Meet Udo
My History
I’ve been in manufacturing for 46 years, so I’m not afraid to call myself an expert. Many of you might be thinking, “Just because you’ve done something for a long time doesn’t mean you’re an expert,” and you’re right. What makes me an expert is my dedication and passion for the manufacturing sector, plus time. I’ve experienced a handful of downturns, faced multiple challenges, overcome obstacles, and come out on top. But this didn’t happen by accident or by some stroke of luck, it happened because I created opportunities and didn’t stick my head in the sand.
But how did I get here?
It may sound crazy, but I started working in manufacturing when I was 11 years old. I was interested in how things worked, in all of the action, and I wanted (and worked) for an opportunity to be in the middle of things. I got a job cleaning and prepping equipment on the machine floor, and spent a lot of time watching and listening to what was going on around me. You could say I grew up with the industry, and because I’ve been involved in manufacturing for so long, I’ve seen the industry in a number of ways.
My Story
The way I viewed manufacturing changed after I went to university. My passion for observing and understanding human behaviour, as well as learning how things worked, led me to earn a degree in zoology. But, what can I say? I wasn’t satisfied. I went back to school and studied nuclear medicine, and this is when another passion of mine was born, a passion for technology. I saw so much opportunity to take what I had learned and apply it to the industry that had first inspired me.
As the General Manager of Modern Engineering, I have dedicated myself to futurizing the manufacturing sector and creating opportunities. Money matters, but businesses aren’t successful because of cheap decisions and inadequate tools. For over 30 years, I have been running Modern Engineering differently. I have invested in automation, not as a tool to replace people, but as a tool that gives workers the competitive edge they need to be globally competitive. I have created and advocated for apprenticeship opportunities, and implemented incremental change that yields long-term results. I’m a big picture guy, and if you’re interested in seeing more than your bottom line, let’s talk.
what people are saying about udo
Blogs Posted
LinkedIn Followers
Years Experience
Speeches Given
"WTF: Where's the friction"
Udo Jahn
My Latest Rant
Are You Planning for the Future? No Plan. No Business.
Less than a week ago, I stepped off a plane from Japan—it was a business trip, but like any kind of travel, it left me looking at my life, my business, and other manufacturing companies differently.