Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast

42:34

E45 | Processes Don’t Fix Companies, People Do: Craig...

Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast ·

2026/10/01

Craig Shafer’s path to becoming chief operating officer of Stellar Industries began before the position was ever discussed. While working with CEO David Zrostlik to address several people-related challenges, Craig demonstrated an ability to understand both the business and the human dynamics behind it. Dave recognized that Craig was the right person to serve as his number two. Rather than uproot his family from Charlotte, where they have deep roots, Craig committed to commuting to Iowa and helping

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53:47

E44 | Sukup Manufacturing Innovating for the Next...

Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast ·

2026/09/24

Sukup Manufacturing is proving that innovation can thrive in rural Iowa. In this episode of Made In Iowa, Leisa Fox sits down with Emily Schmitt, chief administrative officer, general counsel and third-generation member of the Sukup family, to talk about the company’s history, culture and vision for the future.From robotics and automation to child care, health care, engineering and software, Sukup has taken a unique approach to growing a global manufacturing company while keeping Sheffield,

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37:58

E43 | Sheldon Speers on Operational Technology...

Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast ·

2026/09/17

Manufacturing is now the most-hacked industry, and the risks extend far beyond office computers. Leisa Fox talks with Sheldon Speers, president and founder of Tenax Solutions, about protecting operational technology, or OT, including the systems and equipment that keep production lines running. With 61 percent of attacks involving a third party such as a vendor, supplier or service provider, manufacturers must consider the security of every organization connected to their operations. Cyber insurance

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44:53

E42 | You Can’t Automate That! | Made In Iowa

Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast ·

2026/09/10

In this panel discussion, recorded live from the QCBJ Manufacturing Conference, Leisa Fox is joined by Christine Caves of Grow Quad Cities, George Brancato of FANUC and Faisal Mehrban of Motoniq to explore what automation really looks like inside today’s manufacturing operations. The conversation moves beyond robots replacing people to examine workforce pressures, productivity, process variability and the valuable knowledge experienced employees carry in their heads. From traditional robotics to

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41:49

Made In Iowa | E41 | Building Iowa’s Workforce of...

Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast ·

2026/09/03

Leisa Fox sits down with Wendy Mihm-Herold of iJAG to talk about how the organization is connecting Iowa students with businesses, careers and real-world experiences while helping employers build the workforce of the future. Wendy shares examples of students learning about skilled trades and leadership, putting their skills to work alongside employers like MidAmerican and participating in iJAG’s Career Development Conference, which brings together more than 600 students from across Iowa for

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30:25

E40 | The Iowa-Made Process Behind Fighting Hunger |...

Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast ·

2026/08/27

Debby Hudson with Meals from the Heartland joins the Made in Iowa Podcast to share how the organization turns volunteer power into millions of meals for people in Iowa and around the world. Much of its work mirrors manufacturing: teams of 10 volunteers, carefully selected ingredients, efficient packaging lines, quality standards and distribution partnerships—including Convoy of Hope.These meals are designed to do more than fill a belly. Their nutritional content helps children grow, learn and

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26:28

E39 | Iowa manufacturers’ stories of adaptation |...

Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast ·

2026/08/24

As Iowa manufacturers confront evolving economic dynamics and technological growth, a successful future relies on adaptation in all aspects of the organization. A focus on reinvention and being proactive across workforce, automation and succession strategies are key to keeping pace with the industry. After the Business Record’s annual Manufacturing Forecast event, we asked our panelists to stick around to go deeper on the themes and stories they shared during the live event. Watch the full

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44:52

E38 | The Third-Generation Advantage: Reinvention,...

Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast ·

2026/08/13

Universal Printing is a rare success story in American manufacturing—a third-generation family business that has continued to evolve rather than rely on past success. Brian and Sarah Springer shared how thoughtful decision-making, a willingness to challenge long-held assumptions, and a commitment to continuous improvement have helped the company remain competitive in a rapidly changing industry. They discussed the unique dynamics of leading a family business, honoring the legacy built by previous

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38:25

E37 | The Foundation to Flourish: Percival...

Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast ·

2026/08/06

Percival Scientific’s story is one of legacy, evolution and continued excellence. Gary Wheelock led the Perry-based company for nearly 50 years, building a remarkable foundation and establishing Percival as a trusted manufacturer of environmental growth chambers used in research, science and agriculture around the world. His legacy is deeply woven into the company, and today Percival is continuing to evolve while building on the strength, reputation and values established over decades.In this

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41:54

Made In Iowa: From Burnout to Breakthrough - Atlantic...

Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast ·

2026/07/30

Before automation, Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling was facing serious challenges in its warehouse operations. Dan McNutt, Senior Director of Warehouse Operations, shares how repetitive-motion injuries, employee burnout, picking errors and a staggering 120% turnover rate were affecting both the workforce and the customer experience. The company knew it needed more than an incremental fix. After studying operations in Hartford and Indianapolis, the team selected the Vertique semi-automated picking system,

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50:01

Made In Iowa: Culture Before Competence: Building...

Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast ·

2026/07/23

At LDJ Manufacturing, culture isn't a slogan—it's a competitive advantage. President Ben Cox and Brad Jungling share how the company's commitment to promoting from within has created leaders who understand every level of the operation. Rather than simply filling positions, the team invests in people, cross-training employees so they can step into multiple roles while also building redundancy into their equipment and manufacturing processes. That strategy recently proved invaluable when unexpected

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45:18

Made In Iowa: Beth Townsend on the Workforce Shift...

Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast ·

2026/07/16

Iowa’s workforce has changed dramatically in just a few years, and few people have had a closer view of that transformation than Beth Townsend, Executive Director of Iowa Workforce Development. In this episode, Leisa talks with Beth about Iowa’s competitive workforce landscape, the lasting impact of COVID on how, where and why people work, and the speed with which Iowa had to respond to challenges no one could have predicted. Beth also explores the evolution from the Industry 4.0 grants to the new

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49:04

Made In Iowa: How Kreg Found the Sweet Spot Between...

Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast ·

2026/07/09

On this episode of the Made in Iowa Podcast, presented by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and recorded in the Iowa Everywhere Studio, host Leisa Fox sits down with Jerry Rosenberger of Kreg Tool to explore one of the most ambitious product expansions in the company's history. Known for helping generations of woodworkers build with confidence, Kreg has made a bold move into the power tool market with a complete ecosystem built around its new Ionic Drive battery platform. Jerry shares how the

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38:01

Made In Iowa: Beyond the Diagnosis - Mary Van...

Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast ·

2026/07/02

On this episode of the Made in Iowa Podcast, Above + Beyond Cancer program director Mary Van Heukelom shares the incredible mission behind an organization that is transforming the cancer journey for survivors and their families. What began with a bold vision has grown into a movement focused on survivorship, wellness, connection, and hope. Through outdoor adventures, wellness programs, and a powerful support network, Above + Beyond Cancer is helping people discover that life after diagnosis can

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41:44

Made In Iowa: Your Processes Are Talking. AI Is...

Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast ·

2026/06/25

Leisa Fox recently interviewed Jason Greer with Peel Business Design about the growing role AI is playing in operational efficiency and business optimization. Through the Peel Signal Theory software platform, Greer explained how AI is dramatically accelerating constraint analysis, efficiency identification, and process optimization — helping organizations uncover bottlenecks and opportunities much faster and more economically than traditional approaches.One of the most important themes from the

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34:15

Made In Iowa: From Osceola Foods to the World - How...

Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast ·

2026/06/18

John Kempen, Plant Manager at Hormel Foods’s Osceola Foods facility, brings serious scale to the conversation—over 135 million pounds of product shipped each year. And yes, they make bacon—arguably one of the greatest food inventions of all time. But in a twist that surprises just about everyone, Hormel still sells more Spam than bacon globally. John walks through the complexity behind that volume, explaining how tight operational discipline and standardized processes are essential to delivering the

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36:13

Made In Iowa: Open Books, Open Minds - The Culture...

Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast ·

2026/06/12

Amy Starlin of Paul Mueller Company offers a compelling look inside a highly specialized manufacturer that has built its reputation on precision, customization, and long-term customer partnerships. Serving industries like food, beverage, and pharmaceuticals, the company doesn’t just fabricate stainless steel equipment—it engineers solutions that are critical to its customers’ operations. Amy emphasizes that their success comes from deeply understanding each client’s process and delivering tailored

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35:25

Made In Iowa: Communication That Works - The Hidden...

Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast ·

2026/06/04

Nathan Grismore of Altec pulls back the curtain on a manufacturing operation built around reliability, not just in its products, but in how its people operate every day. Supporting critical industries like electric utilities, telecom, and tree care, Altec’s equipment keeps essential services running. Nathan emphasizes that this level of performance starts on the inside—by equipping employees with the tools and trust they need to identify issues, raise concerns, and continuously improve both products

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42:58

Made In Iowa: Zach Johnson, Big Dreams, and a...

Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast ·

2026/05/28

Leisa Fox sits down with Ken McCullum and Alex McCarty for a conversation centered on one of Iowa’s most impactful sporting and philanthropic events — the Principal Charity Classic. As the tournament celebrates its 20th anniversary, Ken and Alex reflect on how the event has evolved into far more than a golf tournament. With more than $10 million raised last year alone for youth-serving organizations across Iowa, the Principal Charity Classic continues to demonstrate the power of community

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43:15

Made In Iowa: Tariffs, Supply Chains, and Staying...

Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast ·

2026/05/21

In this episode of the Made in Iowa Podcast, Leisa Fox sits down with John Rapp, President and CEO of Auto-Jet, for a candid conversation about leadership, resilience, and what it really takes to navigate the highs and lows of manufacturing. As a seasoned entrepreneur who has weathered economic shifts, supply chain disruptions, and changing market conditions, Rapp emphasizes that strong relationships - with employees, customers, and partners - are often the difference between surviving and thriving

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