Carson Morell and Daniel Scott Mitchell, Co-Founders of Takton — a manufacturing technology company building fast, affordable tools for small and mid-sized manufacturers.

Carson and Daniel came into manufacturing from different paths — Carson as a founder and operator, Daniel as an engineer at companies like Tesla and Rivian — but arrived at the same realization: there is a massive gap between the most advanced manufacturing technology and what is actually accessible to the majority of shops across the country.

So they set out to meet manufacturers where they are, got in a car and spent months visiting factories — over a hundred across the U.S. — learning directly from operators, machinists, and owners about how work actually gets done. And along the way, they kept coming back to Cleveland and ultimately decided to build Takton here, in one of the densest manufacturing ecosystems in the country, where proximity to customers and relationships on the shop floor actually matter.

In our conversation, we explore that journey — from their backgrounds and how they came together, to the insights from the road, to what they’re building at Takton today: a catalogue of simple, accessible products designed specifically for the majority long tail of manufacturers that have historically been underserved by technology.

We talk about their first products, their approach to product development grounded in real-world feedback, the importance of industrial density in places like Cleveland and why they chose to build Takton here, and the broader opportunity to rebuild American manufacturing capacity.

I loved learning more about their story, that they’ve chosen to build here and the passion and optimism they have for the future for american manufacturing. Please enjoy our conversation.

00:00 Manufacturing Innovation
10:47 The Roadshow
14:58 Bridging the Gap
21:25 Building Tacton
25:37 Manufacturers
29:01 Cost Efficiency
30:41 In-Person Relationships
35:29 Automation and Labor
40:35 Industrial Cleveland
45:38 Ecosystem
51:35 Small Businesses
54:06 Dynamics and Quality
59:12 Bridging the Gap
59:55 Data-Driven
01:00:51 The Wild West
01:03:17 Automation
01:05:31 Memorable Moments
01:09:50 Passion and Curiosity
01:11:43 Takton's Meaning
01:13:35 Cleveland's Potential
01:14:48 Outro

-----

LINKS:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cdmorell/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielscottmitchell/
https://takton.com/about

-----

SPONSOR:
Cerity Partners
Cerity Partners, a full-service investment and wealth management firm serving high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and business owners, is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. The firm has local roots in Cleveland and across Ohio, and like this podcast, Cerity Partners advisors specialize in serving the interests of local entrepreneurs and business leaders. They understand how to manage the total picture of wealth, both personal and professional. Cerity Partners has a unified team of specialists who collaborate on almost every aspect of a client’s financial life, including business ownership. The firm’s national presence means it can offer the resources and specialized knowledge of the largest institutions with the independence and service of a neighbor. The Cerity Partners Cleveland team understands the complexity that comes with wealth, and they adhere to fiduciary standards. Discover the financial lay of your land.

Learn more at ceritypartners.com/NPR or call 216-464-6266.

Roundstone Insurance
Roundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. To bring that vision to life, the company pioneered the group medical captive model — a self-funded health insurance solution that provides small and mid-sized businesses with greater control and significant savings.

Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs. Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland.

Learn more at https://roundstoneinsurance.com/

-----

Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here: https://layoftheland.ck.page/5f0c1e28fa

Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/

Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayoftheland

https://www.jeffreys.page/