Manufacturing Talks

Gretchen is one of the most-recognized advocates of American industry around. She's President of her own manufacturing technology solutions company, Magenta Technologies, established 2015 after she'd done several stints in telecomms and media. She's also founder of her made-in-America manufacturing advocacy organization, USA LOVES MFG. Tune in to hear her whole story! This episode aired originally on YouTube on Dec. 21, 2021.

For the first episode of 2022, I had a great time talking to Jake Hall, The Manufacturing Millennial. By day, Jake is a Business Development Manager for Feyen Zylstra. But in his social media presence, his passion is to work with manufactures, integrators and end-users to share his knowledge around automation, robotics, and Industry 4.0. His passion for automation and high-tech manufacturing, and its popularity in our industrial world and beyond, manifests itself mightily on his social outlets. With 23,000 followers and over 8 million views on his content, he ignites conversations about the latest in the manufacturing and automation industry to build relationships, identify go-to-market strategies, and create market accessibility for manufacturing and automation. Tune in and catch the whole thing! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobrhall/ Website: https://www.themanufacturingmillennial.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCht-nUM5klmIw6mFnGTCvUQ This episode aired originally on YouTube on Jan. 4, 2022.

For Episode 3, we hear the tale of Stormy Kromer, maker of iconic winter hats and so much more. It's one of my favorite ones in manufacturing. Since the company is located in my little Upper Peninsula of Michigan hometown of Ironwood, their history involves old family friends and acquaintances, along with that unique brand of upper Midwest can-do attitude. Here's former Stormy Kromer CEO and all-around good guy Bob Jacquart to tell you all about it! This episode appeared originally on YouTube on October 19, 2021.

In our Episode 4, Ben Findlay tells the story of the company he founded. Ben is a heckuva a guy from across the pond, the CEO of Machine Compare in the UK. He created an online marketplace for people to buy and sell industrial spare parts. Anyone with a bunch of idle inventory can list it there, and anyone in crunch needing something hard-to-find or obsolete might just find it there! Think about the potential - the whole world is your spare parts storeroom! Tune in to hear the whole story straight from Ben! Sad addendum: Ben recently announced that he's winding Machine Compare down. But his story is a compelling one nonetheless! This episode aired originally on YouTube on Nov. 2, 2021.

Tom Sega had a travel bag fail him long ago in his former life as a sales guy. A friend recommended he get a new one from Duluth Pack, a maker of high-end duffels and bags right there in his own hometown of Duluth, Minnesota. Tom did and became a huge fan. When the company hit on hard times, he heard about it, bought them, and brought them back. Then he did it all over again with Spring Creek Manufacturing, maker of canoe accessories and industrial truck racks up in Mountain Iron, Minnesota. He joined us for our Episode 5. Tune in and hear all about it straight from this salt-of-the-earth CEO. This episode aired originally on YouTube on November 16, 2021.

For our co-Episode 1, we're joined by Titan Gilroy is CEO of Titans of CNC, a Texas machine shop, and creator of his own reality TV show and the Titans of CNC Academy, which provides low-cost education in CNC programming. His own troubled past inspired him to provide a positive outlet for others who might be looking for a better path. Tune in to listen to this inspiring manufacturing icon! This video was originally published on YouTube on September 27, 2021.

Co-Episode 1 features Amy Robbins, CEO of Alexo Athletica, maker of concealed carry workout gear. A former model, she started the company after a harrowing personal experience while training for a marathon. Tune in and learn about that, as well as her ups and downs as an entrepreneur! This episode originally appeared on YouTube on September 27, 2021.