Summary In this conversation, we speak with Stu Johnson, VP of Product Marketing at Rootstock Software, about ERP in the manufacturing industry. They discuss the differentiation of Rootstock ERP, the winter release and financial enhancements, the importance of the financial aspect for manufacturers, the impact of AI on manufacturing, the challenges of data silos, the integration of data and a common platform, and the future of AI in manufacturing and ERP. They also touch on the process of implementing Rootstock ERP for small to mid-sized manufacturers. Takeaways Rootstock ERP is a purpose-built manufacturing solution built on the Salesforce platform, offering the benefits of a cloud-first approach and a broad ecosystem of app exchange partners. The financial aspect is crucial for manufacturers as it involves balancing capacity, demand, and profitability. Rootstock's winter release focuses on enhancing the financial section to help manufacturers manage these challenges. AI is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry by enabling predictive capabilities and improving productivity. Manufacturers are increasingly interested in adopting AI technologies to address labor shortages and make data-driven decisions. Data silos are a significant challenge for manufacturers, and integrating data on a common platform like Salesforce can provide a unified view and enable better decision-making. Implementing Rootstock ERP involves a discovery process to understand the unique needs of each manufacturer. Rootstock caters to small to mid-sized businesses and aims to digitize their operations for future success. Rootstock Software website: https://www.rootstock.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview 02:31 Differentiation of Rootstock ERP 04:07 Winter Release and Financial Enhancements 06:27 Importance of Financial Aspect for Manufacturers 09:47 Impact of AI on Manufacturing 13:41 AI in Manufacturing and Data Challenges 17:57 Integration of Data and Common Platform 20:24 Future of AI in Manufacturing and ERP 21:22 Process of Implementing Rootstock ERP

Summary In this conversation, Jai Shah, CEO of Kahuna Workforce Solutions, discusses the labor crisis in manufacturing and the role of skills management in addressing the challenges. The conversation covers the availability of the right skills, the impact of COVID-19 on labor shortages, and the need for a clear understanding of workforce capabilities. It also explores how skills management can help alleviate burnout in current employees and support organizational goals. Additionally, the integration of apprenticeship programs and the process of getting involved with the skills management platform are discussed. Takeaways The labor crisis in manufacturing is driven by the availability of the right skills in an ever-changing environment. Skills management can help address the labor shortage by identifying and developing the necessary skills within the existing workforce. A formal skills management approach can alleviate burnout in current employees by recognizing and compensating for valuable skills. Skills management supports organizational goals by aligning workforce capabilities with strategic objectives and facilitating the transition to a skills-based economy. Apprenticeship programs can be integrated into a skills management platform to track and manage the progress of apprentices and leverage the expertise of mentors. Manufacturers, including small to medium-sized ones, can benefit from a skills management platform by starting with a standard set of skills and leveraging technology to streamline the training process. Chapters 00:00Introduction and Background 02:25Challenges in the Labor Market 05:13Skills Management to Address Labor Shortage 08:10Alleviating Burnout in Current Employees 11:03Skills Management to Support Organizational Goals 12:57Integration of Apprenticeship Programs 15:28Getting Involved with the Skills Management Platform 18:49Conclusion

In November of last year, Industry Insights attended the Design2Part Show in Raleigh, NC. We spoke with several job shops that were exhibiting at the show. 

In November of last year, Industry Insights attended the Design2Part Show in Raleigh, NC. We spoke with several job shops that were exhibiting at the show.  We asked them several questions that we'll be sharing in upcoming episodes of IMD Industry Insights.

Andy Mandell Marketing Manager for Dynabrade Power Tools tells us about what Dynabrade was exhibiting at FABTECH 2023.

Juan Martinez and Zach Mann of Suhner USA give us a look at the products they had on display at FABTECH 2023.

In 1942 Earl Putrow, a self-taught inventor living in Northern Wisconsin, was selling motors, belts, pulleys and tooling gadgets through his garage-based company, Putrow Industrial Supply. Earl would display his wares at all key trade shows. At these shows, he would bring along a showpiece item he dubbed “The Hypneumat”. The Hypneumat name was cleverly coined from three existing words: hydraulic, pneumatic and automatic. Putrow’s Hypneumat was the first high-speed automatic drilling and tapping unit. The invention is a classic case of the right product at the right time. Production plants in the 1940’s were looking to the power of industrial automation for time-saving solutions. The innovative Hypneumat fit the bill. Within a year after developing the Hypneumat, the confident Putrow made a bold move and established a company by the same name, Hypneumat, Inc. Since that time, Hypneumat, Inc. has developed into the leading supplier of automatic drilling and tapping units, which customers find in nearly every major manufacturing industry throughout the world. No other automatic drilling and tapping units can claim as strong and solid a reputation as the Hypneumat. Over the years, the accuracy and durability of the units have been improved, and the same sturdy, simple design of Earl Putrow’s original Hypneumat is found at the heart of the more than a dozen basic designs and countless customizations available. With the 2007 acquisition of the Commander and SNOW product lines and the addition of contract machining services, Hypneumat, Inc. continues to innovate and position itself to meet the many needs of its customers. We pride ourselves on the well-trained craftsmen and journeymen machinists who work at Hypneumat. Personal pride and integrity are part of every operation, from order taking to shipping.

Logan Skelly, Sales Manager, gives us a tour of Flex Machine Tools booth at FABTECH 2023.

Jim Logan, Sales Director for FumeVac (a product line of Hastings Air Energy Control, Inc.), introduces us the the FumeVac system.

Jim Logan, Sales Director for FumeVac (a product line of Hastings Air Energy Control, Inc.), introduces us the the FumeVac system.