Evolving the Family Factory

Francisco Ferro discusses industrial management, digitalization, continuous improvement, and AI challenges on the shopfloor in automotive and aerospace sectors.

In the first episode of the Connected Shopfloor Podcast's third season, textile CEO Pedro Pinto shares practical insights on industrial leadership and operational performance.

In the 14th and last episode of the Connected Shopfloor Podcast, we sit down with Laurens van den Berg, Chief Operations Officer at Läderach, to explore the high-stakes world of luxury chocolate manufacturing. With a background that spans electromechanical engineering, global management, and an INSEAD MBA, Laurens brings a uniquely analytical perspective to one of the world’s most coveted Swiss chocolate brands.

In this episode, Nuno Silva shares strategies for managing a global industrial group with seven business units. He explains how diversifying into the mining and naval sectors builds resilience against market volatility, how to compete with China through precision, and how AI will augment human intuition on the factory floor.

In this episode of the Connected Shopfloor Podcast, we welcome Robert Moak, a veteran who truly understands the meaning of "command and control" in both a literal and industrial sense. Bob spent 22 years in the US Navy before transitioning into the trenches of manufacturing, bringing a unique perspective on leadership, discipline, and the high-stakes reality of shopfloor operations.

In this episode, Marco Tschan sits down with Júlio Leite, Operations Manager at WEDRONE, a company that is redefining the intersection of tradition and innovation. Established in 2020 as an R&D powerhouse, WEDRONE made waves in 2022 by acquiring a legacy firm with 70 years of aluminum die-casting expertise.

After 30 years as a high-level executive for global giants like Unilever, Barry Callebaut, and Bunge, Maurizio decided to take a leap of faith during a global pandemic. In this episode, we dive deep into his decision to acquire Alojas, a potato starch and pulse processing factory in Latvia, and how he transformed a company on the brink of bankruptcy into a thriving business.

In this episode of the Connected Shopfloor Podcast, host Marco Tschan welcomes a specialist who truly understands what happens when the high-level theory of the boardroom meets the gritty reality of the machine. Mike Lane is a veteran of the manufacturing world with over 17 years spent in the trenches of management consulting.

In this episode, we sit down with Miguel Félix, Production Director at Prenso-Metal, to explore the front lines of industrial transformation. From its roots in 1992 to becoming a Tier 1/Tier 2 powerhouse in the automotive sector, Prenso-Metal represents the pinnacle of Portuguese precision engineering.

In this episode of the podcast, Marco Tschan sits down with Masha Vis-Mertens for an insightful exploration of leadership and career evolution within the global food industry. Drawing from her extensive experience across diverse corporate landscapes, Masha reflects on the "Career Chameleon" mindset, the ability to adapt across functions, from the high-stakes pressure of sales to the strategic complexities of human resources.

In this episode of the Connected Shopfloor Podcast, Marco Tschan welcomes Luis Moreno, the Plant Manager at Megapack in Peru, for an in-depth discussion on the transformation of the flexible packaging industry.

In this episode of the Connected Shopfloor Podcast, Marco Tschan sits down with Rui Cernadas, the Chief Operating Officer at Adalberto Textile Solutions, to explore the intersection of high-level strategy and the reality of the factory floor.

This episode featuring João Rodrigues (IDentPrint) explores the intersection of precision engineering and industrial vision. The discussion focuses on how identification and mobility systems drive Industry 4.0 efficiency.

In this episode of the Connected Shopfloor Podcast, Marco Tschan talks with Francisco Duarte, professor at the University of Minho and affiliated researcher at CCG. They share essential advice for engineering students, explore shopfloor innovation, and discuss the technologies transforming the industry.

In the second episode of Season 2, we sit down with Oscar Sroor, Senior Manager of Business Transformation & Continuous Improvement at STERIS, to explore what truly drives progress in a world accelerating toward Industry 5.0.From continuous improvement to cultural adaptation, Oscar shares how people, culture, and mindset shape transformation long before automation enters the scene.Because at the heart of Industry 5.0 lies a simple truth: technology evolves fast, but humans are the starting line.A conversation about change, resilience, and the human factor behind every real improvement.

Where Craftsmanship Meets Technology… Is the Furniture Industry Ready for the Future? In the first episode of the new season we sit down with Margarida Silva, COO at AM Furniture Group, to explore how leadership, innovation and people are driving change in the furniture industry. When tradition meets technology, transformation happens. From craftsmanship to technology, Margarida shares her perspective on balancing legacy and progress in a fast-evolving industrial world.

In this episode of the Connected Shopfloor Podcast, Henrique Marçal, CEO of Reshape and The Lean Six Sigma Company, shares how Lean has evolved and adapted to the new needs of the industry. The conversation explores how to overcome the lack of time for process improvement, new technologies in the Lean context, and how to engage people in continuous improvement. It also discusses how to ensure sustainable results and how to demonstrate the intangible value of Lean to leadership, both in traditional industries and emerging sectors. Don’t miss this episode on the future of continuous improvement!

Angelo Sousa, Technical Director at Atepeli, shares how the company produces components for the world’s top luxury brand. Learn how Atepeli blends craftsmanship with digital innovation, upholds quality in an exclusive market, and invests in skilled artisans - the heart of luxury production.

Industrial Director at J.C. Ribeiro shares his experiences across various sectors and discusses the impact of the digital passport and European regulations. As a surfer, he draws parallels between the sport and the business world.

COO of FMT Frezite shares his journey in industrial leadership, addressing the major operational challenges he has overcome and the importance of attracting and retaining talent.

The CEO of Quantal discusses the challenges of internationalization in company growth and how technology and culture demand adaptation in the industrial sector.

CEO of Simoldes Plásticos talks about the future of the automotive industry, changes in consumer behavior and the impact of emerging technologies.