s Mindset Podcast features casual conversations with manufacturing and industrial professionals about their journeys, lessons learned, and more. Your host is Ryan Cote, Managing Partner at Ballantine Digital.

  1. Valerie Menges: How to Build a High-Accountability, High-Quality Family Manufacturing Business

    5D AGO

    Valerie Menges: How to Build a High-Accountability, High-Quality Family Manufacturing Business

    Valerie Menges, CEO of Walenta Grinding, shares how she led a fourth-generation precision grinding company through succession, modernization, and ISO-driven quality. You’ll learn how to prioritize talent and accountability, earn respect through expertise, and build a business that lasts.

    24 min
  2. Eric Seiberling: How Manufacturers Can Use AI to Speed Up Quoting

    FEB 10

    Eric Seiberling: How Manufacturers Can Use AI to Speed Up Quoting

    Eric Seiberling (VP of Sales & Marketing at MXD Process) joins Ryan Cote to share practical lessons on industrial marketing, leadership, and using AI without the fluff. They cover MXD’s “most helpful” brand promise, how custom GPTs helped speed up quoting, and why “simplicity wins” when you’re trying to grow in manufacturing.

    21 min
  3. Rick Van Rikxoort: How Focus and Inventory Scaled an FRP Grating Business

    JAN 22

    Rick Van Rikxoort: How Focus and Inventory Scaled an FRP Grating Business

    Rick Van Rikxoort explains how focus and inventory became the engine that scaled his FRP grating business across North America. He shares the specific decisions behind stocking deep, expanding branch locations to reduce freight friction, and building a reputation around speed and reliability. You will also hear his approach to hiring and leadership, including why he prioritizes attitude over resume when building teams to run new branches.

    15 min
  4. Spencer Loveless: The $4 Part That Sparked a 3D Manufacturing Breakthrough

    JAN 9

    Spencer Loveless: The $4 Part That Sparked a 3D Manufacturing Breakthrough

    A $4 part stuck overseas stopped sales of a $400 vacuum and pushed Spencer Loveless to find a better way. In this episode, Spencer - CEO of Dustless Technologies and Merit3D - shares how that moment led to scalable 3D printing for mass production, when additive beats injection molding, and why the next decade could reshape U.S.-based manufacturing. He also reflects on leadership, legacy, and building modern manufacturing jobs in Utah.

    25 min
  5. Dave Swain: Persistence, Pivots and Ag-Tech Progress

    12/09/2025

    Dave Swain: Persistence, Pivots and Ag-Tech Progress

    Ryan Cote sits down with ag-tech founder Dave Swain to unpack his journey from an Indiana farm to leading Vision Technology Management. They talk about adapting to change, surviving a full year with zero revenue, and why communication and relationships matter just as much as the latest tools.

    21 min
  6. Robert Weiss: Nail B2B Video by Leading With Your Message

    10/31/2025

    Robert Weiss: Nail B2B Video by Leading With Your Message

    Video pro Robert Weiss joins Ryan Cote on the Manufacturer's Mindset Podcast to share how manufacturers win with message-first videos, smarter planning, and AI polish. Learn to turn one shoot into sales, training, and industry-specific assets that drive revenue.

    22 min
  7. Paul Kiesche: Build a Manufacturer Brand That Boosts Sales and Hiring

    10/14/2025

    Paul Kiesche: Build a Manufacturer Brand That Boosts Sales and Hiring

    In this episode, we speak with Paul Kiesche from Aviate Creative about real world lessons on branding, AI, and resilience. Specifically, how a focused manufacturer brand boosts sales and hiring, how to show up in Google and ChatGPT, and why AI is a tool not a replacement. He also covers losing six clients in two days, the power of niching, and simple brand upgrades.

    26 min
  8. Don Fuchs: Keep Shoveling and Outlast the Competition

    09/22/2025

    Don Fuchs: Keep Shoveling and Outlast the Competition

    In this episode of The Manufacturer's Mindset Podcast, Ryan Cote talks with Don Fuchs, CEO of Harris Thermal Transfer Products. Don shares his unique career journey from law and legal tech entrepreneurship to leading a 140-year-old family-owned manufacturing company.

    20 min
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The Manufacturer’s Mindset Podcast features casual conversations with manufacturing and industrial professionals about their journeys, lessons learned, and more. Your host is Ryan Cote, Managing Partner at Ballantine Digital.

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