This episode of Mavens of Manufacturing is exactly what happens when a plan changes and something better takes its place.

After a last-minute guest cancellation, Cathy Rinne steps in for an unfiltered, wide-ranging conversation that blends robotics, leadership, career pivots, and the realities of building a life and business in manufacturing. What unfolds is part industry discussion, part mentoring session, and part reminder that this work is supposed to be interesting—and even fun.

The episode opens with questions from the “junior board of directors,” sparking a discussion on robots, automation, and why curiosity matters at every age. Cathy shares insights from decades in automation, explaining why she’s robot-agnostic, what excites her about cognitive robotics and AI, and how automation, when applied correctly, makes work safer, more sustainable, and more human-centered.

From there, the conversation expands into real talk about the future of work. Cathy addresses common fears around robots replacing jobs, drawing clear distinctions between replacement and augmentation. She highlights examples from manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and emergency response where automation reduces risk, improves ergonomics, and allows people to focus on higher-value work. Exoskeletons, collaborative robots, and emerging AI tools all come up, not as hype, but as practical solutions already changing how work gets done.

Career questions take center stage as well. Cathy speaks candidly about midlife career changes, the myth that it’s “too late” to pivot, and why curiosity and willingness to learn matter more than degrees or perfectly linear resumes. She challenges outdated job descriptions, advocates for skills-based hiring, and emphasizes that manufacturing has room for people from every background, generation, and starting point.

The episode also pulls back the curtain on Cathy’s own journey—from reluctant entrepreneur to 40 years at FlexLine Automation—and the realities of building a family business. She shares hard-earned lessons on leadership, imposter syndrome, resilience, and why loving what you do is non-negotiable if you plan to do it for decades. Along the way, there’s humor, nostalgia, and a reminder that creativity and play don’t disappear just because the work is technical.

Listeners will hear perspectives on:

• Robotics, AI, and where automation is actually headed

• Why ergonomics and safety should never be afterthoughts

• How different generations bring value to the same workplace

• The role of trade schools, self-learning, and alternative education paths

• Why manufacturing still offers opportunity without massive student debt

• How curiosity, collaboration, and community drive better outcomes

The episode closes with a simple but powerful theme: manufacturing is built by people who care, who keep learning, and who aren’t afraid to laugh along the way. Whether the topic is robots, career paths, or squirrels outside the office window, the throughline remains the same; this industry works best when it stays human.

In this episode of Mavens of Manufacturing, the conversation turns to a topic that many manufacturers know they should understand, but often avoid: profitability.

Host Meaghan Ziemba is joined by Leslie Boyd, Certified Public Accountant at CLA, for an honest, practical discussion about value-added revenue and why it matters more than ever in today’s manufacturing environment.

Leslie brings a rare combination of financial expertise and deep manufacturing exposure. After starting her career at a large public accounting firm, she found her way into manufacturing through research and development work and has spent the last 17 years helping manufacturers understand what their numbers are really telling them.

Her approach is grounded in curiosity, accessibility, and the belief that profitability is not selfish; it’s the foundation that allows companies to invest in people, technology, and long-term growth.

Rather than relying on abstract finance language, the episode breaks down value-added revenue in plain terms: revenue minus material and subcontract costs. Leslie explains how this lens helps manufacturers better understand capacity, pricing, and which jobs actually make sense to take, especially during periods of economic uncertainty or uneven demand.

The conversation covers:

• What value-added revenue is and how it differs from traditional margin calculations

• Why idle machines and underutilized labor often point to pricing problems, not demand problems

• How capacity constraints—labor hours versus machine hours—shape smarter quoting decisions

• Why companies sometimes turn away profitable work without realizing it

• How value-added thinking supports better alignment between sales, finance, and operations

• When slowdowns, missed quotes, or growing revenue without profitability signal a need for help

• How data, automation, and analytics can uncover hidden opportunities on the shop floor

Leslie also shares a real turnaround story in which a manufacturer moved from marginal profitability to adding $3 million to the bottom line by rethinking how work was priced and how capacity was filled. The discussion extends into succession planning, investment readiness, and why strong profitability is often the difference between being able to sell a business or being stuck.

The episode doesn’t shy away from broader industry realities, including labor shortages, hesitation around automation, economic uncertainty, and regional differences across manufacturing sectors. Throughout the conversation, one theme remains consistent: manufacturers who understand their numbers have more options. Options to invest. Options to grow. Options to adapt.

Leslie’s closing message is straightforward: focus on getting 1% better every day. Over time, those small improvements compound into meaningful change, not just for individual businesses, but for manufacturing as a whole.

If you’re a manufacturer trying to make sense of pricing, capacity, profitability, or long-term strategy, this episode offers insight you can actually put to work.

In this episode of Mavens of Manufacturing, the focus shifts from a traditional interview format to a practical, behind-the-scenes look at RAPID + TCT, one of the largest and most influential additive manufacturing events in North America.

Recorded ahead of the show’s return to Los Angeles, the episode explores how the event has evolved and what attendees can realistically expect once they arrive.

The episode features Angela Szerlong, Group Director of the Additive Manufacturing Series at SME, who has been involved with RAPID since its earliest days. She shares the history of the event, its growth alongside the additive manufacturing industry, and how it transitioned from a small technical gathering into a global platform for advanced manufacturing innovation.

Listeners will hear insight into:

• How RAPID became RAPID + TCT, including the partnership between SME and Rapid News Group

• Why collaboration has been central to the event’s expansion and relevance

• How the show now represents the full additive ecosystem, from hardware and materials to software and post-processing

• What differentiates RAPID + TCT from other manufacturing trade shows

The conversation also previews what’s new and notable for this year’s event, including:

• Executive Perspectives, a main-stage program featuring C-suite leaders from across additive manufacturing

• The Discovery Zone, spotlighting emerging companies, many under five years old, introducing new technologies

• The Hollywood Showcase, a Los Angeles–inspired exhibit developed with Gentle Giant Studios and Direct Dimension, featuring 3D-printed components used in film and entertainment

• Pitchfest, where startups present live to industry judges

• Expanded conference tracks covering aerospace, healthcare, defense, materials, design, creative applications, and workforce development

• A show floor featuring more than 400 exhibitors, the largest in the event’s history

Angela also explains who RAPID + TCT is designed for. The event welcomes:

• Manufacturers new to additive manufacturing

• Advanced users looking to scale or optimize production

• Engineers, designers, and technical leaders

• Educators and students, with special pricing and strong ties to workforce initiatives through SME

For first-time attendees, the episode offers straightforward advice: plan ahead, wear comfortable shoes, explore beyond familiar booths, attend networking events, and talk to people. RAPID + TCT is positioned not just as a trade show, but as a place where conversations spark real progress in an industry that continues to evolve.

The episode closes with a reminder that the value of RAPID + TCT isn’t only in the technology on display, but in the connections, questions, and curiosity that drive manufacturing forward.