When your business becomes known for handling tough engineering challenges, you might find that growth follows! Peter Paul makes solenoid valves for some of the most challenging flow solution applications. In this episode, Ari talks to Mark Mangiafico, President of Peter Paul about growing up in and around his family business. They talk about the benefits of spending time outside of the business to learn valuable skills and processes you can bring back to the team. Mark and Ari then talk about t...
Oct 17, 2023•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Rich Milici, President &CEO of Blackstone Industries wanted to control his own fate after his job was moved to another state - so he started his entrepreneurial journey. In 2013, Rich purchased Blackstone Industries, a group of brands that manufacturers tools for artisan markets. With 3 brands that are over 100 years old, he knew this would be a strong building block for growth. Ari and Rich talk about the initial purchase process and Blackstone's M&A aspirations. Then they go deep into the Entr...
Oct 10, 2023•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is an incredible Made in America story of bringing woolen textile manufacturing back to the US - specifically back to New England. In this episode, Ari talks to Jacob Long, President of American Woolen Company, about his passion for creating a story and a community around the American wool industry. They discuss the idea of 'craft' manufacturing - similar to the craft beer movement, Jacob believes there is a sizeable market for craft textiles. Not only can it be a source of pride for an are...
Oct 03, 2023•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode takes you through the history of the construction industry and its resistance to industrialization, and brings you to modern-day manufacturing of modular construction. While everything else in our modern world is manufactured…construction has had a tough time making the transition. Roger Krulak, President and Founder of FullStack Modular, talks with Ari about the incredible need for more development and how it will take every kind of construction technique to keep up…including the c...
Sep 26, 2023•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Rose Sisters Chips is an up-and-coming snack that has been beating the odds and growing at a quick pace. This week Ari talks to Jonathan Marcus, President of Rose Sisters Brands and discovers the origin of their family's chip recipe, the story of getting started, and how they moved from co-packing to self-manufacturing. Starting at zero, Rose Sisters Brands began with no knowledge of food manufacturing, but took a crash course, first at Rutgers University and then through life experience with th...
Sep 19, 2023•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode is all about the journey… a personal journey, a company journey, and a Lean journey. This week Ari talks to Carleton Birk, President of Birk Manufacturing, a leading manufacturer of innovative thermal heating elements. After Carleton took over as President, just 2 years ago, the company went through massive growth that challenged their systems and processes. Luckily they were prepared! Not only had they recently acquired a new building, but they were well on their way with their Lea...
Sep 12, 2023•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Back on the podcast after 4 years, Marietta Lee, the newly-named CEO of The Lee Company, has a lot to talk about! The Lee Company is now a 3rd generation family- business that is a leading innovator in miniature precision fluid controls. Simultaneous with transitioning to a new CEO, The Lee Company also reached their 75th anniversary. On this episode, Ari and Marietta talk about her preparation for taking on the role and what she expects for the future. But they also cover much of what's happene...
Sep 05, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Coming back after losing 80-90% of your business sounds impossible, but ProMold Plastics proved it can be done! ProMold Plastics is a 55+ year old company specializing in custom injection molding and mold making. Lorella Struzzi, co-owner, tells Ari about the origins of ProMold Plastics, but they really dive in to learn from the hard years after 2010, when ProMold's largest customer suddenly and unexpectedly decided to end their long-term, healthy business relationship despite the massive invest...
Aug 29, 2023•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast How does a 170 year old pharmaceutical company reinvent itself over and over again to remain relevant in our ever-changing world? Find out today with Jeff Davis, president and CEO of Sheffield Pharmaceuticals, a manufacturer and supplier of store brand over-the-counter (OTC) creams, ointments, toothpastes, nasal products and first aid products that have been made in the USA since 1850. Jeff talks to Ari about making the right investments and taking the risks. But, even more valuable, Jeff admits...
Aug 22, 2023•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Meghan West knew at a young age she wanted to join her Dad and the team at Mastercam. Now she's the president and CEO, bringing solutions and services to the manufacturing world with advanced software. This episode is a wide-spanning journey that starts with the company's origins and Meghan's early days. We learn about Meghan's entrance into the company after her degree and how she had to find a role where she could be of most value to the organization. Meghan discovered an interest an aptitude ...
Aug 15, 2023•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Pete Hoffman is a third generation leader and president at Orange Research, a leader in filtration, level and flow monitoring. He is following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, but bringing his own digital twist. It's not a surprise that Pete went to school originally for Information Technology, as he aims to digitally transform Orange Research, starting with a new ERP system and then leveraging it to achieve to much more. Pete is also starting his company's journey into Additive M...
Aug 08, 2023•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bob Zukowski joins Ari for this episode to discuss his manufacturing journey and how he founded Custom Sleep Technology. As the name would indicate, they make custom made sleep products designed specifically for the body of their customer, so they get restful, healthful sleep. Bob has a real passion for the materials, design, technology and even marketing of his product, and he talks to Ari about how they all come together. Bob talks through the patent process he took on at the start of the busi...
Aug 01, 2023•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this 4th anniversary episode of the Made in America podcast, we are joined by John Bourdeaux, CEO of AdvanceCT. AdvanceCT is a private organization that partners with Connecticut state economic development to expand current CT businesses, attract new businesses, market the state, and provide the research needed to successfully accomplish those goals. John's enthusiasm for the state and the work of his organization is palpable. He talks about the importance of CT manufacturing companies reachi...
Jul 25, 2023•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast Growing up in a big manufacturing family, Rishabh Agarwal, CEO of Peer Robotics, got an early look at the challenges manufacturers are facing. Now he's working to solve them - one robotic solution at a time. Peer Robotics builds robots that solve some of the most simple, yet time and labor consuming tasks - moving materials around your shop floor. Rishabh's solutions aim to free up employees to do their most valuable work. Best yet, the solutions are simple enough for any employee to implement -...
Jul 18, 2023•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tushar Shah is the new President of Airex Rubber, having purchased the rubber parts business just a little over a year ago in 2022. He owns and operates the 80 year old business with his wife, Hetal, who handles everything outside of operations, while Tushar runs the operations side of the business. Ari talks to Tushar about the process of purchasing the formerly multi-generational, family-owned manufacturing business. It all started with a simple google search and then moved on, slowly but sure...
Jul 11, 2023•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast Summer is upon us! As we all spend more time outdoors, we often think about how our actions affect the environment now and into the future. But it may surprise you how many of our manufacturing guests CONSTANTLY have sustainability and environmental impact on their minds. This "Best of" episode highlights just some of the manufacturers we have spoken to about their initiatives that make an impact on the world around us. We chose companies that talk about their sustainable products or services; t...
Jul 04, 2023•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Joe Mullally is the Senior Vice President of Defibtech, a medical device manufacturer of life-saving Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). In this episode, Joe and Ari discuss the mission of Defibtech and the importance of the AED. Joe tells Ari about the educational and legislative work the company does to promote the use of the device in public spaces. Joe also talks about what it means to be an FDA class 3 medical device manufacturer and their plans to promote their newest product, an aut...
Jun 27, 2023•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ed Gilchrest is the President of Gyre9 a growing product design firm that also engineers and manufactures products for its customers. In this episode, Ed and Ari dive deep into the fascinating world of product design and development. Ed describes it as "Mythbusters" every day, which sounds like a pretty fun way to work! Ed describes why manufacturers might want to use an outside design firm and why it's helpful to use one that also manufacturers products. (Hint: not all design firms 'get' manufa...
Jun 20, 2023•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Beverlee Dacey is the second generation leader of Amodex Products, manufacturers of an ink and stain remover that is soap based (the only one of its kind) and even recommended by the makers of Sharpie! Throughout this episode, Beverlee shares heart-felt stories from the business, her customers, and her family. Her positive approach to business and life permeates the episode. Beverlee discusses the major shift the company had to take in order to stay afloat. She discusses her approach to customer...
Jun 13, 2023•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we are joined by Kim Bowen, CEO of Specialty Cable Corporation, a cabling manufacturer specializing in wire that can withstand extreme hot and cold temperatures. Their wires are engineered and manufactured in all sizes from baby heart monitors to airplane power cables. Kim and Ari talk about Kim's interesting background starting at a technical high school for electrician training, moving on to accounting roles and then becoming a Director of Manufacturing before finally taking on the ...
Jun 06, 2023•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Ari swaps stories with Capri Brighenti, President & CEO of Miller Foods, a pet food manufacturer known for its Oma's Pride brand of raw pet food. Capri tells Ari the incredible story of the company's evolution from egg delivery to turkey farm to pet food manufacturer in the span of 3 generations. She talks about the challenges they faced after her grandparents passed and her mother and aunt immediately lost their biggest customer. They learned the importance of diversification w...
May 30, 2023•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you're uncertain about what i4.0 is, what it means for manufacturers and how you can leverage i4.0 technology to improve your outcomes, you're going to want to listen to this episode. Brian Romano, Director of Technology Development at Arthur G. Russell (AGR) talks to Ari about i4.0 technology. Then they dive into how AGR is leveraging the i4.0 systems built into their machines (sensors, data collection and analytics) to provide a remote support program to their customers. This support progra...
May 23, 2023•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast We love a good manufacturing start-up story and this one is filled with ups and downs! In this episode, Ari talks to Milton & Goose Founder & CEO, Shari Raymond. Milton & Goose is a high-end children's toy manufacturer that makes heirloom-quality wooden play kitchens. Shari and Ari talk about all the struggles that starting and growing a new business can bring - from the initial design to contract manufacturing to marketing to bringing manufacturing in-house and becoming a full-fledged CT manufa...
May 16, 2023•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Ari talks to Marc Navarre, CEO of Talalay Global, about Talalay’s unique manufacturing process and the relationships they’ve built with their OEM customers. Talalay Global is a 45-year-old company that produces high-quality latex foam for mattresses and pillows. Their unique process involves trapping air in the latex foam to produce a consistent, durable and top-quality product with good airflow. Marc discusses the benefits of having strong OEM relationships. He then explains ho...
May 09, 2023•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Ari talks to Jonathan Fife, CEO of Bright Feeds about the company's mission to tackle the global food waste problem. This CT-based start-up is using creative engineering and technology to convert food waste to nutritious and consistent animal feed. It's not too often we get a manufacturing start-up on the podcast, so this is one episode to catch! As a start-up there are lots of challenges that are fresh on Jonathan's mind, like finding their first customers without business card...
May 02, 2023•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode is all about finding your niche! Ari speaks with Dave Marcil from Reno Machine about both finding his own personal niche in the manufacturing industry and how Reno Machine found their valuable machining niche as well. Dave shares his background in tinkering, trade school, and his career path through multiple manufacturing roles. He shows how careers can twist and turn before landing on something you truly love. Dave then talks about Reno Machine, which provides high-quality contract...
Apr 25, 2023•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode we welcome Stephen Mazzarelli, Partner at Commercial Sewing, the manufacturer of the Outer Armor brand of covers for recreational vehicles in the power sport and marine industries. Stephen talks to Ari about their family-owned business and how they have successfully transitioned from traditional hand-craftsmanship to modern technology so they can remain competitive (and thrive!) in today's international manufacturing ecosystem. The transition required their craftsmen to pivot to ...
Apr 18, 2023•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jack Lukasik, President of Satellite Tool, has workforce issues like most other manufacturers, but he's combatting them with conscious efforts in leadership and processes. In this episode, Ari and Jack talk about how Satellite Tool has fostered transparency, open communication, accountability and compassion and how this has led to better retention outcomes - as well as more productivity. Jack gives tips for getting good feedback at all ranks, what a family atmosphere actually means, and even tal...
Apr 11, 2023•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Carolyn Lee, President and Executive Director of The Manufacturing Institute, shares her passion for promoting the incredible careers in manufacturing and ensuring that manufacturers of all sizes have the workforce they need to compete. This is no easy task, but it is vital to the success of thousands upon thousands of manufacturers across the country. In fact, Carolyn states that by 2030 nearly 4 million manufacturing jobs will need to be filled. The Manufacturing Institute has a wide variety o...
Apr 04, 2023•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast This podcast episode pulls together the best clips from the podcast over the past few years all related to the technology that's changing the face of manufacturing. Whether it's new manufacturing technology, robotics and automation, model-based definition, or even marketing tech, technology is extremely important for the growth and development of a modern manufacturer. In this week's highlight episode, we've got clips from 11 manufacturers and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology talki...
Mar 28, 2023•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
