MakingChips is back with another live podcast from IMTS 2018. On this episode, Jim and Jason discuss what’s on the manufacturing horizon with guests Lonnie Love, Jay Rogers, and Adrian Allen. During times of rapid growth, long-term thinking can easily take a back seat to the next urgent task. Many manufacturing leaders lack the ability to see beyond the immediate future to think more clearly about manufacturing a decade from now. On this episode, hear the prophets of manufacturing share what they envision our industry will look like in 10 years.
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Automation and digitization isn’t the future. It is the present. However, automation will greatly impact the future of manufacturing. Panelist Jay Rogers says, “Digital manufacturing is all about being able to improve the speed of design and delivery of a part.” The impact will be most obvious in the automotive industry. It is a huge segment of manufacturing, drawing two and three-tier companies to develop and manufacture parts that are used in the industry. Hear the panelists discuss how autonomy is driving innovation in manufacturing.
A shop floor has a reputation for being dark and dirty. That’s not the reality in the present and it certainly isn’t true for the future machine shop. So what will the future shop floor look like? Lonnie Love says he envisions the future machine shop to be microfactory that can make anything. The flexibility that technology is opening up for companies is allowing them to diversify the products they can make. Adrian Allen adds that he sees a future where the whole factory floor is that actual machine tool bed, where the machines come to the part rather than the part going to the machine.
In order to prepare for the future of your company, you have to consider the customer of the future. The desire for on-demand solutions is the norm. Manufacturers must start building machines that can meet their futures customers needs. Leaders also have to begin considering their workforce. Adrian Allen says that recruiting talent is a key. Having machines that can do amazing work but lacking the talent of engineers will make those great machines irrelevant. The workforce is critical and there is a skills gap that must be addressed. Listen as the panel discusses ways to address the skills gap with practical ways to recruit and develop talent.
The future is both scary and exciting. Innovation and technology have increased the pace to such a degree that manufacturing leaders can’t afford to resist change. The time to consider the future and make preparations to adapt is now. Prepare to take some risk so that you don’t get left behind. Listen as the panelists give some final tips for how to do just that. They discuss the impact of future recessions, how to integrate sustainable and environmentally friendly, energy efficient processes, and how to help change the perception of manufacturing to attract the next generation of talent. Be inspired as you listen to this episode of MakingChips.
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On Wednesday at IMTS 2018, Jason and Jim hosted a panel including Aisha Rasul of Socistory, Corey Koepnick of Badassmachinists and Tom Fetcho, Vice President of Operations at MariTool to discuss social media management for manufacturers. Should manufacturers be using social media to market their businesses? If so, how does a company use it to their advantage? The panelists discuss these and other important questions during this live panel discussion on MakingChips.
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Aisha Rasul is the founder and CEO of Socistory, a company that creates a compelling and integrative social media presence for brands. She encourages manufacturers to consider how social media management might help them accomplish their companies mission and vision. She explains that, rather than using platforms haphazardly, manufacturing leaders should first develop a strategy for how to most effectively and efficiently leverage social media. Having a plan will also help companies know which platform will best serve them in accomplishing their goals.
There are multiple social media platforms on the market. Each one provides unique opportunities for interaction and engagement. Which platform should manufacturers use? According to the panel on this episode, the key lies in knowing what format best showcases your work and knowing where your community is most involved. Corey Koepnick, who has developed a huge following on Instagram showcasing his manufacturing expertise, chose that platform because it is image-based, which allows him to share beautiful photos of the interesting things he is making. It was also the platform where he was finding the most influencers in his manufacturing niche.
With any marketing strategy, you want to be able to track your effectiveness. Social media is a growing marketing tool in which companies are investing more time and money. There are two ways you can leverage these platforms, either organically or through an ad spend. During this discussion, the panel gives some helpful insight on how to measure return on investment. If you are just beginning to use social media, it is important to note that it takes some time to build a community and see results. Honing in on your target audience will help you see a better conversion rate through social media.
Tom Fetcho is the Vice President of Operations at MariTool. He has taken his background and skills in graphic design to start a social media presence for his company. Tom showcases video and content of products being made. He encourages manufacturers to know the endgame for using social media. He also says that you should participate and engage with other companies rather than just focusing on yourself and your own content. With as little as twenty minutes a day, you can begin to see the impact of social media management in your manufacturing business. Listen to this episode of MakingChips to hear more.
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On this episode of MakingChips, Jim and Jason broadcast live from IMTS with their guest panel including Jess Giudici, Titan Gilroy, Federico Sciammarella and Toni Neary to discuss solving the skills gap in manufacturing. The manufacturing industry has a problem. There is not enough talent to fill the current job opportunities in the United States. Whether it is through raising awareness, providing education or focusing on recruiting, the challenge has to be addressed so that the talent pipeline is replenished with qualified workers. Listen to this great discussion with some of the world’s best and brightest manufacturing leaders.
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Jason and Jim start by asking Toni Neary how to change the perception of manufacturing among high school and college students so they consider it a career path. Toni responds by saying that manufacturing doesn’t have a perception problem, but rather an awareness problem. Solving the skills gap requires educating students about the various career opportunities within the industry. Toni discusses some of the ways that she is helping change the conversation through educational avenues to increase that awareness.
The upcoming generation of workers and potential employees want to do work that matters. They also want to pursue a career that offers development and advancement opportunities. How can the manufacturing industry capitalize on this kind of motivation and drive? Jess Giudici says that companies are going to have to adapt their organizational structures and developmental opportunities to start solving the skills gap. While the typical perception of manufacturing is a dark, dingy shop floor, that is not reality. Exposing students and potential employees to a meaningful culture is one way to start solving the skills gap.
Titan Gilroy says that his business model of offering a free CNC academy online is adapting to the need in the industry. He currently has 45,000 students in 170 companies going through his academy. Titan says that In order to be successful you have to be highly skilled with the ability to make a high quantity of parts with precision and speed. Titan says the curriculum being taught in educational institutions needs to be elevated to match the type of technology and work being done in manufacturing. Listen as Titan explains how his disruptive model helps to better train students to have confidence in doing highly skilled work.
Manufacturing is all about solving problems. It’s a challenging industry that is facing unprecedented growth and an unsustainable shortage of workers. What can you do to change the trajectory of the manufacturing industry? The panel offers several tips for how they can begin solving the skills gap in their local communities today. From investing in local education to defining the culture and identity of your company, manufacturing leaders can start making an impact. Changing the perception of manufacturing and raising awareness about career opportunities starts at the local level. Listen to the entire panel discussion to be equipped and inspired to make a difference in your company and community on this episode of MakingChips.
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On this episode of MakingChips, Rob Sattler talks about how his family business took manufacturing from the farm to the shop floor. Rob is the Vice President of Sales, Estimating and Engineering at Sattler Inc in Ira, Michigan. He comes from a family of manufacturing with both his father and grandfather being involved in metalworking. Rob tells his story, his manufacturing background and how is carrying on the family legacy today.
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Rob Sattler’s father started his machine shop in the barn of his dairy farm. Having been in the manufacturing industry prior to starting the dairy farm, his dad began to purchase and repair old machines. Thanks to his dad’s entrepreneurial spirit and ingenuity, Rob’s father decided to start using those machines. In 1994, Sattler Inc was born. What started as a family business has become a highly successful manufacturing company that has grown from the farm to the shop floor known as Sattler Inc. Listen as Rob shares the story of how Sattler Inc. began and how they are flourishing still today on this episode of MakingChips.
Through challenges and growth, there are three guiding principles that Rob Sattler has learned. The first has to do with the inevitability of change. Whether you like it or not change happens to everyone in every industry. With the rapid advancements in technology, leaders can now expect even more change at a much faster rate. What do you do if you are change-averse? Rob Sattler’s advice is to get over it. He suggests that manufacturing leaders should learn to love change. If you don’t adapt to the demands of the market, your competition will and they will either put you behind or out of business altogether. Continuous growth, training, and adaptation are essential to being successful.
New tools and machinery can be expensive. Not only do you have to consider the cost of the machine, but also the time and training it takes to implement the new machine. However, Rob Sattler suggests that you can’t afford to not have the best tools. Though the upfront cost might be more, having the right tools in place in your shop will eventually pay for itself in both production and customer acquisition. Listen as Rob talks about the importance of having the best tools during this interview.
In order to take a company from the farm to the shop floor, there has to be great management in place. Program management is like conducting an orchestra. You can have the greatest talent and the finest tools but if you aren’t giving direction then your business will suffer. Coordinating training of your employees with the utilization of the best tools and engineering is essential in serving your customers well and having a successful manufacturing company. Hear all about that and more on MakingChips.
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On this episode of MakingChips, Peter Eelman returns to talk about the last minute preparations for IMTS 2018. Peter is the Vice President of Exhibitions & Business Development at AMT. He is also the Senior Executive in charge of the International Manufacturing Technology Show, one of the top three trade shows in the United States. Listen to this interview to hear Peter talk about what you can expect at IMTS 2018 and how you can make the most out of this incredible event.
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IMTS is just around the corner, running September 10-15, 2018. Peter Eelman and the other organizers of the event are already starting to get McCormick Place in downtown Chicago ready for the show. By the time the event opens, about 5,000 transfer trucks worth of equipment will have been unloaded onto the 1,370,256 square foot exhibit floor. Having done so many of these shows has helped the IMTS crew get more efficient at setting up a seamless show. You don’t want to miss all there is to see at IMTS 2018.
When asked what the top technology trend you should look for at IMTS 2018, Peter Eelman has a one-word answer - connected. He says that there is a different approach to manufacturing on the horizon through connect factories and digital transformation. In the interview, Peter mentions a surprising new technology partnership that will be on display at this year’s show. At IMTS, you will not only learn about the cutting edge of manufacturing technology, you’ll also learn tips and tricks on how to apply that technology in your company.
Because of how the IMTS organizers have developed the show through the years, and because of the fast rate of technological change, IMTS 2018 promises to be a show unlike any other. Manufacturing is flourishing, so there will be opportunities to purchase machinery right from the exhibit floor. Peter Eelman says “There’s not a lot of machinery that leaves IMTS back to the source that it came from. It goes to customers.” However, even with all of the changes, IMTS is staying true to its original roots as a machine tool science fair.
While IMTS is about learning and getting better for the sake of your company, there is also ample opportunity to have fun. In years past, there have been 3D printed cars and houses. This year you will have the opportunity to utilize and experience what was recently considered future technology. One of the most fun things you can do is join Jason and Jim every day at Noon on the main stage at the Grand Concourse. Listen to help make your last minute preparations for IMTS 2018.
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