Uploaded May 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this episode of the ReAutomated podcast, Chris interviews Graham MacPherson, CEO of Go Fast Campers. Inspired by a family history in Baja racing and a desire to create durable, high-quality truck bed tents, Graham co-founded the company.
Automation played a crucial role in scaling production and maintaining quality, allowing for on-the-fly changes to meet customer needs.
Graham emphasizes the importance of domestic manufacturing for the economy and the future of automation in the industry. The episode also touches on Graham's potential book, lean manufacturing, and the value of collaboration in the manufacturing sector.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Intro (00:00:00)
Inspiration behind Go Fast Campers (00:00:40)
Graham's childhood experiences and family history in off-road racing inspired the creation of Go Fast Campers.
Quality and engineering background (00:01:39)
Graham's family's involvement in off-road racing taught him about high-quality race car parts and engineering.
Challenges in production and initial success (00:03:49)
Go Fast Campers faced production challenges due to vertical integration but gained rapid success through online exposure.
Importance of vertical integration (00:05:33)
The decision for vertical integration was driven by the need to understand the manufacturing process and innovate quickly.
Role of automation in manufacturing (00:07:05)
Automation is crucial in creating competent manufacturing for Go Fast Campers' complex products.
Impact of automation on employee pay and satisfaction (00:10:11)
Automation enabled higher pay, improved employee satisfaction, and stability during market changes.
On-the-fly production changes (00:14:38)
The ability to make iterative changes and retrofit solutions quickly was crucial in the early stages of product development.
Tracking and managing iterative changes (00:18:45)
Go Fast Campers uses a production and CRM tool built on Airtable, linked to Fusion 360, for tracking iterative changes.
Domestic manufacturing and value creation (00:22:17)
The importance of domestic manufacturing in creating distributed value and representation for employees and the economy.
The importance of domestic manufacturing (00:23:26)
Discussion about the need for higher manufacturing standards and the significance of domestic manufacturing in the USA.
Considerations for small and medium-sized enterprises (00:25:14)
Advice on integrating automation in-house and the impact it has on the entire organization.
Factors influencing the decision to use integrators or in-house automation (00:26:33)
Exploring the decision-making process for choosing between integrators and fostering an in-house advanced manufacturing team.
Budgeting time for automation implementation (00:28:05)
The time and resources required for in-house automation implementation and the potential efficiencies through learning from other businesses.
Future of automation at Go Fast Campers (00:29:59)
The evolving role of automation across all divisions, with a focus on textiles and soft goods, and the challenges and opportunities in domestic manufacturing.
Rapid fire questions (00:32:51)
Quick-fire questions covering topics such as reading preferences, choice of vehicle for a deserted island, best camping spots, essential outdoor tools, and future podcast guest recommendations.
Where to follow Graham McPherson (00:35:36)
Information on how to follow Graham McPherson and Go Fast Campers on social media and their website.
STAY CONNECTED
- Show notes: re-automated.com
- Newsletter: linkedin.com/newsletters/reautomated-7109451522463158272
In this episode of the ReAutomated podcast, Chris interviews Graham MacPherson, CEO of Go Fast Campers. Inspired by a family history in Baja racing and a desire to create durable, high-quality truck bed tents, Graham co-founded the company.
Automation played a crucial role in scaling production and maintaining quality, allowing for on-the-fly changes to meet customer needs.
Graham emphasizes the importance of domestic manufacturing for the economy and the future of automation in the industry. The episode also touches on Graham's potential book, lean manufacturing, and the value of collaboration in the manufacturing sector.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Intro (00:00:00)
Inspiration behind Go Fast Campers (00:00:40)
Graham's childhood experiences and family history in off-road racing inspired the creation of Go Fast Campers.
Quality and engineering background (00:01:39)
Graham's family's involvement in off-road racing taught him about high-quality race car parts and engineering.
Challenges in production and initial success (00:03:49)
Go Fast Campers faced production challenges due to vertical integration but gained rapid success through online exposure.
Importance of vertical integration (00:05:33)
The decision for vertical integration was driven by the need to understand the manufacturing process and innovate quickly.
Role of automation in manufacturing (00:07:05)
Automation is crucial in creating competent manufacturing for Go Fast Campers' complex products.
Impact of automation on employee pay and satisfaction (00:10:11)
Automation enabled higher pay, improved employee satisfaction, and stability during market changes.
On-the-fly production changes (00:14:38)
The ability to make iterative changes and retrofit solutions quickly was crucial in the early stages of product development.
Tracking and managing iterative changes (00:18:45)
Go Fast Campers uses a production and CRM tool built on Airtable, linked to Fusion 360, for tracking iterative changes.
Domestic manufacturing and value creation (00:22:17)
The importance of domestic manufacturing in creating distributed value and representation for employees and the economy.
The importance of domestic manufacturing (00:23:26)
Discussion about the need for higher manufacturing standards and the significance of domestic manufacturing in the USA.
Considerations for small and medium-sized enterprises (00:25:14)
Advice on integrating automation in-house and the impact it has on the entire organization.
Factors influencing the decision to use integrators or in-house automation (00:26:33)
Exploring the decision-making process for choosing between integrators and fostering an in-house advanced manufacturing team.
Budgeting time for automation implementation (00:28:05)
The time and resources required for in-house automation implementation and the potential efficiencies through learning from other businesses.
Future of automation at Go Fast Campers (00:29:59)
The evolving role of automation across all divisions, with a focus on textiles and soft goods, and the challenges and opportunities in domestic manufacturing.
Rapid fire questions (00:32:51)
Quick-fire questions covering topics such as reading preferences, choice of vehicle for a deserted island, best camping spots, essential outdoor tools, and future podcast guest recommendations.
Where to follow Graham McPherson (00:35:36)
Information on how to follow Graham McPherson and Go Fast Campers on social media and their website.
STAY CONNECTED
- Show notes: re-automated.com
- Newsletter: linkedin.com/newsletters/reautomated-7109451522463158272
