Episode Summary In this episode of the Sole Source Podcast, host Matthew Neuberger sits down with Andrew Barrieau, CEO of Felins and Chairman of the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI), for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, resilience, technology, and the future of manufacturing. Andrew traces Felins' 105-year history back to a sausage-making bottleneck in Milwaukee and explains how the company grew by solving practical problems for customers. He shares lessons from nearly 45 years in manufacturing—including his path from the shop floor to the CEO's office, the decision to bet on himself and buy into a business, and the painful 2008 downturn that forced Felins to reinvent itself. The conversation also explores how manufacturers can use AI to eliminate repetitive work, improve customer service, and give employees more meaningful roles; why workforce development is one of the industry's most important challenges; and how a culture of “candor with care” helps teams learn, adapt, and grow. Andrew makes the case that packaging is an under-the-radar industry with enormous career opportunities—and that the companies prepared to develop people and embrace change will be best positioned for what comes next. Show Notes From sausage links to a 105-year manufacturing business: Learn how a production bottleneck at a Milwaukee sausage company led to the invention that became the foundation of Felins. The long road to the CEO's office: Andrew explains how working across 12 different roles—from R&D and field service to sales and manufacturing—prepared him to lead a company. Surviving a market collapse: When the 2008 recession devastated the print industry, Felins lost nearly 40% of its business and had to reinvent itself. Andrew explains how the company adjusted spending, protected cash, diversified into food, pharma, and e-commerce, and rebuilt for growth. What PMMI does for the industry: As Chairman of PMMI, Andrew discusses the value of industry collaboration, shared data, trade shows, voice-of-customer forums, and collective problem-solving. The future of packaging machinery: Explore how sustainability, automation, flexible production, SKU proliferation, and retiring technical talent are changing the needs of manufacturers and their customers. AI is not a one-and-done project: The discussion covers the importance of protecting company data, building internal capability, and creating a plan to maintain AI systems when the original developer or outside consultant is no longer involved. Candor with care: Andrew explains Felins' core value of giving direct feedback in a way that is helpful rather than hurtful—and why teams need a shared goal in order to hear difficult truths. The next generation of manufacturing talent: Hear how Felins partners with schools and workforce programs to give students hands-on experience, reduce college debt, and create a path from high school to advanced technical work. The power of helping before asking: Andrew reflects on why taking on responsibility, learning continuously, and becoming indispensable can open doors faster than chasing the next title or paycheck. Guest Profile: Andrew Barrieau Andrew Barrieau is the CEO of Felins, a Milwaukee-based manufacturer of packaging and processing equipment, and Chairman of the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI). He has nearly 45 years of manufacturing experience and has spent more than two decades in the packaging industry. Andrew began his career on the shop floor and advanced through R&D, field service, service management, sales, and manufacturing leadership before becoming a CEO. His leadership philosophy emphasizes promoting from within, developing people, solving bottlenecks, and practicing “candor with care.” He is also deeply involved in workforce development and mentoring the next generation of manufacturing professionals. Learn more about PMMI at pmmi.org and Felins at felins.com
