Manufacturing Happy Hour Chris Luecke

Smart Manufacturing goes way beyond being just a buzzword. It’s a movement and mindset taking the industry by storm. But what does it really mean, what are the key benefits and how can manufacturing leaders get started today?
Manufacturing Happy Hour host Chris Luecke asked industry experts these questions live at the Smart Manufacturing Experience at SOUTHTEC. In this special bonus episode, seven manufacturing leaders shared their own definitions of Smart Manufacturing, the secrets behind the successful digital transformations they’ve overseen and the best ways to adopt a Smart Manufacturing mindset.
Stay tuned for part 2 with more inspirational manufacturing leaders next week!
Guests in this episode include:
Sudhi Bangalore – Founding Partner & CEO, Full-BoreMike Tomasco – VP, Pfizer DigitalPatrick Gaughan – Partner, Axiom Manufacturing SystemsAldo Ferrante – CIO, SORBA.aiMichael Clark – Director, OPC FoundationErich Barnstedt – Chief Architect, Standards, Consortia & Industrial IoT, Azure Edge & Platform, MicrosoftKatherine Cahalane – Founder & CEO, BennitAI

Louisville is the recognized bourbon capital of the United States, evolving alongside shifts in technology and culture. But how can the bourbon industry adapt in this age of data and automation?
Don Ault, CEO, and Scott Feldmeier, Senior Automation Engineer and COO of Opus Integration, join Manufacturing Happy Hour to discuss the rich history of manufacturing in Kentucky and how Louisville came to be a hub for bourbon production.
They explain what part Opus Integration plays as the industry integrates data and automation to take bourbon manufacturing to the next level, sharing how manufacturers can use smart devices and get floor team members on board with data-driven change.
Plus, they explain what makes them such a great partnership and explore their predictions for the bourbon market.
In this episode, find out:
What Opus Integration doesHow Kentucky became the bourbon capital of the USWhat happens in a bourbon distilleryHow bourbon manufacturing has evolvedHow to get floor teams on board with data-driven processesWhat makes a great partnership in manufacturingWhat’s next for the bourbon industry
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:
“Great partnership centers around a balance of different exposures and different experiences.” – Don Ault, CEO of Opus Integration“There’s a lot of opportunities and a lot of tools available to take the bourbon industry to the next level.” – Don Ault, CEO of Opus Integration“In the distilleries we’re working on now, everything is automated. It’s starting to evolve even more. Once that data is in your production facility, it just leads to the next piece of data and the next piece of data.” – Scott Feldmeier, Senior Automation Engineer and Chief Operating Officer of Opus Integration
Links & mentions:
Connect with Don on LinkedInConnect with Scott on LinkedInOpus Integration, a systems integration company based in Buckner, KY, offering services including PLC application development, virtualization of process automation systems and plant floor troubleshooting supportHeaven Hill Distillery, a family-owned whiskey distillery, based just west of downtown Louisville, KY. Offering a selection of classic rye whiskeys and bourbons Watch Hill Proper, a unique dining experience in Louisville for both the foodie and bourbon enthusiast alike. A hub for those keen to learn about the rich history of Kentucky and how the role bourbon has played in the United States
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.

In every manufacturing organization, company culture is key to success. But what does company culture really mean? And how can manufacturing leaders ensure the culture in their organization is the best it can be? 
Jim Mayer, founder of TCO Strategies and host of the Manufacturing Culture Podcast, joins Manufacturing Happy Hour to share his thoughts. He provides a super-simple definition of company culture, describing it as the alignment of values between employees and the organization. 
In the episode, we also look at what got Jim interested in manufacturing culture to begin with and how he caught the podcasting bug, sharing insights into industry culture on his weekly show. Jim tells us how his podcast guests have shifted his perspectives of the industry and provides actionable advice for budding podcasters in manufacturing. 
In this episode, find out: 
What got Jim interested in manufacturing What he has learned from carrying out engagement surveys Something Jim has learned since starting his podcast His thoughts on the automation culture paradox in SMB manufacturers How companies can become culturally ready for automation The stories that shifted Jim’s perspective of manufacturing culture Jim’s favorite comedy movies What to do if you think you’re late to the game with your concept or idea Jim’s advice for budding manufacturing podcasters Jim’s questions for Chris 
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: 
“There’s a lot of ways people can get the podcast exposure they’re looking for, without having to take the time, money and effort to do it on their own.” “If you start talking about culture and engagement and what you want that to be, then you don't do anything with it, your culture is going to plummet.” “When it comes to podcasting – if you’ve got that niche, give it a go.” 
Links & mentions: 
Wild Roots, seed-to-table dining to satisfy both heart and soul in West Allis, Wisconsin Chelsea’s Kitchen, an Arizona roadhouse celebrating the cuisine of the Great American Southwest Bourbon & Bones Chophouse and Bar, a fine dining experience in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona, with attentive service, USDA Prime grade steaks, fresh seafood, bourbon and signature cocktails  Connect with Jim on LinkedIn Tune into The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, where Jim sits down with a manufacturing leader each week and explores where their culture was, where it is now and where they want to get it The Wisconsin Manufacturing & Technology Show, the industry-leading Midwest manufacturing trade show – from additive manufacturing to robotics, machining centers to welding, tooling and fabricating equipment and many more technologies in between 
Make sure to visit a href="http://manufacturinghappyhour.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

What can a former Navy SEAL teach us about upskilling and manufacturing business acquisition? It turns out, a whole lot!  
Bill Berrien, CEO of Pindel Global Precision, joins episode 160 of Manufacturing Happy Hour, to share his thoughts on upskilling your team and his journey from the Navy to manufacturing business leader. We hear why he chose to acquire Pindel and how he was lucky enough for the seller to stay on board to help ease the leadership transition. 
We explore the importance of upskilling your team and why Pindel’s philosophy is to “hire for attitude, train for skill,” – as well as a great example of how someone moved from the janitorial department to work with CNC equipment. Bill shares his take on why upskilling is so important in manufacturing and what he thinks the industry should do moving forward to train the future of talent. 
In this episode, find out: 
What Bill believes about upskilling in manufacturing  Bill explores his time as a Navy SEAL  The challenges of acquiring a company What made him choose to acquire Pindel How Pindel’s seller stayed on board to ease the transition Bill’s business aha moments What to consider before buying a business What upskilling looks like at Pindel Bill’s thoughts on the future of upskilling in manufacturing Advice for manufacturing leaders 
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: 
“Our adage to the team is more value created, more value captured. So, if you allow the company to augment the value you can create by training you, that is going to lead to more value captured in the form of wages, bonuses, etc.” “Once you figure out what you're going to focus on, that allows you to put all your chips on the table in that direction.” “The two challenges when you have that ambition to acquire a company is number one, acquiring the skills to be able to do it well. And then number two is acquiring the capital to be able to make it happen. You can't just jump from simply having that ambition to the end state.” 
Links & mentions: 
Pindel Global Precision, an innovative manufacturing company that values innovation, integrity, and continuous improvement in every aspect of their operations PMPA, the Precision Machined Products Association strives to progressively lead members to sustainable success with reliable and relevant information, resources, advocacy, and networking opportunities Otter.ai uses AI to write automatic meeting notes with real-time transcription, recorded audio, automated slide capture, and automated meeting summaries Buckley’s, a neighborhood fixture for refined American comfort food, located in Downtown Milwaukee 
Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay...

Whether it’s on the job or in a traditional academic setting, education is essential to building a strong manufacturing function.  
But this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour homes in on one specific aspect of learning – career and technical education (CTE) – and explores how it’s helping teams make better decisions and better products. 
Amatrol’s career and technical training solutions are used in all 50 U.S. states and in 50+ countries, so we invited Kent Powell, their VP of Sales and Marketing, onto the show to let us in on some of their secrets. 
Kent shares how Amatrol became a leader in their field, his thoughts and observations on smart manufacturing and why Louisville is a hub for education and employment. 
Plus, he explains how Kentucky FAME program is helping students get into manufacturing roles in just two years, debt-free.  
In this episode, find out: 
About Kent’s background in aerospace How Amatrol became a leader in CTE What manufacturing teams need to know most Kent’s insights into smart manufacturing How to decide what to train staff on next What manufacturing means to Louisville How Kentucky Federation for Advanced Manufacturing (FAME) is impacting the industry 
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: 
“By using smart sensors, as opposed to on-off switches, we’re able to collect more information, make better decisions in record speed, and make a better product in a short amount of time.” “Manufacturing is our path forward in Louisville. It’s a great place to start a manufacturing company.” “We’re nothing without the success of our clients. If they’re successful, we’re successful.” 
Links & mentions: 
Connect with Kent on LinkedIn Amatrol, the global leader in online career & technical education (CTE) Kentucky FAME, the Kentucky Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (KY FAME) is a partnership of regional manufacturers whose purpose is to implement career pathway, apprenticeship-style educational programs that will create a pipeline of highly skilled workers Amount of Data Created Daily (2023) The Brown, a historic hotel in Louisville, KY known for its fine Kentucky bourbon & iconic destination; home of the “Hot Brown” and – according to Kent – one of the best Rye Manhattans in the city 
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. 

Curiosity is at the heart of this guest’s leadership style, and it manifests in the projects he is involved in.  
But what does it mean to “let curiosity lead”? And how can manufacturing leaders take this advice on board? 
Joining this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour is Walker Mattox, CEO of Gray Solutions, one of the top 20 largest full-service systems integrators in the U.S. He shares why curiosity shapes how he manages his team and explains why leadership is a journey, not a destination.  
It’s important to remember, the leaders you look up to are still working on themselves. 
Hear his advice on rebrands, workplace challenges, innovation and so much more in this jam-packed episode. 
In this episode, find out: 
How Walker founded Gray Solutions What it means to be a recovering serial entrepreneur How Walker helped Gray become one of the top 20 largest systems integrators Why leadership is a journey, not a destination The top workplace challenges in 2023 How curiosity manifests itself in Walker’s projects Why you should embrace, not fear, innovation How to know when it’s time to adjust your story 
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: 
“Curiosity leads to a lot of interesting ideas.” “The most important thing is to like what you do every day. Follow the path that feels right.” “If you’re not staying on top of things and innovating, your competitor is.” 
Links & mentions: 
Kaluz Restaurant, an upscale New American restaurant and bar with three locations in Florida, serving premium food, desserts, wine and cocktails Visit the Gray Solutions website Connect with Walker on LinkedIn 
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.