Tariffs, trade uncertainty, and shifting energy demands are colliding with rapid advances in AI, medtech, and advanced manufacturing. At the same time, companies are racing to fill hundreds of thousands of open roles, rethink how they attract talent, and modernize permitting and policy frameworks that haven’t kept pace with innovation. The result is a U.S. manufacturing sector on the verge of a new chapter, but only if leaders can unlock the right mix of policy, people, and technology.

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton sits down with Jay Timmons, President and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), and Kathy Wengel, Executive Vice President, Chief Technical Operations and Risk Officer at Johnson & Johnson, live from the Innovation Summit North America 2025, powered by Schneider Electric. Together, they unpack NAM’s comprehensive manufacturing strategy and the conditions needed for American industry to thrive.

Scott, Jay, and Kathy explore how permitting reform, energy leadership (including nuclear), and trade certainty impact investment decisions on the factory floor, from small manufacturers to multinational enterprises. They discuss the urgent need to expand the workforce pipeline, especially for veterans and non-traditional talent, and why modern manufacturing careers offer both purpose and prosperity. The conversation also highlights breakthrough innovations in healthcare, sensors, and AI, and connects them back to the policy environment that either accelerates or slows progress for manufacturers everywhere.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(00:47) Introducing Jay Timmons and Kathy Wengel

(01:25) NAM and Johnson & Johnson at a glance

(03:47) Why manufacturing needs a new strategy

(07:30) Permitting reform, energy, and nuclear

(10:53) Workforce pathways and veterans in manufacturing

(15:56) Tariffs, trade policy, and certainty

(19:13) AI, medtech, and next-gen manufacturing

(25:23) Policy, innovation, and what’s ahead

Additional Links & Resources:

• Connect with Jay Timmons: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaytimmons/
• Connect with Kathy Wengel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-wengel/
• Learn more about the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM): https://nam.org/
• Learn more about Johnson & Johnson: https://www.jnj.com
• Learn more about Schneider Electric: https://www.se.com/ww/en/
• Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
• Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
• Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
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