Trafton Manufacturing Group
@trafton-mfg.bsky.social
My name is David Heeg and I am the founder of Trafton Manufacturing Group. We are a consultancy that supports product development, supply chain management, manufacturing growth and modernization in the United States and globally. traftonmg.com
Society, if we stopped automating before fixing chaos.
#Manufacturing #Automation #OpsLeadership #DigitalTransformation #SystemDesign
#Manufacturing #Automation #OpsLeadership #DigitalTransformation #SystemDesign
May 20, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Society, if we stopped automating before fixing chaos.
#Manufacturing #Automation #OpsLeadership #DigitalTransformation #SystemDesign
#Manufacturing #Automation #OpsLeadership #DigitalTransformation #SystemDesign
Most people don’t see the chaos behind a “smooth” #SupplyChain, but I’ve seen the grit it takes. On the ground, in the field, & on the factory floor, the work never stops.
Today’s a good day to thank the folks who keep things moving.
#SupplyChainProfessionalsDay #Manufacturing
Today’s a good day to thank the folks who keep things moving.
#SupplyChainProfessionalsDay #Manufacturing
May 19, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Most people don’t see the chaos behind a “smooth” #SupplyChain, but I’ve seen the grit it takes. On the ground, in the field, & on the factory floor, the work never stops.
Today’s a good day to thank the folks who keep things moving.
#SupplyChainProfessionalsDay #Manufacturing
Today’s a good day to thank the folks who keep things moving.
#SupplyChainProfessionalsDay #Manufacturing
Trafton’s Product Life Cycle Management services help you speed up time-to-market, ensure compliance, and align design with manufacturing.
From idea to production, we’ve got your back.
#PLM #ProductDevelopment #Manufacturing #Engineering #TraftonManufacturing
From idea to production, we’ve got your back.
#PLM #ProductDevelopment #Manufacturing #Engineering #TraftonManufacturing
May 15, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Trafton’s Product Life Cycle Management services help you speed up time-to-market, ensure compliance, and align design with manufacturing.
From idea to production, we’ve got your back.
#PLM #ProductDevelopment #Manufacturing #Engineering #TraftonManufacturing
From idea to production, we’ve got your back.
#PLM #ProductDevelopment #Manufacturing #Engineering #TraftonManufacturing
Reuters captured what many in U.S. #manufacturing feel: #SupplyChain pressure is real. But so is the opportunity to adapt.
Now’s the time to rethink your building approach. Aligning designs with available resources can unlock more than short-term fixes.
Now’s the time to rethink your building approach. Aligning designs with available resources can unlock more than short-term fixes.
Tariffs squeeze US manufacturing in April, lift input prices
U.S. manufacturing contracted for a second straight month in April as tariffs on imported goods strained supply chains, keeping prices at the factory gate elevated and encouraging some firms to lay off workers.
www.reuters.com
May 14, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Reuters captured what many in U.S. #manufacturing feel: #SupplyChain pressure is real. But so is the opportunity to adapt.
Now’s the time to rethink your building approach. Aligning designs with available resources can unlock more than short-term fixes.
Now’s the time to rethink your building approach. Aligning designs with available resources can unlock more than short-term fixes.
Too often, employees are treated like a resource to extract from, but in every engineering challenge I’ve tackled, the people make the difference.
Empathy is leadership. Anyone saying otherwise is putting ego above impact.
#Leadership #ManufacturingExcellence #EmpathyInAction #TeamCulture
Empathy is leadership. Anyone saying otherwise is putting ego above impact.
#Leadership #ManufacturingExcellence #EmpathyInAction #TeamCulture
The best leaders I know practice empathy. They listen, they coach, and they grow alongside their teams.
If we want resilient, high-performing teams, we have to start by valuing the humans behind the work.
#Leadership #Humanity #EmpathyInAction
If we want resilient, high-performing teams, we have to start by valuing the humans behind the work.
#Leadership #Humanity #EmpathyInAction
May 12, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Too often, employees are treated like a resource to extract from, but in every engineering challenge I’ve tackled, the people make the difference.
Empathy is leadership. Anyone saying otherwise is putting ego above impact.
#Leadership #ManufacturingExcellence #EmpathyInAction #TeamCulture
Empathy is leadership. Anyone saying otherwise is putting ego above impact.
#Leadership #ManufacturingExcellence #EmpathyInAction #TeamCulture
Geo Week News spotlighted how tools are being reworked for green infrastructure.
How you apply tech for #GreenManufacturing is the work we do at Trafton.
🔗 https://www.geoweeknews.com/blogs/how-geospatial-technology-can-help-drive-green-infrastructure
#ProcessEngineering #SustainableDesign
How you apply tech for #GreenManufacturing is the work we do at Trafton.
🔗 https://www.geoweeknews.com/blogs/how-geospatial-technology-can-help-drive-green-infrastructure
#ProcessEngineering #SustainableDesign
May 8, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Geo Week News spotlighted how tools are being reworked for green infrastructure.
How you apply tech for #GreenManufacturing is the work we do at Trafton.
🔗 https://www.geoweeknews.com/blogs/how-geospatial-technology-can-help-drive-green-infrastructure
#ProcessEngineering #SustainableDesign
How you apply tech for #GreenManufacturing is the work we do at Trafton.
🔗 https://www.geoweeknews.com/blogs/how-geospatial-technology-can-help-drive-green-infrastructure
#ProcessEngineering #SustainableDesign
The DLA is looking for new ideas in battery manufacturing, design, automation, and supply chain.
This is a real shot to bring commercial innovation into defense and help shape secure, scalable energy systems in the U.S.
#BatteryTech #DefenseTech
This is a real shot to bring commercial innovation into defense and help shape secure, scalable energy systems in the U.S.
#BatteryTech #DefenseTech
Logistics experts ask industry to boost manufacturing and automation in military battery supply chain
Defense Logistics Agency seeks to improve performance, efficiency, and affordability in batteries for warfighters operating on the battlefield through BATTNET III project. Companies...
www.militaryaerospace.com
May 7, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The DLA is looking for new ideas in battery manufacturing, design, automation, and supply chain.
This is a real shot to bring commercial innovation into defense and help shape secure, scalable energy systems in the U.S.
#BatteryTech #DefenseTech
This is a real shot to bring commercial innovation into defense and help shape secure, scalable energy systems in the U.S.
#BatteryTech #DefenseTech
Some of the boldest ideas come from small shops, not boardrooms. #SmallBusinessWeek is a reminder to support the builders, fixers, and innovators who are pushing industries forward. Support local. That’s where the next big leap might be getting built. #Manufacturing #Innovation
May 6, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Some of the boldest ideas come from small shops, not boardrooms. #SmallBusinessWeek is a reminder to support the builders, fixers, and innovators who are pushing industries forward. Support local. That’s where the next big leap might be getting built. #Manufacturing #Innovation
EGI is impressive, but let’s be clear: it doesn’t fix broken systems. It makes good ones better.
This is a “make great greater” tool, not a lifeline for teams still chasing clarity.
#AIinManufacturing #EngineeringLeadership #ProductDevelopment #SystemsThinking
This is a “make great greater” tool, not a lifeline for teams still chasing clarity.
#AIinManufacturing #EngineeringLeadership #ProductDevelopment #SystemsThinking
MIT-Backed Foundation EGI Debuts Engineering General Intelligence to Transform Manufacturing
Foundation EGI, a pioneering artificial intelligence company founded at MIT, has officially launched today with the debut of the world’s first Engineering General Intelligence (EGI) platform — a domain-specific, agentic AI system tailored to supercharge every phase of industrial engineering and manufacturing. The platform is designed to automate and streamline the historically manual, fragmented,
www.unite.ai
May 1, 2025 at 3:27 PM
EGI is impressive, but let’s be clear: it doesn’t fix broken systems. It makes good ones better.
This is a “make great greater” tool, not a lifeline for teams still chasing clarity.
#AIinManufacturing #EngineeringLeadership #ProductDevelopment #SystemsThinking
This is a “make great greater” tool, not a lifeline for teams still chasing clarity.
#AIinManufacturing #EngineeringLeadership #ProductDevelopment #SystemsThinking
Bias will show up beyond hiring in how we define “impact,” give feedback, and make decisions.
Want more #InclusiveTeams? Rethink performance. Recognize trust, collaboration, and systems thinking—not just output. And make the metrics transparent.
#Leaders set the culture.
Want more #InclusiveTeams? Rethink performance. Recognize trust, collaboration, and systems thinking—not just output. And make the metrics transparent.
#Leaders set the culture.
April 29, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Bias will show up beyond hiring in how we define “impact,” give feedback, and make decisions.
Want more #InclusiveTeams? Rethink performance. Recognize trust, collaboration, and systems thinking—not just output. And make the metrics transparent.
#Leaders set the culture.
Want more #InclusiveTeams? Rethink performance. Recognize trust, collaboration, and systems thinking—not just output. And make the metrics transparent.
#Leaders set the culture.
Found it! @bonniedilber.bsky.social
April 28, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Found it! @bonniedilber.bsky.social
We didn’t just lose factories.
We lost the muscle memory of how to build complex things at scale.
Commitment means investing in the next generation of #Engineers, #Machinists, and #ProductBuilders—alongside the culture and capability to work with new tech.
#SkilledTrades
We lost the muscle memory of how to build complex things at scale.
Commitment means investing in the next generation of #Engineers, #Machinists, and #ProductBuilders—alongside the culture and capability to work with new tech.
#SkilledTrades
April 24, 2025 at 4:06 PM
We didn’t just lose factories.
We lost the muscle memory of how to build complex things at scale.
Commitment means investing in the next generation of #Engineers, #Machinists, and #ProductBuilders—alongside the culture and capability to work with new tech.
#SkilledTrades
We lost the muscle memory of how to build complex things at scale.
Commitment means investing in the next generation of #Engineers, #Machinists, and #ProductBuilders—alongside the culture and capability to work with new tech.
#SkilledTrades
Earth Day means more when your work shapes the systems we all depend on.
At Trafton, we’re solving product and process challenges with climate in mind—choosing cleaner materials, reducing waste, and making nearshoring the default.
#EarthDay2025 #TechForGood
At Trafton, we’re solving product and process challenges with climate in mind—choosing cleaner materials, reducing waste, and making nearshoring the default.
#EarthDay2025 #TechForGood
April 22, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Earth Day means more when your work shapes the systems we all depend on.
At Trafton, we’re solving product and process challenges with climate in mind—choosing cleaner materials, reducing waste, and making nearshoring the default.
#EarthDay2025 #TechForGood
At Trafton, we’re solving product and process challenges with climate in mind—choosing cleaner materials, reducing waste, and making nearshoring the default.
#EarthDay2025 #TechForGood
I appreciate this from Adam. I’ve worked in defense, tech, and #manufacturing. Who you are has always mattered more than what you can do.
The biggest #CareerMove is to be a good person.
You often get to choose who you work with—so be someone you’d want to choose.
#Character #WorkCulture
The biggest #CareerMove is to be a good person.
You often get to choose who you work with—so be someone you’d want to choose.
#Character #WorkCulture
We shouldn’t ask kids what they want to be when they grow up. It encourages them to define themselves in terms of work.
Who we become is not a question of career—it’s a matter of character.
The highest aspiration is to be a person of generosity, integrity, humility, curiosity, and wisdom.
Who we become is not a question of career—it’s a matter of character.
The highest aspiration is to be a person of generosity, integrity, humility, curiosity, and wisdom.
April 21, 2025 at 4:37 PM
I appreciate this from Adam. I’ve worked in defense, tech, and #manufacturing. Who you are has always mattered more than what you can do.
The biggest #CareerMove is to be a good person.
You often get to choose who you work with—so be someone you’d want to choose.
#Character #WorkCulture
The biggest #CareerMove is to be a good person.
You often get to choose who you work with—so be someone you’d want to choose.
#Character #WorkCulture
Today’s a day to thank the people who keep our power systems running—no matter the weather.
Linemen don’t get enough recognition for the risks they take and the resilience they show.
Appreciate you all.
#NationalLinemanAppreciationDay #Infrastructure #Energy
Linemen don’t get enough recognition for the risks they take and the resilience they show.
Appreciate you all.
#NationalLinemanAppreciationDay #Infrastructure #Energy
April 18, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Today’s a day to thank the people who keep our power systems running—no matter the weather.
Linemen don’t get enough recognition for the risks they take and the resilience they show.
Appreciate you all.
#NationalLinemanAppreciationDay #Infrastructure #Energy
Linemen don’t get enough recognition for the risks they take and the resilience they show.
Appreciate you all.
#NationalLinemanAppreciationDay #Infrastructure #Energy
EY Parthenon says tariffs + protectionism could impact global #manufacturing.
If you work in #engineering or manufacturing, now is the time to reassess how you build, source, and scale.
Trafton was built to tackle these challenges.
#SupplyChain #Industry40
If you work in #engineering or manufacturing, now is the time to reassess how you build, source, and scale.
Trafton was built to tackle these challenges.
#SupplyChain #Industry40
Tariff troubles: Could protectionism revive stagflation?
Reciprocal tariffs will reshape the global trade landscape.
www.ey.com
April 14, 2025 at 2:20 PM
EY Parthenon says tariffs + protectionism could impact global #manufacturing.
If you work in #engineering or manufacturing, now is the time to reassess how you build, source, and scale.
Trafton was built to tackle these challenges.
#SupplyChain #Industry40
If you work in #engineering or manufacturing, now is the time to reassess how you build, source, and scale.
Trafton was built to tackle these challenges.
#SupplyChain #Industry40
Not every challenge has clean “solutions.” #ComplexSystems need interventions—not fixes. Tech lives in context—people, operations, feedback loops. Danah Boyd's latest talk captures this perfectly. Build with intention. Intervene with humility.
#AIandHumanity #DigitalTransformation
#AIandHumanity #DigitalTransformation
We Need an Interventionist Mindset | TechPolicy.Press
To stabilize and enhance democratic practices, danah boyd advocates for an interventionist approach to AI regulation.
www.techpolicy.press
April 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Not every challenge has clean “solutions.” #ComplexSystems need interventions—not fixes. Tech lives in context—people, operations, feedback loops. Danah Boyd's latest talk captures this perfectly. Build with intention. Intervene with humility.
#AIandHumanity #DigitalTransformation
#AIandHumanity #DigitalTransformation
The World Economic Forum says growth equity is key to scaling climate solutions.
We agree—and we’d add this: capital needs a builder.
We partner with climate tech companies to move from prototype to production
#ClimateTech #GrowthEquity #Manufacturing #EngineeringLeadership #EnergyTransition
We agree—and we’d add this: capital needs a builder.
We partner with climate tech companies to move from prototype to production
#ClimateTech #GrowthEquity #Manufacturing #EngineeringLeadership #EnergyTransition
Growth equity can accelerate investment in climate solutions
The energy transition presents a huge investment opportunity, with private markets positioned to scale climate solutions with the help of growth equity firms.
www.weforum.org
April 9, 2025 at 3:50 PM
The World Economic Forum says growth equity is key to scaling climate solutions.
We agree—and we’d add this: capital needs a builder.
We partner with climate tech companies to move from prototype to production
#ClimateTech #GrowthEquity #Manufacturing #EngineeringLeadership #EnergyTransition
We agree—and we’d add this: capital needs a builder.
We partner with climate tech companies to move from prototype to production
#ClimateTech #GrowthEquity #Manufacturing #EngineeringLeadership #EnergyTransition
From the #Navy to Google—now leading change in engineering & #Manufacturing.
I joined #TheUncagedShow to talk systems thinking, sustainability & scaling ops.
🎧 Full episode: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/uncaged-show/episodes/Driving-Organizational-Transformation--David-Heeg-e2u4ru8
I joined #TheUncagedShow to talk systems thinking, sustainability & scaling ops.
🎧 Full episode: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/uncaged-show/episodes/Driving-Organizational-Transformation--David-Heeg-e2u4ru8
April 7, 2025 at 3:42 PM
From the #Navy to Google—now leading change in engineering & #Manufacturing.
I joined #TheUncagedShow to talk systems thinking, sustainability & scaling ops.
🎧 Full episode: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/uncaged-show/episodes/Driving-Organizational-Transformation--David-Heeg-e2u4ru8
I joined #TheUncagedShow to talk systems thinking, sustainability & scaling ops.
🎧 Full episode: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/uncaged-show/episodes/Driving-Organizational-Transformation--David-Heeg-e2u4ru8
A factory in China has replaced workers with #AI. This shouldn't be a concern for the #manufacturing workforce, given the cost. It's interesting to see this is possible, and will likely spark debate over the ethics of human-free warehousing... I think we need the human touch in the #SupplyChain.
China’s ‘Dark Factory’ Revolution: The Future of Manufacturing Without Human Workers - The420.in
China's factories are entering a new era where human workers are no longer needed. Xiaomi's AI-powered "dark factory" operates in total darkness, producing one smartphone every second without human intervention. As automation advances, concerns rise over the future of employment and the global workforce. Are we prepared for this AI-driven revolution?
the420.in
April 3, 2025 at 4:02 PM
A factory in China has replaced workers with #AI. This shouldn't be a concern for the #manufacturing workforce, given the cost. It's interesting to see this is possible, and will likely spark debate over the ethics of human-free warehousing... I think we need the human touch in the #SupplyChain.
The market for #robotics in #automation is set to surge within the next decade, currently projected at 55.2 billion USD in 2025 and 291.1 billion by 2035. That's a compound annual growth rate of 18.1%.
Industrial Robotics Market to Surge from USD 55.1 Billion in 2025 to USD 291.1 Billion by 2035 | Future Market Insights, Inc.
East Asia is projected to emerge as the most remunerative industrial robotics market, accounting for more than 2/3rd of the revenue share by 2025. Based on...
www.globenewswire.com
April 2, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The market for #robotics in #automation is set to surge within the next decade, currently projected at 55.2 billion USD in 2025 and 291.1 billion by 2035. That's a compound annual growth rate of 18.1%.
Whatever it may be, start today. Having this mentality and attitude will keep you relevant, at the forefront of #technology and #business, and a #leader your employees will be interested to follow. #SupplyChainLeadership
April 1, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Whatever it may be, start today. Having this mentality and attitude will keep you relevant, at the forefront of #technology and #business, and a #leader your employees will be interested to follow. #SupplyChainLeadership
The best #Leaders I’ve worked with put #PeopleFirst. They built trust, cleared roadblocks, and made sure their teams had what they needed to succeed.
That’s what I strive to do. It’s easy to slip into “boss mode,” but every decision impacts a human. Keeping that in mind makes all the difference.
That’s what I strive to do. It’s easy to slip into “boss mode,” but every decision impacts a human. Keeping that in mind makes all the difference.
March 27, 2025 at 4:31 PM
The best #Leaders I’ve worked with put #PeopleFirst. They built trust, cleared roadblocks, and made sure their teams had what they needed to succeed.
That’s what I strive to do. It’s easy to slip into “boss mode,” but every decision impacts a human. Keeping that in mind makes all the difference.
That’s what I strive to do. It’s easy to slip into “boss mode,” but every decision impacts a human. Keeping that in mind makes all the difference.
#Cyberattacks are breaching entire supply chains by exploiting weak vendor links (via Transport Topics).
With #Manufacturing more connected than ever, security needs to be part of vendor selection, just like cost and quality. Your weakest link can’t be an open door.
#Cybersecurity #SupplyChain
With #Manufacturing more connected than ever, security needs to be part of vendor selection, just like cost and quality. Your weakest link can’t be an open door.
#Cybersecurity #SupplyChain
Trucking Experts Link Cybersecurity to Company Culture - TT
Businesses can better protect themselves from breaches by building a company culture that prioritizes security while also developing closer relationships with key stakeholders.
www.ttnews.com
March 25, 2025 at 3:46 PM
#Cyberattacks are breaching entire supply chains by exploiting weak vendor links (via Transport Topics).
With #Manufacturing more connected than ever, security needs to be part of vendor selection, just like cost and quality. Your weakest link can’t be an open door.
#Cybersecurity #SupplyChain
With #Manufacturing more connected than ever, security needs to be part of vendor selection, just like cost and quality. Your weakest link can’t be an open door.
#Cybersecurity #SupplyChain
This clip from my #UncagedPodcast episode talks about resilience in manufacturing.
Optimizing for a single supplier or region seems smart until disruption hits—and it will. #Resilience is being nimble enough to adapt when things go awry. A #SupplyChain that survives is built for resilience.
Optimizing for a single supplier or region seems smart until disruption hits—and it will. #Resilience is being nimble enough to adapt when things go awry. A #SupplyChain that survives is built for resilience.
March 24, 2025 at 6:09 PM
This clip from my #UncagedPodcast episode talks about resilience in manufacturing.
Optimizing for a single supplier or region seems smart until disruption hits—and it will. #Resilience is being nimble enough to adapt when things go awry. A #SupplyChain that survives is built for resilience.
Optimizing for a single supplier or region seems smart until disruption hits—and it will. #Resilience is being nimble enough to adapt when things go awry. A #SupplyChain that survives is built for resilience.