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
54 episodes
Tadano Mantis—Lifting Innovation and Precision in Richlands, VA
In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we spotlight Tadano Mantis, a world-class manufacturer of telescopic boom crawler cranes based in Richlands, Virginia.Known for their engineering excellence, safety ...
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3:05
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Why Manufacturing: Leadership, Safety, and a Legacy of Care with Lisa Jones
In this episode of Why Manufacturing, the podcast from the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing (SVAM), we sit down with Lisa Jones, a recently retired HR and safety leader whose 20+ year career left a las...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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16:12
Built to Last: How Strongwell Reinforces America with Composite Innovation
In this episode of MadeInSWVA, we visit Strongwell’s headquarters in Bristol, Virginia—home to the world’s leading manufacturer of pultruded fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. Discover how this advanced material i...
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3:17
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From Uniform to Program Manager: Ryan Miller’s Path into Manufacturing
Today on Why Manufacturing, we’re talking with Ryan Miller from General Dynamics Mission Systems in Marion, Virginia. Ryan is a Program Manager supporting advanced communications systems for the U.S. military. He’s relatively new to ma...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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17:32
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From Forest to Flavor: Inside Speyside’s Stave Mill in Glade Spring
In this episode of MadeInSWVA, we head to Glade Spring, Virginia, where the Speyside Bourbon Stave Mill transforms white oak logs into precision-cut staves—the building blocks of bourbon barrels. Discover how this facilit...
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3:01
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Barrel by Barrel: The Craft of Bourbon Aging at Speyside Cooperage in Atkins
In this episode of MadeInSWVA, we explore the artistry and precision behind bourbon barrel production at Speyside Bourbon Cooperage in Atkins, Virginia. Discover how this facility blends time-honored coopering traditions ...
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2:47
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Why Manufacturing: Seasoned Strength and Leadership with Kelly Boyd
In this episode of Why Manufacturing?, we talk with Kelly Boyd, Second-Shift Supervisor at Woodgrain in Marion, VA. Kelly’s journey began in 2013 as a feeder-stacker, and over the past decade she’s worked nearly every position on the l...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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11:51
#MadeInSWVA: Special T Manufacturing—Precision, Passion, and Local Impact in Meadowview, VA
In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we spotlight Special T Manufacturing, a custom machining and fabrication company based in Meadowview, Virginia. Known for their precision, reliability, and commitment to customer ...
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2:31
Why Manufacturing: Pride, Precision, and Welding with Brooke Eskridge
In this episode of Why Manufacturing?, we talk with Brooke Eskridge, a welder at Utility Trailer Manufacturing in Glade Spring, VA. Brooke shares how she found purpose in the welding bay—skipping college, embracing hands-...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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15:37
Underground Innovation: How Simmons Equipment Powers Modern Mining
In this episode of MadeInSWVA, we spotlight Simmons Equipment Company, a leader in mining machinery with operations in Tazewell and Lebanon, Virginia. Discover how this innovative manufacturer is designing and building the equipment th...
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3:14
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SVAM Member News Update—Quarter 2, 2025
In this quarterly edition of the SVAM Member News Update, we bring you stories of growth, creativity, and community impact from across Southwest Virginia’s manufacturing sector. Discover how Hapco Pole Products reached the White House,...
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6:54
Why Manufacturing: Problem-Solving, Pride, and Purpose in Modern Manufacturing with Logan Hicks
Welcome to Why Manufacturing, a podcast series from the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing, where we share real stories from the people powering our region’s most essential industry.In this episode we sit down wi...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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7:29
Sealing the Future: SIG’s Flexible Packaging Innovation in Chilhowie
In this episode of MadeInSWVA, we explore SIG’s Chilhowie facility, where flexible packaging solutions are engineered for a global market. Learn how this advanced manufacturing site contributes to safer, more sustainable packagi...
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3:20
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Why Manufacturing: Growth, Grit, and Getting Started in the Industry with Levi McKinnon
Welcome to Why Manufacturing, a podcast series from the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing, where we share real stories from the people powering our region’s most essential industry.In this episode, we talk with ...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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10:17
Crunch Time: Shearer’s Foods and the Snack Industry in Bristol
In this episode of MadeInSWVA, we visit Shearer’s Foods in Bristol, Virginia—one of the region’s leading snack food manufacturers. Learn how this bustling facility produces everything from potato chips to tortilla snacks for homes acro...
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2:46
Samuel Pressure Vessel Group—Engineering Strength and Safety in Southwest Virginia
In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we feature Samuel Pressure Vessel Group in Southwest Virginia—a global leader in the design and manufacturing of high-quality pressure vessels and engineered products. Known for t...
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3:14
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Real Performance Machinery—Award-Winning Innovation from Independence, VA
In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we spotlight Real Performance Machinery in Independence, Virginia—this year’s recipient of the Innovation in Manufacturing Award at
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3:11
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PBE Axell—Innovating Communication and Safety Technology from Southwest Virginia
In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we feature PBE Axell, a global leader in communications, safety, and monitoring systems with a strong presence in Southwest Virginia. Serving critical sectors like mining, tunn...
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2:59
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Paul’s Fans—Powering Industrial Ventilation from Grundy, Virginia
In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we shine a spotlight on Paul’s Fans in Grundy, Virginia—a leading manufacturer of industrial ventilation systems for the mining and manufacturing industries. Known for their durab...
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3:42
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Engineering the Future: Mitsubishi Chemical Group’s High-Performance Materials in Wytheville
In this episode of MadeInSWVA, we shine a spotlight on Mitsubishi Chemical Group in Wytheville, Virginia—a global leader in high-performance thermoplastics. Discover how this innovative facility contributes to industries ranging ...
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2:59
Hitachi Energy—SVAM's 2024 Manufacturer of the Year in Southwest Virginia
In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we’re proud to feature Hitachi Energy in Bland, Virginia—recipient of the Manufacturer of the Year Award at SVAM’s 2024 Manufacturing Awards Banquet.As a global leader in e...
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6:16
SVAM Member News Update—Quarter 1, 2025
In this episode of SVAM Member News Update, we highlight major investments, facility expansions, safety milestones, and award recognitions from Southwest Virginia’s manufacturing community. Hear the latest on Lawrence Brothers’ expansi...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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8:33
#MadeInSWVA: Innovation in Action—Hapco Pole Products Sets the Pace in Manufacturing
In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we explore what innovation truly looks like in modern manufacturing—right here in Southwest Virginia. Join us as we hear from Rich Brooks, Plant Manager at Hapco Pole Products in Abingdon, VA, one of ...
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5:01
#MadeInSWVA: Lawrence Brothers, Inc.—Crafting Custom Solutions Through Metal Fabrication
In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we spotlight Lawrence Brothers, Inc. of Bluefield, Virginia—a company with deep roots in custom metal fabrication and a strong commitment to quality and innovation. Serving industries na...
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3:49
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#MadeInSWVA: Innovative Millwork Technologies—Crafting Quality and Precision in Chilhowie, VA
In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we spotlight Innovative Millwork Technologies in Chilhowie, Virginia, a leader in custom millwork and architectural solutions. Known for their precision craftsmanship and dedication to quality, Innova...
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4:20
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