Chris Martin is the Vice President of OEM and New Technologies at Thompson Retractor, a company specializing in surgical exposure systems that enable efficient and safe access to anatomy during medical procedures. Under his leadership and with over 15 years at Thompson Retractor, Chris has helped expand the company's reach beyond traditional hospital sales into strategic OEM partnerships with major implant manufacturers, contributing to significant growth and innovation within the industry.

Innovation in healthcare rarely happens in isolation. It's built through collaboration, trust, and a deep understanding of what surgeons truly need in the operating room. So what does it take to turn partnership into real surgical progress?

Drawing from his experience as a leader in surgical product development and collaboration, Chris Martin explains that true innovation comes from aligning expertise. He describes how partnerships allow each side to focus on what they do best, whether that's implants or surgical access, rather than trying to do everything at once. By combining strengths and reducing complexity for surgeons, these collaborations ultimately lead to safer, more efficient procedures and better patient outcomes.

In this episode of In Good Company: Where Relationships Drive Results, Lisa Kilrea is joined by Chris Martin, Vice President of OEM and New Technologies at Thompson Retractor, to discuss how strategic partnerships drive surgical innovation. They explore the shift from direct sales to OEM collaboration, the role of stability and exposure in surgical success, and how trust fuels long-term adoption. Chris also talks about staying relevant amid emerging technologies like robotics.

Scott Rolston is the President of Stucchi USA, a leading manufacturer specializing in hydraulic quick disconnect couplings for industries such as construction, agriculture, industrial, and oil and gas. Under Scott's leadership, Stucchi USA has grown from an organic startup to a major player in the fluid power industry, earning recognition for its customer-focused innovation and operational excellence. With over 30 years of experience, Scott combines deep technical knowledge with a passion for building strong relationships across OEMs, distributors, and end users.

In industrial markets, innovation rarely starts in a lab. It takes shape in the field, shaped by pressure, downtime, and real-world constraints. But what happens when companies truly build solutions around those realities instead of just the product?

Drawing from his experience as a seasoned leader in fluid power, Scott Rolston explains that innovation begins by deeply understanding the customer's application, not just the component itself. He emphasizes that what may seem like a simple product often sits at the center of safety, uptime, and productivity challenges once it's exposed to real-world variables like vibration, pressure, and operator behavior. This perspective shifts the focus from selling parts to solving business-critical problems, making innovation more practical, impactful, and aligned with how customers actually operate.

In this episode of In Good Company: Where Relationships Drive Results, Lisa Kilrea is joined by Scott Rolston, President of Stucchi USA, to discuss building customer-driven innovation in industrial markets. They explore how to differentiate in commoditized spaces, why safety and productivity are reshaping expectations, and how real-world feedback drives product development. Scott also shares insights on turning strong partnerships into a competitive advantage.

Baran Mutlu is the Director of Sales at AKDO, a global supplier of luxury natural stone, tiles, and surface materials used in residential and commercial design projects. As an industry leader for over 30 years, AKDO has expanded its reach to around 200 showrooms nationwide and grown its presence in both residential and large-scale commercial projects, with a focus on innovation and cutting-edge design. Baran brings an international perspective to the business, shaped by his education at Babson College and a family heritage of entrepreneurship.

Great design doesn't happen in isolation. It's built through a web of trust, timing, and collaboration that often determines whether a vision comes to life or falls short. What really makes those connections last?

According to Baran Mutlu, a relationship-driven sales leader in the design materials space, strong partnerships are the single most important factor in long-term success. He explains that in a competitive industry, it's not just about having the best product, but about nurturing genuine, organic relationships built on trust and consistency. From calling in favors on tight deadlines to securing exclusive materials before they hit the market, those connections create a competitive advantage. Ultimately, it's this mutual support system that turns one-time transactions into lasting collaboration.

In this episode of In Good Company: Where Relationships Drive Results, Lisa Kilrea is joined by Baran Mutlu, Director of Sales at AKDO, to discuss how relationships shape success in architecture and design. He shares how trust influences supplier and designer partnerships, why observation is key early in your career, and how global collaboration requires understanding personal motivators. Baran also talks about balancing service with business growth.

Rand Owens is the Head of Marketing at GrayMatter Robotics, which delivers AI-powered robotic solutions to help high-mix manufacturers improve quality and throughput in surface finishing processes. With more than 15 years of marketing leadership, Rand has helped scale multiple B2B technology organizations, including building the foundational marketing team at Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) and supporting its growth to $170 million in revenue. He is passionate about mentoring diverse teams, developing holistic go-to-market strategies, and creating repeatable playbooks for sustainable growth.

Manufacturing has long depended on human intuition. The trained eye that knows when something is slightly off. But what happens when that expertise is hard to find, harder to retain, and nearly impossible to scale?

According to Rand Owens, a growth-focused marketing leader with deep experience in scaling industrial technologies, the answer lies in embedding intelligence directly into the machines themselves. He explains that AI-powered robotics can now see, adapt, and even "learn" in real time, making decisions once reserved for highly skilled operators. Instead of rigid automation, these systems continuously refine their approach based on each unique part, much like a craftsman adjusting their technique on the fly. The result is a shift from inconsistent, labor-dependent output to scalable precision that transforms how manufacturers operate.

In this episode of In Good Company: Where Relationships Drive Results, Lisa Kilrea is joined by Rand Owens, Head of Marketing at GrayMatter Robotics, to discuss embedding AI into robotics for high-mix manufacturing environments. They explore why traditional automation struggles with variability, how AI enables adaptive, real-time decision-making on the factory floor, and why labor challenges are driving adoption.

Ken McLoud is the Founder of Laconic Technology, a technology company focused on helping businesses harness the power of artificial intelligence and custom software to streamline operations, boost efficiency, and unlock growth. Drawing on his experience in AI engineering and strategic consulting, he partners with clients to design solutions that integrate smoothly with existing systems and deliver measurable business results. Prior to founding Laconic Technology, Ken worked as a Design Engineer at Ruger Firearms, where he leveraged his technical expertise to develop innovative products.

Artificial intelligence is everywhere right now, but most conversations still revolve around tools, prompts, and hype. So what actually happens when a company stops chasing AI trends and starts using the technology to solve real business problems?

According to Ken McLoud, a seasoned engineer who has spent years building complex systems, the first step is shifting the question entirely. Instead of asking where they can deploy AI, businesses should start by identifying the real constraint in the system and attacking that problem directly. In practice, that often means automating repetitive tasks, improving lead generation, or building systems that analyze opportunities and make smarter decisions at scale. When companies focus on the right problem first, AI becomes a practical tool for measurable impact rather than a shiny experiment.

In this episode of In Good Company: Where Relationships Drive Results, Lisa Kilrea is joined by Ken McLoud, Founder of Laconic Technology, to discuss how businesses can implement AI in ways that actually drive revenue and efficiency. Ken explains why "we need AI" is often a red flag, how custom systems differ from simple AI integrations, and where B2B companies are missing the biggest opportunities. Ken also shares advice on identifying the real business constraints AI should solve.

Lisa Kilrea is the Founder of WSI eResults, a leading digital marketing agency that specializes in helping manufacturers, distributors, and B2B companies grow through AI-powered, data-driven strategies. With over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience and a proven track record, Lisa has led WSI Results to deliver standout lead generation and revenue growth in the industrial sector. Her background includes work with major brands like Quaker Oats and BP Petroleum, and she's known for pioneering innovative marketing tactics that blend traditional expertise with cutting-edge digital solutions.

In a world where technology is evolving at lightning speed, businesses are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to boost efficiency and improve decision-making. But as AI becomes more mainstream, a critical question arises: How can manufacturers move beyond pilot projects and make AI a scalable, impactful part of their operations?

For Lisa Kilrea, the key to success lies in a structured, roadmap-driven approach. She emphasizes that AI is not just a tool but a transformational journey. It's therefore imperative for manufacturers to first build a strong foundation, enabling them to identify, implement, and scale AI initiatives effectively. Through strategic implementation and ongoing optimization, companies can turn AI from a shiny new tech into a core business driver that delivers measurable results.

In this episode of In Good Company: Where Relationships Drive Results, part three of WSI's webinar series, Lisa Kilrea discusses how manufacturers can take AI pilots from mere experiments to scalable successes. She explores how AI adoption starts with creating a strong foundation, then moves through stages of enablement and identification before scaling solutions across the organization. Lisa also shares insights on the importance of governance and employee training to foster AI adoption.

Lisa Kilrea is the Founder of WSI eResults, a leading digital marketing agency that specializes in helping manufacturers, distributors, and B2B companies grow through AI-powered, data-driven strategies. With over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience and a proven track record, Lisa has led WSI Results to deliver standout lead generation and revenue growth in the industrial sector. Her background includes work with major brands like Quaker Oats and BP Petroleum, and she's known for pioneering innovative marketing tactics that blend traditional expertise with cutting-edge digital solutions.

In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, AI is no longer a far-off concept — it's transforming industries right before our eyes. For manufacturers, the challenge isn't just about keeping up with innovation; it's about strategically incorporating AI to drive tangible results. So, how can manufacturers begin their AI journey, and where do they start?

According to Lisa Kilrea, a digital marketing and AI expert, manufacturers should first focus on leveraging AI that is already embedded within the tools they're using. She emphasizes that AI doesn't always require adopting groundbreaking new technologies; in many cases, it is already integrated into existing platforms such as CRMs, ERPs, and customer service systems. These systems can help automate repetitive tasks and boost productivity, creating immediate value without overhauling existing processes. The key takeaway here is simple: AI isn't about replacing humans, but enhancing their capabilities, leading to better customer service and more efficient operations.

In this episode of In Good Company: Where Relationships Drive Results, part two of WSI's webinar series, Lisa Kilrea discusses how manufacturers can start using AI to improve their processes. She explains the five stages of AI adoption, from existing tools to advanced AI copilots. Lisa also discusses practical examples, like AI's role in demand forecasting and automating quoting processes, which streamline operations and enhance business outcomes.

Lisa Kilrea is the Founder of WSI eResults, a leading digital marketing agency that specializes in helping manufacturers, distributors, and B2B companies grow through AI-powered, data-driven strategies. With over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience and a proven track record, Lisa has led WSI Results to deliver standout lead generation and revenue growth in the industrial sector. Her background includes work with major brands like Quaker Oats and BP Petroleum, and she's known for pioneering innovative marketing tactics that blend traditional expertise with cutting-edge digital solutions.

AI isn't coming to manufacturing someday. It's already reshaping how work gets done, from the shop floor to the front office. The real question isn't whether AI matters, but how manufacturers can start using it in a practical, strategic way without wasting time or money.

Lisa Kilrea explains that the smartest place to begin is with strategy, not software. She compares random AI experiments to "random acts of marketing," noting that without a clear plan, even powerful tools won't deliver meaningful ROI. The takeaway is simple but powerful: AI becomes transformative when it's tied directly to business goals, measurable wins, and a structured roadmap.

In this episode of In Good Company: Where Relationships Drive Results, part 1 of WSI's webinar series, Lisa Kilrea talks about how manufacturers can start using AI strategically. She outlines what AI is and why it matters now, outlines the AI spectrum from basic tools to copilots, and shares real-world manufacturing use cases with measurable ROI. Lisa also demystifies the AI Readiness Assessment and how to identify quick wins that prove value fast.