Summary
In this episode of Crossing the Valley, I had the pleasure of speaking with Misha Govshteyn, the CEO of Macrofab, a Texas-based cloud manufacturing company that is working to revitalize American manufacturing. With a network of over 100 factories across the United States and Mexico, Macrofab supplies defense contractors and helps them produce goods quickly, cost-effectively, and at a higher quality, all while keeping production closer to home.
Misha and I discussed the current state of American manufacturing and our defense industrial base, exploring what led to its depletion and what steps we can take to build it back up.
Timestamps
02:22-10:59: Digitizing Supply Chains for Resilience and Agility in Defense Manufacturing
14:54-19:23: ITAR Compliance in Defense Manufacturing
26:03-29:21: From Cybersecurity to Manufacturing: Misha's Journey to Macro Fab
33:04-38:44: Building Trust and Partnerships as a New Company in Sensitive Industries
42:04-45:25: The Importance of Government Involvement in Shaping Resilient Manufacturing and Supply Chains
About Misha
Misha Govshteyn's journey to becoming the CEO of MacroFab, a cloud manufacturing company, was anything but planned. After co-founding and successfully exiting cybersecurity company AlertLogic, Misha found himself at a crossroads. When a former colleague approached him with the idea for a robotics company, Misha saw an opportunity to dive into a new challenge. Despite his initial skepticism about the manufacturing industry, Misha invested in the company, which eventually led to the creation of MacroFab. With his background in cybersecurity and a keen eye for identifying pain points, Misha set out to revolutionize the manufacturing sector, particularly within the defense industry.
About MacroFab
MacroFab is a software-enabled manufacturing platform that connects a network of over 100 factories across the United States and Mexico. The company serves as a single point of contact for customers, handling everything from design to delivery, while leveraging its software to efficiently distribute jobs among its network of factories. This unique approach allows MacroFab to provide fast, flexible, and cost-effective manufacturing solutions for a wide range of customers, including those in the defense industry.
One of MacroFab's key differentiators is its ability to help companies adapt their commercial products for the defense market. By providing ITAR-compliant facilities and expertise in navigating the complex regulations surrounding defense manufacturing, MacroFab enables startups and established companies alike to bring their innovations to the warfighter.
Key Takeaways
Fall in love with the problem, not the product. Misha emphasizes the importance of identifying and understanding the pain points that drive innovation. By focusing on the problem rather than getting attached to a specific solution, companies can remain agile and adaptable in the face of changing market conditions.
Digitization is key to modernizing the manufacturing industry. Misha believes that the manufacturing sector has been slow to adopt modern technologies, leading to inefficiencies and a lack of resilience. By embracing digitization and automation, manufacturers can improve their agility, reduce costs, and better respond to disruptions in the supply chain.
Partnerships are essential for navigating the defense industry. For startups and newer companies, partnering with established players who understand the defense ecosystem can be a critical factor in earning trust and winning contracts. Misha highlights the need for better matchmaking programs that connect innovative companies with prime contractors.
Compliance and security controls should be built into the system. Rather than viewing compliance as a burden, Misha argues that controls should be implemented gracefully and with minimal friction. By automating compliance processes and embedding security measures into the manufacturing workflow, companies can ensure the integrity of their products without sacrificing speed or efficiency.
Government support and industrial policy are crucial for building a resilient supply chain. Misha believes that the government has a vital role to play in shaping the future of manufacturing, particularly in the defense sector. By providing resources, incentives, and clear policy directives, the government can foster a more collaborative relationship between the private and public sectors, ultimately leading to a more secure and adaptable supply chain.
For more on MacroFab, check out their website: https://www.macrofab.com/
Season 2 Ep 5: Revitalizing American Manufacturing with MacroFab