Marc Buncher Of Siemens Mobility On The Exciting Developments In US High Tech Manufacturing

The global shortage of computer chip manufacturing has highlighted the urgency for the US to have a robust High Tech Manufacturing sector. As a result, the Biden administration has signed a bill to boost chip manufacturing in the US. In addition to computer chips, what other exciting advancements and innovations are US companies making in High Tech manufacturing? What is coming out in the near future? What would it take for the US to become a High Tech Manufacturing powerhouse? To address these questions, we are talking to leaders of High Tech Manufacturing industries. As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Marc Buncher.

Marc Buncher is the president and CEO of Siemens Mobility, Inc., the North American business of Siemens’ Mobility division. In his role, Marc is responsible for the company’s strategy including all operational, commerical and digital innovations for the Siemens Mobility business in North America.

Marc has more than 25 years of rail experience. From 2009 through 2017, Marc was the Senior Vice President of the Power, Marine, and Rail Division of Caterpillar, Inc. where he was part of the team that acquired Electrom Motive Diesel (EMD) and was responsible for the locomotive business. He has 15 years of international experience, extensive background in corporate transactions, and a proven track record of developing and executing strategic plans to drive business results. Marc was on the Board of Directors for EMD U.K., EMD India, and EMD Australia.

Prior to joining Caterpillar, Marc was at General Electric from 2001 through 2009 in cross-functional roles within Business Operations, Marketing and Finance.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started in manufacturing?

I’ve been in manufacturing for most of my career, nearly 25 years. My first operations job was at a steel foundry where I was part of a management training program. There I learned about all aspects of manufacturing — quality, engineering, design, layout and finishing. It was a fun experience and taught me about hard work; I would start the day clean and come home with my nose and ears full of sand. That job had a lot of hours but a great culture of teamwork. Over my career I have run all aspects of operations, purchasing and distribution and had the chance to run some huge manufacturing plants for Caterpillar, General Electric and Siemens.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

When I worked for GE, I attended their leadership institute in Crottonville, NY. It was an experiential leadership development and functional learning program that focused on a Jack Welsh leadership style — promoting focus, consistency and follow-up. It taught me to be the leader I am today, one that favors openness to new ideas and the empowerment of people.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“Control your own destiny or someone else will.” — Jack Welch

As a former GE employee, I’ve always looked up to Jack Welch and this quote resonates with me. As a CEO, you need to innovate and understand where the market is going before your competitors. Otherwise, you will not succeed long-term. This is something I try to impress upon my team about the importance of being market leaders. We are constantly talking about not only the strategy we need to do this, but also what skills, expertise and talent, we need in our team to stay at the forefront of the market.

Ok wonderful. Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview about High Tech Manufacturing. Can you tell our readers about the most interesting projects you are working on now? How do you think this will help people?

At Siemens Mobility we are always innovating and creating the latest technology, but one of our more interesting projects is the recent announcement of our new facility in Lexington, NC. This year, we’ll be opening our ninth manufacturing facility here in the U.S. — a 200-acre site with the latest manufacturing technology available. The new Lexington plant will include robotic welding, 3D printing, and Virtual Reality weld training, as well as software tools to enhance our manufacturing. It will incorporate some of the tools available through Siemens’ Digital Industries business, which includes the Digital Twin and Xcelerator software.

In addition to what you are working on, what other exciting advancements and innovations are US companies making in High Tech manufacturing?

As I mentioned before, Siemens Digital Industries is at the forefront of innovating manufacturing technologies. Our Digital Twin solutions and Xcelerator software are really key to rethinking how we optimize manufacturing processes.

From your vantage point as an insider, what exciting developments will be coming out in the near future?

There are many exciting developments coming down the pipeline, especially when it comes to manufacturing. Our U.S. Manufacturing Council, which I lead across all of our businesses, is responsible for identifying these new technology developments and strategically determining where and when we implement them. For example, AI is having its moment right now and I can see that being implemented across all of our sites where applicable. Robotics and digitalization are also huge and already in use at our facility in Sacramento — via both robotic welders and virtual reality weld training. Digitized manufacturing including laser schematic wiring of locomotives, which we are doing in one of our European facilities, is also changing the industry. People often think of manufacturing as antiquated, but actually it’s a very fast-moving technology breeding ground, making companies across the globe more efficient, cost-effective and innovative in how they work.

What are the three things that most excite you about the state of US High Tech Manufacturing? Why?

The biggest part of high-tech manufacturing in the U.S. that excites me is as we digitalize factories, we decrease the risk of error. Less error means more and better product out the doors. High-tech manufacturing also makes manufacturing as a whole more appealing to additional people in the workforce. Not only does it make the industry more attractive to the younger generation, but it also makes the industry more attainable for those who could not previously see themselves in manufacturing.

What are the three things that concern you about US High Tech Manufacturing? What would you suggest needs to be done to address those concerns?

I am concerned about finding the right labor. The job market is competitive and we need to make sure manufacturing teams have the right skillsets to do the jobs. Through internal upskilling programs, partnerships with community colleges and appropriate internships and entry-level training programs, we can make sure not only that we will fill roles today, but prepare the leadership teams of tomorrow. Beyond labor, cost in general worries me — from the cost of materials, the cost of labor and overall inflation that impacts long-term contracts. At Siemens Mobility, making sure that we are smart about the projects we take on and the contracts with our suppliers is key to success.

Based on your opinion or experience, what would it take for the US to become a High Tech Manufacturing powerhouse?

The best manufacturing is already here in the U.S. We are a leader in high-tech manufacturing capabilities and have the labor to support it. Many businesses that left the country to manufacture elsewhere are coming back, and although they had access to cheaper labor outside of the states, that doesn’t always make sense when it comes to high-tech manufacturing. At Siemens Mobility, we have eight manufacturing facilities here in the United States and they are only continuing to grow.

As you know, there are not that many women in High Tech Manufacturing. Can you advise what is needed to engage more women in these industries?

My advice to get women more engaged in our industry is to start early in their careers. Especially for those who are college-aged, a lot of younger people aren’t sure what to do for a career. If manufacturing can excite them with an internship, we can help the younger generation see the benefits and opportunity our industry offers. Having your hand in building something that transforms a society is a feeling you won’t get sitting at a computer all day — we just have to show them that.

What are your “5 Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career In High Tech Manufacturing?

That’s a fun one!

1. Continue to learn — technology will never stop advancing. Always be willing to learn new things and it’ll keep you ready for whatever comes next.
2. Surround yourself with a good team
3. Implement sustainable process
4. Create a safe environment
5. Motivated to succeed/self-motivation/drive

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I’ve always been a huge proponent of making businesses a great place to work. Working a 40 hour work week — and let’s face it, many of us work more — we spend nearly a quarter of our lifetime at work. Your job should be a fun place filled with positivity and it should be a place where you feel supported. All companies should strive to be a great place to work.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

You can find me on LinkedIn at @marc-buncher and on Twitter at @marc_buncher

Thank you so much for the time you spent doing this interview. This was very inspirational, and we wish you continued success.

About The Interviewer: David Leichner is a veteran of the Israeli high-tech industry with significant experience in the areas of cyber and security, enterprise software and communications. At Cybellum, a leading provider of Product Security Lifecycle Management, David is responsible for creating and executing the marketing strategy and managing the global marketing team that forms the foundation for Cybellum’s product and market penetration. Prior to Cybellum, David was CMO at SQream and VP Sales and Marketing at endpoint protection vendor, Cynet. David is the Chairman of the Friends of Israel and Member of the Board of Trustees of the Jerusalem Technology College. He holds a BA in Information Systems Management and an MBA in International Business from the City University of New York.