Post by Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

U.S. manufacturing looks very different than it did a generation ago, and Aaron Brandt has spent nearly 30 years working inside an industry that’s rapidly transforming. Brandt is the president and CEO of Hypertherm Associates and a member of the Boston Fed’s New England Advisory Council. Hypertherm, an employee‑owned company, started in a two‑car garage. Now, it’s a global manufacturer that serves industries from aerospace to shipbuilding. In a recent conversation with Allison Ross, Brandt discusses why innovation is a “team sport” and how AI can help empower the people who drive manufacturing forward. He also spoke about the sector’s changing reputation and why community engagement remains central to Hypertherm’s mission. Read more: