Avi Reichental says we need manufacturing heroes. He's been an industry leader for decades. In our episode with him, he starts out by highlighting his extensive background in manufacturing and technology, including his roles at 3D Systems and Exponential Works. Reichental emphasizes the need to inspire the next generation into manufacturing, arguing that the current challenge is a "belief shortage" rather than a skills shortage. He stresses the importance of tacit knowledge, mastery, and storytelling to attract talent. He also discusses the critical need for manufacturers to invest in people and adapt to new technologies, including humanoid robots and physical AI, to overcome workforce challenges and drive the manufacturing renaissance. In this short clip, Avi gets down to brass tacks: we desperately need to make our young people BELIEVE in manufacturing again. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/HhqcxUBh9kQ

Avi Reichental says we need manufacturing heroes. He's been an industry leader for decades. In our episode with him, he starts out by highlighting his extensive background in manufacturing and technology, including his roles at 3D Systems and Exponential Works. Reichental emphasizes the need to inspire the next generation into manufacturing, arguing that the current challenge is a "belief shortage" rather than a skills shortage. He stresses the importance of tacit knowledge, mastery, and storytelling to attract talent. He also discusses the critical need for manufacturers to invest in people and adapt to new technologies, including humanoid robots and physical AI, to overcome workforce challenges and drive the manufacturing renaissance. In this short clip, he shares a story of Dermot Dunphy, one of his early business leaders, and the example he set in celebrating the right kinds of people and behaviors. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/HhqcxUBh9kQ

Who are your manufacturing heroes? Your host Jim Vinoski interviews Avi Reichental, highlighting his extensive background in manufacturing and technology, including his roles at 3D Systems and Exponential Works. Reichental emphasizes the need to inspire the next generation into manufacturing, arguing that the current challenge is a "belief shortage" rather than a skills shortage. He stresses the importance of tacit knowledge, mastery, and storytelling to attract talent. Reichental also discusses the critical need for manufacturers to invest in people and adapt to new technologies, including humanoid robots and physical AI, to overcome workforce challenges and drive the manufacturing renaissance. Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction 02:24 - Avi Reichental's Background and Career Journey 07:56 - The Importance of Manufacturing and Skilled Workforce 16:35 - Challenges and Solutions in Manufacturing Education 20:10 - The Role of Tacit Knowledge and Mastery 33:32 - Age Discrimination and the Need to Value Our Most Experienced Workers 35:41 - The Responsibility of Manufacturers to Solve Workforce Challenges 39:35 - Conclusion and Future Steps Avi's article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/factory-coming-back-people-arent-avi-reichental-uuv3c/ The book *The Tacit Dimension:* https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/T/bo6035368.html

Your host Jim Vinoski discusses the history and business evolution of Worksman Cycles, which is Chapter 2 of his new book, *American Manufacturing: 22 Tales of Integrity, Ingenuity, and the Modest Heroes Who Built a Nation.* In this short clip, Jim tells how the advent of WWII gave Worksman Cycles its transition to its top product today: maintenance tricycles for manufacturing plants. See the whole episode here: https://youtu.be/rQrSpRT2Jyk

Your host Jim Vinoski discusses the history and business evolution of Worksman Cycles, which is Chapter 2 of his new book, *American Manufacturing: 22 Tales of Integrity, Ingenuity, and the Modest Heroes Who Built a Nation.* In this short clip, Jim recounts how the opportunity to make custom delivery tricycles for Good Humor Ice Cream became the biggest growth driver in the early days of Worksman Cycles. See the whole episode here: https://youtu.be/rQrSpRT2Jyk

Your host Jim Vinoski discusses the history and business evolution of Worksman Cycles, which is Chapter 2 of his new book, *American Manufacturing: 22 Tales of Integrity, Ingenuity, and the Modest Heroes Who Built a Nation.* In this short clip, Jim tells of how the current President of Worksman, Wayne Sosa, is most proud of the people his company serves every day, from the special needs customers who gain basic mobility to the industrial maintenance folks who rely on them for the jobs they do. See the whole episode here: https://youtu.be/rQrSpRT2Jyk

Your host Jim Vinoski discusses the history and business evolution of Worksman Cycles, which is Chapter 2 of his new book, *American Manufacturing: 22 Tales of Integrity, Ingenuity, and the Modest Heroes Who Built a Nation.* In this short clip, Jim shares the story of how a Worksman executive got a firsthand lesson in how vital their maintenance tricycles are for big factories all over when he heard that message from a senior Air Force officer on a tour at a Lockheed plant. See the whole episode here: https://youtu.be/rQrSpRT2Jyk

Your host Jim Vinoski discusses the history and business evolution of Worksman Cycles, which is Chapter 2 of his new book, *American Manufacturing: 22 Tales of Integrity, Ingenuity, and the Modest Heroes Who Built a Nation.* In this short clip, Jim explains how the company chose to pass up a huge purchase order to stay true to its core business - when they decided against making kids' bikes for Toys R Us! See the whole episode here: https://youtu.be/rQrSpRT2Jyk

Your host Jim Vinoski discusses the history and business evolution of Worksman Cycles, which is Chapter 2 of his new book, *American Manufacturing: 22 Tales of Integrity, Ingenuity, and the Modest Heroes Who Built a Nation.* In this short clip, Jim tells how founder Morris Worksman, observing from his store in Manhattan, came up with the idea of delivery bicycles and tricycles. See the whole episode here: https://youtu.be/rQrSpRT2Jyk

Your host Jim Vinoski discusses the history and business evolution of Worksman Cycles, which is Chapter 2 of his new book, *American Manufacturing: 22 Tales of Integrity, Ingenuity, and the Modest Heroes Who Built a Nation.* Company History Jim details the origins of Worksman Cycles, founded by Morris Worksman in Manhattan in 1898. Originally a dry goods store owner, Morris developed delivery bicycles and tricycles to assist local vendors. The company achieved nationwide scale after securing a contract with the Good Humor ice cream company to create specialized delivery vehicles. During World War II, the company pivoted to manufacturing maintenance tricycles for industrial and military plants, such as Lockheed. Business Strategy Jim highlights key strategic decisions that shaped the company's current market position. Niche Focus: The company declined a major purchase order from Toys R Us in the late 20th century to avoid low-margin consumer bike production and stay focused on their core expertise. Relocation: In 2015, due to taxes and regulations in the New York City area, the company moved its bicycle production assembly to Conway, North Carolina, while maintaining headquarters in New York. Product Range: Current offerings include maintenance tricycles, e-bike add-ons, consumer tricycles, and purpose-built models for special needs individuals. Future Outlook Jim concludes by mentioning upcoming topics for the show. Worksman Cycles: https://worksman.com/ Buy the book!! https://www.manufacturingtalks.com/american-manufacturing-book

It's always cool to learn about breakthrough new tech, so Jim's discussion with Larry Harrell from Perfect Point EDM was a treat! Larry discusses how Perfect Point uses advanced electrical discharge machining (EDM) to revolutionize aircraft fastener removal. Drawing from his 26 years at Northrop Grumman, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining a nimble environment for small businesses to foster rapid prototyping. He notes that while large corporations focus on platform procurement, small businesses drive the necessary process innovations. In this short clip, Larry explains how the precision nature of Perfect Point EDM eliminates heat and protects the surrounding aircraft structure during fastener removal. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/CvXg9c_ickk

It's always cool to learn about breakthrough new tech, so Jim's discussion with Larry Harrell from Perfect Point EDM was a treat! Larry discusses how Perfect Point uses advanced electrical discharge machining (EDM) to revolutionize aircraft fastener removal. Drawing from his 26 years at Northrop Grumman, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining a nimble environment for small businesses to foster rapid prototyping. He notes that while large corporations focus on platform procurement, small businesses drive the necessary process innovations. In this short clip, Larry digs into how the E-Drill represented such a breakthrough for him personally, with his decades of prior aerospace experience. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/CvXg9c_ickk

It's always cool to learn about breakthrough new tech, so Jim's discussion with Larry Harrell from Perfect Point EDM was a treat! Larry discusses how Perfect Point uses advanced electrical discharge machining (EDM) to revolutionize aircraft fastener removal. Drawing from his 26 years at Northrop Grumman, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining a nimble environment for small businesses to foster rapid prototyping. He notes that while large corporations focus on platform procurement, small businesses drive the necessary process innovations. In this short clip, Larry explains how the E-Drill is part of the automation solutions that America will need as we look to reindustrialize. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/CvXg9c_ickk

It's always cool to learn about breakthrough new tech, so Jim's discussion with Larry Harrell from Perfect Point EDM was a treat! Larry discusses how Perfect Point uses advanced electrical discharge machining (EDM) to revolutionize aircraft fastener removal. Drawing from his 26 years at Northrop Grumman, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining a nimble environment for small businesses to foster rapid prototyping. He notes that while large corporations focus on platform procurement, small businesses drive the necessary process innovations. In this short clip, Larry explores how the E-Drill really shines with today's tough challenge of removing titanium fasteners. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/CvXg9c_ickk

It's always cool to learn about breakthrough new tech, so Jim's discussion with Larry Harrell from Perfect Point EDM was a treat! Larry discusses how Perfect Point uses advanced electrical discharge machining (EDM) to revolutionize aircraft fastener removal. Drawing from his 26 years at Northrop Grumman, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining a nimble environment for small businesses to foster rapid prototyping. He notes that while large corporations focus on platform procurement, small businesses drive the necessary process innovations. In this short clip, Larry dives into the specifics of what Perfect Point EDM's product, the E-Drill, does. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/CvXg9c_ickk