Ed Talks explores the strategies shaping workforce development in manufacturing. Hosted by Fabricators and Manufacturers Association President and CEO Ed Youdell, the podcast features candid conversations with industry leaders on attracting, developing, and retaining talent. Part of the FMA Podcast Network.
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Sisters Lori and Traci Tapani, co-presidents of Stacy, Minn.-based Wyoming Machine, join FMA President and CEO Ed Youdell to discuss leading a family-owned manufacturing business after taking over from their father, fostering a strong workplace culture, and preparing the next generation of manufacturing talent. They also discuss collaborative leadership, workforce development, automation, AI, and why manufacturers should have a stronger voice in workforce and public policy. This episode was sponsored by AMADA America. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.
Andrea Scarpari, president and CEO of Salvagnini America, joins Ed Talks host Ed Youdell of the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association to discuss why advancing manufacturing technology requires stronger connections to STEM education and engineering careers. As fabrication technology becomes more automated, Scarpari argues manufacturers must create more intellectually engaging roles that allow workers to program machines, improve processes, and drive productivity. Scarpari also discusses how Salvagnini America supports robotics programs like Lakota Robotics to inspire future engineers, how p
In this episode of Ed Talks, host Ed Youdell talks with Troy F. Berg, president and CEO of Dane Manufacturing, about what it really means to put employees first. Troy shares how Dane’s “employees come first” philosophy drives retention, performance, and culture—through competitive wages, great benefits, and continuous opportunities for growth. He discusses the company’s on-site Dane Academy, where employees receive hands-on technical and professional training designed to help them advance throughout their careers. The conversation also touches on community engagement, including how Dane suppor
John Paul Surdo, President of Americas for Bystronic, joins FMA President/CEO Ed Youdell on the Ed Talks podcast. They chat about the strides that the metal fabrication industry has made is recent years by implementing advanced technologies like automation, robotics, and AI, and how that raised the bar on the sector's skilled workforce. They also talk about what it means to be a leader in the metal fabrication industry, how FABTECH reflects the advancements the sector has made, navigating changes in current supply chain landscape, and the importance of attracting younger generations into the w
Nora Harding, Executive VP at Special Products and Manufacturing (SPM), joins FMA President/CEO Ed Youdell on the Ed Talks podcast. SPM is a 62-year-old manufacturing company with three facilities in Texas. They were named The Fabricator's 2025 Industry Award winner and appear on the FAB 40 list. Harding talks about SPM's strong company culture centered around their "BUILT" principles (Best people, Urgency, Integrity, Learning, Teamwork), which have helped foster an engaged and empowered workforce. She also talks about how the company places a strong emphasis on community involvement through p
Sarah Richards, the Visionary/CEO of Mankato, Minn.-based Jones Metal, joins FMA President/CEO Ed Youdell to discuss how her family-owned metal fabrication business in Mankato, Minnesota attracts, develops, and engages its workforce. She talks about how Jones Metal has developed a strong company culture focused on values like kindness, grit, positivity, ownership, and helpfulness. This helps attract and retain talented employees. Sarah also touches on how the company partners closely with the local technical college to develop a pipeline of skilled workers through internship and apprenticeship
Leadership in manufacturing goes beyond the walls of the corner office. It’s seen throughout the shop floor and in the satisfaction of customers. I’m Ed Youdell, President and CEO of Fabricators and Manufacturers Association and host of Ed Talks, the newest addition to the FMA Podcast Network. Here at FMA, we believe the key to unlocking manufacturing’s full potential is through attracting, developing, and engaging the people that drive the industry forward. Join me as I speak with business leaders about their unique approaches to workforce development and shaping the future of the industry. S
