October 2 is National Manufacturing Day! Director of Existing Industry Services Meridith Berger catches up with Core Technology CEO Geoff Foster, who is in the running for Entrepreneur of the Year for the southeast United States.

Thanks for joining us!

This episode is sponsored by Truliant Federal Credit Union

Visit Truliant here

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Today’s host is Meridith Berger, the Chamber’s Director of Existing Industry Services for the Economic Development Department.

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00:58 - Meridith kicks off the episode with a welcome and recognizes Manufacturing Day and Manufacturing Week! Guilford County is home to the highest number of manufacturing jobs in North Carolina, a wide range of manufacturing degrees and training programs, and is in a prime location for transportation, logistics, and infrastructure.

1:44 - Meridith introduces guest to the podcast, Geoff Foster, CEO and President of Core Technology Moulding in Guilford County. Core Technology Moulding Inc. is a plastic injection moulding company that offers a diverse range of products from automotive parts, medical supplies, aerospace, outdoor equipment, and appliances.

3:30 - Meridith asks Geoff what drove him to become an entrepreneur, and Geoff shares a story where he designed a part for Ford Motor Company, and this experience really sparked his passion to start his own company to create products and share the benefit of new creation with his employees.

4:51 - Meridith asks how COVID impacted Core Technology’s production and hiring processes. Geoff explains that while Core Technology had to retool their approach, they shifted into creating a new mold for faceshields, leading to an increased need for employees for production and assembly. 

6:23 - Geoff shares about being recognized as a finalist in the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, a prestigious and exciting award to be chosen for!

7:12 - Meridith asks for more information on the diversity and range of the products that Core Technology offers. Geoff explains that their product portfolio is incredibly diverse and their parts appear in a huge number of products that are used every day, around the US. This has allowed for a strong business foundation to grow, and puts Core Tech in a position where they can strategically pursue production in certain fields, like medical supply.

8:45 - Meridith asks Geoff if he sees growth in a certain industry in the near future, to which he says that growth is seen more in additive manufacturing rather than a targeted industry. This means that “printing” parts with 3D printers is becoming the new norm and has helped Core Tech prototype and go-to-market faster!

10:37 - Workforce and culture is important to Core Technology, and Meridith asks how this helps Geoff develop the talent pool at Core Tech. Geoff found a strategic partner in NC A&T, brining in highly talented and educated students who are eager to learn. He also explains that a diverse workforce with different perspectives brings about better solutions and increased value.

12:09 - Geoff reiterates that the location of his company in Greensboro and Guilford County has been a critical part of Core Technology’s success. The location, partnerships, logistics and transportation access, and incredible talent pool available have all contributed to Core Tech’s success.

12:57 - Meridith asks more about Core Tech’s medical clean rooms. Geoff talks about the two different clean rooms established so Core Tech can create needed medical supplies, but also assemble critical vaccine materials.

14:16 - Find out more about Core Technology at their website: www.coretechnologycorp.com  And also find them on their social channels: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!

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Manufacturing Day is October 2! Find out more here:

https://www.ncmep.org/manufacturing-day/ 

Learn more about Core Technology at coretechnologycorp.com.

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Visit the Chamber website at greensboro.org.