# 266: A Century of Cookware Manufacturing and the Impact of Automation and Reshoring with David Duecker, President of SynergyOps

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2025-12-16
- Length: 34m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-12-16-266-a-century-of-cookware-manufacturing-and-the-impact-of-automation-and-reshori
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

David Duecker, President of SynergyOps, discusses the company's 115-year history in West Bend, Wisconsin, formed by the merger of West Bend and Regal Wear, and its current role as a contract manufacturer for cladded stainless steel cookware. He explains the company's strategic decision to divest from overseas appliances to focus on core cookware strengths, the implementation of highly automated but human-centric manufacturing processes, and the industry-wide shift toward reshoring driven by tariffs and supply chain disruptions. Duecker also highlights the critical challenge of developing PFAS-free non-stick coatings and the importance of retaining institutional knowledge through partnerships with Moraine Park Technical College and engaging retirees.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-12-16-266-a-century-of-cookware-manufacturing-and-the-impact-of-automation-and-reshori#t=0) Introduction and Company History
- [6:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-12-16-266-a-century-of-cookware-manufacturing-and-the-impact-of-automation-and-reshori#t=417) Strategic Focus and Core Competencies
- [9:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-12-16-266-a-century-of-cookware-manufacturing-and-the-impact-of-automation-and-reshori#t=556) Workforce Development and Hiring
- [13:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-12-16-266-a-century-of-cookware-manufacturing-and-the-impact-of-automation-and-reshori#t=820) Automation and the Factory of the Future
- [15:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-12-16-266-a-century-of-cookware-manufacturing-and-the-impact-of-automation-and-reshori#t=922) Manufacturing Processes and Finishing
- [22:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-12-16-266-a-century-of-cookware-manufacturing-and-the-impact-of-automation-and-reshori#t=1374) PFAS-Free Non-Stick Challenges
- [25:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-12-16-266-a-century-of-cookware-manufacturing-and-the-impact-of-automation-and-reshori#t=1509) Reshoring and Sustainability
- [27:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-12-16-266-a-century-of-cookware-manufacturing-and-the-impact-of-automation-and-reshori#t=1678) Future of Manufacturing and Retirees

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- SynergyOps (company)
- West Bend (company)
- Regal Wear (company)
- Moraine Park Technical College (other)
- Indeed Brewing (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Obstacles to Quickly Reshoring American Manufacturing w/ Rylan Pyciak](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-05-13-obstacles-to-quickly-reshoring-american-manufacturing-w-rylan-pyciak) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Navigating Industry Change with Out of the Box Manufacturing's Allison Budvarson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-06-13-navigating-industry-change-with-out-of-the-box-manufacturings-allison-budvarson) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [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)
- [The Hard Truths About Reshoring American Manufacturing w/ Eddy Azad](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-04-21-the-hard-truths-about-reshoring-american-manufacturing-w-eddy-azad) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [The Success of MATRIC: Evolution, Automation and Future Growth Strategies with VP Bradley Turner](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-30-the-success-of-matric-evolution-automation-and-future-growth-strategies-with-vp) (EMS@C-LEVEL)

## Citing this page

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