Manufacturing Happy Hour

Chris Luecke
  • 4.9 (104)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Manufacturing Happy Hour, the podcast where we get real about the latest trends and technologies impacting modern manufacturers. Hosted by industry veteran Chris Luecke, each week, we interview makers, founders, and other manufacturing leaders that are at the top of their game and give you the tools, tactics, and strategies you need to take your career and your business to the next level. We go beyond the buzzwords and dissect real-life applications and success stories so that you can tackle your biggest manufacturing challenges and turn them into profitable opportunities. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

  1. 4D AGO

    273: The Only Podcast Ever Recorded in an Open-Pit Mine featuring Imerys' Ken Rasmussen

    Loud, dusty and far removed from innovation. We often think of mining as separate from modern manufacturing, but our visit to Imerys West Hub in this episode challenges that idea. The conversation was recorded on site at the largest diatomaceous earth mine in the world, in Lompoc, California. During the recording, a sonic boom from a nearby SpaceX launch cuts across the background, a reminder of how closely materials, regulation, and advanced manufacturing often overlap. Chris is joined by Ken Rasmussen, Operations Director at the site, who shares a practical perspective on what modern mining looks like when it’s done right. Ken walks us through how diatomaceous earth is mined, processed, and shipped as a finished product from a single site, and why that matters. The material is used in industries most people don’t associate with mining, including water filtration, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines. In this episode, we look at how mining fits directly into modern manufacturing, and what it takes to run an end-to-end operation on a global scale. In this episode, find out: Why “if you can’t grow it, you have to mine it” still applies to modern manufacturingWhat diatomaceous earth is and why it’s critical for filtration, pharma, and medical applicationsHow a mining operation runs start to finish, from raw material to finished productWhy mining in California forces higher standards for safety, automation, and environmental controlHow automation improves recovery, efficiency, and process visibility across the operationWhat mining really looks like today versus common perceptionsHow and why mining should coexist with communities instead of being pushed outside them Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going! Tweetable Quotes: “If you can’t grow it, you have to mine it. It’s not magic. Everything we use has to come from somewhere.” “Mining absolutely has to be part of communities, or else everything would need to be imported. There’s no other way around it.”“The safety of our employees is first and foremost in everything we do. Every single person here has the authority to stop work if something doesn’t feel right.” Links & mentions: Imerys, a provider of mineral-based specialty solutions for industry globally, including construction, automotive, and consumer goods; their Lompoc, CA facility is the world’s largest diatomite mine.SpaceX, a private American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company founded by Elon Musk in 2002. Its primary mission is to revolutionize space technology by making rockets fully and...

    30 min

  2. JAN 27

    272: Working Capital: The Hidden Constraint to Sustainable Manufacturing Growth featuring Klear Co-Founder & CEO Chris Hale

    A lot of manufacturing companies can build insanely complex and intricate things, but far fewer are set up to handle what happens once customers start buying. So, what happens when those products start selling at scale, contracts get longer, and customers get bigger? In this episode, we’re joined by Chris Hale, CEO and Founder at Klear, to uncover a side of manufacturing that often gets overlooked: how money moves through industrial businesses. The conversation explores how money flows when deal cycles are long, customers are global, and planning starts to feel less like spreadsheets and more like a 3D chessboard. Trade finance sits underneath a lot of this activity, shaping how physical infrastructure gets built and how manufacturers grow. We also hear about Chris' experience touring in a band, and how this shaped the way he thinks about coordination, timing, and handoffs, ideas that show up repeatedly in how he approaches financial systems for manufacturers today. In this episode, find out: How Chris Hale moved from touring in a band to working in finance and building fintech tools for industrial companiesWhy trade finance underpins everything from shipping containers to large-scale infrastructure projectsWhat orchestration means in a manufacturing context, and why clean handoffs matterWhy managing money often becomes harder as companies grow and demand increasesHow global volatility, customer behaviour, and innovation shape financial decision-makingWhere financial visibility tends to break down inside fast-growing manufacturersWhy tying money directly to physical execution changes how companies scale Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going! Tweetable Quotes: “Trade finance as an asset class is fascinating because it’s how the world gets built through money. If you see a boat full of shipping containers, that boat is trade finance. If you see a data center being built, everything going into it is trade finance.”“The board keeps moving. You’ve got government customers, supply chain disruptions, strikes, geopolitics, and it becomes incredibly difficult to plan with confidence.”“Manufacturer are doing all this precision work, but when it comes to their money, they’re doing dead reckoning. They’re looking at the sun and guessing, and that’s where things fall apart.” Links & mentions: Klear Inc., a payment and working capital infrastructure provider that’s designed specifically for modern industrial companies. The platform helps manufacturers gain clearer visibility into cash flow, manage risk across long contracts, and better align financial operations with physical execution.a href="http://www.thetrident.net/"...

    33 min

  3. JAN 20

    271: Preparing Manufacturers for the Semiconductor Boom: Insights from SEMICON West and Beyond

    Chips are the new oil. And that's not just a catchy line, it's the lens through which national security, supply chain strategy, and trillion-dollar investments are being made right now. With a hundred-plus fabs going up globally and the industry sprinting toward a trillion dollars by 2032, the semiconductor boom isn't coming. It's here. This episode comes to you from SEMICON West 2025 in Phoenix, with guests joining from HARTING Technology Group and Rockwell Automation. Jeffrey Miller and Danielle Collins kick things off with a semiconductor primer for folks who aren't living and breathing this space every day. Danielle's been in the industry since her first SEMICON in 1999, seen the shift from 200 to 300-millimeter wafers, and watched manufacturing go local while R&D went global. Anuj Mahendru joins Chris on the show floor to dig into the challenges facing legacy and digital fabs, from worker productivity and material movement challenges to why copy exact is finally loosening its grip on this industry. This is part one of a two-part semiconductor series, so stay tuned for the bonus episode dropping right after this one. In this episode, find out: Why chips have become a national security priority on par with oilWhat's driving the trillion-dollar march toward 2032How legacy fabs are solving material movement problems they didn’t planned forWhy the semiconductor industry was doing AI long before it was a buzzwordWhat equipment manufacturers mean by "do more with less"Why copy exact is starting to crack post-COVIDHow sustainability shifted from compliance checkbox to business imperativeWhat it takes to become a trusted partner in an industry that's famously risk-averse Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going! Tweetable Quotes: “Manufacturing is being localized, while R&D is being globalized. R&D has moved from being concentrated in Northern California and the Boston area to regions like India, Asia and Japan.” - Danielle Collins“The semiconductor industry is defined by data economics, and it’s the currency of conversations. Successful partners that will lead the way will be companies who can speak the language of operational data.” - Jeffrey Miller“Before semiconductor and chips, it was oil. Now chips have become the new oil. After and during COVID, the world came to the realization that there needs to be resiliency of the supply chain. From a geopolitical standpoint people see semiconductors at the front end of national security and self-sufficiency.” - Anuj Mahendru Links & mentions: HARTING Technology Group, a leading global provider of industrial connectivity solutions enabling the transmission of...

    56 min

  4. JAN 13

    270: How Packaged MBRs are Revolutionizing Wastewater Treatment with Troy Ellison, Co-Founder & CEO of Cloacina

    In this episode, Chris sits down with Troy Ellison of Cloacina to talk about what it takes to build infrastructure that works in the real world, not just on paper. Troy explains what membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are in a way that you and I can understand, then pulls back the curtain on why so many systems fail the people who have to run them. A big theme here is end-user experience. Troy makes the case that operators have been ignored for too long, and that designing systems around spreadsheets instead of humans is why so many projects struggle. We also get into scaling a manufacturing business, what it’s really like growing from a handful of people to well over a hundred, and the highs and lows of being in business with your family. If you’re building something meant to last, whether that’s equipment, a team, or a company, there’s a lot in here worth sitting with. In this episode, find out: What an MBR (membrane bioreactor) is, and why it’s become Cloacina’s core focus.Why Troy compares wastewater systems to race cars, and what happens when operators are handed something poorly designed.How prioritizing the operator changes everything from layout to long-term performance.What scaling a manufacturing business looks like when you’re buying equipment, hiring people, and fixing problems nonstop.Why Cloacina stopped listening to voices that slowed progress and focused on building the right team.How taking on single-point responsibility removes friction instead of adding risk.Where Troy sees the future of MBRs heading. Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going! Tweetable Quotes: “The Cloacina difference is the end user experience. We're hyper focused on that. It's all we care about at the end of the day.”“We were essentially building the airplane as it was on fire and falling out of the sky for many, many years.”“We are on a relentless pursuit for the perfect MBR. But the reason it's relentless is we will never get there; we will never achieve perfection. Perfection is the process, it's not a destination.” Links & mentions: Cloacina - Troy Ellison’s company, focused on membrane bioreactor (MBR) wastewater treatment systemsCloacina Rentals - Rental MBRs for immediate wastewater treatment solutionsMembrane Bioreactors (MBRs) - The core wastewater technology discussed throughout the episodeExtreme Ownership - Leadership principle referenced (popularized by Jocko Willink)Jocko’s - The local bar that Troy references Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty. Mentioned in this episode: Industrial Marketing Summit 2026 The Industrial Marketing Summit is the go-to gathering for marketers working in the manufacturing, engineering and industrial sectors. Built by Gorilla 76 and TREW Marketing, IMS delivers strategic insight, hands-on learning and true community. Whether you’re a team of one, or leading a scaled marketing department, you’ll walk away ready to market smarter, lead stronger and impact your business. Make sure to use the code "happy hour" at checkout for $100 off...

    46 min

  5. JAN 6

    269: Entertainment Meets Automation: How andyRobot is Leveraging Robotics for Lady Gaga, Drake, and More

    Industrial robots on a factory floor can be difficult, to say the least. Industrial robots on a concert stage, in front of 20,000 people, on a two-minute setup clock are a whole different challenge. In this episode, we talk with Andy Flesser - computer animator turned “robot animator,” whose work has helped bring robotics into live entertainment and film - about what that kind of pressure does to how you think about automation. Why preparation starts way earlier than most teams realize. And why some of the best lessons for manufacturing come from places that don’t look like factories at all. We also get into where Andy thinks robotics actually makes sense, where it probably doesn’t, and why the future of robots might be less about machines walking around and more about environments doing work around us. If you’ve ever operated an automated system and felt that knot in your stomach when something didn’t behave the way you expected, you’ll recognize a lot of what he’s talking about here. In this episode, find out: How Andy went from animation into robotics, and why early robot programming felt more like deciphering a code than writing softwareWhat it was like putting robots on tour with Bon Jovi, and why live entertainment turned out to be one of the toughest automation environments imaginableWhy a robot failing on a concert stage creates a very different kind of pressure than a robot failing behind factory wallsWhat really happens on a movie set when robotics are involved (including Black Adam), and why even “small” changes still need serious testingWhy Andy sees huge potential for robotics in medical applications, especially in areas most people don’t talk aboutA take on the future of robotics that skips the humanoids and focuses on buildings, rooms, and systems doing the work insteadHow entertainment can be a surprisingly effective way to pull people into robotics and automation careers Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going! Tweetable Quotes: “Every single show, every inch, every second of time is so expensive. When something goes wrong, it’s happening right in front of everybody.” “All the research and development in the world doesn’t exist unless you actually have sales.” “I think the future isn’t robots walking around your house. I think the house will be the robot and you’ll be inside of it.” Links & mentions: andyRobot / Robotic Arts – Andy’s website and studio, where industrial robots get repurposed for live shows, touring, and filmRobot Animator – The software Andy built to let...

    53 min

  6. JAN 2 · BONUS

    BONUS: More Than Iron City Beer: A Look Inside Pittsburgh Brewing Company

    In true Manufacturing Happy Hour style, we head back to Pittsburgh, PA to drink the region's most iconic beer - Iron City - in an iconic Pittsburgh manufacturing facility. We sit down with Alex Gonzalez, Plant Manager at Pittsburgh Brewing Company. Part of our Made Here Series with the Industrial Solutions Network. Mentioned in this episode: Industrial Marketing Summit 2026 The Industrial Marketing Summit is the go-to gathering for marketers working in the manufacturing, engineering and industrial sectors. Built by Gorilla 76 and TREW Marketing, IMS delivers strategic insight, hands-on learning and true community. Whether you’re a team of one, or leading a scaled marketing department, you’ll walk away ready to market smarter, lead stronger and impact your business. Make sure to use the code "happy hour" at checkout for $100 off registration. Industrial Marketing Summit 2026

    33 min

  7. 12/30/2025

    268: Reindustrialization in the Heartland, Live from +Venture North 2025

    Reindustrialization isn’t going to be driven by a single mega factory or a headline-grabbing announcement on the coasts. It’s going to be built region by region, by places that already know how to make things and are willing to evolve how they do it. This episode was recorded live at +Venture North in Milwaukee, bringing together investors, founders, and operators to talk candidly about what it really takes to scale manufacturing in the heartland. The conversations cut through the buzzwords and focus on fundamentals: affordable power, experienced talent, corporate customers, and ecosystems that actually support manufacturers beyond the pitch deck. You’ll hear why innovation may start anywhere, but scale almost always moves to regions with space, infrastructure, and people who know how to run plants. We also dig into how legacy industries adopt new technology without putting uptime at risk, and why reindustrialization won’t happen if workforce strategies stop at new graduates instead of upskilling the people already on the floor. In this episode, find out: Why reindustrialization scale-up is likely to happen “between the coasts” (and what regions need to compete)How places like Tulsa and Milwaukee can win by leaning into their industrial DNA instead of trying to copy Silicon ValleyWhy the cost of power is quietly becoming one of the biggest deciding factors in where manufacturing expandsHow Carmen Industries is electrifying thermal processes (and why process engineers hate watching usable heat go “out the roof”)What it really takes to get legacy plants comfortable adopting new technology without risking uptime or performance metricsWhy reindustrialization requires upskilling today’s workforce, not just training new entrantsWhat healthy ecosystems measure (and what they don’t): founders getting funded, exits, corporate engagement, and a community that’s genuinely welcoming Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going! Tweetable Quotes: “Once you start needing manufacturing facilities for making hundreds, thousands of products, that’s when companies really start looking elsewhere.” - Rosa Hathaway“If we only look at giving new manufacturing skills to 18- to 22-year-olds, we will never meet the workforce needs fast enough to reindustrialize the country.” - Bill Berrien“Fifty percent of all end energy use is for thermal management, heating things up or cooling things down, and we do it in very inefficient ways.” - David Tse Links & mentions: NVNG Investment Advisors, a venture capital fund-of-funds backed by local corporations, focused on strengthening industrial innovation ecosystems.a href="https://starframecapital.com/home"...

    1h 15m

  8. 12/23/2025

    267: How Meaningful Work, Optimism, and Relationships Drive Manufacturing Excellence, An Interview with Kathy Miller, Author of MORE is Better

    Manufacturing leadership is more than just charts, tools, and process maps. It requires people who understand the routines, pressures and drivers within a factory, and how to bring out the best in the people behind it. In this episode, keynote speaker, certified leadership coach and business transformation advisor, Kathy Miller returns to the show to share some ideas from her latest book, MORE is Better, a framework built from years of leading operations and studying what drives excellence in manufacturing. Rather than starting with strategy or systems, Kathy begins with the human elements: helping people find meaning in the work they do, creating a culture where problems feel solvable, and building the relationships that make teams stronger and more resilient. Her stories come straight from plant floors navigating Lean initiatives, new technology, talent turnover, and the day-to-day realities of production. For leaders trying to build long-term capability in their teams, Kathy reminds us that the factories that thrive are the ones that invest in both performance and people. In this episode, find out: Why meaningful work matters more than ever, and how to help people see their impactThe difference between autonomy and agency and why agency is what drives pride, ownership, and problem-solving on the plant floorHow optimism becomes a cultural engine, not a personality traitWhere Lean manufacturing and positive psychology intersectHow leaders at every level shape culture through micro-moments of connection that build trust, resilience, and collaborationWhat digital transformation and AI mean for manufacturing workersHow to “do a little more today” with small, practical leadership actions that build stronger workplaces one conversation, one moment, one choice at a time Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going! Tweetable Quotes: “A key aspect of lean manufacturing is eliminating waste. We don’t want people creating scrap. Who wants to work on something that’s going to end up being waste? Don’t you want to work on the product itself?”“Small choices really build our culture, our performance, and our leadership legacy, and that happens one little shift at a time.”“Optimism is really about that ability to look at when things go wrong and know that you can solve the problem. It's temporary, it's specific, and it's not going to be the end of the world.” Links & mentions: MORE is Better: Leading Operations with Meaning, Optimism, and Relationships for Excellence, by Kathy Miller, a practical handbook for manufacturing leaders, grounded in psychology and real plant experience, focused on building strong cultures that drive performance.More 4 Leaders, Kathy’s website and the home of More Mentor, her AI-powered coaching tool designed to help leaders work through real-world challenges using the principles from MORE is Better.Episode 97 featuring Kathy Miller, our first conversation with Kathy, aired June 28, 2022, where she shares her journey from running global manufacturing operations to coaching leaders through culture, leadership, and transformation.a...

    53 min
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4.9
out of 5
104 Ratings

About

Welcome to Manufacturing Happy Hour, the podcast where we get real about the latest trends and technologies impacting modern manufacturers. Hosted by industry veteran Chris Luecke, each week, we interview makers, founders, and other manufacturing leaders that are at the top of their game and give you the tools, tactics, and strategies you need to take your career and your business to the next level. We go beyond the buzzwords and dissect real-life applications and success stories so that you can tackle your biggest manufacturing challenges and turn them into profitable opportunities. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Luecke
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    329
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Chris Luecke
  • Show Website
    Manufacturing Happy Hour

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