# A Digital Backbone for Factories of the Future w/ Ryan Kuhlenbeck

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2023-10-10
- Length: 31m
- Episode: 174
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-10-10-a-digital-backbone-for-factories-of-the-future-w-ryan-kuhlenbeck
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-c04e835f-1c61-489b-91d0-51bc01a77376

## Summary

Ryan Kuhlenbeck, Co-Founder and CEO of Pico MES, discusses the critical need for a digital backbone in small to mid-sized manufacturing supply chains. Drawing on his experience at General Motors, Tesla, and Ultimotors, he explains how disconnected data creates bottlenecks and quality issues that large OEMs struggle to resolve. Kuhlenbeck outlines how Pico MES provides a flexible Manufacturing Execution System (MES) that integrates shop-floor tools with ERP systems to enable real-time traceability and continuous improvement. He argues that this digital connectivity is essential for suppliers to de-risk new EV component production and retain skilled labor by reducing operator anxiety.

## Chapters

- [0:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-10-10-a-digital-backbone-for-factories-of-the-future-w-ryan-kuhlenbeck#t=35) Introduction: Ryan Kuhlenbeck and Pico MES
- [1:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-10-10-a-digital-backbone-for-factories-of-the-future-w-ryan-kuhlenbeck#t=89) Kuhlenbeck's Career Journey from GM to Tesla to Startups
- [4:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-10-10-a-digital-backbone-for-factories-of-the-future-w-ryan-kuhlenbeck#t=263) The Digital Divide in Small and Mid-Sized Manufacturing
- [8:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-10-10-a-digital-backbone-for-factories-of-the-future-w-ryan-kuhlenbeck#t=539) The Problem of Disconnected Data in High-Volume Assembly
- [14:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-10-10-a-digital-backbone-for-factories-of-the-future-w-ryan-kuhlenbeck#t=895) Pico MES as a Flexible Shop-Floor Digital Backbone
- [20:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-10-10-a-digital-backbone-for-factories-of-the-future-w-ryan-kuhlenbeck#t=1209) Using Digital Tools to Solve Labor Retention and Hiring
- [25:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-10-10-a-digital-backbone-for-factories-of-the-future-w-ryan-kuhlenbeck#t=1542) Positioning Suppliers for the EV Transition and Local Reshoring

## Topics

- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Factory operations & automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/factory-operations)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Pico MES (product)
- General Motors (company)
- Tesla (company)
- Ultimotors (company)
- Ingersoll Rand (company)
- Gorilla 76 (company)

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- [What Happens When Every Action Becomes A Data Point: EMS@C-Level with FermionX MD Will Patrick](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-10-29-what-happens-when-every-action-becomes-a-data-point-ems-c-level-with-fermionx-md) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [S5E33 Devon Copeland | Working for Apple & Tesla, Building a Better MFG Execution System (MES)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-08-16-s5e33-devon-copeland-working-for-apple-tesla-building-a-better-mfg-execution-sys) (Being an Engineer)
- [BONUS - What's the SCOOP - 2022 Trends with Cogiscan's Michael Ho](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2021-12-14-bonus-whats-the-scoop-2022-trends-with-cogiscans-michael-ho) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Connected Manufacturing: Insights from WESTEC 2023](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2023-12-07-connected-manufacturing-insights-from-westec-2023) (Over the Air)
- [Electronica 24: Harnessing AI for Digital Transformation in Electronics and Semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-18-electronica-24-harnessing-ai-for-digital-transformation-in-electronics-and-semic) (EMS@C-LEVEL)

## Citing this page

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