In this episode of the Destiny of Manufacturing podcast, host Dean Phillips welcomes Laurie Harbour of Wipfli for a deep dive into how manufacturers can build resilient, profitable businesses amid constant change.

Laurie shares key insights on:

• The importance of short- and long-term strategy for navigating economic shifts and policy changes.
• Using “swim lanes” and data-driven decision-making to boost scheduling efficiency and profitability.
• Aligning sales and operations for smarter quoting and production planning.
• Identifying and managing unprofitable parts and customers.
• Leveraging ERP and shop floor data to find hidden opportunities.
• Embracing generational collaboration and internal innovation to drive continuous improvement.
• Why workforce development, leadership succession and “knowing your why” are critical to a thriving future.

This episode is packed with practical advice for manufacturers aiming to stay competitive, improve margins and prepare for long-term success.

About the Guest: Laurie Harbour

Laurie Harbour is a partner at Wipfli with more than 35 years of manufacturing and consulting experience. Prior to joining Wipfli, she was the co-owner of Harbour Results, Inc., and has spent her career helping clients develop strategies, improve operations, reduce risk and optimize business performance. Clients benefit from Laurie's ability to work with leadership teams to assess the current state of their business and provide strategic and operational recommendations for improvement.

Laurie’s specializations include business strategy, leadership development, operational improvement, benchmarking, sales strategy and talent management.

About Wipfli LLC

Wipfli is a top 25 advisory firm with a strong CPA foundation serving 59,000 clients across today’s most complex industries. For more than 90 years, Wipfli has evolved and grown to help its clients take on whatever comes next.

Wipfli’s more than 3,200 associates help its clients with services that range from business consulting and digital services to audit and accounting. Wipfli focuses on emerging and mid-market organizations with specialized knowledge in industries like financial institutions, financial services, manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, construction, real estate, government, nonprofit, agriculture, auto dealerships, technology and tribal gaming and government.

Wipfli has been a PMA member company since 2023.

Mike Brattain, account executive at Systems X, joined host Dean Phillips on the Destiny of Manufacturing podcast to discuss cybersecurity in the manufacturing space. Mike emphasized the critical need for businesses to adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity rather than relying on outdated, reactive measures. He noted key industry challenges, including weak security infrastructure and a lack of compliance initiatives among many manufacturers. With 59% of manufacturers still using outdated security measures, he stressed that cybersecurity is no longer just an IT problem but a business imperative.

Mike and Dean discussed the role of compliance frameworks that not only help protect manufacturers, but their entire supply chains. Learn what cybersecurity risks are out there for your company and steps that you can take to help mitigate the risks.

About Mike Brattain

With more than two decades of expertise in business development, sales and team leadership, Mike Brattain is dedicated to helping business owners and IT managers navigate real-world business challenges with practical IT solutions. He collaborates closely with managed IT, cybersecurity and compliance teams at Systems X to deliver winning solutions for clients.

In this special edition episode, host Dean Phillips welcomes PMA Tennessee District Chair Perry Hytken and Education Chair Tom Kelly.

Dean, Perry and Tom discuss a variety of topics in this episode about the growth of the district over the years, partnerships that have been created and the impact the district has made on the local manufacturing community.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Reshoring Opportunities: Discover how the industry is preparing for manufacturing work transitioning back from Mexico, creating growth opportunities.
• Scholarships and Education: Gain insight into collaborative efforts with education partners, including Tennessee Tech, Middle Tennessee State University, and STEM programs like those for Boy Scouts of America, to support the next generation of manufacturers.
• Evolving Events: Hear how the district expanded its annual golf outing and suppliers events over the years, creating stronger ties between members and raising funds for scholarships and other initiatives.
• Leadership and Community Impact: Learn how the district overcame challenges, built robust industry connections and created a thriving manufacturing ecosystem.

Perry and Tom reflect on their journeys in manufacturing and how it is vital to give back to the industry and community to ensure future generations of manufacturers have the same opportunities as they did.

Join host Dean Phillips on the Destiny of Manufacturing podcast as he speaks with Tom Alongi, partner at UHY. They discuss how disruption is reshaping the future of U.S. manufacturing. From lessons learned during COVID-19 to the impacts of geopolitical turbulence, Tom highlights key factors pushing businesses to rethink supply chains, adopt cutting-edge technology and attract skilled talent.

Discover how reshoring, nearshoring, and advanced investments in areas like AI, automation, and clean energy are turning challenges into opportunities. Tom also shares insights into high-growth industries like aerospace, medical devices, and chip manufacturing, while emphasizing the importance of creating competitive and resilient enterprises.

About the Guest: Tom Alongi

Thomas Alongi is the lead partner overseeing audits of public and private companies for UHY’s Audit and Assurance Department. For more than 20 years, Tom has given invaluable financial advice to both public and private clients, with a primary focus on companies looking to maximize shareholder value through acquisitions, profit enhancement, restructuring, and ultimately exiting their investment.

Tom’s extensive background in costing separates him from the typical auditor. He’s involved in all stages of the costing process, starting with an in-depth understanding of operational and financial issues followed by a recommendations report and business model for improving the bottom line. Tom developed and implemented computer costing models that enable companies to better understand their cost structure and price their products for profitability.

Tom is the leader of the firm’s National Manufacturing Practice and a member of the National Transaction Services Group, where he performs financial and operational due diligence, and has led a significant number of transactions over the past several years. He’s hosted several conferences and authored numerous articles for various manufacturing and accounting publications for UHY and outside the firm.

This episode dives into the challenges and opportunities that define the manufacturing landscape today.

Dean and Mike discussed:

• Automation Revolution: Discover how automation is not just a tool for maximizing efficiency but a necessity in the face of labor shortages and increasing demands.
• Fabrication in Focus: How manufacturers are using innovation to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.
• Valuable Resources: Learn about MetalForming Magazine and PMA's commitment to supporting manufacturers with expert knowledge, events and custom training.

About the Guest: Mike Vohland, VP of Sales/Publisher, Precision Metalforming Association/MetalForming Magazine

Mike Vohland has extensive experience in the business-to-business publishing industry. Before joining PMA in January 2020, he worked at Gardner Business Media where he held positions as publisher, associate publisher and district sales manager over a 20-plus-year career. At PMA, Mike oversees the production of PMA’s publication—MetalForming magazine—and growth of association membership.

“…A partner in shaping the future of our company and our industry."

In this special PMA District Leadership episode of the Destiny of Manufacturing podcast, host Dean Phillips welcomes Tom Boss, Senior Manager at Termax Corporation and Past Chair of PMA’s Chicago District. Tom shares his forward-looking perspective on the next five years in manufacturing, stressing the need for flexibility in response to shifting policies, trade impacts and continued supply-chain disruption.

What excites Tom most is the momentum building in the Chicago District. With new board members, increased engagement, and a growing list of plant tours and networking events, the district is thriving. Local manufacturers are adapting and innovating in ways that often go unseen, and Tom sees the district’s events as a platform to spotlight those stories and strengthen regional collaboration.

Workforce development remains a top priority. Tom highlights Termax’s success in turning entry-level hires into robot programmers through hands-on training and apprenticeships. But the challenge persists: finding people who show up, want to learn and stay engaged. That’s why his district is actively reaching into schools and technical programs to spark interest and build future talent. Tom’s message: "We’ve been proud PMA members, active in Chicago, for decades. It’s more than an association—it’s a partner in shaping the future of our company and our industry."

Host Dean Phillips is joined by Mike Devereaux from Wipfli for a deep dive into the future of manufacturing, navigating economic uncertainty, and key tax strategies that could impact your business in 2025 and beyond. From R&D tax credit to critical tax law changes, Mike breaks it all down to help you stay ahead.

“…Strong relationships, strategic adaptation and collaboration are key to thriving in today’s fast-moving manufacturing world…”

In this special PMA District Leadership episode of the Destiny of Manufacturing podcast, host Dean Phillips speaks with Mike Wine, Project Manager at Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, and Director of the PMA Southern New England District.

With nearly a decade at Ulbrich, Mike shares his five-year outlook on the manufacturing industry, and the district’s focus to support PMA members’ rapid shift in customer expectations, and the critical role of embracing new technologies such as additive manufacturing and AI.

He discusses the growing need for speed and how face-to-face relationships remain essential despite digital tools. Through his leadership, the PMA Southern New England District is doubling down on personal engagement, stressing the importance of bringing the local manufacturing community together for honest conversations in a climate of labor shortages, geopolitical instability and ongoing policy changes.

Mike also emphasizes workforce development, citing partnerships with trade schools and the power of leveraging state grants. He and Dean explore how augmented and virtual reality, and online training like METALFORM EDU, can transfer expertise and improve training, even in remote environments.

Ultimately, Mike encourages manufacturers to embrace change and technology to stay resilient. His message is clear: strong relationships, strategic adaptation and collaboration are key to thriving in today’s fast-moving manufacturing world.