Manufacturing Culture Podcast

Podcast by Jim Mayer

Manufacturing Culture Podcast

Manufacturing is more than the products we make; it’s the people who make the parts. On The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, I sit down with leaders, innovators, and everyday heroes to uncover the stories behind their journeys in the industry. We talk about where they started, how they’ve grown, and the challenges they’ve overcome along the way. Each episode brings a unique perspective; some practical, some inspiring, and all rooted in the human side of manufacturing. From lessons learned on the shop floor to big ideas shaping the future, it’s all about the people who make it happen. Because at the heart of every company are the people who work there, and every person has a story.

Latest episodes

14 April 2026

Todd Smith | There's Private Equity and There's Private Equity

In this episode, Jim Mayer interviews Todd Smith, CFO of AMFT, who shares his unconventional journey from banking and law to manufacturing leadership. They discuss company culture, private equity, industry misconceptions, and the future of manufacturing, emphasizing the importance of trust, technology, and investment in people.

Key Topics

Todd Smith's career journey from law to manufacturing
The importance of a say-do ratio in company culture
Private equity's impact on manufacturing companies
The future of localized regional manufacturing
Investing in skills and technology for industry resilience

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jim Mayer and the Manufacturing Culture Podcast
01:02 Introducing Todd Smith, CFO of AMFT
02:25 Todd's movie genre and opening scene analogy
04:26 Defining company culture: say-do ratio and accountability
07:04 Todd's early life in Australia and career aspirations
09:02 Transition from law and banking to manufacturing
11:41 Overview of AMFT and private equity involvement
12:28 Private equity's influence on manufacturing and employee perceptions
15:22 Todd's role in private equity acquisitions and company growth
18:35 Building trust with long-term employees
20:39 The importance of pride and culture on the manufacturing floor
35:04 The future of manufacturing: automation, localization, and innovation
38:09 Addressing misconceptions about manufacturing industry
39:06 Investing in people and skills development in manufacturing
42:25 Jim's closing thoughts and episode wrap-up

Resources

Todd Smith's LinkedIn - Todd Smith | LinkedIn

AMFT Official Website - https://amft.com

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44:59

13 April 2026

Hexagon's Shop Floor Social Nashville | Nobody Notices Quality Until It Fails

This bonus episode was recorded live at Hexagon's Shop Floor Social in Nashville — and it did not go the way a typical panel discussion goes.

Jim sat down with Kieth Bieger, Global Metrology Specialist and CMM Programmer at Destaco; Todd Prettyman, Director of Global Quality at Gibson; and Michelle Bangert, Managing Editor of Quality Magazine. The room was full of quality professionals, and that shaped everything.

What started as a conversation about the challenges manufacturers face turned into something more honest than most panels allow. The group covered why quality always takes the blame, why the skills pipeline for quality engineering is broken, why standardization and craftsmanship are not opposites, and what it actually costs to hold the line when nobody's watching.

By the end, the conversation moved into territory that doesn't usually make it onto a stage — psychological safety, the experience of women in manufacturing quality roles, and what the next generation is asking for that the industry hasn't figured out how to give them yet.

This is Part 1 of a two-part live recording. Part 2 — the solutions conversation — releases on The MFG Connector Show.

KEY TOPICS

Why quality only gets noticed when something fails — and what that costs the people doing the work
The CMM vs. layout misunderstanding that Kieth has been fighting for 25 years
Todd's take on why standardization is what enables craftsmanship at Gibson, not what kills it
Why there's no quality engineering degree — and how that breaks the talent pipeline
GD&T: who actually understands it, and why it matters more than most shops admit
Quality as the fall person — the structural reason it keeps happening and what to do about it
The personality traits that make someone good at quality work, and why they're hard to hire for
Psychological safety on the shop floor and what happens when it's missing
The specific experience of women in quality roles — what the panel said out loud that most stages don't
What Gen Z and Gen Alpha are asking for from manufacturing that the industry hasn't answered yet.

Chapters

00:00 — Welcome and introductions
02:27 — Panel introductions
07:45 — The problems that don't get solved
12:00 — Quality takes the blame
15:15 — The quality management system conversation
17:29 — The skills gap in quality
22:00 — Audience questions begin
35:00 — Culture as the hardest thing to change
38:37 — The conscience of the company
41:00 — What it takes to be a good quality engineer
46:00 — Psychological safety and women in manufacturing quality
49:06 — Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and the new expectations
52:49 — Close

00:00

46:31

07 April 2026

Kyle Ellis | Machining Found Me

In this episode of the Manufacturing Culture Podcast, Jim Mayer interviews Kyle Ellis, the leader of Torque Manufacturing. They discuss the transformation of a machining business into a brand that emphasizes craftsmanship, clarity, and strategic thinking. Kyle shares his journey into machining, the importance of culture in the workplace, and how he rebranded his company to reflect authenticity. The conversation also touches on the significance of building relationships with customers, hiring for fit, and the legacy Kyle hopes to leave behind in the manufacturing industry.

Takeaways

Kyle Ellis transformed a machining business into Torque Manufacturing.
Craftsmanship and strategic thinking are essential for modern manufacturing.
Culture is about shared values and support among team members.
Kyle's journey into machining began with a passion for building things.
Rebranding to Torque reflected the company's mechanical focus.
Building relationships with customers is key to success.
Hiring the right people is crucial for a positive culture.
Entrepreneurship in manufacturing requires resilience and adaptability.
Kyle takes pride in overcoming challenges in his career.
He hopes to inspire the next generation of manufacturers.

Chapters

00:00 Transforming Identity in Manufacturing
05:36 The Essence of Culture
06:47 Journey into Machining
08:23 Rebranding for Authenticity
11:54 Products and Customer Relationships
15:55 Building a Culture of Trust
17:32 Hiring for Fit and Passion
18:52 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
20:00 Pride in Overcoming Challenges
21:27 Legacy and Impact
24:16 Promoting the Machining Industry

00:00

26:17

31 March 2026

Steve Shebuski | The Box Doesn't Move Itself

In this episode of the Manufacturing Culture podcast, host Jim Mayer speaks with Steve Shebuski, a seasoned professional in the supply chain and warehousing industry. They discuss the complexities of supply chain management, the importance of workplace culture, and the role of innovation and technology in improving processes. Steve shares his unique journey into the field, the challenges he has faced, and the misconceptions people have about warehousing. The conversation also touches on the impact of robotics and AI in the industry and the importance of enabling teams to learn and grow.

Takeaways

Most people never think about the thousands of decisions it takes to get products on time.
Culture is about how your people feel towards each other and their work.
Every problem in supply chain management is unique in some way.
Incremental improvements can lead to significant changes in manufacturing processes.
Innovation is about enabling people to make mistakes and learn from them.
Robotics and automation introduce a new set of challenges in supply chain management.
It's important to enable teams to adopt new technologies and tools.
Understanding the logistics behind warehousing can change perceptions.
The rate of change in technology is exciting for the future of supply chain.
Continuous learning is essential in the ever-evolving field of supply chain management.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Supply Chain Challenges
06:25 Defining Culture in the Workplace
11:46 Steve's Journey into Supply Chain
18:23 Consulting and Real-World Applications
20:13 Common Misconceptions about Warehousing
23:48 Building Better Manufacturing Processes
26:01 Impact of Culture on the Shop Floor
28:14 Learning from Failures in Implementation
31:22 Innovation and Risk in Warehouse Management
36:46 The Role of Robotics in Modern Manufacturing
42:25 Legacy and Empowerment in Leadership

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50:25

24 March 2026

Kevin Tamanini | Stop Promoting the Best Machinist

In this episode of the Manufacturing Culture Podcast, host Jim Mayer speaks with Kevin Tamanini, an expert in industrial and organizational psychology, about the critical role of leadership in manufacturing. They discuss the importance of culture, values, and succession planning, as well as the evolving landscape of leadership development in the face of technological advancements like AI. Kevin shares insights on how effective leadership can impact not only organizational success but also personal growth and development. The conversation emphasizes the need for intentionality in building a strong leadership pipeline and the significance of understanding the human element in manufacturing.

Takeaways

Factories are run by machines but steered by people.
Culture is defined by actions, not just words.
Leadership development is crucial for organizational success.
Succession planning should focus on potential, not just performance.
Soft skills are essential for effective leadership.
AI is changing the landscape of manufacturing leadership.
Leaders must build credibility to be effective.
Personal growth is a key outcome of leadership development.
Assessments can provide valuable insights into leadership capabilities.
Leadership is about making more leaders.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership in Manufacturing
04:36 Defining Culture in Organizations
11:03 The Importance of Defined Values
12:56 Understanding Industrial and Organizational Psychology
16:28 The Development of Leaders
18:16 Challenges in Leadership Promotion
21:56 Assessing Leadership Strengths
24:14 Effective Succession Planning for Manufacturers
27:39 Changing Perceptions in Leadership
29:26 The Importance of Credibility in Leadership
33:48 Navigating Leadership Dynamics in Family-Owned Businesses
36:53 Assessing Leadership Potential through Simulations
39:32 Misconceptions about Leadership Assessments
41:51 The Evolving Nature of Leadership
43:09 The Broader Impact of Leadership Skills
47:29 Legacy and Impact of Leadership Development
50:22 Debunking Myths about Manufacturing and Change
53:08 The Intersection of AI and Human Leadership

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54:50

23 March 2026

Hexagon's Shop Floor Social Tempe | Honest Problems, Uncomfortable Solutions

Live from Tempe, this Shop Floor Social brings together manufacturing leaders for a straight conversation about what actually changes after technology hits the shop floor.

This isn’t about hype or digital buzzwords. It’s about reality. Better data doesn’t fix broken systems. It exposes them. It changes how people make decisions, how teams communicate, and how work actually gets done.

The panel digs into real issues shops deal with every day. Incomplete RFQs, shifting demand, inspection headaches, and the constant pull between production and process improvement. Then they get into what it really takes to solve them.

Not more tools. Not more software. Better leadership, clearer systems, and people who are aligned and accountable.

They also break down what modernization actually looks like inside a shop, how data reshapes how employees are evaluated, and why automation isn’t replacing people. It’s changing their role.

This is a conversation about the gap between knowing the problem and actually doing something about it.

Key Topics

What actually changes after tech is implemented
Why data alone doesn’t improve outcomes
The real friction in manufacturing: RFQs, inspections, volatility
Leadership as the root cause of most shop problems
Utilization vs throughput and what actually matters
Standardization, planning, and finishing what you start
Technology investments that move the needle
Automation and the shift from operator to orchestrator
AI as a decision support tool, not a replacement
Training, apprenticeships, and building internal talent
Getting employee buy-in and managing change
The future of manufacturing: integrated, human-driven, and evolving

Chapters

00:00 – Intro and live event setup
02:00 – Panel introductions
09:30 – Customer challenges and real friction
13:30 – Before modernization
17:00 – Defining moments for change
24:30 – Leadership vs shop floor
30:00 – Digital transformation stories
36:00 – Data, utilization, and throughput
40:00 – Game-changing technology
47:00 – Automation and workforce shift
52:00 – AI and future state
56:30 – One word: the future of manufacturing
59:00 – Audience Q&A on training

Manufacturing Intelligence | Hexagon

Next Shop Floor Social Nashville

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59:13