Manufacturers are navigating a perfect storm — tight margins, expensive capital, workforce shortages, policy uncertainty, and rapid technological disruption.

In this episode, host Gary McCoy, Executive Director of SMI, sits down with author and industry strategist Dan Varroney to unpack the forces reshaping the industrial economy and what small and mid‑size manufacturers can do to stay competitive.

Varroney, founder of Potomac Core and author of the Amazon #1 bestseller Rethinking Economic Growth, brings decades of experience working with manufacturers and trade associations nationwide. Together, Gary and Dan explore:

• The “three M’s” driving today’s challenges: margins, money, and manpower
• How sector profitability reveals whether an industry is gaining or losing competitiveness
• Policy gaps that disproportionately impact small and mid‑size manufacturers
• What a truly pro‑growth policy environment should look like in 2026 and beyond
• How value‑chain partnerships strengthen advocacy and resilience
• Innovative workforce strategies, including second‑chance hiring and community college partnerships
• Long‑term approaches to supply chain resilience, onshoring, and nearshoring
• How AI, automation, and machine learning are reshaping industrial competitiveness
• Why scenario planning is essential for leaders navigating uncertainty

You’ll also hear real‑world examples from Dan’s research — spanning tooling, machining, energy, and advanced manufacturing — plus insights on leadership, risk, and the future of the American industrial base.

Learn more about Dan Varroney and his work:
https://danielvarroney.com

https://potomaccore.com/

And don’t miss our “Did You Know?” segment, where we break down the spring‑powered mechanism inside your car’s seatbelt retractor — a reminder that springs truly are everywhere.

Springs Are Everywhere explores the issues shaping modern manufacturing and highlights the surprising ways springs show up in everyday life — from cars to cellphones to workplace equipment.

Sponsors:
Platinum — Gibbs Interwire (gibbswire.com)
Gold — Radcliff Wire (radcliffwire.com)
Silver — Automated Industrial Motion (aimcoil.com)

Learn more about the Spring Manufacturers Institute at smihq.org.

#smi #springsareeverywhere #manufacturing #leadership #supplychain #AI #workforce