Manufacturing Talk Radio

Are we heading into economic expansion or just holding steady? Steve Miller breaks down the latest ISM Manufacturing and Services PMI reports — what the numbers really mean for jobs, prices, and supply chains going into the rest of 2026. All four PMI subindexes are now above 50, signaling growth. Employment jumped over three points. The Prices Index eased, hinting inflation pressure may be cooling. But supply chains are still tight in specific areas — especially data center components and petroleum products — and geopolitical events keep adding uncertainty. In this episode, Steve covers: – How to actually read a PMI report (and what the subindexes tell you) – Why employment numbers jumped – Where supply chains are still under pressure – What's driving prices up or down right now – Where economists expect growth to head next – Which industries offer the strongest job opportunities today Whether you're in manufacturing, supply chain, or just trying to make sense of what's happening with jobs and prices, this episode gives you a clear, no-jargon read on where the economy stands right now. Resource: ISM PMI Report — ismworld.org A Manufacturing Talk Radio production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this exclusive Manufacturing Talk Radio interview, hosts Lewis Weiss and Amy Nicklaus sit down with ISM Manufacturing PMI Chair Susan Spence to discuss the latest ISM Manufacturing Report released June 1, 2026. The group break down the key data points impacting the global supply chain and what the effects of that might mean. To shed light on the report’s crucial findings, we speak with Susan Spence, a preeminent authority within manufacturing. Key Insights Reviewed In The Latest Report Demand and New Orders Production Trends Supply Chain Dynamics Challenges Facing the Manufacturing Sector Tariff Impacts Labor Market Constraints Global Economic Uncertainty Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the global space industry paving the way toward a multi-trillion dollar commercial empire, or are we drastically underestimating the economic ripples it creates right here on Earth? In this episode of Manufacturing Talk Radio, host Lew Weiss and co-host Cliff Waldman sit down with Oğuz Karasu, a prominent postdoctoral research fellow at the Saïd Business School and founder of the Space and Economy Alliance. As a specialized teaching fellow in space finance and sustainability, Oğuz provides a rigorous, data-driven framework to examine how the post-Artemis II era is fundamentally shifting the global macroeconomic landscape. Together, the hosts and their guest explore the hidden complexities of measuring direct and indirect industrial outputs, tracing the financial divide between heavy upstream launch mechanics and expansive downstream data distribution networks. From the impending realization of direct device-to-satellite cellular communication to the engineering barriers of mitigating sharp lunar regolith dust for off-world infrastructure, Oğuz separates reality from speculation. Tune in to discover how cutting-edge research in space-based solar power depends directly on the launch scalability of platforms like Starship, the strategic balance between public government contracts and innovative private entrepreneurship, and how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and orbital data centers are co-evolving to redefine the limits of human industry. Timestamps to Watch: 00:00 – Welcome to the Space Economy: Introducing Scholar Oğuz Karasu 03:41 – Upstream vs. Downstream: Unveiling the Real Size of the Space Markets 04:47 – Microgravity Manufacturing: Pharmaceuticals, Crystals, and Biotech 06:29 – Direct Device-to-Satellite Comm: Connecting the Next 30% of Humanity 07:44 – The $1 Million Spillover Metric: Tracking Over 2,000 NASA Spinoffs 10:00 – Space-Based Solar Power: Wireless Beaming and the Starship Multiplier 11:39 – Lunar Infrastructure Realities: Scalability Obstacles and the Threat of Moon Dust 13:17 – Market Structure Balance: Public Oligopolies vs. Disruptive Private Tech 16:00 – Geopolitics vs. Open Markets: The Hard Trade-Off in Global Space Finance 18:37 – Rising Superpowers: Why China and Regional Blocs are Shifting the Landscape 26:00 – Cost vs. Returns: Quantifying the Long-Term ROI of Manned Space Flight 32:42 – AI and Quantum Interconnection: Modeling the Next 50 Years of Orbital Assets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this exclusive Manufacturing Talk Radio, we look ahead to a critical conversation centered on the latest ISM Supply Chain Planning Forecast. This comprehensive outlook serves as a major barometer for commercial confidence, offering a dual-sector perspective on where the economy is headed, how corporate leaders are budgeting, and how businesses are adjusting their operational strategies. Join us as we break down the overarching trends from this pivotal forecast and discuss what these insights mean for the broader economy moving forward. About this Episode’s Guests Susan Spence is currently serving as ISM Manufacturing PMI Chair and is a winner of the J. Shipman Gold Medal Award. Her distinguished career includes serving as vice president of the Sourcing & Procurement group at FedEx Corp. With 28 years of experience at United Technologies Corporation (UTC) in leadership roles across supply management and operations, Spence offers unparalleled insight into manufacturing trends and economic activity. Steven Miller is currently serving as ISM Services PMI Chair and is an accomplished supply chain management executive. His distinguished career includes 40 years of experience in procurement, supply chain management, IT implementation and operations, and operations management consulting at Disney, P.F. Chang’s, Accenture, and Kearney. With 40 years of experience in procurement, supply chain management, IT implementation and operations, Miller offers unparalleled insight into services trends and economic activity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can artificial intelligence completely replace a manufacturing workforce, and how are massive manufacturing plants adapting to the modern skill gap? In this episode of Manufacturing Talk Radio, host Lewis Weiss sits down with Tanushree Ghosh, the Senior Director leading site operations at Medtronic's Tempe complex. Managing a population of nearly 800 people across a nine-building facility, Tanushree oversees the production of critical cardiovascular, neurovascular, and pelvic health medical devices. Drawing from her PhD background in science and material chemistry—alongside a 17-year career at Intel—she delivers an authentic look into running a complex manufacturing ecosystem. Tune in as Lewis and Tanushree break down the actual reality of AI proliferation on the factory floor, separating the media hype from cost-effective operational constraints. Tanushree shares how large companies effectively manage long-term internship and workforce models to upskill the next generation. Finally, explore her parallel career as an author and the founder of the non-profit Her Rights, where she targets gender parity, workforce diversity, and social activism. Timestamps to Watch: 00:00 – Meet Guest Tanushree Ghosh: Senior Director at Medtronic 02:15 – Inside the Tempe Complex: Medical Device Manufacturing at Scale 03:41 – Addressing the Skill Gap, Obsolete Equipment, and Workforce Realities 05:06 – Developing Long-Term Interships & Mentorship Programs 08:47 – The Real Impact of AI vs. AI Hype in 2026 Manufacturing 13:17 – Capital Equipment Depreciation and the Mathematics of Automation 16:14 – Leveraging AI and Startups for Small to Medium-Sized Companies 19:59 – Social Activism: Founding "Her Rights" and Fostering Gender Equality 21:35 – Authorship & Literature: Navigating Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Social Change 24:54 – Ruthless Efficiency: Work-Life Balance and Finding Personal Success 29:05 – The Struggle of the "Stanford Duck": Being Vulnerable About Mental Health Continued Reading + Resources Queer Chronicles Book: https://mybook.to/queerchronicles Beyond #MeToo Book: https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-MeToo-Ushering-Womens-Noise-ebook/dp/B0CN4GJVFN Her Rights Advocacy: https://www.herrights.org/ Thoughts & Rights Platform: https://www.thoughtsandrights.com/ Connect with our Guest Instagram: @thoughtsrightsnimages X: @thoughtsnrights Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the global manufacturing economy headed for a crash, or is it entering a historic resurgence? In this episode of Manufacturing Think Tank, host Cliff Waldman sits down with top economists Mark Vitner (Founder of Piedmont Crescent Capital) and Jeremy Leonard (Director of Industry Services at Oxford Economics) to break down how the conflict with Iran is transforming the global manufacturing outlook. Despite major geopolitical uncertainty, the U.S. manufacturing sector has shown surprising resilience. Our guests explain the hidden economic forces at play—including massive waves of domestic reshoring, the build-out of massive AI data center infrastructures, and the critical differences in energy independence between the U.S. and Europe. Tune in to discover which sectors are set to benefit from defense replenishment and domestic chemical production, why automotive and consumer durables face heavy demand destruction, and what the ending of the war could mean for the future of global supply chains. Timestamps to Watch: 00:00 – Meet the Economists: Mark Vitner & Jeremy Leonard 03:37 – Is the War Damaging U.S. Manufacturing? 07:44 – Winners & Losers: How Oil Prices Impact Chemicals, Automotive, and Aerospace 12:42 – The Most Impacted Manufacturing Industries 19:52 – Europe vs. U.S.: The True Extent of the Energy Crisis 24:55 – The Structural Reality of Reshoring & Pharmaceutical Supply Chains 34:31 – The Long-Term Geopolitical Fingerprint of the Iran Conflict 41:27 – Global Manufacturing: How the Rest of the World is Responding 45:48 – Federal Reserve Rates, Policy Reversals, and AI Opposition Risks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this exclusive Manufacturing Talk Radio interview, host Lewis Weiss sits down with ISM Services PMI Chair Steve Miller to discuss the pivotal May ISM Services Report the very day it is released June 3rd 2026, breaking down the key data points impacting the services economy. To shed light on the report’s crucial findings, we speak with Steve Miller, a preeminent authority within the services sector. Miller is currently serving as ISM Services PMI Chair and is an accomplished supply chain management executive. His distinguished career includes 40 years of experience in procurement, supply chain management, IT implementation and operations, and operations management consulting at Disney, P.F. Chang’s, Accenture, and Kearney. With 40 years of experience in procurement, supply chain management, IT implementation and operations, Miller offers unparalleled insight into services trends and economic activity. Check out data discussed in this episode here: https://www.ismworld.org/globalassets/pub/research-and-surveys/rob/nmi/fuelrob202605svcs.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this exclusive Manufacturing Talk Radio interview, hosts Lewis Weiss and Amy Nicklaus sit down with ISM Manufacturing PMI Chair Susan Spence to discuss the latest ISM Manufacturing Report released June 1, 2026. The group break down the key data points impacting the global supply chain and what the effects of that might mean. To shed light on the report’s crucial findings, we speak with Susan Spence, a preeminent authority within manufacturing. Spence is currently serving as ISM Manufacturing PMI Chair and is a winner of the J. Shipman Gold Medal Award. Her distinguished career includes serving as vice president of the Sourcing & Procurement group at FedEx Corp. With 28 years of experience at United Technologies Corporation (UTC) in leadership roles across supply management and operations, Spence offers unparalleled insight into manufacturing trends and economic activity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does the future hold for the 99% of American manufacturing defined as "small business"? In this episode of Manufacturing Talk Radio, host Louis Weiss sits down with Carrie Hines, President and CEO of the American Small Manufacturers Coalition (ASMC). Carrie shares her deep expertise on the vital role of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network—a powerful public-private partnership providing boots-on-the-ground technical assistance across all 50 states and Puerto Rico.   Discover how MEP centers are driving domestic growth by mapping supply chain risks, accelerating reshoring initiatives, and helping small facilities navigate advanced automation. Carrie also tackles the ongoing workforce crisis, highlighting how modern manufacturing is leveraging AI, video, and gamification to bridge the skills gap and preserve institutional knowledge as Baby Boomers retire. Tune in to find out why the industry is no longer "dark, dirty, and dangerous," and how a career in modern, high-tech manufacturing commands an average salary of over $90,000.          Key Takeaways From This Episode:- The Scale of Small Manufacturing: Why businesses with fewer than 500 employees make up 99% of the U.S. manufacturing landscape.- Securing the Supply Chain: How the MEP network works directly with lower-tier suppliers to mitigate risks and transition outsourced resources back home.- Next-Gen Workforce Solutions: Overcoming knowledge loss through community college partnerships, apprenticeships, and AI-driven training.- Accessible Technical Support: Navigating the fee-based, cost-effective consulting services and technology labs available to small and rural manufacturers.Looking to connect with your local MEP center or learn more about the ASMC? Visit smallmanufacturers.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this exclusive Manufacturing Talk Radio interview, host Lewis Weiss and Amy Nicklaus sit down with ISM Services PMI Chair Steve Miller to discuss the pivotal April 2026 ISM Services Report the very day it is released, breaking down the key data points impacting the services economy.   Miller is currently serving as ISM Services PMI Chair and is an accomplished supply chain management executive. His distinguished career includes 40 years of experience in procurement, supply chain management, IT implementation and operations, and operations management consulting at Disney, P.F. Chang’s, Accenture, and Kearney. Miller offers unparalleled insight into services trends and economic activity. p>    Expansion Trends: The Services PMI recorded a solid 53.6. While slightly down from the previous month’s 54, it marks a period where 14 of 18 services industries are reporting growth—the highest expansion level seen in two years.    Inflationary Pressures: A major "danger flag" identified is the Prices Paid Index, which remains high at 70.7. This historically elevated level typically correlates with inflation rates exceeding 5%.   Energy and Geopolitics: The team discusses the impact of the Iran war and low oil inventories on petroleum costs, noting that "opportunistic pricing" in gasoline and diesel has been felt almost immediately   Sector Performance: While Mining is seeing a high rate of expansion, sectors such as Real Estate, Retail Trade, and Agriculture are currently in contraction territory.   The Housing Market: Miller and the hosts dive into the "perfect storm" affecting housing, where high mortgage rates and rising costs for labor and materials (lumber, steel, and copper) are straining the industry.     The Latest ISM Reports: Services PMI: https://www.ismworld.org/supply-management-news-and-reports/reports/ism-pmi-reports/services/april/   Manufacturing PMI: https://www.ismworld.org/supply-management-news-and-reports/reports/ism-pmi-reports/pmi/april/   Report Highlights: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join hosts Amy Nicklaus and Lewis Weiss as they welcome back Harry Moser of the Reshoring Initiative to discuss his organization's critical mission: balancing the $1.3 trillion US goods trade deficit and securing vital supply chains. Harry shares compelling data on how jobs announced coming back to the US have grown exponentially, from 11,000 in 2010 to 244,000 in 2024, proving that reindustrialization is gaining traction. They delve into the underlying problems of currency overvaluation and the highest priority challenge cited by companies: the need for a skilled workforce. Discover how manufacturers can utilize the Reshoring Initiative's free Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Estimator to accurately calculate sourcing decisions and accelerate the return of American manufacturing jobs. Links Discussed in this Episode:   Reshoring Initiative: https://reshorenow.org/2026 USA Reshoring Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/USA-Reshoring   Total Cost of Ownership Estimator: https://reshorenow.org/tco-estimator/  Harry Moser Honored with 2026 Albert W. Moore AMT Leadership Award: https://www.imts.com/read/article-details/Harry-Moser-Honored-with-2026-Albert-W-Moore-AMT-Leadership-Award/2244/type/Read/1/tab/all-articles?page=1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this exclusive Manufacturing Talk Radio interview, host Lewis Weiss and Amy Nicklaus sit down with ISM Services PMI Chair Steve Miller to discuss the pivotal March ISM Services Report the very day it is released April 6th 2026, breaking down the key data points impacting the services economy. To shed light on the report’s crucial findings, we speak with Steve Miller, a preeminent authority within the services sector.Miller is currently serving as ISM Services PMI Chair and is an accomplished supply chain management executive. His distinguished career includes 40 years of experience in procurement, supply chain management, IT implementation and operations, and operations management consulting at Disney, P.F. Chang’s, Accenture, and Kearney. With 40 years of experience in procurement, supply chain management, IT implementation and operations, Miller offers unparalleled insight into services trends and economic activity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this exclusive Manufacturing Talk Radio interview, hosts Lewis Weiss and Amy Nicklaus sit down with ISM Manufacturing PMI Chair Susan Spence to discuss the latest ISM Manufacturing Report, released the same day, and break down the key data points impacting the global supply chain and what the effects of that might mean.  To shed light on the report’s crucial findings, we speak with Susan Spence, a preeminent authority within manufacturing.Spence is currently serving as ISM Manufacturing PMI Chair and is a winner of the J. Shipman Gold Medal Award. Her distinguished career includes serving as vice president of the Sourcing & Procurement group at FedEx Corp. With 28 years of experience at United Technologies Corporation (UTC) in leadership roles across supply management and operations, Spence offers unparalleled insight into manufacturing trends and economic activity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Lewis Weiss interviews Jim Tompkins about his career path from industrial engineering academia and the Army to founding Tompkins Solutions and later launching Tompkins Ventures, a matchmaking firm that connects manufacturers with partners for logistics, procurement, technology, automation, AI, and organizational development, typically offering recommendations without consulting fees and earning a success fee when solutions are implemented. Tompkins discusses how manufacturers can focus on core competencies while outsourcing non-core functions, the challenges of maintaining quality in outsourcing, and VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) as the operating reality for global supply chains. He explains reshoring as a risk-mitigation hedge tied to adaptability, digital twins, scenario planning, AI, and automation, and outlines four factors for what to reshore: value density, demand volatility, IP sensitivity, and automation potential.   00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:40 Tim’s Career Origin Story 01:18 From Seminars to Global Supply Chain 02:56 Launching Tompkins Ventures 03:51 How Ventures Helps Manufacturers 04:42 No Fee Model Explained 06:19 Success Fees and Partner Network 07:45 Why Outside Expertise Matters 10:12 Virtual Companies and Outsourcing 11:07 Quality Control in Outsourcing 13:44 VUCA Defined for Supply Chains 17:10 Reshoring as Risk Mitigation 18:19 Surfing the Next Disruption Wave 22:25 Resilience Over Pure Efficiency 25:13 What to Reshore Four Criteria 26:59 Tariff Refunds Supreme Court Fallout 32:12 Wrap Up Contact and Subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Amy Nicklaus talks with Peter Okun, Editor of Manufacturing Podcast News, about what a PMI move above 50 really means after months of contraction and why the current reading signals disciplined stabilization rather than an overheated surge. They discuss how global steel output—especially shifts in China—drives price volatility and why manufacturers are prioritizing regional sourcing, longer-term contracts, supplier diversification, and data-driven planning to manage risk. Okun also highlights rising ransomware exposure for mid-size manufacturers, emphasizing that downtime, trust, and reputation costs often outweigh ransom itself, and recommends basics like MFA, tested offline backups, training, and response protocols. The episode covers tariff unpredictability and regionalization, workforce strategies amid a persistent skills gap, thoughtful AI adoption to improve morale and productivity, and why adaptability, resilience, digital visibility, and sustainability will define competitiveness over the next three to five years.   00:00 Welcome and Agenda 01:01 PMI Above 50 Explained 02:32 Recovery or Bounce 03:28 Executive Playbook Now 04:15 Early Expansion Risks 04:57 Global Steel Ripple Effects 06:10 Sourcing for Reliability 07:12 Is Globalization Fading 07:27 Ransomware Reality Check 09:05 Cybersecurity Basics 09:50 Tariffs and Regionalization 10:33 Adapting Supply Strategies 11:44 Workforce and AI Shifts 12:24 Skills Gap and Training 13:29 AI Morale and Reskilling 14:50 Winning Mindset Ahead 15:24 Next 3 to 5 Years 16:31 Sustainability as Strategy 17:07 Key Takeaway Recalibration 17:46 Wrap Up and Where to Follow   Further reading: At Last: Institute for Supply Management Manufacturing Index at 52.7 Percent - https://manufacturingtalkradio.com/news/at-last-institute-for-supply-management-manufacturing-index-at-52-7-percent/   Global Steel Output Is Slipping, and the Reasons Go Deeper Than One Bad Month - https://manufacturingtalkradio.com/news/global-steel-output-is-slipping-and-the-reasons-go-deeper-than-one-bad-month/    Why Ransomware Is Hitting Mid-Sized Manufacturers Harder Than Ever - https://manufacturingtalkradio.com/news/why-ransomware-is-hitting-mid-sized-manufacturers-harder-than-ever/   How USMCA and New Tariffs Are Rattling U.S. Manufacturing - https://manufacturingtalkradio.com/news/how-usmca-and-new-tariffs-are-rattling-u-s-manufacturing/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lewis Weiss hosts another Manufacturing Round Table with economist Cliff Waldman and Chris Kuehl to compare the January Federal Reserve industrial production release and the ISM report. After a year-long manufacturing slump, they point to improving signals: manufacturing within industrial production rose 0.8% month over month with broad-based gains, and the ISM index climbed to 52.7, moving above the 50 expansion threshold. The discussion widens to global uncertainty affecting supply chains, shifting trade patterns as China routes production through other countries, and concern that U.S. policy risks damaging critical trade and supply-chain ties with Canada. They also highlight workforce shortages, demographics,  and unclear ROI from rapid AI investment.   00:00 Welcome and Agenda 01:45 Why These Reports Matter 02:22 Fed and ISM Show Uptick 03:24 Caution and Tariff Drag 04:54 Capital Spending on Hold 07:11 Global Uncertainty and Supply Chains 10:02 China Trade Shifts and Workarounds 13:28 Canada Risks and North America 17:48 Looking Ahead to 2026 19:05 Workforce Shortage and AI Hype 21:02 Training Pipelines and Demographics 27:24 Financing Manufacturing Startups 28:42 Wrap Up and Final Takeaways   Reports: January 2026 ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report: https://www.ismworld.org/supply-management-news-and-reports/reports/ism-pmi-reports/pmi/january/ January Federal Reserve Statistical Release: https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g17/current/g17.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Manufacturing Talk Radio, host Amy Nicklaus talks with Peter Okun, the editor of Manufacturing Podcast News, about the current trends, significant stories, and predictions for the manufacturing industry in 2026. They discuss topics such as the evolving role of AI, reshoring, workforce retention, and sustainability. Peter provides detailed insights into how manufacturers are adopting digital tools, dealing with supply chain resilience, and focusing on talent development and process discipline. The episode also sheds light on global events' impact on manufacturing and emphasizes the importance of knowledge capture and frontline leadership development.   00:00 Introduction to Manufacturing Talk Radio News 00:38 Meet the Editor: Peter Okun's Journey 03:14 Key Stories and Trends in Manufacturing 08:20 AI and Automation in Manufacturing 09:57 Labor and Workforce Challenges 11:37 Sustainability and Green Manufacturing 12:51 Future Topics and Advice for Manufacturers 20:09 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes   Read More Here:  2025 in Manufacturing: A Year Defined by Numbers, Policy, and Technology U.S. Job Market Ends 2025 on Uneven Footing Three in Ten Firms Say AI Will Replace Workers Next Year Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of the Economic Wrap-Up 2025 roundtable host Lewis Weiss again joins Cliff Waldman, CEO of New World Economics, and Chris Kuehl, Managing Partner and Chief Economist at Armada Corporate Intelligence, to discuss the economic trends of 2025 and predictions for 2026. Key topics include concerns about China's slowing growth, the implications of tariffs and international relationships, and the economic condition in Europe, including the ongoing impact of the Ukraine conflict. The speakers highlight the importance of global interdependencies and the possible consequences for manufacturing and trade, with particular focus on North America, Europe, and Africa.   Key Topics and Timestamps 00:00:Introduction: 2026 Economic Outlook 01:40 International Economy: Focus on China 02:00 China's Domestic Issues (Demographics, Property Bubble) 04:10 Tariffs and Unintended Consequences in Global Trade 06:18 Copper Shortage and International Politics (Chile) 09:10 Economic Status of European Countries 10:25 Geopolitics, Ukraine, and NATO Alliance Strains 11:00 Importance of Trading Partners: Canada and Mexico 14:35 Strained North American Economic Relations 19:40 General Prediction: Volatility and Uncertainty in 2026 21:20 In-Depth Discussion on Ukraine and Russia   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Economic Wrap-Up 2025: Insights and Predictions for 2026 In this episode of Manufacturing Talk Radio, host Lewis Weiss welcomes Cliff Waldman, CEO of New World Economics, and Chris Kuehl, Managing Partner and Chief Economist at Armada Corporate Intelligence, to discuss the economic trends of 2025 and predictions for 2026. Key topics include the recent strong GDP performance, the challenges in the labor market, the potential for AI to transform entrepreneurship, and the role of education and apprenticeship programs in addressing skill gaps in manufacturing. The discussion also touches on international demographics, the impact of tariffs, and the evolving economics of cannabis. 00:00 Welcome Back to Manufacturing Talk Radio 01:02 Introducing Our Esteemed Guests 01:45 Chris Keel's Background and Insights 03:12 Cliff Waldman's Background and Insights 06:09 Reflecting on the Economic Landscape of 2025 10:18 The Impact of AI and Demographic Changes 18:53 Challenges in Employment and Manufacturing 22:02 The Role of Education and Apprenticeships 27:49 Innovative Solutions in Workforce Development 31:08 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Manufacturing Talk Radio, host Lou Weiss talks with Filip Aronshtein, the founder and CEO of Dirac Inc., about how his company is revolutionizing the manufacturing sector with its first automated work instruction platform. Aronshtein shares insights into his background in electrical engineering and robotics, the motivations behind starting Dirac Inc., and how their software significantly reduces the time and effort needed to create manufacturing work instructions. The discussion highlights the software's impact on improving training, reducing errors, and enhancing overall efficiency in various manufacturing environments. Aronshtein emphasizes the benefits for both engineers and operators and shares real-world examples of drastic improvements achieved by their clients. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:20 Meet Phil Stein: Background and Journey 02:08 Direct's Innovative Software Solution 03:22 Training and Implementation 05:00 Real-World Impact and Success Stories 09:12 Software Sales and Future Plans 14:08 Client Feedback and Continuous Improvement 19:24 Case Studies: ARA and Sputnik 21:45 Closing Remarks and Contact Information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Manufacturing Think Tank, host Cliff Waldman is joined by Harvard Business School professor Matt Weinzierl and Blue Origin strategy manager Brendan Rosseau to discuss the burgeoning space economy. The conversation delves into the entrepreneurial drive needed to explore space, the integration of space manufacturing into existing industries, and the potential economic benefits. They also touch on technology frontiers like AI and robotics, and how they interconnect with space development, alongside workforce implications and educational needs to support this growing sector. 00:00 Introduction to Manufacturing Think Tank 00:26 Exploring the Space Economy 00:52 Meet the Experts: Matt Wineur and Brendan Rousseau 02:52 The Evolution and Risks of the Space Sector 04:18 Public and Private Roles in Space 16:27 Manufacturing in Space: Opportunities and Challenges 21:04 Impact of Space on Terrestrial Economics 26:33 Stimulating Manufacturing Entrepreneurship 29:33 Addressing the Skills Deficit in Manufacturing 33:17 Educational Institutions and the Space Economy 38:41 The Future of Globalization and Space 41:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the rebooted Manufacturing Talk Radio!    After a year-long hiatus, hosts introduce the new 2.0 version of the show with new co-host, Amy Nicklaus. The episode covers a recap of the past year's key developments in manufacturing, including AI, labor shortages, supply chain stabilization, and reshoring.    New episodes promise more engaging discussions on sustainability, digitization, and the US economy with industry leaders and experts.    Subscribe, share, and stay tuned for candid, informative, and exciting conversations ahead. 00:00 Welcome Back to Manufacturing Talk Radio 2.0 01:00 Meet the New Co-Host: Amy Nicklaus 01:40 Topics and Trends in Manufacturing 03:39 Recap of the Past Year in Manufacturing 05:11 Sustainability and Digitization in Manufacturing 06:42 Future Discussions and Closing Remarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Manufacturing Think Tank just one of many shows on Manufacturing Talk Radio, host Cliff Waldman explores the profound impact of quantum computing on manufacturing and the broader economy, with guest Floreta Teodoridis. This conversation highlights the potential to revolutionize areas such as simulating physical systems for material and drug discovery, solving complex optimization problems like logistics in manufacturing, and analyzing large datasets to speed up the search and potentially crack current encryption methods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manufacturing Talk Radio is BACK! Well... almost! But we are too excited and too many important things are happening in the world of manufacturing to delay any longer. This special report features manufacturing and economic expert insights from friends of the show Harry Moser and Jeremy Leonard, hosted by longtime MTR contributor Cliff Waldman. This is a conversation you won't want to miss. Stay tuned for new episodes coming soon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Fiore, Committee Chair for the Manufacturing Report on Business® and Anthony Nieves, Committee Chair for the Services Report on Business® join hosts Lew Weiss and Tim Grady to discuss the results of ISM’s survey on business conditions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Chris Kuehl speaks about the economies of various countries, how some are affected by war in the Middle East, how others are waning because of a 5,000% wage increase, and the developing nations waking up to become producers, exporters, and even investors in building production operations in low-cost producing countries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Take a detailed look at the latest ISM Services Report On Business from the source, Anthony Nieves, Committee Chair, Services ISM® Report on Business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Fiore, Committee Chair for the ISM’s Manufacturing Report on Business® indicates that there is stability in the most recent report, with New Orders increasing and moderate contraction in production and employment. Companies continue to operate on lower, tightly controlled inventories while suppliers try to deliver orders early to make their year-end numbers. Overall, the report does not indicate recession even though portions of it are in contraction with GDP growth expected to be 2.4% in the fourth quarter of 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Moser On Manufacturing, Harry and Lew discuss Harry's recent experience at the Forging Industry Association's Fall Meeting. Harry was a speaker at the event and shared with us his experience at the event meeting with OEMs, contract manufacturers, and other forging industry luminaries. Lew and Harry also discuss the continued importance of closing the skills gap by encouraging young people to consider a career in the forging industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Manufacturing Think Tank, Host Cliff Waldman welcomes Eric Fins, Vice President of Grove Climate Group, an organization that helps startups, companies, governments, nonprofits, universities, and trade groups achieve their climate goals. Don't miss this important episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More than 70% of business owners lack an exit plan, and their average age is 67. If they cannot find the next owner, the business will simply wind down, and whatever they make will become unavailable. David Braun, Founder and CEO of Capstone Strategic discusses ways to mitigate this crisis that is happening now before it becomes worse than the COVID shutdowns and supply chain disruption. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Lynch, CEO of Praxie, discusses a smarter, easier way to transform your legacy information, Excel spreadsheets, and disparate databases by wrapping it in a practical software application that interfaces with the various sources to give you what you want - in a few weeks, not months or even years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Kuehl discusses the growing GDP, the worker shortage skills gap, and why the people coming into the U.S. are not likely to be the answer. He also touches on the Green Economy and the difficulties it is encountering. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony Nieves, Committee Chair for the Services Report on Business(R) discusses the strengths in the Services sectors, which show significant growth in New Orders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12 Months of Manufacturing Contraction but No Recession -Tim Fiore, Committee Chair of the ISM's Manufacturing Report on Business(R) joins hosts Lew Weiss and Tim Grady as Manufacturing Talk Radio to discuss October and the last 12 months of manufacturing contraction that have not yet triggered a general recession. Manufacturing typically leads the country into every recession and out of every recession, but so far, recession hasn't arrived. It is possible that the soft landing may be just a touch-and-go landing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrick Anderson, President and CEO of the Anderson Economic Group, joins host Cliff Waldman to discuss the UAW strike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryan DeBois, Director of Industrial AI at RoviSys speaks about AI in manufacturing - why we should embrace it rather than fear it, and where it is the logical next step in production control and analysis. AI isn't disrupting manufacturing any more than PLCs did when GM introduced them in 1968. AI in manufacturing is a tool to manage large volumes of data to get actionable information, and only when action is taken does ROI happen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Moser On Manufacturing, Harry and Lew welcome Harold Schoch, Chief Executive Officer of Fives Machining Systems Inc. and Matt Shockey, President of the Grinding Ultra Precision business line of the Fives Group. Fives designs and manufactures machines, process equipment, and production lines for the world’s largest industrial groups. From the first railway lines to the Eiffel Tower lifts and Factory 4.0, for over 200 years Fives has been designing the disruptive solutions and technologies that make up the industry. As a pioneer of decarbonization and digitalization, Fives is always one innovation ahead thanks to its ability to anticipate customer needs. Harry, Lew, Harold, and Matt discuss the skilled trades gap, supply chain challenges, the importance of reshoring, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Chris Kuehl discusses conditions in various sectors of the economy and the uncertainty in D.C., along with employment and interest rates that are keeping manufacturers up at night. Thankfully, the construction sector of manufacturing is doing well with plant expansions. One of the countries doing particularly well is Mexico, which has become a replacement for China in lower-cost labor. And that talk of recession is still an undercurrent that hasn't yet become a riptide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode is the second of a two-part series featuring Kerrie Jordan, Vice President of Product Management – Data Platform at Epicor. Kerrie discusses the most important report for your manufacturing business's health, strength, and sustainability, Voice Of The Manufacturing Manager 2023. Part one of this series covered Epicor’s Voice of The Essential Manufacturing Worker report. In these two reports, 1,000 manufacturing leaders and frontline workers reveal their impressions about the technology they’re using and embracing, the shifts they’re making and experiencing in the workplace, and how they view the future of the industry. Key takeaways include: Technology and Modern Manufacturing ·       58% of manufacturing leaders consider their company “very modern.” ·       But only 48% of frontline workers say the same. Workplace Flexibility and Morale ·       64% of manufacturing leaders believe company morale is high. ·       But only 52% of frontline workers say the same. Company Loyalty and Industry Prospects ·       81% of manufacturing leaders plan to stay in their job for the next 12 months. ·       But only 44% of frontline workers say the same. Don't miss this critical episode of Manufacturing Talk Radio! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of Manufacturing Talk Radio, we're joined by Ed Marsh from Consilium Global Business Advisors. Consilium is a consulting firm that focuses on working with middle-market manufacturers with an emphasis on revenue growth through marketing and sales. For many manufacturers, sales and marketing can be an issue. Consilium works with senior management to help develop a better understanding of how to grow revenue in a landscape of near-constant transformational change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony Nieves, Committee Chair for the Services Report on Business(R) highlights the strengths in the Services Sectors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Fiore, Committee Chair of the ISM's Manufacturing Report on Business(R) joins hosts Lew Weiss and Tim Grady as Manufacturing Talk Radio begins its 10-Year Anniversary Celebration. The first show that aired was with the Institute for Supply Management and Brad Holcomb, and that tradition carries on with Tim Fiore getting into the numbers behind the numbers. 49.0 is the book cover - the sub-indexes are the chapters that hold the story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of Moser On Manufacturing, Harry Moser, founder of the Reshoring Initiative joins Manufacturing Talk Radio Host Lew Weiss for a detailed look at the financial benefits of pursuing a career in manufacturing vs. taking the traditional college route. Harry presents some amazing data on the lifetime earning potential of college students with certain degrees, side by side with a tool and die maker. The results will surprise you.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicholas Tana, CEO of Smart Media, author of eJunky, as well as the director and producer of the movie, discusses the possible end to the writers' strike, but the longer-term impacts of AI on the entertainment industry, particularly where it could replace writers and actors. In three years, when the agreement, if accepted, expires, AI will be several generations more advanced. What will happen then? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Fair, Senior Vice President at Executech talks about Cybersecurity and a roadmap to implement from the simple to the complex, step-by-step. Even if you have cybersecurity in place, an annual review is warranted to keep abreast of new threats. A company can go out of business overnight if they aren't ready to thwart attacks and respond to a calamity if a hacker gets through - or is lurking in your system already. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Mantey, Editorial Director for IEN, discusses manufacturing skilled labor shortage solutions and the latest trends and technologies that may help reduce reliance on people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Chirs Kuehl, the highly-respected economist from Armada Corporate Intelligence talks about economic issues in China, Russia, BRICs, and the U.S. GDP is defying a recession as the third quarter approaches 3% GDP growth with Real GDP above 5% for 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony Nieves, Committee Chair for the Services Report on Business(R) highlights the strengths in the Services Sectors that continues to defy recession, which has disappeared from the conversation. The report is well above the midline of 50 and continues to grow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To stay competitive in the manufacturing sector these days we have to continue to evolve with technology. As wireless networks become more critical to manufacturing, keeping them online is a priority. Today's guest Roger Sands is co-founder and CEO of Wyebot, the leader in AI-driven WiFi Automation. They provide cost-effective future-proofing of your network in real-time. If avoiding network issues and costly downtime is a priority this episode is a must-watch. Host Lew Weiss shares some of his hard-learned business continuity advice and discusses how to get ahead of increasing network complexity and avoid downtime with Wyebot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices