What's Made in the USA?

About What's Made in the USA?

What's Made in the USA? puts a spotlight on the people who build products or services right here in the United States of America. Each episode is about the business, how it started, what it makes, and how it meets the mission of a self-reliant and free country. Hosted by Carl Holden, entrepreneur and marketer of many manufacturing companies

Publisher

Carl Holden

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

5 Aug 2026

Latest episode

25 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   25 Oct 2026

   Polymer Marketing Inc. Makes Specialized Firm

   Industrial tank winders rely on thin polyester film to slide giant fiberglass cylinders off steel molds without sticking. Charles Jason Balkcum, Sales and Operations at Polymer Marketing Inc., explains how his small team supplies custom PET film and Mylar to pipeline builders, chemical tank manufacturers, and niche converters. In this conversation with Carl Holden, Balkcum unpacks how PMI turns rejected off-spec factory runs and small-batch orders into a thriving 40-year supply business. In this episode: - Why fiberglass pipe and tank builders must use barrier film around molds to prevent resin from bonding - How metallized PET film replaces heavy glass mirrors in studios and wedding backdrops - The origin of Polymer Marketing Inc. taking off-spec DuPont rolls rejected over tiny thickness variations - Why a lean three-person operation uses a dedicated North Carolina partner for warehouse storage and slitting - Why walking into a New England engineering room for five minutes closed a deal that months of emails could not - The simple question distributor reps can ask industrial accounts to uncover hidden Mylar film business About Charles Jason Balkcum: Charles Jason Balkcum manages sales and operations at Polymer Marketing Inc., a supplier and custom converter of polyester film headquartered in Evans, Georgia. The company specializes in PET film, commonly known by the trade name Mylar, as well as metallized, clear, translucent, and opaque industrial films. PMI works with partner warehouses to supply converted, slit, and sheeted rolls used as non-stick release barriers for fiberglass composites, oil and gas storage tanks, chemical pipelines, and specialty packaging. Started in 1980 by Balkcum's father and two colleagues from DuPont, PMI has spent over four decades supplying niche manufacturers and distributors whose order sizes or custom requirements fall outside standard mill minimums. Website: https://polymermarketinginc.com/ (https://polymermarketinginc.com/) About What's Made in the USA: What's Made in the USA is hosted by Carl Holden of Zellus Marketing, a technical SEO agency in Huntsville, Alabama that gets American manufacturers ranking on Google and AI search for the exact products they make. Each episode is a conversation with an owner or operator about what their company makes, how they make it, and how they built the business behind it. https://whatismadeintheusapodcast.com (https://whatismadeintheusapodcast.com) https://www.zellusmarketing.com (https://www.zellusmarketing.com) Subscribe to What's Made in the USA to hear real manufacturing operators break down their processes and supply chains. Topics covered: polyester film, PET film, Mylar, barrier film, fiberglass composites, metallized film, slitting and converting, industrial supply Chapters: 0:00 Supplying polyester film to manufacturers 2:03 How fiberglass tank builders use barrier film 4:42 Metallized films and lightweight mirror applications 8:14 Starting PMI from DuPont off-spec rolls 13:10 Operating lean with a North Carolina slitting partner 15:29 Distributor partnerships and in-person technical sales 24:53 Finding real manufacturers versus warehouse distributors 38:02 Marketing advice and using AI to qualify buyers

2. 

   25 Oct 2026

   Scriptel Makes Signature Pad Technology

   When you sign a digital consent form at a hospital, your signature is not just a picture on a screen. John Powers, owner and CEO of Scriptel, explains how forensic data like stroke speed helps verify identity on the hardware his team builds in Columbus, Ohio. Scriptel manufactures durable electronic signature pads designed specifically for healthcare environments, veterinary clinics, and legal compliance. In this episode: - Why Scriptel signature pads capture forensic stroke speed rather than just flat image files - How writing custom software for Citrix virtual channels solved a massive hospital integration barrier - Sourcing plastics, cables, and circuit board assembly across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana - The real world environments that cause the most physical wear on signature pads - How John transitioned from developer to acquiring the business from investors in 2021 - Why wealthy bank clients rejected fingerprint biometrics in favor of traditional signatures About John Powers: John Powers is the owner and CEO of Scriptel, a hardware and software manufacturer based in Columbus, Ohio. Scriptel produces specialized electronic signature pads made with scratch-resistant glass, custom molded plastic housings, internal circuit boards, and secure integration software. The company primarily serves healthcare networks, clinics, veterinary practices, and legal environments that require authenticated consent forms. Their components are sourced across the Midwest, including plastics from Ohio and Pennsylvania, cables from Indiana, and circuit board assembly in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, before final assembly in Columbus. Powers joined the company as a software developer following a 28-year career at Xerox, took over technical development in 2016, and purchased the business in 2021. Website: https://scriptel.com/ (https://scriptel.com/) About What's Made in the USA: What's Made in the USA is hosted by Carl Holden of Zellus Marketing, a technical SEO agency in Huntsville, Alabama that gets American manufacturers ranking on Google and AI search for the exact products they make. Each episode is a conversation with an owner or operator about what their company makes, how they make it, and how they built the business behind it. https://whatismadeintheusapodcast.com (https://whatismadeintheusapodcast.com) https://www.zellusmarketing.com (https://www.zellusmarketing.com) Subscribe to the channel and tune in to discover the American manufacturing stories behind everyday technology. Topics covered: electronic signature pads, healthcare hardware manufacturing, circuit board assembly, injection molded plastics, Citrix virtual channels, biometric signature capture, EHR software integration Chapters: 0:00 Electronic signature pads and core markets 3:00 Forensic data in digital signatures 5:55 Taking over and right-sizing Scriptel 10:31 Citrix and Epic EHR software integration 12:09 Hardware durability in healthcare environments 14:18 Midwest sourcing and domestic assembly 18:17 Why handwritten signatures remain relevant 24:29 Career advice for the next generation

3. 

   3 Oct 2026

   DasPac Makes Packaging Automation Solutions

   Doug Soltis, owner of DasPac, solves high-stakes packaging setup problems for overstressed manufacturing engineers. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, DasPac acts as an integrator and distributor providing packaging equipment and materials like case erectors, stretch wrappers, shrink wrap, and bundling systems for large-scale operations across industries like food production, electrical, and horticulture. In this episode: - Why overstressed engineers hire DasPac to select and integrate their packaging lines - How NAFTA drove Doug to transition into an equipment and materials specialist in 1992 - Why DasPac guarantees equipment sales at exact manufacturer list prices without extra markups - How DasPac handles complex packaging systems like case erectors, stretch wrappers, and conveyors - How Doug uses shake machine testing to find exact film and wrapper settings for heavy store shipments - Why Doug is integrating AI into background proposal workflows to spend more time with clients - Why clear communication skills are the most essential asset for the future workforce About Douglas "Doug" Soltis: Douglas "Doug" Soltis is the owner of DasPac, a packaging equipment distributor, representative, and integrator headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. DasPac provides packaging machinery and materials including shrink wrap systems, case erectors, tapers, stretch wrappers, labels, and conveyors to major product manufacturers. Serving diverse sectors such as horticulture, baking, food processing, batteries, and electrical manufacturing, the company helps engineers specify and integrate end-of-line systems. Doug named DasPac using his initials and a nod to his mother's German heritage, establishing the business in the early 1990s following NAFTA's impact on regional manufacturing. Website: http://www.daspac.com/ (http://www.daspac.com/) About What's Made in the USA: What's Made in the USA is hosted by Carl Holden of Zellus Marketing, a technical SEO agency in Huntsville, Alabama that gets American manufacturers ranking on Google and AI search for the exact products they make. Each episode is a conversation with an owner or operator about what their company makes, how they make it, and how they built the business behind it. https://whatismadeintheusapodcast.com (https://whatismadeintheusapodcast.com) https://www.zellusmarketing.com (https://www.zellusmarketing.com) Subscribe to What's Made in the USA to discover the companies and leaders behind American manufacturing. Topics covered: packaging equipment, case erectors, stretch wrappers, shrink wrap bundling, palletizing systems, conveyor integration, stretch film testing, packaging machinery, packaging distribution Chapters: 0:00 What DasPac provides for packaging equipment and materials 3:41 How NAFTA led Doug to launch DasPac in 1992 8:04 How DasPac helps engineers select and integrate machinery 12:30 Navigating line speeds, high-volume requirements, and tariffs 14:45 Integrating AI to streamline proposals and customer communication 20:52 Testing stretch film and equipment settings on shake machines 27:18 Doug shares key advice for the next workforce generation

4. 

   16 Sept 2026

   Promier Products Makes Bright Flashlights

   Cody Grandadam didn't take the traditional path to building a multi-million dollar lighting brand. The founder and CEO of Promier Products launched his company at age 24 with negative money, turning a passion for relationship-building into a business that now develops high-powered portable lights like 100,000-lumen flashlights. He shares how his Peru, Illinois team designs enthusiast-grade lights for brands like Kodiak and LitezAll, navigates overseas manufacturing realities, and revitalized a historic 400,000-square-foot factory complex. In this episode: - Why launching a single high-volume account beats knocking on hundreds of individual doors - How Promier Products designs multi-use flashlights featuring magnetic bases, UV LEDs, and 100,000 lumens - Why price points and rapid 6-month product release cycles keep flashlight production overseas for now - How tariff spikes hit retail margins and why Promier Products chose to absorb millions in costs - How success in the flashlight business funded the revival of the historic Westclocks building in Peru, Illinois - Why specialized product positioning helps independent brands outshine legacy competitors on store shelves About Cody Duane Grandadam: Cody Duane Grandadam is the founder and CEO of Promier Products, headquartered in Peru, Illinois. Promier Products designs and distributes consumer portable lighting, including pocket lights, headlamps, task lights, and high-output enthusiast flashlights under brands like LitezAll and Kodiak. Operating out of the historic Westclocks factory facility, the company engineers and packages its product lines in the US for distribution into major national retail chains. Cody started the company in 2011 and has expanded its footprint to cover dozens of domestic team members alongside global manufacturing partners. Website: https://litezall.com/ (https://litezall.com/) About What's Made in the USA: What's Made in the USA is hosted by Carl Holden of Zellus Marketing, a technical SEO agency in Huntsville, Alabama that gets American manufacturers ranking on Google and AI search for the exact products they make. Each episode is a conversation with an owner or operator about what their company makes, how they make it, and how they built the business behind it. https://whatismadeintheusapodcast.com (https://whatismadeintheusapodcast.com) https://www.zellusmarketing.com (https://www.zellusmarketing.com) Subscribe to the channel and watch the full video to see how American product designers are building national brands. Topics covered: portable lighting, flashlights, LED flashlights, 18650 battery cells, product design, retail distribution, trademarking, manufacturing tariffs Chapters: 0:00 Flashlight innovation and lumens overview 1:27 Starting the company and brand origins 4:48 Early sales journey and retail strategy 8:50 Team culture and company footprint 11:39 Design process and overseas manufacturing 16:42 Direct to consumer versus retail 23:31 Impact of tariffs on retail pricing 28:25 Scaling market share and buyer relationships 33:07 Travel memories and advice for professionals

5. 

   11 Sept 2026

   IceStone Makes Recycled Glass Countertops

   What happens when a seasoned entrepreneur takes over a heavy manufacturing plant to make sustainable architectural surfaces? Dal LaMagna, CEO and Owner of IceStone, joined the company after building Tweezerman to turn around an ambitious green factory in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. IceStone manufactures durable, high-end countertops made from 100 percent recycled glass, portland cement, and non-toxic pigments for commercial and residential spaces. In this episode: - Why Dal LaMagna stepped in to manage IceStone after selling Tweezerman - Manufacturing 1,300-pound recycled glass and cement countertop slabs in Brooklyn - Why IceStone countertops contain zero crystalline silica, avoiding common industry health risks - How profit-sharing and employee empowerment drive workplace culture and retention - Using credit cards and convertible debt instead of giving up early equity to investors - Managing cash flow with a simple 50-20-20-10 operating budget model - Why entrepreneurs should design a business around their ideal daily lifestyle About Dal LaMagna: Dal LaMagna is the CEO and Owner of IceStone, a sustainable countertop manufacturer based in Rhinebeck, New York. Founded in 2003, the company produces environmentally friendly surface slabs made from recycled glass, cement, and non-toxic pigments for residential kitchens and commercial spaces. Operating out of a 50,000 square foot facility in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, IceStone served architects, designers, and builders with durable, silica-free materials. Dal previously founded Tweezerman, which he built from 500 dollars into a 57 million dollar brand before turning his focus to green building products and tech ventures like FactFlow. Website: https://icestoneusa.com/ (https://icestoneusa.com/) About What's Made in the USA: What's Made in the USA is hosted by Carl Holden of Zellus Marketing, a technical SEO agency in Huntsville, Alabama that gets American manufacturers ranking on Google and AI search for the exact products they make. Each episode is a conversation with an owner or operator about what their company makes, how they make it, and how they built the business behind it. https://whatismadeintheusapodcast.com (https://whatismadeintheusapodcast.com) https://www.zellusmarketing.com (https://www.zellusmarketing.com) Watch the full interview to learn how American manufacturers build sustainable, high-performance building materials. Topics covered: recycled glass countertops, silica free surface slabs, concrete countertop manufacturing, Brooklyn Navy Yard factory, sustainable building materials, architectural surfaces, employee profit sharing, startup financing models Chapters: 0:00 What IceStone makes and how it compares to consumer products 1:14 Manufacturing 1,300-pound countertop slabs in the Brooklyn Navy Yard 3:00 Startup advice on fearing success and financing with credit cards 6:30 Balancing product, sales, and business operations with a 3-person committee 8:54 Sharing 20 percent of company sale profits with employees 10:43 Protecting your brand with trademarks and avoiding legal pitfalls 12:50 Managing cash flow with a 50-20-20-10 operating budget 16:04 The history of IceStone, manufacturing challenges, and silica-free safety 22:26 Personal memories and advice for young workers entering the market

6. 

   11 Sept 2026

   Service Plus Makes Oil Seals

   What happens when a teenager who grew up in machine shops decides to fix a broken industrial supply chain? Jacob Cox, Owner and Founder of Service Plus, started by manufacturing better valve seals before building a full-scale valve manufacturing company in Houston, Texas. His company designs and manufactures patented completion and production valves that keep upstream oil and gas wells running across the United States, Canada, and international markets. In this episode: - Why Jacob Cox left a previous job to start manufacturing higher-quality valve seals in-house - Expanding from custom seal manufacturing to full upstream oil and gas valve production - Supplying energy companies across major US shale basins, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Argentina - Why American technology leads global markets in innovative, patented oilfield hardware - Achieving near-perfect employee retention in a competitive manufacturing labor market - How tariffs and raw material supply chain fluctuations impact heavy metal forgings - Navigating oil price volatility while investing in facility expansions and new product designs About Jacob Cox: Jacob Cox is the Owner and Founder of Service Plus, an oilfield equipment manufacturing company headquartered in Houston, Texas. Raised in an oil and gas family, Jacob spent his teenage years working in machine shops before launching a business to solve quality, lead time, and customer service issues with valve seals. Service Plus manufactures patented completion and production valves, precision seals, and custom components used on upstream oil and gas wells. Operating from their facility in Houston, Texas, the company serves oil and gas operators, distributors, and major energy producers throughout the United States, Canada, and select international markets. Website: https://serviceplusoilfield.com/ (https://serviceplusoilfield.com/) About What's Made in the USA: What's Made in the USA is hosted by Carl Holden of Zellus Marketing, a technical SEO agency in Huntsville, Alabama that gets American manufacturers ranking on Google and AI search for the exact products they make. Each episode is a conversation with an owner or operator about what their company makes, how they make it, and how they built the business behind it. https://whatismadeintheusapodcast.com (https://whatismadeintheusapodcast.com) https://www.zellusmarketing.com (https://www.zellusmarketing.com) Watch the full interview to see how American innovation is driving the next generation of oilfield valve technology. Topics covered: oilfield valve manufacturing, upstream completion valves, precision valve seals, body forgings, oil well equipment, shale basin drilling, patented oilfield technology, energy industry supply chain Chapters: 0:00 Upstream oil and gas valve manufacturing overview 1:36 Founding Service Plus and solving valve seal issues 3:05 US, Canada, and international market expansion 4:34 Customer purchasing models and direct sales approach 6:45 Employee retention strategies and workforce investment 12:49 Navigating tariffs and raw material supply chains 17:31 Oil price volatility and 5 year growth plans 22:39 Personal West Virginia roots and camping memories

7. 

   11 Sept 2026

   Ajustco Makes Industrial Inventions

   What happens when an electrician wakes up at 2:00 AM from a dream showing a totally new hardware design? Jason Stile, Founder and CEO of Ajustco, turned that late-night vision into a patented, self-adjusting barrel bolt lock before launching a revolutionary pre-pour concrete anchor system. His Penn Argyl, Pennsylvania company manufactures patented construction hardware that eliminates job site drilling, saving time and keeping workers safe on major infrastructure projects across the United States. In this episode: - Why traditional barrel bolt locks fail when doors shift from weather and age - How a dream at 2:00 AM led to a patented, automatically adjusting hardware design - Bringing a consumer hardware product to Home Depot, Lowe's, and Tractor Supply - Why drilling holes for post-pour concrete anchors creates labor and safety issues - How the Anchor Thread system attaches directly to concrete formwork before pouring - Partnering with national distributors like White Cap to supply major infrastructure jobs - Expanding product lines for California seismic codes and corrugated metal decks About Jason Stile: Jason Stile is the Founder and CEO of Ajustco, a hardware design and manufacturing firm headquartered in Penn Argyl, Pennsylvania. A former electrician who owned a firm in New York City, Jason launched the company after patenting an automatically adjusting barrel bolt lock called the Adjust Lock. Ajustco manufactures patent-protected construction hardware, including the Anchor Thread pre-pour concrete anchoring system, which eliminates post-pour drilling for safety netting, fall protection, and MEP installations. Their products use steel bolts sourced from a foundry in Michigan, plastic parts molded in New Jersey, and final assembly at their Pennsylvania warehouse to serve major general contractors nationwide. Website: https://ajustco.com/ (https://ajustco.com/) About What's Made in the USA: What's Made in the USA is hosted by Carl Holden of Zellus Marketing, a technical SEO agency in Huntsville, Alabama that gets American manufacturers ranking on Google and AI search for the exact products they make. Each episode is a conversation with an owner or operator about what their company makes, how they make it, and how they built the business behind it. https://whatismadeintheusapodcast.com (https://whatismadeintheusapodcast.com) https://www.zellusmarketing.com (https://www.zellusmarketing.com) Watch the full interview to learn how innovative hardware design is transforming modern construction sites. Topics covered: pre-pour concrete anchors, self-adjusting barrel bolt locks, construction hardware manufacturing, anchor thread systems, formwork attachments, fall protection anchors, seismic slip form anchors, corrugated deck anchors, hardware distribution Chapters: 0:00 Barrel bolt lock innovation and origin 2:54 Pre-pour concrete anchor system demonstration 9:26 Company naming and brand strategy 10:42 From electrician to hardware inventor 15:29 Manufacturing supply chain and assembly setup 18:30 Construction sales and White Cap distribution 24:18 Designing anchors for seismic and metal deck applications 28:00 Tracking school experiences in New Jersey

8. 

   28 Aug 2026

   Centerline Makes Refurbished CNC Spindles

   When a CNC machine spindle goes down, whole factory production lines stop and cost thousands of dollars per hour. In this episode, Martin Engster, Vice President of Centerline, explains how his company repairs high-speed spindles up to 4,000 pounds to keep automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing clients running. He shares how a family business handles emergency client repairs, navigates changing tariffs, and manages 3 generations of family leadership. In this episode: - How Centerline fixes high-speed CNC spindles from small units up to 4,000 pounds - Why CNC spindles wear out every 2,000 hours and need regular rebuilding - How increased manufacturing demand drives higher repair volume for industrial equipment - The impact of tariffs on parts pricing and passing costs to B2B customers - Managing a 32-year family business across 3 generations of leadership - The top piece of advice for young workers entering the modern industrial workforce About Martin Engster: Martin Engster is the Vice President of Centerline, a family-owned industrial repair and manufacturing facility headquartered in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Centerline specializes in repairing CNC machine spindles, manufacturing parts to print, and selling complete spindle systems for industrial clients. The business services major clients across the automotive, aerospace, dental, and circuit board manufacturing sectors throughout the Americas. Founded by his father, Centerline has been in business for nearly 32 years and operates with a team of 22 employees. Website: https://www.centerline-inc.com/ (https://www.centerline-inc.com/) Topics covered: CNC spindle repair, manufacturing operations, machine maintenance, family business leadership, B2B service operations, industrial repair systems Chapters: 0:00 Overview of Centerline and CNC spindle repair operations 2:21 Family business structure and 3 generations of leadership 3:36 Handling urgent machine downtime for manufacturing clients 4:33 How CNC machine spindles function and why they wear out 6:26 Business revenue breakdown across sales and repair services 10:21 Managing tariffs and increased demand in industrial manufacturing 12:31 Growth plans, family succession, and exploring AI tools 16:44 Leadership advice for the new generation of workers

9. 

   19 Aug 2026

   MAC Corporation Makes Waste Containers and Compactors

   Most people never think about who builds the dumpster sitting at the end of their driveway. Rayder Hobbs is President of Operations at Mac Corporation in Indianapolis, Indiana, a family owned company that has spent 51 years building roll off containers, compactors, and cart dumpers for haulers in all 50 states. In this episode: How his grandfather, a Vietnam veteran, started Mac in 1975, and why every family member since has started out in the shop What it takes to run 150 employees on 2 shifts, every day but Sunday, across a 13 acre facility Why sheet steel is up 4 to 5 percent and paint is up 7 to 8 percent, and where that pressure lands How automation and cart dumpers changed what warehouses ask for Why under CDL trucks opened the hauling business to a new wave of independent owners Watch the full conversation with Rayder Hobbs on What's Made in the USA.

10. 

    18 Aug 2026

    Stockton Products Makes Welded Wire Corners

    Guest: Paul McMinn, President and CEO, Stockton Products Stockton Products has been making building materials since 1949, and one of its core products has no domestic supplier for the raw wire it is built from. Paul McMinn joins Carl Holden to explain how a small family owned manufacturer with 45 employees and 5 locations keeps that going while the supply chain, the tariffs and the labor pool all move underneath it. Paul walks through Cornerade, the welded wire corner product Stockton patented in the early 60s and still makes 32 varieties of, why the 17 gauge wire behind it now has to come from China or Vietnam, and what happened to his costs when the last North American mills stopped making it. He also breaks down the other half of the business, custom metal fabrication, and where the growth is coming from now, including components for data center cooling. The second half gets into the part most manufacturers are quietly dealing with. Paul has employees who started in the 1970s and are approaching retirement, machines built in the 1950s that nobody makes parts for anymore, and no clear feeder system bringing the next generation into the trades. He describes what he saw inside German and Austrian plants that changed how he thinks about automation, and why he believes the jobs are there if we stop pointing every 18 year old at a 4 year degree. In this episode: Why Cornerade became the Kleenex of welded wire corners, and why nobody else makes it What tariffs actually did to a company buying 80 percent of its raw wire overseas Going from a 3 day lead time to 60 or 90 days, and the ocean freight risk that came with it How custom fabrication work starts on a napkin and ends on a CNC machine The Stockton product that goes into oil refineries and ships to Mexico Rebuilding a 1950s machine that still runs on a wooden drive belt What a smart factory looks like in Europe, and what it would take to build one here Transferring 50 years of knowledge out of a retiring workforce Paul's case for trade schools, scholarships and a real feeder system into manufacturing Stockton Products is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, with manufacturing and distribution across Arizona and California.

11. 

    18 Aug 2026

    Whiteside Manufacturing Makes High-End Mechanic Creepers

    Kirt Whiteside runs Whiteside Manufacturing in Delaware, Ohio, the company his father started in 1954 with a wooden board and four wheels. Nearly 77 years later they are still building creepers and mechanic seats for the best professional technicians in the world, and they are still doing it in America. In this episode Kirt tells Carl Holden how his dad made him work every job on the floor before he was allowed in the office, why he had to come in an hour and a half early for free just to hit the piece rate, and what that taught him about effort. He also breaks down the decision that kept the company alive: three competitors chased high volume at low margins through the deep discount channel, and all three are gone. Whiteside stayed with lower volume and higher quality. We get into how a company with 20 to 50 people competes when the entire country of China is your only remaining competitor, how tariffs pushed their supply chain back to America and helped rather than hurt, and how Kirt develops new products with roughly 90 patents to his name. His rule for every one of them is simple. Save the technician time, save him money, or make him more comfortable. He closes with something worth hearing twice. If you have the desire, the next step is effort, and effort cannot be halfway. CHAPTERS 00:00 Meet Kirt Whiteside of Whiteside Manufacturing 00:30 What they make and who actually uses it 01:44 What a creeper is and why there are 50 models 03:13 Selling through the mobile tool market 04:43 Why the expensive product is the right product 05:34 Quality over volume, and the 3 competitors who chose wrong 07:16 Made in America as the real competitive edge 08:32 Working every job in the factory before running it 11:52 Plant manager, 100 hour weeks, and the handoff 14:00 Bringing his brother Terry into the business 15:36 Desire, effort, and mentoring people through it 16:54 From 170 employees to a mechanized 20 to 50 19:00 Forecasting 6 months out and the trade show cycle 20:22 International customers from Paris to Japan 21:45 Tariffs, reshoring, and the real cost of importing 25:50 Where new products come from 27:36 How he figures out what technicians need before they do 30:12 The Apple problem: why didn't I think of that 32:34 Invention as part of American culture 34:19 Favorite places in the US and North America 35:51 Getting design inspiration from overseas 37:04 A station wagon, Houston, and hot grape juice 38:32 What he wants the next generation to know 43:12 Closing thoughts ABOUT WHITESIDE MANUFACTURING Whiteside Manufacturing builds professional grade garage creepers, mechanic seats, and shop equipment for technicians in automotive, aerospace, agriculture, industrial, and motorsports. Founded in 1954 in Delaware, Ohio.

12. 

    13 Aug 2026

    Eagle Systems Makes Foil Machinery

    Michael King has been building foil machinery since he was 14 years old, working alongside his father in Little Italy. Today his company, Eagle Systems in Ocean, New Jersey, has 1,500 machines running worldwide, and 85 percent of every machine is built from American made parts. If you have ever picked up a box of hair color at CVS, a chocolate bar, a whiskey box, or a Pokemon card with a metallic finish on it, there is a strong chance it ran through one of Michael's machines. In this episode, Michael explains the difference between hot foil and cold foil, why the printing and packaging world is growing instead of shrinking, and how a 19 person team out-earns the much larger company he used to run. He also gets into the remote diagnostics system he wrote himself in 1982 over a 300 baud modem, decades before the big manufacturers offered anything like it. We also cover the tariff math that has kept American machine builders out of markets like India and China for years, what is finally changing, and why he thinks manufacturing has to come back or we become a service country. Michael closes with some straight talk for the next generation: the 50 welders he interviewed in 4 years who could not weld, the intern who switched majors after one conversation and now works there full time, and the mentor who called him every Sunday night for years to yell at him or pat him on the back. Guest: Michael King, Eagle Systems

13. 

    12 Aug 2026

    SynerTech Automation Makes Industrial Automation Integrations

    A whiteboard drawing turns into a 90 foot robotic rail system sitting on a factory floor nine months later. That is the job. Bryant Parker is the founder and president of Cynertech Automation in Ogden, Utah. He builds full turnkey robotic systems for American manufacturers, everything from automated storage and retrieval to picking, packing, and palletizing in the food and agriculture world. He started the company as a side project selling components, and when the parent company went out of business three months later with his fourth child about to be born and needing surgery, he had to make it work. It worked. In this episode Bryant and Carl get into what a systems integrator actually does, why COVID turned a distribution company into an integration company almost overnight, the labor problem pushing plants toward automation, and why he thinks humanoid robots are further from the factory floor than the hype suggests. If you run a plant and you are paying a temp agency 25 to 50 percent extra just to keep one position filled, this one is for you. WHAT WE COVER 00:12 Meet Bryant Parker and Cynertech Automation 01:20 What a robotic automation company actually builds 02:34 The 90 foot Kawasaki rail system, from whiteboard to floor 03:20 What a systems integrator does and why manufacturers need one 04:58 PLCs explained, the brain of every system 05:30 How Cynertech started, and the surgery that made it real 07:24 The COVID pivot from selling parts to building turnkey systems 08:40 Hiring and keeping motivated people 09:48 The best part of the job, the whiteboard becoming real 10:20 Who they serve, food, agriculture, egg, protein, and medical 11:45 Modular engineering and moving into warehouse and distribution 13:30 Humanoid robots, the hype and the reality 16:51 Where humanoid robots might actually land first 17:45 Price volatility since COVID and bidding profitably 19:17 Automation audits, finding the bottleneck 19:50 The temp agency labor squeeze 21:23 Favorite place in the US, and the bugs for water trade 22:51 The Fourth of July 23:30 Advice to the next generation, learn from other people's mistakes 25:30 Find a mentor two or three steps ahead of you BEST LINE OF THE EPISODE "Learn from other people's mistakes as much as you can, because that costs you a lot less than learning from your own." ABOUT THE GUEST Bryant Parker, Founder and President, Cynertech Automation ABOUT THE SHOW What's Made in the USA celebrates the people, companies, and ideas behind American manufacturing. Every episode, host Carl Holden sits down with the entrepreneurs, engineers, and skilled professionals building real products right here in the United States. Subscribe so you do not miss an episode. Know someone who should be on the show? Reach out.

14. 

    8 Aug 2026

    Machine Tool Builders Make Machines Work Again

    In 1978, Ross Wegron Jones picked up a hot metal chip off a shop floor and burned his hand. That was his introduction to manufacturing, and he never left. Today he is Director of Sales and Marketing at Machine Tool Builders in Machesney Park, Illinois, a company that has spent 30 years rebuilding and recontrolling gear machine tools. In this episode: How a 76,000 square foot shop brings old hobbing, shaping, and grinding machines back to modern spec Why gear machines are harder to work on than a standard lathe or mill How a 14 person team passes 30 years of knowledge from senior techs to new ones Why there is no US based control maker, and what that costs on a machine priced from $150,000 to $1 million The new gear demand coming from humanoid robots Watch to the end for what he tells young people about working with their hands.

15. 

    7 Aug 2026

    Wallace Sheet Metal Makes Metal Fabrications At Scale

    David Crow shares how Wallace Sheet Metal tripled its business in 5 years by changing its customer strategy, investing in people, and focusing on high volume manufacturing. He explains how the company adapted during supply chain disruptions while continuing to grow across the U.S. In this episode: How Wallace Sheet Metal grew from 17 to 35 employees Why they shifted from small custom jobs to high volume production How a diverse customer base helped the business stay strong What happened when tariffs pushed companies back to U.S. suppliers Why treating employees with respect helps build a stronger team Watch or listen to hear the lessons behind growing a manufacturing business through change.

16. 

    6 Aug 2026

    Automation Solutions Makes Robotic and Control System Integrations

    Building a great business is not just about getting more customers. Brad Tompkins explains why he changed Automation Solutions to keep talented people, adapted when the market shifted, and ultimately sold the company while staying to help the team succeed. In this episode: * Why Brad shifted from a specialist to a generalist business * How reducing travel helped improve employee retention * Why distributor changes pushed the company toward a sale * How he built leaders instead of relying on himself * What young professionals should focus on to build a strong career Watch or listen for practical lessons on leadership, growth, and building a business that lasts. https://automationsolinc.com/ (https://automationsolinc.com/)

17. 

    6 Aug 2026

    Symmetry Makes Luxury & Custom Saunas and Plunge Tubs

    Sam Rogers, founder of Symmetry Sauna, shares how a custom sauna company grew from 4 people to 40 by focusing on quality, hiring the right people, and building in the USA. He explains why they chose premium custom work over competing on price and how that decision shaped the business. In this episode: How Symmetry Sauna grew from 4 founders to a team of 40 Why custom, high quality products beat competing on low prices How hiring for character helps build a strong company culture What changed after demand came from across the U.S. Why Sam believes big goals start with small daily actions Watch or listen to hear the lessons behind building a fast-growing manufacturing business.

18. 

    5 Aug 2026

    Pelican Engineering Makes Custom Circuit Boards

    If you're building a physical product, manufacturing is only part of the challenge. Nolan Edwards of Pelican Engineering shares how his team helps companies go from an idea to a finished electronic product, handling design, firmware, software, and manufacturing under one roof while solving supply chain problems along the way. In this episode: How Pelican Engineering grew from design only to full manufacturing Why direct access to engineers helps customers move faster How the team redesigns products when parts become unavailable Why Nolan believes more US manufacturers benefit everyone The process from a customer's first idea to production Watch or listen to hear how Pelican Engineering helps bring electronic products to market.

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

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