How to Prioritize Flexibility when You Invest in Automation, Ep #4

POV: You’ve decided to start the process of implementing automation in your machine shop—but it isn’t as easy as flipping a switch. It’s a process that consists of failing forward and learning from every mistake. Tom Schroeder—the Executive Vice President at PBC Linear—joins us in this episode of Lights Out to share how to prioritize flexibility when you invest in and begin to implement automation in your shop. Because if you’re not making the right chips, you’re not making money.

– Nick

Segments

• [1:28] Learn more about Kaleb Mertz
• [4:04] Today’s guest: Tom Schroeder 
• [5:16] What's the Chip on Your Shoulder? 
• [11:44] PBC Linear’s investment in an MCM 
• [16:52] Get NetSuite’s KPI Checklist 
• [19:31] Managing high mix low volume 
• [23:40] Steps to take before automating 
• [27:11] Why automation is necessary 
• [30:00] Innovation = learning to think differently 
• [32:30] Automation doesn’t take away jobs 

Resources mentioned on this episode

• Get your free KPI checklist from NetSuite by Oracle! 
• Kaleb Mertz on LinkedIn
• Tom Schroeder on LinkedIn
• Episode #399: Do We Need More Manufacturing Entrepreneurs?

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