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18 episodes
Manufacturing Happy Hour
by Chris Luecke · English
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.
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310: The Automation Skills Gap: Why Manufacturers Need to Train the Workforce They Already Have
The “automation skills gap” and how manufacturers can close it by training and certifying the workforce they already have, using role-specific, vendor-agnostic, stackable credentials and partnerships…
10 Nov 2026 · 30m · 12 chapters309: How Physical AI Is Changing What's Possible in Warehouse Automation
Compares warehouse automation vs factory automation and argues that “physical AI” is enabling more flexible, real-time robotics at the warehouse “edge” (receiving, picking, mixed pallets, order…
3 Nov 2026 · 36m · 12 chapters308: From Prototype to Production: Inside Chicago’s Hardtech Innovation Engine with mHUB's Bill Fienup and Kim Blomquist
Chicago’s mHUB as a “hardtech” innovation engine—how it helps startups move from prototype to production by combining manufacturing infrastructure, expert support, education, networks, and…
27 Oct 2026 · 42m · 16 chapters307: Building the Factory of the Future - LIVE from Revere Electric's Executive Forum at UWM's Connected Systems Institute (Milwaukee, WI)
Live episode on “Building the Factory of the Future,” covering how automation, operational technology, and AI affect manufacturing performance across operations, workforce, and technology.
20 Oct 2026 · 46m · 23 chapters306: From Systems of Record to Systems of Action: Putting AI to Work in Manufacturing with Sanjay Brahmawar
How AI “agents” can move manufacturing from systems of record (ERP/MES data) to systems of action (predicting issues and triggering decisions) across procurement, planning, execution, and the shop…
13 Oct 2026 · 46m · 16 chapters304: How to Build a Manufacturing Company from First Principles with Supersede CEO Sean Petterson
SuperSeed CEO Sean Petterson discusses building a manufacturing company “from first principles” to replace marine plywood/OSB/plywood with lightweight, waterproof plywood alternatives made from…
29 Sep 2026 · 47m · 14 chapters303: Made in Iowa: Ag Equipment, Butter Braids, and Women in Manufacturing (WiM)
A live Manufacturing Happy Hour in Des Moines, Iowa, in collaboration with Women in Manufacturing (WIM) Iowa, highlighting what’s made in Iowa and how the state’s manufacturing ecosystem is built.
22 Sep 2026 · 36m · 19 chapters302: Philly's Answer to the Talent Shortage (LIVE in King of Prussia, PA)
Live episode from King of Prussia (outside Philadelphia) on how the Philadelphia region is addressing the manufacturing talent/workforce shortage through collaboration and skilled-trades pipelines,…
15 Sep 2026 · 57m · 21 chaptersIMTS After Hours: Your Unofficial Guide to IMTS 2026 featuring Jim Mayer and Emily Wilkins
IMTS 2026 “after hours” preview—how manufacturers should plan for the best networking, parties, and connection opportunities after the trade show floor closes, plus specific event details and pacing…
11 Sep 2026 · 26m · 16 chapters301: NYC's Role in Reindustrialization and American Manufacturing (LIVE from Brooklyn)
NYC’s role in reindustrialization and American manufacturing, using the Brooklyn Navy Yard as a case study.
8 Sep 2026 · 1h 3m · 22 chaptersIMTS 2026 Preview: Live Drone Production, the Industrial AI Arena, and More
Preview of IMTS 2026 (Sept 14–19, Chicago) and what attendees should look for, plus a St. Louis manufacturing innovation update.
4 Sep 2026 · 17m · 9 chapters300: Chris Luecke’s Friends from High School Interview Him on His Own Podcast, LIVE in St. Louis
Episode 300 of Manufacturing Happy Hour is recorded live in St. Louis at Urban Chestnut Brewing. It celebrates the show’s 300th episode with a “reverse interview”: three St.
1 Sep 2026 · 1h 11m · 29 chaptersBONUS: Predictive Maintenance: The Key to Replacing Unplanned Downtime with Personal Downtime (Sponsored by AssetWatch)
Condition monitoring and AI-driven predictive maintenance to prevent unplanned downtime by planning repairs and creating “personal downtime,” plus how to roll out monitoring across facilities and…
25 Aug 2026 · 33m · 17 chapters299: Inside Connecticut's Manufacturing Ecosystem: Innovation, Workforce Development, and Industrial Leadership, Live from Hartford, CT
A live Manufacturing Happy Hour panel from Hartford, Connecticut exploring how Connecticut’s manufacturing ecosystem drives innovation, workforce development, and industrial leadership, including the…
18 Aug 2026 · 47m · 19 chaptersBONUS: What Is Servitization? How OEMs Can Turn Their Installed Base Into Long-Term Revenue with PTC's Sam Neva
Servitization for OEM equipment builders—shifting from selling the machine to selling outcomes and long-term support, using installed-base data to enable proactive service, parts sales, and recurring…
14 Aug 2026 · 57m · 23 chapters298: Exploring Massachusetts' Aerospace & Defense Industry, LIVE in Canton, MA
A live Manufacturing Happy Hour episode on Massachusetts’ aerospace and defense manufacturing strengths, focusing on the defense industrial base, workforce pipelines, and state programs that help…
11 Aug 2026 · 41m · 17 chaptersBONUS: The Future of Intralogistics featuring Siemens' Joel Thomas and Markus Thiel
Future of intralogistics—how Siemens approaches warehouse material flow and information flow “inside the four walls,” driven by robotics, AMRs/AGVs, edge computing, standardization, and digital twins…
4 Aug 2026 · 30m · 17 chapters297: Defense Spending, Contract Manufacturing, and Navigating Regulated Industries with Fathom CEO Rush LaSelle
Why increased defense spending doesn’t automatically boost manufacturing capacity; how defense manufacturers can scale amid limited industrial-base visibility, fast iteration needs (e.g., drones),…
28 Jul 2026 · 50m · 17 chaptersWe use cookies.They keep VO running smoothly and help us improve it. Privacy policy