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Manufacturing Happy Hour

Chris Luecke interviews makers, founders, and manufacturing leaders about the trends and technologies reshaping modern manufacturing, going past the buzzwords into real tactics.

369 episodes · 276 hours · since 2019

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Manufacturing Happy Hour is filed under manufacturing, supply chain & operations and interviews. Its most recent episode published on , so it is still actively publishing. Listeners have left 108 ratings on Apple Podcasts, averaging 4.9 out of 5.

Latest episodes

The 10 newest episodes of Manufacturing Happy Hour, each with a summary and chapters.

  • · 45m

    306: From Systems of Record to Systems of Action: Putting AI to Work in Manufacturing with Sanjay Brahmawar

    Sanjay Brahmawar, CEO of QAD Redzone, explains how his company uses AI agents to transform manufacturing systems of record into systems of action, focusing on amplifying human potential rather than replacing workers. He details specific use cases, including line lead agents that predict production issues and procurement agents that automate supplier communication, to address the industry's 500,000 open jobs. Brahmawar emphasizes that manufacturers can implement these solutions alongside legacy ERP systems without massive modernization, citing a 40% capacity increase for buyers and improved shop floor engagement as key outcomes.

    Connected products & IoTAI & machine learning
    10 chapters

  • · 47m

    304: How to Build a Manufacturing Company from First Principles with Supersede CEO Sean Petterson

    Sean Petterson, CEO of Supersede, explains how his company turns recycled plastic into structural building materials like Marine Board and OSB alternatives, starting with boats and expanding to RVs. He details a capital-efficient manufacturing model using small, distributed plants in Phoenix and Bristol, Indiana, to serve local markets and reduce logistics costs. Petterson highlights the use of AI for tool design, machine vision for quality control, and a custom-built ERP system developed without software developers to streamline operations. The company aims to build 10 plants in five years, leveraging first principles and domestic manufacturing trends to compete with traditional lumber products.

    Materials & manufacturing processesScaling production
    8 chapters

  • · 36m

    303: Made in Iowa: Ag Equipment, Butter Braids, and Women in Manufacturing (WiM)

    Dominique Hain and Cami Schaefer of Women in Manufacturing Iowa discuss the state's strong manufacturing ecosystem, while Denny Williams of Co-Line Manufacturing and Denise Hill of Weiler explain how automation and agricultural roots drive their success. The group highlights surprising products made in Iowa, including Winnebago RVs, butter braids, and Gushers, and details how Co-Line uses cobots to supplement labor shortages. They also trace the lineage of Iowa manufacturing back to farmers solving local problems, citing Vermeer and Weiler as examples of this entrepreneurial pipeline.

    Scaling productionHiring & workforce
    6 chapters

  • · 56m

    302: Philly's Answer to the Talent Shortage (LIVE in King of Prussia, PA)

    Ashley Watkins of JBM Technologies, Brett Lister of B&B Dynamic Machining (Open Tolerance), and Matt Bruner of American Precision Works discuss the collaborative Philadelphia manufacturing ecosystem, highlighting how sharing equipment and knowledge counters overseas competition. Gregory Thomson and Hannah McGarry detail workforce development strategies, including a skilled trades program within Philadelphia Youth Basketball and defense industry outreach via buildsubmarines.com, to address the talent shortage. The panelists emphasize that hiring from diverse, non-traditional talent pools provides a competitive advantage, with Matt Bruner noting that diverse hiring increases spindle utilization and operational efficiency.

    Hiring & workforceManufacturing partners & offshoring
    6 chapters

  • · 25m

    IMTS After Hours: Your Unofficial Guide to IMTS 2026 featuring Jim Mayer and Emily Wilkins

    Chris Luecke hosts IMTS After Hours with Emily Wilkins of Marketing Metal and Jim Mayer of the Manufacturing Connector to discuss the unofficial social scene of IMTS 2026 in Chicago. The guests share favorite memories from past events, such as karaoke at Brando's Speakeasy and concerts at Reggie's, while previewing specific 2026 after-parties including 'Extra Innings' at Kaiser Tiger and 'Manufacturing Mic Drop' at Brando's. They emphasize that these after-hours connections are as valuable as the show floor, offering advice on pacing oneself and prioritizing events during the busy week.

    Marketing & brandRetail, wholesale & distribution
    8 chapters

  • · 1h 02m

    301: NYC's Role in Reindustrialization and American Manufacturing (LIVE from Brooklyn)

    Chris Luecke hosts a live episode from New Lab in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, featuring guests Andrew Gustafson of Turnstile Tours, James Williams of Nanotronics, Stacy Wise Miller of the American Manufacturing Futures Institute, Jacob Hennessy Rubin of New York Robotics, Nikki Evans of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Miquela Craytor of the South Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation, and Michelle Feinberg of New York Embroidery Studio. The discussion covers NYC's historical dominance as a manufacturing hub, the current diversity of 17 verticals within the Navy Yard, and the unique robotics ecosystem that leverages the city's financial and tech capital. Feinberg details her company's pivot from high-fashion garment manufacturing to producing 3 million isolation gowns monthly during the pandemic, highlighting the importance of direct access between inventors and factories.

    Manufacturing partners & offshoringScaling production
    4 chapters

  • · 1h 10m

    300: Chris Luecke’s Friends from High School Interview Him on His Own Podcast, LIVE in St. Louis

    Chris Luecke, host of Manufacturing Happy Hour, is interviewed by his high school friends Pat Morris, Rob Garwitz, and John Petra in St. Louis, while also hosting a panel with Michael Eaton of the Missouri Association of Manufacturers, Joe Mazzola of McHenry Automation, and Maria Berra of Maid in Missouri. The episode covers the diverse manufacturing landscape in Missouri, including Apollo 13 battery cells and pepper spray, and discusses Luecke's approach to building a sustainable podcast brand by borrowing best practices from travel bloggers and live music. Luecke shares personal anecdotes about his career, his upcoming fatherhood, and the importance of authentic leadership and regional collaboration in manufacturing.

    Marketing & brandLeadership, teams & culture
    9 chapters

  • · 33m

    BONUS: Predictive Maintenance: The Key to Replacing Unplanned Downtime with Personal Downtime (Sponsored by AssetWatch)

    Patrick Carmitchel, VP of Product Management, and Dustin Moore, Condition Monitoring Engineer Manager at AssetWatch, discuss the practical application of condition monitoring and predictive maintenance in manufacturing. They explain how monitoring vibration, temperature, and oil analysis helps identify early warning signs of equipment failure, allowing maintenance teams to plan repairs and avoid unplanned downtime. The conversation highlights the importance of starting with critical assets and managing cultural change on the plant floor to prove ROI before scaling monitoring efforts.

    Quality & yieldAI & machine learning
    7 chapters

  • · 46m

    299: Inside Connecticut's Manufacturing Ecosystem: Innovation, Workforce Development, and Industrial Leadership, Live from Hartford, CT

    Cici Bevin, sixth-generation president of Bevin Brothers Manufacturing, Andrew Gibson, CEO of AlphaQ, and Dustin Nord, Foundation Director at CBIA, discuss the unique manufacturing ecosystem in Connecticut. They cover how Bevin Brothers maintains relevance as the last U.S. bell maker, how AlphaQ achieved #1 global supplier status at Rolls-Royce through turnaround strategies, and how the state’s Chief Manufacturing Officer role and workforce development initiatives support high-precision, low-volume production. The conversation highlights cross-state collaboration, the importance of a strong education pipeline, and the specific products made in the region, from Black Hawk helicopters to Wiffle balls.

    Manufacturing partners & offshoringHiring & workforce
    6 chapters

  • · 57m

    BONUS: What Is Servitization? How OEMs Can Turn Their Installed Base Into Long-Term Revenue with PTC's Sam Neva

    Sam Neva, Vice President of Sales for Service Lifecycle Management at PTC, explains servitization—the shift from selling equipment to selling outcomes—and how OEMs can monetize their installed base. He details the three maturity levels of servitization, emphasizing the critical need to map the installed base and capture tribal knowledge to avoid reactive firefighting. Neva discusses how AI and generative tools help structure unstructured service data, enabling proactive spare parts planning and better feedback loops to engineering. He cites Schneider Electric as a success story for increasing revenue and customer satisfaction through this model.

    Pricing, margins & unit economicsSourcing & supply chain
    9 chapters

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