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NEW Manufacturing Insights

NEW Manufacturing Insights

Written by: Kate Bruns
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About this listen

 NEW Manufacturing Insights is a collaboration between the Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance (NEWMA) and Insight on Manufacturing (IOM) magazine, highlighting issues and opportunities for manufacturers in the 18-county New North region in Northeast Wisconsin. Hosted by NEWMA Executive Director Ann Franz and IOM Editor Kate Bruns featuring guests from across the region, new episodes will be released on Thursdays. Get a quick overview of the latest NEWMA and Insight programs and events, take a behind-the-scenes look at IOM cover stories and features, and enjoy leadership tips and fun facts you can use to strengthen your manufacturing business, grow your network and advance your career.2023, Insight Publications Careers Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Success Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Ep. 105: 2026 Manufacturing Trends!

    Ep. 105: 2026 Manufacturing Trends!
    Jan 8 2026
    Jen Fietz, owner and CEO of the firm Stoke RGA, joins co-host Ann Franz of the Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance on this week's episode of the NEW Manufacturing Insights podcast to discuss studies and trends that paint a picture of the manufacturing industry heading into 2026. Regular co-host Kate Bruns, Insight's manufacturing editor, was under the weather for this week's recording but will return for future episodes.


    Ann opens the show by thanking Jen for committing to a new yearlong sponsorship of the podcast (thank you, Stoke RGA, for sponsoring NEW Manufacturing Insights throughout 2026!), and by reviewing some of the results of NEWMA's 2026 Manufacturing Vitality Index that was published last month. Jen goes on to ring in the new year by sharing some of Stoke RGA's 2026 manufacturing trends to watch, including technology helping run tighter operations, continued rising costs, and marketing (though Fietz shares she likes to avoid that term).

    Learn more at stokerga.com.
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    23 mins
  • Ep. 104: FIRST Robotics inspires creativity and Coopertition™

    Ep. 104: FIRST Robotics inspires creativity and Coopertition™
    Dec 18 2025
    Melissa Samuels of ErgoFactor and Emily Tietjen of NEW Water are Kate's and Ann's last guests of 2025, joining the podcast this week to talk about their volunteer work with Brown County FIRST Robotics, which teaches K-12 students skills including collaborative problem solving, Gracious Professionalism™ and Coopertition™, as well as technical fluency for future careers in fields like engineering and manufacturing.

    You can learn more about the program, which board members Samuels and Tietjen say is always in need of volunteer technical mentors and business support, at browncountyfirstrobotics.org.

    NEW Manufacturing Insights will return for season 4 on Thursday, Jan. 8. Happy Holidays!
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    18 mins
  • Ep. 103: Inside EDL Packaging

    Ep. 103: Inside EDL Packaging
    Dec 11 2025
    EDL Packaging, a Massman Company's Kathryn Rowen, vice president and general manager, and Lynn Caruso-Stueck, director of operations, join Ann and Kate on this week's episode to talk about the company's 60-year tradition of making equipment for shrink wrapping and shrink bundling in Greater Green Bay.


    EDL recently constructed and moved into a new facility in De Pere that expands the company's capabilities with enhanced efficiency and a total 25% space increase. On the episode, Rowen and Caruso-Stueck detail how the new facility is having a positive impact on their business and helping attract talent, as well as why it is important for them to be located in Northeast Wisconsin, what it's like being a successful woman in the manufacturing industry, and how technology will contribute to EDL's growth in the new year.
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    18 mins
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