# How Colocating R&D Drives Manufacturing Innovation w/ Martin DeBono

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2022-02-01
- Length: 19m
- Episode: 86
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-02-01-how-colocating-r-d-drives-manufacturing-innovation-w-martin-debono
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-3477175a-06fa-415e-a10c-6580eeb06965

## Summary

Martin DeBono, President at GAF Energy, explains how colocating R&D with manufacturing in their San Jose facility accelerates innovation and aids talent recruitment compared to offshore models. He details the launch of their nailable solar shingle, noting that domestic production allows for faster iteration cycles—reducing time-to-market from nearly a year to roughly 40 days—and builds empathy between engineers and operators. DeBono argues that while overseas manufacturing offers lower direct costs, the hidden expenses of travel, working capital for safety stock, and talent retention make reshoring a superior strategy for competitive advantage in the solar industry.

## Chapters

- [0:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-02-01-how-colocating-r-d-drives-manufacturing-innovation-w-martin-debono#t=54) Introduction and GAF Energy Overview
- [3:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-02-01-how-colocating-r-d-drives-manufacturing-innovation-w-martin-debono#t=236) The Nailable Solar Shingle Launch
- [5:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-02-01-how-colocating-r-d-drives-manufacturing-innovation-w-martin-debono#t=317) Defining and Benefits of Colocating R&D
- [6:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-02-01-how-colocating-r-d-drives-manufacturing-innovation-w-martin-debono#t=378) Innovation Speed vs. Cost Advantages
- [11:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-02-01-how-colocating-r-d-drives-manufacturing-innovation-w-martin-debono#t=666) Talent Recruitment and Retention
- [13:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-02-01-how-colocating-r-d-drives-manufacturing-innovation-w-martin-debono#t=803) Business Model and Partnering Strategy
- [14:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-02-01-how-colocating-r-d-drives-manufacturing-innovation-w-martin-debono#t=897) Advice on Reshoring and Supply Chain

## Topics

- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- GAF Energy (company)
- Sunpower (company)
- Cisco (company)
- Gorilla 76 (company)
- GAF (company)
- BMI (company)
- Good Housekeeping (other)
- VentureBeat (other)
- CES (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Scaling America's domestic solar supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-03-19-scaling-americas-domestic-solar-supply-chain) (Catalyst)
- [Solar Cells, SparkFun, TSMC - The Detroit Debunking](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-01-05-solar-cells-sparkfun-tsmc-the-detroit-debunking) (The Amp Hour)
- [140: Local Manufacturing for a New Hardware Invention Idea](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-09-07-140-local-manufacturing-for-a-new-hardware-invention-idea) (Product Startup)
- [Creative Electron's Global Expansion: Made in USA, Serving the World with Dr. Bill Cardoso](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-04-28-creative-electrons-global-expansion-made-in-usa-serving-the-world-with-dr-bill-c) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [From Garage Startup to EMS Excellence with Out of the Box COO Allison Budvarson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-04-14-from-garage-startup-to-ems-excellence-with-out-of-the-box-coo-allison-budvarson) (EMS@C-LEVEL)

## Citing this page

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