In this episode, John Leposky, Senior Manager of Optical Fabrication at ASML, speaks with Ari about closing workforce gaps and including your team in your Lean journey, all while producing hi-tech computer chips. John details ASML's Lean philosophy and encourages others to make the investment. He is excited to share that it has been the best solution for the company's growth and that the ROI has been phenomenal! With the Three C's in mind - Challenges, Collaboration, and Caring, John is hopeful ...
Dec 01, 2020•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Kristen Gunther, Account Executive and 5th generation family at George Schmitt & Co., speaks with Ari about what it's like growing up and working in a family business, the importance of thinking on your feet, and the endless career opportunities in manufacturing. Kristen explains how the family business has given her purpose and a sense of belonging. She's excited about being part of the company lineage and is grateful for all of the families that have worked for them. Kristen i...
Nov 24, 2020•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, CJ Bienia from Robotic Advantage, speaks with Ari about everything automation; how to get it started in your shop, crushing your ROI, and driving down costs. CJ details how automation has improved over the last decade and where it will be in the future. He also explains how to talk to employees about the benefits of automation - there's no reason to fear it! CJ is excited about where automation is headed and stresses the importance of starting small. You always want to make sure...
Nov 17, 2020•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast In this pre-COVID episode, learn what CONNSTEP can do to help your business grow and thrive. Bonnie DelConte, President & CEO of CONNSTEP, speaks with Ari about the evolution of CONNSTEP and their 3 main services: growth, continuous improvement and technology. This fantastic nonprofit organization has done so much for so many of the manufacturers we've had on the podcast. We want our listeners to understand their full range of services. This episode is also a farewell to Bonnie as she moves towa...
Nov 10, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Kathy Saint, President of Schwerdtle, talks to Ari about her optimism towards manufacturing and the educational opportunities the industry provides. They also dive into the concept of embracing technology and being ready for what comes next! Kathy discusses the challenges of adapting to industry needs and that a shift in educational programming is sometimes all it takes. She stresses the importance of learning by listening, building a family-oriented environment, and breaking down educational si...
Nov 03, 2020•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sal Menzo, Superintendent of Wallingford Public Schools, talks to Ari about his passion for watching students grow, building strong relationships with local manufacturing businesses, and getting involved with the community. They also discuss how diversity prepares students for life! Sal describes the Hubcap Wallingford program, what it takes to create an authentic manufacturing curriculum, and how important workforce development is in the town. Sal expresses his excitement towards manufacturing ...
Oct 27, 2020•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast Meredith Shay, CEO at InCord, talks to Ari about building a compassionate culture, creating a platform where people can be heard, and maintaining employee accountability. They also discuss the importance of a proper succession plan in a family business. Meredith describes her InCord journey, how she gained respect from the team, and how critical it is to learn from your mistakes. Meredith is excited about the manufacturing industry and brings that passion to her involvement with the Eastern Adva...
Oct 20, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast Pedro Soto, President and CEO at Hygrade Precision Technologies, talks to Ari about making decisions, developing strategies, and executing with perfection Pedro and Ari discuss the importance of personal touches like benefits, health care and even good coffee. They also talk about understanding the voice of the customer, building a meaningful career without college debt, and learning through listening. Pedro is passionate about manufacturing and wants others to understand the incredible careers ...
Oct 13, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Transcript available on Metacast Karen McWhirt, President at Prospect Machine Products, talks to Ari about implementing lean and making those changes stick! Karen and Ari talk about the benefits of getting help from CONNSTEP and how these programs changed many of Prospect Machine's practices. She shares how to break down communication barriers within a company, leverage technology in sales and marketing, and succeed in making real change. Karen has an incredible "we can do it" mindset and believes her team can overcome challeng...
Oct 06, 2020•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast Melissa Biggs, Partner at DNB Lobby, shares her experience as a lobbyist for the manufacturing industry and specifically with the Connecticut Manufacturers Collaborative (CMC). In this episode, she discusses great ideas on how to engage with legislators and build powerful relationships over time. She encourages manufacturers to get involved in the legislative process and make their voices heard in order to drive real impact. Melissa is hopeful that the legislative successes she's had while worki...
Sep 29, 2020•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Nancy Traver, Industry Specialist at Traver IDC, highlights her experience growing up in a family business and the passion she has endured along the way. Nancy shares thoughts on the value of the organization, women in manufacturing, operating under a decision tree, and her involvement in Smaller Manufacturers Association of CT. She is super excited to share her family story and believes that it has played a key role in her growth as a woman in the industry. Despite a winding career path, she wa...
Sep 22, 2020•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tom Matulaniec, Owner and President of TOMZ Corporation, highlights how important it is to get ahead of the curve through innovation. His ideas on reinvigorating an older workforce and using social media to strengthen the business are terrific! Tom clearly appreciates growing up in a manufacturing family and believes that it has enabled him to be a passionate and open-minded individual within the company. Tom and Ari discuss topics related to mentorship, establishing a workforce training school,...
Sep 15, 2020•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast George Giering, President of Giering Metal Finishing Inc, understands the value of taking risks in order to maintain the success and growth of his company. He touts having family support and a great mentor as keys to helping him navigate the ebbs and flows of the business. Ari and George also talk about sales processes, learning to run a business, being a good leader, industry diversification and so much more! George Giering, President Giering Metal Finishing Inc, Giering Metal Finishing Website...
Sep 08, 2020•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast Rina Patel, VP of Operations at RSCC Wire and Cable, has had a phenomenal manufacturing career with some top companies. This welcoming and engaging manufacturing leader attributes her success to her family, her personal growth, and her leadership style. Rina talks to Ari about engaging the workforce, listening to employees and following-through on their input. They also talk about the many benefits and uses of i4.0 in manufacturing and how Rina and her teams have put improvements in place while ...
Sep 01, 2020•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sharing best practices is one of the main goals of the Made in America podcast and right now CMMC compliance is top of the list for so many of our CT manufacturers in the Department of Defense supply chain. Today's episode is a spin into the tactical with Sammy De La O, IT Direct's Director of Quality and Compliance. Sammy has an incredible knack for taking very technical information and making it clear, concise, interesting, and even fun! Even if you're not in that supply chain, cybersecurity i...
Aug 25, 2020•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast As the incoming President & CEO of the CBIA, the largest business association in the state, in the middle of a major economic shift, during a worldwide pandemic, Chris DiPentima has his hands full. But, you wouldn't know it from the positivity that Chris radiates as he speaks about the CBIA and the CT economy as a whole. Chris is no 'Pollyanna' - he knows what he's up against, but he also knows he's got a fantastic team to worth with, historical reference to learn from, and strong CT businesses ...
Aug 18, 2020•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean O'Brien is Vice President and the second generation in his family's Milford-based manufacturing company that supplies high precision machining components to diverse set of industries including medical, microelectronics, defense, and commercial. Sean talks to Ari about how starting at the bottom gave him a well-rounded view of the business and an appreciation for every single employee. They discuss PMP's lean journey and its effect on the company culture. Together Sean and Ari delve into div...
Aug 11, 2020•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Please note that this episode was recorded pre-COVID 19. Jill Mayer, CEO, is bringing Bead Industries, a 90 year old company in Milford CT, to new heights. They are updating their marketing, technology, and management systems to empower their people, encourage a younger workforce, and take their company into the future. In this episode, Jill tells wonderful stories about the history of her family and the company and how they intertwine. She talks about her start in the manufacturing industry, he...
Aug 04, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Marcy Minnick is the 3rd generation running Excello Tool Engineering & Manufacturing, Co in Milford, CT. On today's podcast, Marcy and Ari discuss the background and history of Excello Tool. Marcy proudly touts the incredible artistry of her team and gives them credit not only for the success, but the actual existence of the company. Marcy talks to Ari about coming into the company with a business, rather than manufacturing, background and what she did to garner the respect of her team. Together...
Jul 28, 2020•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast HABCO Industries has been at the forefront of Covid response in so many ways throughout the pandemic. Brian Montanari, President and CEO, shares some of the great things they've done both inside his company and in cooperating with the whole CT manufacturing industry during this time. Brian talks about the Covid testing process he developed for his employees (and shared with many other companies), the new air cleansing technology he will be implementing, and the communication that has been key to...
Jul 21, 2020•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast CONNSTEP has been mentioned many times throughout the history of this podcast by manufacturing leaders who have benefitted from their fantastic services. Today, Ari is joined by Bonnie Del Conte, President & CEO of CONNSTEP to discuss how CONNSTEP is meeting the needs of manufacturers a little differently at this time of uncertainty. Of course, they discuss the many incredible services CONNSTEP regularly offers, like continuous improvement advising, plant design, business growth services, qualit...
Jul 14, 2020•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast David Rothberg, Chairman and CEO of Laticrete International, is full of great stories from his family business. From its beginning days in the 1950s in his parents' basement to working with the next generation, ensuring it stays as an "evergreen" company, David clearly enjoys the company history and is excited about its future. Ari and David discuss many parts of the business in this fun episode. David talks about changes to the company structure throughout the years, the Rothberg management sty...
Jul 07, 2020•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast From its humble beginnings as the CT Society for the Encouragement of America Manufacturing to the business community's voice in the State Capitol, the CBIA has grown and changed substantially throughout the years. On the cusp of Joe Brennan's retirement as President & CEO of the CBIA, he reflects with Ari on the history of the organization, their present accomplishments, and what he sees for the future. This episode is fascinating! Joe and Ari talk about the CBIA's role during the different sta...
Jun 30, 2020•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ari is honored to have our U.S. Senator of Connecticut, Chris Murphy, join him for this terrific episode of the Made in America podcast. Ari talks to Senator Murphy about everything manufacturers want to know: • The importance of manufacturing jobs in CT • How to increase the manufacturing workforce • Bringing the defense supply chain back to the U.S. • 'Buying American' and the role of both administration and legislation • Trade wars and tariffs - working to stabilize the current state of trade...
Jun 23, 2020•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode is chock full of great information on the growth and development of the electric vehicle market, how it has been affected by Covid-19 and what the future looks like in this part of the manufacturing industry. On this episode, Ari talks to Jeffrey Mayer, Executive Chairman of Oasis Charger Corporation, which runs JuiceBar EV, premium electric vehicle charging stations. Jeffrey talks to Ari about the benefits of sourcing parts locally as well as the strength of the manufacturing indus...
Jun 16, 2020•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode of the Made in America podcast, Gean Tremaine, President of Q-Tran Inc in Milford, CT, talks to Ari about the value of increasing investment in technology and marketing to stay strong, especially during the Covid-19 crisis. Gean and Ari also discuss topics like management, recruitment, and peer learning during this challenging period. Gean Tremaine, President, Q-Tran, Inc. Q-Tran's Website: https://www.q-tran.com/ Q-Tran's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/q-tran-inc/ Q-...
Jun 09, 2020•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ari and David Griggs, President and CEO of the MetroHartford Alliance, have an inspirational conversation about both the current and future 'story of Hartford'. They talk about the MetroHartford Alliance's role in telling that story, retaining current businesses, attracting new businesses, and bringing together the entire Hartford region for the benefit of us all. Together, they discuss the economic development needs of the region and what the Alliance and the Hartford Chamber of Commerce have d...
Jun 02, 2020•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast As we begin to return to some (ab)normalcy after Covid-19 entered our lives, the Made in America podcast will be sprinkling in some of the episodes recorded just before the pandemic hit. (We'll still be releasing Covid-19 related episodes too.) This episode was released right when the craziness began - Dean Cocarro, VP of Operations at Zendex Tool. This was such a terrific episode, we'd hate to have it lost in the shuffle. Dean talks to Ari about the customer service, marketing, technology, and ...
May 26, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jill Mayer, CEO of Bead Industries talks to Ari about how they are using this slower time to prepare for the future. From implementing new organizational procedures to investing in equipment and automation, Bead plans to come out of the Covid-19 pandemic in a better and stronger position. In this episode, Jill and Ari talk about how Bead has maintained strong communication no matter where their workers are. They discussed the benefits of the PPP funds and how Bead Industries will use them as a c...
May 19, 2020•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Lynn Welding in Newington CT has an incredible handle on their Covid-19 response. They are doing things for communication, safety, and future planning that we haven't heard anywhere else. On this episode, Ari talks to Ibrahim Ibrahim, Operations Manager, who has been a central figure in the company's planning, preparation and follow-through. He gives so many great details on what they are doing to keep their essential employees both safe and happy. Ibrahim talks about at-risk employees that are ...
May 12, 2020•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
