U.S. Manufacturing Today

Veryable, Inc.
  • 5.0 (16)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The US Manufacturing Today show, brought to you by the good folks at Veryable, is a podcast to keep you up to date with what's ahead for US Manufacturers and Distributors. On the podcast, we discuss all things in the industrial space, how to navigate Trump 2.0, tariffs, domestic manufacturing, supply chain realignment, and much, much more.

  1. 3D AGO

    Bridging Operational Excellence: Vessel’s Diagnostic Platform for Small and Mid-Sized Manufacturers

    This episode of U.S. Manufacturing Today features Derik Ellis and Molly Lenty of Vessel, a platform designed to help manufacturers and the experts who serve them turn operational data into insight by unifying shop-floor systems with business outcomes through smart assessments and supply chain intelligence. Molly shares her transition from 25 years in corporate banking and economic development to helping manufacturers access resources, while Derik describes his path from the Air Force and software entrepreneurship to founding Vessel in 2018 as a consulting firm that evolved into a technology platform. They discuss recurring challenges in small and mid-sized manufacturing, including limited access to resources, trust-building with consultants, misaligned stakeholders, and the need for disciplined, organization-wide diagnosis before action (e.g., ERP adoption). Vessel supports MEPs and consultants with a library of 300+ customizable assessments, multi-stakeholder alignment, longitudinal tracking, actionable reports, and aggregated ecosystem visibility to inform workforce and regional strategy. Timestamps 00:00 Show Introduction 01:24 Meet Molly Lenty 03:16 Derik Ellis Origin Story 05:20 Recurring SME Challenges 06:30 Access And Resource Networks 09:02 What Vessel Does 10:07 MEPs And Standardized Assessments 15:29 Why Consulting Often Fails 17:53 Diagnosis Before Action 21:29 Assessment Library And Custom Builds 23:31 Multi Stakeholder Alignment 26:23 Delivering Actionable Reports 31:34 AI As Expert Augmentation 33:05 Ecosystem Level Visibility 35:51 Workforce And Policy Gaps 38:06 Future Vision To 2030 42:09 Where To Learn More 42:42 Closing And Subscribe Links Vessel Molly on LinkedIn Derik on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigating Trump 2.0 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Revitalizing US Manufacturing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up on the Veryable Platform ⁠⁠

    44 min

  2. MAR 3

    Why Nitrile Gloves Are a National Security Chokepoint (with Blue Star NBR CEO Scott Maier)

    In today's episode, Matt Horine speaks with Scott Maier, CEO of Virginia-based Blue Star NBR. Scott explains why the U.S. still imports about 99% of nitrile gloves and how pandemic shortages exposed major supply-chain risk. He outlines the capital, scale, and technical complexity required to reshore commodity glove production, and argues gloves are strategic for industries like semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, rare earths, magnets, and batteries. The discussion covers China’s expansion and vertical control of both glove output and raw materials, the need to treat PPE as national security infrastructure, and policy requirements such as tariffs, financing, and long-term buyer commitments (including proposed CMS reimbursement incentives for hospitals buying domestic PPE). Maier also describes workforce development efforts in southwest Virginia/Appalachia and Blue Star’s plans to complete a raw-material facility and begin building multiple glove plants. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to US Manufacturing Today + Introducing Scott Maier (Blue Star NBR) 01:21 Scott’s Path from Finance to Building Manufacturing Companies 02:34 The Wake-Up Call: America’s Medical Supply Vulnerability (Pre-Pandemic) 03:36 What Really Happened During the Pandemic Glove Shortages 04:55 What It Takes to Build Nitrile Glove Manufacturing in the U.S. (Scale & Capital) 06:12 Misconceptions: Why Glove Manufacturing Is Harder Than People Think 07:49 Beyond Healthcare: Gloves as a Strategic Input for Critical Industry 08:33 China’s Vertical Control of Gloves + Raw Materials (and Why It’s a Choke Point) 09:51 PPE as National Security Infrastructure & Economic Sovereignty 12:39 Policy Reality Check: Tariffs, Financing, and Buyer Commitments 14:13 Competing with Subsidized Imports: The ‘China Price’ and Raw-Input Advantage 19:46 Demand Signals & Incentives: CMS Reimbursements and Onshoring Momentum 21:21 Workforce & Site Selection: Training Pipelines in Southwest Virginia 24:20 Automation & the Next Wave of Reindustrialization (Textiles and Beyond) 26:07 Looking Ahead: What Success Looks Like + Risks, Optimism, and Advice 30:14 How to Help + What’s Next for Blue Star NBR (and Where to Follow Scott) 31:50 Wrap-Up, Thanks, and Where to Find More Resources Links Scott on LinkedIn Scott on X Blue Star NBR ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigating Trump 2.0 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Revitalizing US Manufacturing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up on the Veryable Platform ⁠⁠

    33 min

  3. FEB 24

    Signs of a 2026 Manufacturing Breakout: PMI Up, Freight Tightening, Policy Aligning

    Matt Horine argues that U.S. manufacturing is seeing a real “vibe shift” and structural turn in early 2026, based on shop-floor signals rather than GDP. It highlights ISM Manufacturing PMI rising to 52.6 (expansion) with strong new orders, production, and rebuilding backlogs, plus buyers positioning ahead of anticipated tariff-related price changes. The host discusses supply-driven cooling in prices using real-time inflation readings and suggests this could give the Fed room to cut rates, lowering manufacturers’ cost of capital. Freight indicators (including the Bank of America Truckload Demand Indicator at 60.7 and analysis from FreightWaves’ Craig Fuller) are cited as confirming stronger industrial activity, with immigration enforcement potentially tightening freight labor. The episode ties momentum to policy and a broader global shift toward resilience, domestic capacity, and reindustrialization, and previews upcoming guests and resources on variableops.com. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome + Why This Solo Episode Matters (A Real Shop-Floor Read) 00:48 The Vibe Shift: Structural Changes & Non-Linear Manufacturing Growth 02:38 PMI Breaks Back Into Expansion: New Orders, Output, Backlogs 04:46 Supply-Driven Deflation: Real-Time Inflation, Productivity, and the Fed Pivot 08:02 Freight as the Leading Indicator: Spot Rates, Truckload Demand, Tightening Capacity 09:29 Policy Tailwinds: Industrial Strategy, Incentives, Tariffs, and Domestic Investment 10:29 A New Global Order: Resilience Over Efficiency & Industrial Policy as Sovereignty 11:29 Why This Cycle Feels Different: Flexibility, AI, Local Supply Chains, Breakout Setup 12:50 Wrap-Up: What We’re Watching Next + Upcoming Guests & How to Follow Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigating Trump 2.0 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Revitalizing US Manufacturing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up on the Veryable Platform ⁠⁠

    14 min

  4. FEB 10

    Industry Quoting 2.0: Harnessing AI for Fast Manufacturing Solutions, with Alex Huckstepp of Uptool

    In this episode of U.S. Manufacturing Today, host Matt Horine welcomes Alex Huckstepp, Co-founder of Uptool—a manufacturing technology startup focused on solving quoting and sourcing bottlenecks through AI-driven solutions. Alex discusses his journey into the manufacturing industry and the founding of Uptool with his co-founder. They delve into the importance of speeding up the quoting process, the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing manufacturing workflows, and the broader impact of these advancements on the U.S. supply chain. Alex also highlights the company's mission to support small and medium-sized manufacturers and shares insights into the future of the industry. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to US Manufacturing Today 00:15 Meet Alex Huck: Founder of UP Tool 01:02 The Journey to Founding UP Tool 03:55 Challenges in Quoting and Supplier Discovery 08:31 UP Tool's AI Quoting Solution 13:12 Future of Manufacturing and AI Integration 15:17 Reshoring and Supplier Visibility 17:19 The Role of Marketplaces in Manufacturing 20:03 AI's Impact on Small Manufacturers 22:34 Looking Ahead: Trends and Predictions 26:48 Conclusion and Where to Learn More Links Uptool Alex on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigating Trump 2.0 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Revitalizing US Manufacturing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up on the Veryable Platform ⁠⁠

    28 min

  5. FEB 3

    Leveraging Venture Capital and Technology in Manufacturing with Renan Devillieres

    In this episode of U.S. Manufacturing Today, Matt Horine talks to Renan Devillieres, Founder and CEO of OSS Ventures, about the evolving landscape of American manufacturing. Renan, with his unique background in economics, venture capital, and industrial operations, discusses the importance of innovation in manufacturing, the intersection of startups and industrial technology, and the significant role of sustainability and resilience in reshoring and supply chain management. The conversation delves into the venture studio model's effectiveness in manufacturing, the importance of pragmatic and long-term strategies in industrial policy, and the critical alignment of capital, talent, and policy for ensuring future industrial strength. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to US Manufacturing Today 00:15 Meet Renan Devillieres: Economist Turned Manufacturing Innovator 03:37 The Birth of OSS Ventures 05:59 The Future of Manufacturing: Reshoring and New Shoring 10:52 Challenges and Opportunities in Industrial Tech 13:04 The Venture Studio Model in Manufacturing 17:05 AI and Automation in Manufacturing 24:33 Sustainability and Strategic Resilience 27:13 Advice for Founders, Operators, and Investors 31:56 Looking Ahead: The Future of Manufacturing 37:03 Conclusion and Contact Information Links Renan on LinkedIn OSS Ventures ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigating Trump 2.0 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Revitalizing US Manufacturing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up on the Veryable Platform ⁠⁠

    39 min

  6. JAN 27

    Behind the Machines: Building a Strong Manufacturing Culture, with Chris Luecke of Manufacturing Happy Hour

    In this episode of U.S. Manufacturing Today powered by Veryable, host Matt Horine discusses the future of the American manufacturing landscape with Chris Luecke, Host of the Manufacturing Happy Hour podcast. The conversation delves into the origins and evolution of Manufacturing Happy Hour, the key themes recurring in industry discussions, and the critical role of culture in manufacturing. Chris shares insights on current trends like nearshoring, automation, and the integration of AI, along with their impact on productivity and workforce retention. The dialogue also touches on how the industry can remain resilient and competitive by investing in workforce culture and strategically implementing technology. Chris offers his perspectives on the importance of attracting the next generation to manufacturing and suggests practical steps leaders can take to enhance their organizational culture. The episode concludes with predictions for the manufacturing sector in 2026 and advice on developing effective strategies for the future. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to US Manufacturing Today 00:15 Meet Chris Luecke: Founder of Manufacturing Happy Hour 01:15 The Origin Story of Manufacturing Happy Hour 01:42 Evolution and Impact of Manufacturing Happy Hour 04:34 Common Themes in Manufacturing: Workforce and Automation 06:49 The Importance of Culture in Manufacturing 11:12 Trends and Challenges in Manufacturing: 2025 Recap 16:39 The Role of AI and Technology in Manufacturing 21:54 Reshoring and Nearshoring: Building Resilient Manufacturing 24:27 Workforce Development: Adapting to New Realities 28:59 Looking Ahead: Predictions for US Manufacturing in 2026 32:26 Final Thoughts and Where to Find More Links Chris on LinkedIn Chris's Website Manufacturing Happy Hour ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigating Trump 2.0 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Revitalizing US Manufacturing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up on the Veryable Platform ⁠⁠

    34 min

  7. JAN 20 · BONUS

    Recast - Matt Horine’s Reindustrialization Mission: Building On-Demand Labor for American Manufacturing

    Today we are re-casting a prior interview done on the Inspired Stories Podcast, hosted by Anthony Codispoti. Check out the original recording at the links below. Website -  ⁠https://inspiredstoriespodcast.com/matt-horines-reindustrialization-mission-building-on-demand-labor-for-american-manufacturing/⁠ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY4qRWcOftM&t=207s  Apple Podcasts -   https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/matt-horines-reindustrialization-mission-building-on/id1728906402?i=1000743083490  Spotify -   https://open.spotify.com/episode/4VSR2ppcLogToeUzr13uQK?si=3d5845b4a5134c11  Amazon Music -  https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b02fe37f-ddb2-44bf-83b0-d60a82e306c6/episodes/d227816d-cd42-4dd9-8e6c-819ad7c080fd/the-inspired-stories-podcast-matt-horine's-reindustrialization-mission-building-on-demand-labor-for-american-manufacturing  Pocket Casts - https://pca.st/3fa5ieoy   Radio Public - https://radiopublic.com/the-inspired-stories-podcast-6VgmjE

    1 hr

  8. JAN 13

    Manufacturing Revolution: John Gardner on Local Production and Economic Independence

    In this episode of U.S. Manufacturing Today, hosted by Veryable, the focus is on American industry and its critical role in national independence and economic self-determination. The guest, John Gardner, author of 'Manufacture Local' and a seasoned professional in precision machining, discusses the historical significance of localized production in the US and its implications today. Highlights include the socio-economic impact of outsourcing, the importance of manufacturing for national security, and the need for a reformed tariff policy. Gardner criticizes economists like Milton Friedman for their detrimental free trade policies and advocates for a return to the founding fathers' vision of financing the government through tariffs rather than income taxes. Key historical insights and modern policy recommendations are discussed, offering listeners a comprehensive look at the necessity and benefits of revitalizing American manufacturing. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to US Manufacturing Today 00:15 Meet John Gardner: Author of 'Manufacture Local' 00:43 The Historical Context of American Manufacturing 01:52 John Gardner's Personal Journey in Manufacturing 04:44 Challenges and Realities of Modern Manufacturing 06:08 The Impact of Policies on Manufacturing 08:30 The Importance of Manufacturing for National Sovereignty 15:01 Current State of US Manufacturing 16:52 Tariffs and Industrial Policy 22:57 The Importance of Manufacturing Independence 23:35 World War II: A Manufacturing Miracle 24:39 Challenges in Modern Manufacturing 27:23 The Ideological Shift: Milton Friedman and Free Trade 32:01 The Case for Tariffs and Economic Security 33:21 Historical Context of Tariffs in the U.S. 38:48 The External Revenue Service: A New Vision 45:30 Conclusion and Future Directions Links Manufacture Local (Amazon) John Gardner ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigating Trump 2.0 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Revitalizing US Manufacturing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up on the Veryable Platform ⁠⁠

    47 min
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5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

The US Manufacturing Today show, brought to you by the good folks at Veryable, is a podcast to keep you up to date with what's ahead for US Manufacturers and Distributors. On the podcast, we discuss all things in the industrial space, how to navigate Trump 2.0, tariffs, domestic manufacturing, supply chain realignment, and much, much more.

Information

  • Creator
    Veryable, Inc.
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Veryable, Inc.
  • Show Website
    U.S. Manufacturing Today