AI Is Changing Manufacturing Faster Than You Think | Len Ward, Commexis

Peter Parsons sits down with Len Ward, Managing Partner of Commexis, for a wide ranging conversation on AI in manufacturing. Len traces his path from Wall Street to digital marketing to leading a company that helps businesses shift from a "search and retrieve" mindset to a "solve my problem" one.They dig into why B2B manufacturers are actually ahead of the curve on AI adoption, the rise of the "AI pilot" role inside factories, and why the best AI hires often come from within your own team rather than an outside resume. Len also shares his take on which jobs are safest from AI disruption (hint: anything tactile, like nursing or skilled trades), where he sees the biggest upside for AI in healthcare, and why he thinks the next wave of two to five person companies could disrupt entire industries.This one covers a lot of ground: AI blueprints, business bottlenecks, the coming shakeup in company size and structure, and what it really means to build an "AI first" company instead of just bolting AI onto old processes.

Automate 2026 with John Krause Pt. 2

Promess Sales Manager, John Krause, joins Peter to review and discuss the Automate Trade Show in Chicago Illinois. Peter and John talk about various aspects of trade shows and how the Automate Trade Show went this year and what they were excited to see.Peter also interviewed multiple vendors in their booths discussing what they brought to the show. John and Peter watch and discuss the products on display.

On this episode of Manufacturing Unscripted, host PeterParsons sits down with Michael Weller, who leads the global manufacturing practice at Verizon Business, to unpack how private cellular networks are reshaping the factory floor. Michael makes the case that private 5G occupies a"middle lane" between rigid, expensive wired connections and best-effort Wi-Fi giving manufacturers a deterministic, flexible network purpose-built for the explosion of IoT sensors, AGVs, scanners, and AI usecases headed their way.The conversation goes well beyond connectivity. Michael andPeter dig into "innovation in a drawer" (the good ideas manufacturers shelve over infrastructure fears), why dead zones leave expensive tablets gathering dust, where AI actually lives on the plant floor today, the hiddencompute and edge questions most AI projects ignore, and how a more connected, visual environment can help manufacturers retain Gen Z workers who learn verydifferently than the generations before them. There's even a sustainability angle: every million linear feet of copper cabling contains roughly 13 tons of copper that private wireless can take out of the equation.A practical, jargon-light look at what it actually takes tomodernize a plant—and why the next five to seven years may make private cellular feel less like a novelty and more like a necessity.Sponsored by Promess Inc., the leading provider of fullyelectric servo presses for manufacturing.  Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/laOpUbps-Y0 @Michael Weller@Verizon Business@peter parsons   @promess  

In this episode of Manufacturing Unscripted, host Peter Parsons sits down with Juha Pitkänen, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Solar Foods, to talk about a protein literally made out of thin air. Juha explains how Solar Foods uses CO2, hydrogen, and renewable electricity to grow a microorganism that becomes Solein, a yellow protein powder already approved in Singapore and the US. A fascinating look at food production without agriculture, the regulatory road ahead, and where this technology could go next. Sponsored by Promess Inc., the leading provider of fully electric servo presses for manufacturing.   Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/1SnyF_Bev_Y  @ Juha-Pekka Pitkänen @Solar Foods @peter parsons    @promess   

In this episode of Manufacturing Unscripted, host Peter Parsons sits down with Anoop Mohan, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Augury, to talk about how AI is reshaping the factory floor. Anoop shares how Augury became a leader in machine health, what's fundamentally changed in AI over the last few years, and why the next wave isn't just about predicting machine failures, but giving every persona in a plant a smarter way to work. A great listen for anyone trying to figure out where AI actually fits in manufacturing. Sponsored by Promess Inc., the leading provider of fully electric servo presses for manufacturing.   Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/UTXeghqPO5o @Anoop Mohan  @Augury  @peter parsons    @promess   

In this episode of Manufacturing Unscripted, Peter sits down with Greg Lynn, CEO and co-founder of Piaggio Fast Forward, to talk about building robots that move with people, not around them or instead of them. Greg shares how his background in architecture shapes PFF's human-centered approach, why "pedestrian etiquette" is core to their technology, and how robots like Kilo are helping manufacturers boost efficiency without overhauling their facilities or workforce. A fascinating look at the future of human-robot collaboration.  Sponsored by Promess Inc., the leading provider of fully electric servo presses for manufacturing.    Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqVlN6kOeNk    @Greg Lynn @Piaggio Fast Forward  @peter parsons   @promess  

In this episode of Manufacturing Unscripted, Peter sits down with Doug Longenecker, founder of NKST, to talk about what really happens when strategy meets the shop floor. Doug shares how his hybrid consultancy-agency approach helps manufacturers close the gap between big-picture plans and day-to-day execution and why so many companies struggle to bridge that divide. The conversation also dives into AI: the hype, the wild west of vendors, and why companies need solid data, governance, and human checkpoints before chasing efficiency at all costs.  Sponsored by Promess Inc., the leading provider of fully electric servo presses for manufacturing.  Listen Now: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/manufacturing-unscripted     @Doug Longenecker @NKST @peter parsons  @promess 

In this episode of Manufacturing Unscripted, host Peter Parsons sits down with Congresswoman Haley Stevens, Representative of Michigan’s 11th District and one of the nation’s leading champions for manufacturing. From her early roots growing up around heavy equipment in Michigan to her pivotal role on the Obama administration’s Automotive Rescue Task Force, Congresswoman Stevens shares a first‑hand account of what it takes to protect and grow America’s manufacturing economy. The conversation explores the historic auto rescue of General Motors and Chrysler and why saving the broader supply chain, not just the OEMs, was critical to Michigan’s economic survival. Stevens offers behind‑the‑scenes insight into the challenges of stabilizing an industry during the Great Recession and how that experience shaped her lifelong commitment to industrial policy. Looking to the present and future, Stevens discusses the legislation she has helped pass to strengthen domestic manufacturing, including workforce development initiatives, STEM education, the CHIPS and Science Act, advanced manufacturing R&D, supply‑chain resiliency, and critical minerals policy. She also shares why bipartisan cooperation is often strongest around manufacturing issues and how policymakers can better partner with job creators on the shop floor. The episode wraps with a forward‑looking discussion on emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, advanced materials, sustainability, and recycling, and why manufacturing innovation remains at the heart of economic growth, national security, and opportunity. Above all, Stevens delivers a clear message to manufacturers of all sizes: your work matters, it is valued, and Michigan will continue helping lead the future of American manufacturing. Sponsored by Promess Inc., the leading provider of fully electric servo presses for manufacturing. Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/Uq9lf2JfsKE 

Fellow Promess applications engineer Baily Dotson joins Peter on the podcast this week. Peter and Baily discuss their job as applications engineers and the difficulties of explaining their jobs to people outside of the manufacturing industry. They also talk about workplace culture and Promess’ culture in particular. Peter and Baily finish the conversation with lessons they’ve learned along their journey as engineers. @promess  @Baily Dotson@peter parsons  Watch on Youtube:https://youtu.be/f5rJ8VwRvSQ #ManufacturingUnscripted # #PromessInc #ApplicationsEngineer#CareerGrowth #PeterParsons #ManufacturingPodcast #CustomerFirst #Engineering #ManufacturingInnovation