The Manufacturing Executive
Joe Sullivan
On The Manufacturing Executive podcast, we’ll explore the strategies and experiences that are driving midsized manufacturers forward. You’ll hear conversations with passionate manufacturing leaders who have compelling stories to share about their successes and struggles. You’ll also hear interviews with B2B Sales and Marketing experts about what’s working on the business development front and how to make these ideas actionable. Episodes will feature topics related to industrial marketing and lead generation, manufacturing sales strategy, technology, and industrial sector innovation.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 7, 2026 • 29min
The Arrival of High-Volume Metal Additive Manufacturing w/ James DeMuth
In today's conversation, Co-Founder & CEO at Seurat Technologies, James DeMuth, will share how a different approach metal additive manufacturing can radically increase throughput, disrupt industry economics and reshape supply chains.
He’ll offer his perspective on where additive manufacturing stands today, discus applications and share his perspective on what’s needed for U.S. manufacturing to stay competitive.
Mar 31, 2026 • 30min
Getting Out of Break-Fix Mode: Using Maintenance Data for Better Manufacturing Decisions w/ Paul Ross
Paul Ross, CMO at Limble with 25+ years in B2B marketing, explains how maintenance data can stop manufacturers from living in constant break-fix mode. He highlights the trust gap between collected data and decision making. Topics include why data quality undermines confidence, the shift from reactive to preventive maintenance, real-world success stories, workforce impacts, and practical first steps to get started.
Mar 24, 2026 • 37min
AMRs in Manufacturing Environments: Safety, Data Security and Other Considerations w/ Shari Brown and Krystal Mattich
Krystal Mattich, Senior Director of Security, Privacy, and Risk at BrainCorp, safeguards data and system security for autonomous robots. Shari Brown, Senior Director of Operations and Product Safety, oversees manufacturing operations and product safety. They discuss AMR navigation versus fixed robots. Safety architecture and sensor suites. Data security, privacy features like blurring, and building workforce trust.
8 snips
Mar 17, 2026 • 32min
Surging AI and Data Center CapEx: Are We on the Verge of a Bubble? w/ Wasif Khan
Wasif Khan, CFO and co-founder of Via Photon with 25+ years at the finance-technology nexus, speaks about the surge in data center and AI infrastructure spending. He explores risk versus volatility, liquidity and economic cycles, uneven CapEx pockets, and where AI revenue and productivity gains may emerge. He also discusses practical strategies for managing investment cycles and building accountable engineering culture.
9 snips
Mar 10, 2026 • 0sec
From Paper and Spreadsheets to Connected Data: Making the Digital Leap w/ Ian Burns
Ian Burns, President of Applied Control Engineering and seasoned engineer, explains why manufacturers cling to paper and spreadsheets. He highlights data quality and completeness as foundations for decision making. He explores practical digital twin uses like operator training and control testing. He also discusses OT cybersecurity priorities and the value of incremental automation investments.
Mar 3, 2026 • 37min
Solving Labor Challenges the Simpler Way: A Fresh Look at Robotics w/ Ken Macken
Ken Mackin, CEO and founder of Worker Labs who builds flexible robotic workforces for high-mix manufacturing. He explains making robots simple and operator-friendly with iPad controls and drag-and-teach vision. Topics include removing automation barriers, multilingual operator interfaces, rapid mixed-pallet deployments, and shifting roles toward higher-value work.
Feb 24, 2026 • 26min
Systematizing Machine Shops to Strengthen National Security w/ Justin Baucum
Justin Baucum, leader of U.S. expansion at Isambard and former U.S. Army Special Forces operator, discusses veterans moving into manufacturing. He connects domestic shop capacity to national security. He outlines a franchise-like model to systematize and rapidly scale machine shops. He explains how replicable factories and unified industrial efforts boost defense and aerospace readiness.
Feb 17, 2026 • 32min
How Humanoid Robots Are Already Transforming Production Lines w/ Colin Webb and Paul Baker
Colin Webb, founder of Avatar Robotics, builds humanoid robot workforces for manual industrial tasks. Paul Baker, CFO of Productive, runs warehouse operations and deploys humanoids in live lines. They discuss moving robots from demos to reliable production, why humanoid form matters for two-handed tasks, testing robots in live kitting lines, and how robots augment workers and reshape manufacturing roles.
6 snips
Feb 10, 2026 • 34min
A 100-Year Manufacturing Journey: Navigating Change While Honoring Legacy w/ Matthew Feldman and Mike Feldman
Matthew Feldman, co-president driving growth and engineering-focused pivots. Mike Feldman, co-president modernizing finances and operations. They recount a 100-year family manufacturer's Bronx roots. They cover digitizing workflows and CNC adoption. They discuss shifting from commodity to high-spec markets, lean consulting, and promoting from within.
Feb 3, 2026 • 0sec
Hosting a Niche Event and Building a Community Around It w/ Wendy Covey
In today’s episode, CEO of TREW Marketing, Wendy Covey, and host, Joe Sullivan use their upcoming event, The Industrial Marketing Summit, as an example to talk about the benefits of designing a niche event for your specific audience. Specifically, they dive into how hosting an in-person gathering can create a sense of community, spark meaningful conversations and build valuable relationships. Learn more about the event and register the marketer from your organization here: https://industrialmarketingsummit.com/
