LOAD IT OR LEAVE IT

Camp Jennings and Scott Smith
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Management
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to Load It or Leave It with your hosts, Camp Jennings and Scott Smith. We’re diving into the world of material handling and industrial automation. The people, the products, and the ideas shaping what’s next. Expect honest takes, smart insights, and real conversations with the folks who make this industry move.

  1. Sep 1

    Building the Skilled Trades Workforce for the Future of Material Handling

    Camp Jennings and Scott Smith sit down for a conversation about the growth of Henry North and the launch of American Automation Techs and American Forklift Techs, two new divisions focused on one of the material handling industry's most pressing challenges: finding the skilled technical talent required to keep increasingly complex equipment running. As Henry North has grown from a small startup into a team of more than a dozen people, Camp and Scott reflect on what they have learned about scaling a business, building culture, and experiencing firsthand many of the same talent challenges their clients face.   In this conversation, Camp and Scott discuss why technician recruiting has become one of the fastest growing parts of Henry North's business and why the shortage of skilled tradespeople is creating challenges throughout material handling and industrial automation. With experienced technicians retiring, fewer young people entering the trades, and equipment becoming more technologically advanced, companies are increasingly competing for a limited pool of people who possess both mechanical ability and sophisticated technical expertise.   The discussion also explores how American Automation Techs and American Forklift Techs are designed to connect employers with the specialized talent they need. Camp and Scott explain why aftermarket service and support are essential to the success of equipment manufacturers, dealers, integrators, and end users, and why technician shortages can directly limit growth, customer service, and revenue. They also discuss the expanding role of automation technicians, who increasingly need to combine hands on mechanical skills with advanced knowledge of controls, software, and complex automated systems.   Along the way, Camp and Scott reflect candidly on the challenges of entrepreneurship, hiring, and scaling Henry North while outlining their ambition to build dedicated communities for the technicians, engineers, installers, and other skilled professionals who will keep the next generation of material handling technology moving.   Chapters [00:00] Catching up with Camp and Scott [03:09] Growth, family, and life as entrepreneurs [04:08] Building Henry North in public [06:02] What is driving Henry North's growth [07:23] Building culture while scaling the team [08:01] The challenge of hiring at the right pace [09:14] Finding and retaining great talent [10:22] Introducing American Forklift Techs and American Automation Techs [11:07] How technician recruiting became a major part of the business [12:05] Why technicians are the lifeblood of material handling [12:50] The skilled trades labor shortage [14:10] Connecting technicians with the right employers [16:04] The growing demand for automation technicians [17:58] Building technician staffing at scale [18:38] American Forklift Techs and the service workforce [20:32] The business impact of unfilled technician positions [21:21] Why Henry North is going all in on skilled trades [22:09] Who American Automation Techs and American Forklift Techs serve [23:21] Opportunities for technicians, engineers, and industry talent [23:42] Final thoughts on the next chapter of Henry North

  2. Episode 100

    Load It Or Leave It

    LOAD IT OR LEAVE IT

  3. Aug 18

    John Santagate on Warehouse Automation, Robotics Strategy, and Making Smarter Technology Investments

    Camp Jennings and Scott Smith sit down with John Santagate, founder of EMP Advisors, to explore how companies can cut through the noise surrounding warehouse automation and make smarter technology investments. Drawing on years of experience researching, designing, deploying, and supporting automation systems around the world, John shares what end users, OEMs, and integrators need to understand as robotics becomes an increasingly important part of material handling. John reflects on his path from management consulting and industry research to building a global mobile robotics business and eventually launching EMP Advisors. He explains why successful automation starts with clearly defining the problem rather than simply choosing the latest technology, and why buyers need to consider everything from software and support infrastructure to scalability, flexibility, and return on investment when evaluating potential solutions. The discussion also explores what John saw at MODEX, including the continued growth of mobile robotics, the increasing importance of software, and why humanoid robots may take longer to reach widespread warehouse adoption than the current hype suggests. John breaks down the considerations behind CapEx and robotics as a service models and shares his vision for the next generation of goods to person systems, where robotic picking, sorting, and multi agent orchestration could create increasingly connected and touchless warehouse operations. John Santagate on Linkedin Chapters [00:00] Incremental innovation in warehouse automation[00:55] Meet John Santagate[02:24] The opportunity in multi agent orchestration[05:00] EMP Advisors and making better automation decisions[10:03] John's path from industry analyst to entrepreneur[14:58] Key takeaways from MODEX[17:09] Why software matters more than the robot[17:34] Humanoid robots and the automation hype cycle[19:02] The challenge of supporting robotics after deployment[23:26] CapEx versus robotics as a service[31:21] The future of goods to person automation[35:04] Connecting automation into a system of systems[39:03] Giving back through youth sports[41:20] Load It or Leave It[43:47] Final thoughts and connecting with John

  4. Aug 4

    Bill Pedriana on Service-Driven Leadership, Dealer Culture, and Building Organizations That Put People First

    Scott Smith sits down with Bill Pedriana, President of Noblelift North America, to explore why the future of material handling will be shaped less by technology alone and more by the leaders who know how to empower people through it. A third generation material handling professional, Bill shares how decades of experience across dealerships, manufacturing, and executive leadership have shaped a philosophy centered on service, culture, and long term thinking. In this conversation, Bill reflects on his journey from cold calling warehouse doors as a teenager to leading two of the industry's most recognizable manufacturers. He explains why genuine curiosity, solving customer problems, and developing people have been the constants throughout his career, and why organizations that focus only on KPIs ultimately miss the bigger opportunity to create lasting value. The discussion also explores leadership during a time of rapid technological change, the evolving relationship between manufacturers and independent dealers, and why empowering people should always come before replacing them. Bill shares his perspective on building cultures rooted in accountability, mentoring future leaders, and creating organizations where employees take responsibility for one another's success. Bill on Linkedin Chapters [00:00] Leadership through service [01:02] Meet Bill Pedriana [01:57] AI, automation, and empowering people [06:08] Growing up in material handling [11:27] From Big Joe to Noblelift [17:18] Leading culture as a president [20:32] Balancing accountability and people first leadership [26:01] Coaching, mentoring, and developing talent [30:18] Hiring for character over resumes [32:11] The future of independent dealers [37:05] Giving back by serving personally [39:39] Load It or Leave It [45:05] Final leadership advice

  5. Jul 21

    Andrew McIntosh on Career Growth, Sales Leadership, and Building the Next Generation of Material Handling Leaders

    Camp Jennings and Scott Smith sit down with Andrew McIntosh, Vice President of Sales at ProLift Toyota Material Handling, to explore what it really takes to build a successful career in material handling and grow from frontline sales into executive leadership. Drawing on more than a decade with ProLift, Andrew shares the mindset, habits, and relationships that helped accelerate his career while remaining grounded in continuous learning. In this conversation, Andrew reflects on his path from copier sales to leading one of the industry's largest Toyota dealerships, explaining why hard work, timing, and surrounding yourself with great mentors all play an essential role in long term success. He shares practical advice for sales professionals looking to advance into leadership, from protecting your time and staying disciplined to embracing the discomfort that comes with every new opportunity and overcoming the imposter syndrome that many leaders quietly experience. The discussion also explores where the material handling industry is heading, including AI driven fleet optimization, Toyota's expanding automation ecosystem, and the growing collaboration across the Toyota family of companies. Along the way, Camp and Scott compare leadership lessons from their own careers, discuss the strengths of different dealership models, and challenge common assumptions about what makes great sales leaders. Andrew on Linkedin Chapters [00:00] Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable [01:01] Meet Andrew McIntosh [02:11] AI and the future of warehouse operations [06:25] Andrew's path into material handling [09:39] What accelerated Andrew's career [11:44] Stepping into sales leadership [13:11] Inside the VP of Sales role [17:10] Time management and career advice [18:48] Imposter syndrome and leadership growth [21:59] Toyota, Raymond, and the future of automation [26:13] Dealer models and serving customers [30:40] Giving back through Impacting Tomorrow [35:49] Load It or Leave It [41:02] Final thoughts and connecting with Andrew

  6. Jul 7

    Dave Tinnerman on Service Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Future of AI in Material Handling

    Camp Jennings sits down with Dave Tinnerman, Founder and CEO of Tinnacity, to explore how technology is transforming service operations across the material handling industry. After spending years leading technology initiatives at Crown Equipment, Dave took the entrepreneurial leap to build a software platform designed specifically for the challenges faced by equipment dealers, service technicians, and aftermarket operations. In this conversation, Dave reflects on his journey from computer science student to corporate innovator and entrepreneur, sharing how his experience inside the industry revealed an opportunity to modernize service management. He explains why Tinnacity was built from the ground up with dealer input, how digitizing service workflows creates better visibility and efficiency, and why understanding an industry's unique challenges matters more than simply applying generic software. The discussion also explores artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and the importance of earning trust through deep industry expertise. Dave shares how AI is already helping technicians document repairs, identify equipment issues, and reduce administrative work, allowing them to focus on what they do best. Along the way, he offers candid lessons about building a business, overcoming setbacks, and why strong relationships remain the foundation of long term success. Dave on Linkedin Chapters [00:00] How AI is transforming field service [02:05] The opportunity to guide technology adoption [04:15] From small town Ohio to Crown Equipment [07:28] Building Crown's early technology platforms [10:37] Why Dave founded Tinnacity [12:20] Modernizing service operations through software [13:08] The future of AI for service technicians [14:34] The entrepreneurial leap from corporate life [15:33] Finding the problem worth solving [17:47] The hardest moments of building a company [20:26] Why product quality comes before rapid growth [22:15] Leveraging industry expertise to build a business [24:11] Earning trust by speaking the customer's language [26:27] What Dave misses about corporate life [28:57] Personal growth, reading, and learning AI [32:37] Giving back through Ride for Hope [34:48] Load It or Leave It [37:17] The best advice Dave ever received [39:44] Final thoughts on service, innovation, and partnership

  7. Jun 23

    Kinzie Wright on Sales Excellence, Warehouse Solutions, and Building a Business from the Ground Up

    Camp Jennings sits down with Kinzie Wright, VP and General Manager at Sammons Warehouse Solutions, to explore what separates top performers from the rest in the material handling and warehouse solutions industry. Drawing on a career that spans installation, engineering, sales, entrepreneurship, and executive leadership, Kinzie shares lessons learned from building Sync Storage with his wife, scaling the business, and ultimately joining the Sammons family of companies. In this conversation, Kinzie reflects on growing up in a material handling family, learning the industry from the ground up, and why understanding both the technical and sales sides of the business creates a powerful competitive advantage. He explains how Sync Storage became a trusted partner to forklift dealerships across the country, how that model evolved after its acquisition, and why warehouse optimization and automation have become central priorities for customers today. The discussion also explores the changing nature of sales leadership, the growing demand for technical expertise among sales professionals, and the traits that consistently separate elite performers from average ones. Kinzie shares his perspective on hiring, coaching, prospecting, and why the best salespeople never stop hunting for opportunities regardless of how successful they become. Kinzie on Linkedin Chapters [00:00] Why salespeople need both technical and entrepreneurial skills [02:26] The opportunity to simplify automation adoption [05:54] Growing up in a material handling family [08:13] Starting Sync Storage with his wife [09:37] Selling the business and joining Sammons [10:03] Understanding the Sammons organization [12:00] The Power of One philosophy [13:17] How Sync became an extension of forklift dealerships [17:57] Why many dealers still need warehouse design expertise [21:08] What has changed in the market over the last five years [22:43] The growing importance of safety and technical knowledge [24:19] The missing sales talent gap [25:22] The two types of elite salespeople [27:40] Why learning the technical side creates an advantage [30:37] What separates top performers from the middle [32:46] How great salespeople build new territories [35:38] Red flags when hiring sales talent [37:08] Personal growth, endurance sports, and staying competitive [39:43] Using AI and technology to work smarter [41:17] Giving back through the Robb Foundation

  8. Jun 9

    Martin Boyd on Electrification, Dealer Evolution, and Building the Future of Material Handling

    Scott Smith, Co-Founder of Henry North, sits down with Martin Boyd, Chief Marketing Officer at Big Joe Forklifts, to explore one of the most significant shifts happening in material handling today: the transition from internal combustion equipment to integrated electric solutions. Drawing on more than three decades of experience spanning engineering, service, product management, and executive leadership roles at Hyster Yale, Toyota, Cascade, and Big Joe, Martin offers a unique perspective on where the industry has been and where it is headed. In this conversation, Martin shares his unconventional journey from engineer to marketing executive and explains how his technical background continues to shape the way he approaches leadership, innovation, and go to market strategy. He discusses why Big Joe is betting heavily on electrification, how integrated lithium solutions are changing customer expectations, and why many organizations underestimate the complexity of transitioning from propane and diesel fleets to electric operations. The discussion also explores automation, dealership transformation, and the future role of material handling distributors. Martin explains why successful dealers must evolve from transactional sellers into consultative partners, how automation adoption depends on simplicity and measurable outcomes, and why the industry's next wave of growth will be driven by companies that can help customers navigate increasingly complex operational decisions. Martin on Linkedin Chapters [00:00] Why automation must be simple and purposeful [02:46] MODEX, automation trends, and the Big Joe vision [06:40] Martin's 34 year journey through material handling [10:06] Why he joined Big Joe and what drew him to the mission [14:25] Big Joe's evolution from niche player to electrification leader [17:34] The rise of lithium and the shift from IC to electric [21:21] How automation and electrification work together [24:55] Why dealers must evolve beyond transactional selling [28:34] Integrated lithium and changing the dealership model [31:22] From engineer to CMO and lessons in leadership [35:55] Building teams, culture, and embracing failure [39:16] Giving back through veterans and dementia support [42:17] Load It or Leave It [45:45] Why Martin would choose material handling all over again

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5
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14 Ratings

About

Welcome to Load It or Leave It with your hosts, Camp Jennings and Scott Smith. We’re diving into the world of material handling and industrial automation. The people, the products, and the ideas shaping what’s next. Expect honest takes, smart insights, and real conversations with the folks who make this industry move.

Information

  • Creator
    Camp Jennings and Scott Smith
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Camp Jennings and Scott Smith