Manufacturing the Future

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Manufacturing the Future is dedicated to helping manufacturing leaders future-proof their operations. Each episode features interviews with innovative manufacturing executives, subject matter experts, and thought leaders who share actionable insights, tips, and best practices to embrace technology so they can streamline operations, prepare for what lies ahead, and continue to keep the world turning.

Episodes (2)Default

Escapod Founders on How They Became the Ninth Fastest Growing Manufacturing Company2023-01-19

Lifelong campers, Chris and Jen Hudak wanted to fit outdoor adventure into their busy lives. But they found that they were spending more time setting up camp than actually camping. There was the first problem they needed a solution for, and solved it by building an off-road teardrop trailer they could bring with them, giving them back more time to adventure. They started Escapod in 2016, and today have scaled to over seventy employees. They were recently named the ninth fastest-growing manufacturing company by Inc. But with that kind of growth comes a whole new set of problems to solve, which Jen and Chris talk about in this podcast episode. In this Episode… Listen to our conversation with Chris and Jen Hudak to learn more about their journey to creating Escapod, their approach to operations, and their advice for people like them who had an idea that solved a problem, and now want to scale their business to sell to the world. Topics include Investments that small businesses can make to help scale their operations, like tracking products and work instructions, and freeing up time to focus on other business activities. What Escapod's employee training program is like, and why knowledge fails without documentation. How to evolve the customer experience through technology, like using the website for a customer one-stop shop, and the importance of partnering with others to build those services. How Escapod measures success, and how they iterate if something isn't measuring up. Why the most critical investment they make in their operations is investing in good people. Actionable advice for small businesses looking to improve their operations through technological solutions.  Resources  Escapod.us Insta: @escapodtrailers Insta: @ChrisHudak Insta: @JenHudak Jen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenhudak/

28 min

Scaling Your Manufacturing in a Capital-Intensive Industry2023-02-03

"I have to create opportunities for myself, right?" It was the thought Jordan Erskine had after years of working for other manufacturing companies, first for a cosmetics and skincare contract manufacturer, then for a large dental care manufacturer. But after 15 years in the industry and armed with an MBA, Jordan reached out to his co-founder Gavin Collier and proposed starting a business. With a space and some angel investments, they launched Dynamic Blending in 2015 as a small lab creating formulas for brands, with an outside manufacturer. But Jordan, with his experience in manufacturing, knew he could do it better. "Quickly we realized we need to do it all. We have to figure out a way to do it all because everybody's doing it wrong. Nobody's taking care of the small guys, or the startups, or people that could have good ideas," Jordan explains in our podcast episode. Today, Dynamic Blending offers not only formula creation and manufacturing, but branding, package design, marketing assistance, fulfillment, and more. They recently ranked seventeenth on Inc. 5000's list of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies. But how do you go from an idea to competing against some of the biggest companies in the world in a low-margin, capital-intensive industry? Jordan explains how in our latest podcast episode. In This Episode… Not only has Dynamic Blending adopted a number of technologies to improve operations, but they look at how they can enhance the customer experience as well — not just deliver a product. Listen to our conversation with Jordan Erskine to learn more about how Dynamic Blending embraces innovation to stay competitive as a newcomer in a legacy industry. Topics include: The growing pains Jordan experienced breaking into a capital-intensive industry, and what strategies Dynamic Blending puts in place to hedge low margins, materials wait time, and cash flow. What technology they use to bolster their operations in order to digitize workflows, track samples, and abide by regulatory requirements. How they differentiate themselves from their competitors by improving the customer experience through technology and their new Experience Center for clients. How Dynamic Blending scaled their operations, from their first single-head filling machine to lines that run 60,000 units in eight hours. What the future of Dynamic Blending looks like, including its focus on green chemistry, sustainable packaging, and widespread robotics adoption. Advice to entrepreneurs who want to modernize their manufacturing operations, and how working with marketing and advertising teams may be the key to new customers. Resources  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanerskine/ Website: DynamicBlending.com

22 min