Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing | Official Podcast Series

In this episode of MadeInSWVA, we feature Real Performance Machinery (RPM) of Independence, Virginia — winner of the 2025 Environmental Excellence Award.

We speak with Craig Hensdell, Operations Manager at RPM, about how the company has made sustainability a core part of its manufacturing strategy. From reclaiming coolant and reducing offcuts to employee-led initiatives and local sourcing, RPM is setting a new standard for what environmental leadership can look like in metal fabrication.

Learn how this mid-sized manufacturer is proving that doing the right thing for the planet is also smart business — and why their culture of continuous improvement is driving results across the board.

Learn more about Real Performance Machinery

Meet this year's other winners

In this episode of MadeInSWVA, we feature VFP, Inc. of Duffield, Virginia, winner of the 2025 Excellence in Safety Award.

VFP’s safety program doesn’t just meet the standard — it sets it. Through clear expectations, daily accountability, and a team-driven culture, VFP empowers every employee to take ownership of safety. From innovative incentives to real-time tracking, their system works because their people believe in it.

Hear how VFP built a safety culture that’s scalable, sustainable, and deeply human — and why it’s earning regional recognition.

Learn more about VFP, Inc.

Meet this year's other winners

In this episode of MadeInSWVA, we shine a spotlight on Hitachi Energy of Bland, Virginia — winner of the 2025 Community Choice Award, as selected by local organizations and individuals.

From school sponsorships to emergency relief efforts, Hitachi Energy’s impact reaches far beyond the walls of their facility. Their nomination came directly from the people they’ve supported — including a touching example of employees raising funds to help fulfill the wish of a local child with terminal cancer.

Tune in to hear what community leadership looks like in action — and why Hitachi Energy is so much more than a manufacturer.

Learn more about Hitachi Energy

Meet this year's other winners

What does it take to become Manufacturer of the Year?

In this episode of MadeInSWVA, we spotlight VFP, Inc. of Duffield, Virginia, the winner of the 2025 Manufacturer of the Year Award. Known for their customizable, prefabricated structures that serve critical infrastructure across the country, VFP stood out for more than just production numbers.

We speak with Bill Regert, Director of Environmental Health & Safety at VFP, about the company’s strategic growth, commitment to quality, investments in people, and how they’ve built a culture that scales. With three awards won this year, VFP is setting a new standard for manufacturing excellence in Southwest Virginia.

Learn more about VFP

Meet this year's other winners

Strongwell of Bristol, Virginia took home the 2025 Innovations in Manufacturing Award for a product six years in the making: Strongdek — a structural decking system that redefines what’s possible with fiber-reinforced polymer.

In this episode of MadeInSWVA, we explore how Strongwell combined pultrusion and extrusion, overcame technical hurdles, and positioned their new product for a $4 billion market. We speak with Barry Myers, Corporate Director, Marketing and Communications to uncover the challenges, breakthroughs, and lessons behind one of the year’s most innovative manufacturing achievements.

Learn more about Strongwell

Meet this year's other winners

In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we spotlight United Salt Corporation in Saltville, Virginia, where history and innovation come together to produce high-quality salt for agricultural, commercial, and industrial use.

Rooted in a community long known for salt production, United Salt continues this legacy with modern operations, committed to quality, consistency, and customer service. From ice control and water conditioning to food processing and farming applications, the products made in Saltville are shipped across the region and beyond.

Tune in to learn how this essential mineral is mined, processed, and delivered—and how the people behind United Salt are keeping a vital Southwest Virginia industry thriving.

United Salt: www.unitedsalt.com

Learn about SVAM membership

This 2025 Southwest Virginia Manufacturing Awards Spotlight episode highlights the incredible story of Chris Viers, General Manager at West River Conveyors and winner of the 2025 Manufacturing Employee of the Year award presented by the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing.

We share the story that earned Chris this well-deserved honor — from stepping into leadership during a company crisis, to guiding recovery efforts after a devastating fire, to mentoring teammates and driving operational excellence. Chris’s story is a powerful reminder of how resilience, humility, and hands-on leadership can shape a workplace and inspire a team.

Learn more about Chris Viers

Meet this year's other winners

In this Q3 2025 edition of SVAM Member News Update, we’re highlighting powerful stories of innovation, leadership, and community from across Southwest Virginia’s manufacturing sector.

This episode features:

• A heartwarming act of support from Hitachi Energy’s Bland facility
• New national recognition for Simmons Equipment and Wolf Hills Fabricators
• SVAM member companies competing in the 2025 Virginia Manufacturing Cup
• And more

Whether you're in the industry or supporting it, this roundup is packed with updates you won't want to miss.

📩 SVAM members: Want to be featured in the next episode? Send your updates to [email protected].

Interested in becoming a member of SVAM?

Careers: https://swvam.org/mfgcareers/

Trainings: https://swvam.org/trainings/

Resource Database: https://swvam.org/resource-database/

Become a Member: https://swvam.org/membership/become-a-member/

In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we spotlight Thomas Industrial Fabrication, based in Floyd, Virginia—a company known for engineering and fabricating custom machinery and material handling systems that power productivity across industries.

Whether it’s building belt and drag conveyors, integrating third-party components, or designing solutions from scratch, Thomas Industrial Fabrication provides full-service support from concept to installation. With clients in industries like beverage, carpet, recycling, energy, flooring, and textiles, their team works closely with engineers and plant personnel to deliver smart, safe, and efficient systems.

We dive into how this team uses 3D drafting, field service, and problem-solving expertise to create practical, high-quality manufacturing solutions—all from the heart of Southwest Virginia.

Thomas Industrial Fabrication: www.thomasindfab.com 

Learn about SVAM membership

In this episode of Why Manufacturing, a podcast from the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing (SVAM), we talk with Peyton Spencer of Hitachi Energy in Bland, Virginia.

Peyton shares how she found her place in manufacturing, the unexpected lessons learned on the job, and the sense of pride that comes from building something that powers the world. From early challenges to big wins, Peyton gives us an inside look at what it means to grow within one of the region’s most respected companies.

We discuss the importance of teamwork, technology, and purpose-driven work—along with advice for young people considering careers in modern manufacturing.

Tune in to hear how Peyton’s journey reflects the energy, innovation, and opportunity driving Southwest Virginia’s manufacturing future!

SWVA Manufacturing Careers (open jobs / updated weekly): swvam.org/mfgcareers

Hitachi Energy: www.hitachienergy.com