Executive Sessions

On MiddleGround’s twenty-seventh episode of Executive Sessions, Jane Sidebottom and Phil Arra share practical perspectives on scaling businesses. This episode covers: 1. Why scaling starts with a clear vision, not just growth targets 2. How growth exposes operational gaps and system limitations 3. The role of focus and discipline as complexity increases 4. What successful companies do differently...

On MiddleGround’s twenty-sixth episode of Executive Sessions, John Stewart, our Founding and Managing Partner, sits down with Scot Duncan and David Dressman to unpack what it really takes for leaders to stay connected to daily operations.  This episode covers: 1. Why leaders lose visibility into shop-floor realities, and how firsthand observation bridges the gap 2. Common leadership blind spots an...

On MiddleGround’s twenty-fifth episode of Executive Sessions, John Stewart, our Founding and Managing Partner, joins industry experts John Miller and Victor Roos to explore the relationship between purchasing and sales, and why alignment between these two functions is critical to every manufacturing operation. This episode covers: How communication between purchasing and sales impacts margins and...

On MiddleGround’s twenty-fourth episode of executive sessions, John Stewart, our Founding and Managing Partner, sits down with Kelly Myers, Managing Director on our Financial Operations Team, and Greg Ramfos, CEO of Dura-Shiloh, to explore one of the most essential and complex aspects of leadership: developing strong teams. This episode covers: How to build alignment and trust from the top down Us...

On MiddleGround’s twenty-third episode of executive sessions, John Stewart, our Founding and Managing Partner, steps in as host for the first time. He’s joined by Paul O’Brien, our Managing Director of Human Capital, and Miles Anderson, a Vice President on our Automation Team, to dig into one of the most pressing issues facing manufacturing today: the labor shortage. This episode covers: The impac...

On MiddleGround’s twenty-second episode of Executive Sessions, Ryan McComb, our Managing Director on the Transaction Team, and Dan Stoettner, CEO of A. M. Castle & Co., lead the discussion. This episode covers:  Strategic Benefits of Company Mergers  Culture Alignment in Mergers Effective Merger Communication and Integration Overcoming Merger Challenges Check out our company blog recapping the...

On MiddleGround’s twenty-first episode of executive sessions, John Dotson and Miles Anderson from MiddleGround’s Automation lead the discussion. This episode covers:  Automation as a response to labor shortages  How to identify tasks to automate Ensuring success: training, ROI, and culture Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/3Ry8BdE Learn more about MiddleGround Capita...

On MiddleGround’s twentieth episode of executive sessions, Nate Wheeler, Owner and CEO of marketing agency weCreate, and Leanne Walmsley, the Communications and Marketing Manager for Xtrac lead the discussions. This episode covers: Developing an effective marketing strategy  The importance of digital marketing in B2B manufacturing Leveraging cost-effective marketing for growth  Check out our compa...

On MiddleGround’s nineteenth episode of executive sessions, discussions are led by John Stewart, MiddleGround’s Founding Partner, and Steve Myers, former operations leader at Parker Hannifin. This episode covers: Innovation process and customer-centric development Challenges and risk management Success factors for innovation  Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/4gHJUpc...

On MiddleGround’s eighteenth episode of executive sessions, discussions are led by Bill Krueger, President of Global Manufacturing Operations at The Greenbrier Companies. This episode covers: Transitioning from automotive to rail  Key differences between automotive and rail manufacturing Developing ESG practices in a new industry Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/3E1...

On MiddleGround’s seventeenth episode of Executive Sessions, discussions are led by the Managing Director of the Transactions Team at MiddleGround Capital, Ryan McComb and Director of the Transactions Team at MiddleGround Capital, David Walden. This episode covers:    1. Trends driving growth in the sector  2. How aging infrastructure creates pressure to innovate  3. Strategies for overcoming hurd...

On MiddleGround’s sixteenth episode of executive sessions, discussions are led by MiddleGround's portfolio CEOs Ron Lindsay of Lindsay Precast and Tom Brockley of Arrow Tru-Line. This episode covers: 1. Creating an Engaged Workforce 2. Strong Management, Communication, and Trust 3. Adapting to Labor Market Challenges Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/4fDzQ0i Lea...

In episode 15 of Executive Sessions, we explore practical approaches to cutting energy usage in manufacturing with MiddleGround Capital’s Director of Operations, Jason Jacob, and Director of ESG, Madelyn Tutewiler. In this episode, they explore: 1. Strategies for improving energy efficiency with case studies from across the MiddleGround portfolio  2. Common barriers to implementation 3. Creating a...

On MiddleGround’s thirteenth episode of Executive Sessions, discussions are led by MiddleGround Founding Partner, Scot Duncan, and our Vice President of Operations, Zach Jackson. This episode covers: 1. Building a diverse and resilient team 2. Practical tips on how to manage diverse teams 3. Proactive problem-solving case study Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/46Jyg...

On MiddleGround’s twelfth episode of Executive Sessions,  discussions are led by MiddleGround Founding Partner, Scot Duncan, and our Managing Director of Operations, Stan Stanford. This episode covers: 1. Importance of Simple Technological Solutions in Manufacturing 2. Bridging the Experience Gap in Manufacturing 3. Real-time Shop Floor Management Check out our company blog recapping the episode:...

On MiddleGround’s eleventh episode of Executive Sessions,  discussions are led by MiddleGround's  Director and Head of NA Business Development, Dyana Baurley, recapping her interview with David Bookbinder on the “Behind the Numbers (https://www.youtube.com/@behindthenumbers) ” podcast. This episode covers: 1.     Private Equity as a Liquidity Strategy 2.     Factors Making a Company Investabl...

On MiddleGround's tenth episode of executive sessions, discussions are led by MiddleGround's Founding and Managing Partner, John Stewart, and Sean Mooney, BluWave’s Founder, and CEO. This episode covers:  1. From the factory floor to private equity 2. MiddleGround’s differentiated approach Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/3wVP2oK Check out BluWave’s “Karma...

On MiddleGround’s eighth episode of Executive Sessions, discussions are led by MiddleGround's Founding Partner, John Stewart, and the Dean of the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics, Dr. Simon Sheather to talk all things AI. This episode covers: 1. AI Opportunities and Benefits 2. Setbacks and dangers of AI 3. AI in Manufacturing and Private Equity Check out our...

On MiddleGround’s eighth episode of Executive Sessions, discussions are led by MiddleGround's Founding Partner, John Stewart, and Head of our Transaction Team, Justin Steil. This episode covers: 1. The United Auto Workers Strike 2. 2017-2024: A New Normal 3. Electric Vehicles Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/3HFyoLX Learn more about MiddleGround Capital: https:...

On MiddleGround’s seventh episode of Executive Sessions, discussions are led by MiddleGround’s Founding Partner, John Stewart, and the Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics, Dr. Mike Clark. This episode covers: 1. 2023 Economic Status 2. A Resurgence in US Manufacturing 3....

On MiddleGound’s sixth episode of Executive Sessions, discussions are led by MiddleGround's Founding Partner, John Stewart, Managing Director of our European Transaction Team, Alex Van Der Have, and Head of EU Business Development, Anthony Denaix. This episode covers: 1.     Considerations of European Expansion 2.     The Importance of Hiring Locally 3.     Differences in strategy between the...

On MiddleGround’s fifth episode of Executive Sessions, Clayton Gullett leads discussions with MiddleGround Founding Partner John Stewart and his brother, Co-Partner of Banner Industries, David Stewart. This episode covers: 1. Building a Bootcamp 2. Creating and Maintaining Cooperative Change 3. Lean Manufacturing Requires Standardization 4. The Impact of Bootcamps Check out our company blog recapp...

On MiddleGround’s fourth episode of executive sessions, discussions are led by MiddleGround's Director of ESG, Madelyn Tutewiler, and Managing Director of ESG, Mike Bridge. This episode covers: 1. The importance of involving ESG in businesses 2. Raising minimum full-time pay to $25/Hour by 2025 3. Equitable hiring to reflect local communities 4. How we bring ESG to life in portfolio companies...

In MiddleGround’s third episode of executive sessions, discussions are led by MiddleGround Capital's Founding and Managing Partner, John Stewart, and a Vice President on the Transaction team, Tyler May. This episode covers: 1. Factors in driving electrification and autonomous vehicles forward 2. Shift from the automotive industry to the mobility industry 3. Barriers to fully autonomous cars C...

Introducing MiddleGround’s first episode of executive sessions, where discussions are led by John Stewart and Scot Duncan, founding Partners of MiddleGround Capital. This first episode covers four primary topics: 1. Who are John and Scot? 2. Changing labor markets 3. The human element of business 4. Near term challenges Check out our company blog recapping this episode here: https://bit.ly/3UFnHPe...