Episode 5: Henry Ford - Solocast
Welcome to our first-ever solocast! And who better to focus on for our first installment, than the legendary manufacturing innovator, Henry Ford. Henry Ford’s impact on manufacturing is well documented, from mastering the moving assembly line to perfecting vertical integration in America, and his legacy is visible all around us. In today’s episode, we discuss not only his achievements in manufacturing but also how his empathy and social conscience informed his decision-making. Tuning in you’ll learn about his early life in Dearborn Michigan, his move to Detroit at the tender age of sixteen, and the eventual founding of the Ford Motor Company. Hear how Ford’s obsession with efficiency led to incredible innovations that would take the production time of a Ford Model T from a standard twelve hours to a staggering ninety-three minutes per car! We also discuss Ford’s immense investment in a massive historical outdoor village in Dearborn Michigan, where he used his wealth to acquire historically significant items from around the country. Ford had a huge impact on American and global manufacturing, but he also ushered in crucial changes in working conditions for thousands of Americans, the results of which we can still see today. We appreciate everything that Ford contributed to our society and it’s a pleasure to feature him on our very first solocast!
The Efficiency and Empathy of Henry Ford.
Episode 05: Show Notes
Welcome to our first-ever solocast! And who better to focus on for our first installment, than the legendary manufacturing innovator, Henry Ford. Henry Ford’s impact on manufacturing is well documented, from mastering the moving assembly line to perfecting vertical integration in America, and his legacy is visible all around us. In today’s episode, we discuss not only his achievements in manufacturing but also how his empathy and social conscience informed his decision-making. Tuning in you’ll learn about his early life in Dearborn Michigan, his move to Detroit at the tender age of sixteen, and the eventual founding of the Ford Motor Company. Hear how Ford’s obsession with efficiency led to incredible innovations that would take the production time of a Ford Model T from a standard twelve hours to a staggering ninety-three minutes per car! We also discuss Ford’s immense investment in a massive historical outdoor village in Dearborn Michigan, where he used his wealth to acquire historically significant items from around the country. Ford had a huge impact on American and global manufacturing, but he also ushered in crucial changes in working conditions for thousands of Americans, the results of which we can still see today. We appreciate everything that Ford contributed to our society and it’s a pleasure to feature him on our very first solocast!
Key Points From This Episode:
Introducing our first solocast on an individual who’s had a noteworthy impact on manufacturing.
The figure we’ll be focusing on for today’s solocast: Henry Ford.
How Henry Ford impacted manufacturing in three main areas: the moving assembly line, welfare capitalism, and perfecting vertical integration for manufacturing in America.
Ford’s early life growing up on a farm in Dearborn, Michigan.
How his move to Detroit at sixteen introduced him to the combustion engine.
The founding of Ford Motor company in 1903 and some of its earliest investors.
How Ford’s obsession with efficiency led him to institute the moving assembly line.
The four main principles that Ford used to optimize the moving assembly line.
How instituting these principles transformed the time it took to produce a Ford Model T from twelve hours to ninety-three minutes.
Why this transformation made cars affordable to a much broader portion of the population.
The onset of World War II and how the American government commissioned Ford to produce a bomber called the B24 Liberator.
The story of how Ford met one of his biggest role models, Thomas Edison, and their subsequent friendship.
How Ford’s aversion to waste led to the invention of Kingsford briquette charcoal.
Some of the incredible attractions and historical buildings that you can see at The Henry Ford outdoor village in Dearborn, Michigan.
Examples of the many historical artifacts you can find at the village, like the chair that President Abraham Lincoln was sitting in when he was shot.
The positive impact that Henry Ford had on work standards, both in the US and globally.
Tweetables:
“Henry Ford, his main obsession in life was designing, inventing, but also he was obsessed with efficiency. That was one thing that drove him crazy was wasted time, wasted resources, wasted effort. He really was obsessed with efficiency.” — Morty Hodge [0:04:44]
“After the assembly line was introduced, the cost of the car went from $825 in 1908, down to $260 in 1925.” — Morty Hodge [0:09:39]
“I just can’t believe that Henry Ford, one of the most wealthy people at the time, used a huge chunk of his money to preserve these historical artifacts, these historical homes, historical buildings. He didn’t want to leave that up to the government to protect, he didn’t trust them.” — Morty Hodge [0:21:55]
“Henry Ford had a huge impact on American manufacturing. He had a huge impact on worldwide manufacturing, but he also had a very, very positive impact on America, and the social and the conscious efforts at that time.” — Morty Hodge [0:24:38]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
The Industrial Movement on Facebook
The Industrial Movement on LinkedIn
Episode 4: Rodney Davenport
If you’ve ever been curious about the world of plastics manufacturing, you’ve come to the right place! Today on the show we welcome Rodney Davenport, Vice President of CH3 Solutions, a plastic molding company that was founded in 2015 through The Recreational Group and has continued to grow ever since. In our conversation with Rodney, we discuss his passion for plastic, how that led him to the field of manufacturing, and why he loves his industry. Tuning in you’ll hear a breakdown of their day-to-day operations as well as some of the amazing products they offer, including a unique service where customers can design their own custom products! Rodney explains why he is a firm believer in giving his employees the freedom to do a good job and how their work culture has helped to attract talented workers. Later, we take a look at their most vital equipment, from a high-quality molding machine to a good air compressor and water system, and discover why energy efficiency is such a high priority at CH3 Solutions. Rodney also shares his passion for education and why he thinks it’s crucial for young people to get excited about manufacturing and learn about the innovations taking place in the field. Tune in today for a fascinating conversation on manufacturing, leadership, and much more!
Interview with Rodney Davenport, Vice President of CH3 Solutions
Episode 04 New: Show Notes
If you’ve ever been curious about the world of plastics manufacturing, you’ve come to the right place! Today on the show we welcome Rodney Davenport, Vice President of CH3 Solutions, a plastic molding company that was founded in 2015 through The Recreational Group and has continued to grow ever since. In our conversation with Rodney, we discuss his passion for plastic, how that led him to the field of manufacturing, and why he loves his industry. Tuning in you’ll hear a breakdown of their day-to-day operations as well as some of the amazing products they offer, including a unique service where customers can design their own custom products! Rodney explains why he is a firm believer in giving his employees the freedom to do a good job and how their work culture has helped to attract talented workers. Later, we take a look at their most vital equipment, from a high-quality molding machine to a good air compressor and water system, and discover why energy efficiency is such a high priority at CH3 Solutions. Rodney also shares his passion for education and why he thinks it’s crucial for young people to get excited about manufacturing and learn about the innovations taking place in the field. Tune in today for a fascinating conversation on manufacturing, leadership, and much more!
Key Points From This Episode:
Introducing today’s guest Rodney Davenport and how his fascination with plastics led him to the field of manufacturing.
Hear how Rodney joined The Recreational Group and subsequently founded the custom injections molding company, CH3 Solutions.
Rodney’s passion for educating young people about manufacturing as a career.
Insights into what Rodney’s day-to-day looks like at CH3.
Some of the positive outcomes that CH3 experienced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rodney’s unique combination of instituting a corporate structure while still giving the benefits of a mom-and-pop shop.
CH3’s no waste policy and how they recycle and reuse everything.
Rodney shares the training that he and his team have benefited from the most, and what he recommends.
Insights into how CH3 is run, and the freedom it affords its employees.
Rodney’s open-door policy for all his clients and why he doesn’t believe in a false open-door policy.
How CH3 and The Recreational Group’s excellent work culture has helped attract exceptional talent.
What a typical day looks like at CH3.
A breakdown of the products and tiles that CH3 makes.
How CH3 allows customers to design their own products and how they manufacture and deliver those.
Some of the shows and locations where you can see CH3 products.
Rodney shares his favorites of their customized products.
Some of the initiatives and best practices that CH3 monitors to maintain efficiency.
Insights into the equipment that CH3 uses in its operations.
Why a quality plastic molding machine is essential, as well as a good air compressor and water system.
The role of robots and automation at CH3.
Some of the ways that CH3 ensures energy efficiency at their plant.
The number one myth that Rodney wants to debunk about his industry: that it’s dirty.
A timeline for designing, producing, and delivering one of their most popular products: a basketball court.
What Rodney expects for CH3 in the next ten years.
Rodney’s advice for manufacturing leaders: listen to your people.
Tweetables:
“We have to figure out, how are we going to adapt to draw people into manufacturing, it's not doom and gloom, it's not dark in a dungeon than it used to be, you can make a good salary. You don't have to go into debt to do it. It's exciting. It's challenging. It's innovative.” — Rodney Davenport [0:05:50]
“How do you keep people? You’ve got to be engaged. Any survey you take, salary is not number one. It’s never number one. You want to be challenged. You want to enjoy your work. You want to get paid well, which usually is third or fourth.” — Rodney Davenport [0:20:22]
“The system is so easy to use but it's a completely closed-loop system. So, you don't have the evaporation like an open tower. We don't lose any water. We don't waste any water.” — Rodney Davenport [0:32:08]
“I wish there was more innovation in our field. I wish young people would be like, ‘Man, I just want to get in there and innovate the manufacturing, whether it's making disc brakes or making plastic parts like me, or making cars or whatever.’ We don't glorify it enough and I think it needs to be.” — Rodney Davenport [0:35:34]
“Maybe there's a kid out there that doesn't have the opportunity to go to college and thinks all is lost, I'm only going to go work at fast food and make $5 an hour, whatever. No, you can make really good money in manufacturing. You can really grow in manufacturing.” — Rodney Davenport [0:36:21]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Manufacturers Association of Plastic Processors
The Industrial Movement on Facebook
The Industrial Movement on LinkedIn
Episode 03: Adam Mashburn
Adam Mashburn is the Maintenance Supervisor at Makita Tools manufacturing plant in Buford, GA. Adam discuss his career path to Makita, including his time at Levi's and Snap-On Tools. Adam also shares some cool historical facts about his family.
Interview with Adam Mashburn, Maintenance Supervisor, Makita Tools
Episode 4: Show Notes
Have you ever wondered if Makita Tools uses Makita tools to make Makita tools? Well, today’s guest has the answer! In this episode, we are joined by Adam Mashburn, Second Shift Maintenance Supervisor at Makita Tools. Adam shares the touching story of how repairing sewing machines with his dad sparked his passion for manufacturing and led him into the world of engineering technology and his current role at Makita Tools. He explains some of the biggest challenges he has faced in his role, some of the lessons he’s learned from it, and shares his advice for anybody wanting to pursue a similar career. Adam also sheds light on the company structure at Makita Tools, what his day-to-day activities typically entail, and how the company’s preventative maintenance schedules work, as well as the safety programs and protocols that they have in place and how they are expanding into two new buildings to make room for growth. For an insightful look into the inner workings of Makita Tools, tune in today!
Key Points From This Episode:
An introduction to Adam Mashburn and how he discovered his passion for manufacturing.
How he came to work for Makita Tools and what his role entails.
The best resources that have helped Adam along his journey.
Some of the biggest challenges that he has faced in his role at Makita.
Adam’s advice to somebody who wants to pursue a similar career.
Insight into the company structure and use of temporary employees at Makita Tools.
Some of the biggest lessons that Adam has learned over his career.
How communication is often the most challenging problem in any role in manufacturing.
The key elements to running a smooth operation.
Insight into Adam’s family’s fascinating genealogy.
Some of his typical day-to-day activities and how the overall process works.
Insight into Makita’s preventative maintenance schedules and the tech they use to keep track.
Get a glimpse into the catalog of tools that they manufacture at Makita Tools.
Some of the safety programs and protocols that Makita has in place.
Learn about the tools that they use and how they use Makita tools to make Makita tools.
Some of Makita’s energy efficiency initiatives.
Adam debunks the myth that maintenance people are lazy.
Why Makita is building two new buildings to make room for growth.
What Adam would choose if he could have one thing automatically approved in 2022’s budget.
How Makita has been affected by supply chain issues.
How Adam uses a Makita drill on a daily basis.
Tweetables:
“I would encourage getting a trade. Go for machining or electrical. I think electrical is a really big thing to go for these days. If you can get some kind of education on electrical, that will take you a long ways.” — Adam Mashburn [0:08:37]
“Be patient. Don’t let your frustrations overtake you. If you get frustrated, it puts blinders on you and you can’t look at the big picture and it makes it a lot harder to find the source of the problem.” — Adam Mashburn [0:09:26]
“I feel like one of the biggest challenges [was] communication. I feel like communication is always the most challenging problem in every role in manufacturing that I’ve ever had.” — Adam Mashburn [0:10:02]
“A lot of people say that maintenance people are lazy and they don’t do a whole lot, and I can assure you that is definitely not the case!” — Adam Mashburn [0:25:43]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Engineering Technology at Western Carolina University
The Industrial Movement on Facebook
The Industrial Movement on Twitter
The Industrial Movement on LinkedIn
Episode 02: Nathan Brooks
Nathan Brooks, the Controls Engineer with Mercedes-Benz manufacturing plant in Vance, AL. Nathan shares with us his career path and some leading edge technology that Mercedes-Benz leverages to maintain their competitive advantage over their competition.
Interview with Controls Engineer at Mercedes-Benz
Episode 3: Show Notes
As cars continue to evolve, so too must the manufacturing processes and assembly lines that produce them. Nathan Brooks is a Control Engineer for Mercedes Benz, and is therefore in the position of designing some of the world’s most state-of-the-art systems for automobile manufacturing. Nathan joins us on the show to speak about how he got to where he is as well as share a few of the exciting problems and technologies he works with daily. We kick things off by hearing about Nathan’s early days as an electrician’s apprentice in Michigan and how it introduced him to debugging industrial electronics. Making the transition into software was the natural next step for him and we hear about how he worked in this capacity by building and installing assembly lines in the automotive industry. We fast forward to Nathan’s position at Mercedes and get an inside glance into the high-end technologies he is currently designing. He talks about a new assembly line model and a system for tracking errors he designed, and shares many of the other fascinating problems on the forefront of technology he gets to solve. We speak about the move toward Manufacturing 4.0 and Nathan stresses the central role that big data and machine learning will play in this journey. So for all this and a lot more in this great conversation about cutting-edge technology with Nathan, tune in today!
Key Points From This Episode:
Nathan’s experience as an electrician’s apprentice debugging and rewiring old machines.
The early exposure Nathan got to industrial electronics and how he moved into automotive software.
How Nathan built and installed assembly lines for different engineering companies.
The processes around adjusting assembly lines and how walls and relays work.
What the work Nathan does for Mercedes involves: supervising the control room operators.
A new manufacturing line system Nathan designed that uses two of everything.
The influence of Mercedes Benz on high-end manufacturing and how they are at the forefront.
The day-to-day challenges of a Control Engineer in an automated manufacturing facility.
A full-stack application Nathan designed to track and isolate faults in the assembly lines.
Nathan’s perspectives on training versus learning on the job through trial and error.
Advice from Nathan for manufacturers about the importance of capturing data.
How Nathan sees himself as primarily a problem solver and why he loves it so much.
The AI that Nathan is helping Mercedes build and what the future holds.
Thoughts on future technologies like flying cars and how to power them efficiently.
Cool new features in the Mercedes workshops like AGVs and the possibilities they offer.
The relationship between the American and German Mercedes groups.
Which piece of equipment Nathan would get if he could have anything approved in his budget.
Why predictive analytics is everybody’s top priority in the move toward manufacturing 4.0.
Tweetables:
“Right now, I'm responsible for the controls room.” — Nathan Brooks [0:07:48]
“We are going to be all-electric by 2030. Which is interesting because Daimler Mercedes invented the combustion engine.” — Nathan Brooks [0:11:35]
“Those kinds of problems happen pretty typically. The technology changes or the requirement changes and it becomes more complex and we have to create a solution to facilitate or accommodate that.” — Nathan Brooks [0:14:55]
“I always want to follow the problems. If there is a problem I want to be there to solve it. I’m not the guy that is going to be turning a lot of screwdrivers. I’m the guy that is going to be solving problems that don’t already have answers. That’s where my niche is.” — Nathan Brooks [0:21:15]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
The Industrial Movement on Twitter
The Industrial Movement on Facebook
Episode 01: Al Adkins
Al Adkins is the Operations Manager at Norcross Tag Company in Jefferson, GA.
Interview with Operations/Production Manager of Norcross Tag Company
Episode 1: Show Notes
Welcome to the first episode of The Industrial Movement podcast, where we discuss the people, processes, and equipment that drives American manufacturing! Today we are proud to invite Al Adkins from Norcross Tag Company to talk about the history of the business and his experience of the company as the Operations and Production Manager. Norcross is a family-owned business that is keeping it old-school in the truest sense. Much of our discussion is spent learning about the time-tested processes used at Norcross and their place as a smaller player who is still holding their own within the tag industry as a whole. We kick things off by hearing about how Norcross began in the basement of a Church in Doraville in 1965 soon after Al’s parents met and fell in love. Al takes us through the deals his father cut to get the business off the ground, and how the family got more involved as things took off. We talk about the presses that are used at Norcross, and what goes into their operation and maintenance. Our conversation also covers the use of tags within manufacturing and beyond, how the tags themselves are created at Norcross, and what the future of the tag industry holds. Along the way, Al tells many charming anecdotes about the wholesome connection his family has to the business. So, be sure to join us for a conversation that is both heartwarming and enlightening!
Key Points From This Episode:
The story of how Al’s parents met and how this led to the founding of Norcross Tag Company.
How the Adkins family built their business and developed their processes as the company grew.
Dealing with haggling customers and surviving while other tag companies get bought up.
The many hats that Al wears in the business and what a typical day at Norcross looks like.
How inconsistent the print industry is and has always been.
The use of manifold tags for tracking processes with different stages.
A description of the order sizes Norcross handles and what constitutes a big or small one.
The old-school and time-tested administration and manufacturing processes at Norcross.
How the presses that Norcross uses work and the different companies that manufacture them.
The individualistic nature of each press and the respect Al has for his operators.
What an ideal press operator should look like and how Al just acquired a rocket scientist.
The wide range of uses that tags used to have and how things have changed.
Al’s thoughts on the future of the tag industry and how it relies on the survival of manufacturing.
The effects of COVID on the tag business and how material costs are rising.
Advice from Al about what it takes to be a manager and entrepreneur in manufacturing.
How listeners can get in touch with Al and learn more about Norcross.
Tweetables:
“My first job there was cutting paper and moving boxes and it’s still doing all of the above plus everything else from cleaning the toilet to cutting the grass. Matter of fact, I got to go cut the grass this afternoon.” — Al Adkins [0:07:35]
“There is no day that is the same other than turning the lights on at the beginning and cutting them off at the end of the day. That is the only thing I would say is consistent about the printing industry.” — Al Adkins [0:14:26]
“We don’t do any automation. With the exception of having a computer printed out order everything is done exactly the same way we did it back in 1965.” — Al Adkins [0:19:39]
“As long as there is manufacturing in the country there will be a need for tags.” — Al Adkins [0:42:34]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Norcross Tag Company Phone Number — 706 367 4763
Introduction
“Manufacturing in America is what built this country, made this country strong, and as we
continue into the next few decades and century, we really need to bolster manufacturing in
America to continue our place in the world.” —Morty Hodge
The Industrial Movement Podcast
Episode 00: Show Notes
Recognizing the lack of a community where manufacturing leaders can share ideas and engage
with each other, Morty Hodge and Greg Smith decided to start this podcast. In this introductory
episode, they explain how they realized the need amongst leaders in manufacturing for a
podcast like this, and the revelation that many of the challenges that they face are consistent
from company to company. To find out more about our hosts and their experience in
manufacturing, as well as what you can expect from future episodes, tune in today!
Key Points From This Episode:
• The reason Morty and Greg started this podcast: the lack of a community where
manufacturing leaders can share ideas and engage with each other.
• The realization that many of the challenges that manufacturing leaders face are consistent
from company to company.
• The types of interviews and solo-casts that you can expect from the podcast in the future.
• An introduction to Greg and his background in manufacturing.
• An introduction to Morty and how he started Hodge Compressor.
• Some of the big companies that will be represented by guests in future episodes.
Tweetables:
“What we found out working with our customer base who is 80% manufacturers, is that there’s
no community, or not very many communities, for manufacturing leaders to share ideas, engage
with each other, just bounce ideas off of.” — @mortyhodge [0:00:27]
“Manufacturing is so critical in this country to keep our economy going.” — Greg Smith [0:03:34]
“Manufacturing in America is what built this country, made this country strong, and as we
continue into the next few decades and century, we really need to bolster manufacturing in
America to continue our place in the world.” — @mortyhodge [0:06:52]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
The Industrial Movement on Facebook
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