DH+ INSPIRE

In this edition of the DH+ INSPIRE Podcast, our own Colton Stombaugh is joined by fueling industry leaders Dave Lacaille and Ed Kammerer. Dave is the Senior Director of North American Sales at Dover Fueling Solutions, and Ed is the Director of Marketing and Global Product Strategy for OPW Retail Fueling. Both veterans of fueling and convenience store solutions, Dave and Ed offer unique insights on the future of industry trade shows.

Together, our guests discuss their roles within their respective companies, expanding upon their familiarity with the trade show scene. In particular, Dave and Ed reflect on this year’s exciting return to the “Super Bowl” of industry events: the PEI-NACS Show. Delving into the differences they noticed at the exhibition and the many successes they were able to celebrate, our subject matter experts attest to the value of media coverage and online interactions. Dave and Ed conclude this episode with a comparison of in-person vs. virtual events, and the changes they anticipate at regional and large-scale trade show events in the coming months.

See below for timestamps and a detailed outline of the episode:

00:00-4:10 Along with brief introductions of our guests Dave Lacaille and Ed Kammerer, we gain some background on Dover Fueling Solutions (DFS) and OPW Retail Fueling. From there, Colton broaches the topic on every B2B/industrial marketer’s mind: the return to in-person trade shows and events this year.

4:10-12:45 Widely regarded as the “Super Bowl” of fueling industry events, our guests explain why PEI-NACS is essential to companies like DFS and OPW. And after a 2-year hiatus, Dave and Ed noticed incredible energy on the PEI-NACS show floor, as attendees were eager to reconnect and access new solutions. Our guests also touch on noted differences in attendance, highlighting how travel restrictions have fostered more meaningful engagements.

12:45-16:30 Outside of the obvious sales and networking opportunities available at in-person shows, Dave and Ed describe the explosion of media activity and social media coverage on the show floor at PEI-NACS. Just as this heightened online presence allows for more accessible engagement during the show, the content can also live beyond the time constraints of the week, offering evergreen media opportunities that amplify the show’s impact.

16:30-19:24 Along with significant media coverage, Dave and Ed elaborate on the remarkable energy at PEI-NACS. With practically the entire fueling industry concentrated in Chicago, the work and the momentum never slowed down, even after hours. Our guests reflect on how this speaks to the irreplaceable value of in-person relationships within the industry.

19:24-29:30 Moving beyond the unexpected benefits of their time in Chicago, Dave and Ed share some of the new challenges their teams faced with the return to trade shows. The pair also delve into the changes they anticipate moving forward with trade shows, discussing how big shows like PEI-NACS might look in the months to come.

29:30-35:57 Closing with actionable insights for other sales/marketing leaders in similar industries, Dave and Ed encourage the audience to embrace the shift in sales approaches and social media coverage to optimize both in-person and online show engagements.

To connect with Dave, you can visit his LinkedIn here. To learn more about Dover Fueling Solutions, click here.

To connect with Ed, you can visit his LinkedIn here. To learn more about OPW Retail Fueling, click here. 

This episode of the DH+ INSPIRE podcast marks another addition in our Women Transforming Manufacturing series. In this installment, we had the pleasure of spending time with Ashley Poe Thompson, Operations Manager of Polymer Drive at BASF in Chattanooga, TN. BASF is a global corporation dedicated to creating chemistry that supports a sustainable future.

In our conversation with Ashley, she describes how she got her start in engineering and the career path that led her to BASF. She also discusses the ways in which her role has changed over the years, and what she finds to be most rewarding about her position with the company. Moving past her career in the field, Ashley talks through the changes they have each witnessed in the industry, especially with the growing number of women and young professionals in STEM. To conclude the podcast, our guest delves into her leadership position within the Tennessee chapter of Women in Manufacturing, encouraging listeners to look into the organization.

See below for timestamps and a detailed outline of the episode:

The Roots of a STEM Career

As we begin the podcast, we meet Ashley Poe Thompson, a woman changing the face of manufacturing in Tennessee. Ashley begins by sharing her journey through the field, including what inspired her to pursue a career in STEM in the first place. From there, Ashley discusses her educational background and unique entry into BASF.

New Role, New You?

Within her current role as Operations Manager, Ashley explains why she has found it valuable to learn from the experiences of other operators. Ashley agrees that listening is just as important as paving your own path when undertaking a position of leadership.

Evolutions in Career and Industry

Along with supporting her natural interests in chemistry and engineering, Ashley discusses what she finds most rewarding about her career. Through BASF, Ashley enjoys the opportunity to get involved in the Chattanooga community. And in her role, she feels empowered to share her voice and make an impact in the workplace, especially as the face of the industry continues to change.

The Value of Women in Manufacturing

In the past year, Ashley took on a leadership position with Tennessee’s chapter of Women in Manufacturing, and membership has since boomed. Ashley details how this organization is a valuable networking resource for women, but also for the industry, as it helps women see the various opportunities available to them. To close, Ashley suggests women look into fellow WiM chapters dedicated to connecting and supporting women in the industry.

To learn more about BASF, please visit: https://www.basf.com.

If you'd like to connect with Ashly, she can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleydpoe.

In this installment of DH+ INSPIRE’s Women Transforming Manufacturing series, we speak with Mary Beth Hudson from the new Smart Factory Institute in Chattanooga, TN. Smart Factory Institute is a public-private partnership operated by PeakPerformance, Inc. and located inside the Volkswagen Academy. Their mission is to connect smart technology providers with manufacturers and educators to foster collaboration and encourage the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies.

Throughout this conversation, Mary Beth Hudson shares the human-focused approach to training and education that has allowed the institute to flourish globally. From conferences and networking events to staff training and more, the Smart Factory Institute is dedicated to empowering and optimizing the workforce through the latest technology. Mary Beth also elaborates about the resources available through the program that allow users to experience production systems before implementing them on the manufacturing floor. The conversation closes with a discussion about optimism, not just for the small suppliers hoping to adopt new technology, but for women in manufacturing, as more accessible training programs open doors for those interested in technology.

See below for timestamps and a detailed outline of our conversation:

00:00-3:48 Meet Mary Beth Hudson
We introduce Mary Beth Hudson, a woman transforming manufacturing as Executive Director of the new Smart Factory Institute in Chattanooga, TN. Mary Beth proceeds to expand upon the vision and mission of the Smart Factory Institute, and how the company aims to uplift manufacturers and educators through accessible technologies, resources and training.

3:48-5:20 Global Reach and Local Impact
How does the global nature of the Smart Factory Institute benefit operators? Executive Director Mary Beth shares how an expanding presence with multiple locations around the world allows them to host joint conferences, giving regional manufacturers access to the technologies available globally.

5:20-7:10 Optimizing the Workforce
Discussing the ever-evolving nature of manufacturing technologies, Mary Beth explains how Industry 4.0 acts as an interface, a hub of learning where employees can be trained and brought up to speed on the latest tech, certifications and best practices. This educational resource seeks to optimize a workforce, no matter how big or small the manufacturer.

7:10-10:00 Addressing Manufacturing Pain Points
We examine how the Smart Factory Institute addresses common pain points, helping manufacturers of all sizes to develop an Industry 4.0 roadmap for their workforce. The key question facing any prospective manufacturer before beginning training: “what is the tech that’s best-suited for my operations?”

10:00-15:08 Navigating Manufacturing as a Woman
After 32 years in chemical manufacturing, Mary Beth can share more than just her insights on developments in technology and the workforce. Touching on her own career, Mary Beth revels in the many positive changes within the industry over the years, including the growing number of women in manufacturing thanks to training programs such as her own.

To learn more about the Smart Factory Institute and PeakPerformance, please click this link.

If you’d like to connect with Mary Beth, she can be found here. 

In this episode of the DH+ INSPIRE podcast, we had the pleasure of enjoying an insightful conversation with Custom Design Benefits CEO and President Julie Mueller. Custom Design Benefits, one of the Midwest's largest independent, full-service Third Party Administrator of self-funded health benefit plans, has long been dedicated to providing excellent cost containment solutions. 

Throughout the podcast, Julie explores her nonlinear journey with Custom Design Benefits, what led her to redefine the company culture and how she and her team continue to represent these fundamentals today. Julie offers sage advice to current and future executives, using her own experience to illustrate essential steps in defining and reinforcing sustainable company values and best practices.

See below for timestamps and a detailed outline of our conversation:

00:00 - Define Your Culture, Don't Let It Be Defined for You

Custom Design Benefits CEO and President Julie Mueller lays it all out there: if you’re not defining your company culture, it is being defined for you. Whether you lead a startup or a decades-old business, you can begin establishing your company’s core values with the simple question, “what do we want to be known for?”

4:52 - 23 Weeks, 23 Fundamentals

At Custom Design Benefits, CEO and President Julie Mueller and her leadership team asserted 23 values and behaviors fundamental to the business. But they didn’t just make a list - they broke down a new fundamental each week in a company-wide email, recognizing the importance of using an accessible communication strategy to include all members of the workforce in the initiative.

6:48 - Reinforcing a Sustainable Culture

Once you’ve established your company culture, you have to continue reinforcing it, adapting to change and learning from feedback. Custom Design Benefits CEO and President Julie Mueller accepts this challenge head-on, incorporating fundamental values in regular workplace activities. From encouraging employees to recognize their coworkers’ performance to sending out weekly culture-based quizzes, CDB keeps team values and culture at the forefront.

11:20 - Excellent Culture = Excellent Service

When you know who you are and where you are going, you can achieve greater, more targeted results. Custom Design Benefits has proven this to be true, with 95% of clients rating the services rendered “excellent.” CEO and President Julie Mueller attributes this success to their commitment to fundamentals, explaining that as your staff becomes more aligned with company vision, you can truly curate superior customer solutions.

To learn more about Custom Design Benefits, please visit https://www.customdesignbenefits.com.

To connect with Julie directly, you can find her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-mueller-5b79a3a/.

In this 4-part interview with Nick Grewal, Founder, CEO and President of ePropelled, a leading company in magnetic engineering innovations that dramatically improve electric motor and generator efficiency for propulsion systems in many industries, we're kicking off our new series - Inspiring Positive Energy.

Dedicated to shining a light on the powerful transformations occurring in the way the world moves, this series will dive deep into the engineering and philosophical revolution occurring in the world of transportation.

In this episode, we venture into Nick's vision for the electrification of the world, including a look into the incredible developments his company is making on the electric motor front, his company's exciting origin story, and the unique experiences he's had on the forefront of disruptive industries throughout his career.

See below for timestamps and a detailed overview of the conversation:

00:00 From Then to Now: The History of Nick Grewal and ePropelled (Part 1) - ePropelled CEO & President Nick Grewal shares insights into his childhood and the beginnings of his interest in engineering and technology. He takes us through his path from being inspired at a young age to playing a part in the success of over 40 companies, all the way to the founding of ePropelled in 2018.

09:49 The Innovation and Inspiration Within ePropelled's Technology (Part 2) - Taking us behind the curtain of ePropelled’s motor technology, CEO & President Nick Grewal shares what makes the company’s patents and methods so groundbreaking. He also discusses why the advanced transportation industry is so exciting and what he thinks the future of the business might look like.

21:23 By Land, By Sea, By Air, and More with ePropelled (Part 3) - Looking beyond the immediate future of EV motor technology, ePropelled CEO & President Nick Grewal shares his ideas on how his company’s technology might be used in some unexpected ways. These exciting ideas include flying cars and other aerial vehicles, boats and nautical shipping tech, and even industries like air conditioning, water pumps and manufacturing.

29:07 Entrepreneurial Insights with ePropelled (Part 4) - Drawing from some of his own biggest inspirations like Newton and Darwin, ePropelled CEO & President Nick Grewal shares how to get an entrepreneurial effort to accelerate. With those insights at the heart of ePropelled, he also talks about his visions for the company’s future and how he hopes to connect with industries across the world.

To learn more about ePropelled's innovate magnetic-driven electric motor technology visit: https://epropelled.com/.

To connect with Nick directly, you can find him on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickgrewal/.