Alexandra Daum, the new Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, joins Ari to talk about what the DECD's plans are to improve the economy for all of CT, and what they are doing specifically for our manufacturing audience. The DECD has a big job which includes job creation, supporting small businesses, community development, and marketing the state to internal and external audiences. Alexandra is helping to drive the solutions forward, but also loves to di...
Mar 21, 2023•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast The story of Lex Products goes from MTV to PGA to the Iraqi desert and back again! In this episode, Bob Luther, Founder and Co-CEO of Lex Products talks to Ari about the start of Lex Products and the sustainability innovations that are bringing them into the future. Ari and Bob also discuss supply chain challenges, employee retention, company culture and much more before they deep dive into energy storage and it's potential for providing incredible power efficiency. Bob also tells Ari with pride...
Mar 14, 2023•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Carl Zuanelli, Founder and CEO of Nuovo Pasta, tells the origin story of Nuovo Pasta from learning pasta-making at a So. Norwalk restaurant to starting manufacturing. He says 'naïve confidence' allowed him to follow his dream - but we know it was hard work that made it happen! Carl talks to Ari about research & development and innovation. They discuss how learning to cook became a valuable experience that allows Carl to speak the 'language' needed to support his team of chefs in...
Mar 07, 2023•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Ari talks to Bryan Jackowitz, President of Dickinson Brands. Bryan has an incredible passion for his business. Between the Witch Hazel product itself, the history of the industry, the sustainable nature of their production, and the growth of the company along the way, what's not to be excited about? Bryan enjoys talking to Ari about the cool history of the product, but then dives into upgrades in processes, automation, and marketing that are allowing American Distilling and Dick...
Feb 28, 2023•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Ari talks to Charles Coristine, President and CEO of LesserEvil Snacks. Charles isn't afraid to admit how little he knew when he started manufacturing snacks. But he learned something from each and every "failure" to pivot, make changes, and take the next steps with more knowledge. Lesser Evil started making "healthy snacks" and now they just make great snacks that happen to also be healthy. Charles talks about why they decided to bring manufacturing in-house and how it allowed ...
Feb 21, 2023•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Ari and Paul Lavoie, CT's Chief Manufacturing Officer, wrap up what Paul accomplished in 2022 and look ahead to the strategic plan for 2023 and beyond. They talk about Paul's goal to "relentlessly communication with all stakeholders" and his "L4" tour: lean-in, listen, learn, and link. They also discuss the key strategic pillars for 2023 and beyond: Workforce growth and development Supply chain resiliency Industry growth Innovation This episode is full of a positive outlook on t...
Feb 14, 2023•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Ari talks to Tiny Tine, co-owner of Waypoint Spirits. They discuss the challenges of developing a local distillery, using their taproom as a testing ground, and expanding their reach through sports team partnerships. This local craft distillery is making a name for themselves starting in CT but aiming nationwide. Tony talks about their R&D process, their high-level business plan, and how they thinking about expansion. They are looking at 2023 as their "breakout year" and we're h...
Feb 07, 2023•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Ari and Chris DiPentima, President and CEO of CBIA, talk about the current state of the CT economy and how the "Transform Connecticut 2023 Policy Solutions" will help unlock Connecticut's true economic potential. These policy solutions sit in 3 main buckets: Cost of doing business Workforce development Investment in the future From tax credits to immigration to housing, Ari and Chris cover a ton of ground on policies that CBIA is pushing forwarding and the work they are doing to...
Jan 31, 2023•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Gavin Watson, Chairman of Conscious Capitalism CT, talks about Conscious Capitalism and how it uses our current understanding of evolutionary biology to enable business to run in a way that makes people happier and more productive, while still making a profit. Gavin talks in depth about the 4 main principles: Conscious culture Conscious leadership Stakeholder orientation Higher purpose beyond making profit Gavin's Favorite book: This View of Life: Completing the Darwinian Revolu...
Jan 24, 2023•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast ERPs can be extremely valuable, or a giant headache - it all depends on implementation! If you are considering investing in an ERP system, or you are struggling with your ERP and considering whether to find a new one…this is an episode you won't want to miss! Ari talks to Paul Tedford, CEO of Synergy Resources, about how to select the right ERP, the 5 reasons that ERP implementations fail, why you would buy new vs. fixing what you've got and so much more valuable info! Paul's Favorite Business B...
Jan 17, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Denis Gagnon, President of Excel Dryer, shares the passion that has created the top selling hand dryer in the world. He risked it all and won by developing, along with his talented engineers, the best possible product on the market. He is proud both of the company's Made in the US designation as well as the environmental impact of their product, which saves both trees and electricity. Denis's Favorite book: 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, Stephen Covey Denis Gagnon, Excel ...
Jan 10, 2023•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast This Ari-only Made in America podcast episode wraps up some great information from 2022 and gets you ready to succeed in 2023. Ari pulls together top ideas for workforce development from guests throughout the year and wraps it into a nice neat package in the first half of this episode. Then, he moves into the important topic of cybersecurity, to make sure YOU and your organization understand the continuous improvement mindset that needs to be applied to cybersecurity in order to keep reducing yo...
Jan 03, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." -John Quincy Adams. This episode of the Made in America podcast brings together some of the best leadership tips from hundreds of episodes to inspire you to learn and grow as a leader. Hear from manufacturing leaders of both big and small companies as they discuss some of the lessons they've learned along the way. Many thanks to all our guests, but in particular those featured in this episode: ...
Dec 27, 2022•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode with Catherine Marx, SBA District Director, might be the most valuable way you can spend 45 minutes on your business (other than getting on a call with the SBA directly!) Learn all about the three C's of the SBA: Contracting, Capital, and Counseling and how they can help your business to start, grow, and succeed. The SBA helps larger businesses than you might think - if you're smaller than 1500 employees, your company might qualify for assistance! Catherine's Favorite Business Books...
Dec 20, 2022•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast "Manufacturing gets in your blood," says Steve Prout, President of Alpha Q Inc. Although Steve didn't start his career in manufacturing, he discovered an incredible passion for it that has lasted a lifetime, just like so many of our other guests. Steve's passion comes across so clearly in this episode as he talks to Ari about both the history and future of manufacturing. From the initial measurement standards to high tech precision manufacturing to training the workforce of the future. Steve Pro...
Dec 13, 2022•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Grab a (non-alcoholic) beer and join host, Ari Santiago, as he talks to Jamie Lissette, COO, on this great episode all about Athletic Brewing Co and how they are changing the perception of non-alcoholic beer one can at a time. Learn how they are creating a new market, getting "cans in hands" and rising to the top as Inc 5000's 26th Fastest Growing Company in the US in 2022. Discover their secrets to a tiny, 2-3% employee churn rate, and find out more about their $50M investment from Keurig Dr Pe...
Dec 06, 2022•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Cici Bevin is 6th generation, and the Chief Growth Officer, in her family's 190 year old manufacturing business. Although Bevin Brothers Manufacturing also manufactures compressed gas cylinders, they are most famous for their brand, Bevin Bells - the last standing American bell manufacturer. Cici talks to Ari about the incredible history of the company and their many pivots from making sleigh bells (back when sleighs were standard transportation!) to bells for household machines like washers, to...
Nov 29, 2022•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast In his twenties, Tim Kane, President and CEO of Goodway Technologies, got a taste of patenting new products that solved problems he knew he could fix - he never looked back! Over the years, Tim has found holes in the industrial cleaning market and has used ingenuity and a great team of engineers to build the solutions his customers need. In the process he has taken Goodway Technologies from zero to 85 patents! Tim credits peer communities like YPO for helping him learn skills along the way to ma...
Nov 22, 2022•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Here's another set of phenomenal interviews from the floor of the Aerospace Component Manufacturer's Aerospace Alley Tradeshow. It's a high energy location with some high energy guests. Ari starts out talking to Paul Lavoie, Connecticut's Chief Manufacturing Officer about the excitement surrounding the tradeshow and the high interest level of the students who attended the morning program. They then do a deeper dive into the state's 4 major initiatives for the Aerospace industry. At 15:46 Kevin V...
Nov 15, 2022•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast We love taking the tradeshow live to the Aerospace Component Manufacturer's Aerospace Alley tradeshow! This episode was recorded with guests from the tradeshow floor and has all the energy you'd expect from a tradeshow. Ari starts out with the President of the Aerospace Components Manufacturer's organization, and President of ACMT, Inc, Michael Polo. Michael is so passionate about getting students involved in manufacturing and talks all about how they do that in the ACM and at ACMT, Inc as well....
Nov 08, 2022•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode is a great conversation w Jim Gildea, Director of Manufacturing at Bigelow Tea. Jim talks about getting involved in the educational system and encourages other companies to take a seat at the table to help develop curriculum needed for tomorrow's jobs. Jim and Ari talk about the great people-first culture at Bigelow and its effect on employee retention. Jim also tells us all about the really cool manufacturing technology and robotics that make Bigelow run smoothly, but never displac...
Nov 01, 2022•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Ari talks to Mark Sullivan, COO of Element 119 about his progression from ski bum to business consultant to COO. They discuss the interesting background of Element 119 and how the company moved from solving problems to growing small businesses all with ceramic coating. Ari and Mark dig into some chemistry and environmental impact, but overall this episode is about fast growth and making an impact! Mark's Favorite Business Book: Byron Walker - Small Business Turnaround Plan Mark ...
Oct 25, 2022•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Ari talks to Scott Law, General Manager of Argo EMS. They focus on education, workforce, and go to market strategy - all from a people perspective. Ari and Scott talk about Scott's progression from CT trade school grad to manufacturing leader. Connecticut has an incredible tech school system that is the envy of many states in the country and Scott is proof of its success. They discuss workforce issues like sourcing talent, retaining employees, and making strong and meaningful co...
Oct 18, 2022•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode follows the wide-spanning career of Jason Jarvis, President of Jarvis Airfoil, from his early years as a political reporter to radio broadcasting with his fascinating mom to landing at Jarvis Airfoil 17 years ago. Jason explains that the key to his career has been his aptitude for and belief in communication as a vital part of good business. Jason and Ari talk about how airfoils make an aircraft work; the history of how Jarvis got into airfoils; the precision necessary to both make ...
Oct 11, 2022•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode, with Justin Wolfanger, President of Systems, Electronics, and Controls - Triumph Group, starts off digging into some of Justin's really cool background working on Sikorsky helicopters. But soon, Ari and Justin are discussing the complexity of working as a Tier 1 supplier and the intricate nature of the Aerospace supply chain. You'll learn a lot from this episode as Justin and Ari really go deep into business culture and leadership. Justin talks about the value he's found in having ...
Oct 04, 2022•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week's episode runs through the early (very early!) manufacturing career of George Podlasek, President of Winslow Automatics, through his legal career and back to manufacturing again. In this episode, Ari and George talk about the George's Dad's hard work ethos and how it molded the Podlasek family and business. George took lessons learned in his youth and through his legal career to continue growing and developing the business his grandfather started in 1956. In fact, he saw a whole new op...
Sep 27, 2022•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Business is all about relationships, even in specialized tool manufacturing! In this episode, Ari and Jacob Litke talk about the relationships that have grown Skillcraft Machine Tool. Jacob tells Ari about the successful ownership transition from his Father as well as his relationships with employees. He discusses the success of their apprenticeship program as well. Ari and Jacob also dig into what Lean Manufacturing means in a low-mix, high volume setting - and it's pretty different than what w...
Sep 20, 2022•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast At nearly 150 years old, Penn Globe has both a fascinating history and an exciting future. President and CEO, Marcia LaFemina, covered tons of ground with our host, Ari Santiago, in this fast-paced episode. They talked all about the innovations that have kept Penn Globe strong and steady despite their small stature in the lighting world. Marcia told us all about their sustainability initiatives, refitting classic fixtures with current sustainable lighting sources, building new fixtures out of re...
Sep 13, 2022•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Laura Marasco took a winding path of leadership roles in finance that prepared her, brilliantly, but unwittingly, for a great career in Manufacturing! Listen as she tells Ari her story of going from banking to West-Conn Tool and how all her experiences lined up perfectly to bring her to her current CEO role (a role she took over from her husband, Dave). Without batting an eye, Laura has helped navigate West-Conn Tool from ISO 9000 certification, through a new ERP system, and then on to high-tech...
Sep 06, 2022•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Plastics can get a bad rap, but Bing Carbone, President of Modern Plastics, has a heart-felt way of telling the positive story of the high-tech plastics we count on every day. Bing talks to Ari about staying on top of the latest and greatest, whether it's ISO certification in 1997 or a TikTok account in 2022. Bing learned from his grandfather how to look ahead without fear to see what the future holds. Bing also shares his unique perspective on being acquired by a larger organization, but still ...
Aug 30, 2022•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
