Cast Polymer Radio

On this episode, Kyle Jordan and Jeff Austad join the podcast to discuss the upcoming Certified Composites Technician Instructor Course on June 4-5 in Kansas City, MO at Polynt Composites Application Center.  This 2.5-day, Certified Composites Technician Instructor Course is an opportunity for current CCT certified individuals to become qualified instructors. The course will combine classroom trai...

On this episode, we feature an interview with Louisa Lewandowski and Kim Heinzen. They are the new owners of American Bluegrass Marble, a family-owned and operated business since 1978. Louisa and Kim bought the business back in June of 2024 and will share what attracted them to this kind of company. American Bluegrass Marble will be featured in the upcoming issue of  Cast Polymer Connection .  You...

On this episode, Louisa Lewandowski and Kim Rietze Heinzen join the podcast for a interview. They are the new owners of American Bluegrass Marble, a company that has a rich tradition of making high-quality marble products since 1978. 

On this episode, we'll discuss some exciting news in the world of closed mold technology. McCLARIN Composites has begun a development partnership with ExxonMobil's Proxxima business aimed at accelerating the growth of high-speed closed-mold composite manufacturing. For mold manufacturers in our industry, this is a huge step in the adoption of RTM processes.  Mike Groma cki , CEO of  McClarin Compo...

On this episode,  Dan Neumann of the ACMA joins us again for our final podcast of 2024. We'll be discussing the effect of the incoming administration's policies on composite manufacturers in the US.  Listeners who want to stay up to date with regulations and other policy concerns, and are not a member of the ACMA can join at  https://acmanet.org .

This episode features an interview with Darren Suggs, co-owner of Marble Masters . Darren was this year's Royce Newsom Pioneer Award Winner, becoming the 9th recipient of this honor. He and his brother purchased their business during the summer of 1980 and have been at it ever since.  

On this episode, we feature an interview with Aleasha Bahr. She is founder of the  Black Sheep Sales Method™ and hosts a podcast called Sales is NOT a Dirty Word . Aleasha has over 15 years of experience customizing sales strategies to your personality, audience, and service. Her methods empower business owners to effortlessly convert up to 80% of their leads without pressure, pitching or pretendi...

On this episode, I feature an interview with Maurice Conti. He is among the architects of cutting-edge emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, immersive reality (AR/VR/XR), advanced robotics and manufacturing, and technology for sustainability.  Maurice was also the keynote speaker at CAMX 2024 this year. 

On this episode, Paul Fayad joins the podcast. He is the co-author of a new book called Shaping a Winning Team: A Leader's Guide to Hiring, Assessing and Developing the People You Need to Succeed . Companies and organizations cost themselves more than a quarter of their annual earnings with each bad hire. They rely on failed interview processes and fallible intuition of individual managers when th...

On this epsiode, Karl Wadensten joins me to discuss lean manufacturing and the "science of vibration". Karl is the president and CEO of VIBCO Vibrators with offices in Rhode Island and Canada, and licensors in the United Kingdom and Australia. VIBCO serves over 360,000 customers worldwide. Karl was also our keynote speaker at POLYCON 2024. 

On this episode,  Drew Simmons  of  Magnum Venus Products (MVP)  discusses their latest automated spray technology. It's not your typical robot. There is no programming required! This technology is designed to simplify the automation process. You can learn more about it at  https://www.mvpind.com/product/self-learning-robotic-system . 

On this episode, Chris Hurdleston & Kay Rehberg join me to discuss some upcoming changes with ACS. ACS International is a leading supplier of raw materials for composite industries such as cast polymer, solid surface (counter tops and more), and fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP). You can find them at https://www.acsinternational.com .

ACS International Products, a leading supplier of raw materials for the cast polymer, solid surface composites, epoxy flooring and building materials industries, will officially transition to Dorfner USA by the end of this year. This transition marks an important milestone for the company, as Dorfner USA will further expand its' operations across North America.  On this episode, Mirko Mondan, CEO...

On this episode, Kyle Jordan and Rob Germann join me to discuss the ACMA's work with the US Army Corps of Engineers on a personalized training program located at Creative Composites Group's facility up in Dayton, OH. The training is based off the CCT VIP program, and they'll discuss how it is being used and how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is leveraging composite materials and the CCT program...

On this episode, we share a past interview with Scott MacKenzie of  MacKenzie Vault, Inc. His company has a rich history and goes back to Scott's great-grandfather, John Mackenzie who made funeral coaches and caskets in the late 1800s. Today, MacKenzie Vault is proud to be a trusted name for cultured marble, granite, onyx, and stone-tone cremation urns. You can learn more about their company by vi...

On this episode, Josh Shires, CEO of Fyous joins me to discuss their latest technology for tooling. It's called Polymorphic Moulding, an automated rapid shapeshifting molding technology that allows users to create accurate molds for tooling and will reduce time to market for a huge array of products. Their technology uses 28,000 digitally controlled pins to create a shape from a 3D CAD shape in le...

On this episode Nick Castelucci and Dave Palenchar join the podcast to give us an update on Prestige Tooling, a custom composite mold shop. These guys have a great team who've built their lives around making the best quality composite molds that money can buy. On any given day they're making solid surface molds, cultured marble and molds, and thermoforming molds. You can learn more about them by v...

On this episode,  Marilyn LaVergne  joins me on the podcast to discuss sustainability trends in Kitchen and Bath Design. Marilyn holds a B.A. in Mass Media Arts from Hampton University and has earned a Certificate of Interior Design from Parsons School of Design in New York City. She has over 12 years of experience in Kitchen & Bath design and has a growing enthusiasm for delivering sustainable de...

On this episode, I discuss a brand new book that every business owner, sales professional, or marketer should be reading. The title is Made You Look: How to Use Brain Science to Attract Attention and Persuade Others . In it, Carmen Simon, a cognitive neuroscientist uses advanced technologies to study where people look, for how long, what type of attention leads to memories, and what keeps the brai...

On this episode, we'll feature an interview with Markus Buehler , McAfee Professor of Engineering at MIT.  He'll be discussing how they are using AI & machine learning to create stronger materials.  For engineers developing new materials, there are billions of different possibilities to sort through. Lab tests & detailed computer simulations to determine their exact properties can take hours, and...

On this episode, I feature an interview with Daniel Den. He's the co-author of the new book Ideas That Influence. His book aims to help business owners discover successful marketing ideas that break through the noise of the 9,999 ads their customers are exposed to every single day. You can learn more by visiting  https://www.bigideasbox.com.

On this episode, I feature an interview with  Pravin Luthada , CEO of  Addcomposites. He'll be discussing AFP (automated fiber placement) technology and its applications for composite manufacturers. 

On this episode, we feature an interview with Vanessa Bohns. She is the author of the bestselling book  You Have More Influence Than You Think . In her book, Vanessa draws from her research to illustrate why we fail to recognize the influence we have, and how that lack of awareness can lead us to miss opportunities or accidentally misuse our power. Vanessa is a social psychologist and professor of...

On this episode, ACMA consultant Andrew Pokelwaldt joins me to discuss some key technologies driving Industry 4.0. Industry 4.0, often referred to as the fourth industrial revolution, represents a seismic shift in the way manufacturing and production processes are managed.  With the advent of smart factories, the integration of cyber-physical systems, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and...

On this episode, Jesse Henry, CEO of  Heartland joins the podcast to discuss how their company is helping the composites industry with sustainable feedstock materials. Heartland is a material science company that provides manufacturers with a sustainable source of additives like fillers, reinforcements, & mineral extenders to enhance products they already make. They work with local farmers to prod...