Manufacturing Insiders

Josh Cardoz is the Chief Creative and Learning Officer of Sponge, A global enterprise learning company, focused on enabling the workforces of the world. They recently released a whitepaper entitled Mobilizing Generation Numb, which tackles global upheaval, economic instability, the insidious after-effects of the pandemic, and the digital saturation that is creating a workforce generation that is ‘numb.’ This conversation tackles many of these topics including economic instability, ai uncertainty, digital overstimulation and the role each plays in creating a numb workforce. You will not want to miss this incredible conversation! Visit their Website! https://www.spongelearning.com/en/meet-generation-numb. Nate Wheeler is the owner of weCreate, a nationally recognized marketing agency that helps manufacturers grow, save money, and become more efficient. Reach out to us below. https://www.wecreate.com/services/marketing-consulting/ https://www.wecreate.com/contact/ Welcome back Maria Emilia Ballesteros, Defense Architect at praesiDM, who joins us as a co-host on today's episode! Want to be a guest? Join the Manufacturing Insiders Network and fill out an application on our website! https://mfginsiders.com/

Chris Basgall is the CEO of Catamount Machine Works, whose 10 year plan, covered in this video, has secured their AS9100 Certification, their ITAR Registration, their JCP Certification, and are CMMC 2.0 Compliant. This conversation covers this 10 year plan, incorporating automation, the value of certifications, the role of leadership in implementing the plan, and how they create the incentives necessary to maintain compliance. This is an amazing conversation anyone can learn from!Visit their Website! https://catmw.com/Nate Wheeler is the owner of weCreate, a nationally recognized marketing agency that helps manufacturers grow, save money, and become more efficient. Reach out to us below. https://www.wecreate.com/services/marketing-consulting/ https://www.wecreate.com/contact/Want to be a guest? Join the Manufacturing Insiders Network and fill out an application on our website! https://mfginsiders.com/

Steve Alviti is the President of Bel Air Finishing Supply Corporation, where they engineer individualized mass finishing solutions for industries like jewelry, metal finishing, precious metal polishing, and recovery applications. This is a really insightful conversation into the process of Bel Air in creating these individualized automation solutions. We cover their value proposition, how automation drives their solutions, and how they handle customer pain points. Take some time to learn from Steve’s vast experience in the manufacturing industry. Visit their Website! https://belairfinishing.com/Nate Wheeler is the owner of weCreate, a nationally recognized marketing agency that helps manufacturers grow, save money, and become more efficient. Reach out to us below. https://www.wecreate.com/services/marketing-consulting/ https://www.wecreate.com/contact/Want to be a guest? Join the Manufacturing Insiders Network and fill out an application on our website! https://mfginsiders.com/

Errol Rodericks is the Product & Solutions Marketing Director at DenodoTech, a Data Management Platform for Agentic AI. This is a very niche conversation covering AI impact in the manufacturing industry. We cover the gaps Errol finds in manufacturing operations, Denodo’s data driven solutions, global trends for manufacturing broken down by region, and the evolution of the agile workforce strategy.Visit their Website! https://www.denodo.com/enNate Wheeler is the owner of weCreate, a nationally recognized marketing agency that helps manufacturers grow, save money, and become more efficient. Reach out to us below. https://www.wecreate.com/services/marketing-consulting/ https://www.wecreate.com/contact/Want to be a guest? Join the Manufacturing Insiders Network and fill out an application on our website! https://mfginsiders.com/

This is a very special episode with Nathan Yearsley, the President of Blue Chip Group LLC. It's particularly special because, as Nathan will reveal, his family was once the recipient of food assistance that came from the company that he is now representing. This episode covers his incredible story from poverty to president, and more significantly, it acts as a testament to how great America can be when we are charitable and seek to lift people up. Nathan has immense experience overcoming challenges, join us and learn about his personal growth, the ready to eat food industry, emergency preparedness, and how they are adapting to the struggles of Manufacturing in America in 2026.Visit their Website! https://bluechipgroup.net/Nate Wheeler is the owner of weCreate, a nationally recognized marketing agency that helps manufacturers grow, save money, and become more efficient. Reach out to us below. https://www.wecreate.com/services/marketing-consulting/ https://www.wecreate.com/contact/Want to be a guest? Join the Manufacturing Insiders Network and fill out an application on our website! https://mfginsiders.com/

Timur Goreci is the chief revenue officer at Orderfox Schweiz AG where they are developing AI-based solutions to address the complex challenges of different industry sectors. This conversation revolves around their AI powered network of CNC businesses called Partfox. We cover the new age of digital marketing and procurement, using AI to navigate the fragmented manufacturing industry, a debate over the efficacy of trade shows, and how to get started with implementing AI. Manufacturers need to help each other to stay competitive. Learn how Timur Goreci and Orderfox are connecting Manufacturers throughout the world, connecting the fragments of this Industry. Visit their Website! https://www.orderfox.com/ Nate Wheeler is the owner of weCreate, a nationally recognized marketing agency that helps manufacturers grow, save money, and become more efficient. Reach out to us below. https://www.wecreate.com/services/marketing-consulting/ https://www.wecreate.com/contact/ Want to be a guest and join the Manufacturing Insiders Network? Fill out an application on our website! https://mfginsiders.com/

Kyle Dell’Aquila is one of 4 co-founders of RISE Robotics. The inventors of a revolutionary new kind of hydraulic that does not use fluids. This is an incredible conversation about their revolutionary solution for logistic services, even showing it off for us! This conversation covers how they got started, a demonstration of their solution, a deep dive into technology and automation, how we as a society respond to new technology, and finally how he promotes their product and services to clients.Visit their Website! https://www.riserobotics.com/We have a second new face for today's episode! Maria Emilia Ballesteros, Defense Architect at @praesiDM , joins us as a Co-host with hopes to make her a regular part of the podcast!Visit their Website! https://praesidm.com/Nate Wheeler is the owner of weCreate, a nationally recognized marketing agency that helps manufacturers grow, save money, and become more efficient. Need help or want to be a podcast guest? Reach out to us below.https://www.wecreate.com/services/marketing-consulting/https://www.wecreate.com/contact/

Jessica Hickman Fresch does marketing and sales at Allegheny Mountain Hardwood Flooring, a part of the Hickman Woods Family of Businesses. They are a fourth generation manufacturing company that produces real hardwood floors. This conversation revolves around the company’s growth, the regulatory environment of forest management, and a discussion about employee retention.Visit their Website! https://hickmanwoods.com/Nate Wheeler is the owner of weCreate, a nationally recognized marketing agency that helps manufacturers grow, save money, and become more efficient. Need help or want to be a podcast guest? Reach out to us below. https://www.wecreate.com/services/marketing-consulting/https://www.wecreate.com/contact/

Preston Gardner is the Chief Operating Officer, Palmer Hamilton, LLC, where they manufacture a variety of furnishing solutions for a variety of applications. The key point of this conversation hinges on the effects of the Trump Tariffs on Manufacturing in the United States, and why businesses are struggling to cope with them. Additionally the conversation covers some of the vertical integration strategies Preston and Palmer Hamilton have been deploying to remain competitive. And Finally, they talk about the struggles of the manufacturing space like the workforce shortage and employee retention. Spend some time to learn from Preston’s incredible experience navigating the harsh manufacturing market, to grow and apply your own understanding. Visit their website! https://palmerhamilton.com/Nate Wheeler is the owner of weCreate, a nationally recognized marketing agency that helps manufacturers grow, save money, and become more efficient. Need help or want to be a podcast guest? Reach out to us below. https://www.wecreate.com/services/marketing-consulting/ https://www.wecreate.com/contact/

Alex Houtchens is the Operations Manager at Pro Plastic Welding, which is a part of CNE Creative Enterprises. He specializes in Plastic Welding, Fabrication, and Machining. They utilize methods such as plastic welding, forming, cutting, and shaping, to create parts specific to the needs of many diverse industries. This conversation covers his start as a normal employee, how his experience with good leadership helped him grow, the challenges he faces now that he is in a leadership role, and the innovative process he is leading at Pro Plastic Welding. Visit their website! https://www.proplasticwelding.com/ Nate Wheeler is the owner of weCreate, a nationally recognized marketing agency that helps manufacturers grow, save money, and become more efficient. Need help or want to be a podcast guest? Reach out to us below. https://www.wecreate.com/services/marketing-consulting/ https://www.wecreate.com/contact/

Jesika Young is a Team Member, and the President & CEO @officialcimtechinc.6756 She is not originally from a manufacturing background, but instead has a background in banking. This conversation covers that transition and the core values she has taken with her along with topics including company culture transitions, strategic acquisitions, and building and engaging the new generation with opportunities for individual growth and career growth. Visit their Website! https://www.cimtechmachine.com/ Nate Wheeler is the owner of weCreate, a nationally recognized marketing agency that helps manufacturers grow, save money, and become more efficient. Need help or want to be a podcast guest? Reach out to us below. https://www.wecreate.com/services/marketing-consulting/ https://www.wecreate.com/contact/

Jason Riley is the General Manager of @Fabrisonic1 , a metal 3D printing additive manufacturing company, specializing in part production with a combination of additive and subtractive processes. This conversation goes through the life lessons Jason learned as a marine, delving into the complexities of decision making in business and managing the risk of those decisions. Gain valuable business strategy insights and learn about approaching strategic planning with an eye on new opportunities and market dynamics. Visit their Website! https://fabrisonic.com/ Nate Wheeler is the owner of weCreate, a nationally recognized marketing agency that helps manufacturers grow, save money, and become more efficient. Need help or want to be a podcast guest? Reach out to us below.https://www.wecreate.com/services/marketing-consulting/ https://www.wecreate.com/contact/

Anna Dorcey is the founder and CEO of U4EA Farms, a marijuana company based in Massachusetts. They have a really interesting story handling the production, marketing, and most importantly the regulatory environment around their product. This conversation covers their decision to get into the marijuana business, the similarities in their process to any other manufacturing facility, their struggles with the regulatory environment, and Ana’s argument for the legalization of marijuana in the United States Visit their website! https://u4eafarms.com/ Nate Wheeler is the owner of weCreate, a nationally recognized marketing agency that helps manufacturers grow, save money, and become more efficient. Need help or want to be a podcast guest? Reach out to us below. https://www.wecreate.com/services/marketing-consulting/ https://www.wecreate.com/contact/

Nick Kaiser is the operations manager at Kaiser Manufacturing, a business he started with his father. They produce a specialized foam insert, which they can customize into almost any shape, with their most common application being a customized organizational system, perfect for tool organization. This conversation covers the challenges of transitioning into manufacturing, the innovative applications of their foam products, the importance of customer loyalty, and the future challenges they need to tackle to remain competitive in today's market. Visit their Website! https://kaisermanufacturing.com/ Nate Wheeler is the owner of weCreate, a nationally recognized marketing agency that helps manufacturers grow, save money, and become more efficient. Need help or want to be a podcast guest? Reach out to us below. https://www.wecreate.com/services/marketing-consulting/ https://www.wecreate.com/contact/

Joey Koenig is the President of 7robotics, a company that designs and integrates custom robotic systems for the building products industry. Evie Hango is the marketing director for both 7robotics and Con-Vey, an 80-year-old company specializing in plant-scale automation for wood products. The discussion revolves around how small to mid-sized manufacturers can get started with automation, the ROI of robotics beyond cost savings, and how AI and machine learning are shaping the future of industrial integration. Nate Wheeler is the owner of weCreate, a nationally recognized marketing agency that helps manufacturers grow, save money, and become more efficient. Need help or want to be a podcast guest? Reach out to us below. https://www.wecreate.com/services/marketing-consulting/ https://www.wecreate.com/contact/

Russ Bukowski is the President of Mastercam, one of the most widely used CAD/CAM software solutions in manufacturing. Mastercam bridges the manufacturing skills gap by providing intuitive, efficient, and accessible CNC programming solutions for shops of all sizes. Watch as Russ discusses how AI and Mastercam Copilot are transforming the user experience, strategies for bridging the manufacturing workforce shortage, and his vision for making CNC manufacturing accessible to the next generation. Nate Wheeler is the owner of weCreate, a nationally recognized marketing agency that helps manufacturers grow, save money, and become more efficient. Need help or want to be a podcast guest? Reach out to us below. Want to join the supply chain? Learn more about the partnerships that Russ and Mastercam are looking to forge at the end of the video! https://www.wecreate.com/services/marketing-consulting/ https://www.wecreate.com/contact/

Sebastien Gouin-Davis is the CEO at Luum.io, formerly Amatis Controls. They are a lighting solution that is an IoT system, making use of a network of connected devices to collect, send, and analyze data. This conversation tackles the evolution of Luum.io in the ever changing world of data collection and modern factories. We cover topics including data collection, investing in data tracking solutions, the challenges things like tariffs bring to the market, and the future of manufacturing that is coming with automation. Manufacturers in the United States need to learn from each other. Spend some time to listen and learn from Sebastien and his experience as the CEO of Luum.io. Nate Wheeler is the owner of weCreate, a nationally recognized marketing agency that helps manufacturers grow, save money, and become more efficient. Need help or want to be a podcast guest? Reach out to us below. https://www.wecreate.com/services/marketing-consulting/ https://www.wecreate.com/contact/