# Why We’re Proud to Be Manufacturers & Engineers

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2021-08-03
- Length: 38m
- Episode: 60
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-08-03-why-were-proud-to-be-manufacturers-engineers
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-452dfe8d-28ed-4cf2-890d-c530326b22b4

## Summary

Tony Gunn, General Manager at MTDCNC Global and founder of Your Tea of Life, shares his unconventional journey from being expelled from three colleges to becoming a manufacturing leader. He details his career progression through various machining roles, including working with precious metals, steel, and micro-machining at Air Turbine Technology, emphasizing that technical skills and tech school can offer a viable, high-paying alternative to traditional college. Gunn advocates for the pride and societal value of manufacturing, highlighting how engineering creates life-changing medical devices and stabilizes economies, while also discussing his natural healing company and its partnership with Hippocrates.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-08-03-why-were-proud-to-be-manufacturers-engineers#t=0) Introduction: The Pride of Manufacturing
- [3:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-08-03-why-were-proud-to-be-manufacturers-engineers#t=182) Tony Gunn's Background: Expelled from College and Early Struggles
- [12:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-08-03-why-were-proud-to-be-manufacturers-engineers#t=723) Career Journey: From Punch Press to Micro-Machining
- [21:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-08-03-why-were-proud-to-be-manufacturers-engineers#t=1267) Engineering for Good: Medical Devices and Human Impact
- [31:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-08-03-why-were-proud-to-be-manufacturers-engineers#t=1865) Advocacy, Community, and Your Tea of Life

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- MTDCNC Global (company)
- Your Tea of Life (company)
- Gorilla 76 (company)
- Air Turbine Technology (company)
- Hippocrates (company)
- Cabinet Vision (tool)
- MTD (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [CNC, Hip Hop, and Turning Manufacturers into Heroes with Tony Gunn](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-09-07-cnc-hip-hop-and-turning-manufacturers-into-heroes-with-tony-gunn) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [196: The Skills CNC Machinists Need that You WON'T Learn in Trade School!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-07-30-196-the-skills-cnc-machinists-need-that-you-wont-learn-in-trade-school) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Tony Kelbert | Authenticity, Engineering, and the Business of Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-08-14-tony-kelbert-authenticity-engineering-and-the-business-of-manufacturing) (Being an Engineer)
- [S5E45 Andy Wells | Touching Lives Through Engineering (Rerun)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-11-08-s5e45-andy-wells-touching-lives-through-engineering-rerun) (Being an Engineer)
- [S2E18 Side Hustles, Asking Dumb Questions, & Not Compromising Your Values | Nate Post](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-04-16-s2e18-side-hustles-asking-dumb-questions-not-compromising-your-values-nate-post) (Being an Engineer)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-08-03-why-were-proud-to-be-manufacturers-engineers. 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 The Manufacturing Executive.