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Manufacturing Happy Hour

Manufacturing Happy Hour

Von: Chris Luecke
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Welcome to Manufacturing Happy Hour, the podcast where we get real about the latest trends and technologies impacting modern manufacturers. Hosted by industry veteran Chris Luecke, each week, we interview makers, founders, and other manufacturing leaders that are at the top of their game and give you the tools, tactics, and strategies you need to take your career and your business to the next level. We go beyond the buzzwords and dissect real-life applications and success stories so that you can tackle your biggest manufacturing challenges and turn them into profitable opportunities. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.Copyright 2026 Chris Luecke Erfolg im Beruf Ökonomie
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  • 303: Made in Iowa: Ag Equipment, Butter Braids, and Women in Manufacturing (WiM)

    303: Made in Iowa: Ag Equipment, Butter Braids, and Women in Manufacturing (WiM)
    Sep 22 2026

    There's a lot more coming out of Iowa than corn.

    Chris heads to Des Moines for a live conversation with four guests who each know Iowa manufacturing a little differently.

    Dominique Hain and Cami Schaefer share how Women in Manufacturing Iowa grew to over 900 members in three years. Denny Williams and Denise Hill take it from there, discussing automation, hiring, and just how deep Iowa's farm roots run through its factories.

    The conversation also uncovers some of the products many people may not know are made in Iowa, including Winnebago RVs.

    In this episode, find out:

    • What makes a state better known for agriculture become one of the country's stronger manufacturing bases
    • How Iowa's farming communities are shaping who gets hired at companies like Weiler
    • Which surprising products are actually made in Iowa, from butter braids to basketball hoops
    • Why so many Iowa manufacturers trace back to a farmer solving a problem for himself, then his neighbors
    • How Co-Line is using robots and cobots to boost throughput without cutting its workforce
    • Why finding qualified operators is harder than finding corn in rural Iowa

    Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!

    Tweetable Quotes:

    • "I love Des Moines because it's almost like a well-kept secret of Iowa, or of the US." - Cami Schaefer, Executive Operations Assistant at BrownWinick
    • "We launched our chapter only three years ago, and we're already over 900 members strong, which is absolutely incredible." - Dominique Hain, Industry Account Manager at Rockwell Automation
    • "With that strong work ethic and farming background, we like to hire young farm kids who know how to work on equipment. They're not afraid to roll up their sleeves and get dirty." - Denise Hill, Senior Human Resources Manager at Weiler

    Links & mentions:

    • Dominique Hain - Industry Account Manager at Rockwell Automation
    • Denny Williams - Sales/Estimating at Co-Line Manufacturing
    • Denise Hill - Senior Human Resources Manager at Weiler
    • Cami Schaefer - Executive Operations Assistant at BrownWinick
    • Fathom Digital Manufacturing, offering more than 25 advanced manufacturing technologies under one roof, from CNC machining to injection molding.
    • PTC's Industrial Newsletter, a quick hit of clarity on how design, manufacturing, and service data can work together for manufacturing leaders looking to modernize.

    Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.
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    36 Min.
  • 302: Philly's Answer to the Talent Shortage (LIVE in King of Prussia, PA)

    302: Philly's Answer to the Talent Shortage (LIVE in King of Prussia, PA)
    Sep 15 2026
    You can count on Philly to bring the energy!Recorded live in King of Prussia at the final stop of the Northeast leg of the All-American Manufacturing Summer Tour, this episode features the loudest, most engaged crowd Chris has had on the show yet.Ashley, Brett, and Matt open the show with a look at what makes the Philadelphia manufacturing ecosystem tick, and why collaboration, not competition, might be the region's biggest advantage.Hannah and Greg then join Matt to talk workforce development, and some of the most creative approaches to the talent shortage you'll hear on the show all year.In this episode, find out:What inspired one shop owner to build a group where members share equipment, knowledge, and even trade secrets with people who'd traditionally be seen as competitorsWhy locating a machine shop in the heart of Philadelphia, despite the traffic, parking, and wage tax, turned out to be a competitive advantageHow a youth basketball nonprofit ended up building a skilled trades program for teenagers who don't want to go to collegeWhy the region's defense industry is driving serious demand for skilled manufacturing workersWhat convinced a group of manufacturing leaders that hiring from a more diverse talent pool is a genuine business advantage, not just the right thing to doWhat it really takes to change how an entire generation sees a career in the tradesEnjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!Tweetable Quotes:"That's a competitive advantage for us when we're hiring from a diverse group. Our spindles are running more." - Matt Bruner, President & Co-Founder at American Precision Works"What makes Philadelphia great is that now we have that willingness to change. Philly is really spearheading that campaign to make manufacturing and the collaboration between all of us more open" - Ashley Watkins, Sales & Marketing Manager at JBM Technologies"I don't hide any of my prints when we do the group meetings. I'm not afraid of anyone coming in and stealing my work." - Brett Lister, Youth Basketball, Business Owner at B&B Dynamic MachiningLinks & mentions:Ashley Watkins - Sales & Marketing Manager at JBM TechnologiesMatt Bruner - President & Co-Founder at American Precision WorksGregory Thomson - Director of Skilled Building Trades at PhiladelphiaBrett Lister - Youth Basketball, Business Owner at B&B Dynamic MachiningHannah McGarry - Director at Workforce EngagementCliftonLarsonAllen, presenting partner for the All-American Manufacturing Summer Tour, offering industry-focused wealth advisory, outsourcing, audit, tax, and consulting services.MaintainX, presenting partner for the tour, helping frontline teams streamline maintenance, standard operating procedures, and more from a mobile device.NTMA (New Jersey/Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association), a local partner organization supporting manufacturers with resources, events, and a national network.Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.
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    57 Min.
  • IMTS After Hours: Your Unofficial Guide to IMTS 2026 featuring Jim Mayer and Emily Wilkins

    IMTS After Hours: Your Unofficial Guide to IMTS 2026 featuring Jim Mayer and Emily Wilkins
    Sep 11 2026

    Where's the party at? While there’s a lot to see on the show floor at IMTS 2026, some of the best conversations, connections, and memories happen after the show floor closes each day.

    In this bonus episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, Chris is joined by returning guests Jim Mayer and Emily Wilkins for an "IMTS After Hours" conversation about how to make the most of manufacturing’s biggest week in Chicago.

    They share some of their favorite stories from IMTS events of the past - from spontaneous meetups and happy hours, to karaoke, to Chris’ infamous 90s Vs. Emo Night in 2024 - while previewing what’s on the agenda for IMTS 2026.

    You’ll hear why the after hours experience can be just as valuable as walking the show floor, how to pace yourself during a packed week of events, and where you can find Chris, Jim, Emily, and the rest of the manufacturing community once the trade show shuts down for the day.

    Whether this is your first IMTS or you’re a seasoned veteran, consider this your unofficial guide to making the most of IMTS afterparties all week long.

    See you in Chicago. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.
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    26 Min.
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