Zakary Smith received a degree in Mechanical Engineering and Technological Entrepreneurship from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Zakary Smith has been doing innovative engineering solutions and have successfully launched over 100 products from concept through production across the aerospace, automotive, consumer, industrial and medical industries. Some notable products include the Tesla Model 3 Battery Pack, Google X Loon, Samsung Smartwatch. Taking products from conceptualization to mass production through co-developing innovative engineering solutions with product innovators is his passion. Currently, Zakary Smith is Co-Founder and CEO of Mata Inventive which focuses on artificial intelligence and industry 4.0 solutions for global manufacturing and is also Founder and CEO of Instaversal where they specialized in Product Development consulting with expertise in CAD Design, supply chain, materials design, industrial design, predictive engineering, rapid prototyping, NPI, and go-to-market strategies.

In this episode of Manufacturing Come Up, we have the chance to have Noah Graff as our guest. Noah buys and sells used machine tools around the world specifically for the precision machining Industry.He runs a Website/Podcast dedicated to the Precision Machining Industry.His specialties: Knowledge of the world machining market. Negotiating. Podcasting, Blogging, Producing Documentary Videos, Meeting Strangers.Noah has a bunch of great insights and you don't want to miss this!

In this episode, Dan Burgos who is the Founder, President & CEO of Alphanova Consulting, shares his insights, expertise and discussions about manufacturing and profit maximization. Alphanova Consulting is a management consulting firm that helps manufacturers achieve and sustain operational cost reductions of 20%+, improve on-time delivery to 99%+, and reduce defects to improve product quality to 99%+. These changes help their clients grow company profit margins by up to 25%.Dan and his team have over 15 years of experience helping manufacturers in various industries, including aerospace, injection molding, construction products, chemicals, fiberglass, electronics, consumer goods, oil & gas, and medical devices. Dan’s approach is to partner with manufacturing business leaders to uncover and eliminate business performance problems while coaching leaders to create a high-performing culture.To learn more about Dan Burgos & Alphanova Consulting, you can reach them at: www.alphanovaconsulting.com dburgos@alphanovaconsulting.com

Meaghan Ziemba is an industrial tech writer, brand storyteller, and marketer for manufacturers. She has a B.A. and M.A. in Professional and Technical Writing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and has been writing for manufacturing since 2008. Meaghan also hosts a live video broadcast series called Mavens of Manufacturing. The series focuses on women in the sector. Its mission is to attract younger generations to join manufacturing or engineering career pathways to help close the skills and gender gaps. Meaghan is a proud mother of three. She enjoys cooking, CrossFit, and a great cup of coffee or glass of whiskey.

Eddie Saunders Jr. is a passionate thought leader in the world of Content Strategy & Demand Generation. With 13+ years of battle-tested experience in the field, he has proven himself to be an innovative and strategic thinker, consistently pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the industry.Throughout his career, Eddie has built a reputation for his ability to create compelling and effective marketing campaigns that drive results. His expertise spans a wide range of areas, including branding, digital marketing, social media, and more.What sets Eddie apart is his deep understanding of the customer journey and his ability to create experiences that resonate with audiences on a personal level. He is a firm believer in the power of empathy and uses this approach to connect with customers and build long-lasting relationships.Eddie's accomplishments speak for themselves. He has led successful marketing initiatives for some of the industry's largest and most well-known brands, and his work has been recognized across the industry. He is also a sought-after speaker and thought leader, regularly sharing his insights and expertise with audiences around the world.Whether he's crafting on a new campaign or sharing his knowledge with others, Eddie is driven by his passion for marketing and his commitment to delivering results. He is a true innovator in the industry and proud to help take Industrial Marketing to the next level.

Dr. Johannes Vrana is an entrepreneur, physicist, consultant, author, speaker, and trainer with 15+ years’ experience in NDE and 20+ in data science. His work ranges from applied ultrasonic testing to quantum optics, from quality assurance to science, and from large-scale industries to start-ups. Some of the highlights of his work: Ph.D. on Induction Thermography, former Chairman of the Siemens NDE Council, implementation of ultrasonic computed tomography into serial production, and author of the book "The World of NDE 4.0: Let the Journey Begin".Dr. Vrana is leading multiple groups in national and international societies, mainly regarding NDE 4.0, digital transformation, and automated testing. He is well-published, editor of the Journal of NDE, editor-in-chief of the Handbook NDE 4.0, and received multiple awards.His company “Vrana GmbH” specializes in NDE and digital transformation consulting and solutions, R&D, training, and software development. Vrana GmbH offers holistic cyber-physical solutions including NDE and Sensor IIoT integration, digital twin design, and value creation from data.

Gail’s true joy and passion for networking and connecting with others is what makes her an ideal brand ambassador, influencer and top motivational speaker in this field. Her three step process is simple: An inquisitive and keen observer, she has developed a Curiosity Habit that has helped with recruiting, closing sales and fundraising. It is what also makes her a valuable marketing strategist.Join us while we sit with Gail and talk about her journey and how she got to where she is today!

Amolak Badesha is CEO and co-founder of Orbital Composites, a company that is revolutionizing the advanced manufacturing industry with mobile, robotic 3D printing of polymers, composites, and metal. Their technology enables the production of lightweight, high-performance, and sustainable parts and structures for aerospace and cleantech applications.With over 20 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, Amolak Badesha has a proven track record of leading and executing M&A, strategy, marketing, R&D, and sales initiatives for global accounts and divisions. I have also been an active investor and mentor for several deep tech startups in the fields of space, aviation, AI, and biotech. He has a strong academic background in electrical engineering, business, and energy innovation, and I am always eager to learn and explore new frontiers of technology and science. His mission is to create positive impact and value for the world through innovation and entrepreneurship.

Kudzai is a Developer Advocate at HiveMQ and the Founder of Industry40.tv. He is extensively involved in research and communication around Industry 4.0 and AI for Smart Manufacturing, offering a unique perspective on the latest developments and trends in these fields. He shares his insights and knowledge with a dedicated audience of solution architects and developers through his popular YouTube channel and IIoT podcast, Industry40.tv.

Steve Lukasik - Operations Manager of Master Robotics has a lot of stories to tell about his career path, from being employed by Fanuc and writing some of its robotics manual, to being involved with other automation and robotics businesses. Hear him out on this podcast and learn a thing or two from this highly experienced veteran in the automation and robotics space.

Tony Gunn started his career on a shop floor running a simple press machine over 20 years ago. Through the years, he's listened intently, gaining knowledge, insight, and then applying the best parts of this information to his own working style.During his 20+ years in manufacturing, he's had the immense pleasure program dozens of CNC machines, study Six Sigma, manage large shops, and travel to over 50 countries learning how business is conducted on a global scale. Adapting to change, understanding unique business structures, and stabilizing relationships in a competitive industry has been an educational, inspirational, and eye opening experience.Working directly with lead engineers at many major companies around the world has kept him on the front lines of creativity and technological advancements, as well as, providing a constant reminder of humility and gratitude in an ever evolving world.At MTDCNC, it’s an honor and a privilege for him to be a voice and shine a spotlight on the incredible people, products, and companies that exist in manufacturing! Learn more about the MTDCNC news channel at mtdcnc.com He also has the pleasure of hosting the popular podcast series “The Gunn Show”, which humanizes the world of manufacturing and brings a touch of personality to the world of engineering. It can be found on Spotify, Apple, Google, and the MTDCNC website. In his spare time, he's written 2 books. One of which was co-authored and went #1 in 6 countries! You can find it on Amazon, “A Journey of Riches - Building Your Dreams”. This is an episode you don't want to miss!

John Piller is a Smart Manufacturing Enthusiast. Proven Leader in Industrial Controls, Data collection, Control Theory and Implementation, and Energy Use. 20+ years of experience in Automation, Electrical Construction, and Education.

Ira Sharp is the Director of Product Marketing - Automation at Phoenix Contact USA. Ira has over 18 years of experience in Industrial Automation, with a focus on Open Control, IIoT, Industry 4.0, Networking, and Cybersecurity. Over the past 15 years, he has led marketing, engineering, and Sales teams to run a multi-million dollar product portfolio. In addition, Ira has an active digital presence as a LinkedIn Content creator focused on Automation and as a co-founder of the Industry 4.0 club and on the board of advisors for IIoT-World. Ira was named a who’s who for IIoT on the annual Onalytica report in 2021 & 2022, and was named in the Top 100 IoT Influencers by CBT.

Peter Mann is the CEO & Founder of Virginia-based Oransi, a leading air purification company known for its efficient, intuitive and reliable products for consumers, schools, organizations and businesses. He also is the Chair of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers’ Air Cleaner Council. In 2021, Oransi merged with Aviemore Technologies and is now a motor technology company with a clean energy mission.Oransi’s new manufacturing facility in Radford, Virginia is making products in the USA with advanced motor technologies. Previously, Peter was the Founder & CEO of the Austin, Texas-based Alen Corp., an air purification company he built, and after 7 years had a successful exit. He went to college on a NavyROTC scholarship and then served 4 years, including a tour in the Red Sea during the First Gulf War. He was a communications officer and then gunnery officer on the USS McCandless. Peter is late diagnosed autistic and now advocates for autism awareness in the workplace. Connect with him on LinkedIn athttps://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-mann/

In this episode, we speak with Harald Horgen, a renowned expert in helping technology companies expand into new business models and markets. With over 25 years of experience, Harald has worked with a wide range of companies, from early-stage and VC-funded firms to industry giants such as JCI, ABB, Ericsson, Schneider Electric, Olympus, BASF, Siemens, and many others.Harald's specialties include business strategy and go-to-market plans for IIoT and connected products, SaaS business model transformation, software business strategy, channel strategy, partner development, international expansion, and establishing strategic alliances.Harald shares his insights on what it takes to take repeatable IP solutions to market and the organizational structure needed to be successful. He also discusses his experience building indirect channels for enterprise solutions across Asia, the Americas, EMEA, and Africa, helping software companies transition their business model from on-premise, perpetual licenses to cloud-based subscriptions, and working with global manufacturers to design the right go-to-market strategy for their IoT solutions.The York Group, of which Harald is a part, is a preferred vendor with Microsoft, and he talks about how this partnership has helped him and his clients succeed. Whether you're a startup or an established company looking to expand your business, Harald's insights are sure to be valuable. Tune in to learn more about his expertise in technology expansion and growth.

Carl Doeksen is a highly accomplished global business leader who specializes in several areas, including Robotics, M&A, Business Turnarounds, Start-ups, and product development in the international Industrial B2B and Manufacturing sectors. With his extensive experience and expertise, Carl is well-equipped to drive growth and profitability in diverse business environments. He is a certified public accountant (CPA), certified management accountant (CMA), and holds an MBA degree.

Lauren LaDell is a skilled professional working in the manufacturing industry at Motor City Spindle Repair. As a specialist in CNC rebuilds, she is a one-stop shop for all related services, providing expertise in repairing and maintaining computer numerical control (CNC) machinery. Lauren's work involves diagnosing and fixing issues with CNC spindles, as well as offering preventative maintenance services to keep machines running smoothly. With her experience and knowledge, Lauren is a trusted partner for clients seeking high-quality, reliable solutions for their CNC rebuild needs.

David Nichols is a visionary in the automation industry who is on a mission to revolutionize the field. With a focus on unlocking the potential of machines, David and his team adopt a transformational approach that builds on the advances of the past and paves the way for a brighter future. By embracing breakthrough ideas and empowering both their people and clients, David's aim is to foster a culture of excellence and strive for the revolutionary in everything they do. Through his work, David is dedicated to redefining what's possible in the automation.

Sarah Scudder is the host of the popular podcast, "What the Duck?!". In her podcast, Sarah interviews professionals who work in direct materials procurement and provides a platform for them to share their experiences and insights from their careers in the supply chain industry. Through her engaging and informative interviews, Sarah helps listeners gain valuable insights and knowledge about the direct spend industry and the personal journeys of those working within it.

Chris Elston is the Chief Robotics Manager for YRG, Inc (Yamaha Robotics Group) where he is responsible for the engineering design and consultation of Yamaha robotics products specializing in PLC centric integration for North America. Mr. Elston’s expertise is 25+ years experience in design and integration of robotic automation work cells using various forms of hardware from industrial robotic arms, PLCs, and vision systems. He also holds a B.S in Electrical Engineering. Mr. Elston is one of the eight founding engineering mentors for the local high school robotics club Huntington County 4-H Robotics, Team 1501 and has been an active member since 2005. Chris is also the founder of MrPLC.com back in 1999 which hosts about ½ million automation and PLC engineering members today.