Top 10: Manufacturing Influencers

The term ‘influencer’ means many things. Historically in the manufacturing sector, this referred to your Ohno Taiichi’s and Jack Welch’s, established leaders with transformative philosophies. 

While major companies and their leaders continue to have profound influence, the digital age has also created new platforms for new voices. 

We’ve seen the emergence of new influencers, including the up-and-coming leaders of innovative companies, who are introducing groundbreaking materials and processes. 

There’s also the manufacturing social media influencer, whose creating community to confront the challenges of the industry.

With that said, let's explore the top ten new influencers in 2024.

10.  Fi Scott, Founder of Make Works

• Revenue: Non-Profit
• Employees: <10
• CEO: Fi Scott
• Founded: 2012

Fi Scott is the founder of global non-profit Make Works, a digital library for local manufacturing.

Make Works is a platform where anyone globally can browse for local manufacturing processes, materials, equipment and factories.

Fi created the platform to popularise distributed manufacturing, boost local economies and further sustainability whilst democratising access to manufacturing production. 

In 2021 Make Works launched a new website within the Distributed Design Platform, part of the global Fab City mission for locally productive, globally connected cities.

9. Manuel Lachmayr & Robin Simsa, founders at Revo foods

• Revenue: US$5.3m
• Employees: >30
• CEO: Manuel Lachmayr & Robin Simsa
• Founded: 2020

Founded in Vienna, Austria in 2020 and led by Robin Simsa and Manual Lachmayr, Revo Foods is a vegan food manufacturer that uses additive manufacturing to produce plant-based seafood products.

These include whole-cut salmon and tuna spreads with authentic flavour, created using 3D-printed mycoprotein. Revo Foods has partnered with Mycorena to produce the protein alternative, hoping to advance large-scale consumer adoption.

The fishing industry has a profound impact on the planet and Revo Foods is providing a sustainable alternative.

8. Iris Van Herpen of Iris Van Herpen

• Revenue: US$6m
• Employees: <50
• CEO: Iris Van Herpen 
• Founded: 2007

Amsterdam-based designer Iris Van Herpen has been influencing fashion manufacturing through her sustainable, ethereal fashion collections. Her haute couture collection, entitled ‘Roots for Rebirth’ showcased innovative fashion applications of mycelium and recycled fabrics. 

Looks in the collection were created using eco-innovation partner Parley’s Ocean Plastic fabric.

This fabric is made from upcycled marine debris collected from global coastlines. With intricate designs and vibrant colour combinations, the results were gorgeous and sustainable, driving forward the green fashion movement.

7. Kazuhide and Junichi, co-founders of Spiber

• Revenue:US$71.2m
• Employees: 284
• CEO: Kazuhide & Junichi
• Founded: 2007

Spiber, pioneers in brewed protein, are a Japanese fashion manufacturer. Spibers brewed protein provides luxurious, sustainable alternatives to leather, cashmere, fleece and more.  

Collaborating with Goldwin, who runs North Face’s Japanese brand, Spiber created coats, hats, and scarves using brewed protein for their 2022 fall/winter collection.

Spiber in 2023 collaborated with CORDE, the Toyota car brand to create a Land Cruiser Prado with brewed protein in its interior. Spiber also worked with PANGAIA to create the NXT GEN hoodie.

6. Sam and Gabriella, Founders of Kenoteq

• Revenue: US$9m
• Employees: >10 
• CEO: Dr Sam Chapman & Pf Gabriella Medero 
• Founded: 2019

Founded by Professor Gabriela Medero and Dr Sam Chapman at Heriot-Watt University, Kenoteq boasts the world's most sustainable brick-made from 100% recycled materials with 95% less embodied carbon.

“Kenoteq is innovative and ambitious, aiming to become a global leader in ultra-low carbon sustainable building materials” said Dr Chapman. 

“Our products are grounded in science and our fully circular process allows us to create our products fit for use within 24 hours of the processed waste arriving at our factory.” added Professor Medero.

5. Dr Ehab Sayed, founder of Biohm

• Revenue: US$6m
• Employees: <30
• CEO: Dr Ehab Sayed
• Founded: 2016

A multi-award winning biotechnology company, Biohm creates sustainable building alternatives through mycelium.

Biohm is helping manufacturers transition away from fossil fuels and decarbonise supply chains, hyper-localise, build resiliency and replace harmful chemicals.

“By commercialising and scaling our biotechnologies, key national and multinational corporations can continue to lead their markets whilst transforming their environmental impact from extraction to regeneration.” said Dr Sayed.

“Due to the scalability of our biotechnologies, corporations can exceed their ESG goals without compromising on growth and profit.”

4. Kate Black, CEO of Atomik AM

• Revenue: US$1.2m
• Employees: <10
• CEO: Kate Black 
• Founded: 2022

Kate Black, Professor of Manufacturing at Liverpool University’s School of Engineering has founded Atomik AM, a company on a mission to revolutionise manufacturing through chemistry and engineering. 

Atomik AM offers innovative Customer Innovation Projects, which have secured interest from Unliever and Ricoh, helping automotive, aerospace and energy manufacturers drive innovation projects.

“I’ve brought together a multi-disciplinary team of chemists, material scientists and engineers.” Commented Professor Black. “Together, our cutting-edge chemistry and engineering combine to turn manufacturers’ ideas into reality.”

3. Allison Grealis, Founder of Women in Manufacturing

• Revenue: US$12m
• Employees: 126
• CEO: Allison Grealis
• Founded: 2011

Allison Grealis leads Women In Manufacturing, a global trade association with nearly 30,000 members that supports, promotes and inspires women in manufacturing. The organisation offers networking opportunities, mentorship and sponsorship and exclusive access to regional and national programming.

Allison is also the President of the Women In Manufacturing Education Foundation, the organisation's 501 arm that provides affordable and effective educational opportunities, professional development webinars and a customised employment tool called WiMWorks.

Allison speaks frequently on topics relating to female leadership, work and the broader manufacturing sector.

2. Chris Lueke, founder of the Manufacturing Happy Hour

• Revenue: N/A
• Employees: >5
• CEO: Chris Lueke
• Founded: 2016

Chris Lueke is the founder of the Manufacturing Happy Hour, a leading podcast that helps manufacturers connect with their customers- and each other. 

Three hundred members strong, the Manufacturing Happy Hour interviews industry leaders and founders, discussing the latest trends, technologies and challenges in the sector. Chris, the former Regional Business Leader of Lifecycle Services at Rockwell Automation, goes beyond the buzzwords, dissecting success stories and case studies to help manufacturers supercharge their success.

With over 500+ LinkedIn connections, The Manufacturing Happy Hour has a regular newsletter, popular events and a devoted audience. "The manufacturing world has changed so much, even just over the past decade,” Chris commented. “The leaders in this space are high-tech, which is why talking about manufacturing in an approachable way is so critical. Showcasing how special it’s become is how we'll attract more people to our field."

1. Jeff Winter, Industry 4.0 Expert

• Revenue: N/A
• Employees: 1
• CEO: Jeff Winter
• Founded: N/A

A noted top voice on LinkedIn with more than 100,000 followers, Jeff Winter is a renowned expert on manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technologies.

Speaking at global manufacturing events and conferences, he educates and inspires professionals from the factory floor to the executive board room.

He’s been recognised 19 times as being top of his field, and in 2023 was ranked the number one Industry 4.0 global influencer by Onalytica.

Previously the Senior Director of Industry Strategy of Manufacturing at Hitachi Solutions America, Jeff builds community whilst advising on influential boards. These include the 

International Board of Directors for MESA (Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association)and ISA (International Society of Automation). He’s also a Smart Manufacturing Advisor to CESMII.

“My influence in Industry 4.0 is about more than just technology—it's about inspiring a new era of excitement and innovation in manufacturing,” Jeff commented.

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