Workforce Shortages and Trade Careers Revival

Scott Mackenzie hosts the Industrial Talk podcast, celebrating industry professionals and featuring Matt Bradbury, a seasoned M&A expert with 20 years of experience and $2 billion in transaction value. Bradbury's firm focuses on manufacturing, distribution, and B2B services, with 80% of clients having blue-collar workforces. He discusses the growing demand for electrical infrastructure due to increased data center needs and the impact of reshoring and nearshoring on manufacturing. Bradbury emphasizes the importance of smart power generation and automation in meeting these demands. He can be reached at matt@buysellyourbusiness.com or 704-905-0565.

Action Items

• [ ] Follow up with Matt Bradbury on LinkedIn (Matthew Bradbury) to stay updated on his firm's activities and industry insights.
• [ ] Connect with Matt Bradbury at Buy, Sell Your Business (matt@buysell-yourbusiness.com) to discuss potential M&A opportunities in the utility services space.

Outline

Introduction and Welcome to Industrial Talk Podcast

• Scott MacKenzie welcomes listeners to the podcast, celebrating industry professionals and their contributions.
• The podcast is sponsored by Siemens Smart Infrastructure and Grid Software Services, encouraging listeners to visit siemens.com for more information.
• Scott MacKenzie mentions the podcast is being broadcasted from Distribute Tech in Dallas, Texas, and expresses his enthusiasm for utility-related topics.

Introduction of Matt Bradbury and His Firm

• Scott MacKenzie introduces Matt Bradbury, who has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the utility services space.
• Matt Bradbury shares his background, mentioning he started his firm 20 years ago and has sold about 215 companies, with a total transaction value of almost $2 billion.
• His firm focuses on manufacturing, distribution, and B2B services, with 80% of their clients having a blue-collar workforce.
• Matt Bradbury is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and discusses the importance of the utility industry and the need for infrastructure updates.

Expectations and Importance of Distribute Tech

• Scott MacKenzie asks Matt Bradbury about his expectations and the importance of Distribute Tech.
• Matt Bradbury explains the 20-year tailwind of needing to update electrical infrastructure due to increased demand from data centers and AI.
• He shares an anecdote about a data center operator in California who mentioned the lack of available power during a fishing trip.
• Matt Bradbury discusses the importance of private equity groups and the qualities he looks for in partners, emphasizing the need for smart, humble, and approachable groups.

Challenges and Opportunities in the Utility Industry

• Scott MacKenzie and Matt Bradbury discuss the challenges and opportunities in the utility industry, including the need for more power generation and the impact of reshoring and nearshoring manufacturing.
• Matt Bradbury mentions the importance of retaining tribal knowledge and marketing the trades as a viable career option.
• Scott MacKenzie highlights the innovation and automation taking place in the industry, which offers global opportunities for professionals.
• They discuss the complexities of managing distributed solutions and connected generation, and the role of technology in improving efficiency.

Future Trends and Technological Solutions

• Scott MacKenzie and Matt Bradbury discuss future trends and technological solutions in the utility industry.
• Matt Bradbury mentions GE Vernova's role in smart power generation and the importance of having a one-stop solution for power companies.
• They talk about the inefficiencies in the current system and the need for better monitoring and management of the grid.
• Scott MacKenzie shares an example of a technology solution that improves the call-out process for utility workers, highlighting the potential for innovation.

Conclusion and Contact Information

• Scott MacKenzie asks Matt Bradbury about his future plans and what he sees on the horizon.
• Matt Bradbury emphasizes the importance of investing in the United States and the role of smart power generation in meeting future demand.
• Scott MacKenzie provides Matt Bradbury's contact information, encouraging listeners to reach out to him for business opportunities.
• The podcast concludes with Scott MacKenzie encouraging listeners to amplify their voices and inspire the next generation of industrial leaders.