In this episode of The Better Batch Podcast, we’re joined by Brian Sweat, CEO of Acctivate, an inventory and order management solution built for growing manufacturers.

If you’ve ever wondered when QuickBooks stops being enough—or what it really takes to get your operations retail-ready—this conversation is for you.

Brian shares practical insights on:

• When and why manufacturers outgrow QuickBooks

• The real-world consequences of inaccurate costing and inventory

• What smaller manufacturers miss when entering contracts with retailers like Walmart and Costco

• Why ERP implementations fail (and how to avoid it)

• Smarter, phased approaches to upgrading your systems

From chargebacks and lot traceability to EDI integration and fulfillment workflows, this episode is packed with operational advice for manufacturers ready to scale without the chaos.

Learn more about Activate: https://www.acctivate.com/

Discover Mar-Kov's solutions for batch manufacturers: https://www.mar-kov.com/

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In this episode of the Better Batch Podcast, Alex and Peter sit down with procurement expert Chandrika Venkatraman to demystify procurement for growing manufacturers.

Learn the key differences between procurement, purchasing, and strategic sourcing; and why overloading one person with all three is a common (and costly) mistake. Chandrika shares real-world insights on how to identify risks, negotiate with confidence, and optimize procurement for scale, even in small organizations.

Whether you're a plant manager, supply chain lead, or a founder wearing too many hats, this episode gives you practical tools to bring structure, strategy, and savings to your procurement process.

Why do so many manufacturing improvement projects fail? According to quality expert John Bergmann, it’s not about the system, it’s about the culture.

In this episode of the Better Batch Podcast, we dig into the hidden obstacles that kill change initiatives, even when you’ve got great SOPs, certifications, and leadership buy-in. From visual tools and training design to quota pressure and promoting the wrong people, John shares practical advice for batch manufacturers who want to build a resilient, high-performance culture.

Whether you’re scaling, fixing broken processes, or implementing new systems, this episode will reshape how you think about leadership and operations.

Avoid costly co-manufacturer mistakes. Food lawyer Lauren Handel breaks down what should (and shouldn’t) be in your co-man contract—from pricing and quality to IP, insurance, and disputes. A must-listen for food, CPG, and supplement brands.

Quality failures cost manufacturers time, money, and trust. In this episode, Nate Call, CEO of Qualitas, breaks down why quality systems fail—and how batch manufacturers can fix them before it’s too late.

In this episode of the Better Batch Podcast, we talk with John Kyle Beaton, Founder of China Product Pros, about sourcing, negotiating, and managing suppliers in China. Learn how to find reliable manufacturers, avoid common pitfalls, navigate tariffs, and maintain quality control. Whether you're sourcing raw materials, packaging, or equipment, this episode is packed with actionable insights to optimize your supply chain.

In this episode of Better Batch Podcast, we sit down with Adrian to explore the best strategies for optimizing warehouse management. Adrian shares insights on reducing costs, improving communication, enhancing training, and leveraging space efficiently. This episode is packed with actionable takeaways to help warehouse managers streamline operations and drive productivity.

In this must-listen episode of the Better Batch Podcast, financial expert Shalena Hardy explores how to seamlessly integrate operations and accounting to drive manufacturing success. She reveals actionable strategies for aligning day-to-day operational decisions with robust financial insights—from managing cash flow and splitting costs by sales channels to implementing effective scrap tracking and transparent reporting. Whether you're an operations manager, financial leader, or business owner, discover how bridging this crucial gap can enhance efficiency, boost profitability, and empower you to make data-driven decisions for long-term success.

Tune in now to transform your manufacturing processes with expert guidance from Shalena Hardy.