Lean Meetings: Reducing Organizational Waste Through Better Meeting Management
Why Inefficient Meetings Continue to Drain Manufacturing Organizations Manufacturers work hard to eliminate waste from production processes, supply chains, inventory management, and quality systems. Yet many organizations still tolerate one of the most common forms of operational waste: ineffective meetings. Most professionals can point to a recent meeting that created little value. The agenda was unclear. Conversations drifted off-topic. Too many people attended. Decisions were delayed. Action items were…
Read MoreCATALYZE 2026: Manufacturers Learning from Manufacturers
On May 13, manufacturers from across southwestern Pennsylvania gathered at Mill 19 in Pittsburgh for CATALYZE 2026, a one-day summit focused on practical strategies, real-world challenges, and peer-to-peer learning inside manufacturing. Hosted by Catalyst Connection, the event brought together manufacturing leaders, operations teams, technology professionals, workforce leaders, and industry partners for candid conversations about what manufacturers are navigating right now and where the industry is heading next. Unlike traditional…
Read MoreFrom Toy to Tool to Trusted Partner: How AI Wrappers Are Changing What’s Possible in Manufacturing
A while back, I heard someone describe AI adoption as a journey — from toy, to tool, to trusted partner. It was one of those framings that just clicks. Think about how most of us started with AI. You test a few prompts, generate something surprising, maybe write a quick email. It's novel. It's fun. It feels a little like playing with a new gadget you're not entirely sure…
Read MoreBuilding the Next Generation of Technicians: Inside SkillMill19’s Mechatronics Training with Pittsburgh Public Schools
Manufacturers across southwestern Pennsylvania continue to face a common constraint. Finding skilled talent that understands modern equipment, automation, and systems-based production. To address this gap, Catalyst Connection partnered with Pittsburgh Public Schools to deliver a hands-on mechatronics training program at SkillMill19, located inside the Manufacturing Innovation Center at Mill 19. Nineteen students and six educators from Allderdice High School participated in a three-day Introduction to Mechatronics course designed to…
Read MoreIs Your Workforce Strategy Keeping Up with Operational Reality?
Many manufacturers across Southwestern Pennsylvania are facing a similar challenge: Experienced operators are nearing retirement. New hires take weeks — sometimes months — to reach full productivity. Critical procedures live in binders, spreadsheets, or in the heads of a few key employees. Leadership lacks clear visibility into training progress, SOP compliance, or process performance. These are not isolated issues — they are operational risks. According to the U.S. Bureau…
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