Clocking In: Voices of NC Manufacturing

E-09: North Carolina Business in the Era of COVID-19

In this uncertain time, Ben Kinney from Business North Carolina helps shed light on the current business climate in North Carolina.
Business North CarolinaAccording to North Carolina’s Small Business and Technology Development Center, there are 179,773 employer businesses in North Carolina. 98.1% of them are small businesses. As of March 24, 2020, many of those businesses were deemed “non-essential” and had to temporarily close to limit the spread of COVID-19. This has resulted in mass layoffs and some businesses are facing the threat of having to permanently close their doors.
For this interview, I sat down with Ben Kinney. Kinney has been a publisher at Business North Carolina (BNC) since 2003 and started his career in advertising sales working for The News & Observer. He is a 1992 graduate of North Carolina State University with a BA in History. Kinney is also the publisher of Southpark Magazine.
BNC is the largest business industry magazine in North Carolina. Located in Charlotte, the magazine has provided relevant business news to North Carolinians for over 35 years. BNC partners with NCMEP every year to help host the annual manufacturing convention, mfgCON. Over the last several weeks, BNC has been reporting on the effects the pandemic is having on North Carolina businesses.
On this episode of Clocking In, we discuss the current manufacturing climate, how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting business, how the small business loan included in the government stimulus package can help NC businesses and more.
LINKSNCMEPBusiness North Carolina
ABOUTPhil MintzPhil Mintz is the Executive Director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and Director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.
Ben KinneyBen Kinney has been a publisher at Business North Carolina since 2003 and has worked for The News & Observer and South Park Magazine. He graduated from North Carolina State University in 1992 with a BA in History.

E-08: Fetching Designs

A small start-up that began in the home of Alisha Navarro, transforms into one of the most respected dog accessory manufacturers in the pet industry.
2 Hounds DesignThere are almost 90 million dogs currently owned in the US. As dogs have become a more integral part of American life, their owners have sought more quality and variety in their little friend’s accessories. Our next Clocking In guest invested just $500 dollars into starting a company that could supply this new demand.
I had the pleasure of interviewing founder and president of 2 Hounds Designs, Alisha Navarro and several members of her organization's workforce. Alisha founded the company in 2003. She was tired of looking at the same four walls at her white collar job and started sewing dog collars part-time. As she saw increased demand for her products, she was able to quit her job and focus on 2 Hounds Design full time.
The organization is located in Indian Trail, North Carolina, a small suburban town located 30 minutes south of Charlotte, North Carolina. 2 Dogs Designs’ no-pull harnesses have been rated as one of the best by professional dog trainers. The company has been mentioned in prestigious magazines such as New York Magazine and Business Insider, as well as pet industry networks.
On this episode of Clocking In, we discuss the founding of 2 Hounds Designs, trends within the pet industry, the growth of 2 Hounds Designs workforce, what’s in 2 Hounds Design’s future and more.
LINKSNCMEP2 Hounds Designs
ABOUTPhil MintzPhil Mintz is the Executive Director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and Director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.
Alisha NavarroAlisha Navarro is the founder and president of 2 Hounds Designs in Indian Trail, North Carolina. She graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne College in 2001 where she double majored in physics and mathematics. She went on to Appalachian State where she earned her masters in physics in 2003. Alisha was named Woman of the Year in the Corporate Category by the Women in the Pet Industry Network.

E-07: A North Carolina "Basement" Success Story

What started as an engineer’s basement invention has grown into one of the world’s most in-demand pressure regulators.
Equilibar
Pressure control technologies are an integral part of many products and industries. They assist in supplying important operations with the appropriate amount of fluid or gas.Our next guest’s valves and regulators have been dubbed gold standard within pressure control technology manufacturing.
I sat down and talked with Jeff Jennings, inventor, founder and president of Equilibar. Jeff founded the company in 2007. What started in his basement grew into a company whose products are in-demand across the globe. Jeff obtained a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University and has been in the manufacturing industry for over 20 years.
The company is located in Fletcher, North Carolina, a town located 25 minutes south of Asheville, NC. Nestled in between the ancient Appalachian Mountains, Equilibar designs innovative flow control, sanitary, back pressure and vacuum control devices.
On this episode of Clocking In, we discuss the founding of Equilibar, how the internet assisted the expansion of Equilibar's customer base, Jeff’s invention of patented pressure control products, how Jeff helped found the DuPont State Forest and more.
LINKS
NCMEPEquilibar
ABOUT
Phil MintzPhil Mintz is the Executive Director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and Director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.
Jeff JenningsJeff Jennings is the founder and president of Equilibar. Jeff has more than 30 years of engineering experience in manufacturing. He graduated from Clemson University in 1985 Magna Cum-Laude with a B.S. in mechanical engineering. Jeff was the founding president and board member for Friends of Dupont Forest from 2001 to 2007 and is currently a member of a state-appointed committee on the DuPont State Forest Advisory Committee.

E-06: Taking Aerospace Manufacturing to New Heights

Founded by an ex-Navy pilot, VX Aerospace strives to be more than an aerospace manufacturer
VX AerospaceDynamic composites are extremely useful in the advancement of the aerospace industry. The use of composites can reduce the weight of aerospace vehicles up to 20 to 50%. They have a high thermal stability and are resistant to fatigue and corrosion. With the ever growing demand within the industry for something state-of-the-art, it is vital that aerospace manufacturers be both adaptable and innovative.
VX Aerospace is a dynamic, advanced composites design and manufacturing company located in Morganton, North Carolina. Their facility sits in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain range, an hour’s drive east of Asheville, North Carolina. But VX Aerospace is more than its name would suggest. The organization is beginning to branch out into ATV manufacturing.
I sat down and talked with Robert Skillen, founder and chief engineer of VX Aerospace. He founded the company in 2007, following his stint in the Navy as an F-14 aviation pilot. Robert obtained an aerospace engineering degree while attending the prestigious U.S. Naval Academy.
In this episode of Clocking In, we discuss Robert's background and role within the organization, the philosophy he uses with training the company’s workforce and whether pilots may become obsolete in the future and more.
LINKSNCMEPVX Aerospace
ABOUTPhil Mintz is the Executive Director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and Director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.
Robert Skillen is the founder and chief engineer of VX Aerospace. Robert has a degree in aerospace engineering which he obtained from the U.S. Naval Academy. Robert spent his time in the Navy as an F-14 aviator. He has more than 25 years of manufacturing experience which includes work in both Navy depot operations and on the MIL-Handbook-5 and NAS standards committees.

E-05: Going With the Flow

Going 50 years strong, Hoffer Flow Controls hopes to maintain their influence across a broad array of industries
Hoffer Flow ControlsMeasurements make a difference. The wrong measurement of fluids could make or break a product or operation. In your home, a flow meter determines the difference between a $50 water bill and a $250 water bill. In the aerospace industry, a flow meter determines whether a space shuttle receives enough rocket fuel to launch into outer space.
Hoffer Flow Controls is a flow meter manufacturer in Elizabeth City, North Carolina less than an hour’s drive away from the Atlantic Ocean. From custom designed flow meters made exclusively for the US Navy to standard products made for a wide array of industries, Hoffer Flow emphasizes and prioritizes quality in all of their products.
I sat down and talked with Bob Carrell, President and COO of Hoffer Flow Controls. Bob has been with the company for over 20 years with a background in Mechanical Engineering. From 2014 to 2015, Bob served as the Chairman of the Measurement Control and Automation Association, the largest association of process management, control manufacturers and distributors in North America.
On this episode of Clocking In, we discuss the origins of Hoffer Flow, the core purpose of their organization, how Hoffer Flow sources the workforce they need, Hoffer Flow’s innovative work within the aerospace industry and more.
LINKSNCMEPHoffer Flow Controls
ABOUT
Phil MintzPhil Mintz is the Executive Director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and Director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.
Bob CarrellBob Carrell is the President and COO of Hoffer Flow Controls. Bob has been apart of the organization for over 20 years. From 2014 to 2015, Bob served as the Chairman of the Measurement Control and Automation Association. Bob graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1979 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.

E-04: Stepping Outside the Box

Manufacturing packaging in the era of online shopping
Virtually every item we receive comes in a package... whether it’s a brand new computer, clothes you ordered online or food you bought last minute for dinner. Probably most of us put little or no thought into where the packaging is actually manufactured and how it’s made.
Package Craft, located in the sleepy town of Bethel, North Carolina, specializes in manufacturing packaging for various businesses and organizations locally and across the nation. Founded in the 1980s with the help of an economic grant from the town of Bethel, Package Craft has evolved over the years and extended its capabilities like: unique, custom boxes; pads; build-up blocks; die-cuts and partition assemblies.
On this episode of Clocking In: Voices of NC Manufacturing, we talk to Bryon Murphy, Controller at Package Craft since 2016. His career started as a Controller at an Aerospace organization in Wichita, Kansas where he worked for seven years.
When the organization moved to Kinston, NC, he moved with it. Byron grew up in Greenville, NC, went to East Carolina University and was elated to be back. He worked there for six more years before landing his current job at Package Craft. 
In this episode, we discuss the growth of the packaging industry, Byron’s role in the organization, workforce retention strategy, how Package Craft can track the future fate of the local and national economy based on sells, and more.
LINKS
Package Craft
NCMEP
IES
ABOUT
Phil Mintz
Phil Mintz is the Executive Director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and Director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.
Byron Murphy
Byron Murphy has been the Controller and Senior Leader at Package Craft since 2016. Byron graduated from East Carolina University in 2008 with an MBA in Accounting. He worked in the Aerospace industry in Kansas for seven years. Bryon sits on the IES Advisory Board.

E-S-03E: Clocking In with IES, Partner of NCMEP

North Carolina State University Industry Expansion Solutions (IES)
Established in 1995, the North Carolina Manufacturing Partnership (NCMEP) is the official representative of the MEP Network in the State of North Carolina. The purpose of the partnership is to enhance the productivity, innovative capacity and technological performance of North Carolina based manufacturing firms.
Our mission, at NCMEP, is to help small and mid-sized manufacturers achieve their performance. Through combined resources and collaboration efforts, we provide solutions and services that help organizations all around our great state.
I got the chance to sit down with a few of NCMEP’s partners during this year’s mfgCON in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In this episode, I talked to Barbara Williams, Associate Executive Director at NC State’s Industry Expansion Solutions (IES).
LINKS
NCMEP
IES
ABOUT
Phil Mintz
Phil Mintz is the Executive Director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and Director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.
Barbara Williams
Barbara Williams is the Associate Executive Director at NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions. Barbara provides implementation, facilitation and training for management system implementation to businesses across North Carolina. Barbara is a senior facilitator with over 20 years of manufacturing and engineering experience; fifteen of those years directly related to training and implementing quality management systems. Barbara has an office in Greensboro, NC. Before joining IES, Barbara worked for the United States Department of Energy (DOE) for seven years as a nuclear safety engineer, where she led teams that improved safety at three nuclear materials processing laboratories.  After leaving DOE Barbara started an ISO 9000 consulting business and served companies in the metal fabrication, industrial painting, rubber products, medical/industrial gases, and textiles industries. Barbara has a B.S. in mechanical engineering.

E-S-03D: Clocking In with NCCCS, Partner of NCMEP

North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS)
Established in 1995, the North Carolina Manufacturing Partnership (NCMEP) is the official representative of the MEP Network in the State of North Carolina. The purpose of the partnership is to enhance the productivity, innovative capacity and technological performance of North Carolina based manufacturing firms.
Our mission, at NCMEP, is to help small and mid-sized manufacturers achieve their performance. Through combined resources and collaboration efforts, we provide solutions and services that help organizations all around our great state.
I got the chance to sit down with a few of NCMEP’s partners during this year’s mfgCON in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In this episode, I talked to Maureen Little, Vice-President of Economic Development for the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS).
LINKS
NCMEP
North Carolina Community College System
ABOUT
Phil Mintz
Phil Mintz is the Executive Director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and Director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.
Maureen Little
Maureen Little is the Vice-President of Economic Development for the North Carolina Community College System.  She began her work in economic development in 1987 as Director of Business and Industry Services at Stanly Community College, serving her native Union County.  After eleven years at the local college level, she joined the North Carolina Community College System in a Regional Director for Economic Development position, working specifically with the colleges in the Charlotte Region.  In 2005, she was promoted to the Senior Regional Director position and began working with the 58 North Carolina Community Colleges. Maureen graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1981.

E-S-03C: Clocking In with PCE, Partner of NCMEP

Polymers Center of Excellence (PCE)
Established in 1995, the North Carolina Manufacturing Partnership (NCMEP) is the official representative of the MEP Network in the State of North Carolina. The purpose of the partnership is to enhance the productivity, innovative capacity and technological performance of North Carolina based manufacturing firms.
Our mission, at NCMEP, is to help small and mid-sized manufacturers achieve their performance. Through combined resources and collaboration efforts, we provide solutions and services that help organizations all around our great state.
I got the chance to sit down with a few of NCMEP’s partners during this year’s mfgCON in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In this episode, I talked to Phil Shoemaker, Executive Director of the Polymers Center of Excellence (PCE).
LINKS
NCMEP
Polymers Center of Excellence
ABOUT
Phil Mintz
Phil Mintz is the Executive Director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and Director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.
Phil Shoemaker
Phil Shoemaker is the Executive Director of the Polymers Center of Excellence, a NCMEP Partner located in Charlotte, NC. Phil has been at the Polymers Center of Excellence since 2015 where he is in charge of all the center’s operations. He graduated from the University of Denver in 1975 with a BA in History and he went on to get a PhD in History of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1981.

E-S-03B: Clocking In with MSC, Partner of NCMEP

Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC)
Established in 1995, the North Carolina Manufacturing Partnership (NCMEP) is the official representative of the MEP Network in the State of North Carolina. The purpose of the partnership is to enhance the productivity, innovative capacity and technological performance of North Carolina based manufacturing firms.
Our mission, at NCMEP, is to help small and mid-sized manufacturers achieve their performance. Through combined resources and collaboration efforts, we provide solutions and services that help organizations all around our great state.
I got the chance to sit down with a few of NCMEP’s partners during this year’s mfgCON in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In this episode, I talked to Dan St. Louis, Executive Director at The Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC).
 
LINKS
NCMEP
Manufacturing Solutions Center
 
ABOUT
Phil Mintz
Phil Mintz is the Executive Director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and Director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.
Dan St. Louis
Dan St. Louis is the Executive Director at The Manufacturing Solutions Center in Catawba, North Carolina. Dan worked in the sock industry, automotive textiles and yarn industry for 30 years. Member of the NC District Export Council, US Dept. of Commerce Export Trade Advisory Committee, the Hosiery Association Board of Directors. He graduated from North Carolina State University with a BS in Textile Technology.
Check out the Clocking In: Voices of NC Manufacturing website.