Made In SWVA

 In this episode of the MadeInSWVA podcast, we explore Atsumi Car Equipment, a standout manufacturer located in Wytheville, Virginia. Discover how this North American branch of Atsumi Kogyo Co., Ltd. plays a pivotal role in the global automotive industry through precision machining and innovative manufacturing techniques. We speak with Brien Owens, Maintenance and Engineering Manager, to uncover the company's commitment to quality, their use of advanced technology, and their far-reaching impact. Join us as we highlight how Southwest Virginia manufacturers are shaping the future of automotive technology worldwide.

Atsumi Car Equipment: www.atsumicar.com

In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we launch a new series spotlighting the globally impactful companies in Southwest Virginia's manufacturing sector. Today, we dive into Amcor Rigid Packaging in Wytheville, Virginia. Learn how this global leader in responsible packaging solutions drives innovation and sustainability, producing recyclable plastic bottles for major brands like Pepsi. Join us as we explore Amcor's commitment to reducing plastic waste and its significant contributions to local and global markets.

Amcor Rigid Packaging: www.amcor.com

The latest series of SVAM's Made in SWVA podcast features winners of the 2021 Manufacturing Awards presented at our last Manufacturing Awards Banquet. Each year, SVAM hosts a Banquet to recognize the significant contributions of manufacturing to our community. SVAM awards manufacturers who have gone above and beyond to better our community in various ways. This episode will feature the winner of SVAM’s Excellence in Safety Award. We provide this award as a way to try to change the perception that manufacturing is an unsafe working environment. 

Tadano Mantis Corporation was chosen as the winner of this year’s Excellence in Safety Award based on the exceptional ways their company employs a culture of safety and sees results. For today’s episode, Sean Blackwell, Continuous Improvement Supervisor/Environmental Health and Safety Supervisor at Tadano Mantis Corporation joins us and talks to us about his job, his company, and the reasons for which they were recognized. 

In the third installment of our Manufacturing Mythbusters series we are going to bust one of the most pervasive myths about manufacturing: that manufacturing is all about the bottom dollar and is bad for the community. Manufacturers are doing great work to care for the environment, their community, and most importantly, their employees. Listen to learn how.



References
Samuel Family Foundation

General Dynamics ECAC

Mohawk talent development

Universal Fibers Health Clinic

Other companies mentioned
West River Conveyors

Scholle IPN

Tempur Sealy

Somic America

The Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing 2021 Manufacturing Awards

In the second episode of our Manufacturing Mythbusters series, we address many of the myths that are often associated with careers in manufacturing. We talk about the amount of jobs available right now (Hint: It's a lot!), the manufacturing environment,, the diversity of job offerings and company environments, how much manufacturing jobs pay (it's more than most people think), and much more!

This is a very timely episode, because right now there are literally HUNDREDS of job openings available in manufacturing all across our region. Manufacturers are looking to employ individuals at all levels with lots of different skill sets. You can check out some of these job listings at www.swvam.org/mfgcareers.

Sources:
www.swvam.org/mfgcareers 

https://businessfacilities.com/2018/10/southwestern-virginia-rich-history-agriculture-strong-future-manufacturing/

http://viaalliance.org/site-selection-data/major-employers/

https://www.themanufacturer.com/articles/top-five-manufacturing-myths-busted/ 

https://workatdrylock.com/5-myths-about-manufacturing-jobs/ 

https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95901-new-survey-shows-us-manufacturers-spending-billions-to-close-skills-gap

https://www.solidprofessor.com/blog/truth-behind-biggest-myths-about-manufacturing-jobs/ 

https://blog.thomasnet.com/american-manufacturing-myths 

For this next series we will talk about the many myths associated with manufacturing. You’re going to learn how manufacturing is the largest industry in Southwest Virginia and offers rewarding careers for over 17,000 people. We’ll talk about the products being made, innovation occurring through manufacturing, what the manufacturing environment looks like today, as well as career opportunities.

The first myth we want to address is the idea that we aren’t making a difference. There’s an idea that we are in this little bubble here in Southwest Virginia and all of the interesting things that are changing the world are happening somewhere else, probably in some big city far away. That’s just not true, and in this episode you'll learn about the many reasons why.

Show Notes:
SVAM website: www.swvam.org
Open careers in manufacturing in Southwest Virginia can be found at https://swvam.org/careers/careers/

Referenced Companies:
Universal Fibers, Inc.
Atsumi Car Equipment
General Dynamics Mission Systems
Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co.
Volvo
Tempur Sealy
Scholle IPN
PepsiCo
Appalachian Plastics
Wolf Hills Fabricators
Hollingsworth and Vose

New release: Midwest Textiles and Hollingsworth & Vose Partner Up to Sell Ready-to-Sew Face Mask Kits and Nanoweb® FM for the General Public. View here.

Want more information on careers in manufacturing? Visit our careers information page. 

Other resources: 
https://www.themanufacturer.com/articles/top-five-manufacturing-myths-busted/

https://monroeengineering.com/blog/6-common-myths-about-american-manufacturing/

The first series on our podcast features Women in Manufacturing.  Through this series, we will speak with several women holding careers in manufacturing. We’ll talk about their companies and careers, how they found themselves working in manufacturing, and advice they would give to women considering careers in manufacturing. 

For our fourth episode in the Women in Manufacturing series, we spoke with Melinda Roberts, Human Resources Manager of Scholle IPN in Chilhowie, VA. We discussed the room for advancement in manufacturing, Melinda's best tips for interviewing, and her passion for connecting with and helping others.

The first series on our podcast features Women in Manufacturing.  Through this series, we will speak with several women holding careers in manufacturing. We’ll talk about their companies and careers, how they found themselves working in manufacturing, and advice they would give to women considering careers in manufacturing. 

For our third episode in the Women in Manufacturing series, we spoke with Melanie Protti-Lawrence, President of Lawrence Brothers, Inc in Bluefield, Virginia. Melanie talks about her love for traveling, why she came back home to Southwest Virginia to run the family business, and how that business has a passion for giving second chances and giving back to the community. 

The first series on our podcast features Women in Manufacturing.  Through this series, we will speak with several women holding careers in manufacturing. We’ll talk about their companies and careers, how they found themselves working in manufacturing, and advice they would give to women considering careers in manufacturing. 

For our second episode in the Women in Manufacturing series, we spoke with Christa Glassburn, Chief Operating Officer for PBE in North Tazewell, Virginia. In this podcast, you’ll hear about how a small manufacturing company is providing products to 30 countries around the world. We’ll talk about the many job openings available in manufacturing today, the “scrappiness” of our region’s manufacturers, and how you shouldn’t be scared to try new things and pursue new opportunities. 

In this interview we will hear from Lennie Gail Mitcham, Executive Director of The Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing (SVAM). Lennie Gail discusses SVAM's history, mission, and how SVAM is impacting Southwest Virginia.