Made in America with Ari Santiago Ari Santiago

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 culture tips like encouraging idea sharing across multiple facilities, training and then promoting from within, and the incredible value of setting roles, expectations and goals for every employee.
 
This episode Is chock full of great advice from a young leader who will continue to make waves in the manufacturing space.
 
 
Owen Polzello, Park City Packaging
Website: https://www.thepackcenter.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/park-city-packaging/
Owen's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owen-polzello-4670b812a/
 
Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP
Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compass-msp/
Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast
Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari
Podcast YouTube:  https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri
Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/
 
Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/
Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/
 
Owen and Ari discuss employee retention, company culture, taking risks, and employee growth and training

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 completely worth it.
Together they discuss the importance of building and growing relationships throughout a career. You never know when someone you met years ago might become your best advocate, or your next customer.
Chris has a passion for American Manufacturing and loves to share it! 
Chris deGruchy, Cast Rite Metal
Website: https://castritemetal.com/
Chris' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-degruchy-ba128530 

Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP
Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compass-msp/
Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast
Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari
Podcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri
Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/ 
Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/
Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/
Chris and Ari discuss casting, acquisition, workforce, culture, and networking

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 conversation about innovation, supply chain resiliency, forecasting, and making a positive impact on the world. 
Steve Levine, AtmosAir
Website: https://atmosair.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atmosair-solutions/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AtmosAir/\
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atmosair_solutions/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Atmos_Air
Steve's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-levine-a5784b25/ 
 Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP
Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compass-msp/
Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast
Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari
Podcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri
Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/    
Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/
Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/
Steve and Ari discuss air quality, forecasting, innovation, and supply chain

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 investing in new technologies to be prepared for upcoming market shifts.
 
With an eye on the future and an understanding of the past, Laura and Ari talk about the necessity to reinvent your company over and over through the years.
 
Laura Grondin, Virginia Industries
Hartford Technologies
Website: https://hartfordtechnologies.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hartford-technologies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HartfordTechnologies/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hartfordtechnologies8969
 
Bingham and Taylor
Website: https://bandt-us.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bingham-taylor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bandt.us/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BandT_US
 
Laura's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-grondin-7226764/
 
Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP
Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compass-msp/
Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast
Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari
Podcast YouTube:  https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri
Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/
 
Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/
Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/
 
Laura and Ari discuss reinvention, competition, reshoring, offshoring, and leadership

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 adversity. She managed to turn challenge into opportunity…and fell in love with manufacturing at the same time!
 
Kate's favorite book: Blue Ocean Strategy, Renée Mauborgne and W. Chan Kim
 
Kate Hampford Donahue, Hampford Research
Website: https://www.hampfordresearch.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hampford-research-inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HampfordRsrch
Kate's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-donahue-7327007
 
Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP
Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compass-msp/
Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast
Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari
Podcast YouTube:  https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri
Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/
 
Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/
Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/
 
Kate and Ari discuss Leadership, Transition, Vistage, and Workplace Culture

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" and their innovative recruitment tactics that ensure a great workplace.
 
Jack's favorite business books:
Customers for Life, Carl Sewell
7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey
 
Jack Birtwell, Porter Preston
Website: https://www.porterpreston.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/porterprestoninc/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRjM-ltTIAneBYDjFjI21BA
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/porterpreston/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/porterprestoninc/
Jack's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-birtwell-03950b2a/
 
Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP
Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compass-msp/
Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast
Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari
Podcast YouTube:  https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri
Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/
 
Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/
Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/
 
Jack and Ari discuss:
Partnerships, company culture, interview process, business 101