Made in America with Ari Santiago

Har-Conn is in the enviable position of being at the top of their game in the aerospace industry in CT! But it hasn't always been that way. Tim Backus, President/CEO of Har-Conn, talks about how they have developed, changed, and continued to not only rise, but thrive, over the years. Har-Conn has seen tremendous growth in workload that also necessitates tremendous growth in workforce. Tim talks about hiring and retention strategies; leadership development programs; the open book policy that helps to align all employees with mission and vision; and continuous improvement meetings guided by recommendations from all levels. Tim and Ari also talk about what makes CT a special place for growing an aerospace company, like the concentration of aerospace expertise, great guiding organizations like the Aerospace Components Manufacturers (ACM) and the community spirit to lift all companies together.    This episode is chock full of great ideas from a company that is thriving in today's aerospace landscape. Tim Backus,

Darius Kania, VP of Lynn Welding, has amazing clarity of purpose in everything he does. This episode is chock full of great ideas that he has successfully implemented in his own company. From Marketing to Sales to employee growth and development, Darius talks about so many lessons he's learned and improvements he's made.   Learn about the risks his family has taken and the rewards they have achieved. As an immigrant, Darius still truly believes we live in the land of opportunity. His focus is to continue to learn and grow and to bring every member of his community along with him. The pride he takes in his company and the happiness of his employees absolutely shines in this terrific interview. Darius Kania, Vice President of Lynn Welding Website: https://lynnwelding.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darius-kania-84090125/ Phone: 860.667.4400   Ari Santiago: Ari Santiago is the President/CEO of IT Direct Website: https://www.gettingyouconnected.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itdtech/ LinkedIn:

This is an inspiring podcast episode that you don't want to miss! On this episode of the Made in America podcast, we've got Marty Guay, Vice President of Business Development at Stanley Black & Decker.   Marty talks about Stanley's vision of Hartford as a world epicenter of advanced manufacturing. Stanley's Manufactory 4.0 recently opened in Hartford is meant to be a hub of manufacturing technology innovation - Industry 4.0 - as well as the location of their Techstars startup accelerator.   Marty and Ari discuss the incredible manufacturing history in Hartford, coming together as a manufacturing community, and the goals Stanley has to help improve workforce development for all manufacturers in the area.   If you want to be inspired by the outlook of manufacturing in CT, definitely listen to/watch this episode!   Marty Guay: Stanley Black and Decker Marty's email: martin.guay@sbdinc.com Manufactory 4.0 website: https://www.stanleyblackanddecker.com/manufactory   Ari Santiago: Ari Santiago is t

Lynda Prigodich, CEO of Atlas Stamping and Manufacturing Co, loves her work and her industry and it shows in everything she does. In this interview, Lynda shares some of the lessons she has learned while discovering how to lead her company through the ups and downs of the aerospace industry. Lynda and Ari discuss a wide range of topics from women in manufacturing to robots to recruitment and retention. Discover the programs that helped guide her, the decisions that helped shape Atlas and the pride she takes in her company. Lynda Prigodich: Atlas Stamping and Manufacturing: Lynda's email: lynda@atlasstamping.com Website: https://atlasstamping.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atlas-stamping-&-manufacturing/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atlasstamping/   Ari Santiago: Ari Santiago is the President/CEO of IT Direct Website: https://www.gettingyouconnected.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itdtech/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/it-direct-llc Ari's LinkedIn: https://ww

According to the Harvard Business Review, only about 10% of all family businesses survive to the 3rd generation. So how did Chris Jewell, CFO and Principal of Collins and Jewell beat the statistic to not only survive but thrive? Listen to Chris's story of the growth and development of Collins and Jewell from a small boiler company in 1946 to today's 35,000 sq. ft facility for custom steel fabricating and industrial installations providing services for the likes of Electric Boat. Chris talks to Ari about his outstanding business partnership and the importance of teamwork. He gives advice to other small manufacturers on how to work with large companies like EB. He also explains why it is so important to be out in the community to promote the manufacturing industry and build the workforce development landscape in CT.    Collins and Jewell Company: Website:  https://www.collins-jewell.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collins-jewell-co-inc-17190881/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Collins-Jewell-Co-

You're going to learn a lot from this incredible interview! This episode's guest, Jason Howey, CEO of  Okay Industries, explains how everything they do is really focused on the relationship with their customers. He describes the "Okay Way", a set of pillars that help define the values, behavior, mission and vision of Okay industries. This approach to workplace culture, as well as building a "blameless culture" permeates every action and decision. In addition, Jason and Ari discuss research and development, company expansion, the modern manufacturing environment, customer driven innovation, and the need for a global presence. Subscribe to listen to every episode! Watch the podcast on YouTube Follow the podcast on Facebook OKAY Industries: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/okay-industries/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/okayindustries/ Website: https://www.okayind.com/ Ari Santiago: Ari Santiago is the President/CEO of IT Direct: www.gettingyouconnected.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itd

  On this podcast, Ari's guest is Paul Lavoie from Carey Manufacturing. Ari and Paul talk about so many topics including:  Paul's incredible journey to manufacturing Reshoring from China Manufacturer's recruitment secrets Growth in the "Amazon era"  And so much more! You can watch this podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/itdirect151/ Follow the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast/   Carey Manufacturing: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carey-manufacturing-inc-/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareyManufacturing/ Website:  https://www.careymfg.com/ Paul's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulslavoie/   Ari Santiago: Ari Santiago is the President and CEO of IT Direct: https://www.gettingyouconnected.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itdtech/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/it-direct-llc Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/   Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/     #CTManufa

On the first episode of Made in America, Ari welcomes manufacturing leader, Jeff Whittaker, President of American Cladding Technologies (ACT) in East Granby, CT. Jeff talks to Ari about his leadership journey, his love of solving problems and how ACT has worked past its initial growing pains to develop and grow after spinning off from their parent company. You can watch this podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/itdirect151/ Follow the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast/ American Cladding Technologies: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-cladding-technologies/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmerCladding/ Website: https://www.americancladding.com/ Jeff's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-whittaker-46732512b/ Ari Santiago: Ari Santiago is the President/CEO of IT Direct: http://www.gettingyouconnected.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/it-direct-llc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itdtech/ Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.li

We are so excited to introduce the Made in America podcast - the only podcast for manufacturers in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts  Join Ari Santiago every week as he speaks to manufacturing leaders that are thriving in their industry. Learn the secrets of their success in video or audio format! You can also watch this podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/itdirect151/ Ari Santiago is the President/CEO of IT Direct - www.gettingyouconnected.com Podcast produced by Miceli Productions - www.miceliproductions.com