Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing | Official Podcast Series

In this episode of Manufacturing in Action, discover how Westlake Royal Building Products earned SVAM’s 2026 Community Impact Award through service, employee involvement, and investment in Southwest Virginia.

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What’s next for manufacturing in Southwest Virginia?

For the final episode of Made Here: Manufacturing in Southwest Virginia, SVAM looks at changes already shaping the future of the industry across our region.

From automation and artificial intelligence to workforce development, infrastructure, productivity, and changing supply chains, manufacturers are adapting to new technologies, new markets, and new challenges.

In this episode, we explore how automation is changing the work people do, how manufacturers may use AI and data in practical ways, why experienced workers and continued training remain so important, and how growing demand for energy, data centers, and critical infrastructure is creating new opportunities for Southwest Virginia manufacturers.

The future of manufacturing isn’t something waiting decades down the road. In many ways, it is already beginning to take shape.

Made Here: Manufacturing in Southwest Virginia is a four-part Manufacturing Month special from the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing.

Catch up on the full series and learn more about Southwest Virginia manufacturers and manufacturing careers at swvam.org.

What does a career in manufacturing actually look like today?

For many people, manufacturing may still bring to mind a limited picture of factory work—but modern manufacturing includes advanced technology, a wide variety of careers, multiple education pathways, opportunities for advancement, and an industry that continues to evolve.

In Episode 3 of Made Here: Manufacturing in Southwest Virginia, SVAM tackles five common misconceptions about manufacturing careers:

• Manufacturing is low-tech.
• Manufacturing means doing the same thing on an assembly line all day.
• You need a four-year degree to build a successful career.
• There isn't much room to move up.
• Manufacturing is an industry of the past.

Along the way, we look at real examples from Southwest Virginia that show just how much variety exists inside today's manufacturing workforce.

Whether you're a student, parent, educator, job seeker, or simply curious about what happens inside a modern manufacturing facility, this episode offers a closer look at the people, skills, technology, and career opportunities behind the products made throughout our region.

Made Here: Manufacturing in Southwest Virginia is a four-part Manufacturing Month special from the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing.

Learn more about Southwest Virginia manufacturers and manufacturing careers at swvam.org.

Nearly 21,000 manufacturing jobs. About $3.1 billion in regional economic impact. Thousands of workers filling roles that extend far beyond the production floor.

But what do those numbers actually mean for Southwest Virginia?

In Episode 2 of Made Here: Manufacturing in Southwest Virginia, SVAM looks at the scale and economic importance of manufacturing across our region—and puts the numbers into terms that are easier to understand.

We explore how many people work in manufacturing, the wide variety of careers found inside the industry, the economic value manufacturing creates, current workforce demand, and why an experienced manufacturing workforce remains one of Southwest Virginia's regional strengths.

The numbers tell an important story: manufacturing isn't simply present in Southwest Virginia. It is deeply connected to our workforce, communities, and regional economy.

Made Here: Manufacturing in Southwest Virginia is a four-part Manufacturing Month special from the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing.

Learn more about Southwest Virginia manufacturers and manufacturing careers at swvam.org.

What do crawler cranes, pillows, automotive components, transformers, aircraft components, structural steel, pet-care products, and even salt have in common?

They're all examples of products made right here in Southwest Virginia.

To kick off Manufacturing Month, SVAM is launching Made Here: Manufacturing in Southwest Virginia, a four-part special series exploring the products, people, economic impact, and future of manufacturing across our region.

In Episode 1, we take a trip across Southwest Virginia to highlight some of the surprising products being manufactured in our communities, and the industries and supply chains they ultimately serve.

From products used in homes and automobiles to equipment supporting energy, construction, mining, and aerospace, the episode offers just a small glimpse of how Southwest Virginia manufacturers connect our region to customers and industries around the world.

Made Here: Manufacturing in Southwest Virginia is a four-part Manufacturing Month special from the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing.

Learn more about manufacturing companies and careers in Southwest Virginia at swvam.org.

Ranae Anderson once thought she’d become a veterinarian. Instead, a love of chemistry led her to a career in manufacturing and eventually to her role as Global Sustainability Leader at Universal Fibers in Bristol, Virginia.

In this episode of How I Got Here: Manufacturing, Ranae shares how she went from studying chemistry at Tuskegee University to becoming a paint chemist, working in technical service, and ultimately building a career that combines science, manufacturing, leadership, and sustainability.

She also talks about building credibility as a woman in manufacturing, the importance of mentors, what a global career can look like from Southwest Virginia, and why young people shouldn’t wait until they have their entire career mapped out before taking the next opportunity.

Ranae’s story is a great example of just how many directions a career in manufacturing can take.

In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we spotlight Wabtec Elastomers in Wytheville, Virginia, where the team specializes in manufacturing custom elastomeric components for critical applications in rail, industrial, and other markets. The operation produces custom rubber, fabric-reinforced, and metal-bonded solutions using a variety of manufacturing processes and capabilities. 

From custom molding and rubber compounding to quality, continuous improvement, and operational excellence, the Wytheville facility brings specialized manufacturing expertise to customers with demanding applications. Tune in to learn more about the products, processes, and people behind this Southwest Virginia manufacturing operation. 

Wabtec Longwood Elastomers: www.wabteccorp.com/elastomers

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In this episode of MadeInSWVA, we visit W&W|AFCO Steel’s production facility in Bristol, Virginia, where large-scale structural steel components are fabricated for bridges, commercial buildings, industrial projects, and other major construction applications. Learn how advanced fabrication equipment, skilled craftsmanship, welding, fitting, and quality control come together to create the steel framework behind the built environment. From infrastructure to industry, W&W|AFCO Steel shows how Southwest Virginia manufacturing helps support the structures we rely on every day.

W&W | AFCO Steel: www.wwafcosteel.com

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In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we spotlight Spectrum Brands in Blacksburg, Virginia, home to one of the company's largest Global Pet Care manufacturing facilities. For more than 30 years, the Blacksburg team has produced trusted aquatics and companion animal products for well-known brands.

From advanced manufacturing and research and development to continuous improvement and workforce development, the Blacksburg facility plays a vital role in delivering innovative pet care products to customers around the world. Join us as we explore how Spectrum Brands combines manufacturing excellence, innovation, and community engagement to make a global impact from Southwest Virginia. 

Spectrum Brands: www.spectrumbrands.com

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In this episode of MadeInSWVA, we visit Special-T Manufacturing in Meadowview, Virginia, a company producing custom electrical components that help power modern infrastructure. From flex-braid connectors and bus bars to wiring harness assemblies, machining, welding, and electroplating, Special-T creates the behind-the-scenes parts that help electricity move safely and reliably through power distribution, data transmission, manufacturing, utilities, and alternative energy systems. Discover how precision craftsmanship in Meadowview supports the systems that keep our connected world running.

Special-T Manufacturing: specialtmfg.com

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