Manufacturers Make Strides: Recent Episodes
Martin Griffiths
Absolutely, here’s a more to-the-point version:
Meet Bhavik Shah: Driving Innovation in Vehicle Electrification
Bhavik Shah, Business Growth Manager at Unipart Automotive, has over 30 years in automotive manufacturing and a decade in vehicle electrification. In this episode, we discuss the future of vehicle electrification, critical factors for transitioning businesses, and the evolving EV supply chain.
Bhavik shares insights on fostering innovation, the role of mentoring, and integrating energy systems in manufacturing. He also addresses challenges faced by SMEs and large corporations, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness in boosting creativity and productivity.
Gain valuable knowledge from an industry leader. Don’t miss Bhavik’s expert advice and inspiring journey. Listen now!
Martin Griffiths,
Co-Founder
Metis Automation
https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/
Meet Mark Whitten: The Mastermind Behind Spartanburg Steel 2.0
There’s a difference between being a business owner and being a true entrepreneur; the latter has a passion, a spark, a hunger to drive their legacy forward and make a lasting difference in their industry. Mark Whitten is one such individual. His commitment to not just his company – but the people and culture behind it – is truly inspirational.
I was lucky enough to get the chance to chat with Mark, President & CEO of Spartanburg Steel. Mark took over this 40-year-old ship two years ago, and it was clear that change was urgent. After ending up in manufacturing by accident, Mark found it his responsibility to conquer SSP’s recent hardships and transform it into the 2.0 powerhouse it is today.
In this exclusive interview, Mark reveals his best-kept secrets behind what goes into building a successful team – which is his number one priority and the driving force behind his business’s success. He also exposes his thought processes behind true performance, along with the value of hard work and determination, explaining how he grew from an hourly employee in a manufacturing facility to the industry authority he is today.
Mark truly has some invaluable insights to share, including the monthly habits he and his team implement to sustain the success they’ve worked so hard to build. This is not an interview you’ll want to miss out on. Hit the button to check it out right now!
Martin Griffiths,
Co-Founder
Metis Automation https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/
Just as there’s a storyteller behind every novel, every car on the road is made possible by the manufacturers of steel and aluminium. But not every manufacturer is created equal…
Led by Arun Thandapani, Hirschvogel is a pioneering steel and aluminium part supplier that’s changing the face of the sector as we know it. Arun and his team are taking the technological side of manufacturing to the next level, leveraging the manpower-freeing potential of automation to meet evolving industry demand.
In this eye-opening interview, Arun reveals how he and his team are going where no metal manufacturer has gone before – connecting data points to reality. By deriving meaningful insights hidden behind data, Arun and his crew are bringing the industry better results than ever before.
Listen to Arun's story here!
Martin Griffiths,
Co-Founder
Metis Automation https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/
The way we move never stays the same for very long. Humans have transitioned from foot to carriage to car, and now, P.J Tezza is escorting mankind into the next generation of mobility – ModVans – the result of 1000+ hours of work and an unrelenting refusal to take no for an answer.
In this fascinating interview, P.J reveals how he turned his background in physics and software engineering into a powerhouse manufacturer that configures 10 vans a week – a number they plan to shoot up to 100 in the not-so-distant future. And to think – it all began with P.J configuring his own van for himself, made to maintain luxury, comfort, and convenience on the open road.
As an intrinsic problem-solver, P.J wanted to give America a way to move, work, and play in one multi-purpose family vehicle that’s beautiful, functional and redefines the word “modular”. No matter the nature of the van before them, the ModVans' team have the knowledge, experience, and self-taught grit to transform it into something America has never seen before.
Listen to P.Js' incredible journey here!
Martin Griffiths,
Co-Founder
Metis Automation https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/
E-vehicles were once considered the future of mobility. Now, it’s solidly a present reality for drivers around the world. Countless drivers are now hopping into electric or hybrid cars, trucks, and buses instead of their fossil-fuelled powered counterparts.
However, what is the future for e-vehicles? Tony Sufler, the VP of Ops and MD at Momentum Dynamics, might just have the answer. He’s the developer of a new, innovative way to wirelessly charge electric vehicles of all shapes and sizes. His pioneering idea might just be the step towards electric vehicles that can be operated for 24 hours a day!
If you want to find out more about how Tony started his career at tier-one automotive suppliers, and worked himself up to VP at one of the leading innovators in the EV market, tune in now! We’ll talk electric vehicles, charging changes, and the future of driving.
Martin Griffiths,
Co-Founder
Metis Automation https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/
Automation is one of the hottest topics in the engineering and manufacturing industries. The speed, efficiency, and potential hurdles of automation are the points of discussion on every agenda.
Today we’re talking to the co-founder of an online platform that’s making job accessibility in the age of automation a very real and very lucrative opportunity for automation engineers in America.
Hear what Tony Wallace has to say about why automation is happening at break-neck speeds, how automation engineers and PLC programmers can stay ahead of the career game, and how America is joining the conversation.
If you’d like to learn more about Tony’s career from contractor to co-founder of Automateamerica.com, then listen to our podcast as we talk about career moves, online platforms for programming professionals, and thoughts on automation as the future of America.
Let’s get right into it!
Martin Griffiths,
Co-Founder
Metis Automation https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/
Technology has made incredible progress in the past few years. It makes our lives faster, simpler, and easier than ever. Even the way we park and drive our cars has become effortless thanks to sensitive motion detectors and sensors.
Unfortunately, there never seems to be the perfect solution. Even these innovative sensors can become dirty or clogged, which renders them ineffective or, worse, useless!
That is where Actasys comes in to save the day. This innovative automotive marketing start-up is working towards creating high-pressure directional jets that will help keep those sensors working sensationally.
I spoke to Miles Flamenbaum, the CEO of Actasys, about their work, their manufacturing processes, and even how they’re planning to licence their brand-new solution to OEMs. If you’d like to join the conversation and learn more about how entrepreneurial creativity is the invaluable skill of the day, then follow along!
Martin Griffiths,
Co-Founder
Metis Automation https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/
What are some of the secrets to a successful manufacturing start-up that will not quit? What key lessons will help you break into the space with confidence?
John LaFleur, CEO of Fleur Consulting brings a wealth of inter-disciplinary skills to the worktable. Not only did he lead the development of the very first full-size, full-electric pickup truck, but he also helped his teams touch on effective and sustainable development that ranges from engineering to design, purchasing, and everything in between.
Listen to our podcast to find out more about how the potential for life-changing success that can be achieved when you know where and when to start working.
Martin Griffiths,
Co-Founder
Metis Automation https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/
Draw. Inspect. Fail. Repeat. There are few things as frustrating in the engineering and development fields as the usually painful and ever-repetitive process of creating drawings from CAD models.
That’s where Vin Kettay and Brian Gullette of Vectra Automation are coming in hot. Instead of spending hours draughting, inspecting, and ultimately redoing designs, they’re simplifying the process with the first robotic process automation platform. Now, that previously painful process becomes faster, more accurate, and less likely to result in mistakes in the actual manufacturing process.
So, why does that matter? With their pioneering system, companies and engineers around the world can do their part to cut down on scrap and ramp up productivity to create and deliver the products that could just change the world.
Want to find out more about the wonders of engineering technology right now? Listen on!
Martin Griffiths,
Co-Founder
Metis Automation https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/
Our world is facing some incredibly pressing issues at the moment, and manufacturing companies around the globe are looking for new ways to solve them. Sustainability – and how to achieve it as quickly and as effectively as possible – is the topic of the day.
According to Rajiv Bongirwar, CEO of Hemraj Consulting, the only way to reach our sustainability targets is by making design, safety, and security, priorities from the very beginning.
During our chat, Rajiv and I discuss his history in the Indian Naval Defence League, his training, and how his experiences with global aerospace and automotive companies in the U.S. were shaped by his love of pushing boundaries.
Stick around to find out more about Rajiv Bongirwar’s thoughts, ideas, and hopes for a more sustainable future as discussed in the latest instalment of the Manufacturers Making Strides Podcast.
Martin Griffiths,
Co-Founder Metis Automation https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have your very own autonomous robot doing chores for you? You don’t have to wonder anymore.
Autonomous robots are becoming increasingly popular in the UK – and one of the most prevalent is the new autonomous robotic lawnmowers that are being developed by Kingdom Technologies.
I chatted to Tony Day, the head of mechanical engineering at Kingdom Technologies, to pick his brain about planning, designing, and prototyping the revolutionary automatic robotic lawnmowers that are being used by city councils, universities, and golf clubs across the country.
Listen to the podcast now to find out more about what these robots are up to!
Martin Griffiths,
Co-Founder
Metis Automation https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/
Public transport, shipping, and international travel are all transforming to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly – but what happens when you think smaller? What about shorter, faster trips that don’t necessarily warrant hopping on a bus or train to get somewhere?
Jez Williman’s UK-based company is here to make those trips a reality. D-Fly is transforming the way individual people move, by building an innovative new electric scooter that shoots to the shops, to the beach, and to the drive-through in a more individualistic and sustainable way. However, people aren’t just doing quick trips – they’re doing everything from doughnuts to wheelies.
Want to know more about this strangely sustainable new solution to how we move? Then join us for another exciting instalment of Manufacturers Makes Strides and find out how Jez Williman is changing the future of mobility for the individual, one spunky little scooter at a time.
Martin Griffiths,
Co-Founder
Metis Automation https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/
What would life be like if owning a car wasn’t the norm?
I had the chance to speak to Antonio about the past, present, and future of the sustainable automotive manufacturing industry across the world, and as a globally renowned visionary in his industry, Antonio believes that we’re about to see some incredible changes sooner than we’d think.
In this interview, we’re talking about how the idea of getting from A to B trumps vehicle ownership, what that means for car dealerships and manufacturers, and how the endless search for commodity is going to transform the way we move.
Want to know more about how Antonio has helped – and will continue to help – manufacturers transform their supply chains to suit an ever-changing market? Then listen to the podcast, and let’s talk sustainability.
Martin Griffiths,
Co-Founder
Metis Automation https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/
How do you successfully bring manufacturing back to the UK when the sole source of sound equipment has been produced abroad for decades? How do you survive a lockdown when speakers are what you make for a living? These are just some of the many adversities Andrew Bishop has faced and conquered in his life.
I’m excited to have had the opportunity to speak with Andrew, founder and CEO over at BishopSound – a proudly local-based manufacturer of reliable, affordable speakers for public and private performance. Andrew is trailblazing the industry by getting everything done at home in the UK, reimagining the future of local manufacturing once and for all.
To say Andrew has some fascinating stories to share would be an understatement. You don’t want to miss out on Andrew’s story of bringing his production back to the UK. Hit the button below to listen to this awe-inspiring podcast right now.
I spoke to Manoli Yannaghas, who is the CEO and co-founder of VoltVision, to find out more about what sustainability in manufacturing means, and how we can use data to reduce our corporate carbon footprints.
Manoli, who has more than two decades of industry-specific experience, shares some of his company’s goals for the future, his thoughts on reaching net-zero, and some actionable tips on how to cut costs you didn’t even know you were spending. He explains how to cut up to 20% of operations, how to overcome challenges as a start-up and more.
Listen to the podcast to hear what he has to say!
What would you give to be able to effortlessly gain the wisdom that others have spent decades earning? What would the guidance of an industry leader mean to you as a professional?
Jim Fairbairn is an experienced manufacturing and design expert with decades of experience, endless pearls of leadership wisdom, and a deep-seated passion for helping people and businesses grow.
His strong will and unique approach to what he does are what give him his edge and ability to reframe almost any situation or challenge into an opportunity.
According to Jim, being able to build a legacy as a leader means being able to retain the fundamentals of leadership while evolving with younger workforces who value proactiveness and innovation. To learn more about Jim’s experience, wisdom, and advice for current and aspiring leaders, listen to the podcast now!
There’s quite a lot already happening in manufacturing, and the process itself is complicated enough as it is. But what really affects the bottom line, is how you manage these processes. An MES is the best option if you want to effectively manage your operations with automated data collection, organised digital filing, and accessibility.
But how would you go about implementing an MES?
It’s only normal to have reservations before implementing a new structure into your business, but it’s also important to remember the positive extent at which your company will flourish once you have a clear, efficient system. If you can monitor, track, and improve your operations, software solutions is your best bet to regain total control.
Listen to this episode to learn more about the five steps to getting started on implementing an MES into your company.
When implementing any new system into your manufacturing process, there are quite a few elements to consider before you introduce something that doesn’t suit your company’s needs. There’s no question that an MES adds value to any given manufacturing company, but this type of system offers an extensive list of functionalities, which is why you need to establish exactly what they can do and how they can benefit your specific company.
Before disrupting your operations by implementing a new system, it’s important to consider all the variables.
In this episode, we cover the five key areas an MES can add value to your business. We also explore some specific features and functionalities of this type of system. Be sure to check it out or continue reading our blog to get the lowdown on how an MES can benefit your company.
Many components of business have changed over the past few decades. Business culture is a lot more informal, and there is a substantial focus on including various departments in business developments. So, where there used to be a very high level of hierarchy in business, leaders are now starting to leverage all levels of operation to increase productivity and innovation.
One of the biggest facets of improving culture, and therefore productivity, is to approach people at a “human” or emotional level while also incorporating the appropriate amount of factual communication.
We interviewed experienced MD, advisor, and coach, Paul Myerscough, on what he thinks the key principles are of good coaching and leadership to improve business culture.
Listen to our podcast interview or continue reading the blog to find out how you can utilise leadership, coaching, and data to improve your business culture and increase productivity throughout your manufacturing processes.
How are you keeping track of and controlling your manufacturing process? And how are you ensuring every single step is monitored and running smoothly?
There are many departments running under one manufacturing operation, which means there’s most likely room for error – especially if you’re collecting data and controlling the process manually. Gone are the days where one person can be responsible for sales, accounting, and technical work, while keeping a record of everything.
Every process needs some sort of system to ensure everything is on-track and running smoothly. A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is the best way to do so. Not only does it help you keep track of your processes, but it also provides valuable insight for other departments as well.
Want to know more? Watch our video or read our blog to get the full lowdown on what MES is and how it will help you take, and keep, control of your manufacturing processes.
What safety protocols does your business follow?
Safety is an incredibly important part of running a business for both employees and customers.
Why for the latter?
Because people only trust businesses who follow the correct procedures – and keep a record of them.
In our latest podcast, we talk to Safety Evolution CEO, David Brennan, about workplace safety, the most common mistakes people make, and how to implement the right safety protocols in the workplace. So, be sure to listen to this episode to learn more!
Did you know that by sustaining good manufacturing practices, your company can increase its operational efficiency, reach new clientele, increase your competitive advantage, and even reduce overall costs?
You see, you have a choice: To either adopt these so-called sustainable practices for a few weeks or months or implement and follow through in the months and years to come. You need to make good manufacturing practices a part of your company’s DNA!
I recently had a sit-down with good manufacturing processes consultant Tomas Brignell of IMIG, UK, to discuss his view on how businesses can successfully implement and continue with these practices in the long-term.
He explained that in order to successfully follow through with such a plan, there is a four-step method that’ll really help you and your manufacturing team.
To learn more about this four-step method, listen to this episode and find out how you can benefit from sustaining good manufacturing processes.
You can reach Tom from IMIG on their website https://www.imig.com/en/, or on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/imig-uk-ltd/
Manufacturing travellers are product document packs where every single manufacturing process is recorded for tracking and component purposes. These travellers have always worked well in terms of tracking and quality assurance, but are you perhaps wasting time with duplicate entries?
Think about it, if you need to find specific entries or data, you’ll have to sort through all the doubles to finally get to the relevant data you’re looking for. So, what is the most efficient way of completing manufacturing travellers without worrying about duplicate or pointless information?
In this episode, we’re going to discuss the four key features to include in a manufacturing traveller to ensure all your processes are running at optimal productivity.
Follow this link for tools: https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/manufacturing-traveler/
Martin Griffiths, Co-Founder
Metis Automation
https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/
Are you in control of your manufacturing capacity?
Can your manufacturing process keep up with demand and within customers’ timelines?
Businesses are so focused on constantly boosting sales and growing the business, they often forget about ensuring the manufacturing part can keep up with the selling part.
In this episode, we’re going to explore six ways you can perform capacity planning in your manufacturing process, to ensure you meet the demands of your customers while making the revenue you need.
Follow this link for tools: https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/man...
Martin Griffiths, Co-Founder Metis Automation https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/
Control is an imperative part of any manufacturing process, and reducing variation is a big step in ensuring control. Why? Because variation is a clear indicator that your manufacturing process is out of control. A high-quality process means the difference between delivering a good or bad product. And if you do end up stopping the process in its tracks before a potentially bad delivery, it could mean double the work, resulting in double the expenses.
The bottom line is this: Reducing variation is a big first step in improving the quality of manufacturing processes – from quantifying the effects to looking at the process itself, and more. We have five easy-to-follow steps at your disposal for you to learn how to reduce variation and deliver excellent products. Be sure to listen to this episode to get the scoop on these five steps!
Martin Griffiths, Co-Founder
Metis Automation
http://www.metisautomation.co.uk/
Many companies around the world lose billions each year due to downtime. Machine downtime is an unintended reduction or halt in a production process or machine. There are numerous reasons why this can happen, but the main question is, how can you reduce or even avoid machine downtime?
In this episode, I have outlined five key steps you can take to address machine downtime systematically to ensure your processes run optimally and effectively.
Follow this link for tools: https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/reduce-machine-downtime/
Martin Griffiths, Co-Founder
Metis Automation
https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/
Visual product inspection is critical, but we’re all only human – and humans are prone to error. While your factory likely has plenty of verification testing and automated inspections in place, it’s not uncommon for problems to continue slipping through the cracks. Thankfully, there are 4 simple steps you can take to ensure better cosmetic inspections, now and in the future.
In this episode, I will give you the insight you need to do a better visual inspection of products, and the changes you need to make might be a lot simpler than you think.
Follow this link for tools: https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/visual-product-inspection/
Martin Griffiths, Co-Founder
Metis Automation
https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/
There’s little worse than having a slow production process. You can easily talk to unproductive employees, but slow machines are a different story altogether. Do you know what you call a process that has one thing slowing it down? A bottleneck.
In order to run a successful manufacturing process, you need to look at possible bottlenecks that might be slowing down other processes in your production line.
In this episode, I will give you four suggestions for improving your machine productivity.
Follow this link for tools: https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/machine-productivity/
Martin Griffiths, Co-Founder
Metis Automation
https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/
What does it mean to have good visibility of your production processes?
Well, simply put, you need to know exactly what’s going on in your production process in order to make the right decisions when it comes down to the crunch. When companies don’t have sufficient visibility, collecting data will become a timely and tedious operation.
What’s more, the data they’re collecting is probably out of date. This means they either can’t make the right decisions, or they’re unknowingly making wrong decisions that could cost them money.
To save your time, money, and valuable assets, you can start by taking small steps towards improving the visibility of your production process. Once you’ve achieved this, you can start focusing on the right areas that need the most improvement, growth, and time.
To be successful, you need to be in control and in the loop of your production process.
So, how do you get yourself into the know?
Listen to this episode to find out the ways you can improve the visibility of your assets, products, people, and processes.
Full blog post here: https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/how-to-improve-the-visibility-of-your-production-processes/
2019 was a dark time for the Takata Corporation.
Why? Manufacturing faults.
Car manufacturer Toyota had to recall 1.7 million vehicles due to airbag faults that Takata supplied. This not only posed huge safety risks for drivers but could directly affect Toyota’s reputation. Because of Takata’s manufacturing mistake, they eventually had to file for bankruptcy…
Turns out, according to Wikipedia, Takata admitted in 2014 that their Mexican subsidiary had mishandled the manufacturing of explosive propellants and also unethically stored airbag chemicals. Not only did they have to identify which vehicles had these failures, but they also had to pay the ultimate price.
What about the customer? The customer who specifically buys a vehicle for its safety? This same customer will forever be hesitant to purchase any car, never mind a Toyota!
These types of preventable manufacturing mistakes frustrate, annoy, and eliminate trust between customer and manufacturer. They are also low-hanging fruit for business improvement. After all, what is easier than solving a solvable problem?
You might not realise it yet, but identifying several concurrent mistakes in your manufacturing process, or having several product returns, is already the first step to preventing them. If you know there is potential for failure, it means you already know more about your manufacturing process than most.
Now that you’ve successfully determined that something is off, you can go about resolving the issue and preventing it from happening again.
But how do you go about actually solving the problem?
The answer might or might not be as simple as you think, but it’s achievable either way. You need to approach these mistakes in a systemised way to create significant impact, and fast!
Check out this episode to discover a 5-step system on detecting and preventing mistakes in your manufacturing process.
Full blog here: https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/detect-and-prevent-manufacturing-mistakes/