How are Intel's $10 billion government investment, Ford's biggest manufacturing shift since the Model T, and Tesla's equipment secrets all connected to America's industrial future?
Will Drewery and Greg Smyth dive deep into Ford's revolutionary EV manufacturing announcement, analyzing it through their unique lens as former Tesla equipment procurement executives. Will, who was responsible for purchasing equipment during Tesla's Model 3 launch, explains why Doug Field's leadership at Ford signals authentic transformation rather than typical corporate announcements. "Execution is everything. Announcements are cheap, but execution is really where the proof is in the pudding," Will emphasizes when discussing Ford's shift from linear assembly to subsystem integration.
The conversation expands to examine the Trump administration's strategic $10 billion Intel investment and its implications for American semiconductor manufacturing. Greg shares insights from his time at ExxonMobil, including firsthand experience with the company's $200 billion Russian operations and the complexities of global manufacturing partnerships. Both hosts offer contrarian takes on AI development, with Greg arguing that "the iPhone moment is behind us" for artificial intelligence, suggesting the industry is entering an incremental improvement phase rather than continued exponential growth.
In This Episode:
- (00:00) Family vacation stories
- (06:25) Ford's revolutionary EV manufacturing platform announcement analysis
- (16:06) Exxon's potential return to Russia operations
- (24:04) Trump administration's Intel investment strategy
- (30:47) Hot takes on AI plateauing and commodification
- (37:03) Equipment procurement insights and Diagon product updates
- Share with someone who would benefit, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes!
About the Show
The Movers and Makers podcast, powered by Diagon.ai, explores the future of manufacturing and supply chain innovation. Hosted by Diagon co-founders Will Drewery and Greg Smyth, the show covers factory-building strategies, manufacturing processes, and market insights. With expertise from Diagon, a leader in reshoring and streamlining manufacturing equipment procurement, the podcast offers valuable perspectives for engineers, executives, and enthusiasts aiming to optimize supply chains and drive efficiency in the industry.
Resources:
Join the waitlist for Albus AI - Diagon's AI-powered procurement assistant that cuts months off equipment sourcing timelines. Get early access at https://join.diagon.ai/
Diagon.ai http://Diagon.ai
Will Drewery LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdrewery/
Greg Smyth LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregoryfsmyth/
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