“I hadn’t planned to stay in manufacturing, and then I caught the bug. I couldn’t shake it. I loved seeing change and transformation and changing how people were able to do their work, as well as seeing the product change as it went through the process. You get the bug, and you can’t shake it.”
—Rebekah Collogan, Vice President of Operations at Phoenix Mecano USA
In this episode of Manufacturing Mavericks, we’re excited to welcome Rebekah Collogan, a seasoned operations leader with years of experience in optimizing production, scaling teams, and driving continuous improvement on the shop floor. Rebekah shares her journey into manufacturing, her challenges in streamlining operations, and her strategies for boosting efficiency and eliminating bottlenecks. She embodies the idea that manufacturing success isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter.
We are honored to have Rebekah as our first female guest on the podcast, and we hope she will be the first of many women in manufacturing to share their stories on the show. She offers a unique and invaluable perspective on leadership and problem-solving, and she is enthusiastic about the power of real-time data in making strategic decisions. She explores the significance of visibility on the shop floor, the role of automation in minimizing downtime, and how modern manufacturers can stay competitive without introducing unnecessary complexity.
This episode provides actionable insights on scaling your shop, enhancing productivity, and embracing the future of manufacturing.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- 1:19 Rebekah’s background in manufacturing and journey into leadership.
- 3:54 Early Challenges & Lessons in Scaling Manufacturing
- 10:30 Providing Solutions and Making Customer’s Lives Easier
- 15:45 Identifying & Eliminating Bottlenecks
- 22:00 Leading Change & Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement
- 26:19 Operational Excellence & The Need For Accurate Data
- 35:00 Advice to a Young Rebekah
Links Referenced:
- Phoenix Mecano USA: https://www.phoenixmecano.com/
- Datanomix: https://datanomix.io/
- mfgmavericks.com: https://mfgmavericks.com