The Apple Manufacturing Academy is focused on fundamentals. That’s what makes it such a meaningful opportunity for Amtech, selected as one of just a few organizations to participate in this groundbreaking program in partnership with Michigan State University.

In this episode, Amtech CEO Jay Patel shares what the experience has been like from the inside: the hands-on learning, the expert guidance, and the shift in mindset that comes from working alongside teams with extraordinary operational excellence.

We talk about time spent with Apple CEO Tim Cook, what Apple gets right from systems thinking to daily execution, and how those lessons are influencing Amtech’s own evolution. This is a story about what’s possible when people at every level are invited to think, act, and lead with precision.

Referenced in this episode:
Apple Manufacturing Academy
Wired article on the program

When systems break down in manufacturing, it’s easy to blame the machine, the software, or the spec. What’s harder to face is when failure starts upstream, inside the team dynamics, cultural norms, and delivery expectations that define how work gets done in the first place.

In this episode, Jay Patel is joined by Dana Korf, a veteran engineer and manufacturing insider, for part one of a two-part deep look into the human side of systems engineering. With stories drawn from decades of experience across the engineering and manufacturing industry, Dana reveals how unwritten rules, territorial behavior, and knowledge hoarding can quietly undermine progress, even in highly technical environments.

From tribal knowledge to the myth of clean handoffs, this episode looks at what really happens between the lines of code, behind the standard operating procedures, and inside the organizations trying to build better processes.

Every decision a leader makes sends a signal...about priorities, credibility, and direction. And not making a decision is also a decision. It sends a signal too.

In this conversation, Amtech CEO Jay Patel shares how he’s rethinking the silent cues that shape perception across his business. From hiring and branding to floor audits and team alignment, Jay explores how leaders unintentionally broadcast their values and how being intentional about those signals creates stronger reputations, healthier operations, and better outcomes.

We get into game theory, signaling asymmetries, and the difference between appearing capable and being capable. Jay reflects on how owning your current state and projecting your next step without overpromising can shape trust with employees, vendors, and the market.

The way your operation runs is already telling a story - is it the story you want to be telling?