On this episode of The Manufacturing Alliance Podcast: Chat and Chow Series, we are joined by our guest, Glenn Starkey, the President and Director of  Engineering and Sales at Progressive Components. 

We are here to discuss how to make an impact in your industry and community. Glenn is an activist for the Wauconda Food Pantry, ensuring that no family is left hungry. 

When he is not out saving the world, he works to fill the shoes of his father. As many people know, filling in for a loved one is never easy. Glenn describes it well, “It’s like we are standing on the shoulders of giants.” We admire the foundation that our parents have laid for us, and we are constantly working to improve upon their preexisting foundation to make them proud. 

Tune in to learn more about Progressive Components, talk trade shows, network, and share stories on this episode of The Manufacturing Alliance Podcast. 

On this episode of The Manufacturing Alliance Podcast: Chat and Chow Series, we are joined by our guest, Jeff Taylor, the President and CEO of Crafts Technology. 

We are discussing what it takes to remain in the game after 127 years of business! Jeff has been with Crafts Technology for over seven years and has been an integral part in establishing and maintaining their Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP). 

If learning more about an employee-owned business sparks your interest then this podcast is for you! Jeff has taken the time to break down his knowledge of ESOP, starting from the ground up. He is actively answering questions from our host, Tony Demakis, all the while, providing engaging feedback on why ESPO has proven to work in manufacturing. 

Crafts Technology delivers the most advanced systems & tooling that enhance the utilization & performance of industrial equipment. This is accomplished by fostering synergy between engineering, manufacturing, material science, and a culture of ownership.

On this episode of The Manufacturing Alliance Podcast: Chat and Chow Series, we are joined by our guest Gretchen Philyaw, the Founder of USA LOVES MFG, President of Magenta Technologies, LLC, and a Contributing Writer at Innovation & Tech Today. 

Gretchen has taken the pandemic and turned it into an opportunity to work hard and succeed. She went so far as to start her new business, Magenta Technologies, where she is looking to transform The Next Wave of Manufacturing & Technology Solutions.

Listen in as we discuss Gretchen’s ambition and how it has benefited her career in manufacturing, all while answering real-time Q&A’s with our audience.

On this episode of The Manufacturing Alliance Podcast: Chat and Chow Series, we are joined by our guest Amanda Cortese of the Technology & Manufacturing Association. 

Amanda is the Marketing and Event Manager at TMA and has played an instrumental role in promoting manufacturing over the years. For those of you that don’t know, TMA is an independent trade association committed to recognizing and promoting manufacturers as value-added producers of goods and services and creators of high-quality jobs. Accordingly, TMA is focused on assisting small to mid-size manufacturers achieve success in all aspects of their business.

Amanda puts the “good” in goods and services & the “value” in value-added!

Listen in as we discuss Amanda’s career in manufacturing, her hobbies, how she got involved with TMA, some fun ice breakers, and more, all while answering real-time Q&A’s with our audience.

On this episode of The Manufacturing Alliance Podcast: Chat and Chow Series, we are joined by our guest Scott Peters of Delco LLC. 

We are discussing what mold making looks like overseas vs. American Made molds, why people should buy molds that are made in the USA, the next generation of industry workers, barriers to entering the industry, the importance of faith, and so much more!  

On this episode of The Manufacturing Alliance Podcast: Chat and Chow Series, we are joined by our guest Lindsey Dimon of Metro Mold and Design in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

We’re discussing the current state of manufacturing, making sales calls from home, quality products made in the USA, using LinkedIn as a tool for networking and building relationships, and so much more!

On this episode of The Manufacturing Alliance Podcast: Chat and Chow Series we are joined by our guests Max Preston of Smart Attend, Caitlin DeMasellis of Ideal Machinery, Christina Fuges of MoldMaking Technology.

We are discussing the current state of manufacturing, age gaps, employee experiences, mentorship programs, work/life balance, utilizing unique skillsets, and so much more! 

Follow Our Guests:

LinkedIn: Max Preston
LinkedIn: Caitlin DeMasellis
LinkedIn: Christina Fuges

On this episode of The Manufacturing Alliance Podcast: Chat and Chow Series we are joined by our guests, Denys Sanftleben of GMN and Jeremy Dworshak of 3M.

Denys has been with GMN for over seven years and is currently serving as their Customer Service Manager. Jeremy has been with 3M for a little over a year now, serving as a Research Specialist focused on plastic injection molding technology innovation.

Collectively, our panel today has been serving on SPE: Inspiring Plastics Professionals for over 18 years and has a wealth of knowledge to share!

Tune in to learn more about all things plastic! 

This special episode is presented by the Society of Plastics Engineers.

Follow Denys and Jeremy:

LinkedIn: Denys Sanftleben
Podcast: Jeremy Dworshak

Did you ever wonder the difference between an A2 and A3 polish? Do you contemplate the origins of the earth? Have you considered if you should propose to your girlfriend? Are you contemplating how to get a better release from the mold? One of the most important...

On this episode of The Manufacturing Alliance Podcast: Chat and Chow Series we are joined by our guest, Mercedes Landazuri. Mercedes is the Color Lab Technology Director at Peacock Colors, Inc., the Councilor for the Color and Appearance Division of the SPE: Inspiring Plastics Professionals, and the co-host of the PlastChicks Podcast.

We will be shining a bright light on the pros of plastics, the creative use of color, managing your molds, cultivating a culture in the workplace, and so much more!

On this episode of The Manufacturing Alliance Podcast: Chat and Chow Series we are joined by our guest, Michael Guckes, the Chief Economist and Director of Analytics at Gardner Intelligence.

For those of you who unfamiliar with Gardner Intelligence, they are an Ohio-based company that provides actionable insights to the manufacturing sector.

In simple terms, Michael is an analytical expert who can decipher and interpret data to be easily understood and delivered! It is no wonder he has such a solid grasp on what it takes to be a leader and get ahead in business!

On this episode of The Manufacturing Alliance Podcast: Chat and Chow Series we are joined by our guest, Pete Kambouris of Wisconsin Engraving. 

On this episode of The Manufacturing Alliance Podcast: Chat and Chow Series, we are joined by our guests Jason Lopes and Dana McCallum of Carbon. 

We are discussing additive manufacturing, 3D printing, growing, whatever you choose to call it, and proving that it is alive and well. This technology is only going to continue to get better as time goes on!

On this episode of The Manufacturing Alliance Podcast: Chat and Chow Series we are joined by our guest, Tina Zwolinski of Skillsgapp.

Skillsgapp is the first in the skills-based training sector to offer customized gaming apps focused on helping Generation Z gain the middle-skills necessary to participate in manufacturing and other technical industries.

Tina and her team at Skillsgapp are working diligently to rebuild the industry and develop the skilled workers that America needs.

Don’t eat lunch by yourself. Just because we can’t be in the same place, doesn’t mean we can’t have meaningful connections. Join Scott Smith of DME Company, along with Tony Demakis from Alliance Specialties and Laser Sales, for a special live lunch conversation. It’s guaranteed to be fun, entertaining, and a little bit informative!

On this episode of The Manufacturing Alliance Podcast: Chat and Chow Series we are joined by our guest, Brenda Clark, of HASCO America. We are discussing topics such as Brenda’s journey throughout the Mold Making industry, mold components, hot runners, finding metric stock in the USA, and most importantly, why getting involved in different organizations is crucial to both personal and professional growth.

On this episode of the Manufacturing Alliance Podcast: Chat and Chow Series, we are joined by our guest, Dustin Brewer, of Dale Carnegie (Chicago and NW Indiana).

As we all know, sales positions over the past year have been a completely different animal, but we are here to help! Dustin Brewer, a Performance Consultant for Dale Carnegie of Chicago, is joining the show to discuss some key sales points.

On this episode of The Manufacturing Alliance Podcast, our host, Tony Demakis, sat down with Jonathan Quinn of NOVA Chemicals. Life is all about the connections that you have with the people around you. Not connections, as in links to others, but connections, as in real genuine interactions that make life better for you and others.