Moore on Manufacturing with James Moore & Company

Today’s manufacturing CFO is expected to do far more than report financial results. They’re helping lead strategy, improve operations and guide long-term growth using automation, AI and real-time data.

In this episode of Moore on Manufacturing, Mike Sibley and Kevin Golden discuss how the CFO role has evolved from reporting historical, GAAP-based financials to driving forecasting, risk management, capital allocation and operational decision-making. They explain how manufacturers can overcome disconnected data, labor shortages, compressed margins, supply chain volatility and tariffs by connecting information into dashboards and forecasting models that give leadership a consistent view of business performance.

The conversation also explores the practical differences between automation and AI, why documented processes remain essential, and how manufacturers can improve close times, identify operational bottlenecks and build stronger decision-making systems that create long-term competitive advantages.

Learn more about the James Moore Manufacturing Team.

Mike Sibley, Kevin Golden, and Daniel Shorstein explore how manufacturers can use automation and artificial intelligence in practical, measurable ways. The discussion goes beyond the hype to focus on what really matters: better data, stronger governance, smarter workflows, improved decision-making, and more capacity for growth. If your organization is trying to figure out where automation ends and AI begins, this episode offers a clear, business-focused roadmap.

Manufacturers often sit on piles of disconnected data, yet they still rely on month-end closes that reveal problems 30–45 days too late. In this episode, Mike and Kevin explain how to centralize data from ERP, CRM, equipment and spreadsheets, automate reporting, and turn it into real-time dashboards with clear, actionable KPIs. They walk through a sample dashboard showing executive summaries and drill-downs across profitability, customers, working capital, inventory and production. And they talk about best practices like focusing on a few key metrics, setting a review cadence and assigning ownership to ensure follow-through.

 

🔎 Explore DAPORA for Manufacturing Dashboard: https://www.jmco.com/digital/dapora-manufacturing/

 

Learn more about the James Moore Manufacturing Team.

Cash is tightening, inventory is climbing, and margins are slipping—even though the business looks profitable on paper. In this episode, Mike and Kevin examine the hidden issues behind these warning signs, from flawed job costing to missed overhead and labor costs. They outline how stronger data, accountability and disciplined processes are key to protecting margins and scaling successfully. 

Learn more about the James Moore Manufacturing Team. 

When growth hits, it’s supposed to feel like a win. But for many manufacturers, rising sales can tighten cash, strain inventory and expose cracks in systems that once worked just fine. In this episode of Moore on Manufacturing, Mike and Kevin talk about the early warning signs that growth is outpacing your infrastructure—and what to do before margin leaks, stockouts and constant firefighting become your new normal. If you’re wondering why things are getting difficult even though business is increasing, this episode will help you reverse growth-related chaos and protect the profitability you’ve worked hard to build. 

Learn more about the James Moore Manufacturing Team. 

What if building a workforce that’s ready for modern manufacturing wasn’t just keeping up with technology but a key to long-term success? In this Moore on Manufacturing episode, Mike Sibley and Kevin Golden welcome James Moore HR Solutions president Julie Kniseley. The trio talks about what it really takes to build a workforce that’s ready for the realities of modern manufacturing, from defining what "top talent" means today to integrating AI and automation without alienating your team. 

Learn more about the James Moore Manufacturing Team. 

Your P&L tells you what happened—but not why it happened. In this episode, James Moore manufacturing leaders Mike Sibley and Kevin Golden break down how manufacturers can uncover the true drivers of profitability by going deeper than the income statement. From the right KPIs and variance analysis to inventory, working capital, and cash flow visibility, this conversation is packed with practical ways to find hidden costs, improve pricing decisions, and build a more resilient, profitable operation.

In this episode of Moore On Manufacturing, hosts Mike Sibley and Kevin Golden talk with Ira Sharp, Jr., Director of Product Management at Phoenix Contact USA. They explore the latest trends in automation, the power of data-driven decision-making, and the realities facing small to mid-sized manufacturers. From Industry 4.0 to practical starting points for digital evolution, this conversation offers clear, actionable insights for manufacturers looking to improve efficiency and stay competitive.

What You’ll Learn:

• Key Industry 4.0 trends shaping modern manufacturing

• How SMBs can approach automation and scalable data collection

• Common challenges in digital transformation—and how to navigate them

• Why selective data tracking drives better operational decisions

Stay tuned for strategic takeaways to help your organization get more from its processes, technology, and data.

Today we welcome Will Townsend — VP and principal analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy and one of the top ranked analysts in the world by ARInsights — to talk about artificial intelligence, from its ever-evolving usage to how its changing our everyday lives. AI is profoundly impacting how manufacturers operate and think about business. The question isn’t whether to adopt, but how. Will joins Kevin and James Moore director of manufacturing advisory services Sara Swafford as we discuss this important (and often misunderstood) topic. Areas covered include the motivators for adoption, impact on the workforce, competitive risk, cost barriers and much more.

Technology has been shaping our lives for decades, and it’s transforming the way we work and live on a daily basis. That’s why manufacturers need to focus not just on their product but the platform in which they produce it. On this episode of Moore on Manufacturing we welcome Allen Proithis, CEO of Capstone Partners, to discuss thinking like a technology company and how that fits into manufacturing. 

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Learn more about the James Moore Manufacturing Team.