Leading Through Massive Growth in Manufacturing

Aaron Jagdfeld, CEO of Generac

Generac's revenue has grown 6x since Aaron Jagdfeld took over as CEO in 2008. The company saw 50% growth in 2021 alone. How did they achieve this incredible growth, and how does that impact business decisions moving forward?

Rethink Manufacturing
50% year-over-year growth is an incredible accomplishment, but it's not without its challenges. How did Generac meet increased demand for products - especially in a state that's facing record-breaking unemployment lows?

The organization had to rethink manufacturing and the future of their factories. That means investing in automation and the upskilling of employees that comes with it.

But it's not an overnight task...

Generating Awareness Around Manufacturing
If manufacturing continues to grow like it has, it's going to take more than upskilling the current workforce. It will require consistent, strategic connection with schools, parents and students as young as middle school.

Generac has been ahead of the game on this front through their work with GPS Education Partners. Hear all about this program's work-based-learning initiatives in the episode.

Third-Party Certifications
As we train more people to work in advanced manufacturing, third-party credentials are key to developing skillsets around a standard set of competencies.

We discuss Generac's involvement in the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has enabled them to be part of the creation of these standards - that's the real value for employers.

Leadership
We pick Aaron's brain for how he was able to grow Generac during his tenure as CEO. Manufacturing executives, managers and employees take note: there is some incredible advice around having the right risk paradigm, asking lots of questions, and not being the smartest person in the room.

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