This edition includes Desmond Clark, a former NFL tight end with the Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins. He’s now an entrepreneur serving as the owner, president and CEO of Bear Down Logistics. Desmond is a motivational speaker and the author of “Principles of Winning: 5 Keys to Create a Standard of Excellence.”

He’ll be one of the featured speakers for SMI’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Puerto Rico.

Desmond talks about the influence of his childhood, important lessons he learned while playing professional football and how it translates to how he now conducts business. He also talks about the motivation to write his book and how it has impacted others.

You can connect with Desmond Clark on LinkedIn. You can also visit his websites at dezclarkspeaks.com or beardown-logistics.com.

This edition also features Harry Moser the founder and president of the Reshoring Initiative. Many would call the Reshoring Initiative championed by Harry as the first foray into a national drive towards reviving manufacturing in the U.S. The mission of the organization is to bring good, well-paying manufacturing jobs back to the United States.’’

Harry talks about the important role of reshoring in bringing jobs back to the U.S., why companies originally decided to reshore and and how the landscape has changed more recently. He also talks about how reshoring aligns with a company's long-term competitive strategy.  

The Reshoring Initiative website can be found at www.reshorenow.org

You can reach Harry through LinkedIn, by email at: [email protected] or phone 847-867-1144.

The Springs Are Everywhere podcast highlights critical issues facing manufacturers and gives a brief glimpse of products that contain springs! Though often hidden in plain sight, springs are part of everyone’s daily life and used in products commonly found in your car, cellphone or at your workplace.

This podcast episode is brought to you by our Platinum Sponsor, Gibbs Interwire (www.gibbswire.com) and our Silver Sponsor, Automated Industrial Motion (www.aimcoil.com).

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

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This edition includes Clay Martin, the founder of Isla Talent. Clay’s company is a staffing agency that specializes in recruiting skilled blue-collar workers from Puerto Rico in an effort to connect U.S. employers with top-tier talent across various industries. With attracting qualified workers being among the most challenging aspects of being a manufacturer, you will learn about the advantages of recruiting workers from Puerto Rico.

Visit http://www.recruitingpuertorico.com or contact Clay Martin at [email protected].

This edition also features Dr. John Passante. John is president of the Organizational Development Group where, among many talents, he is an executive coach and keynote speaker. He has worked for many notable corporations during his career and is the author of “The Human Side: High-Touch Leadership in a High-Tech World.” You will learn from John about the need for the human touch in leadership and how kindness is needed more than ever today.

You can reach John at [email protected] or by phone at 401-252-9430.

The Springs Are Everywhere podcast highlights critical issues facing manufacturers and gives a brief glimpse of products that contain springs! Though often hidden in plain sight, springs are part of everyone’s daily life and used in products commonly found in your car, cellphone or workplace.

This podcast episode is brought to you by our Platinum Sponsor, Gibbs Interwire (http://www.gibbswire.com) and our Silver Sponsor, Automated Industrial Motion (http://www.aimcoil.com).

Learn more about the Spring Manufacturers Institute at http://www.smihq.org.

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This episode of the podcast features Susan Quinn, an accomplished author, keynote speaker, leadership expert and executive coach. As CEO of circle S studio and the author of “Does Your Business Show Up or Stand Out?,” Susan provides insights into nine key traits she has identified in high-performing companies.

The episode also includes an interview with Don Jacobson III of Newcomb Spring, who currently serves as president of the Spring Manufacturers Institute (SMI). A fourth-generation springmaker, Don discusses his recent visit to the SkillsUSA National Championships in Atlanta, addresses current challenges within the spring manufacturing sector, and highlights resources offered by SMI to support business growth.

For more information about Susan, please visit www.circlesstudio.com/business-playbook. You connect with her on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/susanquinn01. You can reach Don at [email protected] or through LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/don-jacobson-iii-24479b152.

The Springs Are Everywhere podcast addresses significant topics affecting manufacturers while offering an overview of products that incorporate springs. Although frequently overlooked, springs are integral to many everyday items, including automobiles, mobile phones, and workplace equipment.

This podcast episode is brought to you by our Platinum Sponsor, Gibbs Interwire (www.gibbswire.com) and our Silver Sponsor, Automated Industrial Motion (www.aimcoil.com).

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

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This edition features a special conversation with Dan Sebastian, better known as the “Dean of Springs.” Dan takes us on a journey through his long career in the spring industry and provides commentary on the many changes he has seen over the years.

Dan was president of the Spring Manufacturers Institute (SMI) from 2005-2008. He later wrote a column in Springs magazine from 2015 to 2025 where he shared his thoughts on both technical and management issues. He also served many years as a technical advisor for SMI.

Dan started his career at Associated Spring/Barnes Group as an intern and worked at the company for 23 years in various technical and management roles. After that he served for 20 years as the president and CEO of MW Industries.

Dan continues to consult and be involved in a variety of companies in the spring industry.

The Springs Are Everywhere podcast highlights important issues facing manufacturers and gives a brief glimpse of products that contain springs! Though often hidden in plain sight, springs are part of everyone’s daily life and used in products commonly found in your car, cellphone or workplace.

This podcast episode is brought to you by our Platinum Sponsor, Gibbs Interwire (www.gibbswire.com) and our Silver Sponsor, Automated Industrial Motion (www.aimcoil.com).

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

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This edition looks at how to achieve success working with a multigeneration workforce and how to create an awesome company culture.

The multigenerational workforce topic is explored in-depth with Jeff Butler, an author and workplace strategist, on how different cultures and employees can successfully interact with each other.

Chris Dyer, a trailblazer in leadership, company culture, and business growth, talks about the key ingredients to create an amazing company culture.

The Springs Are Everywhere podcast highlights important issues facing manufacturers and gives a brief glimpse of products that contain springs! Though often hidden in plain sight, springs are part of everyone’s daily life and used in products commonly found in your car, cellphone or workplace.

This podcast episode is brought to you by our Platinum Sponsor, Gibbs Interwire (www.gibbswire.com), our Gold sponsor Pyromaitre  (www.pyromaitreovens.com) and our Silver Sponsor, Automated Industrial Motion (www.aimcoil.com).

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

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Training is vitally important to the future success of any business, and especially for those in manufacturing.

The topic is explored in-depth with Rodney Poore, a seasoned professional in CNC spring machine manufacturing and technical training, with more than 45 years of hands-on experience in the field. He’s an adjunct instructor at McHenry County College in the Chicago area, where he teaches courses that lay the foundation for future machinists and technicians that emphasize machine shop safety, technical skills, and quality assurance. In addition to this, heworks in an engineering role at SMI member company Perfection Spring and Stamping in Mount Prospect, Illinois.

The second segment of the podcast focuses on leadershiptraining with Raquel Chole, the president and CEO of Global Leadership Resources, a leadership development company. Raquel's passion for leadership development comes first and foremost from her time in the spring industry. For more than 20 years, she worked in global business development for an automotive component maker that served all major car producers. In addition, she has been a regular contributor to Springs magazine.

The Springs Are Everywhere podcast is sponsored by our Platinum Sponsor, Gibbs Interwire (www.gibbswire.com) and our Silver Sponsor, Automated Industrial Motion (www.aimcoil.com).

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

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Women are an important and vibrant part of the manufacturing industry, especially in the spring industry.

The topic is explored in-depth with Allison Grealis, founder and president of the Women in Manufacturing® Association (WiM), a national trade association focused on supporting, promoting and inspiring women in the manufacturing sector. 

The second segment of the podcast features Micki Vandeloo of Lakeview Consulting who enlightens manufacturers on money available to them through grants and funding for apprenticeship programs and other leadership training opportunities.

The Springs Are Everywhere podcast is sponsored by our

Learn more about the Spring Manufacturers Institute at

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Helping manufacturers understand the automotive market is important, especially in light of the emergence of electric vehicles (EVs). While EVs are important to the future of the automotive marketplace, hybrids and alternative fuels will also play a significant role, explains Derek Kaufman, a transportation industry expert and managing partner at Schwartz Advisors, in the first segment of this episode.

In a business landscape riddled with uncertainty and

Springs Are Everywhere is brought to you by our Platinum

Learn more about the Spring Manufacturers Institute at

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You will exit your business at some point. It can be forced upon you by circumstances such as death, disability, disagreement, divorce, disaster, debt, or dissolution. But, it’s much better to exit on your own terms. Paul Menig, CEO of Business Accelerants discusses ways to grow your business to make it more attractive to buyers. The second segment of the podcast features Bill Coughlin of Lippert Components Inc., who looks at Lippert's cultural journey to transform the company and make it more attractive for employees to stay.

Springs Are Everywhere is brought to you by our Platinum Sponsor, Gibbs Interwire (www.gibbswire.com) and Silver Sponsor, Automated Industrial Motion (www.aimcoil.com).

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

Helping manufacturers recruit, develop and retain staff is absolutely critical to success, especially in the spring industry. This topic is discussed in detail with Jake Hall, The Manufacturing Millennial and Lisa Ryan, chief strategy officer for Grategy.

Springs Are Everywhere is brought to you by our Platinum Sponsor, Gibbs Interwire (www.gibbswire.com) and our Silver Sponsor, Automated Industrial Motion (www.aimcoil.com).

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