Manufacturers need skilled workers now—but traditional training pathways often fall short. In this episode, Justin Brooks explains how short-duration programs are helping people enter manufacturing faster, build confidence on the shop floor and connect directly with employers.
Electric vehicles were supposed to be the future, but the reality has been more complicated. Eddy Azad, founder and CEO of Parsec Automation, explains why shifting demand and infrastructure challenges highlight the need for manufacturers to focus on long-term strategy and adaptability.
Tariffs aren’t impacting every manufacturer the same way. Eddy Azad, founder and CEO of Parsec Automation, explains why some companies gain an advantage while others struggle—and why preparation ultimately determines the outcome.
For many automakers, early investments in EV infrastructure were driven in part by regulatory pressure and incentives aimed at accelerating adoption. But as those policies evolve, manufacturers are being forced to reassess their strategies.
Over the next four years, Mercedes-Benz will invest $4 billion in its assembly plant in Tuscaloosa, AL. The plant assembles a range of SUVs for both the U.S. and export markets.
Disruptions are inevitable—but being unprepared isn’t. Eddy Azad, founder and CEO of Parsec Automation, explains how manufacturers can build resilience through continuous improvement, visibility and long-term thinking to stay competitive.
Mark Woeppel explains why many plants fall into a cycle of expediting and reactive decision-making, sharing examples of assembly operations overwhelmed by incomplete builds, conflicting priorities and systems that cannot keep pace with real-world conditions. He also introduces the Theory of Constraints as a way to restore stability.
Dawn Fichter, owner of Tools 4 Hiring, discusses why so many manufacturing roles remain open for months and what hiring managers are often getting wrong. She shares practical advice on how manufacturers can move faster, simplify job requirements and focus less on the perfect resume and more on trainability, mindset and soft skills.
BIRMINGHAM, Mich. — As National Robotics Week highlights advances in automation, one trend is becoming clear: robotics is no longer confined to pilot projects or isolated applications. It is being deployed across production lines to solve specific manufacturing challenges. In many cases, the shift is happening at the process level.