This week, Ari Santiago talks to Mark Burzynski, President of the Arthur G Russell Company in Bristol CT. This growing company has a strong company culture defined by teamwork, as well as respect and appreciation for each employee. During these Covid-19 times, this culture has kept them going and working well together. Mark discusses the extreme importance he places on keeping, training and expanding his workforce, despite and because of the Covid crisis. He talks about the impact of the skills ...
May 05, 2020•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast ACM, the Aerospace Component Manufacturers organization, has been pulling together the aerospace industry in CT for years. Now, during the Covid-19 pandemic, that incredible cooperative spirit is even more pertinent and important than ever. On this episode, Ari talks to Paul Murphy, Executive Director, about the high-level impact this health crisis is having on companies and the manufacturing industry throughout CT. After years of running businesses and now the ACM, Paul has terrific insight on ...
Apr 28, 2020•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode of the Made in America podcast, Ari and Colin talk all about the government's response to the Covid-19 crisis, in particular how it relates to the manufacturing industry. He and Ari talk about the changes in priorities to cover the different response stages and the current most important projects. Colin talks about some of the incredible work being done by manufacturers around the state who are stepping up to help in the most amazing ways. Changing production lines, redirecting s...
Apr 21, 2020•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast MakerspaceCT is a place to learn, create, innovate, and educate in a wide variety of areas: art, manufacturing, business, electronics, IoT, virtual reality, woodworking, metal fabricating and so much more. It combines traditional "making" skills with newer technologies. Devra is passionate about the Makerspace and the community that has developed to promote, support, build and learn from it. During this Covid-19 crisis, the Makerspace has taken on the important task of designing and producing PP...
Apr 17, 2020•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Communication is a two-way street at Okay Industries. Listen to Jason Howey, President and CEO, talk about how they are keeping their 3 manufacturing facilities safe while continuing not only to produce their important medical products, but also helping their community start a new production line for PPE. Ari and Jason talk about facility setup, accountability, communication, and looking into the future. They also discuss the public-private partnership that Okay Industries is facilitating with t...
Apr 14, 2020•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast We could all use some help navigating the fast-moving changes of the Covid-19 crisis. In today's episode, Glenn Ford, President of Phoenix Manufacturing, offers some excellent strategies in use in his facility to manage the business, employee, technology and so much more. Phoenix has instituted some terrific policies that you might be able to learn from. As always, Glenn Ford's positive outlook on life and business is always a pleasure to hear. Glenn discusses the state of the aerospace manufact...
Apr 07, 2020•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today's Made in America with Ari Santiago is an extremely important and timely episode. Learn all about the Paycheck Protection Program, a governmental program through the SBA that is part of the CARES Act, from Frank Milone, Partner at Fiondella, Milone & Lasaracina. Frank talks to Ari about the details of the program and the application process. Thanks to this program, some businesses may be eligible to receive a loan of up to $10 million. There is also potential for loan forgiveness that woul...
Apr 02, 2020•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast We're back and are ready to bring you tons of value to help you and your manufacturing company learn and adapt during the Covid-19 pandemic. On today's episode, Ari speaks to Scott Livingston, CEO of Horst Engineering. They talk real specifics about HORST's response to the Covid-19 crisis. Compare and contrast HORST's response to your company's, you may discover new ideas. Sharing our best practices, especially in times of trouble, helps us all come out stronger on the other side. Today, Scott d...
Mar 31, 2020•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast There are some great stories in this episode of the Made in America podcast with special guest, Dean Coccaro, VP of Operations at Zendex Tool. Dean talks about his life before getting involved in his dad's company, how he got involved, and what they are doing now to grow and improve the company. Dean has learned a ton about the manufacturing industry in a short period of time and has a unique perspective into continuous improvement, robotics, marketing, product competition, and so much more. Zen...
Mar 17, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tom McGwire is 4th generation in this dynamic, nearly 100 year old company! On this episode, learn about the beginning of the company, back in 1921 and how it has survived, grown, and thrived up to today. Tom talks about the strategy behind their acquisitions, their launch into Kaizens and continuous improvement, and how they are planning for and managing the transfer of knowledge from one generation of workers to the next. Books discussed on the podcast: The Intelligent Investor, Benjamin Graha...
Mar 10, 2020•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast In a field that has historically had extensive environmental impact, the work that allnex-Wallingford has done to both clean up their processes and to change the perceptions of their community, has been incredible! In this episode, Frank DiCristina, Site Manager of allnex-Wallingford talks to Ari about automation, data analytics and continuous improvement. Then they go deep into the environmental systems, processes, and updates at the facility, as well as the company's plans for future environme...
Mar 03, 2020•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast Cyndi Zoldy, Executive Director of the SMA and Chairwoman of Women in Manufacturing CT, believes the role of CT's manufacturing organizations is to prepare their members for the future of manufacturing. Everything she does in her two leadership roles contributes to this idea. She plans important programming that touches topics many others aren't covering. She gets deeply involved in legislation, working with lobbyists for the needs of the manufacturing community. But, overwhelmingly, she spends ...
Feb 25, 2020•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Peer-learning has never been so much fun. This episode with David Parmelee, President of Wepco Plastics, is another great learning experience! Ari and David talk about some really different topics. Of course, they talk about continuous improvement, workforce development, the history of Wepco plastics and how they recruit. But, they also talk about work-life balance, millennials in the workplace, the value of apprenticeship, the importance of peer-learning and sharing, and Wepco's incredible soci...
Feb 18, 2020•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Brian Montanari talks to Ari about his rise through the manufacturing industry, learning from the best, taking on new skills at every turn, and ultimately becoming the President and CEO of HABCO Industries. As a former teacher of and consultant for LEAN manufacturing principles, Brian shares some great insights into how to apply them to your business, your processes, and your life! Brian offers some incredibly insightful tips on management, recruitment, culture, thinking lean, and looking at you...
Feb 11, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Colin Cooper is the state's first Chief Manufacturing Officer, an exciting position with a ton of potential value for the manufacturing community in CT. Colin's experience, background and clear passion for manufacturing makes him the perfect person for the role. Not only that, but he truly understands the concept: 'if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem'! In this episode, Colin and Ari first talk about stories and lessons learned from Colin's days running the Whitcraft Gr...
Feb 04, 2020•1 hr 20 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode of the Made in America podcast is a fast-paced episode, full of incredible information and a super-positive outlook. It covers so much manufacturing goodness from selling the family business, to the CT Manufacturers' Collaborative, to listening to the voice of the customer. Chris DiPentima has accomplished so much for his employees, his company, and CT manufacturers - it's almost hard to keep track of all the great things he's got going on! Chris offers incredible information and ad...
Jan 28, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ari and Tony Karlowicz, Co-founder of Back East Brewery, talk about beer, taste beer, and have a great time talking about brewing as what it truly is, a manufacturing business. They discuss topics any other manufacturer would need to learn: innovating, staying competitive in a crowded market, business strategy, and how to grow your capacity. Tony and Ari also talk about Tony's background - moving from accounting to brewing - and how important it is to follow your dreams and just get started. Thi...
Jan 21, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ulbrich Stainless Steels and Special Metals has come a long way from its roots as a scrap metal company, through WWII making mess kit knives, through the 50s manufacturing cutlery for diners, and now creating over 160 metal alloys used in everything from basic consumer goods to cars to hi-tech medical equipment. In this episode of the Made in America podcast, Ari talks to Chris Ulbrich, CEO of Ulbrich about how creating a culture of change has enabled their success for the last 96 years and well...
Jan 14, 2020•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode of the Made in America podcast is truly outstanding. Scott Livingston, CEO of Horst Engineering is not only a powerhouse in the CT aerospace industry, but is a guiding light in his community as well. Scott's passion about the important things in his life comes across in every minute of this interview: developing his team, growing his company, peer learning, making an impact, cycling, and so much more. The conversation in this episode ranges from business to personal to philosophical...
Jan 07, 2020•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this week's episode of the Made in America podcast, we are focusing on an important theme we've talked about with so many of our guests: Workforce Development. Each of our guests has had a different and unique take on how they find, recruit, and build manufacturing talent. Our guests talked about what they do in their own company, how they work within the community, programs they've worked with or created, and so much more. This episode pulls together the best of the best advice from some of ...
Dec 31, 2019•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast Special guests: Clive Cunliffe, President North America - Pietro Rosa Group (New England Airfoil Products) Tim Backus, President & CEO, Har-Conn Chrome Tim Ulles, CEO, Numet Machining Techniques, Inc Alyce Stiles, Associate Director of Experiential STEM Education, CCAT Recorded live at the ACM Aerospace Alley Tradeshow on November 20th, this episode covers some great ground like the benefit of the ACM to both international companies investing in the region and locally grown companies aiming to g...
Dec 24, 2019•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Lee Company in Westbrook, CT has had incredible growth and success over the years. In this episode Marietta Lee, VP and Corporate Secretary, talks about her bumpy road to the family business and the value of starting from the bottom. Ari and Marietta discuss the importance of appreciating and investing in your employees to build a solid company culture. This episode has incredible advice on how to manage a family business in a way that enables growth and prosperity. They also talk about The ...
Dec 17, 2019•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast David Lehman, Commissioner of the DECD, is a dedicated public official working to create the best potential business atmosphere in CT. He not only understands the challenges, but believes in the possibilities! Commissioner Lehman shared with Ari his background in the private sector and discussed why that enables him to lead the DECD with a clear understanding of business needs. He also talked about the importance of the main pillars for growth: Transportation, Workforce/Education, Fiscal Stabili...
Dec 10, 2019•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Special guests: Michael Polo, President, ACMT, 00:30 Albert Pucino, Director of Incumbent Training, Goodwin College 12:09 Brian Montanari, President and CEO, HABCO Industries, 18:11 Jacqueline Gallo, General Manager, Whitcraft Group, 25:43 Sal Menzo, Superintendent, Wallingford Schools, 40:30 This is our second of three episodes created from live recordings at the ACM Aerospace Alley Tradeshow. This episode has a fascinating mix of manufacturers sharing their stories and educators who focus on w...
Dec 03, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast Special guests: Pedro Soto, President of both Hygrade Precision Technologies and the Aerospace Component Manufacturers (ACM) 0:30-13:36 Michael Forrest, VP, Forrest Machine 13:37-22:14 Jeff Whittaker, President, American Cladding Technologies 22:15-27:57 Colin Cooper, Chief Manufacturing Officer, CT DECD 27:58-47:13 Recorded live from the ACM Aerospace Alley Tradeshow, the fantastic guests on this episodes talk about the state of manufacturing in CT today, including the true benefits of an organ...
Nov 26, 2019•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ron Angelo, President and CEO of Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology has an incredible vision for the future of both CCAT and manufacturing in our region. His pride in Connecticut's manufacturing outlook is clear and contagious. Listen to this fast-paced, super-insightful podcast episode to find out what CCAT is up to in the areas of technology, workforce development, incumbent worker training, bringing CT manufacturing together for a brighter future and so much more. Find out what CCAT c...
Nov 19, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Most of our guests to-date have been from small to mid-sized manufacturing companies that are family or local owned. But, what happens to a family business when it can no longer stay "in the family". David Philbrick from MW Industries/Economy Spring discovered first-hand and tells the tale! This is a great success story about family, culture, growth, and investments. It's a different story than most, but then again, so is Dave's story! Dave Philbrick started in Manufacturing completely by accide...
Nov 12, 2019•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast What's a "Marc-ism"? On this episode of the Made in America podcast, Ari talks to Marc Nemeth, President of Jonal Laboratories and we get a glimpse into his list of "Marc-isms" - fantastic sayings and euphemisms that he uses regularly to guide his business! With years of manufacturing experience in his 2nd generation family business, Marc has an incredible depth of knowledge in working with OEMS, adopting his customers problems, making big decisions, and staying in front of the wave. But there w...
Nov 05, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode focuses on one of CT's greatest manufacturing dilemmas, workforce development, with a member of the community who is working to help find solutions, Bill Villano, President of Workforce Alliance. Workforce Alliance's "Skill Up for Manufacturing" program is a 5-week solution designed to quickly channel people into entry-level manufacturing jobs by providing the fundamentals that employers need. Ari and Bill discuss all about workforce development in CT: where we've been, where we are...
Oct 29, 2019•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is why we started the Made in America podcast…episodes like this that provide incredible value to anyone who listens! Westminster Tool has quickly become known throughout CT for their incredibly forward thinking solution to workforce development and business in general: focus on growing your people and the rest will take care of itself! Ray Coombs, President of Westminster Tool, describes how this change started, what they've done, the investments they've made, and how it has made and conti...
Oct 22, 2019•1 hr 12 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
