GT Manufacturing Council Member CEOs Rock The Manufacturing Report Podcast

The Manufacturing Report podcast published Monday August 27, 2018  featured 4 GT Area Manufacturing Council member/leaders in a spirited discussion of regional challenges and opportunities.

Host Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, after a tour, praised the area industry:

“I was blown away by the incredible high-tech and innovative manufacturing here in TC. This busts the myth about American manufacturing technology in small and medium sized companies.”

Mr. Paul lead a roundtable discussion with site host Skilled Manufacturing, Inc CEO Dodd Russell, Kalkaska Screw CEO Kevin Schlueter, Promethient, Inc. CEO Bill Myers and RJG, Inc. principal owner Mike Groleau. Major themes include;

• globally competitive businesses- several of the companies have most of their customers outside Northern Michigan, in as many as 8 countries
• local talent opportunities in both equipment operation and digital technologies
• density & good compensation—17% of the GT workforce is in manufacturing, double the national average of 8%, with superior benefit packages that can include full employer paid healthcare and employee stock ownership.

Mr Paul was in TC to speak to the Center for Automotive Research’s annual Management Briefing Seminars, which attracts over 1,000  industry senior executives, technologists, and thought leaders.  The podcast session was so engaging and extensive that a second podcast featuring the same group will be released September 10, 2018, and will focus on Innovation/Agility/ Dynamism.

The podcast can be found at most sites including:

http://www.americanmanufacturing.org/podcast   Includes background information on Grand Traverse Area Manufacturing Council; Grand Traverse Economic Development Corporation; RJG, Inc.; Promethient; Kalkaska Screw, Inc. and Skilled Manufacturing, Inc.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-manufacturing-report/id1213359909?mt=2