2023 was a great year for U.S. manufacturing. Reshoring and foreign direct investment were at record levels. Manufacturing employment was at its highest level in 15 years. The automotive industry continued investing in electric vehicle production. Concentrate on all the pertinent industry themes as our editor's discuss the biggest manufacturing stories of 2023. This podcast is the first episode of a two part series. Listen to part two for The Top 5 Biggest Manufacturing Stories of 2023 countdown.

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Since moving to the U.S. in January, 2020, Annekathrin Muller has been a leader at two of Bosch's largest plants in the U.S. Ms. Muller was recognized in 2023 by Automotive News as a Rising Star for overseeing Bosch's $260 million production expansion of electric motors as VP and Commercial Plant Manager at Robert Bosch's in Charleston, South Carolina plant. The plant in South Carolina is the biggest (and oldest) manufacturing plant in the U.S.

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Brandee Tatum is one of twenty-four Rising Stars recognized by Automotive News for their contribution, excellence, and leadership in the automotive industry in 2023. Brandee has an extensive engineering background and has steadily moved up in Stellantis where she is currently the Assembly Optimization Manager for Injection and Stamping at Stellantis North America's Trenton Engine Plant. Among many other accomplishments and recognitions throughout her career, she most recently received the Rising Star award for the creation of a stellar maintenance plan at the Trenton Engine Plant.  

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Discover the findings of Rootstock Software's recently published 2023 State of AI in Manufacturing Survey firsthand through our discussion with Stu Johnson, Vice President of Product Marketing with Rootstock Software. This episode covers how manufacturers are currently using AI and their plans for investment and future adoption throughout the next year.  

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Get to the root of problem solving methods. This conversation compares and contrasts two formal methodologies for problem-solving, often used in the automotive industry, the A3 and 8D methodology. Learn the difference between the two approaches in order to help determine which best suits your needs. This podcast is based on a popular article by longtime ASSEMBLY Magazine contributing writer Jon Quigley, 8D and A3 Formalize Problem-Solving. Read more Jon Quigley articles on ASSEMBLY Magazine here.

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One often hears of training and opportunities to grow for employees but what about executives or those in leadership positions? What is available for lean leaders to improve their plant operations and expand upon their lean journey? Honsha, an international lean consulting firm offers an Executive Development Mission to Japan specifically for executives. Honsha’s team members including our podcast guest Darril Wilburn, Senior Partner at Honsha have strong backgrounds in Toyota practices. Learn more about Honsha, its objectives, and mission trips.

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In 2003, Dan McKiernan co-founded eFlex Systems, a company specializing in software for managing complex and flexible assembly operations. Epicor acquired eFlex in 2022, and Dan continues to help manufacturers solve challenging problems. A division of Epicor Software, the eFlex Systems Manufacturing Integrated Platform delivers the simplest path to digital transformation. Find out how Dan navigated the recent acquisition and how the changes have impacted business.

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