From Blue Collar to Company Founder with Brennen Dugger, President of Blue Collar Automation

Brennen Dugger is the President & Founder of Blue Collar Automation, specializing in industrial automation, controls integration, and robotics. Brennen and I recently met at A3's Automate conference when the robot at his booth served me a beer. Obviously, he was perfect for Manufacturing Happy Hour!

In this episode, Brennen explains the motivation behind his move from the factory floor to the office of a company founder. He also shares the reason why collaborative robots are practically front and center of operations at his company and why they play a huge role in the future of the workforce.

He brings things full circle by sharing some vital advice he received from James Dean, the Owner of Appalachian Automation, LLC, right before he started his company.

Make sure to visit ManufacturingHappyHour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

In this episode, find out:

• Why Brennen picked engineering as a career path
• Why Blue Collar Automation was created
• The inspiration behind the name Blue Collar Automation
• Why collaborative robots are front and center at Blue Collar Automation
• Some of the common applications in collaborative robotics
• Brennen’s take on what’s next in the robotics space
• The most helpful piece of advice Brennen has received since he started his company
• Brennen shares some resources that have helped him in his career

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Tweetable Quotes:

• “Collaborative robots have got really poor representation, but that depends because as soon as you put something dangerous on the end of a tool, it's no longer collaborative.”
• “There's enough work out there for everybody, and if you just try hard and put out good work, the work will come to you.”
• “I feel like it's riskier to not take risk than it is to stay in your safe, little bubble.”

Links & mentions:

• Blue Collar Automation, an industrial controlscompany specializing in collaborative and industrial robotics, located in Memphis, TN
• Superior Integration Solutions (Hayden Automation), specializing in mechanical work, located in St. Joseph, MI and run by Timothy Hayden
• MFCEO Project Podcast, hosted by entrepreneur Andy Frisella
• Wiseacre Brewing Co., evidently one of the best breweries in the country according to multiple guests on this podcast, located in Memphis, TN
• Make sure to connect with all of the industry all-stars that Brennen gave a shoutout to, including Timothy Hayden, James Dean, Ali G, Nikki Gonzales, and Rylan Pyciak

Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.