# 215: How Manufacturers Can Connect with the Community to Attract Top Talent featuring Behlen Mfg. Co.

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2024-12-10
- Length: 46m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-12-10-215-how-manufacturers-can-connect-with-the-community-to-attract-top-talent-featu
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Cody Myers, Jon Rauner, and Mick Yrkoski of Behlen Mfg. Co. discuss their strategy for attracting and retaining top manufacturing talent in rural Nebraska. They emphasize a 'pay-it-forward' mentality, valuing drive and continuous learning over grades, and leveraging deep community partnerships with Central Community College and local high schools. The company uses profit-sharing, flexible work arrangements, and a three-tiered meeting structure to empower employees and foster a culture where everyone feels like a 'superhero'.

## Chapters

- [0:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-12-10-215-how-manufacturers-can-connect-with-the-community-to-attract-top-talent-featu#t=53) Introduction and Behlen's Manufacturing Philosophy
- [4:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-12-10-215-how-manufacturers-can-connect-with-the-community-to-attract-top-talent-featu#t=253) Metal Forming as an Art and Company Culture
- [10:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-12-10-215-how-manufacturers-can-connect-with-the-community-to-attract-top-talent-featu#t=634) Employee Retention, Profit Sharing, and Flexibility
- [17:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-12-10-215-how-manufacturers-can-connect-with-the-community-to-attract-top-talent-featu#t=1061) Empowerment, AIMS Program, and Three-Tiered Meetings
- [25:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-12-10-215-how-manufacturers-can-connect-with-the-community-to-attract-top-talent-featu#t=1530) Community Partnerships and Talent Pipeline
- [31:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-12-10-215-how-manufacturers-can-connect-with-the-community-to-attract-top-talent-featu#t=1915) HR Perspective on Culture and Recruitment

## Topics

- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Behlen Mfg. Co. (company)
- Central Community College (other)
- Industrial Solutions Network (company)
- Fortinet (company)
- Skills USA (other)

## 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)
- [Perspectives on Finding and Keeping Manufacturing Talent w/ Jon Franko](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-09-03-perspectives-on-finding-and-keeping-manufacturing-talent-w-jon-franko) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [A New Generation of Craftsmen with Character w/ Dave Hataj](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-07-16-a-new-generation-of-craftsmen-with-character-w-dave-hataj) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Cultivating Veteran Champions in Manufacturing w/ Lt Col Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-02-06-cultivating-veteran-champions-in-manufacturing-w-lt-col-kathy-lowrey-gallowitz) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Forwardskilling: Technical Training for the Existing Workforce w/ Bill Berrien](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-01-21-forwardskilling-technical-training-for-the-existing-workforce-w-bill-berrien) (The Manufacturing Executive)

## Citing this page

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