Manufacturing the Future

Leaf Home's Michael Matisz on Building a 48-Hour Nationwide Supply Chain Network

Meet Michael Matisz, Vice President of Supply Chain at Leaf Home
"You have to have a component of quality with all the components of speed," says Michael Matisz, Vice President of Supply Chain at Leaf Home. This philosophy has driven Leaf Home's remarkable transformation from a single-product company to North America's largest home improvement enterprise, serving over 2 million households with solutions from gutter protection to water purification and stair lifts.
The home improvement industry traditionally suffers from lengthy delivery and installation timelines, creating customer frustration and slowing business growth. Michael's team tackled this challenge by developing a revolutionary supply chain model that enables Leaf Home to deliver custom solutions anywhere in the United States within 48 hours, allowing installation within the same business week while competitors might take months to complete similar projects.
Leaf Home's journey began with a simple supply chain for their flagship LeafFilter product, consisting of just 12 SKUs and a few vendors. Michael joined in 2015, and helped establish inventory and supplier management systems that positioned the company for the hypergrowth it would experience during the COVID pandemic. Starting with affordable warehouse and transportation management systems costing just $1,000 annually, the company gradually built more sophisticated operations while maintaining its commitment to rapid customer service.
In This Episode
Michael shares practical wisdom on building resilient supply chains despite economic volatility, treating suppliers as strategic partners rather than just vendors, and balancing inventory positions across a hub-and-spoke distribution network. His engineering background provides a unique perspective on understanding supplier operations, while his retail experience from Joann Stores equipped him to manage exponential SKU growth. He also offers valuable insights on forecasting, sustainability initiatives, and creating supply chains flexible enough to navigate everything from seasonal fluctuations to unexpected tariff changes and interest rate impacts.
Topics
Transforming a simple 12-SKU supply chain into a nationwide network that delivers custom home improvement solutions within 48 hours of order placement.
Building strategic vendor partnerships by "selling" suppliers on your company's growth potential rather than just focusing on procurement negotiations.
Implementing a hub-and-spoke distribution model with six locations across North America to ensure 48-72 hour delivery times nationwide.
Leveraging a manufacturing engineering background to better understand supplier operations and align business needs with manufacturing capabilities.
Balancing inventory positions across multiple distribution centers to optimize speed while managing increased inventory investment costs.
Starting with affordable technology solutions that evolve alongside company growth rather than overinvesting initially.
Navigating volatility in forecasting caused by economic factors like Federal Reserve rate changes impacting customer financing options.
Creating redundancy in the supply chain network to provide flexibility for introducing new product lines and expanding into new geographical markets.
Addressing sustainability initiatives through reverse logistics, lifetime product warranties, and minimizing manufacturing waste in plastic-based products.
Identifying opportunities during supply chain disruptions like tariff changes rather than merely reacting defensively to challenging circumstances.
Meta Description
A conversation with Michael Matisz of Leaf Home about how he built a nationwide supply chain network that delivers custom home improvement solutions within 48 hours, fueling the company's transformation into North America's largest home improvement enterprise.
 
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AVI-SPL's Jeremy Codiroli on Building a Data-Driven, Customer-Centric Global Supply Chain

Meet Jeremy Codiroli
"I tell everybody I want to hire on my team that you need to love chaos," says Jeremy Codiroli, VP of Global Supply Chain at AVI-SPL, highlighting his leadership philosophy that has transformed the company's supply chain operations. This embracing of chaos, rather than trying to eliminate it, has become a competitive advantage as his team navigates the complexities of global supply chain management.
AVI-SPL faced significant challenges as a global audio-visual integration company with no dedicated supply chain team. The audio-visual industry traditionally lacked supply chain maturity, with each office handling logistics independently. This fragmented approach created inefficiencies, inconsistencies, and missed opportunities for cost savings and customer satisfaction. Additionally, as the last contractors on job sites, they faced unique scheduling pressures and the risk of technology obsolescence with expensive inventory.
Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Tampa, Florida, AVI-SPL has grown to become the world's largest audio-visual and unified communications integrator, serving 80% of Fortune 100 companies globally. Jeremy joined the company during an acquisition and initially focused on process improvement before recognizing the critical need for dedicated supply chain management. What began as a one-person initiative has rapidly expanded to a global team of over 100 professionals in just 18 months, delivering significant business impact.
In This Episode
In this episode, Jeremy shares how his team is leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI, including a specialized chatbot for international trade decisions and advanced logistics planning systems. He emphasizes the importance of embracing chaos rather than trying to eliminate it, using data to drive every decision, and maintaining a customer-centric approach that passes cost savings directly to clients. Jeremy also discusses their impressive sustainability initiatives, including a 10% reduction in fleet fuel usage and an innovative "hyper-localized" e-waste program. Throughout the conversation, his passion for creating an "elite supply chain" shines through, demonstrating how supply chain excellence can drive competitive advantage in any industry. 
Topics
The importance of embracing chaos in supply chain management rather than trying to eliminate it, creating competitive advantages through adaptability and responsiveness.
How data-driven decision making forms the foundation of all supply chain initiatives, ensuring changes are based on metrics rather than opinions.
The unique challenges of the audio-visual industry, including scheduling pressures as the last contractors on site and the risk of technology obsolescence.
Innovative AI applications including a specialized international trade chatbot trained on company-specific strengths and weaknesses and advanced logistics planning.
The development of a customer-centric supply chain approach that passes cost savings directly to clients and enhances service delivery.
Sustainability initiatives including a 10% reduction in fleet fuel usage and a "hyper-localized" e-waste program that minimizes transportation impact.
Strategies for managing global supply chain complexities across different regions, systems, and capabilities while maintaining consistency.
The importance of upstream data visibility, exemplified by AVI-SPL becoming the first audio-visual integrator to join the Department of Transportation's FLOW program.
Creating a culture of continuous improvement through a no dumb ideas philosophy and the "fail fast, learn fast" approach to innovation.
Meta Description
A conversation with Jeremy Codiroli of AVI-SPL about how he built a data-driven global supply chain organization that embraces chaos, leverages AI innovations, and maintains a customer-centric approach to deliver competitive advantages in the audio-visual integration industry.
 
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Garlock Flexibles' Mohamed El Shami on Balancing Sustainability and Performance in Packaging

Meet Mohamed El Shami, CSCO at Garlock Flexibles
"I feel supply chain is like the brain of the operations," Mohamed El Shami, CSCO at Garlock Flexibles. With a background spanning chemical engineering, sales, R&D, and operations, Shami brings a comprehensive perspective to the packaging industry that he describes as "the Switzerland of packaging" — where technical expertise meets operational strategy.
The flexible packaging industry faces significant challenges in balancing sustainability with performance requirements. As consumer demands shift toward more environmentally friendly options, manufacturers must innovate with materials like mono-layers, reduced gauging, and post-consumer-recycled content while ensuring products remain functional. For produce packaging specifically, maintaining freshness for perishable items becomes an additional complexity that impacts every aspect of the supply chain.
Garlock Flexibles has built its reputation over nearly 40 years as a leader in the packaging industry, with a particular strength in the produce market where they supply approximately 60% of salad kits and fresh-cut vegetables in the US. With manufacturing sites in Massachusetts and Nevada, the company has evolved from a family-owned business to their current position under private equity ownership. Their journey reflects the larger transformation of manufacturing in America, balancing domestic production capabilities with global supply chain realities.
In This Episode
In this episode, Shami explores how Garlock navigates post-pandemic supply chain disruptions through diversified supplier relationships, implements sustainability initiatives without compromising product integrity, and prepares for emerging technologies like AI-supported equipment. He emphasizes that successful supply chain management requires understanding the entire product lifecycle, from raw materials to consumer experience, while maintaining profitability for both Garlock and their partners. His insights provide valuable guidance for manufacturing leaders facing similar challenges in an increasingly complex global marketplace.
Topics
The evolution of supply chain management from pre-COVID to post-COVID, shifting from cost efficiency to material availability and supply security considerations.
How the packaging design process balances product protection requirements with sustainability initiatives like mono-material structures and post-consumer recycled content.
The technology behind flexible packaging manufacturing, including the complex printing and laminating processes that create everyday food packaging products.
Strategies for managing inventory and raw materials for produce packaging, where timing is critical due to the short shelf life of the contents.
The importance of building trust and transparency with both domestic and international suppliers while navigating cultural differences and regulatory requirements.
Key metrics for measuring operational excellence, including overall equipment effectiveness, on-time delivery, and maintaining profitability throughout the supply chain.
How the voice of customer feedback directly influences manufacturing processes and supply chain decisions in the packaging industry.
The anticipated impact of AI-supported equipment on manufacturing operations, knowledge preservation, and attracting a new generation of workers.
The balance between just-in-time production and maintaining safety stock inventory in response to global supply chain disruptions.
Approaches to sustainability that include material innovation, structure simplification, and working within existing recycling infrastructure capabilities.
Get in touch with Mohamed El Shami, CSCO at Garlock Flexibles:  
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Theragenics' Michael Krachon on Precision, Particles, and Patient-Saving Innovation

Meet Michael Krachon, President of Theragenics Interventional
"The manufacturing process itself is challenging because there are really three distinct aspects of it," shares Michael Krachon, President of Theragenics Interventional, in our latest Manufacturing the Future episode. "We have to make the radioisotope itself, then put it into the seeds, and then put the seeds into custom configurations for each patient." This insights-packed conversation reveals the incredible precision required when manufacturing devices smaller than a grain of rice that save lives.
Theragenics tackles a manufacturing challenge like no other: creating medical devices that are tiny, radioactive, and perishable. These brachytherapy seeds, used primarily for cancer treatment, must be manufactured with absolute precision because they'll be implanted directly into patients. The complexity is staggering: managing radiation safety, tracking invisible materials, ensuring perfect quality in something the size of a grain of rice, and dealing with a product that has a limited useful life due to radioactive decay.
Founded over forty years ago, Theragenics has grown into a global manufacturer with one of the country's largest "cyclotron farms" — specialized equipment that creates the radioactive isotopes used in their products. Through multiple acquisitions, including Needle Tech, Galt Medical, and Aerotech, they've diversified their capabilities while maintaining their focus on life-saving medical technology. Over their history, they've manufactured more than 21 million seeds, a massive production volume that, as Michael notes with wonder, "would all fit in almost a cigar box."
In This Episode
In this fascinating conversation, Michael takes listeners behind the scenes of this highly specialized manufacturing operation. From the stringent radiation safety protocols that protect workers to the challenges of supply chain management for components measured in fractions of millimeters, the episode reveals manufacturing excellence at its most precise. Michael also discusses how emerging technologies like AI, targeted robotics, and 3D printing are opening new possibilities for Theragenics while they maintain the extraordinary quality standards necessary when manufacturing devices that patients' lives depend on. It's a rare glimpse into a manufacturing environment where there's no room for error — because getting it right means saving lives.
Topics
The unique challenges of manufacturing radioisotope-based medical devices that are simultaneously tiny, radioactive, and perishable with strict time constraints.
How Theragenics operates one of the country's largest "cyclotron farms" to create radioisotopes that become components in life-saving cancer treatment devices.
The extensive radiation safety protocols and monitoring technologies implemented to protect employees working with radioactive materials.
Managing precise manufacturing processes for implantable medical devices the size of a grain of rice that must be perfectly made every time.
Balancing innovation with strict regulatory requirements in a field where product quality directly impacts patient outcomes and safety.
Supply chain and inventory management strategies for components measured in fractions of millimeters that cannot use traditional tracking technologies.
The impact of COVID-19 on workforce management and the challenges of rebuilding institutional knowledge after experienced staff turnover.
Future technology applications including AI for production planning, targeted robotics for employee safety, and 3D printing for specialized components.
The critical importance of customization in medical device manufacturing, with each cancer patient receiving a uniquely configured product.
Advice for manufacturing leaders about cross-industry learning, relationship building, and engaging directly with technicians to solve manufacturing challenges.
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Epicor's Lisa Pope on Strategic Career Planning and the Future of ERP Technology

Meet Lisa Pope, recently retired President and Chief Revenue Officer at Epicor
"I think honestly the number one thing is to be client centric at all costs," says Lisa Pope, recently retired President and Chief Revenue Officer at Epicor, encapsulating the mentorship philosophy that has defined her remarkable 40-year career in software technology. Throughout leadership roles at industry giants including NCR, Oracle, QAD, Infor, and ultimately Epicor, Lisa has cultivated a leadership approach centered on empowering teams and maintaining unwavering customer focus.
Today's technology leaders face unprecedented challenges in navigating digital transformation, particularly as artificial intelligence emerges as what Lisa calls the third wave of ERP evolution. After the Y2K and cloud computing revolutions, AI represents a critical inflection point where software providers must seamlessly integrate this technology into their core systems rather than treating it as an add-on. Companies failing to embrace this change risk falling behind competitors who leverage AI to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency.
Lisa's career journey began unexpectedly when Triad Systems (later acquired by Epicor) recruited her after college, initially placing her in customer-facing roles that instilled a deep appreciation for client perspectives. This foundation guided her through multiple leadership positions across the industry, eventually bringing her full circle to Epicor where she helped drive the company's transformation into a billion-dollar cloud technology leader. Under her leadership, Epicor evolved from reactive customer relationships to deep collaborative partnerships, while simultaneously achieving double-digit revenue growth.
In This Episode
Lisa shares invaluable insights on strategic career planning, including the importance of thoughtful job transitions, the value of lateral moves for gaining broader experience, and practical advice for retirement planning. She discusses how mentorship and building diverse professional networks can accelerate career development, while emphasizing that the most sustainable path to organizational success lies in unwavering customer-centricity. For technology leaders navigating today's rapidly evolving landscape, Lisa's experience offers both practical guidance and inspirational perspectives on creating meaningful impact.  
Topics
The evolution of Lisa's 40-year career in software technology, from unexpected beginnings to leading a billion-dollar global enterprise at Epicor.
Strategic approaches to career advancement, including the value of lateral moves to gain broader experience rather than always climbing upward.
The importance of mentorship and building diverse professional networks beyond immediate colleagues to create career opportunities and support.
How artificial intelligence represents the third wave of ERP transformation, following Y2K and cloud computing revolutions in enterprise software.
Practical guidance for retirement planning, including developing a structured approach rather than focusing solely on age or financial milestones.
The transformation of Epicor over eight years from siloed products to integrated solutions, with significant improvements in customer-centricity and financial performance.
Evolution of customer relationships from reactive support to collaborative partnerships, with deeper engagement and value-focused interactions.
Industry consolidation trends and cross-pollination between manufacturing, distribution, and retail sectors creating new competitive challenges.
Work-life balance strategies that incorporate travel and personal interests throughout career development rather than deferring until retirement.
Why unwavering customer centricity at all levels — from frontline staff through executive leadership to the board — remains the cornerstone of sustainable business success. 
For more discussion about the future of AI in ERP, check out Arturo Buzzalino, Epicor Chief Innovation Officer, on the SourceForge podcast.
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MRU Instruments' Alexej Kinderknecht on Revolutionizing Emissions Monitoring for Manufacturing Efficiency

Meet Alexej Kinderknecht, President & Technical Director of MRU Instruments
"Support is what we learned over the last couple of years," reflects Alexej Kinderknecht, President & Technical Director of MRU Instruments, emphasizing how technical innovation must be matched with exceptional customer service to truly transform manufacturing efficiency.
In today's manufacturing landscape, companies face the dual challenge of optimizing their operations while meeting increasingly stringent environmental requirements. This intersection of efficiency and environmental responsibility demands precise, reliable emissions monitoring solutions that can deliver accurate data while being robust enough to handle the harsh conditions of industrial environments.
Alex's journey with MRU Instruments spans over 16 years, starting as an intern in manufacturing before moving through R&D and service roles. His path to leadership was driven by a passion for efficiency and continuous improvement, eventually leading him to oversee US operations where he combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of customer needs.
In This Episode
The episode explores how precision-engineered analyzers are revolutionizing everything from home heating efficiency to industrial-scale emissions monitoring. Alex shares insights on balancing innovation with practical implementation, the critical importance of customer support in technical solutions, and why accuracy in emissions monitoring directly impacts both environmental compliance and operational costs. His perspective highlights how the right combination of technical excellence and customer support can transform environmental requirements from mere compliance issues into opportunities for significant cost savings and operational improvements.
Topics
The evolution of emissions monitoring technology from basic analysis to precision-engineered solutions that help optimize operational efficiency and reduce costs.
The critical role of customer support and practical implementation in ensuring the successful adoption of new monitoring technologies.
How accurate emissions monitoring can lead to significant cost savings by optimizing combustion processes and reducing unnecessary fuel consumption.
The importance of balancing rapid response to urgent customer needs with long-term technology development and innovation.
Strategies for implementing new monitoring technologies while ensuring both regulatory compliance and practical usability for customers.
The impact of EPA regulations and environmental requirements on the development of new monitoring solutions and customer support needs.
How starting as an intern and working through various roles provides valuable perspective for leading technical innovation and customer support.
The relationship between accurate emissions monitoring, cost savings, and environmental compliance in modern manufacturing operations.
The future of emissions monitoring technology and the increasing importance of support services in technical solution implementation.
Building customer trust through reliable products and responsive support services in the specialized field of emissions monitoring.
Get in touch with Alex Kinderknecht:  
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Joby Aviation's Srinivas Suresh on Building Supply Chains for Revolutionary Transportation

Meet Srinivas Suresh
"When you're working on new technology, none of these product and manufacturing processes exist. Getting to build, identify, and create those supply chains, and that's the best part of my job," reflects Srinivas Suresh, Supply Chain Lead at Joby Aviation, capturing the excitement driving innovation in manufacturing today.
The challenge of building supply chains for cutting-edge technologies is becoming increasingly complex as manufacturers push the boundaries of what's possible. From electric vehicles to commercial drones, and now revolutionary ridesharing aircraft, supply chain leaders must create entirely new processes while ensuring reliability and scalability.
Suresh's journey to Joby Aviation spans multiple innovative industries. After moving from India to Dubai and then to the United States for higher education, he built his career across procurement, supply chain, and manufacturing operations at companies including Tesla, Impossible Aerospace, and Apple. This diverse experience gave him unique insights into scaling production from prototype to full-scale manufacturing.
In This Episode
This episode explores how data intelligence is transforming supply chain management, the importance of building adaptable and resilient strategies, and the future impact of AI and robotics on manufacturing. Suresh shares valuable perspectives on sustainability, supply chain disruption management, and the exciting potential of electric aircraft to revolutionize transportation — from short urban hops between San Francisco and San Jose to eventual cross-continental travel. 
Topics
The importance of rapid iteration and velocity in supply chain management for new technologies, focusing on design, build, test, and learn cycles.
Building resilient supply chain strategies that can adapt to disruptions through diversification and strategic planning at all supply chain levels.
Leveraging data intelligence and analytics to optimize supplier selection, quality control, and supply chain decision-making processes.
Balancing sustainability goals with business objectives in pre-revenue companies while maintaining focus on long-term environmental impact.
The critical role of supply chain system automation in maximizing value across the entire manufacturing process.
Implementing effective data governance strategies to ensure high-quality data supports meaningful supply chain decisions.
The future impact of combining AI and robotics in transforming manufacturing processes across various industries.
Creating adaptable supply chain strategies that can respond to geopolitical tensions, material shortages, and natural disasters.
The evolution of electric aircraft manufacturing from urban mobility solutions to potential cross-continental transportation.
Building supply chain processes that support innovation while maintaining quality and reliability in aerospace manufacturing. 

Threat Tec's Jim Crawford on Manufacturing's Role in National Security and Innovation

Meet Jim Crawford
"What's better and more honorable than protecting the ideas of the United States of America?" reflects Jim Crawford, President and CEO of Threat Tec, capturing the passion that drives his unique approach to manufacturing innovation. In our latest episode of Manufacturing the Future, Jim shares how his journey from Army infantryman to defense technology leader has shaped his perspective on manufacturing's crucial role in national security.
Manufacturing capabilities in the United States have increasingly moved offshore, creating strategic vulnerabilities in our ability to respond to critical needs. Threat Tec addresses this challenge by combining advanced manufacturing capabilities with strategic defense expertise, developing solutions that range from Hollywood props to mission-critical military systems.
Crawford's path to founding Threat Tec was unexpected. After serving as an Army infantryman, he spent 20 years in commercial industrial construction before the 2007 downturn led him to government contracting. This transition allowed him to merge his military experience with manufacturing expertise, creating an organization that excels in threat emulation, wargaming, data visualization, and mission engineering.
In This Episode
The episode explores how military strategic thinking can transform manufacturing leadership, the importance of collective innovation through design thinking, and the game-changing potential of emerging technologies like AI and AR/VR in manufacturing. Jim also shares valuable insights on cybersecurity, mobile manufacturing solutions, and the critical need to rebuild America's manufacturing capabilities to ensure technological independence and national security. 
Topics
The critical importance of maintaining and rebuilding domestic manufacturing capabilities for national security and technological independence.
How military strategic thinking and experience can transform manufacturing leadership and drive innovative problem-solving approaches.
The integration of AR/VR technology in manufacturing visualization to improve communication and decision-making processes.
The role of mobile manufacturing capabilities in military operations and addressing point-of-need production requirements.
Implementation of design thinking and collective innovation approaches to solve complex manufacturing challenges.
The impact of emerging AI technologies on manufacturing processes and the importance of responsible adoption.
Cybersecurity challenges in modern manufacturing and the need for comprehensive protection strategies.
The development of mission engineering approaches to create more efficient and effective manufacturing solutions.
The intersection of defense technology innovation and commercial manufacturing applications, including entertainment industry contributions.
Building resilient manufacturing processes through data-driven decision making and strategic technology integration.

Epicor’s Josh Roberts on Harnessing Data and Reskilling the Manufacturing Workforce for a Tech-Driven Future

Meet Josh Roberts, Regional VP of Sales at Epicor
“We have to invest in these robots to keep up with the demand. There's not enough people. And even if we did hire them, training them has become a challenge because we haven't been able to document our processes, our procedures, and have a standard training mechanism to onboard people.” Our very own Josh Roberts, Regional VP of Sales at Epicor, shared this quote from a customer’s story. What he found wasn't a story of automation replacing jobs, but rather one of transformation — a shop floor where robots handle the welding while former welders learn to program and manage the automation systems.
The conversation highlights how manufacturers are finding success by focusing on fundamentals. In another example story, a Twin Cities manufacturer worked with Josh to unlock capabilities they already had but weren't utilizing. Through a simple training session, they discovered features that transformed their inventory management processes.
Epicor was founded with a mission to partner with the world’s hardest-working businesses, providing them with the technology solutions needed to succeed. Over the years, we’ve evolved from a traditional software provider to a leader in business technology, serving over 23,000 customers worldwide. Josh’s journey at Epicor reflects this evolution; starting as a business development representative, he has spent over 15 years learning the intricacies of manufacturing and technology, ultimately rising to a leadership role where he drives innovation and customer success.
In This Episode 
Kerrie speaks with Josh Roberts about the critical intersection of technology and workforce development in manufacturing. They explore how companies can leverage automation and AI to address labor shortages while emphasizing the importance of reskilling employees. Tune in to gain valuable insights into the future of manufacturing and the role of technology in shaping a more efficient and competitive industry. 
Topics
The impact of workforce shortages on the manufacturing industry and the increasing reliance on automation and robotics to fill skill gaps.  
Strategies for reskilling existing employees to adapt to new technologies and ensure they can effectively operate automated systems and machinery.  
The importance of documenting processes and procedures to facilitate training and onboarding for new employees in a rapidly changing environment.  
How AI and data-driven strategies are transforming manufacturing, enabling companies to make informed decisions and optimize operations for better efficiency.  
Insights into the evolving landscape of manufacturing technology and the necessity for companies to stay ahead of trends to remain competitive.  
The significance of fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation within organizations to keep pace with technological advancements.  
Challenges faced by manufacturers in implementing new technologies and the importance of setting realistic expectations during the adoption process.  
The benefits of leveraging customer feedback and insights to improve technology solutions and better meet the needs of manufacturing businesses.  
The future of manufacturing, including potential growth areas and the evolving relationship between technology and workforce development in the industry.

Cambridge Air Solutions’ Kevin Thompson on People-Centric Leadership in Manufacturing

Meet Kevin Thompson, Leadership Coach at Cambridge Air Solutions
“Don’t lead if you can’t love,” says Kevin Thompson, Leadership Coach at Cambridge Air Solutions. True leadership is about enriching the lives of employees and fostering a culture of care and respect. By prioritizing people over profits, leaders can create an engaged workforce that drives success.
Kevin highlights the disconnect often found in traditional leadership models, which tend to prioritize management over genuine human connection. Many organizations struggle with low employee engagement, high turnover rates, and a lack of innovation. Kevin believes that by shifting to a people-centric approach, companies can build stronger relationships with their employees, vendors, and customers. This transformation not only enhances workplace morale but also leads to improved productivity and even profitability.
Cambridge Air Solutions was founded over 60 years ago as a second-generation family-owned business. The company is committed to creating better indoor environments through innovative heating and cooling solutions. Over the years, they have invested heavily in research and development, leading to the creation of energy-efficient products that benefit over 37,000 installations. Their journey reflects a dedication to continuous improvement and a strong focus on the people who make their success possible.
In This Episode
In this episode, Kerrie and Kevin dive into the importance of a people-first mindset in leadership. They explore practical strategies for fostering a culture of trust and collaboration, the role of vulnerability in leadership, and how these principles can lead to lasting organizational success. Tune in to discover how embracing a people-centric approach can revolutionize your leadership style and transform your organization! 
Topics
A people-centric approach in leadership and how it can transform workplace culture and employee engagement within manufacturing organizations.
Strategies for building and sustaining strong relationships with employees, vendors, and customers to drive overall business success and satisfaction.
The transition from traditional management styles to a coaching mindset, emphasizing vulnerability, trust, and authentic connections with team members.
The impact of leadership behaviors on personal relationships, highlighting how improvements in workplace dynamics can enhance family and social interactions.
The concept of "one you," where employees bring their whole selves to work, and how this affects workplace dynamics and productivity.
The significance of gratitude and recognition in fostering a positive work environment, encouraging open communication and appreciation among team members.
The role of continuous improvement and adaptability in leadership, particularly in navigating challenges and changes within the manufacturing industry.
The balance between profitability and a people-first approach, illustrating how enriching lives can lead to natural business success and growth.
The necessity of engaging employees' hearts, heads, and hands to create a fully committed workforce that contributes to organizational goals.
The evolving expectations of workforce generations, emphasizing the need for leaders to adapt their styles to meet the demands of modern employees. 
Resources
Love Works by Joel Manby
Joy, Inc. by Richard Sheridan
Everybody Matters by Bob Chapman and Raj Sisodia
Tugboat Institute
Encouraging Leaders