AYNA INSIGHTS Ayna.AI

Ninad Singh of Ayna.AI interviews Mike Olosky, CEO of Simpson Strong-Tie, who underscores adaptability, customer relations, and comprehensive solutions as vital for success. With 14 years of global experience, Mike champions a growth mindset and people-centric culture to drive industry excellence.
As CEO of Simpson Strong-Tie, Mike Olosky leads the company with a clear vision of industry leadership through innovation and customer service. With over 20 years at Henkel, including roles as COO and Regional President, Mike's leadership, strategic investments, and embrace of technology have spurred Simpson Strong-Tie's growth amid economic challenges.
 
Discussion Points

Simpson Strong-Tie’s from modest beginnings to a $2 billion revenue leader in structural building products with success driven by robust customer relations, adaptability, and diverse product offerings.
Olosky's 14-year stint with Henkel in Asia provided valuable insights into electronic and automotive sectors and cultural diversity, shaping his leadership at Simpson Strong-Tie and fostering innovation.
Simpson Strong-Tie's commitment to a growth mindset, employee training, and adoption of emerging technologies like Mass Timber and digitization are driving forces behind their market outperformance and industry-leading construction standards.
The company's dedication to comprehensive customer solutions, leveraging digital tools such as CAD and software resources, positions them as pioneers in digital transformation within the construction industry.
Olosky’s emphasis on the significance of a people-centric culture, citing an impactful moment in Asia that reinforced his belief in empowering teams.

 
Ayna Insights is brought to you by Ayna.AI—a managed service provider that combines domain expertise and transformation capabilities to create alpha—performance superior to market indices—in the industrial and industrial technology sector. The host of this episode, Ninad Singh, is a Director at Ayna.
 
For More Information
Simpson Strong-Tie
Mike Oloskey LinkedIn
Book: The Titanium Economy
Ayna.AI Website
Ninad Singh LinkedIn

Ayna.AI’s CEO Guarav Batra speaks with Giulia Siccardo on the pressing issues of US infrastructure and manufacturing. Giulia is a Director at the US Department of Energy, and she sheds light on the department's strategic shift toward supporting large-scale energy technologies and their impact on the future of US manufacturing. She discusses the pivotal role played by recent legislation, like the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, in fueling investments into clean energy projects ready for gigafactory scale production. This episode promises to give you an insider's view of how the DOE is responding to the changing economic landscape, helping companies navigate the complexities of large capital projects.
Giulia Siccardo is an experienced professional in the energy, automotive, and sustainability sectors. As the Director of the Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing & Energy Supply Chains, she is responsible for awarding government investments to strengthen and secure U.S. manufacturing capacity and workforce development, as well as administer the Defense Production Act for critical energy technologies. Her scope includes batteries, hydrogen, heat pumps, solar, transmission, and zero-emission materials, among other technologies. Siccardo was previously a Partner at McKinsey & Company and leader of McKinsey’s Green Growth service line. Born in California, Siccardo holds a dual B.A. in Economics and Environmental Studies from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
 
Discussion Points


Giulia Siccardo from the US Department of Energy discusses the energy revolution, focusing on large-scale technologies and recent clean energy legislation.
Giulia explains the DOE's strategy for enhancing manufacturing resilience, prioritizing investments based on supply chain vulnerabilities and long-term economic benefits.
Giulia highlights labor partnerships and DOE initiatives like advanced market commitments to boost emerging technologies.
A $50 million investment in a Tennessee materials company aims for lower-emission battery components and job creation in marginalized communities.
Giulia emphasizes diversity's role in fostering innovation within the DOE, reflecting on her career from McKinsey.
The podcast concludes with an overview of the DOE's efficient capital deployment for industrial innovation, urging engagement for a sustainable future.


 
Ayna Insights is brought to you by Ayna.AI—a managed service provider that combines domain expertise and transformation capabilities to create alpha—performance superior to market indices—in the industrial and industrial technology sector. The host of this episode, Gaurav Batra, is the President & CEO of Ayna.AI.
 
For More Information
Giulia Siccardo
Ayna.AI Website

Renowned trade expert Kelly Ann Shaw delves into global trade complexities, exploring the shift from goods-centric to a service-oriented global economy. She analyzes the impact of national security on trade policies and discusses disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Shaw also addresses the evolution of trade ideologies from the Obama administration to the 2016 campaigns, providing insights into future trade challenges, geopolitical strategies, and the prospect of critical mineral acquisition and space mining.
Kelly Ann Shaw, a distinguished international trade and government relations figure, currently partners with Hogan Lovells and serves as an adjunct professor at Columbia Law School. Holding a senior advisory role at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Shaw brings a wealth of experience as a former U.S. trade negotiator, deputy assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs, and deputy director of the National Economic Council. With a comprehensive background spanning the White House, U.S. trade representatives, U.S. Congress, and private practice, Shaw's expertise encompasses U.S. international trade, investment, and economic law. She has been recognized as one of Washington DC's 500 most influential people and has received numerous legal awards.
 
Discussion Points

Kelly Ann Shaw analyzes the transformation of trade policy from goods to a service-oriented global economy, emphasizing national security's impact on trade decisions and the pandemic's effects on international commerce and supply chains.
Shaw explores the trend toward regional trade agreements like TPP or CPTPP, termed "re-globalization," potentially impacting global economic growth and complicating supply chain management.
Addressing rising geopolitical tensions, especially between the US and China, Shaw discusses challenges in securing critical minerals for technology, proposing partnerships and mining strategies in Africa and exploration on celestial bodies like the Moon and Mars.
The discussion shifts to the evolution of US trade policy from Obama to the 2016 campaigns, highlighting a bipartisan move away from free trade ideology and a renewed emphasis on manufacturing and the industrial base.
Looking ahead, Shaw considers the upcoming US presidential election's potential impact on trade policies, offering strategic advice for business leaders to navigate changes, including forming trade 'clubs' among allies and moving away from a unified global trading system.

Ayna Insights is brought to you by Ayna.AI—a managed service provider that combines domain expertise and transformation capabilities to create alpha—performance superior to market indices—in the industrial and industrial technology sector. The host of this episode, Connor Bradley, is a Senior Analyst at Ayna.AI.
 
For More Information
Kelly Ann Shaw LinkedIn
Kelly Ann Shaw - Hogan Lovells
Ayna.AI Website
Connor Bradley Profile

In this engaging episode of our Titanium Economy series, we welcome David Hunt, managing director and co-head of the industrials practice at Greenhill, who shares his rich expertise in advising industrial companies, particularly in the capital goods sector. Listen in as we navigate the complex landscape of the industrial sector and its subsectors, with an emphasis on capital goods and the adoption of technology. We dissect the current macroeconomic factors, such as higher inflation and rates, and their impact on the sector. Hunt sheds light on the shift from resource hoarding during the pandemic to growth-focused strategies, especially corporate acquisitions, offering a unique insight into the sector's evolution.
Mr. Hunt joined Greenhill in 2017. He principally advises clients in the capital goods, environmental services, and industrial technology sectors. Prior to joining Greenhill, David spent 20 years at UBS where he was a Managing Director and the Head of Investment Banking for Capital Goods. He began his career at Dillon Read before it was acquired by UBS. David holds a BS in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
 
Discussion Points

Guest David Hunt explains how different factors shaped M&A activity have, highlighting a shift from hoarding resources during the pandemic to focusing on growth strategies, particularly corporate acquisitions.
The conversation moves to the evolution of multi-industrial companies and their shift from conglomerate models to more focused niche markets, delving into the importance of differentiation, mission criticality, end-market selection and the impact on investor returns.
David and Siddharth explore the landscape of M&A in the industrial sector, focusing on the components of a successful business system for a multi-industrial company.
A discussion around the importance of understanding the boundaries in M&A activities, the importance of realistic valuation, and competitive landscape analysis.
How industrial companies are handling the pace of technological disruption, especially with the rise of AI. The hosts discuss the importance of finding a micro niche that is the company's competitive differentiation and applying that both to organic and inorganic growth strategies.
Wrapping up, David Hunt provides an optimistic outlook for the industrial sector, citing the Infrastructure Act, the Chips Act, the IRA Act, and other multi-year trends.

Ayna Insights is brought to you by Ayna.AI—a managed service provider that combines domain expertise and transformation capabilities to create alpha—performance superior to market indices—in the industrial and industrial technology sector. The host of this episode, Siddarth Madhav, is President & Chief Strategy Officer of Fernweh Group. Fernweh Group is an investment company that is adapting an engaged investor and operator model to create “segment of one” leaders in the industrial and industrial technology sector.
 
For More Information
David Hunt LinkedIn
Greenhill
Book: The Titanium Economy
Ayna.AI Website

What if managing employees wasn’t a responsibility, but a privilege? What if, before efficiencies and synergies, empathy was a driving force in leadership? In this episode, Connor Bradley speaks with Bob Chapman, Chairman and CEO of Barry-Wehmiller, a leader who transformed his company with a potent mix of strategy and culture, shaping a vision that breathes life and meaning into Barry-Wehmiller team members’ existence.
Bob Chapman is widely recognized as a transformative leader from the manufacturing industry. As CEO of Barry-Wehmiller, a global supplier of manufacturing technology and services, he has grown his company through a prolifically successful acquisition strategy. Chapman's deep understanding of leadership and his unique methods have made him a bestselling author and speaker. Chapman has successfully instilled a culture of empathy and purpose within Barry-Wehmiller, solidifying his position as a revolutionary in both business and leadership.
 
Discussion Points

Bob Chapman has transformed Barry-Wehmiller - providing employees with meaning and launching initiatives to share culture and leadership training.
How to address the "poverty of dignity" in organizations for overall well-being.
Connor and Bob discuss balanced business models, culture in leadership, and empathetic listening to create leaders.
Chapman shares his message of caring for others, teaching the skill of recognizing goodness, and navigating difficult decisions when culture and business conflict.
A discussion around sharing strategy and culture to lead business, encouraging listeners to apply same philosophy and share blessings.

Ayna Insights is brought to you by Ayna.AI—a managed service provider that combines domain expertise and transformation capabilities to create alpha—performance superior to market indices—in the industrial and industrial technology sector. The host of this episode, Bradley, is a Senior Analyst at Ayna.AI.
 
For More Information
Barry-Wehmiller
Truly Human Leadership Blog
Book: Everybody Matters
Chapman & Co.
Book: The Titanium Economy
Ayna.AI Website
Connor Bradley Profile
 

Tricia Breeger, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Electric Power Products (MEPPI), brings her distinctive insights to the future of infrastructure, underscoring the pivotal role of cutting-edge technologies in advancing cleaner, more sustainable power generation. In this comprehensive discussion, Tricia delves into the complexities and opportunities within the energy transition landscape, shedding light on the rising demand for innovative technologies and sustainable storage solutions. She further explores MEPPI's integration of generative AI and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, a transformative strategy aimed at pushing the boundaries of technological innovation in the electric power industry.
With nearly two decades of experience, Tricia has progressed from a sales engineer to her current role, emphasizing customer-centricity, transparency, and continuous learning throughout her leadership journey. Her central mission is to position MEPPI as a frontrunner in shaping the infrastructure of tomorrow while guiding the company through the multifaceted challenges of the energy transition.
 
Discussion Points

MEPPI's role in advancing future infrastructure, focusing on leading the energy transition and addressing challenges in cleaner power generation.
The significance of a strong corporate purpose in attracting and retaining top talent, including a commitment to customer care, internal responsibilities, and employee support.
MEPPI’s active testing of AI's efficacy across its operations, recognizing generative AI as a competitive advantage.
MEPPI's adherence to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria, aiming to be a responsible facility owner, a good corporate citizen, and support greenhouse gas emission reductions for utility customers.
Tricia Breeger's leadership journey from sales engineer to MEPPI CEO, underscoring the value of embracing change, continuous learning, and mentorship in shaping her leadership style.
Tricia’s excitement about value creation in the infrastructure sector and her encouragement for professionals to explore technology companies as dynamic opportunities for impactful contributions.

 
Ayna Insights is brought to you by Ayna.AI—a managed service provider that combines domain expertise and transformation capabilities to create alpha—performance superior to market indices—in the industrial and industrial technology sector. The host of this episode, Gaurav Batra, is the President & CEO of Ayna.AI and co-author of the WSJ bestseller – The Titanium Economy.
 
For More Information
Tricia Breeger LinkedIn
MEPPI
Ayna.AI Website
Gaurav Batra on LinkedIn
Book: The Titanium Economy