MetaPod | MetaExperts®

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Welcome to MetaPod, where we discuss operational execs and organizations that make and move stuff.

No matter what we're making and moving, we all have the same 3 headaches: digitization/digital transformation, the forever labor shortage, and doing more with less.

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Why MetaPod

At the heart of MetaPod is the concept of MetaOps™, a term that encapsulates our mission and vision. "Meta," derived from Greek, signifies going "above and beyond," while "Ops" stands for the essential processes businesses employ to deliver in-demand, value-added services and products to the market. This blend underlines our commitment to exploring and advocating for strategies that propel organizations beyond conventional operational excellence.

MetaPod embraces the MetaOps™ philosophy: the recognition that no single, one-size-fits-all solution exists for achieving business superiority. Instead, we focus on continuous Business Process Improvement (BPI) and Operational Excellence (OpEx) as the keystones for securing an organization's dominant stance in its market(s).

Ron Crabtree brings his wealth of knowledge and experience to MetaPod. Through engaging discussions with thought leaders and innovators, Ron unveils the myriad paths businesses can navigate to surpass traditional boundaries and achieve unprecedented success.

Latest Episodes

In addition to being the host of MetaPod, Ron Crabtree is often a guest on leading industry podcasts, where he shares expert insights on supply chain transformation, digitalization, and strategies for addressing workforce challenges and operational efficiency. Check out the episodes below:

Common Sense Approach to Maintenance & Reliability in the Digitalization Age

Ron Crabtree speaks with reliability engineer Russ Parrish about improving maintenance and reliability without making the work harder than it needs to be. Russ explains how to establish a clear starting point, reduce conflicting metrics, standardize definitions across sites, and connect reliability work to safety, quality, output, cost, and customer performance. They also discuss OEE, asset criticality, design for reliability, and how to select AI use cases that solve a defined problem.

Doing More With Less: How to Build a Quietly Amazing Support Function

Ron Crabtree speaks with Robert Semethy about building a support function that can take on more work without relying on heroics. Robert explains how digital processes should create usable data, decision support, and evidence that can answer an auditor's questions years later. He also shares how training, external certification, internal succession, and regular reviews of risks and controls help teams increase capability while removing work that no longer matters.

Before AI Amplifies The Wrong Things: Building A Synchronized Enterprise

Explore how to build a synchronized enterprise before AI amplifies the wrong things. Ron Crabtree speaks with David Friedson about diagnosing whether people across functions share the same measures of success, locating breakdowns where products, information, and decisions cross functional boundaries, and testing whether AI removes a true business constraint or only automates around it. They discuss contribution-margin models, the risk of tool-first AI projects, disintermediation, dynamic operating models, and the importance of measuring improvement across the entire value chain.

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Our Special Edition Tariff Podcast Series

Featured Guests

Neal McGee

Neal is a seasoned supply chain leader with extensive global experience across manufacturing, planning, and strategic operations. He has successfully managed teams and facilities in the U.S., Mexico, UK, Germany, Poland, Malaysia, and China. With expertise in S&OP, inventory management, and global planning, Neal excels at bridging strategy and execution across cross-functional teams.

Jeoffrey Burris

Jeoff Burris is a recognized industry leader with over 30 years of experience in global procurement, cost management, and supply chain strategy. A former Chief Procurement Officer and General Manager with success at Ford, Metaldyne, and Magna, Jeoff founded Advanced Purchasing Dynamics (APD) in 2004 to help manufacturers reduce costs and build competitive advantage. Under his leadership, APD has delivered 8-18% savings for clients through data-driven sourcing, predictive pricing, and buyer training.

Greg Smith

Greg is a seasoned supply chain consultant with over 25 years of experience supporting consumer packaged goods, life sciences, and pharmaceutical companies. He specializes in global sourcing strategy, with deep insight into the challenges of international reliance for raw materials and finished products. Greg brings practical solutions to complex global supply chain issues.

Dennis Schneider

Dennis Schneider is a seasoned global industrial executive with decades of senior leadership experience across nearly every sector and continent. Having managed up to 30 facilities worldwide, Dennis brings a rare perspective on international trade, tariffs, and supply chain disruption. His expertise lies in navigating complex global operations and adapting swiftly to change.

Ben Harmsen

Ben is a Certified Master Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma with expertise in supply chain management and process optimization. Recognized by top companies like Coca-Cola and Sam's Club, he drives measurable results through data-driven strategies, continuous improvement, and strong cross-functional collaboration to solve complex challenges and elevate operational performance.

Bez Hoxha, PMP, MBA

Bez is a strategic consultant with an engineering background and deep expertise in market research, product development, and energy-sector innovation. He advises private and public entities on technology commercialization, ESG, AI adoption, and clean-tech strategy.

Bob Forshay

Bob is a supply chain expert with 35+ years of experience driving global operational improvements. Specializing in Lean Six Sigma, inventory reduction, and process optimization, he has helped Fortune 500 clients boost efficiency and profitability. As a master instructor and consultant, Bob has trained thousands in supply chain best practices.

Bryan Seidensticker

Bryan brings over 20 years of expertise in shaping supply chain and operational strategies, driving transformative initiatives, and enhancing global manufacturing operations. His leadership ensures heightened performance, quality, safety, and cost efficiency, aligning with long-term organizational objectives.

John Dennison

John is an experienced executive leader with over 30 years' expertise driving small business growth. He managed organizations from 100 to 450 employees, specializing in financial policy, HR, and technology. He is a results-driven decision-maker adept at managing significant financial commitments, human resources, technology implementations, and professional relationships.

Stephen Cherlet

Stephen is an accomplished Operations Executive with 30 years of experience across aerospace, defense, electronics, and industrial sectors. Over the past decade, he has served as the President of FarStar S.A.C. Consulting Inc., offering consulting and interim management services in various industries.

Henning Schwinum

Henning Schwinum is the Co-Founder & Managing Partner of vendux. He has expertise in Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, and General Management across corporate and entrepreneurial settings. He is skilled in building international partnerships, and held leadership roles at Bayer, Innovadex, and UL.

Jim de Vries

As an International Thought Leader, Jim de Vries has over 35 years of experience providing executive-level consulting in Strategy, New Product Development & Commercialization, Sourcing, Supply Chain (SC), SC Risk & Resiliency, Lean Six Sigma and Change Management.

Jim Gitney

Jim is a strategy, operations and supply chain subject matter expert in manufacturing and distribution. He has been an Executive Chairman, Board Member, CEO, COO and had other assignments in business development, marketing, sales, and operations.

Marty Abbott

Mary Abbott, President of The IM Group (formerly Incentives Management Group Inc.), founded this leading negotiated incentives advisory firm for corporations 27 years ago, leveraging her expertise to benefit numerous clients.

Phil Winkler

Philip W. Winkler, an expert in government R&D funding and clean energy, founded Government Contracting Specialists, LLC, securing $1 billion in R&D funding. With a 50-year career, he now shares his expertise as a volunteer with Mid-Florida SCORE.

Key Themes

Digitization/ Digital Transformation

The Forever Labor Shortage

Doing More with Less

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Wanna Talk to Ron?

Share your topic ideas or get in touch with Ron Crabtree.

Ready to dive deeper into the world of operational excellence? Start listening to MetaPod today for insightful discussions that empower you to tackle digitization, labor shortages, and more.

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