Catalyst Connection

When people hear innovation, they often think about new products.

Doug Gudenburr of DMI Companies sees it differently.

Today's innovation is about leveraging technology, data, automation, and digital tools across every part of the business.

Hear how manufacturers can think differently about innovation and growth.

🎧 This is just one of many conversations on the Smart Factory Podcast.

Discover insights from manufacturing leaders across workforce development, AI, automation, supply chain, leadership, innovation, and industrial growth.

Listen to the full series: https://bit.ly/4xH1Tpj

We're Hiring: Strategic Business Advisor

Want to make a lasting impact on manufacturing in southwestern Pennsylvania?

Catalyst Connection is seeking a Strategic Business Advisor to partner directly with small and mid-sized manufacturers across Cambria, Somerset, Indiana, Armstrong, and Fayette counties. In this role, you'll help companies identify opportunities for growth, strengthen operations, adopt new technologies, and improve their long-term competitiveness.

If you're passionate about building relationships, solving complex business challenges, and supporting the manufacturers that power our region's economy, we'd love to hear from you.

Join a team that's helping manufacturers innovate, grow, and thrive—one company at a time.

Apply today: https://bit.ly/4xbBmj0

Lean tools don't just improve processes—they build leaders who can drive continuous improvement.

Catalyst Connection's Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Training equips manufacturing professionals with the practical skills to reduce waste, improve quality, eliminate variation, and deliver measurable business results.

This course is designed to prepare participants for Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification. When you're ready to pursue certification, Catalyst Connection can provide project coaching and certification assistance to help you successfully complete the process.

Whether you're a production supervisor, engineer, quality professional, continuous improvement leader, or operations manager, you'll leave with tools you can immediately apply on your shop floor.

✔ Reduce waste and variation
✔ Improve quality and efficiency
✔ Increase productivity and profitability
✔ Prepare for Green Belt certification with expert support

Register today and take the next step toward becoming a stronger continuous improvement leader. https://bit.ly/4pVwr3k

What does it say about a company when employees encourage their friends and family to work there?

Quite a lot.

Ralph Hardt of Belleville International discusses company culture, employee engagement, and why referrals continue to be one of their strongest recruiting tools.

🎧 This is just one of many conversations on the Smart Factory Podcast.

Discover insights from manufacturing leaders across workforce development, AI, automation, supply chain, leadership, innovation, and industrial growth.

Listen to the full series: https://bit.ly/3Stkl4H

Creating a safe workplace isn't just about meeting requirements—it's about building habits that protect your people every day.

Strong safety cultures don't happen by chance. They grow when employees understand risks, recognize hazards, and know how to respond before an incident occurs.

Our Health & Safety Training through SkillMill19 @ Manufacturing Innovation Center provides practical, real-world knowledge that manufacturing employees can apply immediately to help reduce risk, strengthen workplace safety, and support a culture of continuous improvement.

Even better, manufacturers can attend at no cost, making it easy to invest in your team and your operation.

Learn more and register: https://hubs.li/Q04r3Qs50

Happy National Intern Day!

Today we're celebrating five incredible interns who are making a difference at Catalyst Connection: Maria, Sky, Zachary, Lucas, Richard (Trip), and Lucas.

From regional initiatives and business growth to data and AI, marketing and communications, and so much more, they've embraced every opportunity to learn, contribute, and make an impact. Their fresh perspectives, strong work ethic, and willingness to jump in wherever needed have made them valuable members of our team.

We're grateful to have each of them as part of Catalyst Connection and appreciate the energy, curiosity, and dedication they bring to our mission of strengthening manufacturing across southwestern Pennsylvania.

Thank you for everything you're doing. Happy !

A strong quality management system doesn't happen by accident. It's built through consistent processes, informed decisions, and a team that understands the "why" behind the standard.

If your organization is implementing ISO 9001:2015, preparing for certification, or looking to strengthen an existing quality management system, our ISO 9001:2015 1-Day Orientation provides a practical foundation you can put to work immediately.

In this one-day session, you'll gain a clear understanding of the ISO 9001:2015 requirements, explore how they apply in real manufacturing environments, and learn practical approaches to improving process consistency, supporting compliance, and driving continuous improvement. The course is designed for professionals responsible for planning, implementing, or maintaining a quality management system.

Even better, manufacturers can attend at no cost through SkillMill19 @ Manufacturing Innovation Center.

Learn more and register: https://www.catalystconnection.org/event/iso-90012015-1-day-orientation/

For decades, Pittsburgh helped build the nation's manufacturing workforce.

Today, we're helping build the workforce that will power its future.

We're proud to see Carnegie Mellon University highlight SkillMill19™, our partnership with the Manufacturing Futures Institute and the ARM Institute, and the impact it's making across Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Since launching two years ago, more than 600 workers have participated in free advanced manufacturing training at Mill 19, gaining practical skills in robotics, AI, electrical systems, blueprint reading, leadership, and other in-demand technologies. The program was created to help manufacturers close critical skills gaps while giving workers new opportunities to grow their careers.

A special thank you to Mara Peduto and Shaun Reddick, who deserve tremendous credit for taking the original vision for SkillMill19 and turning it into a reality. Their leadership, dedication, and persistence have helped create a resource that is making a lasting impact on manufacturers and the manufacturing workforce across our region.

Watch the short video and read the story to see how regional collaboration is strengthening manufacturing for the future.

🎥 Video: https://hubs.li/Q04rdMXq0
📖 Read More: https://hubs.li/Q04rdScG0

Skill Mill 19: A Workforce Development Partnership Skill Mill 19 is a workforce development program hosted by Carnegie...

Every electronic product starts with a design.

The difference between a concept and a manufacturable product often comes down to how well that printed circuit board is designed.

If you've wanted to learn PCB design—or strengthen the skills you already have—this hands-on SkillMill19 training is a great place to start. You'll work with KiCad, an industry-recognized, open-source electronics design platform, to create schematics, design PCB layouts, and generate the fabrication files used by manufacturers. By the end of the day, you'll understand the complete workflow from idea to a ready-to-manufacture PCB prototype.

Best of all, manufacturers can attend at no cost through SkillMill19 @ Manufacturing Innovation Center.

Whether you're an engineer, technician, product designer, or simply looking to expand your electronics manufacturing skills, you'll leave with practical knowledge you can apply immediately.

Register today: https://hubs.li/Q04rjFVF0

Energy costs aren't getting any lower.

The manufacturers seeing the greatest impact aren't just investing in new equipment—they're helping employees at every level recognize opportunities to reduce waste and improve efficiency.

That's the idea behind Catalyst Connection's Energy Efficiency Leadership Training (E2LT) program.

Whether you're looking to build awareness across your workforce or develop a practical energy strategy for your facility, these no-cost training opportunities provide tools your team can put to work right away. The program includes introductory sessions for employees at all levels and collaborative workshops designed to help manufacturers develop actionable energy efficiency plans.

If reducing operating costs and improving competitiveness are priorities for your organization, we'd love to have you join us.

Learn more and register: https://hubs.li/Q04r3zG60