Rand Owens is the Head of Marketing at GrayMatter Robotics, which delivers AI-powered robotic solutions to help high-mix manufacturers improve quality and throughput in surface finishing processes. With more than 15 years of marketing leadership, Rand has helped scale multiple B2B technology organizations, including building the foundational marketing team at Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) and supporting its growth to $170 million in revenue. He is passionate about mentoring diverse teams, developing holistic go-to-market strategies, and creating repeatable playbooks for sustainable growth.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [02:56] Rand Owens explains robotics in simple terms
- [03:35] The secret to thriving in high mix manufacturing environments
- [04:57] Why traditional automation fails with product variability
- [08:06] How AI brings adaptability to previously rigid robotics systems
- [11:09] Why labor shortages are manufacturers’ biggest challenge today
- [18:18] Insider tips on spotting bottlenecks during client site visits
In this episode…
Manufacturing has long depended on human intuition. The trained eye that knows when something is slightly off. But what happens when that expertise is hard to find, harder to retain, and nearly impossible to scale?
According to Rand Owens, a growth-focused marketing leader with deep experience in scaling industrial technologies, the answer lies in embedding intelligence directly into the machines themselves. He explains that AI-powered robotics can now see, adapt, and even “learn” in real time, making decisions once reserved for highly skilled operators. Instead of rigid automation, these systems continuously refine their approach based on each unique part, much like a craftsman adjusting their technique on the fly. The result is a shift from inconsistent, labor-dependent output to scalable precision that transforms how manufacturers operate.
In this episode of In Good Company: Where Relationships Drive Results, Lisa Kilrea is joined by Rand Owens, Head of Marketing at GrayMatter Robotics, to discuss embedding AI into robotics for high-mix manufacturing environments. They explore why traditional automation struggles with variability, how AI enables adaptive, real-time decision-making on the factory floor, and why labor challenges are driving adoption.
Resources mentioned in this episode
- Lisa Kilrea on LinkedIn
- WSI eResults
- Rand Owens on LinkedIn
- GrayMatter Robotics
- “Leading Commercial Strategy and Growth in MedTech With Chris Reese” on In Good Company: Where Relationships Drive Results
- “Redefining Customer Focus and Innovation in US Manufacturing With Eric Strickler” on In Good Company: Where Relationships Drive Results
Quotable Moments
- “Great amount of robotics is a solution for high-mix manufacturers who are having trouble finding skilled labor.”
- “What people have tried to automate, which is the hardest part, is figuring out those things that take a human eye.”
- “Our AI can actually figure out, like, what is the proper motion and stroke that it should be doing?”
- “Labor cascades down into all those other problems, right? Labor tends to be the biggest problem.”
- “We want manufacturers to understand that there is something out there because, you know, it sounds good to many people.”
Action Steps
- Focus on solving real labor challenges first: Labor shortages are often the root issue, and addressing them improves quality, throughput, and operational stability.
- Invest in adaptive AI, not rigid automation: Flexible systems that learn and adjust to variability are essential for high-mix environments where no two parts are identical.
- Build trust across all levels of the organization: Gaining buy-in from both leadership and frontline operators ensures smoother adoption and long-term success of new technologies.
- Use real-world case studies to validate innovation: Demonstrating proven results helps overcome skepticism and gives risk-averse buyers confidence in new solutions.
- Identify and address bottlenecks before scaling: Understanding where inefficiencies truly exist allows organizations to maximize ROI and avoid misaligned automation investments.
Sponsor for this episode…
This episode is sponsored by WSI EResults Manufacturing Marketing — revolutionizing digital marketing for the manufacturing industry.
At WSI EResults, we help B2B manufacturers, OEMs, and industrial distributors elevate their digital presence through AI-powered, data-driven strategies designed to generate targeted, impactful leads.
From AI-powered SEO and content marketing to tailored campaigns built for the unique challenges of the manufacturing sector, WSI EResults delivers the tools and expertise to help your business stand out, grow, and thrive.
Learn more at wsi-manufacturing-marketing.com. Your blueprint for smarter, more effective manufacturing marketing.
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