# The State of Manufacturing: Nebraska, the Midwest, and Beyond with Michael Johnson and Scott Volk

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2022-07-05
- Length: 42m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-07-05-the-state-of-manufacturing-nebraska-the-midwest-and-beyond-with-michael-johnson
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Chris Luecke interviews Scott Volk, COO of MetalQuest Unlimited, and Michael Johnson, COO of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, about the state of manufacturing in Nebraska. They discuss the formation of the Manufacturing Alliance to combat workforce shortages and change the industry's image, emphasizing automation and diversity as key strategies for growth in rural areas.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-07-05-the-state-of-manufacturing-nebraska-the-midwest-and-beyond-with-michael-johnson#t=0) Introduction and Event Context
- [5:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-07-05-the-state-of-manufacturing-nebraska-the-midwest-and-beyond-with-michael-johnson#t=342) Guest Backgrounds and Career Switches
- [12:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-07-05-the-state-of-manufacturing-nebraska-the-midwest-and-beyond-with-michael-johnson#t=772) Changing Nebraska's Agricultural Image
- [16:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-07-05-the-state-of-manufacturing-nebraska-the-midwest-and-beyond-with-michael-johnson#t=1014) The Role of the Chamber of Commerce
- [23:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-07-05-the-state-of-manufacturing-nebraska-the-midwest-and-beyond-with-michael-johnson#t=1386) Workforce Shortages and Automation
- [28:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-07-05-the-state-of-manufacturing-nebraska-the-midwest-and-beyond-with-michael-johnson#t=1726) Collaboration and Diversity in Manufacturing
- [35:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-07-05-the-state-of-manufacturing-nebraska-the-midwest-and-beyond-with-michael-johnson#t=2101) Lessons for Other States and Beer Talk

## Topics

- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- MetalQuest Unlimited (company)
- Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry (company)
- Anheuser-Busch (company)
- Central Community College (other)
- CED (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Starting Young: The Next Generation of Manufacturing & Engineering Talent w/ Meaghan Ziemba](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-10-26-starting-young-the-next-generation-of-manufacturing-engineering-talent-w-meaghan) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Inside Conexus Indiana: The Industry Network Driving Manufacturing Tech and Talent | Ep. 46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-07-31-inside-conexus-indiana-the-industry-network-driving-manufacturing-tech-and-talen) (Lights Out)
- [The Future of Manufacturing — Special IMTS Edition](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2022-09-09-the-future-of-manufacturing-special-imts-edition) (Additive Snack)
- [Diversity in the Manufacturing Sector w/ Andrew Crowe and Justin Sherman](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-07-27-diversity-in-the-manufacturing-sector-w-andrew-crowe-and-justin-sherman) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [What Today's Manufacturing Workforce Wants w/ Michael Sullivan](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-05-30-what-todays-manufacturing-workforce-wants-w-michael-sullivan) (The Manufacturing Executive)

## Citing this page

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