In this episode, Randy Hauser, President of Chicago Metal Fabricators, discusses the turnaround and growth of this metal fabricator company with roots dating back to 1908. Randy shares his journey from joining the company as a turnaround specialist to leading it through transformative changes in sales, marketing, and operations. Discover how Chicago Metal Fabricators differentiated itself in a competitive market by investing in large-scale equipment and building a culture of professionalism. Randy also emphasizes the importance of adaptability and fostering a team-oriented environment that enc ..read more

This week's episode is not only entertaining, it's also so educational.  Aneesa Muthana is a fantastic storyteller with a unique road into her roles.   Aneesa is the CEO of both Pioneer Service and M&M Quality Grinding, companies she took over from multiple family members and built to the successful organizations they are today. M&M produces precision centerless ground bar stock and Pioneer Services provides precision machining.   Aneesa tells the stories of how she took over each company more than 20 years apart. She shares some of her leadership approach ..read more

This week we welcome Rick Skidmore, Founder and CEO of Timberlane. Timberlane hand-crafts beautiful, high quality wooden shutters. They have also crafted an incredible company culture thanks to implementing some of the best current business theories on continuous improvement and organizational structure.  On this episode, Rick shares how he puts theory into practice building a continuous improvement mindset into the company culture. He talks about scalability, goal setting, and chunking down those big goals into small actions.  Rick and Ari also talk about how to think about mar ..read more

There are so many fascinating niche businesses in manufacturing, and this week's episode is one of them. Park City Packaging manufactures specialty packaging for vital, large, and/or dimensionally complex aerospace parts so they can be safely and securely shipped across the country or across the world.   Owen Polzello, the next generation leader and current VP of Operations, talks to Ari about the risks and rewards the company has taken over the years. They discuss Owen's background and passion for the business. Owen shares lessons learned from his time in leadership, valuable company cul ..read more

In sectors of manufacturing that remain "dirty jobs", like foundries and casting, it's even more important to have a fantastic company culture, where word of mouth brings in new employees and liking what you do is paramount. On this episode, Ari talks to Chris deGruchy, Principal and General Manager of Cast Rite Metal, about his company culture that keeps people engaged with transparency and care. Chris tells Ari about his business journey and they talk about the puzzle pieces that make up a great business. Chris shares that it took several years to really love what he does, but it was complet ..read more

Discover how AtmosAir's groundbreaking bipolar ionization technology has been a game-changer for indoor environments. President and CEO, Steve Levine, delves into the challenges of proving the technology's efficacy and its eventual adoption by professional sports teams.  Steve discusses the technology's significant impact on energy costs, absenteeism in schools, and improvements to work environments. With 300% growth in three years and successful tests against viruses, AtmosAir is making a substantial difference in indoor air quality and sustainability.  Tune in for an interesting co ..read more

In this week's episode, discover how the multifaceted company, Virginia Industries - consisting of Hartford Technologies' (balls and bearings) and Bingham and Taylor (access solutions for water and gas) - has navigated nearly 100 years of twists and turns to stay relevant.    Laura and Ari discuss many tough decisions the company had to make along the way. They talk about a strategic shift to overseas production and shutting down segments of the business to stay competitive. On the flip-side, they also discuss bringing back manufacturing capabilities to meet customer needs and invest ..read more

On this episode, Kate Hampford Donahue, CEO of Hampford Research, discusses the transformative journey of taking over her father's specialty chemical company.   Without a background in the chemical industry, Kate embraced a new kind of leadership, using skills gained throughout her early career. She recounts the pivotal support of Vistage, a CEO peer-to-peer group, that provided her with invaluable insights and support.   Kate shares her initial challenges from discovering the company was in a poorer shape than anyone realized to reshaping its culture and strategy in the face of that ..read more

Adapting and thriving through uncertainty and change is one thing that Jack Birtwell, President and Owner of Porter Preston, knows well!   On this episode, Jack shares his journey and how he turned a career setback into a successful enterprise. He and Ari delve into the importance of supportive partnerships - both his business partner and his wife have been instrumental to the company's start and success. They talk about what makes a successful partnership.   Jack also talks about the fun and positive culture that propels Porter Preston forward. He highlights both his "harmony policy ..read more

Learn how you can save money on your electricity or even make money from it, while also making your power infrastructure more reliable and sustainable!   In this episode of Made in America, Ari talks to Christina Lampe-Onnerud, CEO of Cadenza Innovation, about the transformative potential of battery storage technology.   Christina discusses how Cadenza Innovation's approach to battery storage can significantly increase safety, reduce electricity costs, enhance grid resilience, and promote sustainable energy consumption. That's a lot of benefits!   From scientist to entrepreneur ..read more