Makers of Our Future
This is the Makers of Our Future podcast. Join us at the crossroads of preeminent product design engineering, seal mastery, and supply chain excellence.
info_outline
Hitting launch deadlines across a broad product portfolio, with SRAM’s Tracy Gowler
09/01/2022
Hitting launch deadlines across a broad product portfolio, with SRAM’s Tracy Gowler
Tracy Gowler is enjoying a successful career deploying her engineering skills to solve a broad variety of challenges. Tracy drives project management efficiency across a wide section of high-performance bicycle components manufactured by the fast-growing SRAM Corporation. Previously Tracy cut her engineering teeth at Motorola’s Mobile Products division contributing to the explosive early days of cell phones. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: How Tracy carved out a successful career progression as the only female in a male dominated environment at Motorola. Defining and improving the impact of a team lead in managing multidisciplinary product launch teams Deploying Lean process to project management using PDCA - Plan Do Check Act The impact of finding Darcoid during a moment of critical need and building an impactful working relationship for future partnership Happiness and good morale - critical in a high-pressure role Applying engineering and project management principles in a high turnover real estate investment business. Applying an engineer’s perspective to solve nutritional health problems - as a side gig How Eureka moments can flourish when you’re receptive to new ideas and give yourself time to mull things over. In this episode… In this episode of Makers of Our Future, Bill Sharratt sits down with Tracy Gowler, Director Drive Train Team Leadership at SRAM Corporation, to talk about the challenges of launching a broad portfolio of products to meet the evolving needs of a demanding market. Tracy discusses how developing the optimal mix of engineering principles, transparency, and manufacturing experience can drive success with program management teams spanning multiple continents. Resources Mentioned in this episode Tracy Gowler on LinkedIn Bill Sharratt on LinkedIn SRAM corporation Motorola Your Health Made Simple
/episode/index/show/a84c5166-df75-4763-94a8-d3eb4803e14a/id/24246594
info_outline
Putting the "Factory" in FOX Factory With Graham Sills
08/03/2022
Putting the "Factory" in FOX Factory With Graham Sills
Graham Sills is the Vice President of Business Development in Asia Pacific at FOX Factory, a global leader in high performance suspension systems for ATVs, mountain bikes, motocross, and off-road vehicles. Prior to working with FOX, he oversaw Supplier Development for KOR Industrial Design and was an Account Manager for IC Star Industrial Co, LTD. In this episode… Is it possible to create a global brand presence that outperforms the competition? What are some solutions you can execute to build an innovative brand culture? Graham Sills was entrusted with FOX Factory’s premiere brand as the company transitioned the manufacturing of their mountain bike suspension components from the US to Taiwan. He understood the efficacy of intentionally modifying corporate culture to align with a new host country. To accomplish this, Graham set clear expectations, established direct and open communication, and prioritized supply chain development. He encourages other professionals to analyze their designated culture for optimal success. In this episode of Makers of Our Future, Bill Sharratt sits down with Graham Sills, Vice President of Business Development in Asia Pacific at FOX Factory, to discuss building a high-performance bicycle brand. Graham speaks to the benefits of building a factory from the ground up, the importance of adapting to the local culture to drive the best outcomes, and how Taiwan is uniquely positioned as the manufacturing engine supporting the cutting-edge product innovation for FOX Racing Shox’s brand.
/episode/index/show/a84c5166-df75-4763-94a8-d3eb4803e14a/id/23942289
info_outline
The Value of Hands-on Experience With Steve Barton
07/27/2022
The Value of Hands-on Experience With Steve Barton
Steve Barton is the Filtration Market Director at Darcoid, where he has worked for over seventeen years. He also supports Darcoid’s sister company, CrestTec, in the role of Sales Engineer. He has thirty years of experience in the manufacturing and process engineering industry and is an expert in product development, evaluation, compliance resolution, problem-solving, and more. Prior to his time with Darcoid, Steve was the President of SB Industries, the Director of Engineering and Technical Sales for A & D Rubber, the Foam Process Engineer for Johnson Controls, and a Project Engineer for Hercules Aerospace. In this episode… How can an engineer understand the application of a product during a seal design project? When the questions seem to be piling up, where can designers turn for answers about the product design? Steve Barton brings his consultative expertise to product engineering to prepare fledgling seal designers for rubber’s often surprising dynamic performance characteristics. With a wealth of experience in many aspects of seal design, Steve takes a hands-on approach with the goal that anyone — novice or expert — can release seals for production which meet the specific performance characteristics required of their project. In this episode of Makers of Our Future, Bill Sharratt sits down with Steve Barton, Marketing Director and CrestTec Sales Engineer at Darcoid, to discuss the expertise needed to create a successful seal component. Steve talks about the details of compression molding, working with different elements and materials, and learning from the challenges of creating superior products.
/episode/index/show/a84c5166-df75-4763-94a8-d3eb4803e14a/id/23872764
info_outline
Candor and Goodwill - Foundational to Thriving Business Relationships
07/06/2022
Candor and Goodwill - Foundational to Thriving Business Relationships
Bruce Balthaser is the National Sales and Distribution Manager for the Engineered Materials Group at Parker Hannifin. He manages a team of five sales managers and 27 field sales specialists spanning North America. He is responsible for stewarding and growing Parker’s US network of value-add distribution partners: companies entrusted with the Parker brand. In this episode… How can distributor agreements continue to run smoothly after an acquisition? What can your company do against supply chain scarcity, allocations, and lack of resource availability? Bruce Balthaser understands the hustle and grind of the seal business. Bruce has learned to navigate the waters of supply chain disruptions and has successfully managed acquisition transitions. He knows the power behind staying true to your beliefs and uses candor and goodwill to ensure relationships thrive. In this episode of Makers of Our Future, Bill Sharratt sits down with Bruce Balthaser, National Sales and Distribution Manager for the Engineered Materials Group at Parker Hannifin, to discuss cultivating relationships. Bruce talks about the heavy role of distribution in the seal industry, why a strong distribution model is crucial for businesses, and how a little sincerity can go a long way.
/episode/index/show/a84c5166-df75-4763-94a8-d3eb4803e14a/id/23642699
info_outline
Supply Chain Risk Management for Seal Programs With Quality Guru Nand Patel
06/22/2022
Supply Chain Risk Management for Seal Programs With Quality Guru Nand Patel
Nandkishore Patel is Director of New Business and Product Development at Darcoid. In this key role, Nand builds on his extensive experience and depth of knowledge in the seal industry and focuses on bringing new-to-market products, capabilities, and materials to its customers as their technical sealing needs evolve. Before moving into his current role, Nand spent the first 17 years of his career at Darcoid building out, developing, and directing Darcoid’s industry, leading quality assurance operations. Nand earned his master’s in chemical engineering and polymer science at the University of Toledo. In this episode… In this episode of Makers of Our Future, Bill Sharratt is joined by Nand Patel, Director of New Business and Product Development at Darcoid, to dive deep into the mission-critical checklist required to de-risk any elastomer resourcing initiative. All rubber is not created equal. Recognizing and deploying the optimal workmanship standards for your specific use case is critical. We talk to the required combination of: expertise in seal materials; manufacturing; and in-house validation capabilities to deliver the quickest, lowest-risk path to relieve your seal supply constraints.
/episode/index/show/a84c5166-df75-4763-94a8-d3eb4803e14a/id/23504243
info_outline
"A CamelBak Saved My Life” With Jeff Davies
06/15/2022
"A CamelBak Saved My Life” With Jeff Davies
Jeff Davies is enjoying a successful career in design engineering, which includes positions of increasing responsibility at small companies, startups, and Fortune 500 organizations like Korry Electronics, FrontRow, and Agilent. He is now the Design Engineering Manager at CamelBak, a leading manufacturer of hydration products, where he started as an individual contributor. Jeff has amassed considerable experience in aerospace, analytical equipment, acoustics, seals, and injection molded components. In this episode… In this episode of Makers of Our Future, Bill Sharratt sits down with Jeff Davies to talk about the challenges of seal design and manufacture. Jeff discusses his design approach and the risks associated with re-sourcing critical components. He also shares the passion of the team at CamelBak, the company’s preeminent culture of sustainability, and offers advice to engineers new to seals. Plus, he’ll explain how to stand out from the pack when interviewing for open positions.
/episode/index/show/a84c5166-df75-4763-94a8-d3eb4803e14a/id/23433662
info_outline
“I’ve seen Moore’s law in action… it still blows my mind”, with Craig Rosslee
06/08/2022
“I’ve seen Moore’s law in action… it still blows my mind”, with Craig Rosslee
Craig Rosslee is Technical Director at Lam Research, a semiconductor capital equipment manufacturing company. Lam Research Corporation is an international supplier of some of the most innovative wafer fabrication equipment and services for the semiconductor industry. Prior to his work with Lam Research, Craig was a Senior Process Engineer for Intel Corporation, the Technical Manager/IMEC Assignee for Sokudo Co. LLC., and Etch Senior Project Manager for Applied Materials. He graduated from the University at Buffalo with a degree in chemical engineering and earned his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In this episode… What can you do to accumulate knowledge and experience in data analysis and chamber matching? When faced with a problem in the semiconductor industry, is it possible to build a better tool and process? Craig Rosslee has some advice for novice engineers beginning in the industry: Get comfortable being uncomfortable and if you’re not struggling you’re not developing! Today, Craig is here to share his knowledge on delivering and managing complex products to listeners everywhere. In this episode of Makers of Our Future, Bill Sharratt of Darcoid is joined by Craig Rosslee, Technical Director and team lead for the Syndion GP platform at Lam Research, to discuss what exceptional leadership and engineering actually require. David describes his globe-spanning career in semiconductor lithography and etch tool development and the immense satisfaction from leading a creative cross-functional team.
/episode/index/show/a84c5166-df75-4763-94a8-d3eb4803e14a/id/23365913
info_outline
Best Foot Forward: The Parker Hannifin Winning Formula for Developing Impactful Employees
06/01/2022
Best Foot Forward: The Parker Hannifin Winning Formula for Developing Impactful Employees
Faith Hruska is a Territory Sales Manager with Parker EMG. Faith has already distinguished herself at Cleveland State University, where she is on her way to gaining her degree in mechanical engineering. She was noticed by the Parker Hannifin Corporation for standing out in her class and recently graduated from the company’s prestigious Technical Sales Development Program. In this episode… Parker Hannifin is a global Fortune 250 company and recognized leader in the industry. They’ve developed a powerful program for hiring and developing new graduates into business development team members: the Parker Technical Sales Development Program. But be warned: this is not a simple training course. This course is a year-long series of embeds with manufacturing divisions and Parker partner companies across the country. Faith Hruska, a Territory Sales Manager at Parker EMG, recently graduated from the program — and she’s here to share all of her lessons and insights with you. Join us on this episode of Makers of Our Future, for a rare opportunity to spend time with someone just starting out in her career journey in the seal industry. Bill Sharratt sits down with Faith Hruska, Territory Sales Manager at Parker EMG, to learn how her interests and educational path enabled her to stand out in a competitive selection process. Plus, they discuss how she has thrived in this challenging training environment.
/episode/index/show/a84c5166-df75-4763-94a8-d3eb4803e14a/id/23290385
info_outline
Empowering the Next Generation of Engineers With David Setton, Director of Engineering at Lam Research
05/25/2022
Empowering the Next Generation of Engineers With David Setton, Director of Engineering at Lam Research
David Setton is Director of Engineering at Lam Research, one of the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturing equipment companies. He has over 25 years of experience in product design and management. He specializes in complex electro-mechanical equipment and leading multi-disciplinary cross-functional teams for major engineering projects. Prior to his work at Lam Research, David ran his own company, Setton Consulting, and was the Engineering Manager and a Mechanical Engineer for Mattson Technology. In this episode… What are the ingredients to become a great leader and an exceptional engineer? Are you looking for expert tips and enriching inspiration that will guide you through your career-building process? David Setton has some advice for novice engineers and managers beginning in the industry: articulate your ideas thoroughly and in a very concise manner. Knowing your material and doing great work is one important aspect of leadership and engineering, but the other is presenting succinct details about the projects you are working on. Today, David is here to share his encouragement to young engineers and detail the process of creating a successful seal. In this episode of the Makers of Our Future podcast, Bill Sharratt, of Darcoid, sits down with David Setton, Director of Engineering at Lam Research, to discuss what exceptional leadership and engineering actually require. David talks about his journey into the engineering field, the step-by-step process for manufacturing a silicon wafer, and the material science of seals and semiconductors.
/episode/index/show/a84c5166-df75-4763-94a8-d3eb4803e14a/id/23084459
info_outline
Designing Rubber Seals: Top Tips and Tricks for Engineers
05/18/2022
Designing Rubber Seals: Top Tips and Tricks for Engineers
Darron Peddle is the Principal Engineer at WishBone Medical, a company that manufactures pediatric orthopedic products. He is an experienced seal industry veteran engineer with over 20 years of experience in the seal design field. Before joining WishBone, Darron was the Product and Engineering Manager at Parker Hannifin’s Engineered Materials Group, and the Senior Engineer at DePuy Synthes Companies. In this episode… New to seals? Engineered elastomer (rubber) can behave in surprisingly non-intuitive ways. Learn how one expert has achieved mastery using an analytical methods-based approach. Darron Peddle is a skilled engineer and expert in the seal industry. His carefully-honed design approach has led to many diverse engineering positions and participation in multiple influential design projects. No matter where you are in your career, Darron will educate you on the complexities of working with rubber so you can create a functional design to meet your product performance goals In this episode of Makers of Our Future,Bill Sharratt is joined by Darron Peddle, Principal Engineer at WishBone Medical, to discuss the best design methods for elastomer seals. Darron shares his tips and tricks on designing with rubber, his crucial role in overcoming a hardware design flaw, and his advice to engineers engaging with seals for the first time.
/episode/index/show/a84c5166-df75-4763-94a8-d3eb4803e14a/id/23148440
info_outline
CamelBak, Taking An Innovative Approach to Product Development With Jeremy Galten
05/13/2022
CamelBak, Taking An Innovative Approach to Product Development With Jeremy Galten
Jeremy Galten is the Founder and Product Development Executive Consultant at The Galten Group. He is a development leader with over 25 years of experience and success in the engineering and product design industry. He began his career as an intern for Acuson Corporation (now Siemens Ultrasound), where he gained valuable knowledge in manufacturing products and designs for different medical mechanisms. Through his career as the Senior Mechanical Engineer and Project Manager for Fitch Inc., and the Vice President of Product for CamelBak, Jeremy scaled his skills as a leader by managing and performing high-level mechanical engineering functions. In this episode… Are you new to the design and engineering industry, but you’re unsure how to approach the creative design workplace? If you’re looking for a better way to get ahead of the competition, Jeremy Galten says you should display your values beyond your class schedule: what makes you unique and worthwhile. Product development and scaling development teams are the heart of Jeremy’s work. With years of experience in the engineering realm, he has helped companies solve innovative problems and grow their business. According to Jeremy, the first step to effectively creating products is cultivating an environment of accountability, compatibility, and fun. In this episode of Makers of Our Future, Bill Sharratt of Darcoid sits down with Jeremy Galten, Founder and Product Development Executive Consultant at The Galten Group, to discuss how to humbly scale a career in the engineering and design industry. Jeremy talks about the lessons he learned during his internship program, creating a culture of productivity and responsibility, and the importance of having an appetite for knowledge.
/episode/index/show/a84c5166-df75-4763-94a8-d3eb4803e14a/id/23100461
info_outline
Making Content to Connect With Industry Leaders
04/22/2022
Making Content to Connect With Industry Leaders
Bill Sharratt is the Senior Vice President of Business Development for Darcoid, a complex seal supply solutions company. With over 25 years of experience in sales and business development for the seal industry, his vision implemented the buildout for Darcoid’s unique technical capabilities. Before his time at Darcoid, Bill was the Key Account Manager for Darcoid Nor-Cal Seal Company, Market Specialist in Microelectronics for Parker Hannifin, Vice President of Sales for Pacific Rubber and Packing, Inc., and the Market Manager for Planter Technology, Inc. In this episode… Are you looking for key insights and knowledge in the seal material industry? What are some of the most common mistakes made in the business? Bill Sharratt has accumulated knowledge and experience over the course of his 25-year career, and has applied his knowledge of the industry to skyrocket a variety of companies. He is an expert in finding solutions for unique problems and helping customers reach their career goals. Today, he is here to share how to learn from your mistakes and thrive in this industry. In this episode of the Makers of Our Future podcast, Rise25’s Chad Franzen sits down with Bill Sharratt, Senior Vice President of Business Development for Darcoid, to discuss connecting with customers and industry leaders in the seal technology industry. Bill talks about some lessons he learned while accelerating his career, why changing your perspective can produce great results, and the importance of connecting with others in the industry.
/episode/index/show/a84c5166-df75-4763-94a8-d3eb4803e14a/id/22873601