# 235: How to Find Automation Talent Anywhere with Kyle Mahan, VP & GM of Wauseon Machine

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2025-05-09
- Length: 30m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-05-09-235-how-to-find-automation-talent-anywhere-with-kyle-mahan-vp-gm-of-wauseon-mach
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Kyle Mahan, VP & GM of Wauseon Machine, discusses the company's evolution from a machining and tube-forming business into a standalone automation division. He explains how Wauseon is breaking off its automation unit to operate independently, aiming to remove internal handicaps and better serve customers in a consolidating market. Mahan shares strategies for finding automation talent, emphasizing remote work flexibility that allows hiring globally, and highlights the value of A3 certification for integrators. The conversation also covers industry trends like the uptake of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and AI deployment in manufacturing.

## Chapters

- [0:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-05-09-235-how-to-find-automation-talent-anywhere-with-kyle-mahan-vp-gm-of-wauseon-mach#t=38) Introduction and Wauseon Machine History
- [5:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-05-09-235-how-to-find-automation-talent-anywhere-with-kyle-mahan-vp-gm-of-wauseon-mach#t=325) Breaking Off the Automation Division
- [8:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-05-09-235-how-to-find-automation-talent-anywhere-with-kyle-mahan-vp-gm-of-wauseon-mach#t=539) Industry Landscape and In-Sourcing
- [10:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-05-09-235-how-to-find-automation-talent-anywhere-with-kyle-mahan-vp-gm-of-wauseon-mach#t=639) AMRs and AI Adoption Trends
- [14:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-05-09-235-how-to-find-automation-talent-anywhere-with-kyle-mahan-vp-gm-of-wauseon-mach#t=886) Kyle Mahan's Career Origin Story
- [19:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-05-09-235-how-to-find-automation-talent-anywhere-with-kyle-mahan-vp-gm-of-wauseon-mach#t=1189) Finding Automation Talent and Remote Work
- [22:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-05-09-235-how-to-find-automation-talent-anywhere-with-kyle-mahan-vp-gm-of-wauseon-mach#t=1377) A3 Certification and Future Plans

## Topics

- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Wauseon Machine (company)
- A3 (company)
- Collins Aerospace (company)
- Husco Automotive (company)
- Fanuc (company)
- Kuka (company)
- Inside the 5 Brewing (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Electronica 24: The Rise of AI-Powered Robotics at Fideltronik and Beyond](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-09-electronica-24-the-rise-of-ai-powered-robotics-at-fideltronik-and-beyond) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Automation: The Key to Time Freedom in Machining, Ep #14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-03-28-automation-the-key-to-time-freedom-in-machining-ep-14) (Lights Out)
- [Business Moves at the Speed of Trust with Wade Anderson, Ep #10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2024-12-11-business-moves-at-the-speed-of-trust-with-wade-anderson-ep-10) (Lights Out)
- [Rise of the Automation Workforce w/ Ale Walker](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-06-27-rise-of-the-automation-workforce-w-ale-walker) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Training the Technician of the Future](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-08-30-training-the-technician-of-the-future) (The Manufacturing Executive)

## Citing this page

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