Manufacturing Culture Podcast

Jim Mayer
  • 5.0 (15)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Manufacturing is more than the products we make; it’s the people who make the parts. On The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, I sit down with leaders, innovators, and everyday heroes to uncover the stories behind their journeys in the industry. We talk about where they started, how they’ve grown, and the challenges they’ve overcome along the way. Each episode brings a unique perspective; some practical, some inspiring, and all rooted in the human side of manufacturing. From lessons learned on the shop floor to big ideas shaping the future, it’s all about the people who make it happen. Because at the heart of every company are the people who work there, and every person has a story.

  1. 6D AGO

    Ian Wilson on real culture, no nonsense branding, and the future of manufacturing

    Ian Wilson is a creative turned industrial brand strategist who believes real culture is the level of authenticity people can bring to work. In this episode, he and Jim talk about why manufacturing feels more grounded than other industries, why specs and machines are only half the story, and how authenticity—not polish—is what builds trust online and on the shop floor. What You’ll Hear How Ian went from writing music to building brands in manufacturing Why he believes “you can’t hype up a spring” and what that says about honesty in marketing What culture really means inside an industrial business How family-owned manufacturers can turn values and pride into their strongest brand asset Why too many manufacturers are still “allergic to marketing” The difference between performative culture and real culture How to pull real company values from leadership to the shop floor Why brand voice matters even when buyers only care about specs How to make digital feel authentic without fluff The future of manufacturing culture, community, and education Topics Covered Authenticity and culture in manufacturing Industrial marketing and branding AI’s role in marketing and creativity Bridging creative and engineering mindsets Defining company values with honesty Community and workforce development in the trades Key Quotes “Culture is the level of authenticity people can bring with them to work.” “You can’t hype up a spring. It either works or it doesn’t.” “Some manufacturers are allergic to marketing—but that’s exactly where the opportunity is.” “Pretty is easy. Authentic is hard.” “The future of manufacturing is stronger communities and better futures for our kids.” Jim’s Take Ian brings a mix of humor, depth, and hard truth that’s rare in branding conversations. He reminds us that the best marketing doesn’t try to make manufacturing look cool—it shows the real pride and people behind the work. Connect with the Manufacturing Culture Podcast Follow for weekly conversations with the people shaping culture across the industrial world.

    58 min

  2. NOV 4

    Building Confidence, Not Just Machines: Julie Runez on Culture, Labs, and Learning Out Loud

    Julie Runez leads marketing for a custom automation firm that designs and builds one-off manufacturing machinery. She came back to work after years at home with her kids, brought a journalist’s curiosity, and learned industrial marketing from the ground up during the early months of 2020. Without case studies she could publicly share and with very long, high-stakes sales cycles, Julie shifted the strategy away from chasing clicks to creating in-person proof. The result is a zero-cost lab inside their facility where vendors and manufacturers test ideas together, train teams, and de-risk projects before anyone signs. We talk culture, kindness in leadership, learning fast, and why most problems are system problems, not people problems. Why this conversation matters If you sell complex, capital equipment under NDA, the usual playbook won’t carry you. Julie shows how to earn trust when buyers need confidence more than content, and how to build culture around the people you want to attract. What you’ll hear How journalism skills, parenting, and resourcefulness translated into an effective solo marketing role. Why kindness from the founder set the tone for culture and risk-taking. The limits of digital in NDA-heavy environments and how in-person proof fills the gap. Inside the lab concept and how cross-vendor collaboration builds end-to-end confidence. Using ClickUp and simple SOPs to turn tribal knowledge into systems. Handling the “I’m in over my head” moments by finding the skill, the person, or the room that solves it. Topics covered Culture as the environment you create for the people you want. Experimenting, failing forward, and deciding what actually works for your business. Sales cycles that run from a year to many years, and how to stay relevant in the meantime. Bringing vendors, engineers, and customers together to test and train before purchase. Storytelling that focuses on outcomes, not features. Letting the next generation toss the box aside rather than just think outside it. Quotes to pull “When you buy a drill, you’re buying holes. Our buyers need confidence their problem will be solved.” “In tough moments it’s usually a system problem, not a human problem.” “The lab is our proof. People can see parts move, get training, and leave with answers.” “Kindness from leadership makes everything else solvable.” Guest Julie Runez is the marketing lead for a custom automation and machine-building company serving life sciences and other regulated industries. She built an in-house lab program that lets manufacturers and vendor partners test concepts, train operators, and de-risk projects at zero cost. Sponsor Med Device Boston at the BCEC, September 30 to October 1. A sourcing and education expo with suppliers, workshops, and expert-led sessions for the next generation of med-tech.

    51 min

  3. OCT 28

    Quality, failure, and fixing the shop floor with Sydney Mrowczynski

    Sydney Mrowczynski didn’t plan to end up under a welding hood. As a teenager she dreamed of fashion design — until a boyfriend told her she couldn’t weld. Challenge accepted. A few years later, she’s worked across multiple shops, learned how things really get built, and is now studying industrial management and applied engineering at Southern Illinois University to bridge the gap between the floor and the front office. This episode of the Manufacturing Culture Podcast is a crash course in what real culture looks like from someone living it. Sydney’s take is simple: great culture means communication, teamwork, and quality. Most shops have one or two of those — rarely all three. She shares what it’s like being the only woman on the floor, the extra proof she’s had to carry into every new job, and why too many people get comfortable doing things “almost right” for 20 years. We get into failure as a teacher — how welding forces you to face mistakes and learn faster than any classroom. Sydney talks about integrity, leadership, and the shops that cover bad welds instead of fixing them. She lays out the difference between a leader who checks in, listens, and teaches versus one who just points and barks orders. If you run a team, hire apprentices, or manage training programs, you’ll want to hear her take on trade schools too — how they teach to plate instead of teaching to reality. She argues that students should weld on rusted, greasy, and painted metal, not perfect coupons, if they’re expected to survive their first week on the job. Sydney is now balancing school with work at Tenco Hydro in Sugar Grove, Illinois, helping bring metal fabrication in house and ship their first stainless wastewater tank. She’s seen the gaps firsthand — and she’s building the bridge from within. It’s an honest, sharp conversation about what manufacturing culture really needs: leaders who communicate clearly, care about quality, and build environments where new talent wants to stay. Sponsor Med Device Boston is your go-to Med Tech sourcing and education expo, September 30 through October 1 at Boston’s BCEC. With 200+ suppliers, 1,500+ attending professionals, and expert-led workshops on 3D printing, AI, materials, regulatory tech, and contract manufacturing, it’s built to advance the next generation of medical device innovation. Visit meddeviceboston.com to register. Connect Find Sydney Mrowczynski on LinkedIn Subscribe to the Manufacturing Culture Podcast on YouTube and your favorite platform.

    38 min

  4. OCT 21

    Building Culture That Cares in Manufacturing with Chris Humphrey

    In this episode of The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, Jim sits down with Chris Humphrey, Business Development Manager at AirPro Fan & Blower Company, to explore how purpose, people, and love of neighbor shape lasting manufacturing cultures. From growing up in a motorcycle dealership to hiking the Appalachian Trail during a “quarter-life crisis,” Chris shares how his journey through machining, engineering, and leadership led him to rediscover the true purpose behind manufacturing — building communities, providing meaningful work, and caring for people along the way. Together, they unpack what culture means beyond the walls of a company, how leadership grounded in empathy can transform performance, and why AirPro’s employee-owned model has created one of the most authentic examples of modern manufacturing culture today. What You’ll Hear: Chris’s early years in machining and how vocational education shaped his career The “quarter-life crisis” that changed his perspective on work and purpose Why every manufacturing job supports six others and how that drives community impact Lessons from the rifle industry on culture, stress, and leadership How AirPro Fan & Blower built a thriving employee-owned culture around love of neighbor The difference between condemning managers and leaders who come alongside Why culture, not compensation, is the real key to long-term retention How manufacturing can reclaim its image and attract the next generation The future of manufacturing through technology, AI, and purpose-driven leadership Key Quotes: “Manufacturing supports my community. That realization changed everything for me.” “Love of neighbor is a culture driver. It changes how you lead, how you sell, and how you care for people.” “People remember who you are, not just what you did.” “When a company puts care at the center, success takes care of itself.” Topics Covered: Manufacturing culture, leadership, purpose, employee ownership, community, vocational education, business development, supply chain, culture change, mentorship, AI in manufacturing, future of work. Jim’s Take: Chris’s story is a reminder that culture isn’t a policy — it’s people caring for each other. His journey from shop floor to business development shows how purpose evolves but never disappears when it’s built on the right foundation Med Device Boston — The go-to med tech sourcing and education expo, September 30th–October 1st at Boston’s BCEC. Explore the next generation of medical device innovation at meddeviceboston.com.

    58 min

  5. OCT 14

    How Supportive Teams Shape Great Engineers with Katie Friday

    Katie Friday is a sales engineer who took the scenic route into manufacturing. She started in social work, battled through an engineering pivot at WVU, worked her way from project engineering to sales, and now lives at the intersection of customers, controls, and culture. We talk about resilient learning, why great SOPs read like fifth grade science, the reality of safety projects, and how leadership sets the tone for teams. There is a rom-com opening scene, a baby blue Beetle, and a giant robot in Wilmington. Most of all, there is a clear picture of how supportive culture turns new hires into future leaders. Why this conversation matters Culture is a team sport and leadership is the lever. Katie shows how cross-functional respect between engineering, maintenance, and operations speeds projects up, how good documentation creates confidence on the floor, and why automation does not erase jobs. It raises the skill ceiling and demands better training. Conversation highlights Meeting story at IMTS and a friendship that started in an elevator. Katie’s rom-com life pitch featuring a 2013 baby blue Beetle and a bee. Switching from social work to industrial engineering and learning resilience the hard way. From receptionist to project engineer to sales engineer and why talking to customers clicked. The coolest project sighting, a towering broadcast robot and the crews that build stages for NASCAR, ESPN, and even the Super Bowl. Safety projects move first and fast, and the scheduling whiplash that brings. SOPs that actually teach, pictures over jargon, and testing docs with non engineers. Women navigating a male heavy field, boundaries, and a shoutout to mentor Kimberly Pelke. Why new adopters of automation are the next wave and how AI will show up on the plant floor. Topics covered Company culture as daily behavior, not a poster on the wall. Leadership modeling communication and teamwork. Sales engineering as translator between customers and controls teams. Budget timing, stakeholders, and the real blockers to moving from design to execution. Operator training that matches the tech. Automation as job shifter and skill builder, not a job eraser. Women in STEM, representation that changes decisions, and early pipeline programs. Quotes “I do not mind being the dumbest in the room. It just means I am learning.” “Good culture feels like a team that actually communicates and still pulls toward the same goal.” “Automation does not eliminate people. It asks them to learn new skills.” “Great SOPs should read like fifth grade science. Pictures help people keep the line running.” Guest Katie Friday is a sales engineer working across pharma, food and beverage, rubber and tire, and other regulated environments. She graduated from West Virginia University in industrial engineering, cut her teeth in project engineering, and now helps manufacturers scope, justify, and deliver automation upgrades with Industrial Automated Systems and sister company Triune Electric. Shoutouts and resources mentioned Industrial Automated Systems and Triune Electric. Mentor Kimberly Pelke, director of business development. Move Over Bob, a culture first magazine introducing young women to trades. Rosie Riveters, early STEM confidence through productive struggle. Vendors seen on the floor, including Siemens, Rockwell, and Schneider Electric. WVU, the scene of the pivot and the grind. Sponsor Med Device Boston is a sourcing and education expo at Boston’s BCEC, September 30 to October 1. Two hundred plus suppliers, hands on workshops, and expert led sessions focused on the next generation of med tech. Register at meddeviceboston.com and plan your visit. The link is in the show notes. Connect Host, Jim Mayer. Subscribe to Manufacturing Culture on YouTube and your favorite podcast app. Share the episode with a friend who is wrestling with training and documentation after an automation upgrade.

    53 min

  6. OCT 7

    Rethinking the Trades with Kate Glantz

    Culture is the lens through which everything happens. Kate Glantz joins the show to talk about building a culture-first movement that puts real tradeswomen at the center of the story. We get into why representation changes decisions, how a print magazine in schools can beat the algorithm, and why AI might shrink some white-collar roles while exploding demand for blue-collar work. Kate shares the why behind Move Over Bob, the plan to go beyond construction into semiconductors, data centers, mining, and civil infrastructure, and a practical path for companies, schools, and parents to get involved. What You’ll Hear • How Kate’s through line is helping women reach financial independence and why that domino changes families and communities • Why storytelling is not fluff and how culture speeds up real change on the ground • Why recruiting women is part of a bigger youth awareness gap and the messenger problem in the trades • How Move Over Bob uses tactile print to reach students, libraries, nonprofits, and even women’s prisons • The winter issue plan that connects welding, ironworking, and heavy equipment to data centers, chips, mining, and civil projects • How AI and automation can erase some office jobs while creating a massive need for electricians and craft labor • Leadership lessons from tech and Hollywood to construction and workforce • A five-year outlook where the trades get a glow-up without sugarcoating the work • Exactly how to support the mission and why this is pro-Bob, not anti-Bob Topics Covered Culture as catalyst, not garnish Representation, role models, and behavior change in teens CTE awareness, apprenticeships, and the cost myths around college Workwear, PPE, and making safety and self-expression compatible Semiconductor and data-center build-outs and what they mean for craft careers AI’s impact on labor markets and why electricians matter more than ever Partnership models for associations, contractors, and brands Key Quotes “Culture is the lens through which everything happens.” “We tell ourselves stories in order to live.” “Entrepreneurs don’t see problems. They see opportunities.” “If not us, then who.” “We’re not asking Bob to leave. We’re asking him to scoot over so we can build the table together.” About the Guest Kate Glantz is the co-founder of Move Over Bob, a culture-driven platform bringing tradeswomen into the center of mainstream culture and into schools at scale. Her background spans Peace Corps, tech, Hollywood, and national policy work, all pointed at a single why: helping women reach financial independence. Website: https://moveoverbob.com How to Get Involved • Profiles and school visits for tradeswomen who want to demo and speak • Advertisers, sponsors, and associations who want to expand the talent pool • Educators, CTE directors, and librarians who want copies for students Start at moveoverbob.com Sponsor Med Device Boston is your go-to med-tech sourcing and education expo on September 30 to October 1 at the BCEC in Boston. Over 200 suppliers, 1,500 attending professionals, and OEM decision-makers. Explore 3D printing, AI, materials, regulatory tech, and contract manufacturing under one roof. Register at meddeviceboston.com Watch & Listen Full episode on The Manufacturing Connector website and on YouTube.

    44 min

  7. SEP 30

    The Real Reshoring Math With Rosemary Coates

    Rosemary Coates has spent three decades inside the hardest questions in manufacturing… where to build, what to move, and how to survive the politics around it. On this episode of The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, she walks through the real story behind offshoring, why reshoring is more trickle than tidal wave, and how companies can make smarter location calls without blowing up cost or capacity. We go back to her origin story… blue collar roots, a transportation management elective that lit the fuse, and a career that ran through Solar Turbines, defense work, Hewlett Packard, Big Four consulting, and finally her own firm. When the 2012 election turned China into a punching bag, Rosemary pivoted from moving factories out to helping leaders bring work back in a way that actually pencils. She founded the nonprofit, nonpartisan Reshoring Institute and now advises with data instead of slogans. We dig into what really changed. Labor in China is no longer cheap. Geopolitics now sits beside cost on the decision tree. Carbon footprint matters when your supply chain stretches across oceans. The grid cannot power a sudden factory boom even if you build it. And the workforce of today is not lining up for low skill, mind numbing assembly. The path forward looks like automation where it fits, contract manufacturing for flexibility, and a cold look at labor mix and total landed cost before anyone signs a lease. Mexico’s rise gets a clear-eyed review… proximity, lower carbon, easier logistics, and a young workforce make Central Mexico compelling. Vietnam is full. India brings time and inventory penalties on the water. Demographics matter. So do hurricanes, wildfires, and the ability to shift production when the world throws a brick through your window. We also talk wages, the hole blown in the middle class, and why the new middle class is built on writing, computing, and mechatronics rather than grease and punch presses. Rosemary explains her expert witness work inside global supply chain disputes and leaves us with a simple truth… strategy beats sentiment, and the best decisions use both spreadsheets and context. Sponsor note: Med Device Boston is your go-to Med Tech sourcing and education expo, September 30 through October 1 at Boston’s BCEC. 200 plus suppliers. 1500 plus attending professionals and OEM decision makers. Explore 3D printing, AI, materials, regulatory tech, and contract manufacturing under one roof. Visit meddeviceboston.com to register and plan your visit. Links in the show notes. Guest: Rosemary Coates, Executive Director of the Reshoring Institute, global supply chain strategist, expert witness, and author of five books on sourcing and manufacturing.

    55 min

  8. SEP 23

    Creating Space for the Next Generation with Natalie Macias

    A candid conversation with high school engineer and FIRST Robotics alum Natalie Macias about curiosity, consistency, and carving out room for young makers inside a sometimes closed-off industry. We talk early exposure to CAD and flight sims, why manufacturing is the first mile of everything, the lemon tree lesson on failure, and how leaders can be firm yet flexible. Natalie wants more hands-on opportunities before college and a more welcoming on-ramp for students who are ready to show up. Guest: Natalie Macias, student engineer from Los Angeles, senior capstone lead, robotics team veteran, and Future Faces of Manufacturing feature with AMT. She’s using LinkedIn to learn directly from practitioners and find mentors across the industry. What you’ll hear: How a DOD Starbase program quietly introduced CAD, chemistry, and flight simulation to a curious kid from South Central Why FIRST Robotics felt like a real company under deadline, with design, programming, assembly, and manufacturing all moving together The jump from loving law to choosing engineering, then finding home in manufacturing A classroom set up like DARPA, complete with two “companies” competing for a contract under a mentor who worked at Northrop Grumman Why opportunity before college is the missing bridge and how dual-enrollment and apprenticeships could fix it Leadership as knowing your people, staying open to feedback, and bending for the needs of the group without becoming a people-pleaser Creating space in schools so students can actually grow rather than learn inside a box Failure as pruning a lemon tree so the next season grows stronger Using LinkedIn for mentorship and perspective, not just job hunting The ask to our audience for college experience stories from programs that truly delivered hands-on engineering Key quotes: “If you keep showing up, even if you didn’t do well, you’re showing that you want to be there. That goes a long way.” “Manufacturing is phase one. Piece by piece, chip by chip, you’re contributing to something bigger.” “Failure isn’t to stop us. It’s pruning the dead branches so the tree can grow.” “Be firm where it matters and flexible where it helps the group.” “Create space for growth. Don’t keep students in a box, then act surprised when they don’t grow.” Topics covered: Early STEM ignition through Starbase and school projects FIRST Robotics as a training ground for teamwork and urgency Hands-on access for high schoolers versus the current college-first gate How industry perceptions can intimidate newcomers and how to fix that welcome Leadership habits students will actually follow Natalie’s college search and what she’s looking for in an engineering program The pace of automation and why that excites her Natalie’s ask to listeners: If you studied engineering or work in manufacturing, message Natalie on LinkedIn with what your university actually did to prepare you. What labs, co-ops, shops, or professors made the difference. Short stories beat brochures. Sponsor note: Med Device Boston is the go-to Med Tech sourcing and education expo on September 30 through October 1 at Boston’s VCEC. 200 plus suppliers. 1500 plus attending professionals and OEM decision makers. Explore 3D printing, AI, materials, regulatory tech, and contract manufacturing under one roof. Register and plan your visit at meddeviceboston.com. Resources mentioned: Starbase STEM program FIRST Robotics Competition Project-based capstone with a Northrop Grumman mentor Dual-enrollment and apprenticeship models for high school students How to support Natalie: Share a warm intro to mentors who welcome high school talent into labs, job shops, and build teams Invite her to tour your facility or shadow an engineer for a day Send those honest college experience notes she asked for About the Manufacturing Connector Network: We help brands and builders turn trade shows, plant tours, and expert interviews into a steady pipeline of video, audio, and social content. On-site capture, mobile studio, short-form editing, podcast production, and distribution that stays consistent week after week. If you’re heading to a show or launching a product, we’ll bring the cameras and do the heavy lifting.

    46 min
See All (133)

Trailer

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Manufacturing is more than the products we make; it’s the people who make the parts. On The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, I sit down with leaders, innovators, and everyday heroes to uncover the stories behind their journeys in the industry. We talk about where they started, how they’ve grown, and the challenges they’ve overcome along the way. Each episode brings a unique perspective; some practical, some inspiring, and all rooted in the human side of manufacturing. From lessons learned on the shop floor to big ideas shaping the future, it’s all about the people who make it happen. Because at the heart of every company are the people who work there, and every person has a story.

Information

You Might Also Like