This week we are welcoming Mark Auletta, COO of Bauer, Inc., onto the Made in America podcast! Mark talks to Ari about what critical components they manufacture, their continuous partnership with the University of Hartford, and how they drive culture in the organization. Mark discusses how their team is focused on serving customers and how tough times can impact these interactions. He is passionate about employee engagement, making interns feel supported in the family business, and finding great...
Jan 25, 2022•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast We are excited to welcome, Don Allan, President and CFO of Stanley Black and Decker to the Made in America podcast! Don talks with Ari about the 'why behind' SB&D, how they effectively integrate iconic brands like DeWALT and CRAFTSMAN, and what their product strategy efforts look like. Don discusses important topics like innovation, Industry 4.0, and changing the perception of manufacturing across the state. Through industry partnerships, Don believes that manufacturers alike can learn from one ...
Jan 18, 2022•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week we are welcoming Clive Cunliffe, President of Pietro Rosa - North America, onto the Made in America podcast! Clive talks to Ari about how they've been able to turnaround a CT business, incorporate Italian heritage into their company, and stay connected during tough times. Clive discusses corporate culture and how they creatively inspire their engineers. By moving Pietro Rosa into CT, they have been able to engage in the community, access strong talent, and promote manufacturing to youn...
Jan 11, 2022•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Join us for Part 2 of our 'home alone' episode of the Made in America podcast with our very own podcast host, Ari Santiago! In this 2021 wrap up and 2022 kick-off episode, Ari talks about the broader embrace of manufacturing in 2021 and what we should be focusing on in the new year. Ari reflects on the past year and details the challenges manufacturers face including workforce development and supply chain disruptions. He then discusses how we can take advantage of opportunities such as finding b...
Jan 04, 2022•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast In honor of the holiday season, we are releasing a special Made in America episode highlighting some of our previous podcast guests. With a theme focused on 'giving back to the community and helping others,' our guests detail what they have done in and around their communities and businesses to make a greater impact in the manufacturing space. Whether it's from a state or local level, manufacturers are doing great things for our school systems, workforce, general public, and beyond. These leader...
Dec 28, 2021•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Special guests: · Robert Friedland: President & CEO - Columbia Manufacturing · Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch: Director of College of Technology - Asnuntuck Community College · Mark Lloyd: President - A-1 Machining This week we are releasing the final part of our compilation episodes created from live recordings at the ACM Aerospace Alley Tradeshow. This episode particularly focuses on turbines and engines, marketing, supply chain, diversity, and CT's apprenticeship program. Robert Friedland details t...
Dec 21, 2021•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week we are welcoming Alex Smith, General Manager of Swift Textile Metalizing, onto the Made in America podcast! Alex talks to Ari about how to remain relevant as a small business, the success of an employee referral program to find talent, and how to efficiently focus on customers' needs. Alex details their shifts in ownership and how a private equity approach has helped build the business. He also discusses what it's like to work at STM and how teammates can see the impact of what they ar...
Dec 14, 2021•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Special guests: • Mark Auletta - COO, Bauer, Inc. • Susan Kasa - CO and President, Boulevard Machine & Gear • Nick Zandonella - General Manager, Leggett & Platt This week we are releasing Part 2 of our compilation episodes created from live recordings at the ACM Aerospace Alley Tradeshow. This episode particularly focuses on three strong companies that create products for the space, military, and aerospace industries. Mark Auletta details the sectors they serve, their international capabilities,...
Dec 07, 2021•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast Special guests: • Glenn Ford - President of Phoenix Manufacturing and President of the ACM • Colin Cooper - CT's Chief Manufacturing Officer, State of Connecticut We are kicking off the first of three episodes created from live recordings at the ACM Aerospace Alley Tradeshow, with 2 close friends and former podcast guests. This episode particularly focuses on the impact of the ACM tradeshow on students, schools, and communities. Glenn details what his ACM presidency through COVID was like and ho...
Nov 30, 2021•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we are kicking off the holiday season with a special episode featuring a few of the 'what do you make and why do you make it' stories told by former Made in America podcast guests. We are grateful to live in a state with so much variety in manufacturing such as aerospace, defense, space, tooling and machining, medical, commercial, automation and beyond. We are thankful to all our guests for all they do for our state, their hard work and dedication, and for going on this podcast journe...
Nov 23, 2021•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this week's episode of the Made in America podcast, we are featuring Richard Lott, CEO of North Sails Group! Richard talks to Ari about his passion for sailing, how he's navigated leadership strategies for a global company, and the importance of innovation and having the right investor. Richard shares the value behind their partnership with CCAT and how they've been able to improve their processes. He also explains the lessons he's learned in business and private equity and how innovation is ...
Nov 16, 2021•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this week's Made in America episode we are welcoming two guests, Vikram Butani, Founder and CEO, and Preeti Butani, Founder, from Kubtec! In the first segment, Vikram talks about the importance of Kubtec's X-ray in a box, how their products help hospitals be more efficient, and how they fought back after getting knocked down. He is passionate about what they make and believes in the power of technology and marketing! His wife, Preeti, then joins Ari to discuss how they think about building cu...
Nov 09, 2021•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week we welcome Mark Hill, CEO of Eastern Workforce Investment Board (EWIB), onto the Made in America podcast! Mark talks to Ari about EWIB's passion for helping people, the success of their manufacturing pipeline initiative, and how collaboration and partnership helps drive their program efforts. Mark shares the challenges and opportunities they see from a workforce development standpoint and how they plan on expanding manufacturing across the state. He believes it is important to engage w...
Nov 02, 2021•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Joining us this week on the Made in America podcast is Ed Planeta, VP of Sales and Owner of Acme Wire Products Co., Inc.! Ed talks to Ari about the importance of figuring out what you are good at, making business videos to engage with customers, and how to differentiate yourself in the marketplace. He details what his transition was like from the restaurant industry to their family business and how well they work together. Ed also shares what Acme Wire Products sees from a workforce perspective ...
Oct 26, 2021•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week's Made in America podcast guest is Doug Rose, President and Founder of Aero Gear, who is known for his manufacturing success story and Italian table wine! Doug talks to Ari about the importance of keeping up with technology to compete in the global market, embracing change, and developing a philosophy of continuous improvement. He discusses the power of opportunity and how it led him to where he is now. Doug also expresses his excitement and passion towards Aero Gear's culture and expl...
Oct 19, 2021•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast We are welcoming Cyndi Zoldy, Executive Director of MASC, back onto the Made in America podcast! Cyndi joins Ari to give updates on her career change from the Smaller Manufacturers' Association (SMA) to Manufacturing Alliance Service Corporation (MASC), what MASC's training capabilities look like, and how exciting it is to see students succeed. Cyndi also discusses the benefits of getting involved in manufacturing associations like the SMA, how she plans on expanding MASC into different communit...
Oct 12, 2021•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this week's Made in America episode, we are welcoming Russell Soder, Managing Director of Pilates Lineage! Russell talks to Ari about his journey from being an actor to a Pilates equipment manufacturer and how he ended up in New England. He discusses what their go to market strategy looks like, how they stand out amongst others in the Pilates community, and how he's built the products with his hands. Russell has always focused on bringing the original intentions of Joseph Pilates to life thro...
Oct 05, 2021•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast We are very excited and honored to welcome Governor Ned Lamont onto the Made in America Podcast! In this Made in America episode, Governor Lamont and Ari cover some of the hot topics surrounding CT manufacturing including workforce development, programming and support, and business expansion. He shares why he became Governor and how we can continue to move manufacturing forward. Governor Lamont discusses what we can do to keep the momentum going, create stability in the state, and attract the be...
Sep 28, 2021•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this week's Made in America podcast, we welcome Norm Needleman, CEO of Tower Labs! Norm details his journey from cab driver and mathematician to effervescent products and the state senate. He shares advice on being open to the opportunities around you, how to utilize your skills to advance your career, and what it takes to grow a business. Norm also talks to Ari about their competitive strategy in the market and entire country and how important it is to find a skilled workforce that can get t...
Sep 21, 2021•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week Greg Bloom, President and CEO of Capewell, is making his Made in America podcast debut and we are excited to welcome him! Greg shares his unique journey from working in corporate finance to manufacturing. He details how Capewell is a successful service provider for their customers and the U.S. and how to add significant value to products that can't fail. As an aviation and aerospace industry leader, Greg discusses what manufacturers need to do in order to compete - from leaning into te...
Sep 14, 2021•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we welcome Neil Tremaglio, President of Waterbury Swiss Automatics, onto the Made in America podcast. Neil talks to Ari about being a bigger part of the business, what working with his father was like, and what lessons he learned along the way. He discusses business cycles and the importance of making strategic decisions and how to consistently satisfy customers. Neil also details the manufacturing generation gap here in CT and how the tide seems to be changing. Community involvement,...
Sep 07, 2021•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week we are excited to welcome Matt Fleury, President and CEO of the CT Science Center, onto the Made in America podcast! Matt details the history of the CT Science Center and his involvement, how crucial it is for younger generations to engage with science, and what types of educational engagement and learning experiences are available to their visitors. As a long-time friend of Ari's, Matt details how he is inspired by the messaging of the podcast and how important it is to build a strong...
Aug 31, 2021•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week we are joined by, Austin McChord, Founder and Former CEO of Datto and current CEO of Casana. Austin brings an interesting yet valuable leadership perspective onto the Made in America podcast. Austin talks to Ari about his time at Datto and how his experience shaped him into the individual he is today. He discusses leadership strategies, how he turned a friend's toilet seat dream into a reality, and what it takes to bring your 'A' game as CEO. Austin also mentions the importance of team...
Aug 24, 2021•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week we are welcoming a positive leader and advocate for CT manufacturing, Sabrina Beck, Vice President of Altek Electronics, onto the Made in America podcast! Sabrina talks to Ari about her transition into a business with her father, how she had to learn manufacturing concepts from the ground up, and how they are thinking about sustainability and climate change. She discusses the workforce challenges the company has recently faced and how to think about product diversification. As the new ...
Aug 17, 2021•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this week's Made in America podcast episode, we are taking a turn and learning about the journey of Ted Dumbauld, Founder of SoNo 1420. Ted talks to Ari about the meaning behind SoNo 1420, the advantages their distillery has in the marketplace, and how they are thinking about ROI for the future. He explains their unique combination of hemp seed and alcohol which makes this CT distillery stand out from the crowd. Ted also discusses how they think about implementing lean practices and shares hi...
Aug 10, 2021•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this week's Made in America episode, we are featuring John Mendicino, Owner of Ramdy Corp, and his journey from education to the manufacturing world! John talks to Ari about the importance of using solid modeling and technology to drive your business forward, how to think about efficiency, and what it takes to turnaround a business. John discusses how a strong partnership turned into a successful business deal and the steps he had to take along the way. He believes that Ramdy Corp has proven ...
Aug 03, 2021•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week we are so excited to release our 2 year anniversary episode which celebrates the Made in America podcast and highlights some of our former podcast guests! Over the past 2 years we have had over 100 guests on the show, who share their success stories and words of wisdom. Ari's last two questions are the ones that stick out the most: "What has propelled you to the success you've had and what advice would you give your young self?" We are highlighting a few of these answers in hopes that ...
Jul 27, 2021•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week we are featuring, Jeff Wihbey, Superintendent of Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS), on the Made in America podcast! Jeff talks to Ari about his 23 year background in education as a teacher, department head, principal, and now superintendent. He details the endless opportunities CTECS offers, how they are spreading awareness about career technical education across the state, and what their efforts look like from a manufacturing perspective. Jeff discusses the nee...
Jul 20, 2021•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this week's Made in America episode, we are featuring Molly Kellogg, President and CEO of Hubbard Hall, and her unique story about learning how to strategically run a generational family business! Molly talks to Ari about the life lessons her father taught her and how she applied them to the specialty chemical business. She also covers how they incorporate environmental planning, think about strategic acquisitions for business growth, and focus on product development for the future. Molly dis...
Jul 13, 2021•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast In light of the shortened holiday week, we wanted to share a special highlight episode of the Made in America podcast. On this episode, Ari has pulled over a dozen clips from podcast guests talking about the great resources and opportunities that are out there in CT's manufacturing community. We have incredible manufacturing associations and organizations that make our state so unique! Hear first from representatives of these organizations, and then from the manufacturing leaders that have gaine...
Jul 06, 2021•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
