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Software for manufacturing feels like a minefield sometimes. These guys get it.

Benny Buehler from Uptool, a startup focused on improving American machine shops, joined us this week. Benny, with a background in metal additive manufacturing, co-founded Uptool with Alex Huckstepp to address the inefficiencies in traditional manufacturing software. Uptool's AI-driven software automates the quoting process, reducing response times and increasing win rates. The platform integrates with email and cloud services, ensuring seamless operations. Uptool aims to help machine shops become faster, more responsive, and more productive, ultimately contributing to the growth of American manufacturing. The company has gained significant traction, with many customers already experiencing positive results.

Here are the highlights:
00:00 - Introduction
01:38 - Benny's Background
03:43 - Challenges in Advanced Manufacturing
07:28 - Machine Shops' Skepticism Towards Software
10:29 - Uptool's Solution for Machine Shops
14:00 - AI Integration in Uptool
21:22 - Cloud-Based Software and Continuous Improvement
24:41 - Future Opportunities and Expansion

This was a fascinating deep dive into how effective solutions for software for manufacturing are designed and implemented. The part about keeping up with AI developments was enlightening!

Do check out the whole thing.

Uptool website: https://uptool.com/company

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We've got a shorter episode for you this week. Your host Jim Vinoski flies solo for deep dive into the event he attended last week, the Energy Futures Forum by the National Center for Energy Analytics. It was a pow-wow with some very smart folks and a few big names talking the latest and greatest on energy in America and beyond.

The highlights:
00:00 - Introduction
02:46 - Senatory Alan Armstrong
03:25 - Ezra Yacob, EOG Resources
04:53 - Chris Womack, Southern Company
06:05 - Toby Rice, EQT
07:03 - Andy Power, Digital Realty
08:15 - John Bear, MISO
09:35 - David Rosner, FERC
10:15 - Nat Sahlstrom, Meta
11:40 - Mark Hume, Blackrock
12:25 - Pierce Norton, ONEOK
13:45 - Matt Neal, Seimens Energy
15:00 - Nicole Holmes, GE Vernova
16:20 - Jesse Ausubel, Rockefeller University
17:17 - Zach Dell, Base Power
18:10 - Damion Shelton, Agility Robotics
20:00 - Daniel Yergin, S&P

Again, this is just a brief summary of the topics each speaker brought to light - but it's still chock-full of important points!

To close, Jim gave an update on his upcoming book, *American Manufacturing: 22 Tales of Integrity, Ingenuity, and the Modest Heroes Who Built a Nation,* which is coming very soon!

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What an amazing episode!

Our guests this week are Seth Kanor and Vinny Livoti from Enabling Devices, a company that creates assistive technology for people with disabilities. Seth's father, a medical engineer, founded the company in the 1970s after witnessing the transformative impact of a simple switch on a child with cerebral palsy. The company has since grown, focusing on customized solutions based on user needs. Vinny, an assistive technology specialist for 24 years, shares stories of lives changed through their products, such as an eye blink switch that enabled a nonverbal boy to communicate and a custom-made switch for a paraplegic drummer. They discuss the importance of listening, innovation, and the human touch in their work.

Highlights:
00:00 - Introductions
05:54 - Early Days and Company Growth
07:26 - Listening and Innovation
09:40 - Challenges and Success Stories
26:03 - Technological Advancements and 3D Printing
31:42 - Balancing Production and Personal Touch
34:11 - Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

These are some of the very best and most meaningful stories we've ever had on this show. You owe it to yourself to check out the whole thing!

Enabling Devices website: https://enablingdevices.com/

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What a treat it was to have John Suh as our guest to talk broadly about how advanced tech will help reindustrialize America!

John is a seasoned engineer with experience at Hyundai, Xerox, and General Motors, and he discussed his innovative work on combining robotics with car design, particularly an off-road vehicle with robotic suspension. Despite the project's end at Hyundai, John believes in its future potential. He emphasized the need for the U.S. to reindustrialize, leveraging AI and new technologies to reinvent manufacturing. He also highlighted the importance of rethinking assumptions about the world, such as the existence of roads, and developing a mathematical language for creativity and innovation to better integrate AI. John advocates for a comprehensive industrial policy to revitalize American manufacturing.

Highlights:
00:00 - Introduction
02:23 - John's work on the Hyundai Ultimate Mobility Vehicle concept
05:53 - The current state of the automotive world
11:03 - Opportunities with advanced manufacturing tech and robotics
15:59 - Humanoid robots
24:05 - John's exploration of a new language for manufacturing
32:51 - Industrial policy

We covered a whole lot of ground in this one! Do check out the whole thing.

Here is a link to our host Jim Vinoski's Forbes article about the Hyundai UMV concept project: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimvinoski/2020/10/21/hyundai-and-autodesk-join-forces-to-design-ultimate-mobility-vehicles/

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The wide range of opinions on the right path forward to revitalize American shipbuilding gave us an idea: how about having a couple previous guests with differing opinions on to debate them?

Many thanks to Colin Grabow of the Cato Institute and Lance Lemcool, a career shipbuilding executive, for taking on the challenge!

For background on each, tune in to their previous individual episodes with us:
Lance - https://youtu.be/DGiAzabXwro
Colin - https://youtu.be/hW1Hdlor0II

Lance is cautiously optimistic about President Trump's Maritime Action Plan and the SHIPS Act, emphasizing the need for government subsidies to revitalize the industry. Colin is skeptical, noting the U.S. has averaged 0.15% of global shipbuilding output over the past decade, ranking 19th in 2024. Both agree on the historical ineffectiveness of government policies and the need for a robust commercial shipbuilding industry for national security. They debate whether government subsidies or leveraging allied shipyards is the better approach.

These guys both really know their stuff, and they represented their differing views with great expertise and exemplary respectfulness. It's nice to see that reasoned debate still exists!

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David Rashid, an expert on trade cheating, discussed his experiences and the challenges of combating trade fraud. He detailed how his competitor shifted production from China to Thailand to avoid tariffs, leading to a significant loss of business. Despite efforts, including hiring investigators and engaging the DOJ's Trade Fraud Task Force, the case remained unresolved. David emphasized the complexity and slow progress of trade enforcement, highlighting the need for more resources, transparency, and legislative support. He also mentioned the de minimis exemption, which allowed undervaluation, and the non-resident importer loophole, which hindered enforcement. David advocates for better education and advocacy to address these issues.

Highlights:
00:00 - David's Background
06:32 - Introduction to Trade Cheating
08:15 - David's Experience with Trade Cheating
11:47 - Legal and Enforcement Efforts
15:36 - Challenges in Enforcing Trade Laws
22:27 - Legislative and Educational Efforts
29:23 - Conclusion and Call to Action

This is a critical reality that gets far too little attention.

You can learn more at David's website, and by connecting with him firsthand. Those links are here:

David's website: https://trade-fraud-awarenes-u8dl.bolt.host/
David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-rashid-b4017a/
David's email: drashid71@gmail.com

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For our 200th episode, we have a guy who has one whale of a life story!

Denny LaVé, a US Senate candidate from Idaho, talks about his background in the trades, entrepreneurship, and faith. Denny discusses his company, Precision Precast Erectors, which specializes in precast concrete installations. He shares his journey from an iron worker to business owner, emphasizing the dignity and financial stability of trades jobs. Denny highlights the importance of faith in personal growth and societal well-being, and his campaign's focus on revitalizing American manufacturing and resource extraction. He also addresses the challenges young people face in establishing households and the need for systemic changes in healthcare and tax policies.

Highlights:
00:00 - Introduction
06:09 - The Importance of Skilled Trades and Career Guidance
14:17 - Entrepreneurship and Risk-Taking
18:37 - Faith and Personal Growth
26:04 - Running for Office and Public Policy
32:07 - Challenges Faced by Young People
38:07 - The Role of Public Policy in Supporting Trades and Manufacturing
45:27 - The Importance of Faith in Public Life
48:31 - Denny's Vision for the Future
54:55 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Of all our episodes, this one is the most worthy of diving into the whole episode. What a great bunch of insights and ideas Denny brought us!

Denny's campaign website: https://www.dennyforsenate.com/
Denny's book: https://newlionofidaho.com/

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For Episode 199, we dive into a whole host of important topics with our longtime pal Gail Robertson. She's the "recovering journalist," entrepreneur, and fellow manufacturer and podcaster who has been on several times before and helped with our most important episodes.

Gail discussed her diverse background in journalism, fundraising, and marketing, which led to her involvement in the manufacturing sector, particularly mold-making. She explored the importance of storytelling in manufacturing, discussing examples Jim threw out there like Zamboni and Tigercat Industries. Gail emphasized the need for better Canada-US relations, highlighting the economic interdependence and the potential for collaboration. She also discussed the challenges of polarization, the impact of media, and the importance of curiosity and open communication in fostering understanding and cooperation.

Highlights:
00:00 - Introduction
03:33 - Gail's Transition to Manufacturing
07:35 - Challenges in Manufacturing and Media
10:43 - Canada-US Relations and Manufacturing
22:19 - Finding Your Own Sources of Information
33:35 - The Power of Storytelling in Manufacturing
48:08 - Keeping Yourself Open to Differing Viewpoints
69:09 - Final Thoughts and Future Collaboration

As you can see, this was a wide-ranging conversation that hit on a whole bunch of important manufacturing and business topics. You owe it to yourself to check out the whole thing!