Posts by Kendall Groelsma
MD&M West 2026: MedTech Momentum, Michigan Strength, and Why Relationships Still Win
Walking the floor at MD&M West this year, I was reminded why I love working at the intersection of engineering, MedTech, and manufacturing. As an account executive and former mechanical engineer, I went to Anaheim looking for new ideas and tools that could help DISHER Engineering’s med device customers move faster and more confidently from concept to production. I left with something…
Read MoreProduct Validation Methods Compared: Surveys vs. Focus Groups vs. Interviews
Bringing a new product idea to life is exciting, until you realize how easy it is to get it wrong. What if your users don’t actually want what you’re building? What if your team’s confidence is based on your own internal enthusiasm instead of real user demand? If you’re trying to decide the best way to test whether your idea will succeed, this article will…
Read MoreWhy Your Manufacturing Process Automation Isn’t Delivering the Efficiency You Expected
Automation is often seen as the ultimate solution for improving productivity and reducing costs in manufacturing. However, many companies discover that after implementing automation, the efficiency gains they anticipated simply don’t materialize. Why does this happen? The answer usually lies in a few critical missteps that occur before and during the automation process. Below I will discuss the major areas: automating…
Read MoreHidden Engineering Costs: Top 5 Things That Can Blow Up Your Budget
Nothing derails a product development project faster than surprise costs. If you’ve ever felt nervous about whether your engineering budget is accurate, or worried that you’re missing something big, that feeling is real. We’ve seen smart teams—startups, mid-sized manufacturers, and Fortune 500 companies alike—run into the same traps. This article will walk you through the hidden engineering costs that catch people off…
Read MoreThe 6 Key Components of an Effective Product Brainstorming Session
You know the feeling. Your team gathers for a “brainstorming” session, but half the room is quiet, ideas repeat themselves, and the energy fades fast. You leave wondering if anything meaningful came from it. Brainstorming should be exciting, collaborative, and productive, but too often, it’s not. At DISHER Engineering, my team has helped hundreds of…
Read MoreHow to Calculate OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)
Few things are more frustrating than watching your team work hard, your machines run nonstop… and still missing production goals. You know something’s off, but you can’t quite see where the losses are coming from. That’s where OEE comes in. In this post, I’ll explain: What Is OEE, and Why Does It Matter in Manufacturing?…
Read MoreWhen New Product Development Isn’t an Option, Find Growth with VA/VE
For many organizations, new product development is the heartbeat of growth. Fresh ideas lead to new revenue, expanded markets, and competitive advantages. But what happens when your team doesn’t have the resources, budget, or bandwidth to take on new designs? It’s a challenge many engineering and product development leaders face. Supply chain volatility and inflationary…
Read MoreWhat Is an Owner’s Representative?
When you have a big project on the horizon—maybe a facility expansion, a process improvement initiative, or a multi-million-dollar capital equipment investment—it’s high-stakes. And whether you’re in HR, operations, or project leadership, one thing is certain: you need someone to own the project. Not just someone to check boxes or update spreadsheets, but someone who protects your time, budget, and reputation through…
Read MoreTop 7 R&D Bottlenecks That Kill Innovation
Innovation projects can sometimes start strong but stall halfway. Ideas get buried in meetings. Everyone’s busy, but no one’s moving forward. So, if your team feels stuck in a loop of effort without progress, you’re not alone. Real bottlenecks can hold innovation back. In this article, we’ll unpack the most common R&D roadblocks we’ve seen…
Read MoreClass A vs. B vs. C Surfacing: Which Is Right for Your Product Design?
When you’re deep in a CAD model trying to finalize a design, it can be tricky to know if you truly need a Class A finish or not. In this article, I’ll explain what each surface class means, what they’re best for, and how to make the right call for your design. You’ll learn: What…
Read More