Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing | Official Podcast Series
Welcome to the official podcast feed of the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing (SVAM)—where we share real stories, regional updates, and industry insights from across Southwest Virginia’s manufacturing landscape.
Our channel features multiple series, including:
🎙️ Made in Southwest Virginia – Spotlighting the companies, innovations, and people powering manufacturing across our region.
🎧 Why Manufacturing – Real conversations with manufacturers at every career stage, from new hires to seasoned experts, revealing what makes this industry so rewarding.
📰 Member News Update – Quick updates and announcements from SVAM members, highlighting local wins, initiatives, and opportunities.
Whether you're a student, educator, job seeker, manufacturer, or community partner, these episodes will keep you informed and inspired about the role of manufacturing in Southwest Virginia’s economy and future.
🔔 Subscribe for new episodes and hear how we’re building the future—right here in SWVA.
#Manufacturing #SWVA #MadeInSWVA #WhyManufacturing #WorkforceDevelopment #IndustryInnovation #CareerPathways #SVAMPodcast
Episodes
84 episodes
From Communications to Continuous Improvement: Finding a Place in Manufacturing #MadeInSWVA
Peyton Spencer didn’t set out to work in manufacturing—but an internship quickly changed everything.In this episode of How I Got Here: Manufacturing, Peyton shares how a communications major turned into a dynamic career spanning <...
SVAM Member News Update—Quarter 1, 2026
Welcome to the Q1 2026 edition of the SVAM Member News Update, your quarterly look at the latest developments across Southwest Virginia’s manufacturing community. In this episode, we highlight major investments in
Women in Manufacturing – A Look at Careers Across Southwest Virginia #MadeInSWVA
In this wrap-up episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we reflect on the 2026 Women of Manufacturing Symposium and the Outstanding Women of Manufacturing series, highlighting the many career paths that make up Southwest Virginia’s manufac...
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Leadership Roles Driving Manufacturing in Southwest Virginia #MadeInSWVA
In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we highlight the Management category from the 2026 Outstanding Women of Manufacturing Awards, presented during the Women of Manufacturing Symposium in Abingdon, Virginia.Managem...
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The Hands-On Roles Powering Manufacturing in Southwest Virginia #MadeInSWVA
In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we highlight the Hourly and Production category from the 2026 Outstanding Women of Manufacturing Awards, presented during the Women of Manufacturing Symposium in Abingdon, Virginia.
Administrative Roles That Keep Manufacturing Moving in Southwest Virginia #MadeInSWVA
In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we highlight the Administrative Support category from the 2026 Outstanding Women of Manufacturing Awards, presented during the Women of Manufacturing Symposium in Abingdon, Virginia.
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Inside the 2026 Women of Manufacturing Symposium #MadeInSWVA
In this special episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we take listeners inside the 2026 Women of Manufacturing Symposium hosted by the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education...
SunCoke Energy—Fueling Industry from Vansant, VA #MadeInSWVA
In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we spotlight SunCoke Energy in Vansant, Virginia, a key producer of high-quality metallurgical coke that powers the steelmaking industry across the country.Operating advanc...
Westlake Royal Building Products—Building Strength and Innovation in Marion, VA #MadeInSWVA
In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we spotlight Westlake Royal Building Products in Marion, Virginia—a leading manufacturer of high-quality exterior and interior building materials trusted across North America....
Utility Trailer Glade – Building the Backbone of American Freight in Glade Spring, VA #MadeInSWVA
In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we spotlight Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company in Glade Spring, Virginia—a key production site for one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of durable, dry-type trailers
Utility Trailer—Driving Innovation and Craftsmanship in Atkins, VA #MadeInSWVA
In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we spotlight Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company in Atkins, Virginia—a key production site for one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of durable, high-performance trailers...
SVAM Member News Update—Quarter 4, 2025
Welcome to the Q4 2025 edition of the SVAM Member News Update! In this episode, we cover the latest manufacturing milestones, community engagement, and workforce development efforts from across Southwest Virginia’s manufactur...
SVAM Member Spotlight: Universal Fibers—Innovation and Sustainability in Every Strand
In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we feature Universal Fibers in Bristol, Virginia—a global leader in the production of solution-dyed synthetic fibers used in a wide range of industries including automot...
2025 Manufacturing Awards Spotlight – VFP, Inc., Community Impact Award
In this episode of MadeInSWVA, we highlight VFP, Inc. of Duffield, Virginia — winner of the 2025 Community Impact Award.From painting school gyms and supporting Habitat for Humanity, to donating tens of thousands i...
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2025 Manufacturing Awards Spotlight – Real Performance Machinery, Environmental Excellence Award
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
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2025 Manufacturing Awards Spotlight – VFP, Inc., Excellence in Safety Award
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,...
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2025 Manufacturing Awards Spotlight – Hitachi Energy, Community Choice Award
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 e...
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2025 Manufacturing Awards Spotlight – VFP, Inc., Manufacturer of the Year
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, prefab...
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2025 Manufacturing Awards Spotlight – Strongwell, Inc., Innovations in Manufacturing Award
Strongwell of Bristol, Virginia took home the 2025 Innovations in Manufacturing Award for a product six years in the making:
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United Salt - Centuries of Craftsmanship, Grounded in Saltville, VA
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 u...
2025 Manufacturing Awards Spotlight - Manufacturing Employee of the Year
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 202...
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SVAM Member News Update—Quarter 3, 2025
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 heartwarm...
Thomas Industrial Fabrication—Custom Solutions Built in Floyd, VA
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 pow...
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Why Manufacturing: Pride, Progress, and Purpose with Peyton Spencer at Hitachi Energy
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 ...
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