Gretchen Philyaw is passionate about bringing about a change in the manufacturing and technology arena. She is very vocal about the importance of buying American and women in STEM. She believes sharing the stories and successes for women and
America can help bring about a change that will help the world as a whole.
FWM: As the President and Founder of USA Loves Manufacturing, why is it critical for Americans to buy American made?
In a word, the answer is jobs. American business will continue to evolve and innovate if given the chance. This is nothing new, but if the plants move offshore and the jobs are gone the chain reaction in America is not good. Our best course of action is with our wallets. Simply Buy American.
FWM: How has the pandemic changed your vision for the future? How have you pivoted?
Big question. Obviously, the pandemic has exposed America’s small to medium businesses. These businesses drive a big part of our economy and watching the pandemic wipe out many of these businesses is tough. Yet, there are plenty of industrial manufacturers keeping plants open and keeping their employees going. Some businesses are even thriving. It warms my heart to see these small businesses adapting to every challenge thrown at them. I could not be prouder.
My vision of the future is multi-faceted. First, businesses need to plan for business interruptions. Natural or whatever. Ignoring them won’t keep them away. Not sure what the world will throw at us next but we need to be ready. Next, leaders both in government and industry need to be decisive.
Playing Monday Morning quarterback is easy but had we tightened things down at the beginning we might have avoided an extended disruption to the economy. Finally, communications need to be better. We need fewer microphones and opinions. We need better facts and a clear plan.
My biggest pivot has been what I can get done from home. This is not my preferred method but it is doable. I also believe we can do it better. This is something I would have doubted at the beginning of 2020.
FWM: You are recognized as a Voice in the Maintenance & Reliability Industry. Share your background.
I have been in the manufacturing and technology industry for 15+ years. I started in the cellular industry and was there thru the early days. I was there to see cellular move from analog to digital and then M2M which is now IOT. The advancement in technology helped me advance rapidly in the manufacturing arena when I decided to make a move 5 years ago. The industries were very similar in adoption of new technology and mindset. I immersed myself in the manufacturing industry to learn as much as I could about automation, robotics and the new technologies so I could help my clients advance into the next wave of the future of manufacturing and technology.
FWM: What trends are you seeing?
Canadian Philosophy Marshall McLuhan said “Once you see the boundaries of your environment, they are no longer the boundaries of your environment.”
I see many trends on the horizon and I also hope to see some new things appear. The speed of acceleration of Artificial Intelligence is exciting. AI is touching our factories, the vehicles on the road, medicine, and what is happening in the board rooms.
Futurists predicted in 2013 that 30 billion devices would be connected by 2020. What is being done with information has created a new reality of the world. Augmented reality seems to be a new buzz word. How all this connects to our brains will be game-changing.
My travels across America exposes me to many opinions about what’s hot. Clearly, the advancement of battery technology will unlock many other doors. Wind power, solar power, and new forms of transportation are directly linked to the advancement of battery technology. Investment here will open many doors and will eventually help us deal with bigger environmental issues.
Society has changed. Social responsibility will become a louder and louder topic in the board rooms and at the dinner table. Learn about the topic so you can keep up with the fast-moving winds of change. Finally, Space is back on the new frontier thanks to companies like Tesla. American scientists and engineers are engaged again. Private equity firms like Voyager Space are raising funds and investing in space technology. I used to think the world was getting smaller. I expect my children to say that the universe is getting smaller in their lifetime.
FWM: USA LOVES MFG is committed to recognizing the tremendous impact the Manufacturing & Technology industries have on our nation. How is your company lifting up the people that make it happen everyday?
There is no magic formula or secret about what I do at USA LOVES MANUFACTURING. I believe it is my job to find a way to put a spot light on businesses where people are working hard every day. They provide a great service and deliver an even better product but oftentimes, they do not have the marketing budget of bigger companies. I see the value created and I use my platform to bring attention to our partners. People respond when they know about options or learn about someone doing great things. My job is to connect the dots. One example is my video series I am creating that is evolving into the Manufacturers Roadshow where we highlight manufacturing and suppliers. We created a video interview with a manufacturer recently and put it out on various social media and distribution. The business increase for the small manufacturer was fantastic. I see the huge benefit of this series and cannot wait to develop it further.
FWM: You serve as the President of Magenta Technologies, LLC. What are you most proud of?
I very much have an entrepreneurial spirit and knew I would eventually step back out on my own in a business, but it was an unexpected move at the start of the year. I had been dealing with a company culture I could not fit well into and it reached a breaking point. I had to completely start over and that is when I decided to start my own company. I saw how when you create a positive and thriving culture you can create a better company. It has gone amazingly well even despite of COVID and I couldn’t be happier. I am proud of creating a company that not only creates a platform of services for the industry while serving as a conduit connecting businesses. In my heart, helping businesses advance their manufacturing capabilities makes our economy better. It creates jobs. Sharing successes across the industry creates energy and the successes of one becomes the successes of many. While I appreciate competition, I find cooperation between industries generating a greater outcome for all. It’s not a zero sum game where one business wins and one goes under. I think there is room for everyone to win.
FWM: How does this happen?
Sharing success stories.
Open vetting of new technologies where everyone knows what is happening.
Open dialogue about implementations or challenges.
Creating a safety net for those willing to innovate by gathering together the brightest minds and those with experience who share an willingness to help.
FWM: Tell us about GALVANIZE TV and GALVANIZE magazine.
GALVANIZE is a media group that encompasses internet, social media, Internet TV, a magazine and more. I wanted to create solid content for the manufacturing and technology industry that is entertaining and indicative of the innovation happening right now. I also wanted to bring in the lifestyle element to the mix because so much of our daily life has been brought about by manufacturing and technology. It is the fabric of America and I want to showcase it.
FWM: What is next for USA LOVES MANUFACTURING?
We are just getting started. You should expect to see me hitting the road more once the pandemic winds down. The list of clients I need to see is crazy. I very much appreciate their patience. Expect more information via social media, articles, podcasts, and interviews. Keeping the energy level high depends on providing quality and useful information and consistency. I keep a high standard for myself. Also, I welcome suggestions or ideas about things people want to know about. I am always looking for great ideas.
Last, I am working on a series of articles called “PINK IS THE NEW BLACK” in Innovation & Tech Today Magazine. The focus of the series is Women & STEM. I believe that there is plenty of room for women in Manufacturing & Technology so I plan to use my platform to open the door to women as far as possible. If we can bring more women into the fieldthen I believe we can bring about a new way of thinking and take our industries into a new era that will help our communities, our America and our World. Be on the lookout! We are in the Next Wave!
