What does the future of contract manufacturing actually look like? How are companies navigating uncertainty, reshoring pressures, and a shifting workforce?

In this episode of the Toll Manufacturing Minute, CPS Marketing Team Coordinator Jen Lepore sits down with Jenny Gaines, SOCMA Vice President of Membership, and Joe Dettinger, SOCMA Vice President of Manufacturing & Commercial Programs, to take a big-picture look at the specialty chemical industry in 2026.

Jenny and Joe break down the many benefits of SOCMA membership, from advocacy on Capitol Hill and B2B business development to safety training, peer connection, and real-time industry intelligence. They also dig into findings from SOCMA's 2026 Contract Manufacturing Outlook Report, sharing what the data reveals about regional manufacturing trends, cultivating trust and reliability in supplier relationships, and the urgent need for workforce development and technology adoption.

Whether you're a specialty chemical manufacturer looking to get more from your industry involvement, or a procurement professional working to stay ahead of contract manufacturing changes, this episode delivers perspectives you won't find anywhere else.

Learn more about CPS: https://www.customprocessingservices.com/

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What really happens after you submit a purchase order?

In this episode of the Toll Manufacturing Minute, Marketing Team Coordinator Jen Lepore sits down with Client Services Manager Mike Weinhold to break down what goes on behind the scenes, from PO submission to project completion.

With more than a decade of experience at CPS, Mike shares how proactive communication, attention to detail, and cross-team collaboration help CPS support customers throughout the processing journey. You’ll also hear real-world examples of how CPS teams act as an extension of their customers’ businesses, catching potential issues early, adapting to changing conditions, and keeping projects on track.

If you’re curious how CPS approaches customer care, communication, and long-term partnerships, this episode offers an inside look.

Connect with us: https://www.customprocessingservices.com/
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/custom-processing-services-inc-/
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CustomProcessingServicesInc/ 

In this special anniversary episode, CPS co-founders President Gregg Shemanski and Vice President Jeff Klinger reflect on 25 years of growth from two people and a single line to a multi-site team tackling complex projects across food, pharma, minerals, and more. They share the early grit (yes, a brand-new starter blew on day one!), the moment customers’ lead times dropped 4x, and how CPS’s team-based culture and process integration keep products moving from R&D to scalable, compliant production.

You’ll also hear why “custom processing” was always the primary focus, how strategic technology investments enable consistency, and what’s next as CPS aims to be the global, first-call partner for processing solutions.

Gregg and Jeff reflect on key turning points and what’s next for CPS, including:

• From idea to industry leader: planning, naming, and the Ben Franklin “tiger sessions” that set the course
• Early setbacks, smarter systems, and a relentless quality mindset
• Cutting customer lead times by a factor of four and keeping partnerships for decades
• Team-based leadership, training, and people-first benefits
• The next chapter: larger, integrated programs and true “front-to-back” processing

Custom Processing Services partners with manufacturers to deliver high-quality toll processing solutions that exceed industry standards.

Connect with us: https://www.customprocessingservices.com/
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/custom-processing-services-inc-/
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CustomProcessingServicesInc/ 

In this episode of Toll Manufacturing Minute, CPS Chief Operating Officer Ken Zrebiec shares how his decades of experience in specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals are contributing to the future of Custom Processing Services. Hear how his leadership philosophy, operational initiatives, and focus on safety, quality, and communication are helping CPS strengthen consistency, streamline processes, and enhance customer value.

With a background spanning engineering, production management, and supply chain leadership, Ken discusses:

• The importance of structure and shared vision in scaling operations
• How CPS is improving scheduling, communication, and accountability
• Why safety and compliance are foundational to innovation and customer success
• His personal commitments to leadership, training, and continuous improvement

Custom Processing Services partners with manufacturers to deliver high-quality toll processing solutions that exceed industry standards.

Connect with us: https://www.customprocessingservices.com/ 
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/custom-processing-services-inc-/ 
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CustomProcessingServicesInc/ 

CPS Business Unit Manager Willow Slusser highlights how the CPS in-house analytical lab delivers high-value testing solutions for specialty chemical customers with needs ranging from supporting electric vehicle battery innovations to pinpointing trace-level impurities in coatings and advanced polymers, and more.

Custom Processing Services partners with manufacturers to provide innovative, high-quality toll processing solutions designed to exceed industry standards.

Connect with us: https://www.customprocessingservices.com/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/custom-processing-services-inc-/

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CustomProcessingServicesInc/

Business Unit Manager Willow Slusser shares how the CPS in-house analytical lab supports pharmaceutical and environmental clients with advanced testing, regulatory compliance capabilities, and rapid, reliable data to drive confident decision-making.

Custom Processing Services partners with manufacturers to provide innovative, high-quality toll processing solutions designed to exceed industry standards.

Learn more about out Accredited lab services: https://www.customprocessingservices.com/analytical-lab-services

Connect with us: https://www.customprocessingservices.com/
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/custom-processing-services-inc-/
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CustomProcessingServicesInc/

CPS Business Unit Manager, Willow Slusser, discusses the critical role of testing in toll processing, and how the onsite CPS analytical lab is pivotal in helping manufacturers achieve product quality objectives, regulatory compliance, and faster time to market. Willow also shares how the CPS analytical lab is accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard and what it means to customers looking for faster turnaround times, reliable data, and market-ready products.

Custom Processing Services partners with manufacturers to provide innovative, high-quality toll processing solutions designed to exceed industry standards.

Connect with us: https://www.customprocessingservices.com/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/custom-processing-services-inc-/

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CustomProcessingServicesInc/

CPS Director of Quality Jen Smith explains how microbial monitoring and quality assurance practices help protect powder-based products from contamination risks while ensuring regulatory compliance and product integrity. 

Learn how CPS combines rigorous systems, in-house lab capabilities, and industry-leading certifications to support safe, effective manufacturing for customers across food, pharma, nutraceutical, medical device, and specialty chemical sectors.

Custom Processing Services partners with manufacturers to deliver high-quality toll processing solutions that exceed industry standards.

Connect with us: https://www.customprocessingservices.com/
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/custom-processing-services-inc-/
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CustomProcessingServicesInc/ 

Training Coordinator Ashley Schaeffer shares how CPS’s hands-on, personalized training culture strengthens internal confidence, ensures safety, and delivers consistent, high-quality results for customers across industries.

Custom Processing Services partners with manufacturers to provide innovative, high-quality toll processing solutions designed to exceed industry standards.

Connect with us: https://www.customprocessingservices.com/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/custom-processing-services-inc-/

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CustomProcessingServicesInc/

CPS Vice President of Business Development, Albert Medoro, explores how material shortages, shipping delays, rising customer expectations and other supply chain management challenges are putting unprecedented pressure on manufacturers. The “best practices” many put in place in response to recent crises are no longer effective, leaving manufacturers vulnerable to rising costs and complicated sourcing decisions. Albert also shares how technology and strategic partnerships with full-service toll processors such as CPS can turn supply chain obstacles into opportunities.

Custom Processing Services partners with manufacturers to provide innovative, high-quality toll processing solutions designed to exceed industry standards.

Connect with us: https://www.customprocessingservices.com/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/custom-processing-services-inc-/

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CustomProcessingServicesInc/