Interview with: Jason Hehman

Jason Hehman, Client Partner at software development company TXI, helps manufacturers solve business challenges. He tells us about technology's evolving role in manufacturing and how the titanium economy can support a sustainable future in the sector

Hello Jason, please introduce yourself and your role.

I’m Jason Hehman, a Client Partner at TXI. I help our clients tackle their most interesting and difficult business challenges by establishing trust among product teams and customers, breaking down internal silos, and developing resilient, innovative cultures.

“We work with clients in the manufacturing sector to provide pragmatic advice that helps guide leaders through the product innovation process — from new product discovery to delivery and beyond.

What is TXI?

TXI is a product innovation consultancy that builds engaging digital products to transform businesses. We’re unique in our space because of our commitment to engineering excellence, continuous discovery, and research-driven design thinking. 

We work to understand digital product user behaviours and needs, then build platforms and applications that help meet them. For manufacturers, this can involve engaging with their customers in new ways, understanding shifts in their ordering and purchasing processes, and developing new, innovative tools and product offerings that serve an evolving industrial market.

And the result? Great process flexibility, increased productivity and revenue, and higher-quality production.

Tell us about the Titanium Economy and technology's evolving role in manufacturing?

Coined by McKinsey consultants in a book with the same name, the titanium economy refers to a group of over 4,000 small-to-midsize industrial firms that have transformed their business with technology over the last decade. The average consumer doesn’t know their name, but they develop the parts and materials (think truck parts, plastic lumber, and colour enamels) for things we use every day. Furthermore, their business performance has rivalled that of flashier tech companies over the last decade.

These under-appreciated firms are developing a digital-first culture of innovation and using it to transform their operations with technology. As they shifted from traditional manufacturers to industrial technology companies, they didn’t just revamp old processes with automated equipment – they’re adopting new ways of thinking that lead to new product applications, custom offerings, and sustainable manufacturing methods.

How does TXI guide industrial technology pros on how to develop products and processes that better serve their customers?

At TXI, we help our clients understand users’ needs and desires. Then, we help build a better, more tailored product for them.

For example, together with an environmental monitoring solutions company, we discovered their clients depended on their sensors for security, but the sensors needed an upgrade in order to deliver on customer expectations.

To meet these needs, we developed wifi-connected hardware and a companion digital platform for real-time data analysis, visualisation, and process automation. This way, clients can ensure their environments are secure with modern, around-the-clock monitoring for instant insight into environmental conditions (often at warehouses storing sensitive metals or pharmaceutical products). 

By leveraging our clients’ expert-informed vision and deep industrial expertise within our product innovation framework, we deliver iterative products optimised for user desirability, technical feasibility, and business viability.

Tell us more about product innovation and how it applies to the manufacturing space?

At TXI, product innovation is a people-first process. We start by understanding user needs and pain points, then we define and refine ideas in collaboration with users to arrive at the right solution.

In the manufacturing space, we’re finding new ways to help our clients give their customers, supply chain partners, and employees more peace of mind. By supporting an organisation-wide culture of innovation, we’re able to continuously find new ways to deliver value and keep our clients ahead of the curve.

How does the titanium economy tie to a more sustainable future in manufacturing?

Naturally forward-thinking, titanium economy companies are leaders in decarbonising operations and accelerating green initiatives. Consumer and investor pressures for sustainability create opportunities for manufacturing companies to differentiate themselves by providing green alternatives to traditional materials and energy sources. Companies that are vocal about their sustainability progress also find it easier to align talent and supplier relationships with their values.