The Changing Landscape of Manufacturing

After 4+ decades in manufacturing, I've seen this industry transform in ways most people never imagined. When I started, shops were running manual mills and engine lathes. Programming meant doing math with a pencil. CAD/CAM didn't exist. Automation was rare. And the idea of AI helping optimize manufacturing would've sounded like science fiction. Today we're running five-axis machines, automation cells, digital inspection systems, ERP platforms, and now AI is entering the conversation. But the biggest shift hasn't just been technology. It's the people, the culture, the expectations, and the way manufacturing is perceived. In this milestone episode of My TRUE POSITION, I take a step back and reflect on: • The evolution from manual machining to modern automation • How the workforce has changed across generations • Why manufacturing's reputation is finally shifting • The impact of digital tools, social media, and modern sales • And where I believe this incredible industry is headed next Manufacturing didn't just evolve over the last five decades. It transformed.