# 142 - Gemala Lewis shares about the ELECTRIC Culture at Canoo

- Show: [People of Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging)
- Published: 2022-07-14
- Length: 29m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-07-14-142-gemala-lewis-shares-about-the-electric-culture-at-canoo
- Listen: https://encase.substack.com/p/142-gemala-lewis-shares-about-the-753

## Summary

Gemala Lewis, Packaging Manager at Canoo, discusses her transition from traditional OEMs like Toyota to the startup environment at Canoo, highlighting the creative freedom and 'electric culture' of the new company. She details her career path through International Paper, Axiom, and Toyota, explaining how her background in both engineering and procurement informs her approach to designing automotive packaging that prioritizes safety and quality before cost. The episode also covers Canoo's recent news regarding a major order from Walmart for 4,500 electric delivery vans, positioning Canoo as a key player in the EV logistics space.

## Chapters

- [0:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-07-14-142-gemala-lewis-shares-about-the-electric-culture-at-canoo#t=12) Introduction: Gemala Lewis and Canoo's Walmart Deal
- [2:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-07-14-142-gemala-lewis-shares-about-the-electric-culture-at-canoo#t=136) Gemala Lewis's Background: Michigan State and Early Career
- [6:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-07-14-142-gemala-lewis-shares-about-the-electric-culture-at-canoo#t=386) Engineering Roots and MBA in Project Management
- [10:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-07-14-142-gemala-lewis-shares-about-the-electric-culture-at-canoo#t=650) Balancing Procurement and Engineering in Automotive Packaging
- [13:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-07-14-142-gemala-lewis-shares-about-the-electric-culture-at-canoo#t=809) Design Philosophy: Safety, Quality, then Cost
- [16:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-07-14-142-gemala-lewis-shares-about-the-electric-culture-at-canoo#t=960) Transitioning from Toyota to Canoo's Startup Culture
- [18:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-07-14-142-gemala-lewis-shares-about-the-electric-culture-at-canoo#t=1101) Canoo's 'Electric Culture' and Creative Freedom
- [20:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-07-14-142-gemala-lewis-shares-about-the-electric-culture-at-canoo#t=1211) Global Travel and Packaging Research in Europe and Japan

## Topics

- [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Canoo (company)
- Walmart (company)
- Toyota (company)
- International Paper (company)
- Axiom (company)
- Michigan State (other)

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## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-07-14-142-gemala-lewis-shares-about-the-electric-culture-at-canoo. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to People of Packaging.