Bringing a new product to market is no small feat, especially in the B2B manufacturing space, where development cycles are long and expectations are high. In this episode of The Kula Ring, Stu Accola shares his expertise on the nuances of successful product launches, from crafting an effective go-to-market strategy to aligning marketing and sales teams for maximum impact.
He breaks down the critical differences between a business case and a go-to-market plan, the importance of customer involvement in product development, and why proof points are often overlooked but essential for building credibility.
Whether you’re launching into an existing category or creating demand for something entirely new, Stu’s insights will help manufacturing marketers refine their approach and drive greater success.

In this episode of The Kula Ring, we sit down with Fuad Hasanovic, Director of Marketing at Kamps Pallets, to uncover the fascinating world of pallet recycling, supply chain optimization, and sustainability. Kamps Pallets has evolved from a small operation retrieving discarded pallets to a nationwide leader in comprehensive pallet lifecycle management. Fuad shares how the company has embraced innovation, from Total Pallet Management programs to data-driven supply chain strategies that help manufacturers reduce waste and lower costs.
We also explore how education plays a critical role in shifting the industry’s mindset from price to total cost, and why the future of pallets might just be a key indicator of economic health. Plus, a few fun stories—like Carman’s experience as a human forklift and Jeff’s childhood bike ramp experiments!

The world of 3D printing has seen vast changes in recent years. IP constraints on those early technologies lifted, and an explosion of offers and solutions hit the market, leading to the consolidation we are seeing in the industry today. But for Dani Mason and B9Creations success in this industry hasn’t been about outspending competition, it’s about out-listening them.

In this episode, Dani shares how B9 has built a competitive edge by prioritizing deep customer relationships over flashy R&D budgets. From customer-funded innovation to a structured voice-of-the-customer process, B9 integrates real-world feedback at every stage, ensuring products solve actual industry pain points.

Forget gimmicks and gift cards, this is a masterclass in authentic customer engagement.

For decades, Pack-Smart has been at the forefront of packaging automation, seamlessly integrating robotics and software to deliver turnkey solutions. Yet, despite its technological leadership, the company relied almost exclusively on YouTube for lead generation—until now.
In this episode of The Kula Ring, we explore how Pack-Smart is embracing digital marketing for the first time. With new strategies in SEO, CRM integration, and thought leadership content, the company is expanding its brand presence and driving data-driven decision-making across the organization. We dive into the challenges of shifting from product-focused messaging to industry leadership and how Pack-Smart is positioning itself as a go-to resource for emerging trends and regulatory changes.
Tune in to hear how a company that has innovated in manufacturing for years is now innovating in marketing—creating a stronger, more connected approach to customer engagement.

How do you transform scattered customer insights into a structured, data-driven approach to marketing and sales? Cory Peterson shares the journey his organization took—from early, informal customer interviews to a comprehensive digital customer journey framework. In this episode, Cory walks us through the process of mapping the customer journey, the evolution from a linear model to a dynamic flywheel, and the role of rigorous testing in refining digital interactions. He also discusses the challenges of attribution, the importance of integrating sales and marketing, and how even small organizations with limited traffic can leverage research to drive meaningful improvements.
Join us as we explore how a data-driven mindset can unlock deeper customer understanding and business growth.

In this episode of The Kula Ring, Todd Carroll, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at B&B Manufacturing, shares the remarkable growth story of a company that started in a garage and evolved into North America’s largest synchronous drive pulley manufacturer. Todd discusses how B&B has doubled its footprint, innovated manufacturing processes, and expanded its inventory to meet customer needs. He highlights the company’s “belted drive expert” philosophy, their hands-on approach to customer service, and creative marketing strategies like “Todd Talks” that blend humour and insight to drive awareness. Tune in to discover how staying close to customers and embracing change fuels success in the power transmission industry.