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The Thomas Industry Podcast keeps listeners up to date on the constantly changing industrial landscape by engaging in conversation with experts who make the current state of industry more accessible through shared insights and personal experiences.
Episode 57: Creating a Truly Circular Economy with RAIN RFID Wireless Technology
RAIN RFID — a wireless technology that connects billions of everyday items to the internet — is already connecting nearly 30 billion items every single year, according to Megan Brewster, the Vice President of Advanced Technology at Impinj.
In this episode of the Thomas Industry Podcast, host Cathy Ma chats with Megan about popular use cases for RAIN RFID, how the technology works, and how its capabilities position it as the leading item to cloud connectivity technology for the Internet of Things (IoT).
Episode 56: Forecasting 2023's Industrial Production in Manufacturing Outlook
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"The problem is that we didn't see anyone in the marketplace accurately predicting industrial production and manufacturing," said Keith Prather. “So we set out on a study. We discovered 18-20 different economic metrics that allow us to predict industrial production manufacturing.”
For the last two years, Prather and his partner have worked on developing a reliable and accurate forecasting model for industrial manufacturing, offering insight into sectors from aerospace to computers and electronics.
In the latest episode of the Thomas Industry Podcast, host Cathy Ma chats with Prather, the Managing Director and Partner at Armada Corporate Intelligence, about what's in store for the manufacturing industry in 2023. While there is a mixed bag of economic signals this year, Prather explains that things are actually looking up for certain sectors.
Episode 55: The Sky Is the Limit: How Tele-manufacturing Could Be Used on the Space Station
Tele-manufacturing enables workers to operate functional equipment from a distant console to complete critical manufacturing processes like welding, machining, and inspecting remotely.
“What we wanted to figure out was, can we use automation to allow somebody to control a robot remotely?” said Connie LaMorte, the principal engineer in the automation and tele-manufacturing group at EWI. “It’s not that you want to [just] control the robot — you want to actually do that in real-time and make the movements you would expect it to make if you were right there.”
Episode 54: Scale Production, Consolidate Supply Chains with This AI-powered Solution
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"As soon as we can quote, we can make," said Greg Paulsen, director of application engineering at Xometry. In this episode, Xometry's Vice President of Platform Growth and Engagement Cathy Ma chats with Paulsen about Xometry's AI-powered marketplace, the company's work with BMW, and why Paulsen is so passionate about additive manufacturing.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn More about Xometry
- Is Artificial Intelligence the Secret to Closing Supply Chain Gaps?
- How BMW Consolidated Its Supply Chain and Nexa3D Scaled Production with Xometry
Episode 53: Is This the Secret to Managing Vendor Relationships?
“We started validating [our] tool with CEOs, CFOs, heads of product, and they all said, ‘This is something we can use, and we need it sooner rather than later,’” said Tasneem Manjra, CEO and co-founder of Caravan, a vendor relationship management platform. Host Cathy Ma chats with Manjra about the key to managing vendor relationships and how Caravan is filling a gap in transparency for buyers.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn More About Caravan
- Listen on YouTube
- How a Vendor Rating, Tagging System Improves Transparency and Helps Businesses Grow
Episode 52: Using Technology to Predict Future Supply Chain Strains
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"The question really is do we move back, or do we build new factories? I don’t really see the move back. I think what happens is there is additional production, and that additional production will be onshored," says Jens Gamperl, CEO and Founder of Sourceability and Sourcengine. Host Cathy Ma chats with Gamperl about chip shortages and supply chain disruptions, and how these issues may be addressed in the future.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn More About Sourceability
- Listen on YouTube
- Can Technology Predict Future Supply Chain Disruptions?
Episode 51: Putting Off Automating? You Can Now Hire Robots by the Hour
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The Thomas Industry Podcast is back and better than ever! You don't want to miss this episode on automation.
"The thing that we've heard over and over and over again from our customers is 'Yeah, we've been planning to automate. We're right about to do it. We've been planning this project for the last five or ten years.' Well, why don't I see a robot over here?" asks Saman Farid, CEO of Formic. Host Cathy Ma chats with Farid about why automation is no longer a luxury for manufacturers and how Formic's Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) business model is making automation more accessible.
Additional resources from this episode:
- How to Automate Your Small U.S. Business
- Robots-as-a-Service: 3 Ways Manufacturers Can Increase Productivity with Low Upfront Cost
- How Automation Can Propel Manufacturing Innovation in the U.S.
Episode 50: Expert Shares 3 Major Supply Chain Risks to Avoid
“I spent 35 years trying to explain what supply chain management was to my friends and relatives, and they're like, what?” laughs Rosemary Coates, executive director of the Reshoring Institute and president of Blue Silk Consulting. “But today, of course, it’s headline news... Everybody talks about the supply chain and how it's affected our lives.” Host Cathy Ma talks to Coates about her experience publishing books that now serve as key references for industry professionals, her path to becoming an expert witness in supply chain-related legal cases, and the lessons she's learned about the supply chain through her experience in the industrial sector.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn More About the Reshoring Institute
- Learn More About Blue Silk Consulting
- The Best Supply Chain Managers Have These Traits in Common [Thomas Insights]
Episode 49: How Should Businesses Prepare Their Supply Chains for 2022?
“We were set up to manage one or two disruptions at a time,” says Jen Upthegrove, director of global supply chain process & systems at Rockwell Automation. “We were never set up to manage this many disruptions concurrently at the same time.” Over the past year, the supply chain has rocketed from relative unknown into the global spotlight. But after more than 20 years at Rockwell, Upthegrove knows firsthand the inherent challenges involved in global supply chain management. Host Cathy Ma sits down with Upthegrove to discuss the impact of Industry 4.0 on traceability in the global supply chain and how to prepare for potential unexpected challenges in 2022.
Additional resources from this episode:
Episode 48: “Don’t Let Safety Go Lax” Amid Great Resignation
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4.3 million Americans quit their jobs in August. Among these now-open roles are industry professionals who were tasked with managing safety at manufacturing businesses nationwide. “Don't let safety go lax” amid staffing gaps resulting from the Great Resignation, warns Michelle Tinsley, co-founder and COO of Yellowbird, a two-sided marketplace connecting industrial businesses with safety needs to EHS and OSHA industrial safety professionals and consultants. Rachel Eigan, a certified industrial safety professional and the founder of Amplify Safety Consulting, is one of more than 600 safety professionals working in partnership with Yellowbird. In the latest episode of the Thomas Industry Podcast, podcast host and Thomas CMO Shawn Fitzgerald speaks with Tinsley and Eigan about how to prioritize safety at industrial businesses, the impact of COVID-19 on mental and other forms of health in the manufacturing space, and the dynamic future of industrial safety.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn More About Yellowbird
- Learn More About Amplify Safety Consulting
- 10 Types of PPE That Should Be on Your Essential List for a Safe Industrial Workplace [Checklist] (Thomas Insights)
Episode 47: Industry 4.0 Shouldn't Be Overly Complex
“Oftentimes we try to solve problems that are really urgent by adding layers of complexity — more process, more steps,” says Sunny Han, CEO and founder of Fulcrum. “But really, the answer is the opposite — to go simpler.” Thrown into flux by recent COVID-19 related supply chain disruptions, the manufacturing industry feels even more complex and unpredictable than usual. “Those that are able to handle that chaos better are going to come out on top,” explains Han. The secret to handling that chaos, he says in the latest podcast episode with host Shawn Fitzgerald, is knowing exactly what’s happening at any given moment across your industrial business, from production and scheduling to financials. Fulcrum, a manufacturing ERP platform, recently raised a $3.1 million seed round of VC funding to further develop its technology to help manufacturers track such critical business insights.
Additional resources from this episode:
Episode 46: How Does Gen Z View the Manufacturing Sector?
77% of Gen Z views the manufacturing sector more positively now than pre-COVID-19, according to a recent survey conducted by Parsable, an enterprise, cloud-based software company offering digital tools designed to enhance industrial productivity, safety, and quality. “You've read a lot of headlines about automation and robots taking over. But the reality is very, very different,” says Parsable CEO and this week’s guest Lawrence Whittle. “There are tremendous labor shortages. And clearly, one of the biggest available [labor] pools that’s available is Generation Z.” Whittle joins podcast host Cathy Ma to discuss the survey’s major takeaways and how its results could improve recruitment initiatives across the industrial sector in light of current labor shortages.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Watch the Full Episode on YouTube
- Learn More About Parsable
- Learn More About Parsable’s Gen Z Survey
Revisiting Episode 39: Behind the Scenes of the NFL's On-field Player Tracking Technology
“As football fans, we’ve all heard that a quarterback can really spin it,” says John "JP" Pollard, vice president of business development at Zebra MotionWorks™ Sport. But now, equipped with Zebra’s innovative tracking technology, “the tag in the football actually allows us to calculate in a quantifiable way the actual spin rate of the football.” In its seventh year as the official on-field player-tracking provider of the NFL, Zebra fuels the League’s Next Gen Stats program by collecting real-time location data that captures the activity of every player in every play on every inch of the field. Hear about how Zebra’s tracking technology works and how data could enhance the future of football in the latest episode with host Shawn Fitzgerald.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about John "JP" Pollard
- Learn more about Zebra Motionworks Sport
- Learn more about Zebra's partnership with the NFL
- How High-tech Player Tracking Became a Key Part of the NFL [Q&A Interview] [Thomas Insights]
Episode 45: What Does Reshoring Mean for U.S. Manufacturers?
“We're getting to an Amazon-driven, consumer-driven world,” says Mahesh Rajasekharan, president and CEO of global ecosystem integration software solutions company Cleo. “Even though they're B2B manufacturing buyers, they have a B2C mindset right now.” Learn the 3 questions industrial business leaders should be asking themselves as they consider the future of global supply chain post-COVID-19 and how reshoring will impact American manufacturing opportunities. The episode also features an interview with Niels van den Boogert, vice president and general manager of conveying solutions at Ammega, on how the brand’s multiple business lines are further expanding in light of the global shift toward reshoring.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Watch the Full Episode on YouTube
- Learn More About Ammega
- Learn More About Cleo
- Reshoring Could Drive $443 Billion in U.S. Economic Opportunity [Thomas Insights]
Episode 44: What’s the First Step to a Successful Digital Transformation?
Not sure how to start your digital transformation journey? Start small while thinking big, says Olivier Pauzet, vice president of product and IoT solutions at Sierra Wireless. And be sure to listen throughout the entire process -- not just to your leadership team but to all employees, says Chelsea Barnes, a manager of the operational change management division at Kalypso, a Rockwell Automation company. By outlining just a few key steps in the initial stages of your strategy, you can save both money and time over the course of your entire digital transformation journey.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Chelsea Barnes
- Learn more about Kalypso
- Learn more about Olivier Pauzet
- Learn more about Sierra Wireless
- Rockwell Automation's 4-Step Guide to Starting Your Digital Transformation Journey [Thomas Insights]
Episode 43: Chief Analyst Shares Predictions for Future of the Electronics Sector
“I believe that we are on the cusp of some exciting technology advances that are going to drive some really exciting growth in our industry,” says Dale Ford, chief analyst of the Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA). In conversation with Thomas President and CEO Tony Uphoff, Ford shares his perspectives on the state of the electronics industry and what the future holds for the sector post-COVID-19.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn More About Dale Ford
- Learn More About ECIA
- Electronics Sector Estimated to Grow to $32.05 Billion by 2025 [Thomas Insights]
Episode 42: How Can We Reduce the Gender Gap in Construction?
While women comprise 47% of the American workforce, they represent only 9% of the construction workforce. Yet among the more than 7,000 employees at Rosendin Electric, one of the largest electrical contractors in the United States, women represent 30% of the company’s staff. While the firm’s focus on recruiting and retaining women is particularly unique for the construction sector, “it’s just the way that people live and coexist within Rosendin,” says Senior Safety Manager of East Coast Renewables Alison Elwell. In the latest podcast episode, Elwell speaks with Thomas Vice President of Platform Growth & Engagement Cathy Ma about diversity, culture, and communication in the construction sector.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Alison Elwell
- Learn more about Rosendin Electric
- Only 1 in 4 Manufacturing Leaders Are Women, New Report Reveals [Thomas Insights]
- Must-read Advice from 6 Successful Women in Industry (Q&A) [Thomas Insights]
Episode 41: Inside Project DIAMOnD, the Nation's Largest 3D Printing Network
While the COVID-19 pandemic caused innumerable, life-threatening challenges, it also gave the manufacturing industry a unique opportunity to showcase its collaborative potential. Host Tony Uphoff speaks to 4 key stakeholders from 3 companies involved in Project DIAMOnD, which stands for Distributed, Independent, Agile Manufacturing on Demand, a unique program created last year at the height of the pandemic. Backed by Microsoft, the Michigan-based initiative was developed by Automation Alley, a World Economic Forum Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMHUB), with the goal of creating the nation’s largest 3D printing marketplace and network to increase agile, urgent resource production.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Apply to participate in Project DIAMOnD
- Learn more about Automation Alley
- Learn more about Markforged
- Learn more about Avon Machining
Episode 40: Accenture CTO Reimagines the Future of Work
“We're at a moment of truth now where it's the time that you really have to get digital transformation right to secure the right future,” says Accenture CTO and Group Chief Executive of Technology Paul Daugherty, who is the co-author of Human Plus Machine: Reimagining Work in the Age of AI, on the latest episode of the Thomas Industry Podcast. In conversation with host Tony Uphoff, Thomas CEO and president, Daugherty explains how business leaders can overcome the 2 main barriers to digital transformation, the growing momentum of AI and the impact of big vs. small data, and the top 3 fundamental changes driving the future of work post-COVID-19.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Paul Daugherty
- Purchase Human Plus Machine: Reimagining Work in the Age of AI
- Read the Accenture Report: “Future-Ready” Organizations Leveraging Digital to Operate Faster and Smarter Could Help Unlock $5 Trillion in Economic Growth”
- How to Launch a Successful Digital Transformation [Checklist] [Thomas Insights]
Episode 39: Behind the Scenes of the NFL's On-field Player Tracking Technology
“As football fans, we’ve all heard that a quarterback can really spin it,” says John "JP" Pollard, vice president of business development at Zebra MotionWorks™ Sport. But now, equipped with Zebra’s innovative tracking technology, “the tag in the football actually allows us to calculate in a quantifiable way the actual spin rate of the football.” In its seventh year as the official on-field player-tracking provider of the NFL, Zebra fuels the League’s Next Gen Stats program by collecting real-time location data that captures the activity of every player in every play on every inch of the field. Hear about how Zebra’s tracking technology works and how data could enhance the future of football in the latest episode with host Shawn Fitzgerald.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about John "JP" Pollard
- Learn more about Zebra Motionworks Sport
- Learn more about Zebra's partnership with the NFL
- How High-tech Player Tracking Became a Key Part of the NFL [Q&A Interview] [Thomas Insights]
Episode 38: Is This the End of Global Free Trade?
As a new administration begins to shift trade policy, U.S.-China trade uncertainties continue to linger, and digital transformation dominates the industrial space, industrial business leaders need to prepare for a new paradigm in global free trade. “A global values trade system is about to emerge,” says returning guest Andrew Blasi, Director at Crowell & Moring International. The global values trade system, he says, will encapsulate worker-centric policies, human rights, sustainability, data privacy, technological impacts, and more to influence decision-making. Hear more of Blasi’s actionable guidance to business leaders in preparing for the future of fragmented globalization, shared in conversation with host Tony Uphoff, in today’s episode.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn More About Andrew Blasi Jr.
- Learn More About Crowell & Moring
- Forecasting the Impact of COVID-19 on Global Trade [Previous Andrew Blasi Podcast Episode]
- Predicting Tariff Impacts on Industrial Business in 2020 [Previous Andrew Blasi Podcast Episode]
- Manufacturer Interest in Reshoring, Hiring, and Apprenticeships Increasing During COVID-19 Pandemic [Report] [Thomas Insights]
Episode 37: Meet Chuck, the Robot That Caught Shopify’s Attention
Meet Chuck. He’s an autonomous, mobile robotic solution designed to streamline millions of daily warehouse transactions through side by side collaboration with human employees. In utilizing Chuck, “you're not just creating a robotic system, you are creating a collaborative environment between human and robot,” explains Jerome Dubois, co-CEO and cofounder of 6 River Systems, the company behind Chuck and other technologies redefining the future of fulfillment. In today’s episode, Dubois talks with host Cathy Ma, head of audience development at Thomas, about the role of collaborative robotics in the workforce, how business leaders should strategically approach their industrial automation journeys, and the appeal of a“digital by design” workforce.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about 6 River Systems
- Meet Chuck
- Automation Is No Longer Optional — It's Inevitable [Thomas Insights]
Episode 36: Where Can I Get Funding for My Early Stage Startup?
With $200 million in funding awarded annually to “high-risk, high impact” startups and small businesses, the congressionally mandated America’s Seed Fund program has been fueling innovative entrepreneurs for 40 years — without taking a stake in their cutting-edge businesses. In today’s episode, Program Director and Policy Liaison Ben Schrag sits down with host Tony Uphoff, Thomas CEO and President, to discuss the Fund’s forward-thinking mission, highlight innovative technologies on the horizon, and share recommended strategies for entrepreneurs interested in applying for financial support from America’s Seed Fund.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about America's Seed Fund
- Read about groundbreaking innovations funded by America's Seed Fund
- Looking for funding? Apply here.
Episode 35: How Can Manufacturers Streamline MRO?
In the wake of COVID-19, 81% of business leaders now view the integration of technology as a higher priority than ever before. But while digital transformation is often discussed in the context of automation on the shop floor or digitization of sales & marketing, it’s less often recognized as an opportunity to streamline MRO. Ryan Chan, the CEO and founder of UpKeep, saw this as an opportunity to help industry professionals in both the front and back offices. UpKeep provides mobile-first CMMS software to enable maintenance and facilities operating teams to more effectively plan and respond to required maintenance events. Chan joins Thomas CMO Shawn Fitzgerald on today’s episode.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about UpKeep
- UpKeep Raises $36 Million to Advance Mobile Capabilities of Facilities, Maintenance Teams [Thomas Insights]
- New Podcast: Designed to Optimize Technician Workflow, VC-Backed UpKeep's CMMS "Takes the Work Out of Work Orders" [Thomas Insights]
- 3 Expert Tricks to Optimizing Your Industry 4.0 Adoption [Thomas Insights]
Episode 34: What's Holding the Trucking Industry Back from Innovation?
Shifting factors in the trucking industry — like fewer drivers, lower capacity, and rising demand — will likely result in 8-15% higher contract rates this year, according to U.S. Xpress. While this means more opportunity, it also means more paperwork. Will Chu, co-founder and CEO of Vector, a contactless pickup and delivery solution, is on a mission to simplify the logistics process by removing this physical paperwork from the supply chain. In conversation with host Tony Uphoff, Thomas CEO and President, Chu discusses the range of opportunities for innovation and how the pandemic has not only disrupted the freight industry but also created an opportunity for new technologies to transform the sector.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Vector
- What Is a Logistics Company and Should Your Business Hire One?
- Teaming Up with the Machines: How Can Machine Learning Improve Logistics?
Episode 33: Behind the Scenes: What Happens to Your Product Returns?
During a very busy eCommerce shopping season, there’s an equally busy system running behind the scenes: returns. Last year’s National Returns Day shattered previous records, with holiday shoppers returning 1.9 million packages. How did retailers prepare for this massive influx and what happens to your purchase once you’ve returned it? David Sobie, CEO and co-founder of Happy Returns, has all of the answers on this week’s episode. Join host and Thomas Director of Audience Development Cathy Ma for a deep dive into how Happy Returns is disrupting the logistics industry in efficiency, sustainability, and customer experience, especially in a new era of eCommerce fueled by COVID-19.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Happy Returns
- This Reverse Logistics Startup Wants to Make Returns Less Stressful
- Returned Goods Have $350 Billion Impact on E-commerce [Report]
Episode 32: How to Survive Major Business Disruptions as a Small Business
From shutdowns to reshoring, 2020 leading into 2021 has been a uniquely challenging era for industrial businesses. However, Bead Industries CEO Jill Mayer took these challenges in stride, strategically mapping out her fifth-generation family business' response to the challenges the business faced at the peak of COVID-19. In conversation with host and Thomas Chief of Marketing Shawn Fitzgerald, Mayer discusses her rise through the ranks of her 5th generation family business, how she spearheaded digital transformation at the 109-year-old company, and the traits she looks for when hiring new team members to join her workforce.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Bead Industries
- Guide to Federal & State COVID-19 Relief Programs for Small Businesses
- 7 Indicators It's Time for a New ERP System at Your Industrial Business
Episode 31: What Opportunities Will Reshoring Create for Manufacturers in 2021?
With 69% of North American manufacturers recently indicating they're "likely" or even "extremely likely" to reshore their supply chains in response to the impacts of COVID-19 and tariffs, Thomas Insights brought longtime reshoring advocate Barry Zekelman, executive chairman and CEO of Zekelman Industries, onto this week's episode of the Thomas Industry Podcast. Alongside Thomas President and CEO Tony Uphoff, Zekelman told listeners about his rise through the ranks of industry — at just 19 years old Zekelman took over his father's steel business and transformed it into one of North America's largest steel pipe and tube makers — plus his passion for reshoring manufacturing to North America, and how he plans to combat the skills shortage that could grow as operations come back from overseas.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Zekelman Industries
- COVID-19's Impact on North American Manufacturing [Report]
- Size of U.S. Talent Pool, New Tech Job Opportunities Fueling Growing Reshoring Interest
Episode 30: Intel’s IIoT VP Reveals Strategies for Industry 4.0 Adoption
To kick off season 2 of the Thomas Industry Podcast, we’re excited to welcome Brian McCarson, vice president and senior principal engineer at Intel. McCarson, who leads the Industrial Solutions Division Systems Engineering and Architecture team within the Internet of the Things (IIoT) Group at Intel, joins Thomas CMO Shawn Fitzgerald to give our listeners (and now, viewers!) the inside scoop on the future of IIoT to help industrial business leaders “solve problems today to be ready for the future.”
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Intel’s IIoT Solutions
- How to Choose the Right IoT Platform for Your Industrial Business
- 7 Things You Should Know About IoT in Manufacturing
Episode 29: Building a Business That Can Withstand COVID-19 with Terri Jondahl
For nearly every manufacturer across North America, 2020 has posed unique business challenges. 64% of manufacturers reported business impacts fueled by shutdown orders alone, based on data from a May Thomas Industrial Survey, which doesn't even account for the substantial supply chain impacts caused by COVID-19. In this episode, Thomas CEO Tony Uphoff sits down with Terri Jondahl, an experienced industrial entrepreneur and the longtime CEO of CAB Incorporated. Jondahl recounts how she built up her business to withstand the seemingly endless challenges that we encountered this year and shares her unique perspectives on process improvement.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about CAB Incorporated
- Lessons on Supply Chain Resilience Amid Global COVID-19 Crisis
- Thomas COVID-19 Resource Hub
Episode 28: Reinventing Industrial Hiring Strategies with Michael Bell
U.S. Department of Labor data shows apprenticeships have grown 56% since 2013 and are expected to continue to skyrocket in coming years. In this episode, Thomas CMO Shawn Fitzgerald sits down with Michael Bell, CEO and founder of Synbyo, and Q3 Thomas Champion for Industry winner, to discuss his unique approach to solving the industrial skills gap. After seeing how manufacturing businesses have grown tired of poaching talent from each other, Bell believes his apprenticeship program, geared toward both young novices and experienced industrial professionals, could offer a long-term solution to the industrial skills gap.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Synbyo
- Making Apprenticeships Accessible to Professionals of All Ages, Michael Bell Wins Champion for Industry
- The Thomas Industrial Employer Resource Hub
Episode 27: Exploring Opportunities for Veterans in Industry with Lieutenant Commander Terry Farrell
The manufacturing skills gap is one of the most urgent challenges facing key industry players today. Just over 50% of manufacturing leaders anticipate difficulties in attracting and retaining talent in the future, according to the National Association of Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey. But there is one demographic that the sector hasn’t fully tapped into yet: U.S. veterans. Lieutenant Commander Terry Farrell, Sahn-Gobahn’s North American IP Telephony Voice Services Project Manager, sees a huge opportunity for veterans who are looking for a new path after their service. Tune in for Terry’s insights on how veterans can serve as key assets to your industrial organization.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Saint Gobain
- Veterans Make Great Industrial Employees — Here's How to Recruit Them to Join Your Team
- How to Start an Industrial Career After Military Service, As Told by Veterans
Episode 26: Making Advanced Manufacturing Technology Approachable with Jason Ray
Although many industrial businesses already recognize the value of Industry 4.0 technologies, making a plan to adopt these technologies can still be an uphill battle. A recent Deloitte survey says that only 10% of C-level executives have longer-range strategies for leveraging new technologies. However, Jason Ray, CEO and co-founder of Paperless Parts, has set out to address that major gap by building a cloud-based platform focused on making Industry 4.0 into a more seamless, approachable experience. Listen in on Jason’s unique industrial perspectives alongside host Tony Uphoff as they dissect adoption challenges and provide actionable solutions to bring your industrial business into the next era of technology.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Paperless Parts
- 3 Expert Tricks To Optimizing Your Industry 4.0 Adoption
- How to Choose the Right IoT Platform for Your Industrial Business
Episode 25: Transforming Operations Through the Digital Thread with Keith Higgins
As industrial business leaders increasingly recognize the value of data-driven decision making, they must first break down information silos. A recent McKinsey report notes that businesses end up spending more than 35% of their time looking for information rather than actively using that information for effective, data-driven decision making. So how can businesses optimize time spent working with data? Keith Higgins, the VP of Digital Transformation at Rockwell Automation, has the answer. Join Keith and host Tony Uphoff as they explore the digital thread and discuss why “edge is the new cloud.”
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Rockwell Automation
- Learn more about digital transformation from Rockwell Automation
- How to Guide Your Production Floor Team Through the Adoption of Industry 4.0
- How to Choose the Right IoT Platform for Your Industrial Business
Episode 24: Optimizing the Industrial B2B Customer Experience with Jeff Ackel
A recent Walker study says that by the end of 2020, customer experience will overtake price and product as the key brand differentiator. Join Tony Uphoff and Jeff Ackel, CEO of Sigma Thermal, as they discuss why the B2B customer experience is so critical to leading a successful industrial business, especially amid the challenging environment of COVID-19. Jeff will also share his tips on how to assess what the experience is like for your own customers and how you can optimize their experience to improve your customer retention and profits.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Sigma Thermal
- Learn more about Sigma Thermal’s focus on customer experience
- What's the Secret to Keeping Repeat Customers Committed to Your Business?
- Customer Success After the Sale
Episode 23: Redefining the Value of Company Culture with Tracy Tenpenny
Recent Gallup data says companies that prioritize company culture by hiring and retaining key talent drive 33% more revenue. Join Thomas Talent Acquisition Specialist Sam Schloss as he discusses the importance of company culture with Tracy Tenpenny, a 2019 Thomas Champion for Industry and the Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Tailored Label Products. They’ll discuss how to attract, recruit, and retain top talent at your industrial business by building a strong company culture across a multi-generational workforce, and how to develop one of the most important elements of an effective company culture – trust – through transparency.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Tailored Label Products
- Learn more about the Thomas Champion for Industry Recognition Program
- Focused on Enhancing Company Culture, Tracy Tenpenny Wins Champion for Industry
Episode 22: Increasing Uptime Through Data-driven Decision Making with Ryan Chan
When diving into the data behind UpKeep, a CMMS software that just secured $36 million in Series B funding, it’s easy to see why investors and manufacturers alike are so interested in the company’s mobile-first solution. In a recent case study, UpKeep saved an industrial company $1.3 million and reduced their work order filings & asset info tracking time by 90%. Join Thomas CMO Shawn Fitzgerald and UpKeep CEO and founder Ryan Chan as they discuss how industrial business leaders should utilize operational data to make data-driven decisions, improve facility safety, and propel their businesses forward.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Ryan Chan
- Learn more about UpKeep
- Learn more about the UpKeep/Forrester Case Study
- UpKeep Raises $36 Million to Advance Mobile Capabilities of Facilities, Maintenance Teams
- Summer Maintenance Shutdowns Drive Spike in Repair Service Sourcing [Thomas Index Report Video]
Episode 21: Advising Future Leaders with NextGen for Industry Winner Rose Celestin
Since starting her professional career at just 14 years old as a Purchasing Technician, Thomas NextGen for Industry Winner Rose Celestin has been blazing a trail through the supply chain ranks, quickly becoming a leader for the next generation of supply chain managers. Join Editorial Producer Lindsay Gilder as she sits down with Celestin, the Senior Strategic Sourcing Lead at WSSC Water, as they discuss Celestin’s predictions for the ongoing digital disruption of the industrial supply chain, the ongoing shifts in diversity across industry, and how business leaders can be more aware of and address unconscious bias within their teams.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Rose Celestin
- Learn more about the NextGen for Industry Recognition Program
- Read Thomas Insights Market Expert articles written by Rose Celestin
Episode 20: Globalizing an Industrial Business with the Hudson Technologies Team
Considering the U.S. exported $612 billion worth of goods and services in Q1 2020, American business leaders are familiar with global export strategies. But executing a global production strategy, which involves establishing consistent operations, hiring a skilled team, and connecting with customers in a new country, is a completely different (and difficult) tactic. Join host Tony Uphoff and members of the Hudson Technologies team as they discuss their successful globalization strategy and share their advice for how other U.S.-based companies can expand into 24-hour production on an international scale. Guests include Strategic Projects Manager Nelson Jacobson Jr., Director of Sales Operations John DeBone, Sales Engineer Farley Fitzpatrick, and Sales & Marketing Manager John Marfiak.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Hudson Technologies
- Learn more about the Hudson Technologies team
- China's Manufacturing Facilities Reopen: Checklist for Best Practices During Coronavirus Outbreak
Episode 19: Creating a Safer Industrial Workplace with Sam Bradbury and Mark Heidebrecht
Industry employees who don’t feel valued in their workplace or feel they lack the ability to make a change within their workspace are 70% more likely to claim a musculoskeletal injury. Join host Tony Uphoff and Ergonomics International co-founders, Board Certified Exercise Physiologists, and Board Certified Human Factors Professionals Sam Bradbury and Mark Heidebrecht as they discuss how industrial business leaders can more effectively engage with their teams to improve the critical — yet often overlooked — physical and cultural considerations of industrial workplace safety. They’ll also explore how industrial businesses can update their workspaces to accommodate COVID-19-related safety considerations.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Ergonomics International
- Learn more about Sam Bradbury and Mark Heidebrecht
- How to Avoid the Top 9 OSHA Violations by Preparing for Unexpected Inspections [Checklist]
- Why Safety in the Workplace Should Be Your Main Priority as a Leader [Statistics]
Episode 18: Building a More Diverse Industrial Workforce with Mary Person
Of the more than 15 million people currently employed in manufacturing roles, only 29% are women, 12.3% are Black, and 16.8% are Hispanic or Latino. So how can industrial business leaders take actionable steps toward diversifying their manufacturing teams? Join host Tony Uphoff and Mary Person, Director of Governmental Relations and External Affairs for FH Paschen, as they discuss how to find, recruit, retain, and engage top talent at your industrial business and two impactful things you can do today to enhance diversity at your company.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Mary Person
- Learn more about FH Paschen
- Join the FH Paschen Team
- Must-read Advice from 6 Successful Women in Industry [Q & A]
- This 1 Workplace Change Could Be the Key to Outperforming Competitors
Episode 17: Envisioning the Future of IIOT with Shawn Davison
As industrial business leaders increasingly recognize the potential of IIOT, global spending on Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) platforms is expected to surge to $12.44 billion in 2024, a massive jump from the $1.67 billion spent in 2018. Join host Tony Uphoff and Shawn Davison, CEO of DevIQ, serial entrepreneur, and software architect, as they explore what the fast-approaching future of IIOT might look like, how industrial business leaders can harness the power of data and AI to further fuel company growth, and the shift toward manufacturing “products as a service.”
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Shawn Davison
- Learn more about DevIQ
- Learn more about DevIQ’s IIOT work
- IIOT Spending to Jump 40% by 2024 [Report]
Episode 16: Applying Startup Lessons to Corporate Business Models with Sean Ammirati
Entrepreneurship is often seen as a bastion of lean, forward-thinking startups. But these agile, early-stage businesses aren’t the only ones with the capacity to develop game-changing products and services. Join host Tony Uphoff and Sean Ammirati, author, professor, venture capitalist, and co-founder & director of the Carnegie Mellon Corporate Startup Lab (CSL), as they discuss the lessons that established, large-scale businesses can learn from agile startups, the accelerating shift from digital transformation to business model innovation, and why manufacturing business leaders should see themselves as entrepreneurs to help solve industry-wide challenges.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Sean Ammirati
- Read more about the Carnegie Mellon Corporate Startup Lab (CSL)
- Purchase Sean’s book, The Science of Growth: How Facebook Beat Friendster - and How Nine Other Startups Left the Rest in the Dust
Episode 15: Forecasting COVID-19 Impacts on Global Trade with Andrew Blasi Jr.
As the World Trade Organization estimates a global trade decline between 13-32% and double-digit declines in trade volume across almost every region worldwide as a result of COVID-19, it’s clear that business leaders need to prepare for the impending long-term economic effects of the coronavirus. Join Tony Uphoff and Andrew Blasi Jr., director at Crowell and Moring International, as they discuss the substantial impacts COVID-19 will have on the future of global trade and how industrial business leaders should strategically plan for these impacts to keep their companies afloat.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn More About Andrew Blasi Jr.
- Manufacturer Response to COVID-19 Disruptions: Increased Interest in Automation, Reshoring [Report]
- 16 Immediate Actions Company Owners Should Take to Protect Their Business' Financial Health During COVID-19
- How to Be an Effective Leader in Times of Uncertainty
Episode 14: Surviving COVID-19 as a Small Business with Jim Blasingame
Join Tony Uphoff and Jim Blasingame, author and host of The Small Business Advocate Show, as they discuss how small business leaders should strategically prepare their companies to handle the impacts of COVID-19 and the required business shutdowns associated with the pandemic. Blasingame explains his “surviving is winning” approach to keeping companies afloat during this challenging time and why he believes small businesses will be the foundation of the economic recovery.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Jim Blasingame
- Learn more about and purchase Jim Blasingame’s books
- A Guide to Federal & State COVID-19 Financial Relief Programs Available for Small Businesses:
- 16 Immediate Actions Company Owners Should Take to Protect Their Business' Financial Health During COVID-19
Episode 13: Using Disney Tactics to Strategize Business Growth with Sean Brown
Join Thomas CMO Shawn Fitzgerald and Sean Brown, Marketing Strategy Manager at Disney and Chief Fire Starter at creative brainstorming company Ignite the Mind, as they discuss how industrial business leaders should break through daily distractions to more effectively use their time as an investment in their business’ growth and future success. By encouraging creative, diverse thinking, leaders develop new ideas and product opportunities through effective brainstorming. Building on tactics developed through his years at Disney, Brown offers a playbook for industrial business leaders to orchestrate creative problem-solving at their own companies.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Ignite the Mind
- Read Sean Brown’s tips on how to create your own brainstorm kit
- Thomas’ COVID-19 Resource Hub for Manufacturers and Industry Professionals
- Sign up as a COVID-19 Response Supplier on Thomasnet.com
Episode 12: Leading an Industrial Business Through COVID-19 with Ralf Weiser
Join Tony Uphoff and Ralf Weiser, VP of Operations at Alexanderwerk, as they discuss how industrial business leaders should be pivoting their typical business strategies to ones that can accommodate this quickly shifting global pandemic, including harnessing Industry 4.0, embracing digital sales and marketing, and prioritizing company culture. They also discuss best practices for training, engaging, and retaining industrial employees, especially in uncertain times.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn More About Ralf Weiser and Alexanderwerk
- Thomas’ COVID-19 Resource Hub for Manufacturers and Industry Professionals
- Thomas Insights for industry news and analysis
- Subscribe to the Thomas Industry Update daily industrial newsletter, which now includes daily COVID-19 updates relevant to manufacturers
Episode 11: Bridging the Industrial Skills Gap with Nick Wyman
By 2025, as many as 2 million skilled manufacturing jobs may be unfilled if proactive steps aren’t taken to address the growing skills gap. But one particularly promising solution to this industry-wide challenge has emerged: an increase in manufacturing apprenticeships. Join Tony Uphoff and Nick Wyman, CEO of the Institute for Workplace Skills and Innovation, as they discuss the impact of apprenticeships, why employers and employees should consider them as career development options, and why there’s never been a better time to future proof your industrial business.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn More About Nick Wyman
- Learn More About the Institute for Workplace Skills and Innovation
- Read Nick Wyman’s Book, “Job U: How to Find Wealth and Success by Developing the Skills Companies Actually Need”
- U.S. Department of Labor Awards Nearly $100 Million in Apprenticeship Grants
Episode 10: Achieving Effective Digital Transformation with Joseph Anderson
Only 33% of change initiatives succeed, according to a recent Gartner report. While it may seem like an industry buzzword, change management is actually a critical component of effective industrial business leadership, especially in the context of Industry 4.0. Join Tony Uphoff and Joseph Anderson, President of the Institute for Process Excellence (IpX), as they discuss constructive change management and data utilization as part of Industry 4.0, and how to identify an effective transformation roadmap for your industrial business.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn More About the Institute for Process Excellence
- Learn More About ConX20, IpX’s Upcoming Conference
- How to Launch a Successful Digital Transformation [Checklist]
- How to Ensure Your Digital Transformation Succeeds in the Long Run
- How To Take An Employee-Centric Approach To Change Management
Episode 9: Embracing the Future of Industry 4.0 with Tom Kelly
94% of industrial business leaders consider digital transformation a main strategic priority in 2020 ― but only 14% say they’re highly confident their companies are fully prepared to handle the changes associated with IIoT technology integration. Join Tony Uphoff and Tom Kelly, CEO & Executive Director at Automation Alley, Michigan’s Industry 4.0 Knowledge Center, as they discuss what the future of Industry 4.0 means for U.S. manufacturers and how to effectively digitize your industrial business by shifting your workplace culture.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Tom Kelly
- Learn more about Automation Alley
- What is Industry 4.0?
- How to Launch a Successful Digital Transformation [Checklist]
- How to Ensure Your Digital Transformation Succeeds in the Long Run
- Overcoming Barriers to Success in Industry 4.0 [Report]
Episode 8: Driving Change at an Industrial Family Business with Michael Araten
Close to 90% of American businesses are family-owned. This also rings true with industrial businesses, which are often multi-generational companies aiming to continue the legacy of their familial founders while keeping their business on pace with industry advancements. Join Tony Uphoff and Michael Araten, former CEO of K’NEX and current President & CEO at The Rodon Group, as they discuss how to maintain a family business’ mission-driven legacy while adopting new strategies and industrial technologies.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn More About The Rodon Group
- Family Businesses Rarely Transfer to the Next Generation - Here's Why It Matters
Episode 7: Predicting Tariff Impacts with Andrew Blasi Jr.
While President Trump last week signed the Phase One trade deal with China to implement a partial truce on trade, ongoing tariff uncertainty will continue to impact industrial businesses. Join Tony Uphoff and Andrew Blasi Jr., a director at Crowell and Moring International with a specific focus on regulatory policy and international affairs, as they discuss how manufacturers should prepare for the impacts of ongoing tariff uncertainty and the changes we can expect to see in the short- and long-term.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Learn more about Andrew Blasi Jr.
- Trump Sets Date for Signing Trade Pact with China
- 3 Ways Businesses Are Mitigating the Impacts of Tariffs [Report]
- How Is the Trade War Affecting U.S. Ports?
Episode 6: Encouraging Women to Pursue Industrial Careers with Allison Grealis & Aleah Titus
While women make up 50% of the U.S. population, they comprise only 30% of the manufacturing workforce. Join Tony Uphoff in conversation with Allison Grealis, president of Women in Manufacturing and vice president of association services for the Precision Metalforming Association, and Aleah Titus, LPG operations manager at ABB Traction USA and a 2019 NextGen for Industry award winner, as they discuss their experiences as women in industrial leadership roles, their perspectives on how industry has changed in recent years, and what advice they’d share with other women interested in pursuing industrial career opportunities.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Women in Manufacturing
- Trailblazer for Young Women in Supply Chain, Aleah Titus Wins NextGen for Industry
Episode 5: Managing Shifting Supply Chain Dynamics with Rob Handfield
As changing tariffs and other market factors shift supply chain management dynamics, industrial business leaders must quickly adapt to changes as — or even before — they happen. Join Tony Uphoff and Rob Handfield, founder and executive director of the Supply Chain Resource Cooperative and professor of supply chain management at NC State’s Poole College of Management, as they discuss how tracking key data and collaborating effectively can solve supply chain challenges.
Additional resources from this episode:
Episode 4: Reinventing STEM Education with Dr. Sal Menzo
In the face of the growing skills shortage, STEM education and workforce development programs are absolutely critical for American manufacturers. Join Tony Uphoff and Dr. Sal Menzo, Superintendent of the Wallingford Public Schools in Connecticut, as they discuss engaging students of all ages in STEM curriculums and how to garner townwide support for STEM & workforce training initiatives through community engagement.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Prioritizing STEM in Public School Education, Dr. Salvatore Menzo Named Champion for Industry
- Wallingford Program Could Hold the Key to Filling Vacant Manufacturing Jobs in CT
- Learn more about Wallingford Public Schools
Episode 3: Developing an Industrial Company Culture with Karen Norheim
Company culture is more than just a buzzword. Companies with engaged employees outperform their competition by 20%, show 21% higher profitability, and have 59% less turnover. Join Shawn Fitzgerald, CMO of Thomas, and Karen Norheim, President and COO of American Crane & Equipment Corporation, as they discuss how to optimize productivity, improve morale, and engage a multi-generational workforce by developing a strong company culture at your industrial business.
Additional resources from this episode:
- How to Develop a Strong Company Culture at Your Industrial Business [New Podcast]
- Paving Way for Women in Manufacturing, Karen Norheim Wins Champion for Industry Award
- The Impact of Company Culture on Profits
- Building a Competitive Advantage By Developing a Strong Culture
Episode 2: Incorporating Video in Your Industrial Marketing Strategy with Chris Bryant
Video is a key component of any marketing strategy, driving high-quality leads and putting a trustworthy face on your industrial business. Chris Bryant, Creative Director at Empire Studios, discusses effective storytelling through video and how to incorporate the tactic into your industrial marketing strategy in conversation with host Tony Uphoff.
Additional resources from this episode:
- Video Marketing For Industrial Companies
- 4 Reasons Why Manufacturers Use Video Marketing
- 9 Tips for Video Marketing Campaign Success
Episode 1: Exploring Global Export Opportunities with Anne Evans
If you've considered exporting but aren't sure where - or how - to start, this inaugural episode will serve as your blueprint. Anne Evans, Director of the U.S. Commercial Service, explores current export opportunities and resources available to American industrial businesses in conversation with host Tony Uphoff.
Additional resources from this episode:
- The Best Government Tools and Resources for Exporting
- How to Use the EXIM Bank to Stay Internationally Competitive
- International Trade Administration
- U.S. Small Business Administration
- STEP Grants
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