Connect with Ann Franz: Ann.Franz@nwtc.edu

In this episode of the Manufacturers Network Podcast, host Lisa Ryan welcomes guest Ann Franz, the executive director of the Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance. Ann has been instrumental in spearheading initiatives to promote and elevate the manufacturing sector in Northeast Wisconsin since 2006.

Key themes:

1. Importance of Changing the Image of Manufacturing: Ann shares how she and her team work tirelessly to change the negative perception of the manufacturing industry, ensuring that younger generations are aware of the clean, bright, and innovative nature of modern manufacturing facilities.

2. Collaborating with Educational Institutions: Ann describes the challenges and successes of building relationships with educational systems to expose students to the world of manufacturing. She shares initiatives like the Get Real Math program to demonstrate the real-world applications of math in manufacturing.

3. Addressing Industry Challenges: Ann discusses the need for a skilled workforce in manufacturing and describes the efforts made to address this, such as investing in technology and productivity gains through Industry 4.0 initiatives. Additionally, she highlights the importance of soft skills and employability skill training for students.

Lessons Learned:

- Engaging industry leaders is key to driving change in the manufacturing sector, and it's essential to have individuals dedicated to implementing the vision and ideas generated by industry stakeholders.

- Starting small and executing 1-2 initiatives masterfully can lead to further stakeholder excitement and engagement.

Fun Facts:

- Ann Franz's journey in promoting manufacturing began with her first job as a receptionist in a manufacturing company during high school.

- The Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance has given over half a million dollars in college scholarships and has seen significant enrollment increases in manufacturing-related programs in educational institutions.

Ann Franz's dedication to promoting manufacturing in Northeast Wisconsin has led to tangible changes in perceptions, growth in educational programs, and increased engagement from industry players. Through her collaborative efforts with academic institutions and industry leaders, she continues to drive positive change in the manufacturing sector.

For more insights into advancing the manufacturing industry and promoting partnerships between industry and education, visit the Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance's website or contact Ann Franz at ann.franz@nwtc.edu.

Tune in to the Manufacturers Network Podcast for more inspiring stories and valuable insights from industry leaders.

In this episode, Lisa Ryan interviews Gareth Evans, the CEO and founder of VECKTA, a platform and team of experts that accelerates and simplifies the deployment of on-site energy solutions for businesses globally. With 20 years of experience in the energy and resources sectors, Gareth shares valuable insights into the energy transition, clean energy alternatives, and the future of sustainable energy solutions in this captivating discussion.

**Key Themes and Takeaways**

1. Gareth’s Unique Journey: Gareth shares his unexpected and diverse journey, from aspiring to be a fast jet pilot in the Air Force to becoming an expert in the energy and resources sectors.

2. The Birth of VECKTA: Inspired by his experience supporting ExxonMobil and others after the 2nd Gulf War, Gareth’s mission was to provide clean, reliable, and affordable power, leading to the establishment of VECKTA in 2019.

3. What VECKTA Stands For: Gareth breaks down the meaning of VECKTA, derived from the word “vector.” VECKTA symbolizes providing magnitude, direction, and scale to the energy transition, focusing on creating sustainable solutions.

4. Energy Transition and Business Impact: Gareth explains that businesses must produce more products, more reliably, at lower costs, and in a cleaner way to win or retain contracts despite increasing energy costs and decreasing reliability in the aging power grid.

5. Role of Government Policies: Gareth discusses the impact of government policies and regulations, highlighting incentives and mechanisms that support businesses in transitioning to distributed on-site energy assets.

6. Digital Technologies and Data: The rise of digital technologies, data, and analytics transforms how businesses manage and optimize their energy use, enabling businesses to make informed decisions to reduce energy costs.

7. Energy Efficiency Priorities: Gareth emphasizes the importance of energy efficiency, ranging from behavioral changes to technological solutions, and highlights opportunities for businesses to reduce energy consumption and costs through various strategies.

8. Clean Energy and The Role of Gas: Gareth dispels common misconceptions about clean energy, emphasizing the importance of tailoring energy solutions to a business’s specific needs, even if that includes transitional fuel solutions such as gas, which can be cleaner and more cost-effective.

9. Lessons Learned and Opportunities: The episode concludes with a powerful message from Gareth, encouraging businesses to embrace the energy transition as a massive opportunity to differentiate themselves, drive operational and cost efficiencies, and contribute to sustainability.

**Lessons Learned**

- Business leaders are being expected to produce more products reliably, cost-effectively, and sustainably, necessitating a shift towards cheaper, more reliable, and sustainable energy outcomes.

- Embracing energy transition presents a unique opportunity for businesses to stand out by optimizing energy solutions, reducing costs, increasing resilience, and proactively meeting sustainability goals.

**Fun Facts**

- Gareth shares how solar systems are being deployed even in unexpected regions with low sunlight, highlighting the surprising potential for solar energy generation.

- Businesses can take advantage of energy as a service contract, where an entity will finance, build, operate, and maintain energy solutions, offering a hassle-free pathway to securing sustainable energy at a fixed cost.

To learn more about VECTA and energy transformation, visit [www.veckta.com](www.veckta.com) and the Renewable Rides podcast for more exciting information about sustainable energy solutions.

Tap into Gareth Evans’ expertise and stay connected on LinkedIn for the latest...

In this episode, Lisa Ryan is joined by Andrew Lane and Abby Wurzbach to discuss the creation and mission of the Young Manufacturers Network. Abby shares how the network was established and its goals in providing a space for young professionals to connect, develop skills, and adapt to new technologies in the manufacturing industry. Andrew emphasizes the importance of encouraging collaboration and preparing young manufacturers for future challenges.

- Abby's career transition from education to business and her impactful experience at ManTec led to the founding of the Young Manufacturers Network. The network seeks to help small and medium-sized manufacturers grow and stay competitive through resources and networking opportunities. It offers a platform for sharing innovative ideas, professional development, mentorship, and community building.

- The hosts delve into the importance of OSHA and safety training, mentorship, and communication between different generations in the manufacturing industry. They highlight the development of a mentoring program to pair younger manufacturers with industry veterans for knowledge transfer and address the communication gap between digital native younger employees and legacy employees with technological knowledge.

**Fun Facts**

- Abby Wurzbach transitioned from education to joining her father's manufacturing company as a sales and marketing intern, eventually founding the Young Manufacturers Network.

- Andrew Lane transitioned from working as a correction officer to the staffing industry, focusing on office professional and manufacturing positions, before joining ManTech to support small and medium-sized manufacturers.

**Lessons Learned**

Building the Young Manufacturers Network involved gathering feedback from industry veterans, friends, and young people and shaping the network's direction through a focus group.

- Valuable elements from existing associations were identified and adapted to groom and grow young manufacturers within the network.

**Key Themes**

- The Young Manufacturers Network aims to provide a sense of belonging and a networking platform for professionals aged 21 to 40.

- Mentorship, skill development, communication across generations, time management, and community building are vital components of the network's offerings.

- Collaboration with local Manufacturing Extension Partnerships (MEPs) and the encouragement of buy-in from organizations play pivotal roles in the network's success and the thriving of the manufacturing industry.