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Episodes
Tuesday Oct 29, 2019
Tuesday Oct 29, 2019
A sit-down interview with economist, Dr. Michael Walden to discuss the current and future condition of North Carolina manufacturing
When people talk about the general economy and the economics surrounding the manufacturing industry, we may get lost in all the technical and jargon-riddled analysis. We want answers, but due to the variable nature of the economy and especially the manufacturing industry, that might not be so easy. But what we can do is talk to someone who can simplify the most complicated economic concepts and current events. That’s why I sat down with the guy who has the scoop, N.C. State University economist Dr. Michael Walden.
Dr. Walden is a William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor and Extension Economist at North Carolina State University and a member of the Graduate Economics faculty with The Poole College of Management. His Ph.D. degree is from Cornell University and he has been at N.C. State since 1978.
Dr. Walden has teaching, research and extension responsibilities at NC State in the areas of consumer economics, economic outlook and public policy. He has published eleven books and over 300 articles and reports, including the books North Carolina in the Connected Age and North Carolina Beyond the Connected Age: The Tar Heel State in 2050 in 2017, both published by the UNC Press.
As a result of his extensive expertise, Dr. Walden has a bird’s-eye view on various economic outcomes. I was eager to pick his brain about the issues that matter to us as North Carolinians and especially for those in the manufacturing sector.
In this episode of Clocking In, Dr. Walden explains, in layman's terms, the current state of our national economy, the condition North Carolina Manufacturing is currently in, the ongoing trade war and more.
LINKS
Michael Walden
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.
Dr. Michael Walden
Dr. Michael Walden is a William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor and Extension Economist at North Carolina State University and a member of the Graduate Economics faculty with The Poole College of Management. His Ph.D. degree is from Cornell University and he has been at N.C. State since 1978. He has also been a Visiting Professor at Duke University. He has served on several local and state level commissions. He currently teaches ARE 201 Introduction to Agricultural and Resource Economics.
Check out the Clocking In: Voices of NC Manufacturing website.
Tuesday Oct 08, 2019
Tuesday Oct 08, 2019
Rocky Mount based Tri-County Industries works to enhance the lives of people who are disabled or disadvantaged through work assessment, job training and placement. The organization has been in business for more than 50 years and touches the lives of many in their community.
Tri-County Industries is a unique blend of private enterprise, government funding and local volunteers working together since 1966. Its philosophy of rehabilitation is to help people develop a strong work discipline and a sense of self-worth while obtaining hands-on job experience in a realistic work environment.
We helped Tri-County Industries with a Lean implementation and their ISO 9001 certified management system awhile back, so I wanted to get back and see their 85,000 square feet of workspace and their amazing recovery after Hurricane Matthew. I got to chat with their President Brenda Cogdell and meet some of their workforce that is ready to tackle almost any assembly job, whether it’s fiber-optic kits, sales sample kits, product assembly or direct mail operations.
LINKS
Tri-County Industries
Rebuilding After Hurricane Matthew
NCMEP
IES
ISO 9001
Lean
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.
Brenda Cogdell
Brenda Cogdell has been President of Tri-County Industries since 2000. She is dedicated to helping others reach their maximum potential and truly understands the unique needs of others.
Check out the Clocking In: Voices of NC Manufacturing website.
Tuesday Sep 03, 2019
Tuesday Sep 03, 2019
Find out how one NC manufacturing company is helping architects and interior designers make a statement with their trend-setting designs.
Laminate is no longer your grandmother's gold fleck formica countertops. There is one innovative North Carolina company helping you change the way you think about laminates, one solution at a time.
ATI Laminates is a family owned and operated manufacturing facility located in Greensboro, North Carolina. They are maniacally focused on developing innovative surfaces for the hospitality, retail, healthcare and institutional markets.
We had helped the company with their certified management system awhile back, so I was curious to share with others how a company that started out as a hinge distributor for a German company could now be operating as a leading, international laminate giant. I decided to return to their offices in Greensboro to find out.
You’ll understand why architects and interior designers who want to create spaces with eye catching color, texture and design turn to ATI for their innovative and decorative surface solutions.
You’ll also catch a glimpse of how a successful leadership transition happens in a family owned and operated manufacturing business. Plus, get some tips about maintaining a committed workforce.
LINKS
ATI Laminates
NCMEP
IES
ISO 9001
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.
Tara Burgio
Tara Burgio is President of ATI Laminates. She has held that role since 1994. Her focus is continuous improvement through continual training, process improvements, being an advocate for community service and maintaining environmentally friendly manufacturing. During her time as president, the company earned both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications.
Check out the Clocking In: Voices of NC Manufacturing website.