The Art of the Impossible

In December 2024, Joe Zak acquired Fonda Flexible Manufacturing, a precision sheet-metal fabrication and component manufacturing company. Now leading both Fonda and Zentrypoint, he’s driving both businesses to stay at the cutting edge of design and manufacturing technology.

A key focus for Joe is sustainability. He’s positioning Fonda for B Corp certification, exploring opportunities in climate tech, and balancing startup support with long-standing partnerships for clients like Assa Abloy.

Joe is also modernizing Fonda’s operations with Autodesk Fusion 360 and generative AI tools to develop proprietary systems that boost efficiency. And unlike many consultancies that stop at design, Fonda goes further – helping startups with early-stage manufacturing to bring their ideas to life.

On this episode of The Art of the (Im)Possible, Joe shares his vision for the future of sustainable, tech-enabled manufacturing.

Shaping what comes next
Autodesk gives design and engineering teams the tools to innovate faster, work more sustainably, and go to market with confidence.

Explore our manufacturing ecosystem

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meng Zhu, former blue-chip consultant with IBM, Accenture, and Deloitte, has driven digital transformation for global leaders including Meta, Pfizer, PVH, Hilton, and aerospace innovator Blue Origin. She reveals how Organizational Change Management (OCM), AI, and a people-first strategy can turn ambitious visions into measurable results – from boosting adoption and streamlining processes to significantly cutting rocket engine production cycles from double-digit to single-digit weeks – and why leadership alignment is key to making transformation stick.

Shaping what comes next
Autodesk gives design and engineering teams the tools to innovate faster, work more sustainably, and go to market with confidence.

Explore our manufacturing ecosystem

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Jarvis, Head of Industrial Design at Kingfisher plc, is exploring how generative AI can reshape product design. Leading a small team of seven UK-based designers, he discovered that pairing AI with CGI creates rapid prototypes for stakeholder feedback – streamlining decisions and accelerating the production of hundreds of products each year.

By iterating designs in Photoshop, Tom’s team has proven that new technology can scale even within large manufacturing organizations.

In this episode of Art of the (Im)Possible, host Asif Moghal and Tom discuss flat-hierarchy teamwork, rapid prototyping, and the role of AI in transforming design and manufacturing.

Shaping what comes next
Autodesk gives design and engineering teams the tools to innovate faster, work more sustainably, and go to market with confidence.

Explore our manufacturing ecosystem

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Head of Design at IBM, Phil Gilbert helped over 400,000 employees adopt new workflows by introducing design thinking – shifting focus from products to customers. The result? Faster time to market, reduced costs, and higher employee engagement.

Now Founder of Gilbert Workshop and Managing Partner at Ten X Labs, Phil has spent his career – from start-ups to global enterprises – proving how lasting transformation at scale can be successfully achieved. He has authored a new book on the subject, titled Irresistible Change.

In this episode of Art of the (Im)Possible, Phil shares how to hardwire digital transformation into every level of a business – and why lasting results start with a new perspective on change leadership.

Shaping what comes next
Autodesk gives design and engineering teams the tools to innovate faster, work more sustainably, and go to market with confidence.

Explore our manufacturing ecosystem

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joanna Cooper, General Manager at Daimler Truck North America, is proving that people-led leadership drives measurable results. Her approach has already delivered more than $13 million in operational efficiency improvements across the organization.

Starting as a Procurement Specialist, Joanna rose through the ranks by embracing digital transformation and leading change with her teams. She grounds her leadership in the ACTIVE framework: Authenticity, Courage, Trust, Integrity, Vision, and Empathy – believing that when people are trained, trusted, and empowered, business success follows.

Shaping what comes next
Autodesk gives design and engineering teams the tools to innovate faster, work more sustainably, and go to market with confidence.

Explore our manufacturing ecosystem

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.