Manufacturing Technology Insights: Specials Magazine

Digit Technologies is a forward-thinking startup on a mission to transform how manufacturers and distributors operate in an industry dominated by outdated ERP systems. Its platform unifies essential processes, including production, inventory, order tracking, procurement and shipping, into one intuitive interface to deliver real-time visibility, automation and collaboration. Unlike traditional ERP systems, which are slow to deploy, costly to maintain and often rigid, Digit is built for speed, flexibility and affordability, helping manufacturers go live in days. “We built Digit to be the all-in-one system—powerful enough to handle the complexity of manufacturing, but simple enough for anyone on the shop floor to use without training,” says Dan Koukol, CEO and co-founder. For years, manufacturers have patched together spreadsheets and siloed tools, making it hard to plan ahead, spot issues early or improve efficiency. Digit’s founders knew this problem well because they had lived it. Koukol spent nearly a decade working closely with manufacturers across the U.S. as a consultant, helping untangle bottlenecks and improve operational performance. Driven by a passion for hands-on problem-solving, he joined a struggling injection molding manufacturing business as the CEO and turned it profitable. In both roles, it became clear that no modern software tools were truly built for the realities of the factory floor. In 2021, Koukol and his co-founders launched Digit with a simple but ambitious idea: to build the system they always wished existed—a modern operating system for manufacturing, built by manufacturers, not just engineers..

What happens when a bold innovator meets an outdated status quo that no one is willing to change? They rewrite the paradigm. That’s exactly what CJ Rapp did when he launched Karma Water back in 2011. “We are a solution to a problem that many consumers are don’t even realize exists,” says Rapp. The problem is a byproduct of traditional pre-mixed functional drink manufacturing, where ingredients are often hot-filled and left on shelves, exposed to varying climate conditions. Over time, this exposure steadily breaks down key ingredients like probiotics and vitamins, as it does in beverages like kombucha. This means consumers are not always getting the stated level of active ingredients. Karma Water, on the other hand, takes a bold step away from the conventional method by separating live probiotics in a hermetically sealed, patented push cap, which the consumer activates moments before drinking. This ready-to-mix design keeps sensitive ingredients separate from the water until the moment of consumption, delivering the consumer 100 percent of the intended benefits. The push cap technology works in tandem with a probiotic strain — the good bacteria Bacillus Coagulans GBI-30, 6086 (BC30®) — the beverage industry’s ‘gold standard’ probiotic. Developed by Kerry Foods, this strain is more readily bio-available than other offerings in the market. The company selected BC30® for its ability to survive the harsh digestive tract and deliver the benefits at the desired location to enhance nutrient absorption. By combining this strain with the patented push cap, Karma Probiotic Water remains stable for more than 18 months, ensuring two billion active probiotic cultures — 10 times more when compared to yogurts. It also contains six essential vitamins, all within 20 calories, providing a holistic wellness drink. The result is a stark improvement in the consumer’s gut health and immunity with every sip. Karma Probiotic Water is the go-to choice for health-conscious individuals seeking digestive support, immune-boosting vitamins, and overall wellness. The brand also offers a sustainable solution with its Karma Hydration Kits— customizable subscriptions featuring push caps paired with a reusable bottle. For those with busy lifestyles, Karma recently introduced convenient stick packs that deliver the same benefits in a more portable format. .