How Manufacturers Improve

Hosted by Kirby Sneen

Business Management

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Welcome to How Manufacturers Improve, a Manufacturers Alliance podcast, where we help everyone who works in manufacturing become a better leader and problem solver so all manufacturers can remain competitive.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 9, 2026Episode 17622 min

Habits That Manufacturing Leaders Must Master

In this episode, Pete Wolf, President of Robinson Rubber Products, breaks down the leadership habits manufacturing leaders must master to stay focused, build culture, and drive consistent results. ------------------------------ Unlock practical tools, training, and support to help your team improve. Manufacturers Alliance members get full access to our webinar library, digital courses, member pricing, and a statewide network of leaders who share what's working on the factory floor. Links: Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.mfrall.com/hmi/ Become a Member: https://www.mfrall.com/membership/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5orRRXkVgAkbAeUuCj1dP5 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-manufacturers-improve/id1677078610 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCfj2OPOknywMeVwzPJX7Ifw

May 26, 2026Episode 17528 min

Claims That Cost Manufacturers the Most (And How to Prevent Them)

In this episode, Steve Chismar and Zach Upgren of North Risk Partners break down the insurance claims that cost manufacturers the most, and the practical steps to prevent them before they strike. ------------------------------ Unlock practical tools, training, and support to help your team improve. Manufacturers Alliance members get full access to our webinar library, digital courses, member pricing, and a statewide network of leaders who share what's working on the factory floor. Links: Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.mfrall.com/hmi/ Become a Member: https://www.mfrall.com/membership/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5orRRXkVgAkbAeUuCj1dP5 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-manufacturers-improve/id1677078610 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCfj2OPOknywMeVwzPJX7Ifw

May 12, 2026Episode 17425 min

Project Management for Manufacturers

In this episode, manufacturing executive Rodd Joos breaks down how to prioritize the right projects, manage scope, build stronger teams, and use Scrum and Fibonacci sequencing to deliver faster. ------------------------------ Unlock practical tools, training, and support to help your team improve. Manufacturers Alliance members get full access to our webinar library, digital courses, member pricing, and a statewide network of leaders who share what's working on the factory floor. Links: Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.mfrall.com/hmi/ Become a Member: https://www.mfrall.com/membership/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5orRRXkVgAkbAeUuCj1dP5 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-manufacturers-improve/id1677078610 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCfj2OPOknywMeVwzPJX7Ifw

April 28, 2026Episode 17325 min

Capturing Tribal Knowledge

In this episode, Curt Gosser, Director of Operations at Farmers Union Industries, shares how manufacturers can stop losing tribal knowledge and build systems that keep critical process knowledge in the plant. ------------------------------ Unlock practical tools, training, and support to help your team improve. Manufacturers Alliance members get full access to our webinar library, digital courses, member pricing, and a statewide network of leaders who share what's working on the factory floor. Links: Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.mfrall.com/hmi/ Become a Member: https://www.mfrall.com/membership/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5orRRXkVgAkbAeUuCj1dP5 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-manufacturers-improve/id1677078610 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCfj2OPOknywMeVwzPJX7Ifw

April 14, 2026Episode 17228 min

AI Do's & Don'ts

In this episode, Angie Wittke, CEO of BlueNet, shares AI security essentials for manufacturers, reveals why automating chaos fails, and explains the foundation-first approach to implementation. ------------------------------ Unlock practical tools, training, and support to help your team improve. Manufacturers Alliance members get full access to our webinar library, digital courses, member pricing, and a statewide network of leaders who share what's working on the factory floor. Links: Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.mfrall.com/hmi/ Become a Member: https://www.mfrall.com/membership/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5orRRXkVgAkbAeUuCj1dP5 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-manufacturers-improve/id1677078610 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCfj2OPOknywMeVwzPJX7Ifw

March 31, 2026Episode 17144 min

Recognition That Retains Talent

In this episode, Kirby Sneen and Gabii Stehli break down how manufacturing leaders can use recognition, not just compensation, to retain top talent and build a high-performing team culture. ------------------------------ Unlock practical tools, training, and support to help your team improve. Manufacturers Alliance members get full access to our webinar library, digital courses, member pricing, and a statewide network of leaders who share what's working on the factory floor. Links: Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.mfrall.com/hmi/ Become a Member: https://www.mfrall.com/membership/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5orRRXkVgAkbAeUuCj1dP5 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-manufacturers-improve/id1677078610 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCfj2OPOknywMeVwzPJX7Ifw

March 17, 2026Episode 17032 min

Breaking Down Silos - Part 2

In this episode, General Manager Josh Erickson breaks down how metrics, language, and incentives silently create silos and the practical moves manufacturing leaders can make to fix them. ------------------------------ Unlock practical tools, training, and support to help your team improve. Manufacturers Alliance members get full access to our webinar library, digital courses, member pricing, and a statewide network of leaders who share what's working on the factory floor. Links: Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.mfrall.com/hmi/ Become a Member: https://www.mfrall.com/membership/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5orRRXkVgAkbAeUuCj1dP5 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-manufacturers-improve/id1677078610 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCfj2OPOknywMeVwzPJX7Ifw

March 3, 2026Episode 16925 min

Breaking Down Silos - Part 1

In this episode, Heather Stewart, President and CEO of APG Solutions, shares how manufacturers can break down silos by replacing protectionism with curiosity and tying metrics to organizational North Star goals. ------------------------------ Unlock practical tools, training, and support to help your team improve. Manufacturers Alliance members get full access to our webinar library, digital courses, member pricing, and a statewide network of leaders who share what's working on the factory floor. Links: Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.mfrall.com/hmi/ Become a Member: https://www.mfrall.com/membership/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5orRRXkVgAkbAeUuCj1dP5 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-manufacturers-improve/id1677078610 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCfj2OPOknywMeVwzPJX7Ifw

February 17, 2026Episode 16828 min

How Kaizen Events Work

In this episode, Scott Connor, Senior Manufacturing Engineer at Emerson, breaks down how to run successful Kaizen events, from the weeks of prep work required to maintaining momentum and securing leadership buy-in that drives results. ------------------------------ Unlock practical tools, training, and support to help your team improve. Manufacturers Alliance members get full access to our webinar library, digital courses, member pricing, and a statewide network of leaders who share what's working on the factory floor. Links: Subscribe to the Newsletter:https://www.mfrall.com/hmi/ Become a Member:https://www.mfrall.com/membership/ Listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5orRRXkVgAkbAeUuCj1dP5 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-manufacturers-improve/id1677078610 Watch on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@UCfj2OPOknywMeVwzPJX7Ifw

February 3, 2026Episode 16732 min

How to do a Waste Walk

In this episode, Eugene Arrington, Senior Lean Leader at Starkey Hearing, breaks down how to conduct waste walks that deliver real results, from team selection to systematic observation to action planning with accountability. ------------------------------ Unlock practical tools, training, and support to help your team improve. Manufacturers Alliance members get full access to our webinar library, digital courses, member pricing, and a statewide network of leaders who share what's working on the factory floor. Links: Subscribe to the Newsletter:https://www.mfrall.com/hmi/ Become a Member:https://www.mfrall.com/membership/ Listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5orRRXkVgAkbAeUuCj1dP5 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-manufacturers-improve/id1677078610 Watch on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@UCfj2OPOknywMeVwzPJX7Ifw