What are some of the secrets to a successful manufacturing start-up that will not quit? What key lessons will help you break into the space with confidence?    John LaFleur, CEO of Fleur Consulting brings a wealth of inter-disciplinary skills to the worktable. Not only did he lead the development of the very first full-size, full-electric pickup truck, but he also helped his teams touch on effective and sustainable development that ranges from engineering to design, purchasing, and everything in between.   Listen to our podcast to find out more about how the potential for life-changing success that can be achieved when you know where and when to start working.   Martin Griffiths,    Co-Founder    Metis Automation https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/

Draw. Inspect. Fail. Repeat. There are few things as frustrating in the engineering and development fields as the usually painful and ever-repetitive process of creating drawings from CAD models.    That’s where Vin Kettay and Brian Gullette of Vectra Automation are coming in hot. Instead of spending hours draughting, inspecting, and ultimately redoing designs, they’re simplifying the process with the first robotic process automation platform. Now, that previously painful process becomes faster, more accurate, and less likely to result in mistakes in the actual manufacturing process.   So, why does that matter? With their pioneering system, companies and engineers around the world can do their part to cut down on scrap and ramp up productivity to create and deliver the products that could just change the world.   Want to find out more about the wonders of engineering technology right now? Listen on!   Martin Griffiths,   Co-Founder   Metis Automation https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/

Our world is facing some incredibly pressing issues at the moment, and manufacturing companies around the globe are looking for new ways to solve them. Sustainability – and how to achieve it as quickly and as effectively as possible – is the topic of the day. According to Rajiv Bongirwar, CEO of Hemraj Consulting, the only way to reach our sustainability targets is by making design, safety, and security, priorities from the very beginning. During our chat, Rajiv and I discuss his history in the Indian Naval Defence League, his training, and how his experiences with global aerospace and automotive companies in the U.S. were shaped by his love of pushing boundaries. Stick around to find out more about Rajiv Bongirwar’s thoughts, ideas, and hopes for a more sustainable future as discussed in the latest instalment of the Manufacturers Making Strides Podcast. Martin Griffiths,   Co-Founder  Metis Automation https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have your very own autonomous robot doing chores for you? You don’t have to wonder anymore. Autonomous robots are becoming increasingly popular in the UK – and one of the most prevalent is the new autonomous robotic lawnmowers that are being developed by Kingdom Technologies.   I chatted to Tony Day, the head of mechanical engineering at Kingdom Technologies, to pick his brain about planning, designing, and prototyping the revolutionary automatic robotic lawnmowers that are being used by city councils, universities, and golf clubs across the country.   Listen to the podcast now to find out more about what these robots are up to!   Martin Griffiths,   Co-Founder   Metis Automation https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/

Public transport, shipping, and international travel are all transforming to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly – but what happens when you think smaller? What about shorter, faster trips that don’t necessarily warrant hopping on a bus or train to get somewhere?   Jez Williman’s UK-based company is here to make those trips a reality. D-Fly is transforming the way individual people move, by building an innovative new electric scooter that shoots to the shops, to the beach, and to the drive-through in a more individualistic and sustainable way. However, people aren’t just doing quick trips – they’re doing everything from doughnuts to wheelies.   Want to know more about this strangely sustainable new solution to how we move? Then join us for another exciting instalment of Manufacturers Makes Strides and find out how Jez Williman is changing the future of mobility for the individual, one spunky little scooter at a time.   Martin Griffiths,   Co-Founder   Metis Automation https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/

What would life be like if owning a car wasn’t the norm?    I had the chance to speak to Antonio about the past, present, and future of the sustainable automotive manufacturing industry across the world, and as a globally renowned visionary in his industry, Antonio believes that we’re about to see some incredible changes sooner than we’d think.   In this interview, we’re talking about how the idea of getting from A to B trumps vehicle ownership, what that means for car dealerships and manufacturers, and how the endless search for commodity is going to transform the way we move.   Want to know more about how Antonio has helped – and will continue to help – manufacturers transform their supply chains to suit an ever-changing market? Then listen to the podcast, and let’s talk sustainability.   Martin Griffiths,   Co-Founder  Metis Automation https://www.metisautomation.co.uk/

How do you successfully bring manufacturing back to the UK when the sole source of sound equipment has been produced abroad for decades? How do you survive a lockdown when speakers are what you make for a living? These are just some of the many adversities Andrew Bishop has faced and conquered in his life.   I’m excited to have had the opportunity to speak with Andrew, founder and CEO over at BishopSound – a proudly local-based manufacturer of reliable, affordable speakers for public and private performance.  Andrew is trailblazing the industry by getting everything done at home in the UK, reimagining the future of local manufacturing once and for all.    To say Andrew has some fascinating stories to share would be an understatement. You don’t want to miss out on Andrew’s story of bringing his production back to the UK. Hit the button below to listen to this awe-inspiring podcast right now.

I spoke to Manoli Yannaghas, who is the CEO and co-founder of VoltVision, to find out more about what sustainability in manufacturing means, and how we can use data to reduce our corporate carbon footprints.    Manoli, who has more than two decades of industry-specific experience, shares some of his company’s goals for the future, his thoughts on reaching net-zero, and some actionable tips on how to cut costs you didn’t even know you were spending. He explains how to cut up to 20% of operations, how to overcome challenges as a start-up and more.   Listen to the podcast to hear what he has to say!

What would you give to be able to effortlessly gain the wisdom that others have spent decades earning? What would the guidance of an industry leader mean to you as a professional?    Jim Fairbairn is an experienced manufacturing and design expert with decades of experience, endless pearls of leadership wisdom, and a deep-seated passion for helping people and businesses grow.    His strong will and unique approach to what he does are what give him his edge and ability to reframe almost any situation or challenge into an opportunity.    According to Jim, being able to build a legacy as a leader means being able to retain the fundamentals of leadership while evolving with younger workforces who value proactiveness and innovation.   To learn more about Jim’s experience, wisdom, and advice for current and aspiring leaders, listen to the podcast now!

There’s quite a lot already happening in manufacturing, and the process itself is complicated enough as it is. But what really affects the bottom line, is how you manage these processes. An MES is the best option if you want to effectively manage your operations with automated data collection, organised digital filing, and accessibility. But how would you go about implementing an MES? It’s only normal to have reservations before implementing a new structure into your business, but it’s also important to remember the positive extent at which your company will flourish once you have a clear, efficient system. If you can monitor, track, and improve your operations, software solutions is your best bet to regain total control. Listen to this episode to learn more about the five steps to getting started on implementing an MES into your company.