Pindel Global Precision entered 2020 making no ventilator parts for its customers. The New Berlin-based precision machining manufacturer exited the year having made thousands of parts for five customers. Bill Berrien, chief executive officer of Pindel, and his team were among the companies that moved quickly as the COVID-19 pandemic hit to find a way to contribute. The experience led Berrien to start a new venture in addition to Pindel called PRODx, short for Production Expediting Technologies. The idea behind PRODx is fairly simply. Buyers at larger manufacturers will turn to PRODx when they run into issues with their existing supply chains. PRODx will then take the order to a network of machining companies, ask them to quote it and then return it to the buyer, ideally fulfilling what Berrien describes as the buyer’s “hair-on-fire” need. Berrien joined associate editor Arthur Thomas on the BizTimes MKE Podcast to discuss his new venture, the inspiration it draws from Uber Black and his time in the Navy SEALs, and how it fits into a larger vision for manufacturing in the U.S. 

BizTimes MKE: Milwaukee Business Insights

Bill Berrien wants to build 'the world's most valuable manufacturing network'│Ep. 49

In this episode, BizTimes associate editor Arthur Thomas takes listeners through some of the highlights from the 2021 BizTimes Economic Trends event, including economist Mike Knetter's thoughts on the need for political leadership to help the economy, consumer confidence and inflation; a closer look at labor markets with Ryan Festerling of QPS Employment Group; and a tour through the manufacturing sector with Rockwell Automation chairman and CEO Blake Moret. The Economic Trends event was made possible by sponsors Annex Wealth Management, BMO Harris Bank, Taureau Group and Vistage. If you're interested in hearing the full presentations or downloading slides from the event, visit biztimes.com/trends

Rockwell CEO's 2021 predictions, a closer look at labor markets and more from BizTimes Economic Trends│Ep. 48

Every year, BizTimes editor Andrew Weiland puts together a list of the biggest stories for the year from the southeastern Wisconsin business community. It is always interesting to recall all of the things that transpired during the year, but 2020 took things to another level. On this episode, Weiland joins associate editor Arthur Thomas to discuss what made the list this year and dive deeper on some of the challenges and good things that came from a year unlike any other. 

BizTimes editor Andrew Weiland on the good and the bad of 2020│Ep. 47

Marie Moody started Oak Creek-based pet food maker Stella & Chewy's in the early 2000s because she couldn't find the raw food her dog needed. In the last 17 years, the company has continued to grow, including a recently approved 140,000-square-foot expansion of its facilities and plans to add another 100 jobs in the coming years. On this episode, Moody discusses what is driving the company's growth, changing consumer behavior, hiring smart people, delegating and lessons learned from her journey as an entrepreneur. 

Stella & Chewy's founder Marie Moody on growth and lessons learned│Ep. 46

Generac chairman and CEO Aaron Jagdfeld joined BizTimes Media associate editor Arthur Thomas for a one-on-one interview as part of the 2020 Next Generation Manufacturing Summit. The event was held virtually and is now available on demand here. In this interview, Jagdfeld discusses how demand for Generac's products has been shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, business lessons from Briggs & Stratton's recent bankruptcy, opportunities and risks for the company from climate change and strategies for attracting and retaining employees in the manufacturing sector. The Next Generation Manufacturing Summit was made possible by presenting sponsor WMEP Manufacturing Solutions, sponsors BMO Harris Bank, CG Schmidt, CLA and Davis & Kuelthau, and supporting sponsor Vistage. The full event also includes a panel discussion with leaders from Rebel Converting, Power Test, Sussex IM, Vonco Products and Sartori Cheese along with breakout sessions on a variety of topics. 

Generac's Aaron Jagdfeld on 2020, Briggs & Stratton, climate change and more │Ep. 45

On this episode, Kathy Thornton-Bias, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, discusses how her organization is navigating during the COVID-19 pandemic at the Rotary Club of Milwaukee. "It's knowing what your stakeholders and your customers need and going after that and going after it really hard," she said, noting the Boys & Girls Clubs moved into food distribution and online programming because that's what kids needed. Thornton-Bias also discusses the organization's must-win battles, the need for nonprofits to collaborate more, and working with a big board of trustees. In partnership with the Rotary Club of Milwaukee. 

Kathy Thornton-Bias on prioritizing purpose in a pandemic at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee│Ep. 44

When Peggy Williams-Smith started as chief executive officer of VISIT Milwaukee in November 2019, she knew the organization was going to need to change. She had seen VISIT lose some of its luster during her more the two decades of experience working in hospitality in downtown Milwaukee.“It was a pretty fractured culture, it was pretty siloed and there were people who, unfortunately, I think were just fighting to stay afloat and starting to stay alive which caused the organization to be really damaged when I got there,” she said. Williams-Smith joined Beth Ridley of The Brimful Life on the BizTimes MKE Podcast. VISIT is a Brimful Life client and the two discussed their experience working together. Ridley noted that many of her clients stopped working with her when the pandemic hit and Williams-Smith was one of the first to come back. “Investing when things are tough is the hardest thing to do, but it’s also the best thing to do, because it helps you look outside of your own four walls and have that person who can then tell you what you’re doing right and wrong,” Williams-Smith said. She also discussed how she approached her first few months at VISIT, including meeting with everyone on a staff that at the time was around 50 people for 30 minutes each. Staff members were allowed the first 10 minutes of their conversation to complain about past problems, but the next 20 minutes needed to focus on what the organization needed to do to improve. Williams-Smith was also careful to set expectations for what was going to come from those initial meetings. “I wanted them to know during that timeframe that although I wanted their input, that not everyone was going to be intimately involved with every decision and I was not going to take immediate action,” she said.  In partnership with The Brimful Life  

VISIT Milwaukee’s Peggy Williams-Smith on changing culture amid a pandemic│Ep.43

Terry Rowinski, chief executive officer of Milwaukee-based Health Payment Systems, joins associate editor Arthur Thomas to discuss how he's leading the company in 2020. HPS offers an independent provider network sold to self-funded employer groups and consumer financial wellness product that helps those participating in that network understand their medical bills. On this episode, Rowinski shares details on how COVID-19 has hit the HPS business, cultural challenges in a remote work environment, the experience of looking for office space this year, and lessons learned from attempts to expand nationally. 

Terry Rowinski on leading Health Payment Systems in 2020│Ep. 42

Entrepreneur and regular BizTimes columnist Jerry Jendusa joins associate editor Arthur Thomas to talk about sustaining results during and after a crisis. In his latest column, Jendusa advises businesses to avoid being paralyzed by a crisis but also to not let drastic times lead to drastic measures. On this podcast, he discusses how business leaders can go beyond looking at their financial results to see the whole picture of how their company is performing. 

Jerry Jendusa on sustaining results during and after a crisis│Ep. 41

BizTimes podcast partner Beth Ridley of The Brimful Life joins associate editor Arthur Thomas to discuss lessons learned from her diversity series podcasts. Ridley talked with four Milwaukee-area diversity and inclusion leaders to get their thoughts on how companies can see results from their own D&I efforts. On this episode, she reflects on some of the key lessons learned, draws from her own experience helping companies with D&I and offers some guidance for small and medium companies starting their own D&I journey. 

Beth Ridley on lessons learned from diversity series podcasts│Ep. 40

In the fourth of four episodes with Milwaukee-area business diversity leaders, Beth Ridley of The Brimful Life talks to Devona Wright Cottrell, associate general counsel and director at Baird. Wright Cottrell also co-founded Baird's African American employee resource group, chaired it for six years and now serves as an advisor to the group. Their conversation focuses on engaging employees in diversity and inclusion efforts, including how to best structure employee resource groups for success. In partnership with The Brimful Life. 

Diversity Series: Engaging employees with D&I with DeVona Wright Cottrell

In the third of four episodes with diversity leaders from the Milwaukee area, Beth Ridley of The Brimful Life talks with Chris Rowland, global diversity officer at ManpowerGroup. Their conversation touches on embedding D&I practices into business operations. They also discuss responses to those who argue companies should just hire the best person for a role without regard for diversity and inclusion efforts. In partnership with The Brimful Life.

Diversity Series: Embedding D&I into business operations with Chris Rowland│Ep. 38

In the second of four episodes with Milwaukee-area diversity and inclusion leaders, Beth Ridley of The Brimful Life talks with Grady Crosby, chief diversity officer at Johnson Controls. Their conversation touches on how to align D&I efforts a businesses strategy, measuring the results of those efforts and celebrating successes along the way. In partnership with The Brimful Life.

Diversity Series: Aligning D&I to business strategy, measuring results and celebrating success with Grady Crosby│Ep. 37

In the first of four episodes with Milwaukee-area diversity and inclusion, Beth Ridley of The Brimful Life talks to Erikajoy Daniels, chief diversity and inclusion officer of Advocate Aurora Health. Their conversation focuses on the need for leadership commitment to D&I efforts. It also touches on some specific tactics those looking to improve organizational diversity can use to build momentum. In partnership with The Brimful Life.

Diversity Series: Driving leadership commitment to D&I with Erickjoy Daniels│Ep. 36

George Bureau, vice president of consulting at WMEP Manufacturing Solutions, joins BizTimes associate editor Arthur Thomas to talk about the state of manufacturing in Wisconsin. WMEP has conducted two rounds of surveys since COVID-19 hit the state to understand how manufacturers are responding. The surveys have found sharp declines in business activity for manufacturers, but also some signs of improvement among larger firms and a desire to hold onto workers if possible. 

George Bureau of WMEP on the state of manufacturing│Ep. 35

The BizTimes MKE podcast, powered by BizTimes Media, is designed to keep you informed and provide ideas and strategies to help improve your business. Each episode features thought-provoking insights and best practices from business and community leaders.

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BizTimes MKE: Milwaukee Business Insights

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