Ryan Kuhlenbeck | Digital Thread Podcast | Momenta

Long tail value:

Meet Ryan Kuhlenbeck: The Driving Force Behind Pico MES

In this episode, we had the privilege of hosting Ryan Kuhlenbeck, a visionary leader at the helm of Pico MES, a dynamic startup poised to redefine the landscape of small and mid-sized manufacturing in the United States. Pico MES is Momenta's latest investment, and we're enthusiastic about delving into the particulars with Ryan.

Ryan's journey has been nothing short of remarkable. He was raised in a factory town, which instilled in him a deep appreciation for the intricacies of manufacturing. His professional journey kicked off at General Motors, followed by stints in startup manufacturers, including the groundbreaking Tesla. However, it was during his time at Alta Motors, a trailblazing electric motorcycle startup, that the seeds for Pico MES were sown. Ryan's passion for manufacturing execution systems was ignited, and the innovative concept of Pico began to take shape.

As the Co-Founder and CEO of Pico MES, Ryan leads a dedicated team that shares a common mission: to enhance the day-to-day operations of manufacturers. Pico MES aims to empower small and mid-sized manufacturers with cutting-edge solutions that elevate efficiency, productivity, and quality. Ryan's insights and experiences have been instrumental in shaping Pico's vision, and in this episode, he shares his journey, and the transformative impact Pico is poised to bring to the manufacturing landscape.

Are you curious to learn more about Pico MES and the visionary leader behind its transformative journey? Tune in to Episode 213 of the Momenta Digital Thread podcast now! Discover how Pico MES is poised to redefine small and mid-sized manufacturing in the US and why Ryan Kuhlenbeck's insights are a must-listen for anyone interested in the manufacturing landscape.

 Discussion Points:

• What would you consider your digital thread (the one or more thematic threads that define your digital industry journey)?
• I appreciated your bio starting and ending with life in a 'small factory town." To what degree has this shaped your direction and perspective of small and medium manufacturing in the US?
• You've had over 15 years of tenure in automotive manufacturing, from GM, Secant, and Tesla to Tula and Alta Motors. What attracted you to this space?
• Tell us about the origin story for Pico MES, which you co-founded in 2019.
• For the lay people among us, can you describe what a Manufacturing Execution Systems system is – and how you make it more accessible to small and medium manufacturers?
• What have been some of your notable use cases and wins?
• What attracted Momenta to Pico MES was the 'industrial impact' you are having on the US manufacturing competitiveness, especially in the long tail of small to medium manufacturers. Can you tell us a bit about that impact?
• How do you know when an organization is ready to adopt your solution, and what best practices have you seen in realizing that potential value?
• Manufacturing is at an important crossroads, given reshoring, the energy transition, and labor challenges. What are the key trends you are watching relative to the future of manufacturing?
• In closing, could you share where you find your inspiration and which books have inspired you most? (e.g., book recommendations, articles, podcasts, people, etc.)